Wakana Fukushima (福島 和可菜, Fukushima Wakana; born 2 December 1982, in Hakodate, Hokkaido) is a Japanese tarento…Wakana Fukushima (福島 和可菜, Fukushima Wakana; born 2 December 1982, in Hakodate, Hokkaido) is a Japanese tarento, actress, Reserve Self-Defense Official, marathon runner and ultramarathon runner. She is nicknamed Wakanan (ワカナン) and Wackana (ワッカーナ, Wakkāna). She is represented with N Force Promotion from Sun Music Production. Fukushima graduated from Hokkaido Hakodate Technical High School.
Yoshihiro Kamegai (亀海喜寛 Kamegai Yoshihiro, born November 12, 1982) is a Japanese former professional boxer who competed…Yoshihiro Kamegai (亀海喜寛 Kamegai Yoshihiro, born November 12, 1982) is a Japanese former professional boxer who competed from 2005 to 2018. affiliated with the Teiken Boxing Gym and Golden Boy Promotions. He secured the Japanese super lightweight title in 2010 as the 33rd champion and defended it once before vacating it. He made his U.S. boxing debut in 2011, securing a victory over Hector Munoz at the MGM Grand. He became the 38th OPBF welterweight champion, securing the title in 2013 before vacating it after one defense. He fought Miguel Cotto for the vacant WBO light middleweight world title.
Tsunehira Furuya (古谷 経衡 Furuya Tsunehira; born November 10, 1982 Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan) is a Japanese critic…Tsunehira Furuya (古谷 経衡 Furuya Tsunehira; born November 10, 1982 Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan) is a Japanese critic, writer, and political activist. Since November 2014, he has been the president of the non-profit Koto Video Promotion Agency.
Hamuko Hoshi (星 ハム子, Hoshi Hamuko; born October 19, 1982) is a Japanese professional wrestler, currently working for…Hamuko Hoshi (星 ハム子, Hoshi Hamuko; born October 19, 1982) is a Japanese professional wrestler, currently working for the Ice Ribbon promotion. She is also a former two-time ICE×∞ Champion and a four-time International Ribbon Tag Team Champion. She also makes regular appearances for the World Woman Pro-Wrestling Diana promotion.
Yutaka Fukufuji (福藤 豊, Fukufuji Yutaka; born September 17, 1982) is a Japanese ice hockey player for the Nikko Ice…Yutaka Fukufuji (福藤 豊, Fukufuji Yutaka; born September 17, 1982) is a Japanese ice hockey player for the Nikko Ice Bucks of the Asia League Ice Hockey. Fukufuji was the first Japanese player to appear in a National Hockey League (NHL) game, and played 4 games with the Los Angeles Kings during the 2006–07 season. The first Japanese draft pick, Hiroyuki Miura, was selected by the Montreal Canadiens in the 1992 NHL Draft, but never played in an NHL game. Fukufuji is the first Japanese citizen to be drafted as a goaltender in the NHL and second Japanese national to be drafted. Internationally Fukufuji has played for the Japanese national team at several World Championships.
Teruhiro Sugimori (born 15 October 1982) is a Japanese speed skater. He competed at the 2006 Winter Olympics and the…Teruhiro Sugimori (born 15 October 1982) is a Japanese speed skater. He competed at the 2006 Winter Olympics and the 2010 Winter Olympics.
Mayu Kida (木田 真有, Kida Mayu; born September 14, 1982 in Obihiro, Hokkaidō) is a retired Japanese sprinter, who…Mayu Kida (木田 真有, Kida Mayu; born September 14, 1982 in Obihiro, Hokkaidō) is a retired Japanese sprinter, who specialized in the 400 metres. Kida competed for the women's 4 × 400 m relay at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, along with her teammates Sayaka Aoki, Satomi Kubokura, and Asami Tanno. She ran on the third leg of the first heat, with an individual-split time of 52.72 seconds. Kida and her team finished the relay in last place for a seasonal best time of 3:30.52, failing to advance into the final.
Takeshi Fukunaga (福永 壮志, Fukunaga Takeshi; born September 10, 1982) is a Japanese filmmaker and director. His first…Takeshi Fukunaga (福永 壮志, Fukunaga Takeshi; born September 10, 1982) is a Japanese filmmaker and director. His first feature film, Out of My Hand (2015) premiered in the Panorama section at the 65th Berlin International Film Festival and won the US Fiction Award at the 2015 Los Angeles Film Festival. He won the George C. Lin Emerging Filmmaker Award at the 2015 San Diego Asian Film Festival. The film was later released worldwide through Ava DuVernay’s distribution company, ARRAY. Takeshi was nominated for the John Cassavetes Award at the 2016 Independent Spirit Awards. In 2017, he was selected for The Residence by Cannes Film Festival's Cinéfondation to develop his second feature film. His second feature film, Ainu Mosir (2020) won Special Jury Mention in International Narrative Competition at Tribeca Film Festival, and Best Film in International Feature Competition at Gunajuato International Film Festival.
Yuta Watase (渡瀬 雄太, Watase Yūta; born 8 August 1982) is a Japanese ski jumper. In the World Cup he finished once among…Yuta Watase (渡瀬 雄太, Watase Yūta; born 8 August 1982) is a Japanese ski jumper. In the World Cup he finished once among the top 10, recording an eighth place from January 2001 in Park City, Utah. 2008–2009 he made a comeback to the Japan Ski jump team in the Fis World cup.
Hiroki Hirako (平子 裕基, Hirako Hiroki; born 6 August 1982) is a Japanese speed skater. He has competed for Japan at the…Hiroki Hirako (平子 裕基, Hirako Hiroki; born 6 August 1982) is a Japanese speed skater. He has competed for Japan at the 2010 Winter Olympics. He has also previously competed in the 2002 Winter Olympics. He won gold medal in the 2007 Asian Winter Games.
Shigeyuki Dejima (出島 茂幸, Dejima Shigeyuki; born 12 May 1982) is a Japanese speed skater. He competed in two events at…Shigeyuki Dejima (出島 茂幸, Dejima Shigeyuki; born 12 May 1982) is a Japanese speed skater. He competed in two events at the 2010 Winter Olympics.
Satomi Kubokura (久保倉 里美, Kubokura Satomi; born 27 April 1982 in Asahikawa) is a Japanese track and field athlete who…Satomi Kubokura (久保倉 里美, Kubokura Satomi; born 27 April 1982 in Asahikawa) is a Japanese track and field athlete who competes in the 200 metres, the 400 metres and the 400 m hurdles. Her personal bests are 24.32 in the 200 m achieved at Kobe on 27 April 2008; 38.12 in the 300 metres at Izumo on 22 April 2007; 53.08 in the 400 metres in Osaka on 30 June 2007; and 55.34 in the 400 m hurdles at Osaka on 26 June 2011. She competed in the 400 metres hurdles at the 2008 Beijing Olympics where she qualified for the second round with the twelfth fastest overall time of 55.82 seconds. At the 2012 Summer Olympics, she reached the semi-finals of 400 metre hurdles.
Masashi Joho (城宝匡史, Jōhō Masashi; born April 24, 1982) is a retired Japanese professional basketball player who played…Masashi Joho (城宝匡史, Jōhō Masashi; born April 24, 1982) is a retired Japanese professional basketball player who played for the Ehime Orange Vikings of the B.League in Japan. He is the first and only Japanese bj leaguer that acquired the regular season MVP award.
Keiichiro Nagashima (長島 圭一郎, Nagashima Keiichirō; born 20 April 1982) is a Japanese long track speed skater…Keiichiro Nagashima (長島 圭一郎, Nagashima Keiichirō; born 20 April 1982) is a Japanese long track speed skater specialising in the sprint distances 500 and 1000 metres. Nagashima has won two World Cup races and has three Japanese domestic titles. He is a member of the Nidec Sankyo speed skating team.
Mitsuhide Hirasawa (平澤 光秀, Hirasawa Mitsuhide; born 27 March 1982) is a Japanese former professional wrestler. He is…Mitsuhide Hirasawa (平澤 光秀, Hirasawa Mitsuhide; born 27 March 1982) is a Japanese former professional wrestler. He is best known for his two stints with New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW) and a brief stint with World Wrestling Council (WWC). Hirasawa wrestled as a jobber, under the mask superhero, Captain New Japan (キャプテン・ニュージャパン, Kyaputen Nyū Japan). He has also worked under another mask as Bone Soldier, and unmasked under his real name, as well as the ring name Hideo Saito (ヒデオ・サイトー, Hideo Saitō). He is also known for his brief tenure with New Japan's stables Chaos and Bullet Club, but was kicked out for his poor performance.
Shōgō Yasumura (安村 昇剛, Yasumura Shōgō; born March 15, 1982), better known as Tonikaku Akarui Yasumura (とにかく明るい安村, lit.…Shōgō Yasumura (安村 昇剛, Yasumura Shōgō; born March 15, 1982), better known as Tonikaku Akarui Yasumura (とにかく明るい安村, lit. 'Yasumura the Very Cheerful Person') or 'Tony' Yasumura, is a Japanese comedian who is represented by the talent agency, Yoshimoto Creative Agency. He was a former member of Armstrong. He graduated from Tokyo NSC 6th generation. Yasumura graduated from Asahikawa Business High School.
Tomohito Yoneno (米野 智人, born January 21, 1982, in Sapporo) is a Japanese professional baseball catcher for the Hokkaido…Tomohito Yoneno (米野 智人, born January 21, 1982, in Sapporo) is a Japanese professional baseball catcher for the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters in Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball.
Shinsuke Kashiwagi (柏木 真介、born December 22, 1981) is a Japanese professional basketball player. He plays for the…Shinsuke Kashiwagi (柏木 真介、born December 22, 1981) is a Japanese professional basketball player. He plays for the SeaHorses Mikawa of the B.League. Kashiwagi was a member of the Japan national basketball team. He played for the team in the 2006 FIBA World Championship and the FIBA Asia Championship 2007 and FIBA Asia Championship 2009. In the 2009-10 season, Kashiwagi entered the month-long winter break averaging 13.7 points and 3.5 assists per game for the Seahorses. He was named to the West squad for the 2009-10 JBL Super League All-Star game.
Akifumi Miura (三浦アキフミ, or 三浦哲郁; born 16 November 1981) is a Japanese actor. He made his debut in the 2001 film…Akifumi Miura (三浦アキフミ, or 三浦哲郁; born 16 November 1981) is a Japanese actor. He made his debut in the 2001 film Waterboys.
Manta Aisora (Japanese: 逢空万太) (3 October 1981 in Sapporo) is a Japanese writer. He is best known for the series…Manta Aisora (Japanese: 逢空万太) (3 October 1981 in Sapporo) is a Japanese writer. He is best known for the series Haiyore! Nyaruko-san which was adapted into anime. In 2012 he was awarded the 1st Prize awarded by GA Bunko for Yumemiru mama ni machi itari (夢見 る ま ま に 待 ち い た り) for one of the novels in the Haiyore! Nyaruko-san series.
Akira Sasaki (佐々木 明, Sasaki Akira; born September 26, 1981) is a Japanese alpine skier. At the 2002 Winter Olympics…Akira Sasaki (佐々木 明, Sasaki Akira; born September 26, 1981) is a Japanese alpine skier. At the 2002 Winter Olympics, Sasaki ranked 34th in the giant slalom. He did not finish in the slalom event. His best result in the Alpine Skiing World Cup is from 2003 slalom in Wengen, where he finished in a surprising second place with starting number 65. His other best results are fourth places in Kranjska Gora in 2004 and in Beaver Creek in 2005, fifth in Sestriere 2004 and 2005, and second in Schladming and in Shigakōgen in 2006. In giant slalom, his best result in the World Cup was the 24th place in Sölden in 2004. Sasaki represented Japan at the 2006 Winter Olympics participating in slalom and giant slalom, but did not finish in these events. In Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics Sasaki placed 14th in the men's slalom
Koji Yamase (山瀬 功治, Yamase Kōji; born 22 September 1981) is a Japanese football player who plays for Renofa Yamaguchi…Koji Yamase (山瀬 功治, Yamase Kōji; born 22 September 1981) is a Japanese football player who plays for Renofa Yamaguchi FC. His father Isao Yamase participated in the 1984 Winter Olympics as a biathlete. His brother Yukihiro Yamase is also a footballer.
Shoko Ono (小野 粧子, Ono Shōko; born September 5, 1981) is a Japanese ice hockey player for Mikage Gretz and the Japanese…Shoko Ono (小野 粧子, Ono Shōko; born September 5, 1981) is a Japanese ice hockey player for Mikage Gretz and the Japanese national team. She participated at the 2016 IIHF Women's World Championship. Ono competed at the 2018 Winter Olympics.
Shuichi Akai (赤井 秀一, Akai Shūichi; born September 2, 1981) is a former Japanese football player. he currently assistant…Shuichi Akai (赤井 秀一, Akai Shūichi; born September 2, 1981) is a former Japanese football player. he currently assistant manager J3 League club of Ehime FC
Natsumi Abe (安倍 なつみ, Abe Natsumi; born August 10, 1981) is a Japanese singer and actress, a former member of Morning…Natsumi Abe (安倍 なつみ, Abe Natsumi; born August 10, 1981) is a Japanese singer and actress, a former member of Morning Musume, and a member of Dream Morning Musume.
Takuya Furuya (古谷 拓哉, born July 14, 1981, in Kitami, Hokkaidō) is a Japanese former professional baseball pitcher in…Takuya Furuya (古谷 拓哉, born July 14, 1981, in Kitami, Hokkaidō) is a Japanese former professional baseball pitcher in Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball. He played for the Chiba Lotte Marines in 2006 and from 2009 to 2016.
Daisuke Obara (小原 大輔, Obara Daisuke; born June 4, 1981) is a Japanese professional ice hockey center currently playing…Daisuke Obara (小原 大輔, Obara Daisuke; born June 4, 1981) is a Japanese professional ice hockey center currently playing for the Oji Eagles of the Asia League. He began his professional career in 2003–2004, at the American ECHL, playing for the Peoria Rivermen, Charlotte Checkers and Augusta Lynx; later he played for the Kokudo/Seibu Prince Rabbits between 2004 and 2009; for the Nippon Paper Cranes from 2009 to 2014; and since 2014, the (Oji Eagles. He also has played for the Japan national team since 2000 (Japan U20 and Senior).
Yukari Watanabe (渡邊 ゆかり, Watanabe Yukari; born 28 April 1981) is a Japanese speed skater. She competed at the 2002…Yukari Watanabe (渡邊 ゆかり, Watanabe Yukari; born 28 April 1981) is a Japanese speed skater. She competed at the 2002 Winter Olympics and the 2006 Winter Olympics.
Mizuki Watanabe (渡辺みづき, Watanabe Mizuki; born March 6, 1981 in Kitami, Hokkaidō, Japan), better known simply as Miz, is…Mizuki Watanabe (渡辺みづき, Watanabe Mizuki; born March 6, 1981 in Kitami, Hokkaidō, Japan), better known simply as Miz, is a Japanese pop/rock singer. Though most of her music is released in Japan, she does her work primarily from Gotland in Sweden, mainly doing promotional videos, photo shoots and recording there. She originally debuted in 1999 under Universal Music Japan using her real name, Watanabe Mizuki, releasing two singles. In 2003, she began working with the Swedish producer Tord Backstrom and debuted under Victor Entertainment with the pseudonym Miz in 2004. That same year, she released an English album in Sweden, with the lead single "Waiting" reaching #8 on the Hitlistan Swedish singles chart. In 2007, Watanabe returned to Universal Music Japan, changed her stage name to Mizrock, and released her first mini-album Good bye, yesterday and three singles. However, in 2009 she announced on her official blog that she had changed her stage name back to Miz. Her biggest hits in Japan are "New Day" and "In The Sky", the theme song for the Square Enix role-playing video game Grandia III.
Yūya Oikawa (及川 佑, Oikawa Yūya) (born 16 January 1981) is a Japanese speed skater. He competed in the 500 meter speed…Yūya Oikawa (及川 佑, Oikawa Yūya) (born 16 January 1981) is a Japanese speed skater. He competed in the 500 meter speed skating events in the 2006, 2010, and 2014 Winter Olympics.
Yuya Sato (佐藤友哉, Satō Yūya; born 1980) is a Japanese novelist from Hokkaido Prefecture. He won the 21st Mephisto Prize…Yuya Sato (佐藤友哉, Satō Yūya; born 1980) is a Japanese novelist from Hokkaido Prefecture. He won the 21st Mephisto Prize for Flicker Style, and the 20th Yukio Mishima Prize for 1000 Novels and Backbeard. His works have been translated into English, Chinese and Korean. Sato's short story "Same As Always" was translated for The Penguin Book of Japanese Short Stories (2018), and has been described as "an acerbic meditation on the complex interplay of gender and nurturing in post-Fukushima Japan." Kenzaburō Ōe, Kenji Nakagami and especially J. D. Salinger affected Sato's style.
Kosuke Endo (遠藤 幸佑, Endō Kōsuke; born November 11, 1980 in Nakashibetsu, Hokkaidō) is a Japanese rugby union player who…Kosuke Endo (遠藤 幸佑, Endō Kōsuke; born November 11, 1980 in Nakashibetsu, Hokkaidō) is a Japanese rugby union player who won 41 caps for the Japan national team and represented them at the 2007 and 2011 Rugby World Cup. Endo made his debut for Japan against Italy in July 2004, but then had to wait until 2006 until he returned for his second cap and then established himself as the first choice right wing after Daisuke Ohata late career was plagued by injuries, and remained there for most of John Kirwan's time as Japan coach between 2007 and 2011. In the 2007 Rugby World Cup he notably finished a spectacular break out try from their own 5 metre line against Wales at the Millennium Stadium which was praised as one of the outstanding tries of the tournament one of Japan's best of all time. He followed that up by scoring another try against Canada in the next match from a run just under 50 metres through the defence. Endo left the World Cup with an increased reputation and coach John Kirwan said that "he could be one of the best wingers in the world". In 2008, Endo signed to play a season in the Air New Zealand Cup with Canterbury. Endo remained in the Japan side until the 2011 Rugby World Cup where he started 3 matches. In the last match against Canada, Endo again scored a try like he did against the same opposition in the 2007 tournament, but also had a nightmare match in defence missing 5 tackles one of which led to a Canada try. After that match, Endo was dropped by new coach Eddie Jones who put Toshiaki Hirose as captain ahead of him in his position on the wing. He was briefly recalled to a wider training squad in 2013 after some good form for his domestic side Toyota Verblitz but didn't play with younger players such as Yoshikazu Fujita and Kenki Fukuoka being preferred ahead of him.
Masako Ishida (石田 正子, Ishida Masako) (born November 5, 1980) is a Japanese cross-country skier who has competed since…Masako Ishida (石田 正子, Ishida Masako) (born November 5, 1980) is a Japanese cross-country skier who has competed since 1998. Her best World Cup finish was third in the 30 km event in Norway in 2009. Competing in five Winter Olympics, Ishida earned her best finish of fifth in the 30 km event at Vancouver in 2010. She competed at the 2022 Winter Olympics, in Women's 10 kilometre classical, Women's 30 kilometre freestyle, Women's 15 kilometre skiathlon, and Women's 4 × 5 kilometre relay. Her best finish at the FIS Nordic World Ski Championships was fourth in the team sprint event at Liberec in 2009. Attending five consecutive Olympic Games and eleven World Championships, she holds a world record in all categories except pistol shooting.
Sayuri Osuga (Japanese: 大菅小百合, born 27 October 1980) is a Japanese speed skater and cyclist. She is one of the few…Sayuri Osuga (Japanese: 大菅小百合, born 27 October 1980) is a Japanese speed skater and cyclist. She is one of the few athletes who started both in the Winter Games 2002 and 2006 (in the 500 m speed skating event) and in the 2004 Summer Games (in the 500 m time trial cycling event, placing 10th). Until 2006, she was a member of the professional Sankyoseiki speedskating team. She placed first and third in the Speedskating World Cup. She holds the Japanese records in the 500 m speed skating and the 500 m time trial event. From 2006 to 2011, she was sponsored by the construction company Daiwa House Industries Co. Ltd. She retired in 2011.
Yūsuke Takahashi (高橋 祐介, Takahashi Yūsuke; born 12 September 1980) is a Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic…Yūsuke Takahashi (高橋 祐介, Takahashi Yūsuke; born 12 September 1980) is a Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic Party, who serves as a member of the House of Representatives.
Ichiro Yamaguchi (山口 一郎, Yamaguchi Ichirō; born September 8, 1980), is a Japanese musician. He is the vocalist…Ichiro Yamaguchi (山口 一郎, Yamaguchi Ichirō; born September 8, 1980), is a Japanese musician. He is the vocalist, guitarist and songwriter for the Hokkaido rock band Sakanaction.
Terumasa Ishihara (石原 輝政, Ishihara Terumasa; born July 15, 1980), better known by his ring name B×B Hulk (B×Bハルク, Bī Bī…Terumasa Ishihara (石原 輝政, Ishihara Terumasa; born July 15, 1980), better known by his ring name B×B Hulk (B×Bハルク, Bī Bī Haruku) ( BEE-BEE-hulk), is a Japanese professional wrestler. As of 2005, he is currently working for Dragon Gate. He was also known for his longstanding rivalry with Shingo Takagi.
Masayuki Kono (河野 真幸, Kōno Masayuki; born April 12, 1980 in Noboribetsu, Hokkaidō) is a Japanese professional wrestler…Masayuki Kono (河野 真幸, Kōno Masayuki; born April 12, 1980 in Noboribetsu, Hokkaidō) is a Japanese professional wrestler and former mixed martial artist. He is working as a freelancer. He is best known for his time in Wrestle-1, where he is a former two-time Wrestle-1 Champion.
Mikuni Shimokawa (下川 みくに, Shimokawa Mikuni; born 19 March 1980) is a Japanese pop singer and songwriter. She is best…Mikuni Shimokawa (下川 みくに, Shimokawa Mikuni; born 19 March 1980) is a Japanese pop singer and songwriter. She is best known for her songs used for anime theme music, particularly the opening and ending themes of the Full Metal Panic! series. In addition to her vocal talents, Shimokawa can also play the piano. She is a former member of the girl group Checkicco.
Hideki Suzuki (鈴木 秀樹, Suzuki Hideki; born February 18, 1980) is a Japanese professional wrestler and catch wrestler. He…Hideki Suzuki (鈴木 秀樹, Suzuki Hideki; born February 18, 1980) is a Japanese professional wrestler and catch wrestler. He is signed to All Japan Pro Wrestling. Trained by Billy Robinson, Suzuki started his career with the Inoki Genome Federation (IGF) promotion in 2008. In 2014, he left IGF to become a freelancer, starting to work for promotions such as Big Japan Pro Wrestling (BJW), Pro Wrestling Zero1 (Zero1) and Wrestle-1 (W-1). He is a former two-time BJW World Strong Heavyweight Champion, a former one-time Zero1 World Heavyweight, NWA United National Heavyweight, Wrestle-1 Champion and NWA Intercontinental Tag Team Champion. In 2017, Fighting TV Samurai named Suzuki the MVP in Japanese independent wrestling. In 2021, Suzuki signed with WWE, where he performed on the NXT brand under the ring name Hachiman as a member of Diamond Mine, and also worked as a coach at the WWE Performance Center.
