Misugiiso Takuya (born 11 May 1956 as Hidenori Kamisawa) is a former sumo wrestler from Hachinohe, Aomori, Japan. He…
Misugiiso Takuya (born 11 May 1956 as Hidenori Kamisawa) is a former sumo wrestler from Hachinohe, Aomori, Japan. He made his professional debut in March 1971, and reached the top division in November 1977. His highest rank was maegashira 2. He was a member of Hanakago stable and served as sword-bearer to his stablemate Wajima during the yokozuna dohyo-iri. He retired in September 1986, and as of 2021 he is an elder in the Japan Sumo Association under the name Minezaki. He was the head coach of Minezaki stable which he founded in 1988 until its closure in 2021. He speaks English due to his frequent trips to Hawaii. He is married with one son. After reaching 65 years of age in May 2021 he was re-employed for a further five years as a consultant and is currently working at Shibatayama stable. Nicknamed "Drone master", Misugiiso is known for his passion for drones piloting his own machines and having accumulated over 280 hours of flight handling. In December 2021, he was asked by the Japan Sumo Association to collaborate on an aerial photography project of the Ryōgoku Kokugikan.
Famous People from Aomori Prefecture
Aomori Prefecture: 260 people
Shingo Mimura (三村申吾, Mimura Shingo; born 16 April 1956) is a Japanese politician who served as Governor of Aomori…
Shingo Mimura (三村申吾, Mimura Shingo; born 16 April 1956) is a Japanese politician who served as Governor of Aomori Prefecture for five terms, from 29 June 2003 to 28 June 2023. He previously served as a member of House of Representatives from June 2000 to June 2003 from Aomori 2nd ward. He also served as a Mayor of his hometown Momoishi, Aomori from the year 1992 to 1996.
Yukio Odagiri (小田桐 幸雄, Odagiri Yukio; born 10 February 1956) is a Japanese boxer. He competed in the men's…
Yukio Odagiri (小田桐 幸雄, Odagiri Yukio; born 10 February 1956) is a Japanese boxer. He competed in the men's featherweight event at the 1976 Summer Olympics.
Tadashi Ogasawara (小笠原 嘉, Ogasawara Tadashi; born 21 June 1955) is a Japanese former cyclist. He competed in the team…
Tadashi Ogasawara (小笠原 嘉, Ogasawara Tadashi; born 21 June 1955) is a Japanese former cyclist. He competed in the team pursuit event at the 1976 Summer Olympics. He was also a professional keirin cyclist.
Akiko Yano (矢野 顕子, Yano Akiko; born Akiko Suzuki (鈴木 顕子, Suzuki Akiko); February 13, 1955) is a Japanese pop and jazz…
Akiko Yano (矢野 顕子, Yano Akiko; born Akiko Suzuki (鈴木 顕子, Suzuki Akiko); February 13, 1955) is a Japanese pop and jazz musician and singer. Born in Tokyo, she was raised in Aomori and began her singing career in the mid-1970s. She has been called "one of the major musical talents of the Japanese popular music world". Her vocals and eclectic style have often been compared to her slightly later English contemporary Kate Bush. She has recorded with Yellow Magic Orchestra and its members Ryuichi Sakamoto, Haruomi Hosono and Yukihiro Takahashi, as well as with Swing Out Sister, Pat Metheny, The Chieftains, Lyle Mays, members of Little Feat, David Sylvian, Mick Karn, Kenji Omura, Gil Goldstein, Toninho Horta, Mino Cinelu, Jeff Bova, Charlie Haden, Peter Erskine, Anthony Jackson, David Rhodes, Bill Frisell, Thomas Dolby, the band Quruli, Rei Harakami as Yanokami and her daughter Miu Sakamoto.
Yoshiaki Ogasawara (小笠原 義明, Ogasawara Yoshiaki; born 29 April 1954) is a Japanese former cyclist. He competed in the…
Yoshiaki Ogasawara (小笠原 義明, Ogasawara Yoshiaki; born 29 April 1954) is a Japanese former cyclist. He competed in the team pursuit event at the 1976 Summer Olympics. He was also a professional keirin cyclist.
Wakako Sawara (佐原 若子) (born November 22, 1953) is a Japanese politician and dentist. She is a member of the House of…
Wakako Sawara (佐原 若子) (born November 22, 1953) is a Japanese politician and dentist. She is a member of the House of Representatives (1 term) and a director of the Aomori Prefectural Medical Association.
Taikō Yoshio (born 30 October 1953 as Yoshio Yokoyama) is a former sumo wrestler from Aomori, Japan. He made his…
Taikō Yoshio (born 30 October 1953 as Yoshio Yokoyama) is a former sumo wrestler from Aomori, Japan. He made his professional debut in November 1968, and reached the top division in May 1978. His highest rank was maegashira 2. He left the sumo world upon retirement in November 1980.
Wakanohana Kanji (Japanese: 若乃花 幹士; 3 April 1953 — 16 July 2022) was a Japanese professional sumo wrestler from Ōwani…
Wakanohana Kanji (Japanese: 若乃花 幹士; 3 April 1953 — 16 July 2022) was a Japanese professional sumo wrestler from Ōwani, Aomori. He was the sport's 56th yokozuna. He was popular with sumo fans and was well-known for his rivalry with Kitanoumi. After retirement, he became the head coach of Magaki stable. Due to poor health, he left the Japan Sumo Association in December 2013. He died of lung cancer in July 2022 at the age of 69.
Kisaburō Suzuki (鈴木 キサブロー, Suzuki Kisaburō; born 14 February 1953) is a Japanese J-pop songwriter and guitarist.
Yoshi Ikuzō (吉幾三; born 11 November 1952, Goshogawara, Aomori) is the stage name of Yoshihito Kamata (鎌田 善人, Kamata…
Yoshi Ikuzō (吉幾三; born 11 November 1952, Goshogawara, Aomori) is the stage name of Yoshihito Kamata (鎌田 善人, Kamata Yoshihito), a Japanese enka singer-songwriter. He has released several popular albums of enka music, a genre akin to Japanese folk or blues music in the Western world. Amongst his most famous hits are "Sake yo", "Suika", and "Yuki Guni". Additionally, he is self-described as the "first popular hip hop artist in Japan" due to the 1984 release of "Ora Tōkyō sa Iguda" (lit. "I'm going to Tokyo"), sung in his native Tsugaru dialect of Japanese. He has been on tour with fellow Japanese star Fukui Kodai. Ikuzō is married. His wife is named Hisako, and they have a daughter, Ikumi. His stage name is a pun for the common Japanese phrase "Yoshi, ikuzo!" (よし、いくぞー！, Alright, let's go!).
Takanosato Toshihide (Japanese: 隆の里 俊英; September 29, 1952 – November 7, 2011), real name Toshihide Takaya (高谷 俊英), was…
Takanosato Toshihide (Japanese: 隆の里 俊英; September 29, 1952 – November 7, 2011), real name Toshihide Takaya (高谷 俊英), was a Japanese professional sumo wrestler from Namioka, Aomori. He was the sport's 59th yokozuna from 1983 to 1986 and won four top division tournament championships. After retirement he established Naruto stable which he ran from 1989 until his death.
Koji Ota (太田 幸司, Ōta Kōji; born January 23, 1952) is a Japanese former professional baseball pitcher in Japan's Nippon…
Koji Ota (太田 幸司, Ōta Kōji; born January 23, 1952) is a Japanese former professional baseball pitcher in Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball, and belongs to Mainichi Broadcasting System, Inc. as a commentator in baseball live on radio and TV. Ota is a son of an American father and a Japanese mother, the adopted son of a Japanese stepfather and a Russian stepmother, who emigrated to Japan because of the Russian Revolution in 1917.
Dewanohana Yoshitaka (born 13 May 1951 as Soichi Nomura) is a former sumo wrestler from Nakasato, Aomori, Japan. He…
Dewanohana Yoshitaka (born 13 May 1951 as Soichi Nomura) is a former sumo wrestler from Nakasato, Aomori, Japan. He made his professional debut in July 1974, and reached the top division in November 1977. His highest rank was sekiwake. He retired in January 1988 and became an elder in the Japan Sumo Association under the name Dekiyama. Upon reaching the mandatory retirement age of 65 in May 2016 he was re-hired by the Sumo Association for five years as a consultant.
Kan Mikami (三上 寛, Mikami Kan; born March 20, 1950) is a Japanese folk singer-songwriter and actor. His music, heavily…
Kan Mikami (三上 寛, Mikami Kan; born March 20, 1950) is a Japanese folk singer-songwriter and actor. His music, heavily influenced by American blues, was popular in Japan in the 1970s. He re-wrote the lyric of the song "Yume wa Yoru Hiraku" for his cover version in 1972, which was banned for its negative portrayal of modern Japanese culture. Mikami also acted in cinema and is notable for collaborations with Shūji Terayama and his avant-garde theater Tenjō Sajiki. His autobiography, A Life in Folk, was translated into English and published in 2017 by Public Bath Press of Nara, Japan.
Takanohana Kenshi (貴ノ花 健士), born Mitsuru Hanada (花田 満, Hanada Mitsuru; February 19, 1950 – May 30, 2005), was a…
Takanohana Kenshi (貴ノ花 健士), born Mitsuru Hanada (花田 満, Hanada Mitsuru; February 19, 1950 – May 30, 2005), was a Japanese professional sumo wrestler from Hirosaki, Aomori. Making his debut in May 1965, his highest rank was ōzeki, which he reached in November 1972. He then went on to hold the rank for what was then a record fifty tournaments, before retiring in January 1981. He was extremely popular and was nicknamed the "Prince of Sumo" (角界のプリンス, Kakukai no Purinsu) due to his good looks and relatively slim build. He was the younger brother of Wakanohana Kanji I, and the father of Wakanohana Masaru and Takanohana Kōji. After retiring from competition, he coached both of his sons to the rank of yokozuna as head of Futagoyama stable.
Yoshiko Takahara (Japanese: 高原 徳子, 1949 – November 6, 2023), better known under the stage name Yoshiko Miura (Japanese…
Yoshiko Takahara (Japanese: 高原 徳子, 1949 – November 6, 2023), better known under the stage name Yoshiko Miura (Japanese: 三浦徳子), was a Japanese lyricist.
Toru Abo (1947 - December 6, 2016) was a Japanese immunologist and author from the Aomori Prefecture. His work involved…
Toru Abo (1947 - December 6, 2016) was a Japanese immunologist and author from the Aomori Prefecture. His work involved creating monoclonal antibodies against natural killer cells.
Tochiisami Yoshiharu (born 2 October 1947 as Tetsuo Abe) is a former sumo wrestler from Inakadate, Aomori, Japan. He…
Tochiisami Yoshiharu (born 2 October 1947 as Tetsuo Abe) is a former sumo wrestler from Inakadate, Aomori, Japan. He made his professional debut in March 1963, and reached the top division in July 1969. His highest rank was maegashira 7. He retired in November 1979 and became an elder in the Japan Sumo Association under the name Iwatomo. He reached the mandatory retirement age of 65 in October 2012. The Iwatomo name is now owned by former maegashira Kimurayama, also of the Kasugano stable.
Tsutomu Yamazaki 山崎 力 (May 8, 1947 – June 2, 2021) was a Japanese politician. He was a member of the House of…
Tsutomu Yamazaki 山崎 力 (May 8, 1947 – June 2, 2021) was a Japanese politician. He was a member of the House of Councillors from 1995 until 2007 and again from 2010 until 2016. Yamazaki was born in Aomori, Japan. Yamazaki died from COVID-19 at a hospital in Aomori on June 2, 2021, at age 74.
Mitsuru Kohno (河野 満, Kōno Mitsuru; born September 13, 1946) is a former international table tennis player from Japan.
Tadamori Ōshima (Japanese: 大島 理森, Hepburn: Ōshima Tadamori; born 6 September 1946) is a former Japanese politician who…
Tadamori Ōshima (Japanese: 大島 理森, Hepburn: Ōshima Tadamori; born 6 September 1946) is a former Japanese politician who served as the Speaker of the House of Representatives from 2015 to 2021. A member of the Liberal Democratic Party, he previously served as the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, and Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology. He is affiliated to the revisionist lobby Nippon Kaigi.
Akiyoshi Matsuoka (松岡 昭義, Matsuoka Akiyoshi; 3 March 1945 – 4 September 2017) was a Japanese cross-country skier. He…
Akiyoshi Matsuoka (松岡 昭義, Matsuoka Akiyoshi; 3 March 1945 – 4 September 2017) was a Japanese cross-country skier. He competed at the 1968 Winter Olympics and the 1972 Winter Olympics.
Futagodake Takeshi (Japanese: 二子岳 武; born Takeshi Yamanaka (山中 武), November 15, 1943 – September 10, 2026) was a…
Futagodake Takeshi (Japanese: 二子岳 武; born Takeshi Yamanaka (山中 武), November 15, 1943 – September 10, 2026) was a Japanese sumo wrestler from Kanagi, Aomori. He made his professional debut in January 1961, and reached the top division in January 1967. His highest rank was komusubi. He retired in September 1976 and became an elder in the Japan Sumo Association. In 1993 he branched out from Futagoyama stable and opened up Araiso stable. Araiso stable folded when Futagodake reached the mandatory retirement age of 65 in November 2008. In September 1974, his 11th day match with yokozuna Mienoumi was declared a draw (hikiwake) after multiple water breaks (mizu-iri) and a rematch (torinaoshi) failed to yield any progress. This was the first draw to be called in makuuchi since September 1963, and to date stands as the last such occurrence. Futagodake died from hepatocellular carcinoma on September 10, 2026, at the age of 82. The Japan Sumo Association announced his death on September 13.
Kanemaru Shiratori (白鳥 金丸, Shiratori Kanemaru; born 3 February 1942) is a Japanese boxer. He competed in the men's…
Kanemaru Shiratori (白鳥 金丸, Shiratori Kanemaru; born 3 February 1942) is a Japanese boxer. He competed in the men's lightweight event at the 1964 Summer Olympics.
Futagoryu Isao (born 16 November 1941 as Isao Omura) is a former sumo wrestler from Aomori, Japan. He made his…
Futagoryu Isao (born 16 November 1941 as Isao Omura) is a former sumo wrestler from Aomori, Japan. He made his professional debut in September 1960 and reached the top division in January 1969. His highest rank was maegashira 5. He retired in March 1971.
Kiyoshi Tanabe (田辺 清, born October 10, 1940) is a retired Japanese boxer who won a bronze medal at the 1960 Olympics.
Atsuko Shimoda (下田 敦子, Shimoda Atsuko; born August 5, 1940) is a Japanese politician of the Democratic Party of Japan…
Atsuko Shimoda (下田 敦子, Shimoda Atsuko; born August 5, 1940) is a Japanese politician of the Democratic Party of Japan, a member of the House of Councillors in the Diet (national legislature). A native of Hirosaki, Aomori and graduate of Akita Junior College (now Akita Eiyo Junior College), she was elected to the House of Councillors for the first time in 2004 after serving in the city assembly of Hirosaki for three terms.
Norio Kudo (工藤 紀夫, Kudō Norio; born August 2, 1940) is a professional Go player.
Toshifumi Nakamura (Japanese: 中村寿文 Nakamura Toshifumi; 4 August 1939 – 1 December 2024) was a Japanese politician. A…
Toshifumi Nakamura (Japanese: 中村寿文 Nakamura Toshifumi; 4 August 1939 – 1 December 2024) was a Japanese politician. A member of the Liberal Democratic Party and later the Democratic Party, he served as mayor of Hachinohe from 2001 to 2005. He was a member of the Aomori Prefectural Assembly from 1983 to 2001 and again from 2007 to 2015. Nakamura died on 1 December 2024, at the age of 85.
Masaki Tamura (たむら まさき, Tamura Masaki; 26 January 1939 – 23 May 2018) was a Japanese cinematographer. He was also…
Masaki Tamura (たむら まさき, Tamura Masaki; 26 January 1939 – 23 May 2018) was a Japanese cinematographer. He was also credited as Masaki Tamra.
Oiteyama Hirokuni, born Mitsugu Yamaguchi (16 June 1938 – 2 January 2014), was a sumo wrestler from Goshogawara…
Oiteyama Hirokuni, born Mitsugu Yamaguchi (16 June 1938 – 2 January 2014), was a sumo wrestler from Goshogawara, Aomori, Japan. He made his professional debut in May 1953 and reached the top division in May 1960. His highest rank was maegashira 6. Upon retirement from active competition he became an elder in the Japan Sumo Association. He reached the Sumo Association's mandatory retirement age of 65 in June 2003.
Tochinoumi Teruyoshi (Japanese: 栃ノ海 晃嘉; born Shigehiro Hanada (花田 茂廣, Hanada Shigehiro); 13 March 1938 – 29 January…
Tochinoumi Teruyoshi (Japanese: 栃ノ海 晃嘉; born Shigehiro Hanada (花田 茂廣, Hanada Shigehiro); 13 March 1938 – 29 January 2021) was a Japanese professional sumo wrestler from Aomori. He was the sport's 49th yokozuna, earning promotion in 1964. He was somewhat overshadowed by his yokozuna contemporaries Taihō and Kashiwado, but he was a noted technician and earlier in his career won six special prizes for Technique. He was one of the lightest yokozuna ever at just 110 kg. After his retirement from active competition in 1966 he was a coach at Kasugano stable, and was head coach from 1990 until his retirement in 2003.
Yoshisada Yonezuka (米塚 義定, Yonezuka Yoshisada; May 19, 1937 – October 18, 2014), was a Judo instructor and two time…
Yoshisada Yonezuka (米塚 義定, Yonezuka Yoshisada; May 19, 1937 – October 18, 2014), was a Judo instructor and two time U.S. Olympic Judo Team coach.
Kyōichi Sawada (沢田 教一, Sawada Kyōichi; February 22, 1936 – October 28, 1970) was a Japanese photographer with United…
Kyōichi Sawada (沢田 教一, Sawada Kyōichi; February 22, 1936 – October 28, 1970) was a Japanese photographer with United Press International who received a Pulitzer Prize for war photography.
Shūji Terayama (寺山 修司, Terayama Shūji; December 10, 1935 – May 4, 1983) was a Japanese avant-garde poet, artist…
Shūji Terayama (寺山 修司, Terayama Shūji; December 10, 1935 – May 4, 1983) was a Japanese avant-garde poet, artist, dramatist, writer, film director, and photographer. His works range from radio drama, experimental television, underground (Angura) theatre, countercultural essays, to Japanese New Wave and "expanded" cinema. Many critics view him as one of the most productive and provocative creative artists to come out of Japan. He has been cited as an influence on various Japanese filmmakers from the 1970s onward.
Masami Tanabu (田名部 匡省, Tanabu Masami) (7 December 1934 – 26 March 2025) was a Japanese politician of the Democratic…
Masami Tanabu (田名部 匡省, Tanabu Masami) (7 December 1934 – 26 March 2025) was a Japanese politician of the Democratic Party of Japan, a member of the House of Councillors in the Diet (national legislature). A native of Hachinohe, Aomori and graduate of Rikkyo University, he was elected to the House of Councillors for the first time in 2004 after serving in the Aomori Prefectural Assembly for two terms and then in the House of Representatives for six terms. Tanabu was a past head coach of the Japan national ice hockey team. He also competed at the 1960 Winter Olympics and the 1964 Winter Olympics. Tanabu died due to septic shock in hospital in Hachinohe, on 26 March 2025, at the age of 90.
Hideo Osabe (長部日出雄, Osabe Hideo; 3 September 1934 – 18 October 2018) was a Japanese essayist and novelist. His work…
Hideo Osabe (長部日出雄, Osabe Hideo; 3 September 1934 – 18 October 2018) was a Japanese essayist and novelist. His work focused on movies and Osamu Dazai. He was born in Aomori Prefecture, where Dazai was also born. He also once directed a movie. He won the Naoki Prize in 1973 for Tsugaru jongara bushi and Tsugaru yosare bushi. He was awarded a Medal of Honor (with Purple Ribbon, for contributions to education and culture) from the Japanese government in 2002.
Takao Mikami (Japanese: 三上隆雄 Mikami Takao; 2 November 1933 – 9 July 2026) was a Japanese politician. A member of the…
Takao Mikami (Japanese: 三上隆雄 Mikami Takao; 2 November 1933 – 9 July 2026) was a Japanese politician. A member of the Democratic Party, he served in the House of Councillors from 1989 to 1995. Mikami died on 9 July 2026, at the age of 92.
Nui Sano (Japanese: 佐野 ぬい, romanized: Sano Nui; November 16, 1932 – August 23, 2023) was a Japanese yōga…
Nui Sano (Japanese: 佐野 ぬい, romanized: Sano Nui; November 16, 1932 – August 23, 2023) was a Japanese yōga ("Western-style") painter. She was known for her rhythmic, abstract style and her frequent use of the color blue. A longtime instructor at the Joshibi University of Art and Design, she served as the school's president from 2007 to 2011.
Yūichirō Miura (Japanese: 三浦 雄一郎, Hepburn: Miura Yūichirō; born October 12, 1932) is a Japanese speed skier and…
Yūichirō Miura (Japanese: 三浦 雄一郎, Hepburn: Miura Yūichirō; born October 12, 1932) is a Japanese speed skier and alpinist. In 1970, he became the first person to ski on Mount Everest. Forty-three years later, in 2013, he became the oldest person to summit Everest, at the age of 80. He was born in Aomori Prefecture and graduated from Hokkaido University. He was introduced to alpine sports by his father when he was in second grade. Peaks he has skied down include all the Seven Summits. The government of Japan named an award after him and he was recognized by Guinness World Records. He has made many public appearances and has worked with several companies and organizations.
Kihei Tomioka (富岡 喜平, Tomioka Kihei; 6 January 1932 – 14 August 2007) was a Japanese cyclist. He competed in five…
Kihei Tomioka (富岡 喜平, Tomioka Kihei; 6 January 1932 – 14 August 2007) was a Japanese cyclist. He competed in five events at the 1952 Summer Olympics. He won the gold medal in the team pursuit and in the road race at the 1951 Asian Games.
Shunsuke Kikuchi (菊池 俊輔, Kikuchi Shunsuke; November 1, 1931 – April 24, 2021) was a Japanese composer who was active…
Shunsuke Kikuchi (菊池 俊輔, Kikuchi Shunsuke; November 1, 1931 – April 24, 2021) was a Japanese composer who was active from the early 1960s until 2017. He specialized in incidental music for media such as television and film. Kikuchi was regarded as one of Japan's most highly demanded film and TV composers, working principally on tokusatsu and anime, popular action films, jidaigeki, and television dramas.
Tetsuo Miura (三浦 哲郎, Miura Tetsuo; 16 March 1931 – 29 August 2010) was a Japanese writer.
Taketsugu Asazaka (born 24 July 1930) is a Japanese speed skater. He competed in four events at the 1956 Winter…
Taketsugu Asazaka (born 24 July 1930) is a Japanese speed skater. He competed in four events at the 1956 Winter Olympics.
Hifumi Shimoyama (Japanese: 下山 一二三 Shimoyama Hifumi; born 21 June 1930 in Hirosaki, Aomori Prefecture) is a Japanese…
Hifumi Shimoyama (Japanese: 下山 一二三 Shimoyama Hifumi; born 21 June 1930 in Hirosaki, Aomori Prefecture) is a Japanese composer of contemporary concert music. Since the 1960s, Shimoyama's music has been regularly featured on World Music Days festivals across Europe and Asia, and sponsored by the International Society for Contemporary Music (ISCM). Shimoyama is the founder of GROUP 20.5, the internationally recognized group of Japanese avant garde composers.
Noboru Baba (馬場のぼる, Baba Noboru; October 18, 1927 – April 7, 2001) was a Japanese manga artist and writer. He is best…
Noboru Baba (馬場のぼる, Baba Noboru; October 18, 1927 – April 7, 2001) was a Japanese manga artist and writer. He is best known for his long-running four-panel newspaper comic Baku-san and for the acclaimed children’s picture book series 11 Piki no Neko (Eleven Cats). Active from the postwar period through the late 20th century, Baba was often referred to as one of the “Three Crows of Children’s Manga,” alongside Osamu Tezuka and Eiichi Fukui.
Ichirō Kojima (小島 一郎, Kojima Ichirō; 1924–1964) was a renowned Japanese photographer.
Kenichi Yamamoto (山本 謙一, Yamamoto Ken'ichi) (November 18, 1922 – February 26, 2002) was a Japanese cross-country skier…
Kenichi Yamamoto (山本 謙一, Yamamoto Ken'ichi) (November 18, 1922 – February 26, 2002) was a Japanese cross-country skier who competed in the 1950s. He finished 22nd in the 18 km event at the 1952 Winter Olympics in Oslo.
Morio Kasai (葛西 森夫; September 29, 1922 – December 8, 2008) was a Japanese surgeon who had a strong interest in…
Morio Kasai (葛西 森夫; September 29, 1922 – December 8, 2008) was a Japanese surgeon who had a strong interest in pediatric surgery. While Kasai went into practice at a time when pediatric surgery was not an established subspecialty, much of his clinical and research work was related to the surgical care of children. He is best known for devising a surgical procedure, the hepatoportoenterostomy, to address a life-threatening birth defect known as biliary atresia. The modern form of the operation is still known as the Kasai procedure. A graduate of the medical school at Tohoku University, Kasai remained there for most of his medical career, chairing the university's 2nd Department of Surgery and serving on the school's Board of Councilors. Though best known for the procedure that came to bear his name, Kasai also studied peritonitis in infants and children, and he made contributions to the understanding of esophageal cancer, pediatric liver cancer and a colon abnormality known as Hirschsprung's disease. Kasai practiced from the 1940s until 1993, spending the last few years of his career leading a hospital in Tohoku. He suffered a debilitating stroke in 1999 and died in 2008.