Liz Akama (赤間 凛音, Akama Rizu; born 8 January 2009) is a Japanese skateboarder who won a silver medal in women's street…Liz Akama (赤間 凛音, Akama Rizu; born 8 January 2009) is a Japanese skateboarder who won a silver medal in women's street skateboarding at the 2024 Summer Olympics.
Mone Chiba (千葉 百音, Chiba Mone; born May 1, 2005) is a Japanese figure skater. She is the 2025 World bronze medalist…Mone Chiba (千葉 百音, Chiba Mone; born May 1, 2005) is a Japanese figure skater. She is the 2025 World bronze medalist, the 2026 World silver medalist, the 2024 Four Continents champion, the 2023 and 2026 Four Continents bronze medalist, the 2024–25 Grand Prix Final silver medalist, a four-time Grand Prix medalist, a two-time Challenger Series medalist, the 2025 World University Games silver medalist, and the 2023 Japanese national silver medalist. She represented Japan at the 2026 Winter Olympics, placing fourth. Competing at the junior level, she is the 2022 JGP Poland I silver medalist, a two-time Japanese Junior medalist, and a two-time Challenge Cup junior champion.
Yuna (ゆな, Yuna) (sometimes stylized in capital letters as YUNA) is a Japanese professional wrestler signed to Sendai…Yuna (ゆな, Yuna) (sometimes stylized in capital letters as YUNA) is a Japanese professional wrestler signed to Sendai Girls' Pro Wrestling where she a former Sendai Girls Junior Champion. She also works for various other promotions from the Japanese independent scene.
Shun Sato (佐藤 駿, Satō Shun; born February 6, 2004) is a Japanese figure skater. He is a 2026 Olympic Games team event…Shun Sato (佐藤 駿, Satō Shun; born February 6, 2004) is a Japanese figure skater. He is a 2026 Olympic Games team event silver medalist, 2026 Olympic bronze medalist in the individual event, 2026 World bronze medalist, two-time Four Continents medalist (silver in 2024, bronze in 2023), a two-time Grand Prix Final bronze medalist, a nine-time Grand Prix medalist, a two-time ISU Challenger Series silver medalist, and the 2025–26 Japanese national silver medalist. At the junior level, Sato is the 2019–20 Junior Grand Prix Final champion, and a two-time Japan Junior national silver medalist. He is also the former junior world record holder for the men's free skating and combined total score and is known for his jumping prowess.
Ryubi Miyase (宮世琉弥, Miyase Ryūbi; born January 22, 2004), is a Japanese actor, model, and singer associated with…Ryubi Miyase (宮世琉弥, Miyase Ryūbi; born January 22, 2004), is a Japanese actor, model, and singer associated with Stardust Promotion. He is a former member of the boy band Milk, a part of Stardust Promotion's male musical collective Ebidan.
Tomokazu Harimoto (張本 智和, Harimoto Tomokazu; born 27 June 2003) is a Japanese professional table tennis player. Born to…Tomokazu Harimoto (張本 智和, Harimoto Tomokazu; born 27 June 2003) is a Japanese professional table tennis player. Born to Chinese parents, he became a naturalized Japanese citizen in 2014. He won the world junior singles and team title at the 2016 World Junior Table Tennis Championships for Japan. In August 2017, he became the youngest ever winner of an ITTF World Tour men's singles title, winning the Czech Open title at the age of 14 years and 61 days. In December 2018, he became the youngest player to win the ITTF World Tour Grand Finals at the age of 15 years and 172 days.
Yuria Katō (加藤 結李愛, Katō Yuria; born February 15, 2003 in Sendai, Miyagi Prefecture) is a Japanese women's professional…Yuria Katō (加藤 結李愛, Katō Yuria; born February 15, 2003 in Sendai, Miyagi Prefecture) is a Japanese women's professional shogi player ranked 2-dan.
Jaheru Ryuto Yamauchi (Japanese: 山内 ジャヘル琉人; born 5 December 2002), also known as Jaheru Yamauchi, is a Japanese…Jaheru Ryuto Yamauchi (Japanese: 山内 ジャヘル琉人; born 5 December 2002), also known as Jaheru Yamauchi, is a Japanese professional basketball player for the Kawasaki Brave Thunders of the B.League. He plays as a shooting guard and has represented Japan internationally. Yamauchi won a silver medal with Japan at the 2026 Asian Games.
Towa Uzawa (鵜澤 飛羽, Uzawa Towa; born 25 November 2002) is a Japanese sprinter who specializes in the 200 meters. In…Towa Uzawa (鵜澤 飛羽, Uzawa Towa; born 25 November 2002) is a Japanese sprinter who specializes in the 200 meters. In 2023, he won the 200 meters at both the Asian and Japanese Championships. He also competed in the World Championships, where he reached the semi finals. In 2024, he qualified for the 200 meters at the 2024 Summer Olympics based on his world ranking.
Akane Nishino (born 4 February 2002) is a Japanese professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for WE League club…Akane Nishino (born 4 February 2002) is a Japanese professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for WE League club MyNavi Sendai Ladies.
Yuma Obata (小畑 裕馬, Obata Yūma; born 7 November 2001) is a Japanese footballer currently playing as a goalkeeper for J1…Yuma Obata (小畑 裕馬, Obata Yūma; born 7 November 2001) is a Japanese footballer currently playing as a goalkeeper for J1 League club Avispa Fukuoka.
Hidetoshi Takeda (武田 英寿, Takeda Hidetoshi; born 15 September 2001) is a Japanese professional footballer who plays as a…Hidetoshi Takeda (武田 英寿, Takeda Hidetoshi; born 15 September 2001) is a Japanese professional footballer who plays as a winger for Vegalta Sendai.
Misaki Haruyama (晴山 岬, Haruyama Misaki; born 30 June 2001) is a Japanese footballer currently playing as a forward for…Misaki Haruyama (晴山 岬, Haruyama Misaki; born 30 June 2001) is a Japanese footballer currently playing as a forward for FC Eddersheim.
Angerme (アンジュルム, Anjurumu), formerly Smileage (スマイレージ, Sumairēji; stylized as S/mileage, from 2009–2015), is a Japanese…Angerme (アンジュルム, Anjurumu), formerly Smileage (スマイレージ, Sumairēji; stylized as S/mileage, from 2009–2015), is a Japanese idol girl group from the musical collective Hello! Project. Since the group's formation in 2009, the group has seen changes in membership. The current members consist of Layla Ise, Rin Hashisako, Rin Kawana, Shion Tamenaga, Wakana Matsumoto, Yuki Hirayama, Yukiho Shimoitani, Hana Goto, and Momoha Nagano. The group was formed in 2009 under the name Smileage, consisting of four members of Hello! Project's trainee group, Hello Pro Egg. They released their debut single, "Suki-chan", under an indie label in the same year. The group made their major label debut in 2010 with the single "Yume Miru 15", in which they won the Japan Record Award for Best New Artist the same year. In 2015, the group changed their name to Angerme.
Riku Danzaki (檀崎 竜孔, Danzaki Riku; born 31 May 2000) is a Japanese professional footballer who plays as an attacking…Riku Danzaki (檀崎 竜孔, Danzaki Riku; born 31 May 2000) is a Japanese professional footballer who plays as an attacking midfielder.
Shunichiro Sato (佐藤 駿一郎) is a Japanese male volleyball player. He currently plays in Tokai University and a member of…Shunichiro Sato (佐藤 駿一郎) is a Japanese male volleyball player. He currently plays in Tokai University and a member of Japan men's national volleyball team. He used to be part of Japan U21 & U19 national team.
Norika Konno (今野 紀花, Konno Norika; born May 1, 2000) is a Japanese professional basketball player for the Eneos…Norika Konno (今野 紀花, Konno Norika; born May 1, 2000) is a Japanese professional basketball player for the Eneos Sunflowers of the Women's Japan Basketball League (WJBL).
Motoki Ohara (小原 基樹, Ohara Motoki; born 9 March 2000) is a Japanese footballer currently playing as a midfielder for J1…Motoki Ohara (小原 基樹, Ohara Motoki; born 9 March 2000) is a Japanese footballer currently playing as a midfielder for J1 League club Júbilo Iwata on loan from Sanfrecce Hiroshima.
Rina Gonoi (五ノ井 里奈, Gonoi Rina; born September 29, 1999) is a Japanese judoka and former soldier of the Japan Ground…Rina Gonoi (五ノ井 里奈, Gonoi Rina; born September 29, 1999) is a Japanese judoka and former soldier of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF). She was sexually assaulted by senior male JGSDF officers, forcing her to quit the military after her complaints of sexual assault were dismissed by superior officers.
Yume Takikawa (born 31 August 1999) is a Japanese professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for WE League club…Yume Takikawa (born 31 August 1999) is a Japanese professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for WE League club Albirex Niigata Ladies.
Yuta Goke (郷家 友太, Gōke Yūta; born 10 June 1999) is a Japanese footballer who plays as a midfielder or forward for J1…Yuta Goke (郷家 友太, Gōke Yūta; born 10 June 1999) is a Japanese footballer who plays as a midfielder or forward for J1 League club Vissel Kobe.
Yuriya Takahashi (高橋 勇利也, Takahashi Yuriya; born 24 March 1999) is a Japanese professional footballer who plays as a…Yuriya Takahashi (高橋 勇利也, Takahashi Yuriya; born 24 March 1999) is a Japanese professional footballer who plays as a defender for J2 League club Iwaki FC. His father Norio is a former professional footballer.
Veny (stylized in all caps, born October 27, 1998) is the ring-name of a Japanese professional wrestler currently…Veny (stylized in all caps, born October 27, 1998) is the ring-name of a Japanese professional wrestler currently working as a freelancer. She is best known for being with other wrestling promotions such as Pro Wrestling Wave and Seadlinnng. She is the first known transgender wrestler from Japan, having made her debut in 2015. She was formerly known as Asuka (朱崇花).
Sayaka Hobara (保原 彩夏, Hobara Sayaka; born 30 July 1998) is a Japanese badminton player. A left-handed player from…Sayaka Hobara (保原 彩夏, Hobara Sayaka; born 30 July 1998) is a Japanese badminton player. A left-handed player from Ishinomaki, Miyagi Prefecture, she is a former World Junior Champion, winning the girls' doubles title in 2016 with Nami Matsuyama. She competes in both women's and mixed doubles, achieving career-high world rankings of No. 11 in women's doubles and No. 13 in mixed doubles. Hobara was a member of the Japanese team that won the bronze medal at the 2025 Sudirman Cup.
Kento Onodera (小野寺賢人, born July 13, 1998) is a Japanese professional baseball pitcher who is a free agent. He has…Kento Onodera (小野寺賢人, born July 13, 1998) is a Japanese professional baseball pitcher who is a free agent. He has previously played in the Chinese Professional Baseball League (CPBL) for the TSG Hawks.
Takumi Sasaki (佐々木 匠, Sasaki Takumi; born March 30, 1998) is a Japanese professional footballer who plays as a…Takumi Sasaki (佐々木 匠, Sasaki Takumi; born March 30, 1998) is a Japanese professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Malaysia Super League club Negeri Sembilan.
Taiga Hirasawa (平沢 大河, Hirasawa Taiga; born December 24, 1997), nicknamed "T-Ga", is a Japanese professional baseball…Taiga Hirasawa (平沢 大河, Hirasawa Taiga; born December 24, 1997), nicknamed "T-Ga", is a Japanese professional baseball infielder for the Saitama Seibu Lions of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB). He has previously played in NPB for the Chiba Lotte Marines.
Orangestar is a Japanese Vocaloid music producer and composer. He began uploading songs to Niconico in 2013. In 2015…Orangestar is a Japanese Vocaloid music producer and composer. He began uploading songs to Niconico in 2013. In 2015, he released his first album Unfinished Eight Beats at the age of 17, which topped at rank 45 in Japan according to Oricon's weekly charts. Orangestar stopped his musical activities for about two years starting from 2017 due to his missionary responsibilities as a Mormon and became active again in 2020. Later that year, he married illustrator Kase (ja:夏背).
Takumi Nomura (野村 拓海, Nomura Takumi; born 7 August 1997) is a Japanese badminton player from Miyagi Prefecture who…Takumi Nomura (野村 拓海, Nomura Takumi; born 7 August 1997) is a Japanese badminton player from Miyagi Prefecture who competes in men's doubles. A member of the Japanese National Team and Hitachi Information & Telecommunication Engineering team, he has partnered with Yuichi Shimogami since 2022. Together they have won three International Challenge titles. Nomura was part of the Japanese team that won a bronze medal at the 2025 Asia Mixed Team Championships and Japan's first men's team title at the 2026 Asia Team Championships.
Atsushi Kikutani (菊谷 篤資, Kikutani Atsushi; born 18 June 1997) is a Japanese footballer who plays as a midfielder for…Atsushi Kikutani (菊谷 篤資, Kikutani Atsushi; born 18 June 1997) is a Japanese footballer who plays as a midfielder for YSCC Yokohama.
Ryo Ichiriki (一力 遼, Ichiriki Ryō; born 10 June 1997) is a Japanese professional 9-dan Go player. As Go player, he was a…Ryo Ichiriki (一力 遼, Ichiriki Ryō; born 10 June 1997) is a Japanese professional 9-dan Go player. As Go player, he was a pupil of So Kofuku. Since 2020 he has also worked as a journalist for Kahoku Shimpo.
Mao Inoue (井上麻生, Inoue Mao; born January 28, 1997), better known mononymously as Mao (stylized in all caps), is a…Mao Inoue (井上麻生, Inoue Mao; born January 28, 1997), better known mononymously as Mao (stylized in all caps), is a Japanese professional wrestler. As of 2015, he is signed to DDT Pro-Wrestling (DDT), where he is the leader of Strange Love Connection and is the current KO-D Openweight Champion in his first reign.
Ayumi Ishida (石田亜佑美, Ishida Ayumi) (born 7 January 1997) is a Japanese singer. She is a former tenth-generation member…Ayumi Ishida (石田亜佑美, Ishida Ayumi) (born 7 January 1997) is a Japanese singer. She is a former tenth-generation member and sub-leader of the pop group Morning Musume.
Hiromasa Funabasama (船迫 大雅, Funabasama Hiromasa; born October 16, 1996) is a Japanese professional baseball pitcher for…Hiromasa Funabasama (船迫 大雅, Funabasama Hiromasa; born October 16, 1996) is a Japanese professional baseball pitcher for the Yomiuri Giants of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB).
Shunsuke Motegi (茂木 駿佑, Motegi Shunsuke; born October 2, 1996) is a Japanese footballer who plays as a midfielder for…Shunsuke Motegi (茂木 駿佑, Motegi Shunsuke; born October 2, 1996) is a Japanese footballer who plays as a midfielder for J3 League club FC Ryukyu.
Rika Hongo (Japanese: 本郷理華; born September 6, 1996) is a Japanese retired competitive figure skater who is a two-time…Rika Hongo (Japanese: 本郷理華; born September 6, 1996) is a Japanese retired competitive figure skater who is a two-time (2015–16) Four Continents bronze medalist, 2014 Rostelecom Cup champion, 2015 Finlandia Trophy champion and 2014–15 Japanese national silver medalist.
Akari Matsukubo (born 25 August 1996) is a Japanese professional footballer who plays as a defender for WE League club…Akari Matsukubo (born 25 August 1996) is a Japanese professional footballer who plays as a defender for WE League club Chifure AS Elfen Saitama.
Taishi Onodera (小野寺 太志, Ōnodera Taishi; born 27 February 1996) is a Japanese male professional volleyball player who…Taishi Onodera (小野寺 太志, Ōnodera Taishi; born 27 February 1996) is a Japanese male professional volleyball player who plays as a middle blocker for SV League club Suntory Sunbirds, which he captains, and the Japan national team.
Yudai Tanaka (田中 雄大, Tanaka Yūdai; born November 17, 1995) is a Japanese footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for J1…Yudai Tanaka (田中 雄大, Tanaka Yūdai; born November 17, 1995) is a Japanese footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for J1 League club Sanfrecce Hiroshima.
Takahiro Kumagai (熊谷 敬宥, Kumagai Takahiro; born November 10, 1995, in Sendai, Miyagi) is a Japanese professional…Takahiro Kumagai (熊谷 敬宥, Kumagai Takahiro; born November 10, 1995, in Sendai, Miyagi) is a Japanese professional baseball infielder for the Hanshin Tigers of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB).
Miwa Sasaki (born 20 May 1995) is a Japanese professional footballer who plays as a forward for WE League club MyNavi…Miwa Sasaki (born 20 May 1995) is a Japanese professional footballer who plays as a forward for WE League club MyNavi Sendai Ladies.
Kōsuke Baba (馬場 皐輔, Baba, Kōsuke; born May 18, 1995) is a Japanese professional baseball pitcher for the Yokohama DeNA…Kōsuke Baba (馬場 皐輔, Baba, Kōsuke; born May 18, 1995) is a Japanese professional baseball pitcher for the Yokohama DeNA BayStars of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB). He has previously played in NPB for the Hanshin Tigers and Yomiuri Giants.
Ryūta Konno (今野 龍太, Konno Ryūta; born May 11, 1995 in Tamatsukuri, Miyagi, Japan) is a professional Japanese baseball…Ryūta Konno (今野 龍太, Konno Ryūta; born May 11, 1995 in Tamatsukuri, Miyagi, Japan) is a professional Japanese baseball player. He plays pitcher for the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles.
Kouji Miura (三浦 糀, Miura Kōji; born 28 March 1995) is a Japanese manga artist best known as the creator of the Blue Box…Kouji Miura (三浦 糀, Miura Kōji; born 28 March 1995) is a Japanese manga artist best known as the creator of the Blue Box and I Love You, My Teacher manga series. She won a special honorable mention for new artists at the 90th Weekly Shōnen Magazine Awards in 2013, and a second honorable mention at the 91st Weekly Shōnen Magazine Awards that same year. In 2017, her one-shot of I Love You, My Teacher won the Magazine Pocket One-Shot Award. Her one-shot Parasol Alliance won the Garyokin Pro Drawing King Award in 2019, and Blue Box won the Global Prize at the 2021 Next Manga Awards. She has used Satoshi Yūki and Amami as pseudonyms during her manga career.
Yuzuru Hanyu (羽生 結弦, Ha'nyū Yuzuru; Hiragana: はにゅう ゆづる; born December 7, 1994) is a Japanese figure skater and ice show…Yuzuru Hanyu (羽生 結弦, Ha'nyū Yuzuru; Hiragana: はにゅう ゆづる; born December 7, 1994) is a Japanese figure skater and ice show producer. Widely recognized as one of the greatest figure skaters in history for his well-rounded skills, achievements, innovations, longevity, popularity, and impact on the sport, he started skating at four years old and competed in the men's singles discipline from 2004 to 2022. Hanyu is the first men's singles skater in 66 years since Dick Button to win back-to-back Olympic titles (2014, 2018), and the first Asian Olympic champion in that discipline. He is a two-time World champion (2014, 2017), six-time Japanese national champion (2012–2015, 2020–2021), and the first singles skater to win four consecutive Grand Prix Finals (2013–2016). With his win at the 2020 Four Continents Championships, he became the first skater in men's singles to complete the Super Slam, having won all major international junior and senior titles in the course of his career. He is also the only singles skater to be ranked first in the ISU World Standings for five consecutive seasons (2014–2018). Hanyu broke world records 19 times, the most in singles since the introduction of the ISU Judging System in 2003, and was the first skater to land a quadruple loop jump in international competition among other achievements. He is also the only male single skater besides German Jan Hoffmann to win seven world championship medals in the post-war era since 1946. According to Nikkei Asia, Hanyu's move to professional level in 2022 marked the "end of an era" in competitive figure skating. His first major work as a professional is the ongoing Yuzuru Hanyu Ice Story series, with its prelude event Prologue (2022) being the first solo ice show and the Repray Tour (2023–24) the first solo tour production in figure skating. His second solo show Gift (2023) was the first ice skating event to be held at Tokyo Dome, breaking the record for the largest ice show audience with 35,000 people. Hanyu's Ice Story series, which has attracted more than 200,000 spectators in total by April 2026, opened a new genre of performing art and entertainment, weaving live skating performances into comprehensive, philosophical stories with elaborate on-screen narration. At 16 years old, Hanyu experienced the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami in his hometown of Sendai, which fundamentally shaped his life and career, having participated in different charity events and dedicated various performances to the victims of the disaster. He is also the chairperson of Nippon TV's annual 3.11 commemoration ice show Yuzuru Hanyu Notte Stellata, inaugurated in 2023. Since the earthquake, Hanyu has donated a cumulative total of more than $3 million USD for reconstruction, disaster prevention, and other humanitarian efforts. The donations include the full prize money of his Olympic wins and all royalties from his best-selling autobiography series Blue Flames I–IV. In recognition of his achievements, Hanyu became the youngest recipient of the People's Honor Award (2018), bestowed by the Prime Minister of Japan, received Japan's Medal of Honor with purple ribbon twice (2014, 2018) and was awarded the Kikuchi Kan Prize (2022). He is the first figure skater to be nominated for the Laureus World Sports Award (2019) and was named the Most Valuable Skater at the inaugural ISU Skating Awards (2020). He was also featured in prestigious lists, such as Forbes' 30 Under 30 Asia (2018), ESPN's top 25 of greatest Olympians of the 21st century (#10), and the International Sports Press Association's list of most impactful male athletes of the last 100 years (#6) (both 2024). In 2022, he was ranked sixth in the list of most-searched athletes on Google Search worldwide.
Kyohei Yoshino (吉野 恭平, Yoshino Kyohei; born 8 November 1994 in Miyagi) is a Japanese footballer who plays as a centre…Kyohei Yoshino (吉野 恭平, Yoshino Kyohei; born 8 November 1994 in Miyagi) is a Japanese footballer who plays as a centre back or midfielder for Super League club Persija Jakarta.
Manami Kojima (小島 満菜美, Kojima Manami; born 7 November 1994) is a Japanese professional volleyball player. She plays in…Manami Kojima (小島 満菜美, Kojima Manami; born 7 November 1994) is a Japanese professional volleyball player. She plays in the League One Volleyball for LOVB Salt Lake.
Kaito Chida (千田 海人, Chida Kaito; born October 17, 1994) is a Japanese professional footballer who plays as a centre…Kaito Chida (千田 海人, Chida Kaito; born October 17, 1994) is a Japanese professional footballer who plays as a centre back for J1 League club Kashima Antlers.
