Takekaze Akira (born June 21, 1979 as Akira Narita) is a former professional sumo wrestler from Akita Prefecture…
Takekaze Akira (born June 21, 1979 as Akira Narita) is a former professional sumo wrestler from Akita Prefecture, Japan. A former amateur sumo champion, he turned professional in 2002, reaching the top makuuchi division the following year. He was a runner-up in one tournament, earned two special prizes for Fighting Spirit, and one gold star for defeating a yokozuna. Takekaze is in first place for the slowest promotion from makuuchi debut to the third highest sekiwake rank in history. Aged 35 years and two months, he is in first place for the eldest to make his sekiwake debut post World War II. He was a member of Oguruma stable. He retired in January 2019 to become an elder of the Japan Sumo Association under the name Oshiogawa-oyakata and is the owner of Oshiogawa stable.
Famous People from Akita Prefecture
Akita Prefecture: 198 people
Matsuji Nakaizumi (中泉松司, Nakaizumi Matsuji; born 7 May 1979) is a Japanese politician from the Liberal Democratic…
Matsuji Nakaizumi (中泉松司, Nakaizumi Matsuji; born 7 May 1979) is a Japanese politician from the Liberal Democratic Party. As of 2014 he served as member of the House of Councillors for Akita At-large district.
Daisuke Usami (宇佐美 大輔, Usami Daisuke; born March 29, 1979) is a retired Japanese volleyball player. He played as a…
Daisuke Usami (宇佐美 大輔, Usami Daisuke; born March 29, 1979) is a retired Japanese volleyball player. He played as a setter and was one of the key players in the Japan men's national volleyball team in the 2000s. Usami was named Most Spectacular Player at the 2003 FIVB World Cup, where Japan ended in ninth place.
Mitsutaka Goto (後藤 光尊, born July 27, 1978, in Hachirōgata, Akita) is a Japanese former professional baseball infielder…
Mitsutaka Goto (後藤 光尊, born July 27, 1978, in Hachirōgata, Akita) is a Japanese former professional baseball infielder in Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball. He played with the Orix BlueWave/Buffaloes and Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles.
Keishi Handa (半田圭史, Handa Keishi; born July 1, 1977) is a former basketball player for Hitachi SunRockers and Toyota…
Keishi Handa (半田圭史, Handa Keishi; born July 1, 1977) is a former basketball player for Hitachi SunRockers and Toyota Alvark in Japan.
Manabu Terata (寺田 学, Terata Manabu; born 27 October 1976) is a Japanese politician serving in the House of…
Manabu Terata (寺田 学, Terata Manabu; born 27 October 1976) is a Japanese politician serving in the House of Representatives in the Diet as a member of the Constitutional Democratic Party.
Ryoko Eda (née Kitajima, Japanese: 北島 良子, romanized: Kitajima Ryoko; born 12 June 1976) is a Japanese marathon runner.…
Ryoko Eda (née Kitajima, Japanese: 北島 良子, romanized: Kitajima Ryoko; born 12 June 1976) is a Japanese marathon runner. Her personal best time is 2:24:54 hours, achieved at the 2005 Nagoya Marathon.
Takayuki Okada (岡田 貴幸, Okada Takayuki; May 8, 1973 – August 8, 2003), more widely known as Giant Ochiai (ジャイアント落合…
Takayuki Okada (岡田 貴幸, Okada Takayuki; May 8, 1973 – August 8, 2003), more widely known as Giant Ochiai (ジャイアント落合, Jaianto Ochiai), was a Japanese professional wrestler and mixed martial artist. Okada's MMA record was 3-3-2 (win–loss–draw).
Seiichi Oba (大場 清悦, Ōba Seiichi; born April 13, 1973) is a Japanese professional basketball executive and former…
Seiichi Oba (大場 清悦, Ōba Seiichi; born April 13, 1973) is a Japanese professional basketball executive and former player, currently serving as the general manager of the Akita Northern Happinets of the Japanese B.League.
Shigeki Abe (阿部 茂樹, Abe Shigeki; born July 5, 1972 in Ogata, Akita) is a retired Nippon Professional Baseball player.…
Shigeki Abe (阿部 茂樹, Abe Shigeki; born July 5, 1972 in Ogata, Akita) is a retired Nippon Professional Baseball player. He played for the Yakult Swallows in 1999.
Takamitsu Katayama (片山 貴光, Katayama Takamitsu; born 21 September 1971) is a Japanese former amateur Greco-Roman…
Takamitsu Katayama (片山 貴光, Katayama Takamitsu; born 21 September 1971) is a Japanese former amateur Greco-Roman wrestler, who competed in the men's middleweight category. Katayama wrestled for the Japanese squad in two editions of the Summer Olympics (1996 and 2000), finishing eighth in Atlanta and seventeenth in Sydney, respectively. Outside the Games, Katayama produced a career tally of seven medals in a major international competition, two of which were awarded at the Asian Games (1994 and 1998). Katayama was also a member of the national wrestling squad under coach and three-time Olympian Yasutoshi Moriyama, while training full time at the Sports Club of Self-Defense Forces in Saitama Prefecture. Katayama came to prominence in international wrestling, when his country Japan hosted the 1994 Asian Games held in Hiroshima. There, he rounded off the podium with a bronze over Iranian wrestler and 1992 Olympian Ahad Javansalehi in the 74-kg division. At his maiden Olympics in Atlanta 1996, Katayama started the competition in the men's welterweight category (74 kg) with a powerful 13–2 triumph over Algeria's Youcef Bouguerra, before falling behind Finland's eventual silver medalist Marko Asell in his next bout by a 2–4 verdict. Facing German opponent Erik Hahn on the losers' circle, Katayama could not hold him tightly on the mat and lost the match 2–5. Originally placed tenth, Katayama upgraded his position to eighth, as two other wrestlers decided to forfeit the final consolation round. Katayama reached the peak of his wrestling career by winning the gold medal at the 1997 Asian Championships in Tehran, Iran. When he entered the 1998 Asian Games with the best chance to top the podium in the 76 kg category, Katayama narrowly missed a single point to subdue his Kazakh opponent Bakhtiyar Baiseitov (4–5) for gold in the final match, ending his second Asiad with a silver. At the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney, Katayama qualified for his second Japanese team in the men's middleweight division (76 kg) by placing seventh and securing a berth at the third Olympic Qualification Tournament in Alexandria, Egypt. Unlike his previous Games, Katayama lost his opening match 0–4 to the eventual champion Murat Kardanov of Russia and could not rally for points to break a 2–2 draw against Hungary's Tamás Berzicza upon the referee's decision, dropping him to the bottom of the prelim pool and seventeenth overall in the final standings. Shortly after the Games, Katayama retired from competitive wrestling to serve in the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force.
Tomoefuji Toshihide (born 27 January 1971 as Toshihide Kurosawa) is a former sumo wrestler from Akita Prefecture…
Tomoefuji Toshihide (born 27 January 1971 as Toshihide Kurosawa) is a former sumo wrestler from Akita Prefecture, Japan. His highest rank was komusubi.
Mika Yamauchi (山内 美加 Yamauchi Mika, born 7 October 1969) is a two-time Olympian from Japan who was a member of the…
Mika Yamauchi (山内 美加 Yamauchi Mika, born 7 October 1969) is a two-time Olympian from Japan who was a member of the Japan women's national volleyball team. Yamauchi played with Japan at the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona and 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta. She won the bronze medal at the 1994 Goodwill Games in Saint Petersburg. Her nickname is Mika (ミカ).
Junko Asari (浅利 純子, Asari Junko; married name Takahashi (高橋); born 22 September 1969 in Kazuno, Akita) is a retired…
Junko Asari (浅利 純子, Asari Junko; married name Takahashi (高橋); born 22 September 1969 in Kazuno, Akita) is a retired Japanese marathon runner. She won the gold medal at the 1993 World Championships in a time of 2:30:03 hours. In addition she won the Tokyo International Women's Marathon in 1995 and 1998 and the Osaka Ladies Marathon in 1993. Her personal best time was 2:26:10, from January 1994 in Osaka. She finished 17th at the 1996 Summer Olympics.
Shigeki Sato (佐藤 茂樹, Satō Shigeki; born August 17, 1969), better known by his ring name Dick Togo (ディック東郷, Dikku Tōgō)…
Shigeki Sato (佐藤 茂樹, Satō Shigeki; born August 17, 1969), better known by his ring name Dick Togo (ディック東郷, Dikku Tōgō), is a Japanese professional wrestler. Togo works for New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW), where he is a member of House of Torture. Togo has spent the majority of his career as a freelancer, wrestling most notably for Michinoku Pro Wrestling and DDT Pro-Wrestling. Sato has wrestled under various ring names such as Francesco Togo, Rey Cubano and Prince Togo. Togo retired in September 2012, but returned to the ring in July 2016. In 2020, he began working for NJPW, acting as the manager for Evil, and in doing so, joining Bullet Club. A year later, Togo and Evil formed House of Torture, which was initially a sub-group, and became a stable in its own right, following a civil war storyline in 2025. Togo has held the KO-D Openweight Championship four times, the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship once with Taka Michinoku and the British Commonwealth Junior Heavyweight Championship once.
Kazushi Sakuraba (Japanese: 桜庭 和志, Sakuraba Kazushi; born July 14, 1969) is a Japanese professional wrestler…
Kazushi Sakuraba (Japanese: 桜庭 和志, Sakuraba Kazushi; born July 14, 1969) is a Japanese professional wrestler, submission wrestler and former mixed martial artist. He is performing as a freelancer, primarily appearing for Pro Wrestling Noah, where he was formerly one-half of the former GHC Tag Team Champions with Takashi Sugiura. He has also competed in traditional puroresu for New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW) and shoot-style competition for UWFi and Kingdom Pro Wrestling (KPW). He has fought in MMA competition in the Ultimate Fighting Championship, Pride Fighting Championships, Hero's, Dream and most recently Rizin Fighting Federation. He is known as the Gracie Hunter or the Gracie Killer due to his wins over four members of the famed Gracie family: Royler Gracie, Renzo Gracie, Ryan Gracie, and Royce Gracie. Sakuraba is famous for beating 15 champions of different top MMA organizations; opponents who were often many weight-classes above him. Known for his excellent skills in catch wrestling and unorthodox fighting style, he is considered one of the greatest mixed martial art fighters of all time, and holds notable victories over seven UFC champions, three Pancrase Champions, a DREAM champion, a King of the Cage champion and Battlecade Extreme Fighting champion; former Welterweight Champion Carlos Newton, two former Light heavyweight champions Vitor Belfort and Quinton Jackson, former Heavyweight Champion Kevin Randleman, three-time UFC Tournament champion Royce Gracie, former Superfight champion and King of Pancrase Ken Shamrock, former UFC Tournament champion and King of Pancrase Guy Mezger, former King of Pancrase Masakatsu Funaki, DREAM Super Hulk Tournament Champion Ikuhisa Minowa, former King of the Cage Light Heavyweight champion Vernon White, and former Battlecade Extreme Fighting champion Marcus Silveira. He is also the first of only two Japanese UFC champions. Sakuraba's Pride fights routinely drew over 20 million viewers in Japan. Sakuraba is the founder of the submission wrestling promotion Quintet, where he has competed since 2018.
Satoshi Nakajima (中嶋 聡, Nakajima Satoshi; born March 27, 1969) is a Japanese former professional baseball catcher. He…
Satoshi Nakajima (中嶋 聡, Nakajima Satoshi; born March 27, 1969) is a Japanese former professional baseball catcher. He played in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) from 1987 to 2015 for the Hankyu Braves/Orix Braves/Orix BlueWave, Seibu Lions, Yokohama BayStars, and Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters.
Yoshihito Yoshida (吉田義人, Yoshida Yoshihito) (born 18 February 1969 in Ogachi, Akita) is a former rugby union footballer…
Yoshihito Yoshida (吉田義人, Yoshida Yoshihito) (born 18 February 1969 in Ogachi, Akita) is a former rugby union footballer who played for Japan. He played as a wing.
Yutaka Ashikaga (born October 15, 1968) is a Japanese former professional baseball pitcher. He played in Nippon…
Yutaka Ashikaga (born October 15, 1968) is a Japanese former professional baseball pitcher. He played in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) for the Fukuoka Daiei Hawks and in the Chinese Professional Baseball League (CPBL) for the Mercuries Tigers
Hiroko Nagasaki (長崎 宏子, Nagasaki Hiroko; born 27 July 1968) is a Japanese former swimmer who competed in the 1984…
Hiroko Nagasaki (長崎 宏子, Nagasaki Hiroko; born 27 July 1968) is a Japanese former swimmer who competed in the 1984 Summer Olympics and in the 1988 Summer Olympics. She won the 100m breaststroke event at New Delhi Asiad in 1982. Nagasaki was named to the Japanese national swimming team at the age of twelve, making her the team's first ever primary school student. However she did not participate in the 1980 Summer Olympics in Moscow as Japan joined the boycott of the games in response to the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan. After the 1984 Summer Olympics, she dropped out of Akita Kita High School to study abroad, first at the University of California, Berkeley, and later at Brigham Young University. Along with Kim Chen and Atlee Mahorn, she was one of three UC Berkeley students who competed for non-US teams at the 1988 Summer Olympics. Nagasaki retired from swimming after the 1988 games and worked for the Japanese Olympic Committee (JOC). In 1995, she married Ryōichi Kasuga, her former boss at the JOC. The couple went on to have three daughters. She was one of the torchbearers in the Akita leg of the 2020 Summer Olympics torch relay.
Toru Shioya (born January 9, 1968) is a former professional basketball Head coach for the Hitachi High-Technologies…
Toru Shioya (born January 9, 1968) is a former professional basketball Head coach for the Hitachi High-Technologies Cougars of Women's Japan Basketball League .
Yoshihiko Sakuraba (桜庭吉彦, Sakuraba Yoshihiko), (born 22 September 1966 in Akita) is a Japanese former rugby union…
Yoshihiko Sakuraba (桜庭吉彦, Sakuraba Yoshihiko), (born 22 September 1966 in Akita) is a Japanese former rugby union player and coach. Currently, he works as general manager for Kamaishi Seawaves and as ambassador for the 2019 Rugby World Cup.
Motoi Sakuraba (桜庭 統, Sakuraba Motoi; born August 5, 1965) is a Japanese composer and keyboardist. Sakuraba is known…
Motoi Sakuraba (桜庭 統, Sakuraba Motoi; born August 5, 1965) is a Japanese composer and keyboardist. Sakuraba is known for his numerous contributions in video games, including the Tales, Star Ocean, Mario Golf, Mario Tennis, Golden Sun, and Dark Souls series, as well as several other anime series, television dramas, and progressive rock albums.
Yuichi Takahashi (高橋 勇市, Takahashi Yūichi) is a Paralympian athlete from Japan competing mainly in category T11…
Yuichi Takahashi (高橋 勇市, Takahashi Yūichi) is a Paralympian athlete from Japan competing mainly in category T11 long-distance events. Yuichi took part in the 5000m, 10000m and marathon in the 2004 Summer Paralympics winning the T11 marathon. In the 2008 Summer Paralympics he attempted to defend this title but only managed to finish 16th.
Osamu Ota (太田 治, Ota Osamu) (born 23 March 1965, in Akita) is a former Japanese rugby union player and a coach. He…
Osamu Ota (太田 治, Ota Osamu) (born 23 March 1965, in Akita) is a former Japanese rugby union player and a coach. He played as a prop.
Hiroo Ishii (石井 浩郎, Ishii Hiroo; born 21 June 1964) is a Japanese retired baseball player and politician from the…
Hiroo Ishii (石井 浩郎, Ishii Hiroo; born 21 June 1964) is a Japanese retired baseball player and politician from the Liberal Democratic Party of Japan. He currently serves as member of the House of Councillors for Akita at-large district.
Hitoshi Okuda (奥田 ひとし, Okuda Hitoshi; born 1963 in Daisen, Akita) is a Japanese manga artist, most famous for his…
Hitoshi Okuda (奥田 ひとし, Okuda Hitoshi; born 1963 in Daisen, Akita) is a Japanese manga artist, most famous for his characterizations and stories set in the world of Tenchi Muyo!. Okuda got his start as a doujinshi artist before debuting professionally, studying under Nobuteru Yūki and Yutaka Izubuchi. His collection of Tenchi-related works spans eleven years, beginning with "No Need for Tenchi!" in 1994 before finishing its run as "The All-New Tenchi Muyō!" ("Shin Tenchi Muyō!") in late 2005. "Tenchi, Heaven Forbid! G...", a collection of seventy-four yonkoma comics drawn during the course of six years for Pioneer LDC's monthly fan club letter, was later released by VIZ Media as "Tenchi Muyō: Sasami Stories", bundled along with previously published material featuring the Sasami character.
Kanehiko Shindō is a Japanese politician who is a member of the House of Councillors of Japan. He is a representative…
Kanehiko Shindō is a Japanese politician who is a member of the House of Councillors of Japan. He is a representative in the national proportional representation block.
Mitsuhiko Kato (加藤三彦, Katō Mitsuhiko; born May 5, 1962), nicknamed Semi, is a current college basketball head coach for…
Mitsuhiko Kato (加藤三彦, Katō Mitsuhiko; born May 5, 1962), nicknamed Semi, is a current college basketball head coach for Bunri University of Hospitality in Japan and the former head coach for Noshiro Technical High School and Link Tochigi Brex.
Akira Komatsu (小松 晃, Komatsu Akira; born 3 April 1962) is a former Japanese football player.
Satoru Matsuhashi (松橋 暁, Matsuhashi Satoru; born 6 December 1961) is a Japanese ski jumper. He competed in the normal…
Satoru Matsuhashi (松橋 暁, Matsuhashi Satoru; born 6 December 1961) is a Japanese ski jumper. He competed in the normal hill and large hill events at the 1984 Winter Olympics.
Tsukasa Endo (遠藤 司, Endō Tsukasa; born 9 November 1961) is a Japanese long-distance runner. He competed in the men's…
Tsukasa Endo (遠藤 司, Endō Tsukasa; born 9 November 1961) is a Japanese long-distance runner. He competed in the men's 10,000 metres at the 1988 Summer Olympics.
Ayako Fuji (藤あや子, Fuji Ayako) (real name Manami Fujimura (藤村真奈美, Fujimura Manami), née Takahashi (高橋), born May 10…
Ayako Fuji (藤あや子, Fuji Ayako) (real name Manami Fujimura (藤村真奈美, Fujimura Manami), née Takahashi (高橋), born May 10, 1961) is a Japanese enka singer. She is signed onto Sony Music Japan. Born in Kakunodate, Akita, Fuji graduated from Akita Prefectural Kakunodate South High School.
Toshiro Yanagiba (柳葉 敏郎, Yanagiba Toshirō; born January 3, 1961) is a Japanese actor.
Yoko Kagabu (利部 陽子, Kagabu Yōko; born 28 October 1960) is a Japanese former volleyball player who competed in the 1984…
Yoko Kagabu (利部 陽子, Kagabu Yōko; born 28 October 1960) is a Japanese former volleyball player who competed in the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles. In 1984, she was a member of the Japanese team that won the bronze medal in the Olympic tournament.
Mikio Kudō (工藤幹夫, Kudō Mikio; September 30, 1960 – May 13, 2016) was a Japanese professional baseball pitcher. He…
Mikio Kudō (工藤幹夫, Kudō Mikio; September 30, 1960 – May 13, 2016) was a Japanese professional baseball pitcher. He played five seasons in Nippon Professional Baseball, all for the Nippon Ham Fighters.
Taka Kato (加藤鷹, Katō Taka) or Taka Katou is a Japanese male former adult video (AV) actor.
Takashi Araya (荒谷 卓, Romanization: Araya Takashi, 1 January 1959 (Shōwa 34) - ) is a Japanese martial artist and…
Takashi Araya (荒谷 卓, Romanization: Araya Takashi, 1 January 1959 (Shōwa 34) - ) is a Japanese martial artist and author, who is the director at Shiseikan, Meiji Shrine. He was a Japan Ground Self-Defense Force colonel and has organized the Special Forces Group (特殊作戦群, Tokushusakusengun) as the first leader.
Junko Sakurada (桜田 淳子, Sakurada Junko; born 1958) is a Japanese singer and actress. She was part of a music trio in…
Junko Sakurada (桜田 淳子, Sakurada Junko; born 1958) is a Japanese singer and actress. She was part of a music trio in 1973, which included Momoe Yamaguchi and Masako Mori. Sakurada then became successful in a solo music career, with 18 top ten singles in the 1970s. Her acting career ran from 1973 to 1993. She received multiple awards for her acting roles, including the Hochi Film Award, Award of the Japanese Academy, Kinema Junpo Award, and Mainichi Film Concours. Following her marriage, in a Blessing ceremony of the Unification Church in 1992, she retired from performing. In 2013, Sakurada made a comeback.
Shuji Ono (小野秀二, Ono Shuji; born January 31, 1958) is the former head coach for Toyota Alvark, Hitachi SunRockers and…
Shuji Ono (小野秀二, Ono Shuji; born January 31, 1958) is the former head coach for Toyota Alvark, Hitachi SunRockers and Earthfriends Tokyo Z in Japan.
Akira Ōta (born 8 April 1957 in Akita) is a Japanese former wrestler who competed in the 1984 Summer Olympics, in the…
Akira Ōta (born 8 April 1957 in Akita) is a Japanese former wrestler who competed in the 1984 Summer Olympics, in the 1988 Summer Olympics, and in the 1992 Summer Olympics.
Masamichi Amano (天野 正道, Amano Masamichi; born January 26, 1957 in Akita, Akita) is a Japanese music composer, arranger…
Masamichi Amano (天野 正道, Amano Masamichi; born January 26, 1957 in Akita, Akita) is a Japanese music composer, arranger and conductor. He studied at the Kunitachi College of Music in Tokyo and completed master's degree in 1982.
Matsuyoshi Takahashi (高橋 松吉, Takahashi Matsuyoshi; born 3 September 1955) is a Japanese former cyclist. He competed in…
Matsuyoshi Takahashi (高橋 松吉, Takahashi Matsuyoshi; born 3 September 1955) is a Japanese former cyclist. He competed in the individual road race event at the 1984 Summer Olympics. He also competed at the 1982 and 1986 Asian Games. He served as one of the coaches for the Japanese cycling team at the 2012 Summer Olympics.
Hiroyuki Togashi (冨樫 博之, Togashi Hiroyuki; born 27 April 1955) is a Japanese politician from the Liberal Democratic…
Hiroyuki Togashi (冨樫 博之, Togashi Hiroyuki; born 27 April 1955) is a Japanese politician from the Liberal Democratic Party who served as the State Minister for Reconstruction in 2021.
Mitsuhisa Taguchi (田口 光久, Taguchi Mitsuhisa; February 14, 1955 – November 12, 2019) was a Japanese footballer. A…
Mitsuhisa Taguchi (田口 光久, Taguchi Mitsuhisa; February 14, 1955 – November 12, 2019) was a Japanese footballer. A Japanese international, he spent his entire career with Mitsubishi Motors.
Chikashi Toyoshima (Japanese: 豊島 近, Hepburn: Toyoshima Chikashi; born July 17, 1954) is a Japanese biophysicist, a…
Chikashi Toyoshima (Japanese: 豊島 近, Hepburn: Toyoshima Chikashi; born July 17, 1954) is a Japanese biophysicist, a professor at the University of Tokyo and a Foreign Associate of the National Academy of Sciences in the United States. His research focuses on two proteins: the Ca2+ ATPase, and the Na+/ K+-ATPase. Toyoshima's research about Ca2+ ATPase started in 1989. He and his colleagues obtained the world's first series of images of Ca2+ ATPase at the atomic level. He has determined the crystal structures of ten intermediates of Ca2+ ATPase via X-ray crystallography, cryogenic electron microscopy (cryo-EM), among other methods. Toyoshima and Poul Nissen were awarded the Gregori Aminoff Prize in 2016 by The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences for their fundamental contributions to understanding the structural basis for ATP-driven translocation of ions across membranes.
Yuko Arakida (荒木田 裕子, Arakida Yūko; 14 February 1954 – 16 September 2024) was a Japanese volleyball player and Olympic…
Yuko Arakida (荒木田 裕子, Arakida Yūko; 14 February 1954 – 16 September 2024) was a Japanese volleyball player and Olympic champion. She was later Chairwoman of Athlete's Committee of the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA). Arakida was a member of the Japanese winning team at the 1976 Olympic Games. In February 2012, Arakida was appointed sports director of Tokyo's bid to host the 2020 Summer Olympics. Arakida died on 16 September 2024 at the age of 70.
Yasaburo Sugawara (菅原 弥三郎, Sugawara Yasaburō; born 26 November 1952) is a Japanese former wrestler who competed in the…
Yasaburo Sugawara (菅原 弥三郎, Sugawara Yasaburō; born 26 November 1952) is a Japanese former wrestler who competed in the 1976 Summer Olympics.
Norio Kobayashi (小林 のりお, Kobayashi Norio; born 1952) is a Japanese photographer.
Yasuhiko Okudera (奥寺 康彦, Okudera Yasuhiko; born 12 March 1952) is a Japanese former football player and manager. A…
Yasuhiko Okudera (奥寺 康彦, Okudera Yasuhiko; born 12 March 1952) is a Japanese former football player and manager. A midfielder, Okudera was the first Japanese footballer to play professionally in Europe, as well as being the first Asian football player to score in the European Cup, while playing for 1. FC Köln in the 1979 semi-final match against Nottingham Forest and made 32 appearances – scoring nine goals – with the Japan national team.