Shokichi Natsui (夏井 昇吉, Natsui Shōkichi; 10 October 1925 – 13 September 2006) was a Japanese judoka from the Akita…Shokichi Natsui (夏井 昇吉, Natsui Shōkichi; 10 October 1925 – 13 September 2006) was a Japanese judoka from the Akita Prefecture. He became the first world champion in judo, winning the title at the 1956 World Judo Championships in Tokyo, by beating Yoshihiko Yoshimatsu in the final. As there were no weight classes in the world championships until 1965, Natsui was the only champion in 1956.
Terukuni Manzō (Japanese: 照國 万藏; January 10, 1919 – March 20, 1977) was a Japanese professional sumo wrestler from…Terukuni Manzō (Japanese: 照國 万藏; January 10, 1919 – March 20, 1977) was a Japanese professional sumo wrestler from Ogachi, Akita. He was the sport's 38th yokozuna. He was promoted to yokozuna without any top division tournament titles to his name, although he later attained two.
Teisuke Chiba (千葉 禎介, Chiba Teisuke; 1917–1965) was a Japanese amateur photographer of rural life around the area where…Teisuke Chiba (千葉 禎介, Chiba Teisuke; 1917–1965) was a Japanese amateur photographer of rural life around the area where he lived in Akita, Japan.
Hirohide Ishida (石田 博英, Ishida Hirohide; 12 December 1914 – 14 October 1993) was a Japanese politician who served in…Hirohide Ishida (石田 博英, Ishida Hirohide; 12 December 1914 – 14 October 1993) was a Japanese politician who served in the cabinets of multiple conservative administrations. In the 1980s, it was revealed that the KGB considered him to be an agent of the Soviet Union.
Kieko Watanabe (渡辺喜恵子; November 6, 1913–August 8, 1997) was a Japanese novelist. She is best known for her Naoki…Kieko Watanabe (渡辺喜恵子; November 6, 1913–August 8, 1997) was a Japanese novelist. She is best known for her Naoki Prize-winning work, Mabuchi-gawa (馬淵川). Many of her works were historical fiction.
Tōshirō Ishida (石田 東四郎, Ishida Tōshirō; August 1912 – June 25, 2009) was a former Japanese military employee. Drafted…Tōshirō Ishida (石田 東四郎, Ishida Tōshirō; August 1912 – June 25, 2009) was a former Japanese military employee. Drafted in 1937, he was sent to China in order to gain information for the Imperial Japanese Army, but went missing, eventually being declared dead in 1963. He was found living in the Chinese province of Henan in 1993, suffering from amnesia, and returned to Japan that year. In 1993, a Hyogo-based civilian group got information about a Japanese man living in Henan Province. DNA testing identified the man as Ishida. He returned to Japan the same year. His family said Ishida had been suffering from amnesia after receiving a bullet wound to the head during the war. He died of pneumonia in 2009.
Kichizo Sasaki (Japanese: 佐々木 吉蔵, Hepburn: Sasaki Kichizō; 10 March 1912 – 23 January 1983) was a Japanese sprinter. He…Kichizo Sasaki (Japanese: 佐々木 吉蔵, Hepburn: Sasaki Kichizō; 10 March 1912 – 23 January 1983) was a Japanese sprinter. He was selected for the 1932 Los Angeles Olympics but had to drop out because of an injury. He competed in the men's 100 metres at the 1936 Summer Olympics. He later worked at the Japanese Ministry of Education and was the starter for the 100 meter finals at the 1964 Tokyo Olympics.
Bin Uehara (上原 敏, Uehara Bin; August 26, 1908 – July 29, 1944) was a Japanese music (ryūkōka) singer and soldier. He…Bin Uehara (上原 敏, Uehara Bin; August 26, 1908 – July 29, 1944) was a Japanese music (ryūkōka) singer and soldier. He was known for using naniwa-bushi's kobushi vocalism in Japanese popular music. He was killed in action during the eastern New Guinea campaign during the Pacific War.
Yasushi Sasaki (佐々木 康; 25 January 1908 – 13 September 1993), also known as Kō Sasaki, was a Japanese film director. He…Yasushi Sasaki (佐々木 康; 25 January 1908 – 13 September 1993), also known as Kō Sasaki, was a Japanese film director. He directed films from the 1920s to the 1960s.
Masayoshi Ise (伊勢正義, 28 February 1907 – 18 November 1985) was a Japanese painter. His work was part of the painting…Masayoshi Ise (伊勢正義, 28 February 1907 – 18 November 1985) was a Japanese painter. His work was part of the painting event in the art competition at the 1936 Summer Olympics.
Kazuo Ohno (大野 一雄, Ōno Kazuo; October 27, 1906 – June 1, 2010) was a Japanese dancer who became a guru and…Kazuo Ohno (大野 一雄, Ōno Kazuo; October 27, 1906 – June 1, 2010) was a Japanese dancer who became a guru and inspirational figure in the dance form known as Butoh. He is the author of several books on Butoh, including The Palace Soars through the Sky, Dessin, Words of Workshop, and Food for the Soul. The latter two were published in English as Kazuo Ohno's World: From Without & Within (2004). Ohno once said of his work: "The best thing someone can say to me is that while watching my performance they began to cry. It is not important to understand what I am doing; perhaps it is better if they don't understand, but just respond to the dance."
Tatsuzō Ishikawa (Japanese: 石川 達三, Ishikawa Tatsuzō; July 2, 1905 – January 31, 1985) was a Japanese writer. He was the…Tatsuzō Ishikawa (Japanese: 石川 達三, Ishikawa Tatsuzō; July 2, 1905 – January 31, 1985) was a Japanese writer. He was the first winner of the Akutagawa Prize.
Takiji Kobayashi (小林 多喜二, Kobayashi Takiji; October 13, 1903 – February 20, 1933) was a Japanese writer of proletarian…Takiji Kobayashi (小林 多喜二, Kobayashi Takiji; October 13, 1903 – February 20, 1933) was a Japanese writer of proletarian literature. He is best known for his short novel Kani Kōsen, or Crab Cannery Ship, published in 1929. It tells the story of the hard life of cannery workers, fishermen and seamen on board a cannery ship and the beginning of their revolt against the company and its managers. Kobayashi died due to violent torture after being arrested by the Special Higher Police two years later, at the age of 29.
Tamizō Ishida (石田民三, Ishida Tamizō; 7 June 1901 – 1 October 1972) was a Japanese film director and screenwriter. He is…Tamizō Ishida (石田民三, Ishida Tamizō; 7 June 1901 – 1 October 1972) was a Japanese film director and screenwriter. He is most noted for his 1938 historical drama film Fallen Blossoms, which is now regarded as one of the outstanding works of 1930s Japanese cinema.
Kenji Tomiki (富木 謙治, Tomiki Kenji; March 15, 1900 – December 25, 1979) was a Japanese martial artist who specialized in…Kenji Tomiki (富木 謙治, Tomiki Kenji; March 15, 1900 – December 25, 1979) was a Japanese martial artist who specialized in aikido and judo family of martial arts. He was a pedagogue of martial arts theory (武道論, Budo-ron). He is the founder of Japan Aikido Association and the competitive aikido (aikido kyogi) style. Tomiki was a professor at Kenkoku University in Manchuria and later at the Faculty of Education at Waseda University. Tomiki is credited in devising and introducing new forms of Randori practice in Aikido. He founded his own Aikido system, which has many differences from other Aikido styles, mainly in randori training, and is referred by several names including Tomiki Aikido, Shodokan Aikido and Sport Aikido.
Tarō Shōji (Japanese: 東海林 太郎, Hepburn: Shōji Tarō; December 11, 1898 – October 4, 1972) was a popular Japanese ryūkōka…Tarō Shōji (Japanese: 東海林 太郎, Hepburn: Shōji Tarō; December 11, 1898 – October 4, 1972) was a popular Japanese ryūkōka singer. He also used the aliases Shōji Shirō (庄司史郎), Asabuki Kaoru (朝吹薫), and Fujiwara Hideo (藤原英夫) in his early recording career.
Jiro Makiyama (October 16, 1896 - December 5, 1986) was a Japanese paleontologist, geologist, and malacologist. He was…Jiro Makiyama (October 16, 1896 - December 5, 1986) was a Japanese paleontologist, geologist, and malacologist. He was the Honorary President of the Japanese Society of Malacology, and the former chairman of the Japanese Society of Paleontology and the Japan Geological Society. He is known for scientifically describing the Nauman Elephant (Palaeoloxodon naumanni).
Ōmi Komaki (小牧 近江, Komaki Ōmi; 11 May 1894 – 29 October 1978) was the pen-name of a scholar and translator of French…Ōmi Komaki (小牧 近江, Komaki Ōmi; 11 May 1894 – 29 October 1978) was the pen-name of a scholar and translator of French literature in Taishō and Shōwa period Japan. His real name was Komaki Ōmiya.
Ryōgoku Kajinosuke II (両國 勇治郎, March 18, 1892 – August 10, 1960) was a Japanese sumo wrestler. His highest rank was…Ryōgoku Kajinosuke II (両國 勇治郎, March 18, 1892 – August 10, 1960) was a Japanese sumo wrestler. His highest rank was sekiwake.
Shōji Nishimura (西村 祥治, Nishimura Shōji; 30 November 1889 – 25 October 1944) was an admiral in the Imperial Japanese…Shōji Nishimura (西村 祥治, Nishimura Shōji; 30 November 1889 – 25 October 1944) was an admiral in the Imperial Japanese Navy during World War II.
Norihiro Yasue (安江仙弘, Yasue Norihiro; January 12, 1886 – August 4, 1950) was an Imperial Japanese Army colonel who…Norihiro Yasue (安江仙弘, Yasue Norihiro; January 12, 1886 – August 4, 1950) was an Imperial Japanese Army colonel who played a crucial role in the Fugu Plan, in which Jews were rescued from Europe and brought to Japanese-occupied territories during World War II. He was known as one of Japan's "Jewish experts", along with Captain Koreshige Inuzuka.
Eiji Gotō (後藤 英次, Gotō Eiji; November 5, 1887 – November 24, 1967) was an admiral in the Imperial Japanese Navy during…Eiji Gotō (後藤 英次, Gotō Eiji; November 5, 1887 – November 24, 1967) was an admiral in the Imperial Japanese Navy during World War II.
Baku Ishii (Japanese: 石井 漠; December 25, 1886 – January 7, 1962) was a Japanese dancer and choreographer. He was a…Baku Ishii (Japanese: 石井 漠; December 25, 1886 – January 7, 1962) was a Japanese dancer and choreographer. He was a pioneer of modern dance in Japan.
Haru Wazaki (Japanese: 和崎ハル; 1 February 1885 – 30 December 1952) was a Japanese politician. She was one of the first…Haru Wazaki (Japanese: 和崎ハル; 1 February 1885 – 30 December 1952) was a Japanese politician. She was one of the first group of women elected to the House of Representatives in 1946.
Sukenari Yokoyama (1 January 1884 – 27 March 1963) was a Japanese politician who served twice as governor of Hiroshima…Sukenari Yokoyama (1 January 1884 – 27 March 1963) was a Japanese politician who served twice as governor of Hiroshima Prefecture in 1927–1928 and 1943–1944.
Kawamura Takeji (川村 竹治; 1 September 1871 – 8 September 1955) was a Japanese businessman and the Governor-General of…Kawamura Takeji (川村 竹治; 1 September 1871 – 8 September 1955) was a Japanese businessman and the Governor-General of Taiwan (1928–1929), Minister of Justice (1932). He was Governor of Wakayama Prefecture (1911–1914), Kagawa Prefecture (1914–1915) and Aomori Prefecture (1917–1918).
Naitō Torajirō (Japanese: 内藤 虎次郎; Kemanai August 27, 1866 – June 26, 1934), commonly known as Naitō Konan (内藤 湖南), was…Naitō Torajirō (Japanese: 内藤 虎次郎; Kemanai August 27, 1866 – June 26, 1934), commonly known as Naitō Konan (内藤 湖南), was a Japanese historian and Sinologist. He was the founder of the Kyoto School of historiography, and along with Shiratori Kurakichi (the founder of the Tokyo School), was one of the leading Japanese historians of East Asia in the early twentieth century. His most well-known book is called Nara.
Shimoda Kikutarō (Japanese: 下田 菊太郎; 2 May 1866 – 26 December 1931) was an architect who created the prototype of the…Shimoda Kikutarō (Japanese: 下田 菊太郎; 2 May 1866 – 26 December 1931) was an architect who created the prototype of the Imperial Crown Style for the Empire of Japan. He was a native of Akita, in northern Honshu, and moved to Tokyo in 1881, when he was fifteen. At Keio University, he enrolled in an architecture course under Josiah Conder.
Terasaki Kōgyō or Terazaki Kōgyō (born Chutaro Terasaki or Terazaki; 1866–1919) was a Japanese painter who completed…Terasaki Kōgyō or Terazaki Kōgyō (born Chutaro Terasaki or Terazaki; 1866–1919) was a Japanese painter who completed many works for the publishing house Hakubunkan and their literary magazine Bungei Kurabu.
Machida Chūji (町田忠治; 17 May 1863 – 12 November 1946) was a politician and cabinet minister in the pre-war Empire of…Machida Chūji (町田忠治; 17 May 1863 – 12 November 1946) was a politician and cabinet minister in the pre-war Empire of Japan.
Nobu Shirase (白瀬 矗, Shirase Nobu; 13 June 1861 – 4 September 1946) was a Japanese army officer and explorer. He led the…Nobu Shirase (白瀬 矗, Shirase Nobu; 13 June 1861 – 4 September 1946) was a Japanese army officer and explorer. He led the first Japanese Antarctic Expedition, 1910–12, which reached a southern latitude of 80°5′, and made the first landing on the coast of King Edward VII Land. Shirase had harboured polar ambitions since boyhood. By way of preparation, during his military service he participated in an expedition to the northern Kuril Islands. This venture was poorly organised and ended badly, but nonetheless provided him with useful training for future polar exploration. His longstanding intention was to lead an expedition to the North Pole, but when this mark was claimed by Robert Peary in 1909, Shirase switched his attention to the south. Unable to attract government support for his Antarctic venture, Shirase raised the finance privately. In its first season, 1910–11, the expedition failed to make a landing, and was forced to winter in Australia. Its second attempt, in 1911–12, was more successful. Although the expedition's achievements were modest, it demonstrated that the Japanese were competent Antarctic travellers, and Shirase returned to Japan in June 1912 to much local acclaim, although the rest of the world showed little interest in his exploits. Even in Japan his fame was short-lived, and Shirase soon found himself faced with a burden of expedition debt that took him most of the rest of his life to redeem. He died in relative poverty in 1946. Long after Shirase's death, there was belated recognition in Japan of his pioneering endeavours. Several geographical features in Antarctica were named after him or his expedition; the revived Japanese Antarctic Research Expedition named its third and fourth ice-breaking vessels Shirase; his home city of Nikaho erected a statue in 1981, and in 1990 opened a museum dedicated to his memory and the work of his expedition.
Wainai Sadayuki (和井内貞行; March 29, 1858 – May 16, 1922) was a pioneer known for his contributions to the development of…Wainai Sadayuki (和井内貞行; March 29, 1858 – May 16, 1922) was a pioneer known for his contributions to the development of Lake Towada in Akita Prefecture.
Tomura Yoshinori (戸村義得; May 1849 – 1906), also known as Tomura Daigaku (戸村大学) was a Japanese general and businessman…Tomura Yoshinori (戸村義得; May 1849 – 1906), also known as Tomura Daigaku (戸村大学) was a Japanese general and businessman hailing from the Kubota Domain and founder of the 48th National Bank during the Bakumatsu period of Japan.
Viscount Ōshima Hisanao (大島久直, Hisanao Ōshima; 1 October 1848 – 27 September 1928) was a general in the early Imperial…Viscount Ōshima Hisanao (大島久直, Hisanao Ōshima; 1 October 1848 – 27 September 1928) was a general in the early Imperial Japanese Army.
Rico Sasaki (佐々木 李子, Sasaki Riko; born November 10, 1997) is a Japanese actress and singer who is affiliated with…Rico Sasaki (佐々木 李子, Sasaki Riko; born November 10, 1997) is a Japanese actress and singer who is affiliated with Honeycomb Entertainment. Her entertainment career began in 2008 when she was selected to play Annie in a musical production of Annie in 2008. She started a music career in 2014 under the stage name Rico, before reverting to using her real name in 2016. That same year, she started a voice acting career. As a voice actress, she is known for her roles as Poporon in Dropkick on My Devil!, Daia Nijinosaki/Daia in Kiratto Pri Chan, and Ayako Yamada in Kageki Shojo!!, while her music has been featured in anime series such as Danchi Tomoo, Duel Masters, and Bofuri. She is the vocalist and lead guitarist for the band Ave Mujica of the BanG Dream! multimedia franchise, which includes portraying the character Uika Misumi/Doloris.
Miya Fujii (藤井 美弥, Fujii Miya; formerly Miya Sato (佐藤 美弥, Satō Miya), born (1990-03-07)7 March 1990) is a retired…Miya Fujii (藤井 美弥, Fujii Miya; formerly Miya Sato (佐藤 美弥, Satō Miya), born (1990-03-07)7 March 1990) is a retired Japanese female volleyball player. She announced her retirement from Hitachi Rivale club and the national team on 27 May 2021. She was part of the Japan women's national volleyball team. She participated at the 2017 FIVB Volleyball Women's World Grand Champions Cup, and the 2018 FIVB Volleyball Women's Nations League.
Rina Ikoma (生駒 里奈, Ikoma Rina; born December 29, 1995) is a Japanese actress and former idol singer best recognized as…Rina Ikoma (生駒 里奈, Ikoma Rina; born December 29, 1995) is a Japanese actress and former idol singer best recognized as the "Face of Nogizaka46". She was a first generation member of the girl group Nogizaka46 and AKB48's Team B, also known as the former's eternal ace and original center, being appointed the position for an A-side six times in total for Nogizaka46's first five singles, "Guruguru Curtain", "Oide Shampoo", "Hashire! Bicycle", "Seifuku no Mannequin", and "Kimi no Na wa Kibō", as well as their 12th Single "Taiyō Nokku", which was the record highest at the time for the group, and is still the most for solo centers. Yasushi Akimoto originally made it to be so that Ikoma's graduation single "Synchronicity" was for her as center, but she declined. She played the leading role of Naomi Nakashima in the film Corpse Party.
Natsuki Katō (加藤 夏希, Katō Natsuki; born July 26, 1985 in Yurihonjo, Akita Prefecture) is a Japanese actress, singer and…Natsuki Katō (加藤 夏希, Katō Natsuki; born July 26, 1985 in Yurihonjo, Akita Prefecture) is a Japanese actress, singer and former fashion model, regularly appearing on television in various roles.
Sayuri Sugawara (菅原 紗由理, Sugawara Sayuri; born June 29, 1990 in Yokote, Akita), also known by the name THE SxPLAY, is a…Sayuri Sugawara (菅原 紗由理, Sugawara Sayuri; born June 29, 1990 in Yokote, Akita), also known by the name THE SxPLAY, is a Japanese singer. She debuted as a musician in 2009, and sang "Kimi ga Iru Kara," the theme song for the Japanese version of Final Fantasy XIII.
Hiromitsu Ochiai (落合 博満, Ochiai Hiromitsu; born December 9, 1953) is a Japanese former professional baseball manager…Hiromitsu Ochiai (落合 博満, Ochiai Hiromitsu; born December 9, 1953) is a Japanese former professional baseball manager and player. He is the former manager of the Chunichi Dragons in Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball. He is considered to be one of the most important players in the history of Japanese baseball, winning numerous batting awards and being the only player to receive the prestigious triple crown batting award three times. With 510 career home runs, Ochiai is sixth on the all-time NPB list. Ochiai's style is called Oreryu(オレ流). Oreryu means "to do with only my style." The word described how he acted according to his personal philosophies.
Nobuhide Minorikawa (御法川 信英, Minorikawa Nobuhide; born 25 May 1964) is a Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic…Nobuhide Minorikawa (御法川 信英, Minorikawa Nobuhide; born 25 May 1964) is a Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), serving as a member of the House of Representatives in the Diet (national legislature). A native of Ōmagari, Akita, he attended Keio University and received a master's degree from the School of International and Public Affairs at Columbia University in the United States. He was elected to the House of Representatives for the first time in 2003 as an independent and joined the LDP in the following year.
Shu Watanabe (渡部 秀, Watanabe Shū; born October 26, 1991) is a Japanese actor, famous for portraying the character Eiji…Shu Watanabe (渡部 秀, Watanabe Shū; born October 26, 1991) is a Japanese actor, famous for portraying the character Eiji Hino in the 2010 tokusatsu series Kamen Rider OOO.
Mitsu Dan (壇 蜜, Dan Mitsu; born December 3, 1980) is the professional name of Shizuka Saitō (齋藤 支靜加), a Japanese…Mitsu Dan (壇 蜜, Dan Mitsu; born December 3, 1980) is the professional name of Shizuka Saitō (齋藤 支靜加), a Japanese actress, gravure idol, and writer. She has played multiple lead roles in television and film, including Naoko in the 2013 erotic thriller Amai Muchi, for which she received a Newcomer of the Year award at the 37th Japan Academy Prize ceremony.
Junji Fukuhara (福原 淳嗣, Fukuhara Junji; born 18 December 1967) is a Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic Party…Junji Fukuhara (福原 淳嗣, Fukuhara Junji; born 18 December 1967) is a Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic Party, who serves as a member of the House of Representatives.
