Miyu Ito (伊藤美優, Itō Miyū; born 15 May 2007), also spelled Miyuu, is a Japanese skateboarder. She is a World…Miyu Ito (伊藤美優, Itō Miyū; born 15 May 2007), also spelled Miyuu, is a Japanese skateboarder. She is a World Skateboarding Championship and Asian Games bronze medalist.
Riku Handa (半田 陸, Handa Riku; born 1 January 2002) is a Japanese professional footballer who plays as a right-back for…Riku Handa (半田 陸, Handa Riku; born 1 January 2002) is a Japanese professional footballer who plays as a right-back for J1 League club Gamba Osaka.
Yuka Kagami (Japanese: 鏡 優翔, Hepburn: Kagami Yūka; born 14 September 2001) is a Japanese freestyle wrestler. She won…Yuka Kagami (Japanese: 鏡 優翔, Hepburn: Kagami Yūka; born 14 September 2001) is a Japanese freestyle wrestler. She won the gold medal in the women's 76 kg event at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, France. In 2023, she won the gold medal in her event at the World Wrestling Championships held in Belgrade, Serbia. She is a two-time medalist, including gold, at the Asian Wrestling Championships.
Shunsuke Sato (佐藤 隼輔, Sato Shunsuke; born January 3, 2000, in Sendai, Miyagi, Japan) is a professional Japanese…Shunsuke Sato (佐藤 隼輔, Sato Shunsuke; born January 3, 2000, in Sendai, Miyagi, Japan) is a professional Japanese baseball player. He is a pitcher for the Saitama Seibu Lions of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB).
Shoma Sato (佐藤 彰真, Satō Akimasa; born 6 October 1999) is a Japanese professional footballer who plays as a centre-back…Shoma Sato (佐藤 彰真, Satō Akimasa; born 6 October 1999) is a Japanese professional footballer who plays as a centre-back for Philippines Football League club One Taguig.
Masami Ishigaki (石垣 勝海, Ishigaki Masami; born September 21, 1998) is a Japanese professional baseball infielder for the…Masami Ishigaki (石垣 勝海, Ishigaki Masami; born September 21, 1998) is a Japanese professional baseball infielder for the Chiba Lotte Marines in Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball.
Yūta Kamiya (神谷 優太, Kamiya Yūta; born 24 April 1997) is a Japanese professional footballer who plays as an attacking…Yūta Kamiya (神谷 優太, Kamiya Yūta; born 24 April 1997) is a Japanese professional footballer who plays as an attacking midfielder or a winger for J1 League club Fagiano Okayama.
Kenta Takanashi (高梨 健太, Takanashi Kenta; born 25 March 1997) is a Japanese male volleyball player. He plays in V.League…Kenta Takanashi (高梨 健太, Takanashi Kenta; born 25 March 1997) is a Japanese male volleyball player. He plays in V.League Division 1 for Wolf Dogs Nagoya and Japan men's national volleyball team. He was the captain of Japan U-21 national team.
Naoya Ishikawa (石川 直也, Ishikawa Naoya; born July 11, 1996 in Higashitagawa, Yamagata, Japan) is a professional Japanese…Naoya Ishikawa (石川 直也, Ishikawa Naoya; born July 11, 1996 in Higashitagawa, Yamagata, Japan) is a professional Japanese baseball player. He plays pitcher for the Oisix Niigata Albirex
Takumu Nakano (中野 拓夢, Nakano, Takumu; born June 28, 1996) is a Japanese professional baseball infielder for the Hanshin…Takumu Nakano (中野 拓夢, Nakano, Takumu; born June 28, 1996) is a Japanese professional baseball infielder for the Hanshin Tigers of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB).
Sewon Okazawa (岡澤 セオン) (born 21 December 1995) is a Japanese boxer. He competed in the men's welterweight event at the…Sewon Okazawa (岡澤 セオン) (born 21 December 1995) is a Japanese boxer. He competed in the men's welterweight event at the 2020 Summer Olympics.
Takuya Otaki (大滝 拓也, Ōtaki Takuya; born 11 October 1995) is a Japanese racing driver currently racing for B-Max Racing…Takuya Otaki (大滝 拓也, Ōtaki Takuya; born 11 October 1995) is a Japanese racing driver currently racing for B-Max Racing Team in Super Formula Lights.
Kentaro Takahashi (高橋 健太郎, Takahashi Kentarō; born (1995-02-08)8 February 1995) is a Japanese male volleyball player.…Kentaro Takahashi (高橋 健太郎, Takahashi Kentarō; born (1995-02-08)8 February 1995) is a Japanese male volleyball player. He is part of the Japan men's national volleyball team. Currently, he plays in V.League division 1 for JTEKT Stings
Yukiya Saitoh (齋藤 友貴哉, Saitoh Yukiya; born January 5, 1995 in Higashine, Yamagata, Japan) is a professional Japanese…Yukiya Saitoh (齋藤 友貴哉, Saitoh Yukiya; born January 5, 1995 in Higashine, Yamagata, Japan) is a professional Japanese baseball pitcher for the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB). He has previously played in NPB for the Hanshin Tigers.
Yūya Yokoyama (横山 雄哉, Yokoyama Yūya; born February 21, 1994 in Murayama, Yamagata) is a Japanese former professional…Yūya Yokoyama (横山 雄哉, Yokoyama Yūya; born February 21, 1994 in Murayama, Yamagata) is a Japanese former professional baseball pitcher. He played in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) for the Hanshin Tigers from 2015 to 2020.
Ryo Ryusei (竜星 涼, Ryūsei Ryō; born March 24, 1993) is a Japanese actor. He was signed with Ken-On until August 31…Ryo Ryusei (竜星 涼, Ryūsei Ryō; born March 24, 1993) is a Japanese actor. He was signed with Ken-On until August 31, 2026. As of October 1, he is affiliated to Office Nino.
Kyu Mogami (最上九, Mogami Kyū) is a Japanese professional wrestler signed to Active Advance Pro Wrestling (2AW). He is…Kyu Mogami (最上九, Mogami Kyū) is a Japanese professional wrestler signed to Active Advance Pro Wrestling (2AW). He is also known for his tenures with Big Japan Pro Wrestling (BJW), Pro Wrestling Freedoms and various other promotions from the Japanese independent scene.
Shoma Doi (土居 聖真, Doi Shoma; born 21 May 1992) is a Japanese professional footballer who plays as an attacking…Shoma Doi (土居 聖真, Doi Shoma; born 21 May 1992) is a Japanese professional footballer who plays as an attacking midfielder for J2 League club Montedio Yamagata. He has 2 caps for the Japan national football team.
Yasuhiro Koseki (小関也朱篤, Koseki Yasuhiro; born March 14, 1992) is a Japanese competitive swimmer and breaststroke…Yasuhiro Koseki (小関也朱篤, Koseki Yasuhiro; born March 14, 1992) is a Japanese competitive swimmer and breaststroke specialist. He won the 100-meter event at the 2013 Summer Universiade, 2013 East Asian Games, and the 2014 Pan Pacific Swimming Championships. He hold the Asian record in this event, set in February 2014. Since 2010 Koseki studied at the Nippon Sport Science University, where he first specialized in the freestyle, and only later changed to breaststroke, motivated by Kosuke Kitajima.
Saori Suzuki (鈴木 沙織, Suzuki Saori; born 9 January 1990) is a Japanese freestyle skier. She competed in the 2018 Winter…Saori Suzuki (鈴木 沙織, Suzuki Saori; born 9 January 1990) is a Japanese freestyle skier. She competed in the 2018 Winter Olympics in the women's halfpipe.
Nachi Misawa (三澤 樹知, Misawa Nachi; born (1989-11-13)13 November 1989) is a Japanese group rhythmic gymnast. She…Nachi Misawa (三澤 樹知, Misawa Nachi; born (1989-11-13)13 November 1989) is a Japanese group rhythmic gymnast. She represents her nation at international competitions. She participated at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing. She also competed at world championships, including at the 2007 and 2009 World Rhythmic Gymnastics Championships. Misawa attended the Tokyo Women's College of Physical Education. While their rhythmic gymnastics club held a training camp in Yamagata Prefecture every year, in 2011, the camp was almost cancelled due to the aftermath of the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami. The Yamagata Rhythmic Gymnastics Association requested that the training camp be held once the gymnasium, which had been in use as an evacuation center, became available again. The club held a free showcase during the camp. Misawa was one of the members who attended. Along with her fellow Yamagata native teammate Nanase Shoji, she stated ahead of the showcase, "We're hearing that many people from Tōhoku will come to watch, so we want to extend cheer to the victims through our performances."
Rikako Miura (三浦里佳子, Miura Rikako; born 13 October 1989) is a Japanese water polo player. She competed in the 2020…Rikako Miura (三浦里佳子, Miura Rikako; born 13 October 1989) is a Japanese water polo player. She competed in the 2020 Summer Olympics.
Shoko Ota (太田 渉子 (オオタ ショウコ), Oota Shōko) is a Japanese para biathlete, para cross-country skier, and para taekwondo…Shoko Ota (太田 渉子 (オオタ ショウコ), Oota Shōko) is a Japanese para biathlete, para cross-country skier, and para taekwondo practitioner.
Kohei Ito (伊藤 紘平, Ito Kohei; born 5 December 1988) is a Japanese footballer who currently plays as a centre back for…Kohei Ito (伊藤 紘平, Ito Kohei; born 5 December 1988) is a Japanese footballer who currently plays as a centre back for Hong Kong First Division club South China.
Mitsuhiro Abiko (安孫子 充裕, Abiko Mitsuhiro; born October 25, 1988 in Yamagata Prefecture) is a Japanese sprinter, who…Mitsuhiro Abiko (安孫子 充裕, Abiko Mitsuhiro; born October 25, 1988 in Yamagata Prefecture) is a Japanese sprinter, who specialized in the 400 metres. Abiko competed in the men's 4 × 400 m relay at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, along with his teammates Kenji Narisako, Dai Tamesue, and Yoshihiro Horigome. He ran on the starting leg of the second heat, with an individual-split time of 46.70 seconds. Abiko and his team finished the relay in sixth place for a seasonal best time of 3:04.18, failing to advance into the final.
Hirofumi Watanabe (渡部 博文, Watanabe Hirofumi; born July 7, 1987 in Nagai, Yamagata) is a former Japanese football player…Hirofumi Watanabe (渡部 博文, Watanabe Hirofumi; born July 7, 1987 in Nagai, Yamagata) is a former Japanese football player who last played for Renofa Yamaguchi FC.
Yoshitaka Kuroda (黒田 吉隆, Kuroda Yoshitaka; born 10 January 1987 in Japan, Yamagata) is a Japanese former racing driver.…Yoshitaka Kuroda (黒田 吉隆, Kuroda Yoshitaka; born 10 January 1987 in Japan, Yamagata) is a Japanese former racing driver. After competing in the Auto GP series with Euronova Racing, he retired from motor racing and returned to Japan to work for S Medical, a business owned by his father.
Hiroaki Endo (遠藤寛明, Endo Hiroaki; born 21 November 1986) is a Japanese politician serving as a member of the House of…Hiroaki Endo (遠藤寛明, Endo Hiroaki; born 21 November 1986) is a Japanese politician serving as a member of the House of Representatives since 2026. He is the son of Toshiaki Endo.
Ayako Sato (佐藤綾子, Sato Ayako) (born January 4, 1986) is a Japanese professional wrestler currently signed to World…Ayako Sato (佐藤綾子, Sato Ayako) (born January 4, 1986) is a Japanese professional wrestler currently signed to World Woman Pro-Wrestling Diana, where she is a member of the CRYSIS stable. She is also known for her time in the Japanese promotions JWP Joshi Puroresu and Pure-J.
Joji Kato (加藤条治, Katō Jōji) (born 6 February 1985) is a Japanese speedskater whose specialty is in the sprinting…Joji Kato (加藤条治, Katō Jōji) (born 6 February 1985) is a Japanese speedskater whose specialty is in the sprinting distance event of 500 metres. At the age of 17 he became the first junior speedskater to skate the 500 metres in less than 35 seconds. Until 9 March 2007 he was the world record holder with the 34.30 he skated in Salt Lake City on 19 November 2005. He lost the world record to Lee Kang-seok, who skated 34.25 in Salt Lake City. At the age of 20, he became the 500 metres world champion at the 2005 World Single Distance Championships, leaving behind Hiroyasu Shimizu and Jeremy Wotherspoon. After this achievement he was considered to be one of the favourites for achieving a medal at the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin. Prior to that 500 metre race, he named three skaters as his toughest competition: Jeremy Wotherspoon of Canada, Joey Cheek of the United States, and Dmitry Dorofeyev of Russia. Cheek and Dorofeyev won gold and silver, respectively, while Kato finished in sixth place. He was also beaten by his own countryman, Yūya Oikawa, who was fourth. He represented Japan at the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver where he won bronze at men's 500 metres. At the 2014 Olympics in Sochi, Russia, he again represented Japan and finished 5th in the 500 m with a combined time over two runs of 69.74 and a fastest single time of 34.77 behind the Mulder brothers (Michel and Ronald), Jan Smeekens and Mo Tae-bum. He is a member of the Nidec Sankyo speed skating team.
Yuya Hasegawa (長谷川 勇也, Hasegawa Yūya; born 22 December 1984) is a Japanese former professional baseball outfielder, and…Yuya Hasegawa (長谷川 勇也, Hasegawa Yūya; born 22 December 1984) is a Japanese former professional baseball outfielder, and current research and development coach for the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB). Hasegawa played for Fukuoka starting in 2007, wearing number 24. In 2009, he batted .312.
Manami Hosokawa (細川 愛実, Hosokawa Manami; born August 8, 1984), better known by her stagename Manami Hashimoto (橋本 マナミ…Manami Hosokawa (細川 愛実, Hosokawa Manami; born August 8, 1984), better known by her stagename Manami Hashimoto (橋本 マナミ, Hashimoto Manami), is a Japanese gravure model and actress represented by Irving and her business alliance is Harmony Promotion. Hashimoto is called by such unique catchphrases such as "Heisei no Danchi Tsuma," (The Apartment Complex Wife of the Heisei era), "Aijin ni Shitai Onna No. 1," (The Number-one Woman I Want as My Mistress), and "Kokumin no Aijin." (The Nation's Mistress) That is to say, she was one of the sex symbols in Japan during the 2010s.
Carlos Kenji Yoshimura (born February 22, 1984) is a Brazilian baseball pitcher. He attended Hakuoh University and has…Carlos Kenji Yoshimura (born February 22, 1984) is a Brazilian baseball pitcher. He attended Hakuoh University and has played for the Yamaha team in the Japanese Industrial League. He represented Brazil at the 2003 Pan American Games, 2003 Baseball World Cup and 2013 World Baseball Classic.
Yukihiro Doi (土井 雪広, Doi Yukihiro; born 18 September 1983, in Yamagata Prefecture) is a Japanese former professional…Yukihiro Doi (土井 雪広, Doi Yukihiro; born 18 September 1983, in Yamagata Prefecture) is a Japanese former professional racing cyclist, who rode professionally between 2004 and 2018. After graduating from Hosei University, he joined the Shimano Racing team in 2004. After that, Doi mostly raced abroad, finishing second in the Tour of Siam (2007), eighth in the Tour de Langkawi (2007), fifth in the Tour de Hokkaido (2007), and sixth in the Tour of Turkey (2010). In 2011, he became the first Japanese to compete in the Vuelta a España, finishing in 150th place. In 2012, he won the Japanese National Road Race Championships. In November 2012, it was announced that in 2013 he would be riding for Team UKYO, a cycling team run by the racing driver Ukyo Katayama.
Yuko Oga (大神 雄子, Ōga Yūko; born October 17, 1982 in Yamagata city) is a Japanese basketball coach and former…Yuko Oga (大神 雄子, Ōga Yūko; born October 17, 1982 in Yamagata city) is a Japanese basketball coach and former professional basketball player who is the head coach for the Toyota Antelopes of the Women's Japan Basketball League (WJBL). A point guard, Oga played for the JX Sunflowers in the Women's Japan Basketball League and the Phoenix Mercury in the WNBA. In 2023, she was inducted into the FIBA basketball Hall of Fame. Her nickname is Shin.
Masaru Maeta (前田勝, Maeta Masaru), known by his shikona Maeta (前田), (24 June 1982 – 26 August 2020) was a Japanese sumo…Masaru Maeta (前田勝, Maeta Masaru), known by his shikona Maeta (前田), (24 June 1982 – 26 August 2020) was a Japanese sumo wrestler from the city of Tsuruoka in Yamagata Prefecture. He was a former amateur sumo competitor for Nihon University and made his professional debut in 2005. His sumo stable was Shibatayama and previously he belonged to Hanaregoma. His height was 180 cm (5 ft 11 in) and his peak weight was 213 kg (470 lb). His highest rank was makushita 3. He retired in 2018.
Kenta Kurihara (栗原 健太, Kurihara Kenta; born January 8, 1982) is a Japanese former professional baseball infielder who…Kenta Kurihara (栗原 健太, Kurihara Kenta; born January 8, 1982) is a Japanese former professional baseball infielder who played for the Hiroshima Toyo Carp and the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles. He was last a batting coach for the Chunichi Dragons. The Carp's main cleanup hitter during the early 2000s, Kurihara blossomed into one of the most feared power threats in the Central League. He played in the 2009 World Baseball Classic as an emergency replacement for Shuichi Murata, who suffered an injury in the second round of the tournament.
Ryosuke Nemoto (根本 亮助, Nemoto Ryōsuke; born August 24, 1980) is a former Japanese football player. He spent his career…Ryosuke Nemoto (根本 亮助, Nemoto Ryōsuke; born August 24, 1980) is a former Japanese football player. He spent his career playing for Japan club Montedio Yamagata.
Ryo Saito (斎藤 了, Saitō Ryō) (born August 15, 1979) is a Japanese professional wrestling personality and semi-retired…Ryo Saito (斎藤 了, Saitō Ryō) (born August 15, 1979) is a Japanese professional wrestling personality and semi-retired professional wrestler primarily working in Dragongate, where he is their general manager. He is a former member of numerous stables within Dragongate as both a heel and a face, including Jimmyz (where he adopted "Jimmy" as a nickname), Real Hazard and Blood WARRIORS; he served as the second leader of Do FIXER (replacing Magnum TOKYO) from 2004 until its dissolution in February 2007. His name is sometimes abbreviated as SaiRyo, so as not to confuse him with Yoshiyuki Saito, who primarily wrestles as Super Shisa.
Megumi Ikeda (池田 めぐみ, Ikeda Megumi; born 1 August 1979) (née Harada) is a Japanese former fencer. She competed in the…Megumi Ikeda (池田 めぐみ, Ikeda Megumi; born 1 August 1979) (née Harada) is a Japanese former fencer. She competed in the women's individual épée events at the 2004 and 2008 Summer Olympics. At the end of October 2025, it was announced that Ikeda would be one of the winners of the HEROs AWARD, along Hakuhō Shō. The prize is delivered by the Nippon Foundation and aimed at recognizing athletes who promote social action through sport. for her contributions to her home prefecture.
Ayuko Kato (加藤 鮎子, Katō Ayuko; born 19 April 1979) is a Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) who…Ayuko Kato (加藤 鮎子, Katō Ayuko; born 19 April 1979) is a Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) who is the current member of the House of Representatives for Yamagata 3rd district. She served as Minister of State in the Kishida Cabinet. Kato graduated from Keio University Faculty of Law in 2003 and from the School of International and Public Affairs of Columbia University in 2008. Kato was elected in the 2014 Japanese general election to the same seat as her father Koichi Kato, a longtime member of the House of Representatives for Yamagata Prefecture who had lost the seat in the 2012 general election. From 2006 to 2009, Kato was married to LDP politician Kensuke Miyazaki, who later served as member for Kyoto 3rd district from 2012 to 2016.
Ayako Ōnuma (大沼 綾子, Ōnuma Ayako; born (1979-04-17)17 April 1979) is a Japanese female volleyball player. She was part…Ayako Ōnuma (大沼 綾子, Ōnuma Ayako; born (1979-04-17)17 April 1979) is a Japanese female volleyball player. She was part of the Japan women's national volleyball team. She participated in the 2005 FIVB Volleyball World Grand Prix. On club level she played for Hitachi Sawa Rivale in 2005.
