Chizuru Soneta (曽根田 千鶴, Soneta Chizuru; born 15 February 1978) is a Japanese cross-country skier, who competed in two…Chizuru Soneta (曽根田 千鶴, Soneta Chizuru; born 15 February 1978) is a Japanese cross-country skier, who competed in two events at the 2006 Winter Olympics.
Kazunobu Mineta (峯田和伸, Mineta Kazunobu; born 10 December 1977) is a Japanese singer-songwriter and actor. He is the…Kazunobu Mineta (峯田和伸, Mineta Kazunobu; born 10 December 1977) is a Japanese singer-songwriter and actor. He is the frontman of the punk rock band Ging Nang Boyz (銀杏BOYZ), formed in 2003 after the breakup of his previous band GOING STEADY.
Tomoaki Honma (本間 朋晃, Honma Tomoaki; born November 18, 1976) is a Japanese professional wrestler primarily working for…Tomoaki Honma (本間 朋晃, Honma Tomoaki; born November 18, 1976) is a Japanese professional wrestler primarily working for New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW). In NJPW, he is a former one-time IWGP Tag Team Champion and a two-time World Tag League winner with Togi Makabe.
Ryo Chonan (Japanese: 長南亮, Chōnan Ryō; born October 8, 1976) is a Japanese retired professional mixed martial artist. A…Ryo Chonan (Japanese: 長南亮, Chōnan Ryō; born October 8, 1976) is a Japanese retired professional mixed martial artist. A professional competitor from 2001 to 2013, Chonan competed for the UFC, PRIDE, DEEP, DREAM, Pancrase, and World Victory Road. Chonan is the former DEEP Middleweight Champion and the former DEEP Welterweight Champion.
Takahiro Satō (佐藤 タカヒロ, Satō Takahiro; 24 July 1976 – 3 July 2018) was a Japanese manga artist from Yamagata…Takahiro Satō (佐藤 タカヒロ, Satō Takahiro; 24 July 1976 – 3 July 2018) was a Japanese manga artist from Yamagata prefecture. Satō created the manga Bachi Bachi, a sumo series that ran in Weekly Shōnen Champion from 2009 to 2012. Bachi Bachi went on to spawn two sequel series, Bachi Bachi BURST and Samejima, Saigo no Jūgonichi. Satō suffered a sudden death on 3 July 2018 at the age of 41 due to acute coronary syndrome. Samejima, Saigo no Jūgonichi was still running at the time of his death, and the last issue was published in July 2018. The final chapters were compiled into the 20th volume, which went on to be published posthumously in October of the same year. Sumo magazine Great Sumo Journal honored Satō with a special issue following his death, which featured the main character of Bachi Bachi. In November 2023, makuuchi-ranked wrestler Kitanowaka also paid tribute to Satō by performing his ring-entering ceremony with a keshō-mawashi made in the image of Samejima, the main character in Bachi Bachi.
Yukio Sakano (坂野 幸夫, Sakano Yukio; born 3 February 1976) is a Japanese ski jumper. In the World Cup his highest place…Yukio Sakano (坂野 幸夫, Sakano Yukio; born 3 February 1976) is a Japanese ski jumper. In the World Cup his highest place was number 11 from January 2006 in Sapporo.
Takashi Nishida (born 24 January 1976) is a Japanese snowboarder. He competed in the men's halfpipe event at the 1998…Takashi Nishida (born 24 January 1976) is a Japanese snowboarder. He competed in the men's halfpipe event at the 1998 Winter Olympics.
Kentaro Tsuruoka (born 26 August 1974) is a Japanese snowboarder. He competed in the men's parallel giant slalom event…Kentaro Tsuruoka (born 26 August 1974) is a Japanese snowboarder. He competed in the men's parallel giant slalom event at the 2006 Winter Olympics.
Hiroomi Takizawa (瀧澤 宏臣, Takizawa Hiroomi; born 13 September 1973) is a Japanese freestyle skier who specializes in the…Hiroomi Takizawa (瀧澤 宏臣, Takizawa Hiroomi; born 13 September 1973) is a Japanese freestyle skier who specializes in the skicross discipline. He is a former moguls skier.
Ito Ogawa (小川 糸, Ogawa Ito) is a Japanese novelist, lyricist and translator. She was born in 1973 in Yamagata…Ito Ogawa (小川 糸, Ogawa Ito) is a Japanese novelist, lyricist and translator. She was born in 1973 in Yamagata, Yamagata. Several of her books have gained international recognition, such as The Restaurant of Love Regained (2008; Japanese Title: 食堂かたつむり - Shokudō Katatsumuri), described as a "foodie fable", which was made into a film in 2010 under the title "Shokudo Katatsumuri" ("Rinco's Restaurant").
Shoko Fujibayashi (藤林 聖子, Fujibayashi Shōko; born February 18, 1972) is a Japanese lyricist who has written the lyrics…Shoko Fujibayashi (藤林 聖子, Fujibayashi Shōko; born February 18, 1972) is a Japanese lyricist who has written the lyrics for several tokusatsu television series' theme songs. Most recently, Fujibayashi has worked with Shuhei Naruse on the soundtracks of Kamen Rider Den-O, Kamen Rider Kiva, and their films. She has also worked with Nana Mizuki, May'n, BoA, Ken Hirai, Sowelu, 2PM, Mikuni Shimokawa, Crystal Kay, Beni Arashiro, Daisuke Hasegawa, Issa of Da Pump, Lead, and Miho Kanno.
Harumi Yoshida (吉田 晴美, Yoshida Harumi; born 1 January 1972) is a Japanese politician who served as a member of the…Harumi Yoshida (吉田 晴美, Yoshida Harumi; born 1 January 1972) is a Japanese politician who served as a member of the House of Representatives for Tokyo's 8th district. She defeated Nobuteru Ishihara in the 2021 Japanese general election. She stood in the 2024 CDP leadership election, where she placed fourth.
Udo Suzuki (ウド鈴木; real name: Hideki Suzuki (鈴木 任紀), born January 19, 1970), also known as Udo, is a Japanese musician…Udo Suzuki (ウド鈴木; real name: Hideki Suzuki (鈴木 任紀), born January 19, 1970), also known as Udo, is a Japanese musician and comedian. He used to be a member of the Japanese band UltraCats and is a member of the owarai group Kyaeen (キャイ~ン).
Hirohito Gotō (後藤 ひろひと, Gotō Hirohito; born February 23, 1969) is a Japanese director, playwright, and actor. Born in…Hirohito Gotō (後藤 ひろひと, Gotō Hirohito; born February 23, 1969) is a Japanese director, playwright, and actor. Born in Yamagata prefecture, he graduated from Yamagata Prefectural Yamagata East High School and dropped out of Hindi studies from Osaka University of Foreign Studies. In 1987 he joined the theater group Yūkisha. By 1989 he served as the second head of the group and handled nearly all productions. After retiring from Yūkisha in 1996, he worked as a free playwright, and in 1998 created Piper with Kawashita Taiyō of former Gekidan Sotoba Komachi fame. In 2001 he began the Royal Theater. His plays have a reputation for having a unique view of the world as well as for stories of a massive scale. Primary works include Ningen Fūsha (人間風車), Moldman the Bellringer in Dublin (ダブリンの鐘つきカビ人間), and the Big / Bigger / Biggest Biz trilogy.
Kotonowaka Terumasa (Japanese: 琴ノ若 晴將; born May 15, 1968, as Konno Mitsuya (鎌谷 今野, Mitsuya Konno)) is a Japanese former…Kotonowaka Terumasa (Japanese: 琴ノ若 晴將; born May 15, 1968, as Konno Mitsuya (鎌谷 今野, Mitsuya Konno)) is a Japanese former sumo wrestler from Obanazawa. He made his professional debut in 1984 and after reaching the top makuuchi division in 1990, he remained there for 15 years until his retirement in 2005. His highest rank was sekiwake and he earned seven special prizes and eight gold stars during his long makuuchi career. He is now the head coach of Sadogatake stable.
Takeshi Koike (小池健, Koike Takeshi) (born January 26, 1968) is a Japanese animator, illustrator and film director.…Takeshi Koike (小池健, Koike Takeshi) (born January 26, 1968) is a Japanese animator, illustrator and film director. Something of a protégé of Yoshiaki Kawajiri, he was also influenced by Yoshinori Kanada, Frank Miller, Mike Mignola, and Katsuhito Ishii. He went straight from a high school education to beginning his career at Madhouse as an in-betweener on works directed by Kawajiri after being interviewed by him. His first professional work as director is the title sequence of the 2000 film Party 7; while his first feature film is Redline, which premiered in 2009 and was released in 2010. He served as character designer and animation director for 2012's Lupin the Third: The Woman Called Fujiko Mine, and directed film continuations of it starting with Lupin the IIIrd: Jigen's Gravestone in 2014. Work outside of animation includes the artwork for the 2004 Dreams Come True single "Yasashii Kiss o Shite".
Susumu Sakurai (born 1968) is a Japanese scientist and science navigator. He was born in Yamagata Prefecture. He is the…Susumu Sakurai (born 1968) is a Japanese scientist and science navigator. He was born in Yamagata Prefecture. He is the president of sakurAi Science Factory Inc.
Atsushi Kaneko (カネコアツシ, Kaneko Atsushi) (born 26 December 1966) is a Japanese manga artist from Sakata, Yamagata…Atsushi Kaneko (カネコアツシ, Kaneko Atsushi) (born 26 December 1966) is a Japanese manga artist from Sakata, Yamagata Prefecture. Two of his works, Bambi and Her Pink Gun and Soil, have been published in French. Bambi and Her Pink Gun has been published in English, with Search and Destroy published in English in May 2024. Soil has been adapted into a television drama series.
Fumiko Aoki (青木 富美子, Aoki Fumiko; born November 22, 1966) is a Japanese cross country skier who competed from 1991 to…Fumiko Aoki (青木 富美子, Aoki Fumiko; born November 22, 1966) is a Japanese cross country skier who competed from 1991 to 2003. Her best World Cup finish was fifth on three occasions, all in 1997. Aoki also competed in three Winter Olympics, earning her best finish of 11th in the 15 km event at Lillehammer in 1994. Her best finish at the FIS Nordic World Ski Championships was 13th in the 15 km event at Val di Fiemme in 1991.
Yoshiharu Abe (阿部 義晴, Abe Yoshiharu; born 30 July 1966 in Yamagata) is a Japanese popular music artist and producer.…Yoshiharu Abe (阿部 義晴, Abe Yoshiharu; born 30 July 1966 in Yamagata) is a Japanese popular music artist and producer. His 1992 single "+ OR -" hit the Billboard charts in Japan at number 5 in October 1992. After Unicorn dissolved in 1994, he started his solo career.
Yoshihiro Togashi (Japanese: 冨樫 義博, Hepburn: Togashi Yoshihiro; born April 27, 1966) is a Japanese manga artist. He…Yoshihiro Togashi (Japanese: 冨樫 義博, Hepburn: Togashi Yoshihiro; born April 27, 1966) is a Japanese manga artist. He began drawing manga at an early age and was recognized for his talent by the publishing company Shueisha while attending college. Togashi has authored several different manga series in different genres since the 1980s. He is best known for writing and illustrating YuYu Hakusho (1990–1994) and Hunter × Hunter (1998–present), which are two of the best-selling manga series of all time. Togashi is married to Naoko Takeuchi, the author of Sailor Moon.
General Ken'ichirō Nagumo (南雲憲一郎, Kenichiro Nagumo) (2 October 1965) is a retired Japanese military general who served…General Ken'ichirō Nagumo (南雲憲一郎, Kenichiro Nagumo) (2 October 1965) is a retired Japanese military general who served as the first Joint Operations Commander of the Japan Self-Defense Forces.
Wakasegawa Yoshimitsu (born Wataru Sato; July 28, 1962 - October 8, 2011) was a sumo wrestler from Sakata, Yamagata…Wakasegawa Yoshimitsu (born Wataru Sato; July 28, 1962 - October 8, 2011) was a sumo wrestler from Sakata, Yamagata, Japan. He made his professional debut in 1978, reaching the top makuuchi division for the first time in 1983. His highest rank was maegashira 1. He retired in 1992 and worked in the restaurant business after leaving sumo.
Takeshi Kobayashi (小林 武史, Kobayashi Takeshi; born June 7, 1959), is a Japanese keyboardist, lyricist, composer…Takeshi Kobayashi (小林 武史, Kobayashi Takeshi; born June 7, 1959), is a Japanese keyboardist, lyricist, composer, arranger, and record producer.
Ken Kiyoyuki Okuyama (奥山 清行, Okuyama Kiyoyuki; born 1959) is a Japanese industrial designer. He is the owner of the Ken…Ken Kiyoyuki Okuyama (奥山 清行, Okuyama Kiyoyuki; born 1959) is a Japanese industrial designer. He is the owner of the Ken Okuyama Design company. Okuyama formerly worked for Pininfarina, designing and supervising projects such as the Enzo Ferrari and Ferrari P4/5.
Norio Sasaki (佐々木 則夫, Sasaki Norio; born 24 May 1958) is a Japanese football coach and former player. He is best known…Norio Sasaki (佐々木 則夫, Sasaki Norio; born 24 May 1958) is a Japanese football coach and former player. He is best known for leading the Japanese women's national team to their first and only FIFA Women's World Cup win in 2011 over the United States on penalty shootouts. He retired as head coach in March 2016 after eight years. Today, he is the coordinator of Nadeshiko Japan. Sasaki also coached the Japan women's U-20 national team starting in 2007.
Hiroshi Saitō (斎藤 弘, Saitō Hiroshi; born 18 October 1957) is a Japanese politician who served as the governor of…Hiroshi Saitō (斎藤 弘, Saitō Hiroshi; born 18 October 1957) is a Japanese politician who served as the governor of Yamagata Prefecture. Saitō was born in Yamagata. After graduating from Tokyo University of Foreign Studies in 1981, he worked at the Bank of Japan. He received Master of International Public Policy and Master of Arts degrees from the Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies at the Johns Hopkins University in 1989 and 1990, respectively. He was elected as governor of Yamagata in 2005, and then defeated for reelection in an upset by Mieko Yoshimura.
Tokihiro Satō (佐藤 時啓, Satō Tokihiro; born 1957) is a Japanese photographer and educator. Sato is best known for his…Tokihiro Satō (佐藤 時啓, Satō Tokihiro; born 1957) is a Japanese photographer and educator. Sato is best known for his unusual expressions of light and space and interpretations of performance and dance.
Hikaru Okuizumi (奥泉 光, Okuizumi Hikaru), born Yasuhiro Okuizumi (奥泉康弘) 6 February 1956, is a Japanese novelist. His…Hikaru Okuizumi (奥泉 光, Okuizumi Hikaru), born Yasuhiro Okuizumi (奥泉康弘) 6 February 1956, is a Japanese novelist. His real name is Yasuhiro Okuizumi.
Ryōji Arai (荒井 良二) (born 1956) is a Japanese illustrator. For his career contribution to "children's and young adult…Ryōji Arai (荒井 良二) (born 1956) is a Japanese illustrator. For his career contribution to "children's and young adult literature in the broadest sense" he won the Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award from the Swedish Arts Council in 2005, one of the largest cash prizes in children's literature.
Toshihiro Kaiwa (海和俊宏, Kaiwa Toshihiro; born 24 April 1955) is a Japanese former alpine skier who competed in the 1980…Toshihiro Kaiwa (海和俊宏, Kaiwa Toshihiro; born 24 April 1955) is a Japanese former alpine skier who competed in the 1980 Winter Olympics and 1984 Winter Olympics.
Eri Watanabe (渡辺 えり, Watanabe Eri), who was previously known as Eriko Watanabe (渡辺 えり子, Eriko Watanabe), is a Japanese…Eri Watanabe (渡辺 えり, Watanabe Eri), who was previously known as Eriko Watanabe (渡辺 えり子, Eriko Watanabe), is a Japanese actress. She won the award for Best Supporting Actress at the 21st Hochi Film Awards for Shall We Dance?.
Kazunori Itō (伊藤 和典, Itō Kazunori; born December 24, 1954) is a Japanese anime screenwriter and artist who is well…Kazunori Itō (伊藤 和典, Itō Kazunori; born December 24, 1954) is a Japanese anime screenwriter and artist who is well known for his work in the .hack franchise and his writing for the 1995 Ghost in the Shell movie. Itō supervised the writing for the novel, .hack//Another Birth which was written by his student, Miu Kawasaki. He is a member of the artist group known as Headgear. Helen McCarthy in 500 Essential Anime Movies calls him "one of the best screenwriters in anime".
Toshi Yoshida is a Japanese volleyball coach. He was the head coach of the United States women's national team from…Toshi Yoshida is a Japanese volleyball coach. He was the head coach of the United States women's national team from 2001 to 2004.
Hitoshi Ishigaki (石垣 仁, Ishigaki Hitoshi) (born September 25, 1953 in Yamagata) is a retired amateur boxer from Japan…Hitoshi Ishigaki (石垣 仁, Ishigaki Hitoshi) (born September 25, 1953 in Yamagata) is a retired amateur boxer from Japan, who won the gold medal at the 1974 Asian Games in the men's bantamweight (– 54 kg) division. He represented his native country at the 1976 Summer Olympics in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, falling to eventual bronze medal winner Viktor Rybakov in the third round.
Takashi Ishikawa (石川 孝志, Ishikawa Takashi; ring names: 石川 敬士 and 石川 泰士, born February 5, 1953) is a Japanese former…Takashi Ishikawa (石川 孝志, Ishikawa Takashi; ring names: 石川 敬士 and 石川 泰士, born February 5, 1953) is a Japanese former professional wrestler and sumo wrestler from Fujishima, Higashitagawa District, Yamagata Prefecture, Japan.
Takashi Saito (斎藤 隆, Saitō Takashi; born 28 January 1953) is a Japanese weightlifter. He competed in the men's…Takashi Saito (斎藤 隆, Saitō Takashi; born 28 January 1953) is a Japanese weightlifter. He competed in the men's featherweight event at the 1976 Summer Olympics.
Hiroshi Masumura (Japanese: ますむらひろし, Hepburn: Masumura Hiroshi; born October 23, 1952) is a Japanese manga artist. He…Hiroshi Masumura (Japanese: ますむらひろし, Hepburn: Masumura Hiroshi; born October 23, 1952) is a Japanese manga artist. He is best known for his adaptations of Kenji Miyazawa's children novels, including his work on the anime film Night on the Galactic Railroad (1985), and for several manga series set in the fantasy universe Atagoul. Several of his manga feature anthropomorphic cats as protagonists.
Zaōnishiki Toshimasa (3 September 1952 – 9 August 2020), birth name Toshimasa Adachi, was a sumo wrestler from…Zaōnishiki Toshimasa (3 September 1952 – 9 August 2020), birth name Toshimasa Adachi, was a sumo wrestler from Yamagata, Japan. He made his professional debut in September 1970, and reached the top division in November 1976. His highest rank was maegashira 1. He retired in January 1983 and served as an elder in the Japan Sumo Association under several successive names. He reached the retirement age for elders of 65 in September 2017, but stayed with the Sumo Association for an additional two years as a consultant.
Mieko Yoshimura (吉村 美栄子, Yoshimura Mieko; born 18 May 1951) is governor of Yamagata Prefecture, Japan. She was elected…Mieko Yoshimura (吉村 美栄子, Yoshimura Mieko; born 18 May 1951) is governor of Yamagata Prefecture, Japan. She was elected on 25 January 2009. She defeated the sitting governor of Yamagata Prefecture, Hiroshi Saitō in an upset. A native of Ōe, Yamagata, she worked at a help-wanted advertising company before becoming a notary public for the city government of Yamagata. She soon became a member of Yamagata Prefecture's Education Committee before running for governor in 2008. She is Yamagata's first female governor and the sixth in Japanese history.
Choei Sato (佐藤 長栄, Satō Chōei; born April 15, 1951) is a former Japanese football player and manager. He played for…Choei Sato (佐藤 長栄, Satō Chōei; born April 15, 1951) is a former Japanese football player and manager. He played for Japan national team.
Toshiaki Endo (遠藤 利明, Endō Toshiaki; born 1950) is a Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic Party, a member of…Toshiaki Endo (遠藤 利明, Endō Toshiaki; born 1950) is a Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic Party, a member of the House of Representatives in the Diet (national legislature).
Taro Ichihara (市原 多朗, Ichihara Tarō) (born 1950) is a Japanese opera singer, who sings as a tenor, primarily in Verdi…Taro Ichihara (市原 多朗, Ichihara Tarō) (born 1950) is a Japanese opera singer, who sings as a tenor, primarily in Verdi roles.
Toshio Mashima (真島 俊夫, Mashima Toshio) (21 February 1949 – 21 April 2016) was a Japanese composer born in Yamagata…Toshio Mashima (真島 俊夫, Mashima Toshio) (21 February 1949 – 21 April 2016) was a Japanese composer born in Yamagata Prefecture, Japan.
Seiko Shimakage (島影 せい子, Shimakage Seiko; born February 16, 1949) is a Japanese former volleyball player who competed…Seiko Shimakage (島影 せい子, Shimakage Seiko; born February 16, 1949) is a Japanese former volleyball player who competed in the 1972 Summer Olympics. She was born in Sakata. In 1972 she was part of the Japanese team which won the silver medal in the Olympic tournament. She played all five matches.