Megu Sakuragawa (櫻川 めぐ, Sakuragawa Megu) is a Japanese singer, voice actress, and drummer from Ibaraki Prefecture…Megu Sakuragawa (櫻川 めぐ, Sakuragawa Megu) is a Japanese singer, voice actress, and drummer from Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan. She is better known as Tsubasa Kira from Love Live! and Ako Udagawa from BanG Dream!, the latter of which involves playing drums for the band Roselia. She is currently affiliated with S.
Yasuhiro Awano (粟野 靖浩, Awano Yasuhiro; born 27 September 1988 in Shimotsuma, Ibaraki) is a Japanese judoka. He won a…Yasuhiro Awano (粟野 靖浩, Awano Yasuhiro; born 27 September 1988 in Shimotsuma, Ibaraki) is a Japanese judoka. He won a bronze medal in the lightweight division (73 kg) at the 2010 World Judo Championships.
Nana Suzuki (鈴木 奈々, Suzuki Nana; born July 9, 1988, in Ryūgasaki, Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan) is a Japanese tarento and…Nana Suzuki (鈴木 奈々, Suzuki Nana; born July 9, 1988, in Ryūgasaki, Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan) is a Japanese tarento and fashion model who is represented by the talent agency Twin Planet. She was a model for the fashion magazine Popteen. In 2018, she was a contestant on Season 1 of Amazon Prime's Hitoshi Matsumoto presents Freeze, where eight entertainers are competing for 1 million yen, where they sit in a small room where they must endure and not react to various mechanisms by Downtown's Hitoshi Matsumoto.
Daichi Komuro (born 28 June 1988) is a Japanese handball player for Osaki Osol and the Japanese national team. He…Daichi Komuro (born 28 June 1988) is a Japanese handball player for Osaki Osol and the Japanese national team. He participated at the 2017 World Men's Handball Championship.
Tsubasa Aizawa (會澤 翼, Aizawa Tsubasa; born April 13, 1988 in Hitachi, Ibaraki, Japan) is a Japanese professional…Tsubasa Aizawa (會澤 翼, Aizawa Tsubasa; born April 13, 1988 in Hitachi, Ibaraki, Japan) is a Japanese professional baseball catcher for the Hiroshima Toyo Carp. He was selected 2018 NPB All-Star game.
Naomi Watanabe (渡辺 直美, Watanabe Naomi; born 23 October 1987) is a Japanese comedian, actress, and fashion designer. She…Naomi Watanabe (渡辺 直美, Watanabe Naomi; born 23 October 1987) is a Japanese comedian, actress, and fashion designer. She rose to fame in 2008 for her imitation of Beyoncé, after which she was given the title "the Japanese Beyoncé".
Yusuke Ishitsuka (石塚 祐輔, Ishitsuka Yūsuke; born 19 June 1987 in Ibaraki Prefecture) is a Japanese sprinter who…Yusuke Ishitsuka (石塚 祐輔, Ishitsuka Yūsuke; born 19 June 1987 in Ibaraki Prefecture) is a Japanese sprinter who specialised in the 400 metres. He represented his country at the 2007 World Championships and 2011 World Championships. His personal best in the event is 45.87 seconds set in Fukuroi in 2013.
Noriyuki Sugasawa (菅澤 紀行, Sugasawa Noriyuki; born 3 February 1987) is a Japanese professional basketball player who…Noriyuki Sugasawa (菅澤 紀行, Sugasawa Noriyuki; born 3 February 1987) is a Japanese professional basketball player who plays for Nagasaki Velca of the B.League in Japan.
Hayato Nakamura (中村勇太, Nakamura Hayato; born 18 October 1986) is a Japanese politician serving as a member of the House…Hayato Nakamura (中村勇太, Nakamura Hayato; born 18 October 1986) is a Japanese politician serving as a member of the House of Representatives since 2024. From 2019 to 2024, he was a member of the Ibaraki Prefectural Assembly. He is the son of Kishirō Nakamura and the grandson of Kishirō Nakamura.
Manabu Mima (美馬 学, born September 19, 1986) is a Japanese former professional baseball pitcher. He played in Nippon…Manabu Mima (美馬 学, born September 19, 1986) is a Japanese former professional baseball pitcher. He played in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) for the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles and Chiba Lotte Marines from 2011 to 2025.
Keita Goto (後藤 圭太, Goto Keita; born 8 September 1986) is a Japanese professional football manager and former player. He…Keita Goto (後藤 圭太, Goto Keita; born 8 September 1986) is a Japanese professional football manager and former player. He currently manager of Kansai Soccer League club, Velago Ikoma.
Kenji Suzuki (鈴木 健児, Suzuki Kenji; born September 3, 1986) is a retired Japanese football player. The last team that he…Kenji Suzuki (鈴木 健児, Suzuki Kenji; born September 3, 1986) is a retired Japanese football player. The last team that he played for was Akita FC Cambiare.
Kota Suda (須田 幸太, Suda Kota; born July 31, 1986) is a former Japanese professional baseball player. He played pitcher…Kota Suda (須田 幸太, Suda Kota; born July 31, 1986) is a former Japanese professional baseball player. He played pitcher for the Yokohama DeNA BayStars.
Shun Tono (東野 峻, Tōno Shun; born July 11, 1986) is a Japanese Nippon Professional Baseball player. He is currently with…Shun Tono (東野 峻, Tōno Shun; born July 11, 1986) is a Japanese Nippon Professional Baseball player. He is currently with the Yokohama DeNA BayStars in Japan's Pacific League. He made his Giants debut in 2007 against the Tokyo Yakult Swallows, pitching 2/3 of an inning and giving up a hit and a walk in that span. He saw expanded action in 2008 as a mid-season call-up, and he was part of a young bullpen that led the Giants to a Japan Series berth against the eventual champion Saitama Seibu Lions. In 28 games, he pitched in relief in 26 of them and made two starts, one of them being his first career complete game against the Hiroshima Toyo Carp on September 24. He made four appearances in the '08 playoffs, all without giving up a run. His first full season in 2009 started off very well, as Tono posted quality starts in four of his first five starts, en route to 14 for the year, but his smoking habit caught up with him late in the season. Run support was a problem for him though, as he had 10 no-decisions to go with his 8–8 record and a respectable 3.17 ERA. His season was marred by a bit of controversy, as Tono was pulled from his start on September 16 by manager Tatsunori Hara. A frustrated Hara said after the game, "As an athlete, not being able to quit smoking represents a larger weakness. He needs to get stronger." This was the third in a string of three straight poor starts for the young righty. Ultimately, Tono was a part of the 2009 Japan Series Champion Giants, who defeated the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters in six games to with their 21st title. He pitched in three games in the postseason, giving up 1 run in 8 and 1/3 innings. He also started the deciding 6th game in the series, but had to leave with two down in the very first inning after being struck on the hand on a line drive by Nippon Ham Fighters first baseman Shinji Takahashi.
Kisenosato Yutaka (Japanese: 稀勢の里 寛, Hepburn: Kisenosato Yutaka; born July 3, 1986, as Yutaka Hagiwara (萩原 寛, Hagiwara…Kisenosato Yutaka (Japanese: 稀勢の里 寛, Hepburn: Kisenosato Yutaka; born July 3, 1986, as Yutaka Hagiwara (萩原 寛, Hagiwara Yutaka)) is a Japanese sumo elder from Ibaraki. As a wrestler, he made his professional debut in 2002 and reached the top makuuchi division in 2004 at the age of just 18. After many years in the junior san'yaku ranks, he reached the second highest rank of ōzeki in January 2012. He earned three kinboshi or gold stars by defeating yokozuna in his career leading up to ōzeki and nine special prizes. He scored more than 20 double-digit winning records at the ōzeki rank. In 2016, he secured the most wins in the calendar year, the first wrestler to do so without winning a tournament in that year. After being a runner-up in a tournament on twelve occasions, he broke through at the January 2017 tournament, winning his first top division championship or yūshō with a 14–1 record and subsequently was promoted to yokozuna, the first Japanese-born wrestler to reach sumo's highest rank since Wakanohana in 1998. He had been a candidate four times previously (July 2013, January 2014, July 2016 and September 2016), but in each case, he failed to achieve the necessary number of wins. Kisenosato won his first tournament as a yokozuna in March 2017, but suffered a left chest muscle injury in the process and was not able to complete another tournament until September 2018. His eight straight missed tournaments were a record for a yokozuna. His 12 runner-up finishes are the most in history. In January 2019, he announced his retirement from sumo. He is now an elder of the Japan Sumo Association under the name of Nishonoseki Yutaka (二所ノ関 寛).
Shigeki Osawa Japanese: 大澤茂樹 (born May 2, 1986) is a Japanese professional mixed martial artist who competes in the…Shigeki Osawa Japanese: 大澤茂樹 (born May 2, 1986) is a Japanese professional mixed martial artist who competes in the featherweight division.
Hiroyuki Takasaki (高崎 寛之, Takasaki Hiroyuki; born March 17, 1986) is a Japanese football player who plays for…Hiroyuki Takasaki (高崎 寛之, Takasaki Hiroyuki; born March 17, 1986) is a Japanese football player who plays for sixth-tier club Antelope Shiojiri.
Mina Watanabe (渡邉 美奈, Watanabe Mina; born 16 September 1985 in Mito, Ibaraki) is a Japanese judoka. Watanabe is from…Mina Watanabe (渡邉 美奈, Watanabe Mina; born 16 September 1985 in Mito, Ibaraki) is a Japanese judoka. Watanabe is from Mito, Ibaraki. After graduation from high school, she worked for Komatsu Limited. Watanabe won the bronze medal in the Middleweight (70 kg) division at the 2009 World Judo Championships.
Katsuhiko Saka (坂 克彦, Saka Katsuhiko; born September 6, 1985) is a Japanese professional baseball infielder for the…Katsuhiko Saka (坂 克彦, Saka Katsuhiko; born September 6, 1985) is a Japanese professional baseball infielder for the Hanshin Tigers in Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball.
Shinji Ohara (大原 慎司, Ohara Shinji; born July 30, 1985 in Hitachi, Ibaraki, Japan) is a professional Japanese baseball…Shinji Ohara (大原 慎司, Ohara Shinji; born July 30, 1985 in Hitachi, Ibaraki, Japan) is a professional Japanese baseball player. He plays pitcher for the Yokohama DeNA BayStars.
Tomoko Fukumi (福見 友子, Fukumi Tomoko; born 26 June 1985 in Tsuchiura, Ibaraki) is a Japanese judoka from Tsukuba…Tomoko Fukumi (福見 友子, Fukumi Tomoko; born 26 June 1985 in Tsuchiura, Ibaraki) is a Japanese judoka from Tsukuba University. She competed for Japan at the 2012 Summer Olympics. Fukumi is a 4th dan in judo. She is the only judoka to have beaten Ryoko Tani twice. Later she won the gold medal in the extra-lightweight (–48 kg) division at the 2009 World Judo Championships. She is known for her seoinage, kouchigari, and newaza. In 2014, Fukumi took a year off to study abroad at Loughborough University.
Naoya Ishigami (石神 直哉, Ishigami Naoya; born 2 March 1985 in Kamisu, Ibaraki) is a Japanese footballer who is currently…Naoya Ishigami (石神 直哉, Ishigami Naoya; born 2 March 1985 in Kamisu, Ibaraki) is a Japanese footballer who is currently playing for FC Tiamo Hirakata.
Takumi Kobe (神戸 拓光, born February 23, 1985, in Ushiku, Ibaraki) is a Japanese former professional baseball outfielder…Takumi Kobe (神戸 拓光, born February 23, 1985, in Ushiku, Ibaraki) is a Japanese former professional baseball outfielder who played from 2008 to 2013 with the Chiba Lotte Marines in Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball.
Chiaki Kuriyama (栗山 千明, Kuriyama Chiaki; born October 10, 1984) is a Japanese actress, singer, and model. She played…Chiaki Kuriyama (栗山 千明, Kuriyama Chiaki; born October 10, 1984) is a Japanese actress, singer, and model. She played Takako Chigusa in Kinji Fukasaku's 2000 film Battle Royale, Gogo Yubari in Quentin Tarantino's 2003 film Kill Bill: Volume 1, and Yuko Mizushima in Sion Sono's 2007 film Exte.
Itaru Taniguchi (谷口到, Taniguchi Itaru) (born 1 October 1984 in Ibaraki, Japan) is a Japanese rugby union player.…Itaru Taniguchi (谷口到, Taniguchi Itaru) (born 1 October 1984 in Ibaraki, Japan) is a Japanese rugby union player. Taniguchi has played ten international matches for the Japan national rugby union team. Taniguchi was a member of the Japan team at the 2011 Rugby World Cup where he played three matches for the Brave Blossoms. Taniguchi currently plays for Top League team Kobelco Steelers.
Huwie Ishizaki (Japanese: 石崎ひゅーい, Hepburn: Ishizaki Hyūi; born March 7, 1984) is a Japanese singer-songwriter and…Huwie Ishizaki (Japanese: 石崎ひゅーい, Hepburn: Ishizaki Hyūi; born March 7, 1984) is a Japanese singer-songwriter and actor. Born and raised in Mito, Ibaraki, he began writing and performing when he was in middle school and later became the vocalist of the band Astrocoast. In 2012, at the age of 26, he became a solo artist after being persuaded to by the music producer Akira Sudo; he debuted in July 2012 with his mini album Dai-san Wakusei Kōkyōkyoku. As of March 2026, he has released six full albums. He charted on Billboard Japan's Hot Lyricist and Composer in November 2021. Ishizaki has made various film and television appearances, beginning with his debut role in 2016 film Japanese Girls Never Die as Yuji Soga. He appeared as Takashi Nozoe in the 2019 film Sora no Restaurant, and as Kamiya Yusuke in the TV drama series Hidarikiki no Eren. He has written songs for other artists such as Masaki Suda and Aina the End; he also performed theme songs for Japanese film and TV dramas such as "Yakan Hikō", which was used as the ending theme for 2013 TV drama series Minna! ESPer Dayo!. He performed "Parade" which served as the secondary ending theme of the 2019 anime Case File nº221: Kabukicho.
Yamato Yamamoto (山本 ヤマト, Yamamoto Yamato; born March 1, 1983) is a Japanese manga artist most notable for providing the…Yamato Yamamoto (山本 ヤマト, Yamamoto Yamato; born March 1, 1983) is a Japanese manga artist most notable for providing the illustrations for the Kentarō Katayama's light novel series Kure-nai, as well as creating the related manga. Yamamoto has also been the illustrator for the manga series Seraph of the End.
Masakatsu Sawa (澤 昌克, Sawa Masakatsu; born January 12, 1983) is a former Japanese nationalized Peruvian football…Masakatsu Sawa (澤 昌克, Sawa Masakatsu; born January 12, 1983) is a former Japanese nationalized Peruvian football player. He plays for Deportivo Municipal. His preferred position is as an attacking midfielder.
Takaki Ishida (石田剛規, Ishida Takaki) is a Japanese basketball coach who is the head coach for the Yokohama Excellence of…Takaki Ishida (石田剛規, Ishida Takaki) is a Japanese basketball coach who is the head coach for the Yokohama Excellence of the B.League. He played college basketball for Keio University. He was selected by the Chiba Jets with the 4th overall pick in the 2011 bj League draft.
Masaru Kurotsu (黒津 勝, Kurotsu Masaru; born 20 August 1982) is a retired Japanese football player. He last played for…Masaru Kurotsu (黒津 勝, Kurotsu Masaru; born 20 August 1982) is a retired Japanese football player. He last played for J.FC Miyazaki.
Keita Sugimoto (杉本 恵太, Sugimoto Keita; born June 13, 1982) is a former Japanese football player. His profile was raised…Keita Sugimoto (杉本 恵太, Sugimoto Keita; born June 13, 1982) is a former Japanese football player. His profile was raised when he scored an overhead kick from a tight angle (on the volley) while playing against Al-Ittihad in the AFC Champions League semi-final second round. His third daughter, Riina Sugimoto joined the idol group SKE48 as the 11th Generation.
Yuta Inose (猪瀬優太, Inose Yūta; born 15 March 1982) is a former Japanese rugby union player who played as a prop. He…Yuta Inose (猪瀬優太, Inose Yūta; born 15 March 1982) is a former Japanese rugby union player who played as a prop. He spent his whole career playing for NEC Green Rockets in Japan's domestic Top League, playing over 65 times. He was named as a backup player for Japan for the 2007 Rugby World Cup. He did though make six appearances for Japan.
Masashi Owada (大和田 真史, Owada Masashi; born July 28, 1981) is a former Japanese football player. he is the current…Masashi Owada (大和田 真史, Owada Masashi; born July 28, 1981) is a former Japanese football player. he is the current first-team coach J2 League club of JEF United Chiba.
Yoshiyuki Noguchi (野口 祥順, Noguchi Yoshiyuki; born May 16, 1981 in Niihari District, Ibaraki, Japan) is a professional…Yoshiyuki Noguchi (野口 祥順, Noguchi Yoshiyuki; born May 16, 1981 in Niihari District, Ibaraki, Japan) is a professional Japanese baseball player.
Kosuke Iwase (岩瀬浩介, Iwase Kosuke; born April 8, 1981 in Ibaraki) is a Japanese former professional football player. He…Kosuke Iwase (岩瀬浩介, Iwase Kosuke; born April 8, 1981 in Ibaraki) is a Japanese former professional football player. He is currently the chairman of the Blaublitz Akita, a Japanese association football team based in Akita, Akita.
Jobu Morita (森田 丈武, Morita Jōbu; born November 29, 1980) is a former baseball utility player who played for the Tohoku…Jobu Morita (森田 丈武, Morita Jōbu; born November 29, 1980) is a former baseball utility player who played for the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles of Nippon Professional Baseball from 2009 to 2011. Morita attended Yamanashi Gakuindai Fuzoku High School. Before playing professionally in Japan, Morita played for the Elmira Pioneers of the independent Northeast League in 2004, hitting .271 with 55 hits in 68 games. He returned to Elmira - now of the Can-Am Association - for 2005, and hit .263 with 65 hits in 71 games. During his time with Elmira, he played all over the diamond, but spent considerable time at second base and in the outfield. Overall, he hit .267 with 120 hits in 139 games. He joined the Kagawa Olive Guyners of the independent Shikoku-Kyūshū Island League in 2006, where he remained through 2008. The Golden Eagles took him as their first pick in the 2008 developmental draft. He made his NPB debut in 2009, hitting .300 with 6 hits (including 4 doubles) in 9 games. He played a total of four games with the Golden Eagles in 2010 and 2011 and went hitless in 7 at-bats. Overall, he hit .222 with 6 hits in 13 games.
Tomomitsu Matsunaga (松永智充, Matsunaga Tomomitsu; born November 13, 1980) is a Japanese professional wrestler working for…Tomomitsu Matsunaga (松永智充, Matsunaga Tomomitsu; born November 13, 1980) is a Japanese professional wrestler working for DDT Pro-Wrestling (DDT), a Japanese promotion where he is a former Ironman Heavymetalweight Champion.
