Naoto Watanabe (渡辺 直人, Watanabe Naoto; born October 15, 1980) is a Japanese former professional baseball infielder who…Naoto Watanabe (渡辺 直人, Watanabe Naoto; born October 15, 1980) is a Japanese former professional baseball infielder who currently serves as a coach for the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB). He played in NPB for the Golden Eagles, Yokohama BayStars/Yokohama DeNA BayStars, and Saitama Seibu Lions.
Inio Asano (Japanese: 浅野 いにお, Hepburn: Asano Inio; born September 22, 1980) is a Japanese manga artist. Asano created…Inio Asano (Japanese: 浅野 いにお, Hepburn: Asano Inio; born September 22, 1980) is a Japanese manga artist. Asano created the acclaimed manga series Solanin, which was released as a feature film in Japan in April 2010, starring Aoi Miyazaki. He is also famous for the series Goodnight Punpun and Dead Dead Demon's Dededede Destruction. Known for creating character-driven, realist stories, ranging from slice of life to psychological horror, Asano won first prize in the 2001 GX competition for young manga artists. In 2010, Yomiuri Shimbun described Asano as "one of the voices of his generation."
Tatsuya Endo (Japanese: 遠藤 達哉, Hepburn: Endō Tatsuya; born July 23, 1980) is a Japanese manga artist. Endo is best…Tatsuya Endo (Japanese: 遠藤 達哉, Hepburn: Endō Tatsuya; born July 23, 1980) is a Japanese manga artist. Endo is best known for creating Tista, Blade of the Moon Princess, and Spy × Family manga series among other works. The latter work has been serialized on the Shōnen Jump+ platform since 2019 and had over 35 million copies in circulation as of March 2024, making it one of the best-selling manga series of all time. His other works have been published in various Jump magazines.
Takashi Ono (小野 卓志, Ono Takashi; born 25 June 1980) is a Japanese judoka and the 2005 Asian Judo Championships gold…Takashi Ono (小野 卓志, Ono Takashi; born 25 June 1980) is a Japanese judoka and the 2005 Asian Judo Championships gold medalist in the −81 kg category. Ono is from Ishige, Ibaraki, and has studied Judo alongside Keiji Suzuki since childhood. After graduating from Tsukuba University, he joined Ryotokuji Gakuen, of which Yusuke Kanamaru, Tomoo Torii, and former Asian champion Yuta Yazaki are also members. He won the all Japanese championships from 2008 to 2010 and, although the favorite at the Tokyo 2010 World Championships, was eliminated in the 3rd round by former Olympic champion Ilias Iliadis. Ono is renowned for his uchi mata (inner thigh throw). He is also well known for his Ōuchi gari (大内刈 major inside leg reap). In 2009–2010, Ono was regarded as one of the most exciting judoka in the world. Despite his popularity, he lost his place in the 2012 Olympics; Japan instead chose Masashi Nishiyama for –90 kg.
Mika Katsumura (勝村 美香, Katsumura Mika; born May 31, 1980, in Mito, Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan) is a former Japanese…Mika Katsumura (勝村 美香, Katsumura Mika; born May 31, 1980, in Mito, Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan) is a former Japanese actress. She played the role of Yuri/Time Pink in the 2000 Super Sentai series Mirai Sentai Timeranger.
Mayumi Kita (喜多 真裕美, Kita Mayumi; née Kawasaki (川崎), born 10 May 1980) is a Japanese race walker from Ibaraki…Mayumi Kita (喜多 真裕美, Kita Mayumi; née Kawasaki (川崎), born 10 May 1980) is a Japanese race walker from Ibaraki Prefecture. She represented her country in the 20 km race walk at the 2004, 2008 and 2012 Summer Olympics. Her personal best time for the 20 km race walk is 1:28:49 hours. A three-time Asian Race Walk Champion, she is a former national record holder and the second fastest Japanese race walker after Masumi Fuchise. Kawasaki has competed at the World Championships in Athletics on four occasions, with her best finish being tenth in 2007.
Tatsuro (Japanese: 逹瑯, Hepburn: Tatsurō; born August 21, 1979) is a Japanese singer and songwriter. He is best known as…Tatsuro (Japanese: 逹瑯, Hepburn: Tatsurō; born August 21, 1979) is a Japanese singer and songwriter. He is best known as lead vocalist of the visual kei rock band Mucc since 1997. Tatsuro began a solo career in December 2021 and simultaneously released the albums = (Equal) and Hikagaku Hoteishiki the following year. Both reached the top 35 on the Oricon chart. His third album, Colors (2024), became his highest-charting solo release to date when it reached number 29.
Hitoshi Sogahata (曽ヶ端 準, Sogahata Hitoshi; born 2 August 1979) is a Japanese former professional footballer who played…Hitoshi Sogahata (曽ヶ端 準, Sogahata Hitoshi; born 2 August 1979) is a Japanese former professional footballer who played as a goalkeeper for Kashima Antlers and the Japan national team.
Masaaki Yaguchi (Japanese: 矢口雅哲; born July 26, 1979), better known as Miya (ミヤ), is a Japanese musician, songwriter…Masaaki Yaguchi (Japanese: 矢口雅哲; born July 26, 1979), better known as Miya (ミヤ), is a Japanese musician, songwriter, and record producer. He is best known as guitarist and leader of the visual kei rock band Mucc since 1997. He is also a guitarist of the supergroup Petit Brabancon. In addition to his work as a musician, Miya also works as a DJ and as a record producer and audio engineer for other artists. His private recording studio is named Sixinc Studio2. He also makes and sells homemade audio equipment with engineer Koji Watanabe under the brand name Yaguchi Watanabe Densen (矢口渡邉電線).
Kei Igawa (井川 慶, Igawa Kei; born July 13, 1979) is a Japanese former left-handed pitcher. He played for the Hanshin…Kei Igawa (井川 慶, Igawa Kei; born July 13, 1979) is a Japanese former left-handed pitcher. He played for the Hanshin Tigers and Orix Buffaloes of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) and New York Yankees of Major League Baseball (MLB). He led all pitchers in the Central League for strikeouts in 2002, 2004 and 2006. He also played in the 2006 Major League Baseball Japan All-Star Series.
Midori Yajima (born 17 April 1979) is a Japanese sport shooter. He competed at the 2012 Summer Olympics in the Men's 10…Midori Yajima (born 17 April 1979) is a Japanese sport shooter. He competed at the 2012 Summer Olympics in the Men's 10 metre air rifle, finishing in 38th place, the men's 50 m rifle 3 positions, finishing in 39th place, and the men's 50 m rifle prone, finishing in 33rd place.
Yumiko Abe (阿部 由美子, Abe Yumiko; born April 4, 1979), better known by her ring name Yumi Ohka (桜花 由美, Ōka Yumi), is a…Yumiko Abe (阿部 由美子, Abe Yumiko; born April 4, 1979), better known by her ring name Yumi Ohka (桜花 由美, Ōka Yumi), is a Japanese professional wrestler. Originally trained by the now defunct JDStar promotion, Ohka now works for Oz Academy and Pro Wrestling Wave. She is a former two-time Wave Single Champion, while also being a former Oz Academy Tag Team Champion and Wave Tag Team Champion. She is the managing director of Zabun Co., Ltd., which owns Pro Wrestling Wave.
Mineko Nomachi (能町みね子, Nōmachi Mineko; born March 17, 1979) is a Japanese essayist, columnist, illustrator, and radio…Mineko Nomachi (能町みね子, Nōmachi Mineko; born March 17, 1979) is a Japanese essayist, columnist, illustrator, and radio and television personality. She is best known for her blog I'm Queer but I'm an Office Lady (オカマだけどOLやってます。, O-kama dakedo OL yattemasu), which was published as a book by Bungeishunjū in 2006, and for multiple radio and television programs co-hosted with writer Mitsurou Kubo. Her name is a pen name derived from a combination of the names of her paternal and maternal grandmothers.
Yukie Nakayama (中山 由起枝, Nakayama Yukie; born March 7, 1979 in Yūki, Ibaraki) is a Japanese trap shooter, who competed…Yukie Nakayama (中山 由起枝, Nakayama Yukie; born March 7, 1979 in Yūki, Ibaraki) is a Japanese trap shooter, who competed at three Olympic games and won the silver medal at the 2013 ISSF World Championships. Nakayama made her official Olympic debut at the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney, where she finished thirteenth in the women's double trap, with a score of 94 points, tying her position with Finland's Pia Julin. At the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, Nakayama competed in trap shooting, where she scored a total of 67 points in the qualifying round. She added nineteen more shots to obtain a total of 86 points in the final, but missed out of the bronze medal triumph to United States' Corey Cogdell, after competing in a four-person shoot-out At the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, Nakayama, however, failed to qualify for the final, after hitting a total of sixty-five targets in women's trap shooting, finishing in fifteenth place, behind her former opponent and Olympic silver medalist Daina Gudzinevičiūtė of Lithuania Nakayama currently lives in Utsunomiya, Tochigi, with her daughter.
Takehito Kanazawa (金澤 健人, born January 12, 1979, in Kitaibaraki, Ibaraki) is a Japanese professional baseball pitcher…Takehito Kanazawa (金澤 健人, born January 12, 1979, in Kitaibaraki, Ibaraki) is a Japanese professional baseball pitcher for the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks in Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball. He previously played for the Hanshin Tigers from 2001 to 2006, the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters in 2007 and 2008, and the Orix Buffaloes in 2009.
Mutsumi Kawato (川人 睦, Kawato Mutsumi; 1979 – August 13, 2013), better known by his pen name Jun Sadogawa (佐渡川 準…Mutsumi Kawato (川人 睦, Kawato Mutsumi; 1979 – August 13, 2013), better known by his pen name Jun Sadogawa (佐渡川 準, Sadogawa Jun), was a Japanese manga artist from Tone, Ibaraki, Japan. His debut work Muteki Kanban Musume was published from 2002 to 2006. Sadogawa committed suicide by hanging on August 13, 2013, at age 34. He was serializing his manga Amane Atatameru at the time of his death.
Mitsuhiro Ishida (Japanese: 石田光洋, born December 29, 1978) is a retired Japanese mixed martial artist who competed in…Mitsuhiro Ishida (Japanese: 石田光洋, born December 29, 1978) is a retired Japanese mixed martial artist who competed in Shooto, Strikeforce, PRIDE, DREAM, and DEEP. A professional competitor from 2001 until 2011, Ishida also participated in the Yarennoka event in the Saitama Super Arena in Japan.
Tomohiro Nagatsuka (長塚智広, Nagatsuka Tomohiro; born November 28, 1978) is a Japanese cyclist. He won the silver medal in…Tomohiro Nagatsuka (長塚智広, Nagatsuka Tomohiro; born November 28, 1978) is a Japanese cyclist. He won the silver medal in the Men's team sprint in the 2004 Summer Olympics along with Toshiaki Fushimi and Masaki Inoue. In Japan, he is mostly known as a keirin cyclist.
Eri Yamanoi (山野井 絵理, Yamanoi Eri; born September 12, 1978 in Ibaraki) is a former freestyle swimmer from Japan, who…Eri Yamanoi (山野井 絵理, Yamanoi Eri; born September 12, 1978 in Ibaraki) is a former freestyle swimmer from Japan, who competed for her native country at the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta, United States. There she finished in fourth place in the 4 × 200 m freestyle relay, alongside Aiko Miyake, Naoko Imoto, and Suzu Chiba. On her individual starts, in the 400m freestyle, she ended up in 7th place, clocking 4:11.68 in the final; and in tenth place in the 800m freestyle with a time of 8:40.47 (preliminary heats). A year later, Yamanoi won the gold medal in the 400 free at the Summer Universiade. In 1998, she finished third in the 800m freestyle at the Asian Games in Bangkok, Thailand. She is a graduate of Ina Junior High School in Tsukubamirai, Ibaraki, known locally for its Olympic-size swimming pool.
Toru Kurihara (栗原 徹, Kurihara Tōru; born 12 August 1978 in Ibaraki Prefecture) is a Japanese rugby union player. He…Toru Kurihara (栗原 徹, Kurihara Tōru; born 12 August 1978 in Ibaraki Prefecture) is a Japanese rugby union player. He plays as a fullback or wing. He played for Suntory Sungoliath. Kurihara had 27 caps for Japan, from 2000 to 2003, scoring 20 tries, 71 conversions and 35 penalties, 347 points on aggregate. He played four times at the 2003 Rugby World Cup, scoring 1 try, 4 conversions and 9 penalties, 40 points in aggregate. He has been absent from his National Team since then. Kurihara made History when he scored 6 tries and 15 conversions, 60 points on aggregate, in the 120–3 win over Taiwan, on 21 July 2002, in a Rugby World Cup qualifier, setting a new world record for points in a match.
Tatsuya Kawajiri (Japanese: 川尻達也, Kawajiri Tatsuya; born May 8, 1978) is a Japanese mixed martial artist who competes…Tatsuya Kawajiri (Japanese: 川尻達也, Kawajiri Tatsuya; born May 8, 1978) is a Japanese mixed martial artist who competes in the Bantamweight division. He is a former Shooto Lightweight Champion, and has also competed in the UFC, PRIDE, DREAM, Strikeforce, ONE FC, and Rizin Fighting Federation. Kawajiri also participated in the Yarennoka! event as well as Dynamite!! 2009 and Dynamite!! 2010, representing DREAM in both events. Kawajiri's fight at PRIDE Bushido 9 with Takanori Gomi was voted as PRIDE Fighting Championship's Fight of the Year for 2005. In the same year, Kawajiri was considered by many mixed martial arts publications to be the #1 Lightweight fighter in the world.
Risa Kazumi (born 24 April 1978) is a Japanese judoka. She competed in the women's middleweight event at the 1996…Risa Kazumi (born 24 April 1978) is a Japanese judoka. She competed in the women's middleweight event at the 1996 Summer Olympics.
Shinya Yoshihara (吉原 慎也, Yoshihara Shinya; born April 19, 1978) is a former Japanese football player. He is married to…Shinya Yoshihara (吉原 慎也, Yoshihara Shinya; born April 19, 1978) is a former Japanese football player. He is married to well-known professional Go player Yukari Yoshihara (née Yukari Umezawa), who is known for her work in spreading and teaching Go, especially in the worldwide-distributed manga and anime series Hikaru no Go.
Naomi Yashiro (矢代直美, born 30 December 1977) is a Japanese former basketball player who competed in the 2004 Summer…Naomi Yashiro (矢代直美, born 30 December 1977) is a Japanese former basketball player who competed in the 2004 Summer Olympics. She has been working as a cabin crew at the Japan Airlines and joined its team JAL Rabbits.
Miyabiyama Tetsushi (born July 28, 1977 as Masato Takeuchi) is a former sumo wrestler from Mito, Ibaraki, Japan. A…Miyabiyama Tetsushi (born July 28, 1977 as Masato Takeuchi) is a former sumo wrestler from Mito, Ibaraki, Japan. A former amateur champion, he turned professional in 1998. With the exception of two tournaments, he was ranked in the top division of professional sumo from 1999 until the end of his career in 2013, holding the second highest rank of ōzeki from 2000 to 2001. He won eight special prizes and was runner-up in four top division tournaments. He wrestled for Fujishima stable (formerly Musashigawa stable), where he worked as a coach until opening his own Futagoyama stable.
Koji Homma (本間 幸司, Honma Kōji; born April 27, 1977) is a Japanese former football player. He last plays for J2 League…Koji Homma (本間 幸司, Honma Kōji; born April 27, 1977) is a Japanese former football player. He last plays for J2 League club Mito HollyHock until he retirement in 2024. He holds the ongoing record for playing in the most games in J2.
Tsuji Takashi (辻高志, Takashi Tsuji) (born 24 April 1977 in the Ibaraki Prefecture) is a Japanese former rugby union…Tsuji Takashi (辻高志, Takashi Tsuji) (born 24 April 1977 in the Ibaraki Prefecture) is a Japanese former rugby union player who played as scrum-half, he later became a coach, currently coaching NEC Green Rockets.
Makoto Suwa (Japanese: 諏訪 理, Hepburn: Suwa Makoto; born 1977 in Tokyo) is a Japanese climate scientist and astronaut…Makoto Suwa (Japanese: 諏訪 理, Hepburn: Suwa Makoto; born 1977 in Tokyo) is a Japanese climate scientist and astronaut with the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA).
Hiroyuki Ikeuchi (池内 博之, Ikeuchi Hiroyuki; born November 24, 1976) is a Japanese actor. Ikeuchi's mother is Salvadoran…Hiroyuki Ikeuchi (池内 博之, Ikeuchi Hiroyuki; born November 24, 1976) is a Japanese actor. Ikeuchi's mother is Salvadoran and his father is Japanese. He is an avid martial artist, notably holding a black belt in judo, and is also a keen fisherman.
Yuichiro Saito (齋藤優一郎, Saitō Yūichirō; born November 5, 1976) is a Japanese film producer. He is the founder and…Yuichiro Saito (齋藤優一郎, Saitō Yūichirō; born November 5, 1976) is a Japanese film producer. He is the founder and current president of Studio Chizu. Saito studied in the US. In 1999, he joined the animation studio Madhouse, where he participated in several animation projects led by Masao Maruyama. In 2004, Saito met Mamoru Hosoda, eight years before they founded Studio Chizu. They worked together in the opening of Shinichiro Watanabe’s Samurai Champloo (2004). Saito produced Hosoda's films The Girl Who Leapt Through Time (2006) and Summer Wars (2009). In 2011, Saito left Madhouse and joined Hosoda to found Studio Chizu. Saito has been nominated for Best Animated Feature Film APSA with Summer Wars, Wolf Children, and Mirai. Saito was also nominated for the 91st Oscars Award in the Best Animated Film category with Hosada's film Mirai.
Takayuki Suzuki (鈴木 隆行, Suzuki Takayuki; born 5 June 1976) is a Japanese former professional footballer who played as a…Takayuki Suzuki (鈴木 隆行, Suzuki Takayuki; born 5 June 1976) is a Japanese former professional footballer who played as a forward. He made over 50 appearances for the Japan national team and he played professionally for two decades in Japan, Brazil, Belgium, Serbia and the United States.
Kohei Dojima (堂島 孝平, Dōjima Kōhei; born February 22, 1976) is a Japanese singer-songwriter. He made his major debut in…Kohei Dojima (堂島 孝平, Dōjima Kōhei; born February 22, 1976) is a Japanese singer-songwriter. He made his major debut in 1995 and gained nationwide recognition in 1997 through his work as the theme song performer for the anime series KochiKame: Tokyo Beat Cops. Dojima has received high acclaim for his skills as a songwriter and sound producer, having provided compositions and production work for a wide array of artists, including the KinKi Kids, Fumiya Fujii, Tomohisa Yamashita, Sexy Zone, Puffy, The Collectors, Takashi Fujii, Negicco, and Angerme.
Kazuyuki Miyata ( Japanese: 宮田 和幸 Miyata Kazuyuki) is a Japanese mixed martial artist currently competing in the…Kazuyuki Miyata ( Japanese: 宮田 和幸 Miyata Kazuyuki) is a Japanese mixed martial artist currently competing in the Lightweight division of Rizin. A professional competitor since 2004, Miyata has competed for DREAM, K-1 HERO'S, DEEP, RINGS, and made an appearance at K-1 PREMIUM 2007 Dynamite!!
Michihiro Omigawa (Japanese: 小見川道大, Omigawa Michihiro; born December 19, 1975) is a retired Japanese mixed martial…Michihiro Omigawa (Japanese: 小見川道大, Omigawa Michihiro; born December 19, 1975) is a retired Japanese mixed martial artist, judoka and submission grappler, who mainly competed in the Featherweight division. A professional competitor since 2005, Omigawa competed in the UFC, PRIDE, Cage Rage, World Victory Road, DREAM, DEEP, and Shooto.
Thanomsak Toba (タノムサク鳥羽, Tanomusaku Toba) is a Japanese professional wrestler, currently working for the Japanese…Thanomsak Toba (タノムサク鳥羽, Tanomusaku Toba) is a Japanese professional wrestler, currently working for the Japanese professional wrestling promotion Dramatic Dream Team (DDT). His ring name is an hommage to Thai professional boxer Thanomsak Sithbaobay.
Makoto Takimoto (瀧本 誠, Takimoto Makoto; born December 8, 1974) is a Japanese retired judoka and mixed martial artist…Makoto Takimoto (瀧本 誠, Takimoto Makoto; born December 8, 1974) is a Japanese retired judoka and mixed martial artist from Nihon University. He won a gold medal at the Half Middleweight category of the 2000 Summer Olympics.
Kentaro Shiga (志賀 賢太郎, Shiga Kentaro) is a Japanese professional wrestler, currently working as a freelancer. He…Kentaro Shiga (志賀 賢太郎, Shiga Kentaro) is a Japanese professional wrestler, currently working as a freelancer. He returned from a two-year hiatus due to injury in 2005.
Yasuhito Namekawa (Japanese: 滑川康仁, Namekawa Yasuhito) (born October 27, 1974) is a Japanese mixed martial artist who…Yasuhito Namekawa (Japanese: 滑川康仁, Namekawa Yasuhito) (born October 27, 1974) is a Japanese mixed martial artist who competes in the light heavyweight division. Namekawa made his mixed martial arts debut for Fighting Network RINGS in 1998. He fought in mainly shootfighting bouts until 1999 when RINGS introduced the King of King Rules and transitioned into a modern MMA promotion. Throughout his career, Namekawa has fought for organisations such as RINGS, Deep and Pride FC. His last fight to date was in 2008, with a professional mixed martial arts career spanning ten years. He also briefly competed in shoot style professional wrestling, exclusively for Kiyoshi Tamura's U-STYLE promotion.
Akemi Okazato (born 24 July 1974) is a Japanese basketball player. She competed in the women's tournament at the 1996…Akemi Okazato (born 24 July 1974) is a Japanese basketball player. She competed in the women's tournament at the 1996 Summer Olympics.
Maki "Nozomi" Fujiyoshi (藤好麻希, Fujiyoshi Maki; born 24 May 1974) is a Japanese former volleyball player. While…Maki "Nozomi" Fujiyoshi (藤好麻希, Fujiyoshi Maki; born 24 May 1974) is a Japanese former volleyball player. While representing Japan, Fujiyoshi won the bronze medal at the 1994 Goodwill Games in Saint Petersburg.
Hideaki Ozawa (小澤 英明, Ozawa Hideaki; born 17 March 1974) is a Japanese former professional footballer who played as a…Hideaki Ozawa (小澤 英明, Ozawa Hideaki; born 17 March 1974) is a Japanese former professional footballer who played as a goalkeeper.