Hiromitsu Agatsuma (上妻 宏光 Agatsuma Hiromitsu, born July 27, 1973) is a Japanese shamisen artist who plays the…Hiromitsu Agatsuma (上妻 宏光 Agatsuma Hiromitsu, born July 27, 1973) is a Japanese shamisen artist who plays the Tsugaru-jamisen, a larger shamisen with thicker strings than those used for most other styles. He was born in Hitachi, Ibaraki Prefecture.
Celes Kobayashi (セレス小林, born Shoji Kobayashi, February 27, 1973) is a former professional boxer from Ibaraki, Japan. He…Celes Kobayashi (セレス小林, born Shoji Kobayashi, February 27, 1973) is a former professional boxer from Ibaraki, Japan. He is a former WBA Super flyweight champion. He got his ring name, "Celes", from a company he used to work for. He lives in Chiba, Japan, with his wife and daughter.
Eriko Tamura (田村 英里子, Tamura Eriko; born on January 16, 1973, in Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan), sometimes credited only as…Eriko Tamura (田村 英里子, Tamura Eriko; born on January 16, 1973, in Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan), sometimes credited only as Eriko, is a Japanese actress and singer. Her anime series Idol Densetsu Eriko (Legendary Idol Eriko) has been syndicated worldwide, airing in such countries as France, Italy, India and Spain. In live action series, she portrayed Princess Yaeko in the television show Heroes and Mai, the villainess in the feature film Dragonball Evolution.
Sayaka Aoki (あおき さやか, Aoki Sayaka; October 19, 1972) is a Japanese voice actress. She is affiliated with Bell…Sayaka Aoki (あおき さやか, Aoki Sayaka; October 19, 1972) is a Japanese voice actress. She is affiliated with Bell Production management. She is originally from Akita Prefecture. She sometimes uses Shizuka Aoki (青木 静香, Aoki Shizuka) for stage performances.
Mayumi Kawasaki (born 1 October 1972) is a Japanese basketball player. She competed in the women's tournament at the…Mayumi Kawasaki (born 1 October 1972) is a Japanese basketball player. She competed in the women's tournament at the 1996 Summer Olympics.
Musōyama Masashi (born February 14, 1972, as Takehito Oso) is a former sumo wrestler from Mito, Ibaraki, Japan. A…Musōyama Masashi (born February 14, 1972, as Takehito Oso) is a former sumo wrestler from Mito, Ibaraki, Japan. A former amateur champion, he turned professional in January 1993, and he won promotion to the top makuuchi division in just four tournaments. He won thirteen special prizes and spent a total of 31 tournaments at komusubi and sekiwake before finally reaching the second highest rank of ōzeki in 2000, shortly after winning his only top division tournament championship or yūshō. He retired in 2004. He is now the head coach of Fujishima stable.
Mayumi Gojo (五條 真由美, Gojō Mayumi; born February 12, 1972) is a Japanese singer from Ibaraki Prefecture. She formerly…Mayumi Gojo (五條 真由美, Gojō Mayumi; born February 12, 1972) is a Japanese singer from Ibaraki Prefecture. She formerly worked under Hyper Voice Managements. Currently she is affiliated with the Love&Light talent management agency. Gojo is known for her theme song performances for anime series such as Ojamajo Doremi, Pretty Cure, and Yumeiro Patissiere. She has performed as part of Project.R and also provides backup chorus for other artists.
Noboru Yamaguchi (ヤマグチ ノボル, Yamaguchi Noboru; February 11, 1972 – April 4, 2013) was a Japanese light novel and game…Noboru Yamaguchi (ヤマグチ ノボル, Yamaguchi Noboru; February 11, 1972 – April 4, 2013) was a Japanese light novel and game scenario author from Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan. He was well known for being the author of The Familiar of Zero light novels and visual novels by Frontwing.
Toshihisa Nishi (仁志 敏久, Nishi Toshihisa; born October 4, 1971 in Ibaraki, Ibaraki, Japan) is a Japanese former…Toshihisa Nishi (仁志 敏久, Nishi Toshihisa; born October 4, 1971 in Ibaraki, Ibaraki, Japan) is a Japanese former professional baseball player.
Ryuta Sakurai Japanese: 桜井隆多(born September 8, 1971) is a Japanese mixed martial artist who currently competes in the…Ryuta Sakurai Japanese: 桜井隆多(born September 8, 1971) is a Japanese mixed martial artist who currently competes in the middleweight division. A veteran who fought for many companies such as Shooto, Pancrase and PRIDE. Nicknamed Mr. DEEP, he is best known for spending most of his fighting career in DEEP, where he is a former DEEP Middleweight champion.
Hidekazu Watanabe (渡辺 秀一, Watanabe Hidekazu; born July 13, 1971) is a Japanese former Nippon Professional Baseball…Hidekazu Watanabe (渡辺 秀一, Watanabe Hidekazu; born July 13, 1971) is a Japanese former Nippon Professional Baseball pitcher.
Yasuo Manaka (眞中 靖夫, Manaka Yasuo; born January 31, 1971) is a former Japanese football player and manager. His elder…Yasuo Manaka (眞中 靖夫, Manaka Yasuo; born January 31, 1971) is a former Japanese football player and manager. His elder brother Mikio Manaka is also a former footballer.
Shinichi Ishizuka (Japanese: 石塚真一, Hepburn: Ishizuka Shin'ichi; born 1971) is a Japanese manga artist. He made his…Shinichi Ishizuka (Japanese: 石塚真一, Hepburn: Ishizuka Shin'ichi; born 1971) is a Japanese manga artist. He made his debut in 2001 and began his first series, Gaku: Minna no Yama, a manga about mountain climbing, in Big Comic Original in 2003, where it was serialized until 2012. He also created Blue Giant, a manga about jazz, and its sequels, which have been serialized in Big Comic since 2013. Ishizuka studied at universities in the United States, where he was introduced to mountain climbing and given an increased exposure to jazz. After returning to Japan and being laid off, he began working towards becoming a manga artist and published the one-shot The First Step in 2001. His works Gaku: Minna no Yama and Blue Giant have both received film adaptations and awards, including the Manga Taishō, Shogakukan Manga Award, and a grand prize at the Japan Media Arts Festival.
Kiyomi Niwata (Japanese: 庭田清美, born 10 December 1970 in Ushiku, Ibaraki Prefecture) is a professional triathlete from…Kiyomi Niwata (Japanese: 庭田清美, born 10 December 1970 in Ushiku, Ibaraki Prefecture) is a professional triathlete from Japan, triple Olympian (Sydney, Athens, Beijing), multiple-time National Champion (2004, 2005, 2006), and an Asian Aquathlon Champion and Oceanian Triathlon Champion of the year 2009. Kiyomi Niwata and Anja Dittmer are the only triathletes who took part in all three Olympic triathlons. In Sydney and in Athens, Niwata placed 14th, in Beijing, 9th. She is coached by Col Stewart.
Hiromi Nagasaku (永作 博美, Nagasaku Hiromi) is a Japanese actress and singer. She was a member of the J-pop group Ribbon.…Hiromi Nagasaku (永作 博美, Nagasaku Hiromi) is a Japanese actress and singer. She was a member of the J-pop group Ribbon. Mark Schilling of The Japan Times described her as "the best comic actress working in Japan today".
Yoshihiro Nakamura (中村義洋, Nakamura Yoshihiro) is a Japanese film director and screenwriter, known for his 2009 film…Yoshihiro Nakamura (中村義洋, Nakamura Yoshihiro) is a Japanese film director and screenwriter, known for his 2009 film Fish Story, which premiered at the New York Asian Film Festival, and A Boy and His Samurai, which won the Audience Award at the 2011 New York Asian Film Festival.
Nobuyuki Fukushima (福島 伸享, Fukushima Nobuyuki; born 8 August 1970) is a Japanese politician, who served as a member of…Nobuyuki Fukushima (福島 伸享, Fukushima Nobuyuki; born 8 August 1970) is a Japanese politician, who served as a member of the House of Representatives.
Kazuhiro Tanaka (田中一弘, Tanaka Kazuhiro; 4 July 1970, Ibaraki) is a Japanese professional drifting driver, currently…Kazuhiro Tanaka (田中一弘, Tanaka Kazuhiro; 4 July 1970, Ibaraki) is a Japanese professional drifting driver, currently competing in the D1 Grand Prix series for Team Orange and Yuke’s. Tanaka entered the D1 Grand Prix in the first round in 2001 and had his first win in 2003. He is a member of Team Orange with Nobushige Kumakubo and Naoto Suenaga.
Yoshitaka Ito (伊藤 喜剛, Itō Yoshitaka; born 23 June 1970) is a retired Japanese athlete who specialised in sprinting…Yoshitaka Ito (伊藤 喜剛, Itō Yoshitaka; born 23 June 1970) is a retired Japanese athlete who specialised in sprinting events. He represented his country at the 1995 World Championships in Athletics. He won a gold medal at the 1994 Asian Games in the 4 × 100 m relay, while his best individual success was winning bronze at the 1995 Asian Athletics Championships in the 100 m.
Naoya Shimada (島田 直也, Shimada Naoya; born March 17, 1970 in Kashiwa, Chiba, Japan) is a Japanese former Nippon…Naoya Shimada (島田 直也, Shimada Naoya; born March 17, 1970 in Kashiwa, Chiba, Japan) is a Japanese former Nippon Professional Baseball pitcher.
Mikio Manaka (眞中 幹夫, Manaka Mikio; born May 22, 1969) is a Japanese former footballer. His younger brother Yasuo Manaka…Mikio Manaka (眞中 幹夫, Manaka Mikio; born May 22, 1969) is a Japanese former footballer. His younger brother Yasuo Manaka is also a former footballer.
Seiichi Hishikawa (菱川 勢一, Hishikawa Seiichi; born in 1969 in Tokyo) is a Japanese film maker, art director, and…Seiichi Hishikawa (菱川 勢一, Hishikawa Seiichi; born in 1969 in Tokyo) is a Japanese film maker, art director, and photographer who began his career in the music industry. He entered CBS/Sony Group in the General Affairs section, General Affairs division, and eventually moved on to the Sony Corporation. PR/Advertising division, overseeing a great number of events at the Ginza Sony Building etc. as an assistant producer. This was also the time that he began producing exhibitions for creators of contemporary art as well as artists. In 1991, Hishikawa moved to New York and moved from music to film, as an editing engineer as well as a cinematographer, gaining experience in media including TV and movies. After returning to Japan, he gained experience as a freelance set director, cinematographer, and theatre director before establishing Drawing and Manual, a company that does graphic design and film. That same year, he hosted a motion graphics exhibition at the Axis Gallery in Roppongi, leading the motion graphics movement and attracting a total of 45,000 visitors despite being self-hosted. Known as the founder of that movement, Hishikawa established his own design studio in 2003, Standard Series, Inc. Expanding on the cinema, web, and graphic design work he has done up until now, the company also provides brand design and design consultation services. In 2009, Hishikawa joined Drawing and Manual again, and he accepted a position to teach in the Department of Science of Design, Musashino Art University. He achieved the triple crown in 2011 after taking top honors in the Cannes Lions International Advertising Festival for directing the NTT Docomo commercial “Xylophone.”
Daishi Nobuyuki (born 23 August 1968 as Nobuyuki Takano) is a former sumo wrestler from Hitachi, Ibaraki, Japan. He…Daishi Nobuyuki (born 23 August 1968 as Nobuyuki Takano) is a former sumo wrestler from Hitachi, Ibaraki, Japan. He made his professional debut in March 1984, and reached the top division in July 1994. His highest rank was maegashira 3. He retired in March 2002 and remained in the Sumo Association as jun-toshiyori before leaving in June 2003. He is now a professional singer.
Kenichi Kurosawa (黒沢 健一, Kurosawa Ken'ichi; 11 August 1968 – 5 December 2016) was a Japanese musician and record…Kenichi Kurosawa (黒沢 健一, Kurosawa Ken'ichi; 11 August 1968 – 5 December 2016) was a Japanese musician and record producer from Hitachi, Ibaraki. His younger brother is Hideki Kurosawa, who is also a musician.
Sanae Kimura (Japanese: 木村 早苗; born 17 May 1968), known by her birth name of Sanae Jōnouchi (Japanese: 城之内早苗), is a…Sanae Kimura (Japanese: 木村 早苗; born 17 May 1968), known by her birth name of Sanae Jōnouchi (Japanese: 城之内早苗), is a Japanese enka singer, actress and radio presenter.
Tetsuya Asano (浅野 哲也, Asano Tetsuya; born February 23, 1967) is a Japanese professional football manager and former…Tetsuya Asano (浅野 哲也, Asano Tetsuya; born February 23, 1967) is a Japanese professional football manager and former player who is the head coach of J3 League club Kagoshima United FC. He also played for the Japan national team.
Tadayuki 'Taddy' Okada (Japanese: 岡田 忠之, Hepburn: Okada Tadayuki; born February 13, 1967) is a Japanese former…Tadayuki 'Taddy' Okada (Japanese: 岡田 忠之, Hepburn: Okada Tadayuki; born February 13, 1967) is a Japanese former professional Grand Prix motorcycle road racer. He was runner-up in the 1994 250cc and in the 1997 500cc World Championship.
Hiromoto Okubo (大久保 博元, born February 1, 1967), nickname "Dave" is a former Nippon Professional Baseball catcher. After…Hiromoto Okubo (大久保 博元, born February 1, 1967), nickname "Dave" is a former Nippon Professional Baseball catcher. After playing, he turned to managing and coaching. In 2015, Hiromoto was promoted from Rakuten's farm team manager to Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles full-time manager. He only lasted one season, however, as he resigned after the team again finished in last place. In Kobe Earthquake Dream Match 1995, he played for the Foreign Dream with registered name "Dave" because without foreign player catcher.
Yoshinari Ogawa (小川良成, Ogawa Yoshinari) (born November 2, 1966) is a Japanese retired professional wrestler, best known…Yoshinari Ogawa (小川良成, Ogawa Yoshinari) (born November 2, 1966) is a Japanese retired professional wrestler, best known for his appearances with All Japan Pro Wrestling and Pro Wrestling Noah. He earned the nickname of "Rat Boy" from the English-speaking Puroresu fanbase due to his sneaky, clever in-ring tactics and baiting his opponents into quick pins, as well as the dishevelled, greasy appearance he cultivated during the late-1990s.
Fumio Takano (高野 史緒, Takano Fumio) is a Japanese writer from Ibaraki Prefecture. Her work has won the 58th Edogawa…Fumio Takano (高野 史緒, Takano Fumio) is a Japanese writer from Ibaraki Prefecture. Her work has won the 58th Edogawa Rampo Prize and she was a finalist for the 6th Japan Fantasy Novel Award. She won the 55th Seiun Award for Best Japanese Long Work for her novel Graf Zeppelin: The Airship of That Summer, which was also a finalist for the Nihon SF Taisho Award.
Noriyasu Numata (沼田憲保, Numata Noriyasu; 26 April 1966 – 4 September 2007) was a Grand Prix motorcycle road racer born…Noriyasu Numata (沼田憲保, Numata Noriyasu; 26 April 1966 – 4 September 2007) was a Grand Prix motorcycle road racer born in Chiba, Japan. He competed in 250cc Grand Prix motorcycle racing from 1995 to 1998. He was killed in an accident during tyre testing for Dunlop at Okayama International Circuit in Japan.
Tadao Uchikoshi (Japanese: 打越忠夫; born 30 October 1965) is a Japanese male former long-distance runner who specialised…Tadao Uchikoshi (Japanese: 打越忠夫; born 30 October 1965) is a Japanese male former long-distance runner who specialised in the marathon. Tadao represented his nation at the 1993 World Championships in Athletics and placed fifth in a time of 2:17:54 hours. Uchikoshi was runner-up behind Tesfaye Tafa at the Amsterdam Marathon in 1991, finishing in 2:13:52 hours. He was runner-up at the Hokkaido Marathon in 1992 and was the second placed Japanese (sixth overall) at the 1993 Tokyo International Marathon. A personal best of 2:12:52 hours came in a fourth-place finish at the 1994 Rotterdam Marathon, but he failed to place highly in a marathon thereafter. He was a member of the Snow Brand Milk Products corporate running team. He attended Juntendo University and was part of the winning team for the 1988 Hakone Ekiden while there.
Shinji Higuchi (Japanese: 樋口 真嗣, Hepburn: Higuchi Shinji; born September 22, 1965) is a Japanese filmmaker. Known for…Shinji Higuchi (Japanese: 樋口 真嗣, Hepburn: Higuchi Shinji; born September 22, 1965) is a Japanese filmmaker. Known for his tokusatsu blockbusters, Higuchi is considered one of Japan's leading filmmakers of the 21st century. Higuchi became known for his work on Gamera: Guardian of the Universe, for which he won the Special Technology Award at the 19th Japan Academy Film Prize. In 2005, he made his feature directorial debut on Lorelei: The Witch of the Pacific Ocean. His second feature film, Sinking of Japan (2006), was second place at the Bunshun Kiichigo Awards. His 2015 live-action two-part film adaptation of Hajime Isayama's manga series, Attack on Titan, won the Excellence in Theatrical Live Action Film award at the 2016 VFX-JAPAN Awards. In 2017, Higuchi and Hideaki Anno won the Director of the Year award at the 40th Japan Academy Film Prize for their work on the 2016 kaiju film Shin Godzilla. His 2022 film, Shin Ultraman, was a major success in Japan, and has received generally positive reviews from critics internationally.
Eijiro Ai (阿井英二郎, Ai Eijiro; born September 29, 1964) is a Japanese former Nippon Professional Baseball pitcher. He…Eijiro Ai (阿井英二郎, Ai Eijiro; born September 29, 1964) is a Japanese former Nippon Professional Baseball pitcher. He played for the Yakult Swallows from 1985 to 1989, and the Lotte Orions/Chiba Lotte Marines in 1991 and 1992.
The Pillows (Japanese: ザ・ピロウズ, Hepburn: Za Pirōzu) were a Japanese alternative rock band formed in Hokkaido in 1989.…The Pillows (Japanese: ザ・ピロウズ, Hepburn: Za Pirōzu) were a Japanese alternative rock band formed in Hokkaido in 1989. Originally a quartet, vocalist and rhythm guitarist Sawao Yamanaka, lead guitarist Yoshiaki Manabe and drummer Shinichiro Sato continued the band as a trio for another 33 years, following the departure of bassist Kenji Ueda in 1992. They are best known in the West for providing the soundtrack for the anime series FLCL. The Pillows announced their disbandment at the end of January 2025, and Sato died from cancer in March 2026.
Kazuhiko Ōigawa (大井川 和彦, Ōigawa Kazuhiko; born 3 April 1964) is a Japanese politician who serves as the current…Kazuhiko Ōigawa (大井川 和彦, Ōigawa Kazuhiko; born 3 April 1964) is a Japanese politician who serves as the current governor of Ibaraki Prefecture. A native of Tsuchiura and graduate of the Law School of the University of Tokyo, he entered the Ministry of International Trade and Industry (now Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry) in 1988. After studying at University of Washington Law School in 1996, in 1998 he became the first head of the Singapore office for the Ministry of International Trade and Industry. He left the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry in 2003, and from that same year he was a Microsoft Asia Executive Officer. After serving as Managing Executive Officer of Microsoft, he became Senior Managing Executive Officer of Cisco Systems from 2010 and in 2016, he was appointed as a director of Dwango, the company that manages Niconico Douga. He was elected governor of Ibaraki prefecture in 2017 after defeating six-term incumbent Masaru Hashimoto in a three cornered race. In July 2019, Ibaraki became the first prefecture to issue partnership certificates for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender couples. Announcing the reform, Gov. Ōigawa stated that ″This is a matter of human rights, and we must work swiftly in order to eliminate discrimination and prejudices″.
Ryo Takamisaki (鷹岬 諒, Takamisaki Ryō; born August 14, 1963) is a Japanese manga artist from Tsuchiura, Ibaraki…Ryo Takamisaki (鷹岬 諒, Takamisaki Ryō; born August 14, 1963) is a Japanese manga artist from Tsuchiura, Ibaraki Prefecture who is known for his work on the manga series MegaMan NT Warrior. He is a graduate of Ibaraki Prefectural Tsuchiura First High School and Nagoya University.
Manabu Saito (齋藤 学, Saitō Manabu; born August 12, 1963) is a Japanese former professional baseball pitcher, and current…Manabu Saito (齋藤 学, Saitō Manabu; born August 12, 1963) is a Japanese former professional baseball pitcher, and current first squad pitching coach for the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB). He previously played for the Chunichi Dragons and the Fukuoka Daiei Hawks.
Mari Iijima (飯島 真理, Iijima Mari; born May 18, 1963) is a Japanese actress and singer. She writes and produces most of…Mari Iijima (飯島 真理, Iijima Mari; born May 18, 1963) is a Japanese actress and singer. She writes and produces most of her own music, and plays the piano and other instruments. After being signed to JVC Victor in 1982, Mari first became known for her voice-acting role as Lynn Minmay in the anime Macross. Her debut original album, Rosé, was released in 1983, which was produced by composer Ryuichi Sakamoto. She lives in Los Angeles, California.
Takashi Kobayashi (小林 孝至, Kobayashi Takashi) (born 17 May 1963) is a Japanese wrestler and Olympic champion in…Takashi Kobayashi (小林 孝至, Kobayashi Takashi) (born 17 May 1963) is a Japanese wrestler and Olympic champion in Freestyle wrestling.
