Atsushi Koyano (小谷野 敦, Koyano Atsushi; 21 December 1962) is a Japanese scholar of comparative literature and critic. He…Atsushi Koyano (小谷野 敦, Koyano Atsushi; 21 December 1962) is a Japanese scholar of comparative literature and critic. He also has advanced degrees and pedagogy careers in Osaka University, Meiji University, Tokyo University.
Hironobu Sakaguchi (坂口 博信, Sakaguchi Hironobu; born November 25, 1962) is a Japanese game designer, director, producer…Hironobu Sakaguchi (坂口 博信, Sakaguchi Hironobu; born November 25, 1962) is a Japanese game designer, director, producer, and writer. Originally working for Square (later Square Enix) from 1983 to 2003, he departed the company and founded independent studio Mistwalker in 2004. He is known as the creator of the Final Fantasy franchise, in addition to other titles during his time at Square. At Mistwalker, he is known for creating the Blue Dragon and Terra Battle series among several standalone titles like Lost Odyssey, as well as later moving away from home consoles and creating titles for mobile platforms. Originally intending to become a musician, he briefly studied electronics and programming, joining Square as a part-time employee, then later a full-time employee when Square became an independent company in 1986. He led the development of several titles before helping to create the original Final Fantasy, which proved highly successful and cemented his status within the company. Following the financial failure of Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within, his debut as a film director, Sakaguchi withdrew from Square's management and eventually resigned in 2003. He continued his game career through Mistwalker, first co-developing projects through external partners and then smaller in-studio mobile projects. Born in Hitachi, Ibaraki Prefecture, Sakaguchi now lives in Hawaii where one of Mistwalker's offices is based. He has also influenced the creation of several other Square Enix projects, such as Kingdom Hearts. Sakaguchi has received several industry awards.
Mitoizumi Masayuki (born 2 September 1962 as Masato Koizumi) is a former sumo wrestler from Mito, Ibaraki, Japan. His…Mitoizumi Masayuki (born 2 September 1962 as Masato Koizumi) is a former sumo wrestler from Mito, Ibaraki, Japan. His professional career spanned 22 years, from 1978 until 2000. The highest rank he reached was sekiwake. He won over 800 career bouts and took the yūshō or championship in the top makuuchi division in 1992. Mitoizumi was nicknamed the "Salt Shaker", due to his habit of throwing enormous quantities of purifying salt onto the ring (dohyō) during the pre-match preliminaries. He is now a coach, and is known as Nishikido Oyakata.
Katsumi Hirosawa (広澤 克実, born April 10, 1962) is a former Nippon Professional Baseball player. A slugger who divided…Katsumi Hirosawa (広澤 克実, born April 10, 1962) is a former Nippon Professional Baseball player. A slugger who divided his time between infield (first base and third base) and the outfield, Hirosawa played for the Yakult Swallows, the Yomiuri Giants, and the Hanshin Tigers. Hirosawa was a four-time Central League Best Nine Award-winner, an eight-time NPB All-Star (including winning the NPB All-Star Game MVP in the 1991 Game 2), and twice led the Central League in RBI. Before joining the Swallows, Hirosawa played baseball for Japan in the 1984 Summer Olympics. Although baseball was a demonstration sport during that Olympics (and no medals were awarded), the Japanese team defeated the United States to take the "gold medal." Hirosawa was part of the Central League-champion Swallows team that lost the 1992 Japan Series to Seibu, as well as the championship team that defeated the Lions in a rematch in 1993. Hirosawa topped off his playing career as part of the 2003 Hanshin Tigers squad that narrowly lost the Japan Series to the Fukuoka Daiei Hawks. After retiring he served as a coach on the Tigers from 2007 to 2008.
Yoshito Hori (堀義人, Hori Yoshito) (born March 28, 1962) is a Japanese businessman, educator, and venture capitalist. He…Yoshito Hori (堀義人, Hori Yoshito) (born March 28, 1962) is a Japanese businessman, educator, and venture capitalist. He is the founder and president of Globis Corporation and Globis University Graduate School of Management. He is also founder and managing partner of Globis Capital Partners, president of the G1 Institute and the Kibow Foundation, and owner of the Ibaraki Robots basketball team and radio broadcaster LuckyFM Ibaraki Broadcasting System.
Kayoko Sugiyama (Japanese: 杉山 加代子; born 31 October 1961) is a Japanese former volleyball player who competed in the…Kayoko Sugiyama (Japanese: 杉山 加代子; born 31 October 1961) is a Japanese former volleyball player who competed in the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles and the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul. In 1984, she was a member of the Japanese team that won the bronze medal in the Olympic tournament. Four years later, she finished fourth with the Japanese team in the 1988 Olympic tournament.
Hideo Jinpu (神風 英男, Jinpū Hideo; born 10 October 1961) is a former Japanese politician of the Democratic Party of…Hideo Jinpu (神風 英男, Jinpū Hideo; born 10 October 1961) is a former Japanese politician of the Democratic Party of Japan, who served as a member of the House of Representatives in the Diet (national legislature). A native of Koga, Ibaraki and graduate of Hosei University, he ran unsuccessfully for the assembly of Ibaraki Prefecture in 1994. He was elected to the House of Representatives for the first time in 2003.
Toshiro Yoshino (吉野俊郎, Yoshino Toshiro) (born Ibaraki, 5 September 1960) is a former Japanese rugby union player. He…Toshiro Yoshino (吉野俊郎, Yoshino Toshiro) (born Ibaraki, 5 September 1960) is a former Japanese rugby union player. He played as a wing or as centre.
Tatsuya Ishii (石井竜也, Ishii Tatsuya), also known as Tatuya Ishii (born September 22, 1959) is a Japanese…Tatsuya Ishii (石井竜也, Ishii Tatsuya), also known as Tatuya Ishii (born September 22, 1959) is a Japanese singer-songwriter, artist, and industrial designer from Ibaraki Prefecture.
Norihiko Akagi (赤城 徳彦, Akagi Norihiko; born 18 April 1959) is a Japanese former politician of the Liberal Democratic…Norihiko Akagi (赤城 徳彦, Akagi Norihiko; born 18 April 1959) is a Japanese former politician of the Liberal Democratic Party who served as a member of the House of Representatives in the Diet (national legislature). A native of Makabe District, Ibaraki and graduate of the University of Tokyo, he worked at the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries from 1983 to 1988. He was elected to the House of Representatives for the first time in 1990. Akagi took office as Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries after the suicide of his predecessor, Toshikatsu Matsuoka, in May 2007. Not even two months after being inaugurated, Akagi found himself indicted in a political funding scandal not entirely different from the one his predecessor had been embroiled in as he was alleged to have registered multi-million yen expenditures on an office which did not exist. Akagi was asked to make receipts official but refused. On 17 July he appeared at a press conference with two adhesive plasters on his face, puzzling reporters but still refusing to make receipts official. Akagi resigned as Minister on 1 August 2007, after the upper house election. Minister of the Environment, Masatoshi Wakabayashi, became concurrent Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries and stayed until 27 August 2007, when Shinzō Abe announced a new cabinet. Akagi's virtual successor was Takehiko Endo appointed on 27 August.
Yukihiro Torikai (鳥飼 行博, Torikai Yukihiro; born 1959) is a Japanese economist of Department of Human Development…Yukihiro Torikai (鳥飼 行博, Torikai Yukihiro; born 1959) is a Japanese economist of Department of Human Development, School of Humanities & Culture, Tokai University (東海大学), which Shyonan campus is located in Hiratuka. His major is development economics and environmental economics for sustainable development from the view point of developing economies.
Hideaki Okabe (岡部 英明, Okabe Hideaki; born 31 March 1959) is a Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic Party, a…Hideaki Okabe (岡部 英明, Okabe Hideaki; born 31 March 1959) is a Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic Party, a member of the House of Representatives in the Diet (national legislature). A native of Hitachi, Ibaraki and graduate of Keio University, he was elected to the assembly of Tochigi Prefecture in 2003 and then to the House of Representatives for the first time in 2005.
Takashi Irie (Japanese: 入江 隆, born May 10, 1958) is a retired Japanese light-flyweight freestyle wrestler. He won a…Takashi Irie (Japanese: 入江 隆, born May 10, 1958) is a retired Japanese light-flyweight freestyle wrestler. He won a silver medal at the 1984 Olympics and a gold medal at the 1978 Asian Games. In 1986, he secured third place at the Asian Games.
Tsutomu Sonobe (園部 勉, Sonobe Tsutomu; born March 29, 1958) is a former Japanese football player. He played for the…Tsutomu Sonobe (園部 勉, Sonobe Tsutomu; born March 29, 1958) is a former Japanese football player. He played for the Japan national team.
Tagaryū Shōji (Japanese: 多賀竜 昇司, born February 15, 1958) is a former sumo wrestler from Hitachi, Ibaraki Prefecture…Tagaryū Shōji (Japanese: 多賀竜 昇司, born February 15, 1958) is a former sumo wrestler from Hitachi, Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan. The highest rank he reached was sekiwake. In 1984 he won a top division yūshō or tournament championship from the maegashira ranking. After retiring in 1991 he became a sumo coach and head of the Kagamiyama stable, as well as a director of the Japan Sumo Association.
Hideaki Tomiyama (富山 英明, Tomiyama Hideaki; born November 16, 1957) represented Japan in wrestling at the 1984 Olympics…Hideaki Tomiyama (富山 英明, Tomiyama Hideaki; born November 16, 1957) represented Japan in wrestling at the 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles, and won the gold medal in the bantamweight division. He later coached the 2004 Athens Olympics wrestling team. He is currently the head coach of the Nihon University wrestling team.
Koji Miyamoto is a Japanese professional wrestling historian and writer, best known for his work on Lou Thesz. He has…Koji Miyamoto is a Japanese professional wrestling historian and writer, best known for his work on Lou Thesz. He has authored sixteen books.
Akira Ishii (born 6 May 1957 in Ibaraki Prefecture) is a Japanese former politician who served as a member of the House…Akira Ishii (born 6 May 1957 in Ibaraki Prefecture) is a Japanese former politician who served as a member of the House of Councillors of Japan from 2016 until his resignation in 2025. He represented the National proportional representation block and was a member of the Japan Innovation Party. On 1 September 2025, Ishii resigned from the House of Councillors after allegations of defrauding the government and his subsequent expulsion from the Japan Innovation Party. He was indicted on charges of fraud on 30 September.
Kazuyo Sejima (妹島 和世, Sejima Kazuyo; born 29 October 1956) is a Japanese architect and director of her own firm, Kazuyo…Kazuyo Sejima (妹島 和世, Sejima Kazuyo; born 29 October 1956) is a Japanese architect and director of her own firm, Kazuyo Sejima & Associates. In 1995, she co-founded the firm SANAA (Sejima + Nishizawa & Associates). In 2010, Sejima was the second woman to receive the Pritzker Prize, which was awarded jointly with Nishizawa. They were only the second partnership to be honored with this prize.
Yoko Hayashi (林 陽子, Hayashi Yōko; born June 9, 1956) is a Japanese lawyer and partner in the Athena Law Office. She was…Yoko Hayashi (林 陽子, Hayashi Yōko; born June 9, 1956) is a Japanese lawyer and partner in the Athena Law Office. She was formerly an alternate member to the United Nations Sub-Commission on the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights from 2004 to 2006. In 2008, she became a member of the Committee which monitors the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), and in 2015 was serving as Chairperson of the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women. Hayashi has used her legal expertise to improve the status and protect the rights of women.
Hiroyuki Watanabe (渡辺 裕之, Watanabe Hiroyuki; December 9, 1955 – May 3, 2022) was a Japanese actor. He primarily acted…Hiroyuki Watanabe (渡辺 裕之, Watanabe Hiroyuki; December 9, 1955 – May 3, 2022) was a Japanese actor. He primarily acted in dramas, of which a handful are tokusatsu series. One of his latest roles was as Taiga Saejima in the tokusatsu series GARO. He also played Kamen Rider Gaoh in the Kamen Rider Den-O movie, Kamen Rider Den-O: I'm Born!.
Hiroshi Kajiyama (梶山 弘志, Kajiyama Hiroshi; born 18 October 1955) is a Japanese politician who served as Minister of…Hiroshi Kajiyama (梶山 弘志, Kajiyama Hiroshi; born 18 October 1955) is a Japanese politician who served as Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry from October 2019 to October 2021. He is a member of the House of Representative since 2000, representing the Ibaraki 4th district.
Takayuki Miyauchi (宮内 タカユキ, Miyauchi Takayuki; born February 4, 1955), is a Japanese singer best known for his work on…Takayuki Miyauchi (宮内 タカユキ, Miyauchi Takayuki; born February 4, 1955), is a Japanese singer best known for his work on theme songs for tokusatsu and anime. A resident of Ibaraki Prefecture, he began his career as founding member and lead vocalist of the band "WHY" in 1981 before making his solo debut in 1984, singing the opening theme for the "Super Sentai" tokusatsu television series Choudenshi Bioman. In the 1980s and 1990s, he would soon go on to be well known for a wide selection of tokusatsu music; notably a great number of insert themes contributed to Super Sentai series such as the opening for Choudenshi Bioman, as well as the opening and closing themes for Ginga Nagareboshi Gin and Kamen Rider Black RX and opening themes for the Metal Hero Series Tokkei Winspector, Tokkyuu Shirei Solbrain, and Tokusou Exceedraft. He has also contributed vocals for insert themes to the animated television series Kinnikuman, Galaxy Angel Z and The King of Braves GaoGaiGar.
Shigeo Nakajima (中島 成雄, Nakajima Shigeo; born January 16, 1954) is a retired Japanese boxer who is a former WBC junior…Shigeo Nakajima (中島 成雄, Nakajima Shigeo; born January 16, 1954) is a retired Japanese boxer who is a former WBC junior flyweight champion. He is an alumnus of the Komazawa University. Nakajima began boxing at Yonekura Boxing Gym at the age of a high school student. He compiled an amateur record of 80–15 (48 KOs) before turning professional.
Kenji Uchida (内田 健二, Uchida Kenji) is a Japanese anime producer. He is a noted anime studio Sunrise's president.…Kenji Uchida (内田 健二, Uchida Kenji) is a Japanese anime producer. He is a noted anime studio Sunrise's president. Debuting in 1980, with Muteki Robo Trider G7, among Sunrise's first works in the 1980s, Uchida has gone on to produce numerous of Sunrise's works, such as various iterations of the Gundam universe and other Sunrise anime productions. In April 2008, Uchida was promoted to being Sunrise's president, previously having been the studio's managing director.
Yutaka Nakajima (中島ゆたか, Nakajima Yutaka; 5 October 1952 – 27 November 2025) was a Japanese actress. She appeared in…Yutaka Nakajima (中島ゆたか, Nakajima Yutaka; 5 October 1952 – 27 November 2025) was a Japanese actress. She appeared in more than 30 films from 1977. Nakajima died from colorectal cancer on 27 November 2025, at the age of 73.
Natsuo Yamaguchi (山口 那津男, Yamaguchi Natsuo; born 12 July 1952) is a Japanese politician who served as the chief…Natsuo Yamaguchi (山口 那津男, Yamaguchi Natsuo; born 12 July 1952) is a Japanese politician who served as the chief representative of Komeito from 2009 to 2024. He is a member of the House of Councillors since 2001 and previously served in the House of Representatives from 1990 to 1996.
Hirotarō Honda (本田 博太郎, Honda Hirotarō; born February 8, 1951) is a Japanese actor from Mito, Ibaraki Prefecture. He…Hirotarō Honda (本田 博太郎, Honda Hirotarō; born February 8, 1951) is a Japanese actor from Mito, Ibaraki Prefecture. He started his acting career at the Bungakuza Theatre Company's acting school. His first film appearance was in the Nikkatsu Roman Porno film Sei to Ai no Korider in 1977.
Takanobu Takahashi (高橋 孝信, Takahashi Takanobu; born 1951) is a Japanese Indologist, who is currently associate…Takanobu Takahashi (高橋 孝信, Takahashi Takanobu; born 1951) is a Japanese Indologist, who is currently associate professor of Indian literature at International Buddhist University at Osaka, Japan. He is the second translator of the Kural into Japanese.
Yōji Nagaoka (永岡洋治, Nagaoka Yoji; born 1950) was a Japanese politician and member of the House of Representatives…Yōji Nagaoka (永岡洋治, Nagaoka Yoji; born 1950) was a Japanese politician and member of the House of Representatives (Japan), elected to represent Ibaraki 7th district as a member of the Liberal Democratic Party. He died by suicide on 1 August 2005.
Yukihisa Fujita (藤田 幸久, Fujita Yukihisa; born 19 April 1950) is a Japanese politician. He is a Visiting Research Fellow…Yukihisa Fujita (藤田 幸久, Fujita Yukihisa; born 19 April 1950) is a Japanese politician. He is a Visiting Research Fellow of the Department of Politics and International Relations at the University of Oxford, Chairman of the International IC (Initiatives of Change) Association of Japan and a Visiting Professor, Gifu Women's University. He was a member of the House of Councillors, the upper house from the Ibaraki constituency and the House of Representatives, the lower house from the Tokyo constituency of Japan's parliament. In the House of Councillors he is a former Chair of the Committee on Financial Affairs, Chairman of the Special Committee on North Korea Abduction Issue, and a Chairman of the Committee on Fundamental National Policies. He was a Director of the Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defence. He was a Vice Minister of Finance. He was a Shadow Foreign Minister and a Director-General of the DPJ's International Department. Prior to political life, he was a Director of the Association Aid and Relief (AAR), the first Japanese NGO to help refugees and an Executive Director of the International MRA Association of Japan. He was a lecturer at Yokohama National University.
Takao Watanabe (渡辺 孝男, Watanabe Takao; born 1950) is a Japanese politician of the New Komeito Party, a member of the…Takao Watanabe (渡辺 孝男, Watanabe Takao; born 1950) is a Japanese politician of the New Komeito Party, a member of the House of Councillors in the Diet (national legislature). A native of Ishioka, Ibaraki and graduate of Tohoku University, he was elected to the House of Councillors for the first time in 1995.
Akira Gunji (郡司 彰, Gunji Akira; born 11 December 1949) is a Japanese politician of the Constitutional Democratic Party…Akira Gunji (郡司 彰, Gunji Akira; born 11 December 1949) is a Japanese politician of the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan and formerly a member of the House of Councillors in the Diet (national legislature). He served as Vice President of the House of Councillors from 2016 to 2019.
Kishirō Nakamura (中村 喜四郎, Nakamura Kishirō; born 10 April 1949) is a former Japanese politician who served as a member…Kishirō Nakamura (中村 喜四郎, Nakamura Kishirō; born 10 April 1949) is a former Japanese politician who served as a member of the House of Representatives in the Diet. A native of Sakai in Ibaraki Prefecture and a graduate of Nihon University, he was elected to the House of Representatives for the first time in 1976. After winning 14 elections in a row without a single defeat at the polls, he lost to Keiko Nagaoka in the election of 21 October 2021.
Atsushi Watanabe (Japanese: 渡辺篤史, Hepburn: Atsushi Watanabe; born 28 November 1947, in Ibaragi) is a Japanese actor.…Atsushi Watanabe (Japanese: 渡辺篤史, Hepburn: Atsushi Watanabe; born 28 November 1947, in Ibaragi) is a Japanese actor. Watanabe has been hosting a report-type programme "Watanabe Atsushi no Tatemono Tanbō" on TV Asahi since 1989.
Kuniaki Shibata (柴田 国明, born March 29, 1947) is a Japanese former professional boxer who competed from 1965 to 1977. He…Kuniaki Shibata (柴田 国明, born March 29, 1947) is a Japanese former professional boxer who competed from 1965 to 1977. He is a world champion in two weight classes, having held the World Boxing Council (WBC) and Ring magazine featherweight titles from 1970 to 1972, the World Boxing Association (WBA) and Ring magazine super-featherweight titles in 1973, and the WBC super-featherweight title from 1974 to 1975.
Hiroshi Okada (岡田 広, Okada Hiroshi; born January 31, 1947) is a Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic Party…Hiroshi Okada (岡田 広, Okada Hiroshi; born January 31, 1947) is a Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), a former member of the House of Councillors in the Diet (national legislature) affiliated to the revisionist lobby Nippon Kaigi. A native of Mito, Ibaraki and graduate of Ritsumeikan University, Okada had served in the assembly of Ibaraki Prefecture since 1986 and as mayor of Mito for three terms since 1993. In 2003 he was elected to the House of Councillors for the first time. He also held the following political positions: State Minister of Cabinet Office; State Minister for Reconstruction; Parliamentary Vice-Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare; Chief Director, Committee on Financial Affairs, HC; Chairperson, Committee on Cabinet, HC; and Director, Cabinet Division, LDP.
Masaki Kashiwara (Japanese: 柏原 正樹, Hepburn: Kashiwara Masaki; born January 30, 1947) is a Japanese mathematician and…Masaki Kashiwara (Japanese: 柏原 正樹, Hepburn: Kashiwara Masaki; born January 30, 1947) is a Japanese mathematician and professor at the Kyoto University Institute for Advanced Study (KUIAS). He is known for his contributions to algebraic analysis, microlocal analysis, D-module theory, Hodge theory, sheaf theory and representation theory. He was awarded the Abel Prize in 2025, and is the award's first recipient from Japan.
Yasuaki Kurata (Japanese: 倉田 保昭, romanized: Kurata Yasuaki; born March 20, 1946) is a Japanese actor and martial…Yasuaki Kurata (Japanese: 倉田 保昭, romanized: Kurata Yasuaki; born March 20, 1946) is a Japanese actor and martial artist. He has worked extensively in Hong Kong action films, as well as in his native country, and is a two-time Hong Kong Film Award nominee.
Masaru Hashimoto (橋本 昌, Hashimoto Masaru; born 19 November 1945) is a Japanese politician who was the governor of…Masaru Hashimoto (橋本 昌, Hashimoto Masaru; born 19 November 1945) is a Japanese politician who was the governor of Ibaraki Prefecture from 1993 to 2017.
Takashi Koizumi (小泉堯史 Koizumi Takashi) (born November 6, 1944, in Mito) is a Japanese film director. After graduating…Takashi Koizumi (小泉堯史 Koizumi Takashi) (born November 6, 1944, in Mito) is a Japanese film director. After graduating from Waseda University, he served as an assistant director for Akira Kurosawa for many years.
Yuya Niwa (丹羽 雄哉, Niwa Yūya; born 20 April 1944) is a former Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP)…Yuya Niwa (丹羽 雄哉, Niwa Yūya; born 20 April 1944) is a former Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), who served as a member of the House of Representatives in the Diet (national legislature). A native of Niihari District, Ibaraki and graduate of Keio University he was elected for the first time in 1979 after working as a writer for Yomiuri Shimbun. Later, he served as the Minister of Health in 1992 and in 1999. He was defeated by Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ)-backed candidate Hiroko Ōizumi (former Lieutenant Governor of Yamaguchi Prefecture) in the Japanese general election, 2009.
Isao Okano (岡野 功, Okano Isao; born 20 January 1944) is a retired judoka who competed in the middleweight division…Isao Okano (岡野 功, Okano Isao; born 20 January 1944) is a retired judoka who competed in the middleweight division (–80 kg) in the 1964 Summer Olympics.
Fukushiro Nukaga (Japanese: 額賀 福志郎, Hepburn: Nukaga Fukushirō; born 11 January 1944) is a Japanese politician who…Fukushiro Nukaga (Japanese: 額賀 福志郎, Hepburn: Nukaga Fukushirō; born 11 January 1944) is a Japanese politician who served as Speaker of the House of Representatives from 2023 to 2026. A member of the Liberal Democratic Party, he has represented Ibaraki 2nd district in the House of Representatives since 1983. He was previously the Minister of Finance from 2007 to 2008, and served twice as Director-General of the Japan Defense Agency and Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary.
Shinobu Sekine (関根 忍, Sekine Shinobu; 20 September 1943 – 18 December 2018) was a Japanese middleweight judoka. He won…Shinobu Sekine (関根 忍, Sekine Shinobu; 20 September 1943 – 18 December 2018) was a Japanese middleweight judoka. He won a gold medal at his only Olympics in 1972.