Naoki Shigematsu (重松 直樹, Shigematsu Naoki; born December 24, 1977) is a Japanese former competitive figure skater. He…Naoki Shigematsu (重松 直樹, Shigematsu Naoki; born December 24, 1977) is a Japanese former competitive figure skater. He is the 1994 World Junior silver medalist and placed 23rd at the 1995 World Championships. He retired from competitive skating following the 2000 Four Continents Championships. Shigematsu is a coach and choreographer who has worked with Takahito Mura, Rumi Suizu, Kento Nakamura, Risa Shoji, and Hirofumi Torii.
Kaori Niyanagi (original name: 二柳 かおり, born (1977-11-21)21 November 1977 in Shiga) was a Japanese female weightlifter…Kaori Niyanagi (original name: 二柳 かおり, born (1977-11-21)21 November 1977 in Shiga) was a Japanese female weightlifter, competing in the 48 kg category and representing Japan at international competitions. She participated at the 2000 Summer Olympics in the 48 kg event. She competed at world championships, most recently at the 1999 World Weightlifting Championships.
Makoto Yoshino (吉野 誠, born November 19, 1977) is a Japanese former professional baseball pitcher in Nippon Professional…Makoto Yoshino (吉野 誠, born November 19, 1977) is a Japanese former professional baseball pitcher in Nippon Professional Baseball. He played for the Hanshin Tigers from 2000 to 2007 and the Orix Buffaloes from 2008 to 2013.
Hiroko Takahashi (高橋理子, Takahashi Hiroko (born 1977)) is a Japanese artist and kimono designer whose work is in the…Hiroko Takahashi (高橋理子, Takahashi Hiroko (born 1977)) is a Japanese artist and kimono designer whose work is in the permanent collection at the Victoria and Albert Museum.
Akihiro Nakamura (中村 彰宏, Nakamura Akihiro; born August 23, 1977) is a retired Japanese football player who last play…Akihiro Nakamura (中村 彰宏, Nakamura Akihiro; born August 23, 1977) is a retired Japanese football player who last play for Singapore National Football League club, Eunos Crescent.
Lisa Toyoshima (豊島リサ, Toyoshima Risa), née Risa Sugawara (菅原リサ, Sugawara Risa), is a Japanese gymnastics coach and…Lisa Toyoshima (豊島リサ, Toyoshima Risa), née Risa Sugawara (菅原リサ, Sugawara Risa), is a Japanese gymnastics coach and former artistic gymnast. She was a five-time all-around national champion and competed at the 1996 Summer Olympics, where she finished 29th in the individual all around.
Daisuke Kimori (樹森 大介, Kimori Daisuke; born July 28, 1977) is a Japanese professional football manager and former…Daisuke Kimori (樹森 大介, Kimori Daisuke; born July 28, 1977) is a Japanese professional football manager and former player who was currently a manager of Mito Hollyhock.
Naoki Fukui (福井 直樹, Fukui Naoki; born Naoki Numazawa (沼澤 直樹, Numazawa Naoki) on June 7, 1977) is a Japanese…Naoki Fukui (福井 直樹, Fukui Naoki; born Naoki Numazawa (沼澤 直樹, Numazawa Naoki) on June 7, 1977) is a Japanese professional wrestler best known by his stage name "Black Angel" Jaki Numazawa ("黒天使"沼澤邪鬼, "Kokutenshi" Numazawa Jaki). He currently wrestles for Big Japan Pro Wrestling in the Deathmatch division, where he has held the BJW Deathmatch Heavyweight Championship on one occasion.
Yugo Kanno (菅野 祐悟, Kanno Yūgo; born June 5, 1977) is a Japanese composer and musician known for his work on many…Yugo Kanno (菅野 祐悟, Kanno Yūgo; born June 5, 1977) is a Japanese composer and musician known for his work on many television dramas, anime series, and movies.
Tomoko Ishida (石田 智子, Ishida Tomoko; born 12 May 1977 in Niiza, Saitama) is a retired Japanese sprinter who specialized…Tomoko Ishida (石田 智子, Ishida Tomoko; born 12 May 1977 in Niiza, Saitama) is a retired Japanese sprinter who specialized in the 100 metres. She competed in the 4 × 100 meters relay at the 2003 World Championships and 2005 World Championships without qualifying for the final. She was the 2005 Japanese national champion in the 100 meters and former Japanese national record holder in the 4 × 100 meters relay. She currently coach for the Hasegawa Sports Facilities Athletic Club.
Atsushi Nonaka (野中 厚, Nonaka Atsushi; born 17 November 1976) is a Japanese politician and a member of the House of…Atsushi Nonaka (野中 厚, Nonaka Atsushi; born 17 November 1976) is a Japanese politician and a member of the House of Representatives.
Tetsurō Araki (荒木 哲郎, Araki Tetsurō; born November 5, 1976) is a Japanese animator, storyboard artist, and director. He…Tetsurō Araki (荒木 哲郎, Araki Tetsurō; born November 5, 1976) is a Japanese animator, storyboard artist, and director. He goes by the alias Mochizuki Saburō (望月 三郎) when working as an episode director and key animator. He is best known as the director of the widely acclaimed anime adaptations of Death Note and the first three seasons of Attack on Titan.
Ikuko Okamura (岡村 育子, Okamura Ikuko; born 17 September 1976) is a Japanese former field hockey player who competed in…Ikuko Okamura (岡村 育子, Okamura Ikuko; born 17 September 1976) is a Japanese former field hockey player who competed in the 2008 Summer Olympics.
Yoshihiro Doi (土肥 義弘, Doi Yoshihiro) (born September 1, 1976 in Saitama, Japan) is a Japanese baseball pitcher. He…Yoshihiro Doi (土肥 義弘, Doi Yoshihiro) (born September 1, 1976 in Saitama, Japan) is a Japanese baseball pitcher. He pitched for the Saitama Seibu Lions and Yokohama BayStars of Nippon Professional Baseball from 1998 through 2010.
Minoru Tōjō (東城 穣, Tōjō Minoru; born August 30, 1976) is a Japanese association football referee who currently…Minoru Tōjō (東城 穣, Tōjō Minoru; born August 30, 1976) is a Japanese association football referee who currently officiates in the J-League, and Div. 2. Since 2007 he has been an international referee.
Hanawa (はなわ; born 20 July 1976) is a Japanese singer and comedian raised in Saga City. He began his career in 1997…Hanawa (はなわ; born 20 July 1976) is a Japanese singer and comedian raised in Saga City. He began his career in 1997 going throughout the 2000s distinguishing himself by use of his bass guitar throughout comedy acts. He rose to fame in Japan during 2003 for a comical song about Saga Prefecture and its oddities. By the end of the year he would appear on NHK's 54th annual Red and White singing contest. Following this exposure, his music would be picked up for commercials and as company songs. He continued to produce more of his own music while also working alongside groups such as Fudanjuku.
Daijiro Kato (加藤 大治郎, Katō Daijirō; 4 July 1976 – 20 April 2003) was a Japanese Grand Prix motorcycle road racer, the…Daijiro Kato (加藤 大治郎, Katō Daijirō; 4 July 1976 – 20 April 2003) was a Japanese Grand Prix motorcycle road racer, the 2001 250cc world champion, and the 2000 and 2002 Suzuka 8 Hours winner. He died as a result of injuries sustained after a crash during the 2003 Japanese motorcycle Grand Prix at Suzuka Circuit, Japan.
Ryohei Endo (遠藤 良平, Endō Ryōhei) is a Japanese former baseball professional baseball player. He played for the Nippon…Ryohei Endo (遠藤 良平, Endō Ryōhei) is a Japanese former baseball professional baseball player. He played for the Nippon Ham Fighters in the Pacific League.
Kosaku Masuda (増田 功作, Masuda Kōsaku; born April 30, 1976) is a Japanese football manager and former player who is the…Kosaku Masuda (増田 功作, Masuda Kōsaku; born April 30, 1976) is a Japanese football manager and former player who is the manager of J2 League club Tokushima Vortis.
Mari Okada (Japanese: 岡田 麿里, Hepburn: Okada Mari; born 23 April 1976) is a Japanese screenwriter, director, and manga…Mari Okada (Japanese: 岡田 麿里, Hepburn: Okada Mari; born 23 April 1976) is a Japanese screenwriter, director, and manga artist. She is one of the most prolific writers currently working in the anime industry. She won the 16th Animation Kobe Award. Among her credits, Okada is best known for her writing and producing work on acclaimed anime series and films, including Toradora!, Anohana, Gosick, The Pet Girl of Sakurasou, Maquia: When the Promised Flower Blooms, and her original manga series and its anime adaptation O Maidens in Your Savage Season.
Ryuji Endo (遠藤 竜志, Endō Ryūji) (born April 17, 1976) is a Japanese former professional baseball player. He played for…Ryuji Endo (遠藤 竜志, Endō Ryūji) (born April 17, 1976) is a Japanese former professional baseball player. He played for the Hiroshima Toyo Carp in the Central League.
Yasu Urano (ヤス・ウラノ, Yasu Urano) is a Japanese freelance professional wrestler. He is best known for his tenures with…Yasu Urano (ヤス・ウラノ, Yasu Urano) is a Japanese freelance professional wrestler. He is best known for his tenures with the Dramatic Dream Team (DDT) and Active Advance Pro Wrestling wrestling promotions.
Tatsuya Yamaguchi (山口 辰也, Yamaguchi Tatsuya; born 11 February 1976) is a Japanese motorcycle racer. He currently races…Tatsuya Yamaguchi (山口 辰也, Yamaguchi Tatsuya; born 11 February 1976) is a Japanese motorcycle racer. He currently races in the MFJ All Japan Road Race Championship JSB1000 class aboard a Honda CBR1000RR. He has also competed in the MFJ All Japan Road Race GP250 Championship, the MFJ All Japan Road Race JSB1000 Championship (where he was champion in 2002), the MFJ All Japan Road Race J-GP2 Championship, Asia Road Race SS600 Championship and the MFJ All Japan Road Race ST600 Championship, where he was champion in 2010 and 2011.
Hiroshi Hirao (平尾 博嗣, Hirao Hiroshi; born December 31, 1975) is a Japanese Nippon Professional Baseball player. He is…Hiroshi Hirao (平尾 博嗣, Hirao Hiroshi; born December 31, 1975) is a Japanese Nippon Professional Baseball player. He is currently with the Saitama Seibu Lions in Japan's Pacific League. Before playing for the Lions, he was a member of the Hanshin Tigers.
Kazumi Kishi (岸 一美, Kishi Kazumi; born November 25, 1975) is a former Japanese football player. She played for Japan…Kazumi Kishi (岸 一美, Kishi Kazumi; born November 25, 1975) is a former Japanese football player. She played for Japan national team.
Hiroko Hatano (畑野 ひろ子, Hatano Hiroko; also known as 畑野 浩子) (born November 23, 1975) is a Japanese model and actress. As…Hiroko Hatano (畑野 ひろ子, Hatano Hiroko; also known as 畑野 浩子) (born November 23, 1975) is a Japanese model and actress. As an 18-year-old, she made her model debut on Japanese fashion magazine JJ in March 1994. She was one of the top models for the magazine until 2001, when she temporarily quit modelling to concentrate on her acting career. She is now working for the fashion magazine CLASSY.
Hiroko Konishi (小西 寛子, Konishi Hiroko; born October 26, 1975) is a Japanese voice actress, musician and AI researcher.…Hiroko Konishi (小西 寛子, Konishi Hiroko; born October 26, 1975) is a Japanese voice actress, musician and AI researcher. She is known for her roles as Jiyuu Nanohana in Jubei-chan, Sae Sawanoguchi in Magic User's Club, Nene Romanova in Bubblegum Crisis Tokyo 2040, and the title character Ojarumaru. In video games she voiced Shiori Misaka in the original Kanon visual novel, Lilith Aensland in Darkstalkers, and Bridget in Guilty Gear X2.
Megumi Oshima (大島 めぐみ, Ōshima Megumi), née Tanaka (田中) (born 4 September 1975 in Kumagaya, Saitama) is a Japanese…Megumi Oshima (大島 めぐみ, Ōshima Megumi), née Tanaka (田中) (born 4 September 1975 in Kumagaya, Saitama) is a Japanese long-distance runner, who specializes in the 10,000 metres and the marathon race.
Kyoko Kasuya (粕谷 恭子, Kasuya Kyōko; born 31 August 1975) is a Japanese former swimmer who competed in the 1992 Summer…Kyoko Kasuya (粕谷 恭子, Kasuya Kyōko; born 31 August 1975) is a Japanese former swimmer who competed in the 1992 Summer Olympics.
Kazuyoshi Mikami (三上 和良, Mikami Kazuyoshi; born 29 August 1975) is a former Japanese football player. His younger…Kazuyoshi Mikami (三上 和良, Mikami Kazuyoshi; born 29 August 1975) is a former Japanese football player. His younger brother Takuya Mikami is also a football player.
Hiroshi Tsukamoto (塚本 洋, Tsukamoto Hiroshi; born July 15, 1975 in Saitama, Japan) is a Japanese conditioning coach for…Hiroshi Tsukamoto (塚本 洋, Tsukamoto Hiroshi; born July 15, 1975 in Saitama, Japan) is a Japanese conditioning coach for the Chunichi Dragons in Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball.
Naotake Hoshino (星野直丈, Hoshino Naotake) is a Japanese professional wrestler best known for his time with the Japanese…Naotake Hoshino (星野直丈, Hoshino Naotake) is a Japanese professional wrestler best known for his time with the Japanese professional wrestling promotions Big Japan Pro Wrestling (BJW) and Dramatic Dream Team (DDT). He performs under the ring name Kankuro Hoshino (星野勘九郎, Hoshino Kankurō).
Gamon Kaai (河相 我聞, Kaai Gamon; born May 24, 1975, in Warabi, Saitama, and moved to Ōmiya (now Saitama), Saitama…Gamon Kaai (河相 我聞, Kaai Gamon; born May 24, 1975, in Warabi, Saitama, and moved to Ōmiya (now Saitama), Saitama Prefecture, Japan) is a Japanese actor and tarento represented by Kabushikigaisha Gamon and 365. Kaai's surname is often pronounced as "Kawai."
Chiemi Chiba (千葉 千恵巳, Chiba Chiemi; born February 25, 1975) is a Japanese actress, voice actress, and singer. She was…Chiemi Chiba (千葉 千恵巳, Chiba Chiemi; born February 25, 1975) is a Japanese actress, voice actress, and singer. She was born in Kawaguchi, Saitama, and made her professional singing debut on April 7, 1993, as a member of the J-Pop group Aurora Gonin Musume. She is best known for her roles from the anime series as Yuzuriha Nekoi in Tsubasa Chronicle, Hinako in Sister Princess, Doremi Harukaze in Ojamajo Doremi, Nanaka Kirisato in Nanaka 6/17, Wanya in UFO Baby and Kyoko Kirisaki in Black Cat. She announced on February 25, 2013, that she had gotten married and had a child.
Yuji Ide (井出有治, Ide Yūji) (born 21 January 1975) is a Japanese racing driver. He is the 2005 Formula Nippon runner-up…Yuji Ide (井出有治, Ide Yūji) (born 21 January 1975) is a Japanese racing driver. He is the 2005 Formula Nippon runner-up and the 2010 Suzuka 1000km winner. He competed in Formula One with the Super Aguri team in 2006, but was demoted to third driver after four races and subsequently lost his FIA Super Licence.
Kenji Kikawada (黄川田 賢司, Kikawada Kenji; born October 28, 1974) is a former Japanese football player. His younger…Kenji Kikawada (黄川田 賢司, Kikawada Kenji; born October 28, 1974) is a former Japanese football player. His younger brother Masaya Kikawada is an actor.
Jun Ōki (大木 淳, Ōki Jun; born 29 September 1973, in Kasukabe, Saitama, Japan), better known as Bibiru Ōki (ビビる 大木; Lit.…Jun Ōki (大木 淳, Ōki Jun; born 29 September 1973, in Kasukabe, Saitama, Japan), better known as Bibiru Ōki (ビビる 大木; Lit. “Scaredy-Cat Oki”), is a Japanese comedian represented by Watanabe Entertainment. His wife is the singer Akina. Ōki was a member of the comedy duo Bibiru. He graduated from Kasukabe City Tanihara Junior High School and Seibudai Chiba Junior & Senior High School. Ōki is an ambassador for Kusakabe and Hagi Furusato (hometown areas). He is also the honorary curator of the John Manjirō Museum. Ōki is a special envoy for Kōchi Prefecture tourism.
Takashi Uchiyama (内山隆, Uchiyama Takashi; born 18 August 1974) is a Japanese gymnast. He competed at the 1996 Summer…Takashi Uchiyama (内山隆, Uchiyama Takashi; born 18 August 1974) is a Japanese gymnast. He competed at the 1996 Summer Olympics.
Junpei Shiina (椎名 純平, Shiina Junpei; born August 6, 1974), is a Japanese rhythm and blues singer and songwriter, and…Junpei Shiina (椎名 純平, Shiina Junpei; born August 6, 1974), is a Japanese rhythm and blues singer and songwriter, and older brother to the musician Ringo Sheena. Debuting as a soloist in 1999, Shiina released four albums with major label Sony Music Japan between 2001 and 2004, later signing a contract with R and C to release his fourth album Cruisin' (2006). In 2008 Shiina formed the band Junpei Shiina & The Soul Force, who renamed themselves Dezille Brothers in 2010, releasing their debut album Dashi no Torikata through King Records in the same year. In 2014, Shiina formed the four member band Hitosarai with Tomotaka Imamichi. Shiina has often collaborated with his sister Ringo Sheena by singing duets together, most notably the theme song of the Mika Ninagawa directed film Sakuran (2007), "Kono Yo no Kagiri".
Atsuhiro Miura (三浦 淳寛, Miura Atsuhiro; born 24 July 1974) is a former Japanese football player. He played for Japan…Atsuhiro Miura (三浦 淳寛, Miura Atsuhiro; born 24 July 1974) is a former Japanese football player. He played for Japan national team. He is not related to fellow footballer Kazuyoshi Miura.
Hideyuki Fujino (藤野 秀之, Fujino Hideyuki; born 26 June 1974, Saitama Prefecture) is a Japanese professional drifting…Hideyuki Fujino (藤野 秀之, Fujino Hideyuki; born 26 June 1974, Saitama Prefecture) is a Japanese professional drifting driver. He currently competes in the D1 Grand Prix series for Team Toyo Tires Drift, and is the 2017, 2023 and 2025 series champion. He is the oldest winner and champion in D1GP. Fujino ran his own shop, Wisteria based in Fukaya.
Kazue Kakinuma (柿沼 和恵, Kakinuma Kazue; born 16 June 1974 in Yorii, Saitama) is a retired Japanese sprinter. She…Kazue Kakinuma (柿沼 和恵, Kakinuma Kazue; born 16 June 1974 in Yorii, Saitama) is a retired Japanese sprinter. She competed in the 4 × 100 metres relay at the 1991 World Championships in Tokyo and the 4 × 400 meters relay at the 2001 World Championships in Edmonton. She is the first Japanese woman to run 200 metres in under 24 seconds and 400 metres in under 53 seconds, a former Japanese record holder for both events.
Tatsuma Yoshida (吉田 達磨, Yoshida Tatsuma; born 9 June 1974) is a Japanese football manager and former player. He was…Tatsuma Yoshida (吉田 達磨, Yoshida Tatsuma; born 9 June 1974) is a Japanese football manager and former player. He was previously the head coach of the Singapore national team, serving from 2019 to 2021 which he was famously known in the country for enhancing Singapore fluidity football. As a player, Tatsuma spent the majority of his career with Montedio Yamagata.