Michiko Nishiwaki (西脇 美智子, Nishiwaki Michiko; born November 21, 1957) is a Japanese actress, stuntwoman, martial…Michiko Nishiwaki (西脇 美智子, Nishiwaki Michiko; born November 21, 1957) is a Japanese actress, stuntwoman, martial artist, fight choreographer, former female bodybuilder and powerlifter. She performed the high-risk stunts as a double for Lucy Liu in the film Charlie's Angels.
Kimio Sugimoto (杉本公雄, Sugimoto Kimio; born 15 October 1957) is a Japanese former volleyball player who competed in the…Kimio Sugimoto (杉本公雄, Sugimoto Kimio; born 15 October 1957) is a Japanese former volleyball player who competed in the 1984 Summer Olympics and in the 1988 Summer Olympics.
Junji Ogawa (小川 淳司, Ogawa Junji; born August 30, 1957) was a Japanese Nippon Professional Baseball player. He played…Junji Ogawa (小川 淳司, Ogawa Junji; born August 30, 1957) was a Japanese Nippon Professional Baseball player. He played for the Yakult Swallows and Nippon-Ham Fighters.
Yoshihiko Noda (Japanese: 野田 佳彦, Hepburn: Noda Yoshihiko; born 20 May 1957) is a Japanese politician who served as the…Yoshihiko Noda (Japanese: 野田 佳彦, Hepburn: Noda Yoshihiko; born 20 May 1957) is a Japanese politician who served as the Prime Minister of Japan from 2011 to 2012. He has been a member of the House of Representatives since 2000. Noda entered politics in 1993 as a member of the now-defunct Japan New Party. In 1996, he joined the Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ). After the DPJ won control of the Diet in 2009 general election, Noda was named a senior vice minister of finance in the cabinet of Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama, and in 2010, was named minister of finance in the cabinet of Prime Minister Naoto Kan. Following Kan's resignation as prime minister, Noda won the ensuing leadership election and was appointed prime minister on 2 September 2011. Following a severe loss for the DPJ in the December 2012 general election, Noda announced his resignation as party leader, triggering a leadership election that was won by Banri Kaieda. Noda was succeeded as Prime Minister by Shinzo Abe, President of the Liberal Democratic Party, on 26 December 2012. As the DPJ underwent mergers and reorganizations, Noda left to sit as an independent politician. In 2021, Noda joined the CDP, the primary successor to the DPJ. In 2024, Noda successfully stood for the CDP's party presidential election, defeating incumbent leader Kenta Izumi and former leader Yukio Edano. Weeks after assuming the presidency of the party, the 2024 general election was announced, with the CDP achieving its best result in party history, and the ruling LDP coalition being limited to a minority. After a rout in the 2026 general election, Noda resigned as co-president of the newly-formed Centrist Reform Alliance.
Kenta Satoi (佐戸井けん太, Satoi Kenta), born May 14, 1957, in the Chiba Prefecture, Japan, is a Japanese theatre and film…Kenta Satoi (佐戸井けん太, Satoi Kenta), born May 14, 1957, in the Chiba Prefecture, Japan, is a Japanese theatre and film actor. His roles most often consist of either father-type roles, or conversely, villain roles in police dramas and action movies. In the sho-gekijo theatre realm he is known for playing a wide variety of character roles. Satoi is 183 cm tall, and his hobbies are basketball and rakugo "sit-down" comedy.
Hiroshi Ogawa (小川 宏, Ogawa Hiroshi; born May 1, 1957), better known as Rossy Ogawa (ロッシー小川, Rosshī Ogawa), is a…Hiroshi Ogawa (小川 宏, Ogawa Hiroshi; born May 1, 1957), better known as Rossy Ogawa (ロッシー小川, Rosshī Ogawa), is a Japanese businessman and professional wrestling promoter. He is the founder and the current head booker of Dream Star Fighting Marigold. He is one of the three founders and former executive producer of the Japanese professional wrestling promotion World Wonder Ring Stardom. Ogawa is often regarded as being instrumental in the modern popularization of women's pro wrestling in Japan.
Izumi Kobayashi (Japanese: 小林 泉美, Hepburn: Kobayashi Izumi; born 25 March 1957) is a Japanese musician, record…Izumi Kobayashi (Japanese: 小林 泉美, Hepburn: Kobayashi Izumi; born 25 March 1957) is a Japanese musician, record producer, and business executive. Originally working for a funk band at a US military base, she formed the band ASOCA and won the EastWest '76 Best Keyboardist award, and she performed as a keyboardist for other musicians and bands. Working for CBS/Sony, she released several solo albums, either with the Mimie-Chan Super Band and its later iteration Izumi Kobayashi & Flying Mimi Band or solely with her own name. She also worked as a composer for Japanese media, including "Lum's Love Song" (the theme song for the Urusei Yatsura anime), and hosted TV Tokyo late-night show Rock in Japan. She later moved to London in 1985 and worked as a record producer and industry executive in Europe, serving as president of Cisco Records London.
Toshiyuki Nagashima (永島敏行, Nagashima Toshiyuki) is a Japanese actor. He won the award for Best Newcomer at the 3rd…Toshiyuki Nagashima (永島敏行, Nagashima Toshiyuki) is a Japanese actor. He won the award for Best Newcomer at the 3rd Hochi Film Awards for Kaerazaru hibi and for Best Actor at the 6th Hochi Film Awards for Enrai.
Hiromichi Ishige (石毛 宏典, born September 22, 1956) is a retired Japanese professional baseball player and manager in…Hiromichi Ishige (石毛 宏典, born September 22, 1956) is a retired Japanese professional baseball player and manager in Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball. He played most of his career for the Seibu Lions. Ishige was the 1986 Pacific League Most Valuable Player, a seven-time Best Nine Award-winner, and a ten-time Gold Glove winner. A 14-time All-Star, he left a track record in 16 years as a shortstop and third baseman in the Pacific League. Ishige was drafted by the Lotte Orions in the third round of the 1974 NPB draft, but went to college instead. He won a Tokyo Metropolitan University League batting title and made six Best Nines in college. He was then picked in the first round of the 1980 NPB draft by the Seibu Lions. Ishige made the All-Star team as a rookie with Seibu and would make it all 14 seasons he was with them. He hit .311/.380/.531 that first year with 21 homers and 25 steals (in 34 tries). He won a Gold Glove, made his first Best Nine and won Rookie of the Year honors. Ishige's production slipped to a .259/.337/.401 line in 1982 though he stole 22 in 26 tries and won a Gold Glove and Best Nine. He hit .296/.321/.370 in his first Japan Series, to help Seibu take the 1982 Series but was thrown out in two of three steal attempts. In 1983, Ishige hit .303/.593/.503 with 29 steals in 34 tries, hit 16 homers, scored 86 runs, won another Gold Glove, earned a third Best Nine spot and tied Yutaka Fukumoto and Hiromi Matsunaga for the PL lead with 7 triples. He hit .276/.276/.379 as Seibu won another Japan Series, but was 0 for 1 in steals. The next year, Ishige batted .259/.338/.498 with 91 runs, 26 homers and 26 steals (in 36 tries); Keijiro Yumioka beat him out for the Best Nine that time. While he only stole 11 bases (in 14 tries) in 1985, Ishige remained a potent offensive force, chipping in at a .280/.386/.508 clip with 96 runs, 27 homers and 88 walks. His 26 doubles led the league and he won another Gold Glove and Best Nine. In the 1985 Japan Series, Hiromichi hit .208/.296/.583 with 3 home runs in a losing effort. Ishige won his MVP in 1986, when he batted .329/.386/.531, won another Gold Glove at short, scored 91 runs, drove in 89, smacked 27 home runs and stole 19 bases. He set a Nippon Pro Baseball record by leading off eight games with home runs and set a Seibu club record with a 23-game hitting streak. He hit .297/.297/.405 as Seibu won a hard-fought 1986 Japan Series over the Hiroshima Carp. In '87, Hiromichi hit .269/.331/.370 in an off-year but still won a Gold Glove and made the Best Nine. He batted .348/.423/.652 in the 1987 Japan Series to win his fourth ring. That winter, he assumed chairmanship of the board of directors of the Japan Professional Baseball Players Association, replacing Hiromitsu Ochiai; two years later, Akinobu Okada would take the role. The 31-year-old had his third and last 20-20 year in 1988 (21 HR, 22 SB in 26 tries; he would never hit 20 homers again) and batted .283/.364/.441 and won his 7th Gold Glove. He had his best Series, the 1989 Japan Series, hitting .389/.389/.944 with 3 HR, 5 runs and 6 RBI in five games to win the Series MVP award. In '89, Ishige stole 28 in 33 tries for his final 20-steal season and batted .270/.395/.428. He drew 98 walks, a career-best and led the PL in that category. Ishige hit .298/.364/.429 in 1990 and was 7 for 8 in steals. Now a third baseman, he fielded .991, a Pacific League record for the position. He went 1 for 12 in the 1990 Japan Series but drew four walks as his club won a sixth Series. At one point, he had hit in 17 straight games in a Japan Series, a record. In '91, the veteran still produced at a .269/.331/.424 rate and he hit .280/.333/.440 in the 1991 Japan Series, Seibu's seventh victory in his time with the club. He won his first Gold Glove in three years. In 1992, Ishige batted .297/.359/.413, won a Gold Glove and made his seventh Best Nine, the first in five years. He hit .240/.286/.440 as Seibu took the 1992 Japan Series for their eighth Series win in his 12 seasons, marking it as the greatest Pacific League dynasty ever — other key contributors in the run had included Koji Akiyama, Kimiyasu Kudoh, Hisanobu Watanabe, Orestes Destrade, Kazuhiro Kiyohara, Taigen Kaku, Osamu Higashio, and Tetsuya Shiozaki. Ishige was the captain of the team during the last stretch of Series victories at least. Destrade recalls that Ishige was the team's motivator. Ishige continued to produce as the 36-year-old put up a .306/.389/.479 batting line in 1993, won his last Gold Glove and made his final Best Nine. He hit .304/.385/.304 in the 1993 Japan Series as Seibu fell in 7 games to the Yakult Swallows to end their dynastic run. In '94, Hiromichi hit .266/.335/.397 and made his last All-Star appearance. He went 1 for 12 with three walks in the 1994 Japan Series. Leaving Seibu after 14 All-Star seasons and 8 titles in 14 years, Ishige moved on to the Fukuoka Daiei Hawks, where the 38-year-old hit .200/.260/.275 to signal that his glory days were definitely gone. Fellow faded star Matsunaga was the primary third baseman that year. In 1996, Ishige concluded his playing career by going 3 for 23 for Daiei. Overall, Ishige hit .283/.362/.450 in 7,570 plate appearances, cracked 236 homers and stole 243 in 314 tries. Through 2006, Hiromichi ranks 25th all-time in NPB in runs (1,049, 10 behind Matsunaga), 18th in sacrifice bunts (218; manager Masahiko Mori often had him bunt as he felt Ishige hit into too many double plays in the clutch. Destrade, on the other hand, described him as a timely player who drove in key runs, showing how different perceptions of "clutch play" can be) and 22nd in strikeouts (1,127). With one more year as a regular, he likely would have been in the top 30 in walks as well. After retiring as a player, Ishige was a minor league manager for Seibu for two years then spent a year as a commentator for NHK in 1999. When manager Akira Ohgi was let go after the 2001 season, the Orix BlueWave hired Ishige to replace him as manager. The club fell from above-.500 in '01 to 50-87-3 and last place. The next year, they started poorly and Ishige lambasted high-strikeout sluggers Fernando Seguignol and Scott Sheldon. After a 7-12-1 start, Ishige was let go and they brought in Leon Lee as the new manager, the first African-American manager in NPB history. Lee fared no better with the sorry lot and they finished last again. In 2005, Ishige founded the independent Shikoku Island League (now known as Shikoku Island League Plus).
Yasukazu Hamada (浜田 靖一, Hamada Yasukazu; born 21 October 1955) is a Japanese politician who served as the Minister of…Yasukazu Hamada (浜田 靖一, Hamada Yasukazu; born 21 October 1955) is a Japanese politician who served as the Minister of Defense of Japan from 2008 to 2009 and from 2022 to 2023. A member of the Liberal Democratic Party, he also serves in the House of Representatives, having taken office in 1993. In September 2008, under the Cabinet of Prime Minister Tarō Asō, Hamada was appointed Minister of Defense. This was Hamada's first Cabinet position. He was appointed to the same position under the Cabinet of Prime Minister Fumio Kishida in 2022. His father, Kōichi Hamada, also served in the House of Representatives.
Masayuki Kakefu (掛布 雅之, Kakefu Masayuki) (born May 9, 1955) is a Japanese former professional baseball third baseman.…Masayuki Kakefu (掛布 雅之, Kakefu Masayuki) (born May 9, 1955) is a Japanese former professional baseball third baseman. He played in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) for the Hanshin Tigers from 1974 to 1988. Known as “Mr. Tigers”, the popular slugger batted .292 lifetime for the Tigers in his career while hitting over 300 home runs and driving 1,019 runs batted in to go along with three home run titles and seven selections to the Best Nine Award. In 1985, he hit 40 home runs and batted .300 as the Tigers went all the way to the Japan Series and won it for the first time in team history. Kakefu took part in what has been called one of the most famous moments in Tiger history on the game played on April 17, 1985 when he hit the second of three consecutive home runs (Randy Bass hit the first while Akinobu Okada hit the third) against the Yomiuri Giants. He was inducted into the Japanese Baseball Hall of Fame in 2025.
Iwashita Eiichi (岩下 栄一, born Eiichi Iwashita; February 15, 1955 – January 21, 1999) was a sumo wrestler from Kisarazu…Iwashita Eiichi (岩下 栄一, born Eiichi Iwashita; February 15, 1955 – January 21, 1999) was a sumo wrestler from Kisarazu, Chiba, Japan. He made his professional debut in November 1971, and reached the top division in July 1977. His highest rank was maegashira 8. He also fought under the shikona of Terunoyama (照の山) and Iwanami (岩波). He left the sumo world upon retirement in March 1984.
Shigekazu Mori (森 繁和, born November 18, 1954, in Chosei, Chiba Prefecture) is a former Japanese professional baseball…Shigekazu Mori (森 繁和, born November 18, 1954, in Chosei, Chiba Prefecture) is a former Japanese professional baseball pitcher who played for the Seibu Lions in Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball. He has held coaching positions at 4 different teams most notably including a 10 years stint at the Seibu Lions and 10 years at current employers, the Chunichi Dragons. On 9 August 2016 it was announced that Mori would become the interim manager of the Dragons following the dismissal of Motonobu Tanishige. On 29 September 2016, following the end of the 2016 NPB season where the Dragons finished last in the Central League, Mori was announced as permanent full-time manager for the 2017 season.
Kazuo Shii (志位 和夫, Shii Kazuo; born 29 July 1954) is a Japanese politician who has been the chairman of the Central…Kazuo Shii (志位 和夫, Shii Kazuo; born 29 July 1954) is a Japanese politician who has been the chairman of the Central Committee of the Japanese Communist Party (JCP) since 2024. He previously served as the chairman of the Executive Committee of the Central Committee of the JCP from 24 November 2000 to 18 January 2024. Born in Yotsukaidō in Chiba Prefecture, Shii first joined the JCP while studying engineering physics at the University of Tokyo. He participated in the JCP's Tokyo Committee after graduation, and worked in the Party Central Committee from 1982. He became the head of the secretariat in 1990, and was elected as a member of the House of Representatives in 1993. He became the chairman of the Party Executive Committee in 2000. He led the party until 18 January 2024, when he resigned as the executive committee chairman, and was succeeded by Tomoko Tamura. On the same day, Shii was appointed as the chairman of the Central Committee.
Akira Uchiyama (内山 晃, Uchiyama Akira; born 3 March 1954) is a former Japanese politician who served as a member of the…Akira Uchiyama (内山 晃, Uchiyama Akira; born 3 March 1954) is a former Japanese politician who served as a member of the House of Representatives in the Diet national legislature.
Katsuko Kanesaka (金坂 克子, Kanesaka Katsuko) (born 1 March 1954) is a Japanese volleyball player and Olympic champion.…Katsuko Kanesaka (金坂 克子, Kanesaka Katsuko) (born 1 March 1954) is a Japanese volleyball player and Olympic champion. Kanesaka was a member of the Japanese winning team at the 1976 Olympic games.
Eiji Ueda (上田 栄治, Ueda Eiji; born December 22, 1953) is a former Japanese football player and manager. He managed the…Eiji Ueda (上田 栄治, Ueda Eiji; born December 22, 1953) is a former Japanese football player and manager. He managed the Japan women's national team.
Shigeyuki Tomita (富田 茂之, Tomita Shigeyuki; born 1 October 1953) is a Japanese politician serving in the House of…Shigeyuki Tomita (富田 茂之, Tomita Shigeyuki; born 1 October 1953) is a Japanese politician serving in the House of Representatives in the Diet (national legislature) as a member of the New Komeito Party. A native of Choshi, Chiba and graduate of Hitotsubashi University, he was elected for the first time in 1990.
Kiyotaka Mitsugi (三ツ木 清隆, Mitsugi Kiyotaka; born May 30, 1953) is a Japanese actor and singer. His career has centered…Kiyotaka Mitsugi (三ツ木 清隆, Mitsugi Kiyotaka; born May 30, 1953) is a Japanese actor and singer. His career has centered on television, in the genres of tokusatsu and jidaigeki.
Kirinji Kazuharu, real name Kazuharu Tarusawa (9 March 1953 – 1 March 2021) was a sumo wrestler from Kashiwa, Chiba…Kirinji Kazuharu, real name Kazuharu Tarusawa (9 March 1953 – 1 March 2021) was a sumo wrestler from Kashiwa, Chiba Prefecture, Japan. He made his professional debut in 1967, reaching the top makuuchi division in 1974. His highest rank was sekiwake. During his long career he won several awards and set a number of longevity records. Upon his retirement in 1988 he became a sumo coach and elder of the Japan Sumo Association, until reaching 65 years of age in 2018.
Kimiko Hashimoto (橋本 きみ子, Hashimoto Kimiko; born 17 February 1953) is a Japanese basketball player. She competed in the…Kimiko Hashimoto (橋本 きみ子, Hashimoto Kimiko; born 17 February 1953) is a Japanese basketball player. She competed in the women's tournament at the 1976 Summer Olympics.
Michio Hoshino (星野 道夫, Hoshino Michio; September 27, 1952 – August 8, 1996) was a Japanese-born nature photographer. He…Michio Hoshino (星野 道夫, Hoshino Michio; September 27, 1952 – August 8, 1996) was a Japanese-born nature photographer. He originally hailed from Ichikawa, Chiba Prefecture. Considered one of the most accomplished nature photographers of his era and compared to Ansel Adams, Hoshino specialized in photographing Alaskan wildlife until he was killed by a brown bear while on assignment in Kurilskoye Lake, Russia, in 1996.
Ichirō Tomita (富田 伊知郎, Tomita Ichirō; born August 24, 1952), known professionally as MoJo (モジョ), is a Japanese folk…Ichirō Tomita (富田 伊知郎, Tomita Ichirō; born August 24, 1952), known professionally as MoJo (モジョ), is a Japanese folk singer and composer who has performed on the soundtracks of various anime and tokusatsu series and movies. He is perhaps best known as the vocalist for the theme songs for Battle Fever J, Dai Sentai Goggle V, Kagaku Sentai Dynaman, Seiun Kamen Machineman (星雲仮面マシンマン, Seiun Kamen Mashinman), Albegas, and performed image songs for various series. He also sang the theme song of the fictional character Segata Sanshiro (played by Hiroshi Fujioka) who appeared in Sega's commercials between 1997 and 1998 to advertise the Sega Saturn in Japan.
Takayuki Sugō (菅生 隆之, Sugō Takayuki) is a Japanese actor and voice actor. He is known for voicing Yhwach and Zangetsu…Takayuki Sugō (菅生 隆之, Sugō Takayuki) is a Japanese actor and voice actor. He is known for voicing Yhwach and Zangetsu in Bleach, Senju Hashirama in Naruto, Shilliew in One Piece, Shinpachi Nagakura in Golden Kamuy, Jirochō Doromizu in Gintama, Raizen in Yu Yu Hakusho, Mihaly A. Shilage and Mister X in Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown and Reddas in Final Fantasy XII.
Kuniko Inoguchi (猪口 邦子, Inoguchi Kuniko; born 3 May 1952) is a Japanese political scientist and politician. She served…Kuniko Inoguchi (猪口 邦子, Inoguchi Kuniko; born 3 May 1952) is a Japanese political scientist and politician. She served as Minister of State for Gender Equality and Social Affairs from 2005 to 2006, and is currently a member of the House of Councillors representing Chiba Prefecture for the Liberal Democratic Party.
Keiji Haino (灰野 敬二 Haino Keiji; born May 3, 1952) is a Japanese musician and singer-songwriter whose work has included…Keiji Haino (灰野 敬二 Haino Keiji; born May 3, 1952) is a Japanese musician and singer-songwriter whose work has included rock, free improvisation, noise music, percussion, psychedelic music, minimalism and drone music. He has been active since the 1970s and continues to record regularly and in new styles.
Kazuyasu Shiina (椎名 一保, Shiina Kazuyasu; born January 15, 1952) is a Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic…Kazuyasu Shiina (椎名 一保, Shiina Kazuyasu; born January 15, 1952) is a Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic Party and a member of the House of Councillors in the Diet (national legislature). After living in Choshi, Chiba and graduating from Nihon University, he was elected to the House of Councillors for the first time in 2002 after serving in the assembly of Chiba Prefecture for four terms.
Hiromichi Watanabe (渡辺 博道, Watanabe Hiromichi; born 3 August 1950) is a Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic…Hiromichi Watanabe (渡辺 博道, Watanabe Hiromichi; born 3 August 1950) is a Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic Party and a member of the House of Representatives in the Diet of Japan. A native of Matsudo City, Chiba he attended Waseda University as an undergraduate and received a master's degree from Meiji University. He was elected to the Chiba Prefectural Assembly in 1995 (serving for one term) and then to the House of Representatives for the first time in 1996. He was appointed by Shinzo Abe as Minister of Reconstruction on 2 October 2018 and left the position on 11 September 2019. He was succeeded by Kazunori Tanaka.
Yōko Shōji (庄司 陽子, Shōji Yōko; born 4 June 1950, in Mobara, Chiba) is a Japanese manga artist. She is best known for…Yōko Shōji (庄司 陽子, Shōji Yōko; born 4 June 1950, in Mobara, Chiba) is a Japanese manga artist. She is best known for writing Seito Shokun! (Attention Students!), for which she won the Kodansha Manga Award for shōjo in 1978.
Yoshitaka Sakurada (桜田 義孝, Sakurada Yoshitaka; born 20 December 1949) is a former Japanese politician of the Liberal…Yoshitaka Sakurada (桜田 義孝, Sakurada Yoshitaka; born 20 December 1949) is a former Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic Party who served as a member of the House of Representatives in the Diet of Japan. He formerly served as Minister of State for the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games in the Fourth Abe Cabinet.
Ryo Hayami (速水 亮, Hayami Ryō) (born (1949-11-14) November 14, 1949 in Kimitsu, Chiba, Japan) is a Japanese actor known…Ryo Hayami (速水 亮, Hayami Ryō) (born (1949-11-14) November 14, 1949 in Kimitsu, Chiba, Japan) is a Japanese actor known for playing the hero Keisuke Jin in the tokusatsu superhero series Kamen Rider X. On December 18, 2019, he suffered a heart attack from a collapse. He has been recovering.
Miyuki Miura (三浦 美幸, Miura Miyuki; born October 21, 1949) is a prominent Japanese master of karate, first practising…Miyuki Miura (三浦 美幸, Miura Miyuki; born October 21, 1949) is a prominent Japanese master of karate, first practising Shotokan, then Kyokushin, then World Ōyama, and now operating independently.
Hideyuki Kikuchi (菊地 秀行, Kikuchi Hideyuki; born September 25, 1949) is a Japanese author known for his horror novels.…Hideyuki Kikuchi (菊地 秀行, Kikuchi Hideyuki; born September 25, 1949) is a Japanese author known for his horror novels. His most famous works include the Vampire Hunter D series, Darkside Blues and Wicked City.
Katsuhiro Nakamura (中村 勝広, Nakamura Katsuhiro; June 6, 1949 - September 23, 2015) was a professional Japanese baseball…Katsuhiro Nakamura (中村 勝広, Nakamura Katsuhiro; June 6, 1949 - September 23, 2015) was a professional Japanese baseball player, coach, and manager.
Norio Suzuki (鈴木 紀夫, Suzuki Norio; April 1949 – November 1986) was a Japanese explorer and adventurer. In 1974 he…Norio Suzuki (鈴木 紀夫, Suzuki Norio; April 1949 – November 1986) was a Japanese explorer and adventurer. In 1974 he searched for and found Hiroo Onoda, one of the last remaining Japanese holdouts who had refused to surrender after the end of World War II. Suzuki died in November 1986 in an avalanche while searching for the yeti.
Shunzo Ohno (大野 俊三, Ōno Shunzō; born 22 March 1949) is a Japanese trumpeter, composer and arranger. In 1974 Ohno…Shunzo Ohno (大野 俊三, Ōno Shunzō; born 22 March 1949) is a Japanese trumpeter, composer and arranger. In 1974 Ohno accepted Art Blakey's offer and went to the U.S. He made recordings in cooperation with famous musicians, and some of his songs sold very well. He played active parts as a member of MACHITÖ Y SUS AFROCUBANAS and became known in Europe and South America. In 1984, he won a Grammy Award for his album Machito and His Salsa Big Band. Four years later, he also won for Live at Sweet Basil. Ohno was a passenger in an automobile accident in 1988 severing his lip, concussion, and broke teeth. He had to take months to re establish his embouchure to play trumpet 3 months later he played on the Buster Williams 'Something More" album with Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter, and Al Foster. In 2014, he won the Grand Prize in the International Songwritting Competition. The first Jazz artist to win the Grand Prize and became the first Japanese composer/musician to win the Grand Prize The song is one of his most well known compositions, "Musashi".
Hiroshi Kazato (風戸 裕, Kazato Hiroshi; born March 13, 1949, Chiba Prefecture, Japan; died June 2, 1974) was a Japanese…Hiroshi Kazato (風戸 裕, Kazato Hiroshi; born March 13, 1949, Chiba Prefecture, Japan; died June 2, 1974) was a Japanese racecar driver. Kazato started his career at the age of 19. He took part in the 1971 Can-Am season, finishing 10th in the championship driving a Lola T222-Chevrolet. He participated at Formula Two European seasons 1972 and 1973, scoring seven championship points. He graduated from Seikei University in 1973. Kazato died at 25 years old at Fuji Speedway, during a Fuji Grand Champion series race after colliding with Seiichi Suzuki on the banking, resulting in the circuit being modified to eliminate the 30-degree banking, establishing the modern configuration with the hairpin that bypasses the banking.
Kozo Kinomoto (木之本 興三, Kinomoto Kōzō; 8 January 1949 – 15 January 2017) was a Japanese footballer who played as a…Kozo Kinomoto (木之本 興三, Kinomoto Kōzō; 8 January 1949 – 15 January 2017) was a Japanese footballer who played as a midfielder for Furukawa Electric from 1972 to 1975 before being forced to retire due to kidney problem. After his playing career he became a sports executive and served as director in the Japan Football League until 2003. In his later years Kinomoto lost both of his legs due to health issues and died on 15 January 2017 at the age of 68.
Jirō Yabuki (矢吹二朗, Yabuki Jirō; born Mitsuho Maeda, 6 January 1949) also known as Jirō Chiba is a retired Japanese…Jirō Yabuki (矢吹二朗, Yabuki Jirō; born Mitsuho Maeda, 6 January 1949) also known as Jirō Chiba is a retired Japanese actor. His older brother was Sonny Chiba. He is known for playing the role of Kazuya Taki in the tokusatsu superhero series Kamen Rider. He started his acting career at the Bungakuza theatre company in 1967. In 1970, he joined Sonny Chiba's production company and often co-starred with Sonny in many films. His first starring role in the film was in Gekitotsu! Aikidō. In 1976, he changed his stage name from Jirō Chiba to Jirō Yabuki. He announced his retirement as an actor in 1982.
Chonosuke Takagi (高木 長之助, Takagi Chōnosuke; 26 October 1948 – 6 December 2016) was a Japanese judoka. Takagi is from…Chonosuke Takagi (高木 長之助, Takagi Chōnosuke; 26 October 1948 – 6 December 2016) was a Japanese judoka. Takagi is from Shirahama, Chiba and began judo when he was in junior high school. When he was a member of judo club at Awa high-school (安房高校, Awa Kōkō), the senior of club is Masatoshi Shinomaki. Takagi began working for the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department after graduation from Nihon University in 1971. He participated in the World Championship twice and won a gold medal in 1973 and a bronze medal in 1975. As of 2011, Takagi coached judo at his alma mater, Nihon University. Among his students are Jun Konno, Michiaki Kamochi, Makoto Takimoto and others. He died of a heart attack at the age of 68 on 6 December 2016.
Eisuke Mori (森 英介, Mori Eisuke; born 31 August 1948) is a Japanese politician who has served as Speaker of the House of…Eisuke Mori (森 英介, Mori Eisuke; born 31 August 1948) is a Japanese politician who has served as Speaker of the House of Representatives since 2026. He is a member of the Liberal Democratic Party and is the former Minister of Justice in the Asō Cabinet. A native of Katsuura, Chiba and graduate of Tohoku University, he joined Kawasaki Heavy Industries in 1974 and received a Ph.D. in engineering. He was elected to the House of Representatives for the first time in 1990. His grandfather is former member of the House of Representatives Nobuteru Mori, his father is former Minister of the Environment Yoshihide Mori, and his uncle is former Somu-cho (総務長官) Kiyomoto Mori. In the Cabinet of Prime Minister Tarō Asō, appointed on 24 September 2008, Mori was appointed Minister of Justice. This was his first appointment to the Cabinet. Mori is affiliated to the openly revisionist lobby Nippon Kaigi.
Akira Kuryu (栗生 明, Kuryū Akira; born 1947) is a Japanese architect known for designing many museums in Japan. Compared…Akira Kuryu (栗生 明, Kuryū Akira; born 1947) is a Japanese architect known for designing many museums in Japan. Compared with his contemporaries, Kuryu started his career later than other famous Japanese architects. Kuryu graduated from Waseda University and once worked with Maki, another architect, at Maki & Associates and then became an associate lecturer in the Maki Research Department at the University of Tokyo. In 1987, he set up Akira Kuryu Architect & Associates. Since then, he has finished multiple projects, including a series of public facing museum buildings such as the “Uemura Naomi memorial museum”(1994) and the Nagasaki National Peace Memorial Hall for the Atomic Bomb Victims (2003). He has won many awards such as The Prize of Architectural Institute of Japan, Award of the Japan Art Academy, Kenneth F. Brown Asia Pacific Culture and Architecture Design Award. With his successful architectural designs, Akira Kuryu has gained a large reputation in the field of architecture in Japan.
Hiroshi Motomiya (本宮 ひろ志; born June 25, 1947) is a Japanese manga artist from Chiba Prefecture. His works include…Hiroshi Motomiya (本宮 ひろ志; born June 25, 1947) is a Japanese manga artist from Chiba Prefecture. His works include Tenchi wo Kurau (1983–1984) and Salary Man Kintaro (1994–2002). By April 2026, his various works published by Shueisha had over 100 million copies in circulation, making him one of the best-selling authors of all time.
Yoko Narahashi (奈良橋 陽子, Narahashi Yõko; born June 17, 1947) is a Japanese casting director, film producer and lyricist.…Yoko Narahashi (奈良橋 陽子, Narahashi Yõko; born June 17, 1947) is a Japanese casting director, film producer and lyricist. She gained prominence due to her involvement with The Last Samurai, Babel, and Memoirs of a Geisha. The Japan Times, the only independent English-language newspaper in Japan, referred to her as an "all-round interpreter of Japan for U.S. movies".
Hiroshi Miyauchi (宮内 洋, Miyauchi Hiroshi; born June 14, 1947) is a Japanese actor and talent from Chiba Prefecture.…Hiroshi Miyauchi (宮内 洋, Miyauchi Hiroshi; born June 14, 1947) is a Japanese actor and talent from Chiba Prefecture. Miyauchi graduated from Nihon University. In 1969, he signed with Toei Company and made his film debut with Nagasaki Blues. He first attracted attention after landing a role in a television series, in Key Hunter on TBS. He is best known for playing some of the most memorable roles in Tokusatsu history, such as Akira Shinmei/Aoranger in Himitsu Sentai Goranger, Soukichi Banba/Big One in the Sentai series J.A.K.Q. Dengekitai, Chief Councillor Naoyuki Miura in Chouriki Sentai Ohranger, Shiro Kazami in Kamen Rider V3 (in which he also sang the opening theme for) and Ken Hayakawa in Kaiketsu Zubat.