Misako Konno (紺野 美沙子 Konno Misako), born Misako Shinoda (篠田 美佐子 Shinoda Misako, born September 8, 1960) is a Japanese…Misako Konno (紺野 美沙子 Konno Misako), born Misako Shinoda (篠田 美佐子 Shinoda Misako, born September 8, 1960) is a Japanese actress and essayist. Her maiden name is Misako Satō (佐藤美佐子 Satō Misako). In 2022, she became the third woman appointed in an organization linked to the Japan Sumo Association, by being appointed to the Yokozuna Deliberation Council.
Tetsuya Endō (遠藤 徹哉 or えんどうてつや, Endō Tetsuya; born September 7, 1960) is a Japanese anime director, storyboard artist…Tetsuya Endō (遠藤 徹哉 or えんどうてつや, Endō Tetsuya; born September 7, 1960) is a Japanese anime director, storyboard artist, and sound director. He worked as the assistant director (演出助手, enshutsu joshu) of My Neighbor Totoro in 1988, and directed Floral Magician Mary Bell in 1992–93.
Taeko Watanabe (渡辺 多恵子, Watanabe Taeko; born August 29, 1960, in Shinagawa, Tokyo) is a Japanese manga artist. She made…Taeko Watanabe (渡辺 多恵子, Watanabe Taeko; born August 29, 1960, in Shinagawa, Tokyo) is a Japanese manga artist. She made her professional debut in 1979 with the short story Waka-chan no Netsuai Jidai (和佳ちゃんの熱愛時代; "Love Struck Days of Waka"). In 1987, she won the Excellence Award at the 16th Japan Cartoonists Association Awards for her comedy series St. 14 Graffiti. She has twice received the Shogakukan Manga Award in the shōjo category: in 1991 for Hajime-chan ga Ichiban! and in 2003 for Kaze Hikaru.
Asa Nonami (乃南アサ, Nonami Asa; born 19 August 1960) is a Japanese crime fiction and horror writer. She is a member of…Asa Nonami (乃南アサ, Nonami Asa; born 19 August 1960) is a Japanese crime fiction and horror writer. She is a member of the Mystery Writers of Japan. Nonami attended Waseda University where she studied Sociology but dropped out to take a job at an advertising agency. She became a published author in 1988.
Yōichi Takahashi (高橋 陽一, Takahashi Yōichi; born 28 July 1960) is a Japanese cartoonist and manga artist, best known for…Yōichi Takahashi (高橋 陽一, Takahashi Yōichi; born 28 July 1960) is a Japanese cartoonist and manga artist, best known for his work Captain Tsubasa. Takahashi has published art books, manga, novels, and guides, most of which are about Captain Tsubasa. He is also known for his soccer series, Hungry Heart: Wild Striker. He is currently the chairman of Nankatsu SC. Yoichi Takahashi visited FC Barcelona, Tsubasa Oozora's Spanish football club in the manga, on 17 January 2016 as a guest of the club. In 2018, Takahashi received the Honorary Citizen Award from Katsushika for his contributions to the city through his manga.
Akira Nagatsuma (長妻 昭, Nagatsuma Akira; born 14 June 1960) is a Japanese politician of the Constitutional Democratic…Akira Nagatsuma (長妻 昭, Nagatsuma Akira; born 14 June 1960) is a Japanese politician of the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan (CDP), a member of House of Representatives in the Diet (national legislature). Nagatsuma is currently the deputy leader and the head of the Tokyo chapter of the CDP. He had served as the Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare in the Hatoyama and Kan administration. He came to prominence when he reported missing records of public pension plans. A native of Nerima, Tokyo and graduate of Keio University, he was elected for the first time in 2000 after unsuccessful runs in 1995 and 1996.
Akira Koike (小池 晃, Koike Akira; born 9 June 1960) is a Japanese politician and physician who is the secretary-general…Akira Koike (小池 晃, Koike Akira; born 9 June 1960) is a Japanese politician and physician who is the secretary-general and vice chair of the Japanese Communist Party. He also serves as a member of the House of Councillors for the party.
Masashi Yanagisawa (柳沢 正史, Yanagisawa Masashi; born May 25, 1960) is a Japanese-American molecular biologist and…Masashi Yanagisawa (柳沢 正史, Yanagisawa Masashi; born May 25, 1960) is a Japanese-American molecular biologist and physician, famous for his discovery of the hormone endothelin and the neuropeptide orexin, the absence of which is the cause of narcolepsy. He is currently the Director of the International Institute for Integrative Sleep Medicine, University of Tsukuba, and an adjunct professor at the Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center.
Eiko Miyagawa (宮川榮子), née Eiko Sato (佐藤栄子), born May 12, 1960), known professionally as EPO, is a Japanese singer…Eiko Miyagawa (宮川榮子), née Eiko Sato (佐藤栄子), born May 12, 1960), known professionally as EPO, is a Japanese singer, songwriter and alternative medicine therapist who had success in the Japanese music industry in the 1980s and 1990s. Known as one of the "RCA Three Girls" in the mid-1980s alongside artists Taeko Onuki and Mariya Takeuchi on the same label, she is a prominent figure in the city pop genre that saw a revival in the late 2010s and early 2020s.
Hiromichi Fuyuki (冬木 弘道, Fuyuki Hiromichi) (May 11, 1960 – March 19, 2003) was a Japanese professional wrestler and…Hiromichi Fuyuki (冬木 弘道, Fuyuki Hiromichi) (May 11, 1960 – March 19, 2003) was a Japanese professional wrestler and promoter better known by his ring name Kodo Fuyuki (冬木 弘道, Fuyuki Kōdō) best known for his time in All Japan Pro Wrestling (AJPW), Frontier Martial-Arts Wrestling (FMW), New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW), Wrestle Association R (WAR) and other Japanese and international promotions during the 1980s and 1990s as the leader of 6-man tag team Fuyuki-Gun with Gedo and Jado. He is also known as a mainstay of FMW where he was the arch rival of the company's top star Hayabusa and a founding member of the stable Team No Respect included Kintaro Kanemura, Hideki Hosaka, Masao Orihara, Tetsuhiro Kuroda, Mr. Gannosuke, Koji Nakagawa, Horace Boulder, Super Leather, Hido, Gedo and Jado.
Hajime Mizoguchi (溝口 肇, Mizoguchi Hajime; born April 23, 1960 in Tokyo) is a Japanese cellist and composer. Mizoguchi…Hajime Mizoguchi (溝口 肇, Mizoguchi Hajime; born April 23, 1960 in Tokyo) is a Japanese cellist and composer. Mizoguchi started playing piano at the age of 3, and the cello at the age of 11. From 1978–1985 he attended the Tokyo National University of Fine Arts and Music where he majored in violoncello. In 1986, he released his first album, Half Inch Dessert, being listed as a composer, arranger, and performer. From then on, he has released over 20 albums including motion picture soundtracks.
Michio Takahashi (高橋 道雄, Takahashi Michio; born April 23, 1960) is a Japanese professional shogi player ranked 9-dan.…Michio Takahashi (高橋 道雄, Takahashi Michio; born April 23, 1960) is a Japanese professional shogi player ranked 9-dan. He is a former holder of the Tenth Dan, Ōi, and Kiō titles.
Kanako Fukaura (深浦 加奈子, Fukaura Kanako; 4 April 1960 – 25 August 2008) was a Japanese actress. Born in Tokyo, she…Kanako Fukaura (深浦 加奈子, Fukaura Kanako; 4 April 1960 – 25 August 2008) was a Japanese actress. Born in Tokyo, she developed fame largely through many performances as a supporting actress.
Kazuo Ozaki (尾崎 加寿夫, Ozaki Kazuo; born March 7, 1960) is a Japanese former professional footballer who played as a…Kazuo Ozaki (尾崎 加寿夫, Ozaki Kazuo; born March 7, 1960) is a Japanese former professional footballer who played as a forward. He made 17 appearances for the Japan national team scoring three goals.
Kazushi Ōno (大野 和士, Ōno Kazushi) (born 1960) is a Japanese conductor. He is currently music director of the Brussels…Kazushi Ōno (大野 和士, Ōno Kazushi) (born 1960) is a Japanese conductor. He is currently music director of the Brussels Philharmonic and of the Tokyo Metropolitan Symphony Orchestra, and artistic director of New National Theatre Tokyo.
Naruhito (born 23 February 1960) is Emperor of Japan. He acceded to the Chrysanthemum Throne on 1 May 2019 following…Naruhito (born 23 February 1960) is Emperor of Japan. He acceded to the Chrysanthemum Throne on 1 May 2019 following the abdication of his father, Akihito. He is the 126th monarch, according to the traditional order of succession. His reign is known as the Reiwa era. Naruhito is the elder son of Emperor Emeritus Akihito and Empress Emerita Michiko. He was born during the reign of his paternal grandfather, Hirohito. He became heir apparent following his father's accession in 1989, and was formally invested as Crown Prince in 1991. He attended Gakushūin schools in Tokyo and later studied history at Gakushuin University and English at Merton College, Oxford. He married the diplomat Masako Owada in 1993. They have one daughter: Aiko, Princess Toshi. Continuing his grandfather's and father's boycott over the enshrinement of convicted war criminals, he has never visited Yasukuni Shrine. He is an advocate in the fields of water policy and water conservation. He was an honorary president of the 2020 Summer Olympics and Paralympics and is a supporter of the World Organization of the Scout Movement.
Yuriko Yamamoto (山本 百合子, Yamamoto Yuriko; born February 13, 1960) is a Japanese actress, voice actress, singer and…Yuriko Yamamoto (山本 百合子, Yamamoto Yuriko; born February 13, 1960) is a Japanese actress, voice actress, singer and narrator from Hino, Tokyo, affiliated with Aoni Production. Her debut role was as the titular character in Hello! Sandybell in 1981. She has voiced many major roles in 1980s series such as Minerva in Transformers: Super-God Masterforce and 1990s anime such as Fight! Iczer One, Gall Force, Saint Seiya, Magical Taruruto-kun, and RG Veda.
Miki Narahashi (楢橋 美紀, Narahashi Miki; born January 25, 1960), professionally using the Hiragana ならはし みき, is a Japanese…Miki Narahashi (楢橋 美紀, Narahashi Miki; born January 25, 1960), professionally using the Hiragana ならはし みき, is a Japanese voice actress who works for Arts Vision. She was born in Tokyo.
Miharu Koshi (コシミハル, Koshi Miharu; born January 3, 1960) is a Japanese singer and musician. Her career started in the…Miharu Koshi (コシミハル, Koshi Miharu; born January 3, 1960) is a Japanese singer and musician. Her career started in the late 1970s performing Japanese new music. By the mid-1980s she was performing music with electronic instruments, with many albums produced by Haruomi Hosono. Her later work has led to European classical music, French chanson and early 20th-century European Jazz, which she sings in several languages (most often French).
Naoki Urasawa (Japanese: 浦沢 直樹, Hepburn: Urasawa Naoki; born January 2, 1960) is a Japanese manga artist and musician.…Naoki Urasawa (Japanese: 浦沢 直樹, Hepburn: Urasawa Naoki; born January 2, 1960) is a Japanese manga artist and musician. He has been drawing manga since he was four years old, and for most of his professional career has created two series simultaneously. The stories to many of these were co-written in collaboration with his former editor, Takashi Nagasaki. Urasawa has been called one of the artists that changed the history of manga and has won numerous awards, including the Shogakukan Manga Award three times, the Tezuka Osamu Cultural Prize twice, and the Kodansha Manga Award once. South Korean filmmaker Bong Joon-ho called him "the greatest storyteller of our time", while Dominican-American writer Junot Díaz proclaimed Urasawa to be a national treasure in Japan. By December 2021, his various works had over 140 million copies in circulation worldwide, making him one of the best-selling authors of all time. Urasawa's first major work was illustrating the action series Pineapple Army (1985–1988), which was written by Kazuya Kudo. The first serial that he wrote and illustrated himself, and his first major success, was the sports manga Yawara! (1986–1993). He then illustrated the adventure series Master Keaton (1988–1994), which was written by Hokusei Katsushika and Nagasaki, and created the sports manga Happy! (1993–1999). The thriller Monster (1994–2001) was his first to receive international acclaim and success, which continued with the science fiction mystery 20th Century Boys (1999–2006). Following the acclaimed Pluto (2003–2009), which is a re-imagining of Astro Boy by Osamu Tezuka, one of Urasawa's biggest influences, he and Nagasaki created the mystery series Billy Bat (2008–2016). After two short series, a sequel to Master Keaton with Nagasaki and Mujirushi: The Sign of Dreams, Urasawa began his currently ongoing Asadora! in 2018.
Yang Bang-ean (Korean: 양방언; Hanja: 梁邦彦; born January 1, 1960) is a Zainichi Korean composer, arranger, record producer…Yang Bang-ean (Korean: 양방언; Hanja: 梁邦彦; born January 1, 1960) is a Zainichi Korean composer, arranger, record producer, and pianist. His Japanese name is Kunihiko Ryo.
Shinya Tsukamoto (塚本 晋也, Tsukamoto Shin'ya; born January 1, 1960) is a Japanese filmmaker and actor. With a…Shinya Tsukamoto (塚本 晋也, Tsukamoto Shin'ya; born January 1, 1960) is a Japanese filmmaker and actor. With a considerable cult following both domestically and abroad, Tsukamoto is best known for his body horror/cyberpunk film Tetsuo: The Iron Man (1989), which is considered the defining film of the Japanese Cyberpunk movement, as well as for its companion pieces Tetsuo II: Body Hammer (1992) and Tetsuo: The Bullet Man (2009). His other films include Tokyo Fist (1995), Bullet Ballet (1998), A Snake of June (2002), Vital (2004), Kotoko (2011) and Killing (2018). In addition to starring in almost all his films, Tsukamoto has also appeared as an actor in films by other directors, including Martin Scorsese, Takashi Miike and Hideaki Anno. He has been cited as an influence on popular western filmmakers such as Quentin Tarantino, David Fincher, Darren Aronofsky and The Wachowskis.
Takako Ebata (江端 貴子, Ebata Takako) is a Japanese politician. She was a Member of the House of Representatives for…Takako Ebata (江端 貴子, Ebata Takako) is a Japanese politician. She was a Member of the House of Representatives for Tokyo's 10th district from 2009 to 2012.
Yōsuke Takagi (高木 陽介, Takagi Yōsuke; born 16 December 1959) is a Japanese politician who served in the House of…Yōsuke Takagi (高木 陽介, Takagi Yōsuke; born 16 December 1959) is a Japanese politician who served in the House of Representatives in the Diet as a member of the Komeito Party. A native of Ōta, Tokyo and graduate of Soka University he was elected for the first time in 1993 after working at the national newspaper Mainichi Shimbun for 7 years. He was one of the chief guests for the Andhra Pradesh state capital, Amaravati's official foundation ceremony.
Takeshi Mori (森 武史 or 森 たけし, Mori Takeshi; born 2 December 1959 in Shinagawa, Tokyo, Japan) is a Japanese television…Takeshi Mori (森 武史 or 森 たけし, Mori Takeshi; born 2 December 1959 in Shinagawa, Tokyo, Japan) is a Japanese television announcer and works for Yomiuri Telecasting Corporation. After leaving Yomiuri TV, he will run a personal company "Mori chan". He entered Yomiuri TV as a television announcer in 1983, and won the 1987 Silver Award from the Shingo-Ryūkōgo Taishō (lit. "Neologism-Buzzword Prize") with Jiro Shinbo for creating the buzzword neologism Nangiyanā (なんぎやなぁ) in response to the losing streak of the Hanshin Tigers during that time period.
Fujihiko Hosono (細野 不二彦, Hosono Fujihiko; born December 2, 1959) is a Japanese manga artist. Hosono was born in Ōta…Fujihiko Hosono (細野 不二彦, Hosono Fujihiko; born December 2, 1959) is a Japanese manga artist. Hosono was born in Ōta, Tokyo. In 1979, he made his debut with Crusher Joe while he was a student at Keio University. Around the same time, he joined the Studio Nue (スタジオぬえ) as an animator. He has had stories published in the manga anthology series Petit Apple Pie. Hosono is the author of Gallery Fake and Tarō as well, for which two he won Shogakukan Manga Award for general manga in 1996.
Satoshi Miyauchi (宮内 聡, Miyauchi Satoshi; born November 26, 1959) is a former Japanese football player and manager. He…Satoshi Miyauchi (宮内 聡, Miyauchi Satoshi; born November 26, 1959) is a former Japanese football player and manager. He played for Japan national team. He also managed Japan women's national team.
Toshihiko Sahashi (佐橋 俊彦, Sahashi Toshihiko; born November 12, 1959 in Tokyo, Japan) is a Japanese composer. He…Toshihiko Sahashi (佐橋 俊彦, Sahashi Toshihiko; born November 12, 1959 in Tokyo, Japan) is a Japanese composer. He graduated from Tokyo National University of Fine Arts and Music in 1986. Sahashi has composed music for various anime series (including OVAs, films, and drama CDs), video games, films, dramas, and musicals. His works include the original soundtracks for Zipang, Ghost Sweeper Mikami, Mobile Suit Gundam SEED, Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Destiny, Gunslinger Girl, Black Blood Brothers, Ultraman Gaia, Ultraman Mebius, Seijuu Sentai Gingaman, Kamen Rider Kuuga, Kamen Rider Agito, Kamen Rider Hibiki, Kamen Rider Den-O, Full Metal Panic!, Hunter × Hunter, Simoun, Reborn! and composed all three Saint Seiya anime series. Together with the London Symphony Orchestra, two symphonic albums have been released, each arranging his compositions from Gundam SEED and Gundam SEED Destiny. For the Mobile Suit Gundam franchise's 30th anniversary, he again collaborated with the London Symphony Orchestra for another symphonic music album. The style of his composition is richly symphonic and classical (occasionally jazz). The use of sophisticated compositional techniques, as well as complicated harmony writing such as fugue can often be heard in his work, demonstrating his solid training in the western classical music. He also uses keyboard instruments to deliver more sentimental soundtracks to good effect.
Chieko Matsumoto (Japanese: 松本ちえこ, 12 November 1959–17 November 2019) was a Japanese idol, tarento, singer and actress.…Chieko Matsumoto (Japanese: 松本ちえこ, 12 November 1959–17 November 2019) was a Japanese idol, tarento, singer and actress. She was famous for starring in television commercials for Shiseido's Basubon (Japanese: バスボン) (1976). Her song Koibito Shiken (Japanese: 恋人試験) (1976) reached number 5 on the Japanese singles chart. She was awarded the graph award (Japanese: グラフ賞) at the 14th Golden Arrow Awards in 1976.
Hideki Togi (東儀 秀樹, Tōgi Hideki; born 12 October 1959, in Tokyo) is a Japanese composer, gagaku musician, and actor.…Hideki Togi (東儀 秀樹, Tōgi Hideki; born 12 October 1959, in Tokyo) is a Japanese composer, gagaku musician, and actor. His current label is Universal Music (transferred from Toshiba-EMI in 2007). Tōgi joined the Imperial Music Division in 1986 but had to quit in 2000 because of the hostile reaction to his popular compositions from fellow gagaku musicians.
Yasuhiro Hanashi (葉梨 康弘, Hanashi Yasuhiro, born 1959) is a Japanese politician who served as the Minister of Justice…Yasuhiro Hanashi (葉梨 康弘, Hanashi Yasuhiro, born 1959) is a Japanese politician who served as the Minister of Justice from August to November 2022. He is a member of the Liberal Democratic Party and has served in the House of Representatives from 2003 to 2009 and again since 2012. A native of Ibaraki Prefecture and graduate of the University of Tokyo he joined the National Police Agency in 1982 becoming the director in the Juvenile Community Safety division. After leaving the agency in 1999, he was elected to public office for the first time in 2003 representing Ibaraki 3rd district, which includes the cities of Ryugasaki and Ushiku, among others. He also served as Vice Minister of Justice in 2017, and Vice Minister of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries in 2020. Hanashi resigned as Justice Minister on 11 November 2022 following comments he made to a political gathering earlier in the week suggesting that the Justice Minister was a “unspectacular position” that became "a top story in daytime news programs only when stamping a seal on documents of execution." and “Serving as justice minister won't help raise much money or secure many votes”. Opposition leaders like Akira Koike of the Japanese Communist Party said that Hanashi was disrespecting the post and its responsibilities, as well as making light of the death penalty. Hasashi’ comments follow a string of highly publicized LDP scandals like the Unification Church Scandal, that deeply harmed the party’s reputation, and led Prime Minister Kishida to take a firm stance against scandal in the Party. He dismissed 4 ministers in a cabinet reshuffle to solidify this stance.
Kimikazu Suzuki (鈴木貴美一, Suzuki Kimikazu) is a former Japanese basketball coach and player. He was most recently the…Kimikazu Suzuki (鈴木貴美一, Suzuki Kimikazu) is a former Japanese basketball coach and player. He was most recently the head coach of SeaHorses Mikawa. Suzuki served as head coach of the Japan national basketball team two times. His first term was from 2006 to 2007, while his second one was from May 2012 until 2014. After Mikawa finished fifth in their division with a 27–33 record, Suzuki announced in May 2023 that he would be stepping down as the team's head coach.
Hisashi Kaneko (金子 久, Kaneko Hisashi; born September 12, 1959) is a former Japanese football player. He played for…Hisashi Kaneko (金子 久, Kaneko Hisashi; born September 12, 1959) is a former Japanese football player. He played for Japan national team.
Haruhiko Mikimoto (美樹本 晴彦, Mikimoto Haruhiko; born Haruhiko Satō (佐藤晴彦, Satō Haruhiko), August 28, 1959, in Tokyo…Haruhiko Mikimoto (美樹本 晴彦, Mikimoto Haruhiko; born Haruhiko Satō (佐藤晴彦, Satō Haruhiko), August 28, 1959, in Tokyo, Japan) is a Japanese anime character designer, illustrator and manga artist. Mostly active during the 1980s, during that decade he rose to prominence and is considered one of the top character designers of his time. He graduated from Keio University, and attended the university in the same years as Macross creator Shōji Kawamori and screenwriter Hiroshi Ōnogi. He joined the animation studio Artland while attending school, and was character designer in several anime series, including The Super Dimension Fortress Macross, Macross 7, Gunbuster and Kabaneri of the Iron Fortress.
Ken Saitō (齋藤 健, Saitō Ken; born 14 June 1959) is a member of the Liberal Democratic Party who served as the Minister…Ken Saitō (齋藤 健, Saitō Ken; born 14 June 1959) is a member of the Liberal Democratic Party who served as the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry from December 2023 to October 2024. Also serving in the Japanese House of Representatives, Saito served as the Minister of Justice from November 2022 to September 2023 and was the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries from August 2017 to October 2018.
Takeshi Saito (斎藤毅, Saitō Takeshi; born May 29, 1959 in Tokyo), better known by his stage name Neko Saito (斎藤ネコ, Saitō…Takeshi Saito (斎藤毅, Saitō Takeshi; born May 29, 1959 in Tokyo), better known by his stage name Neko Saito (斎藤ネコ, Saitō Neko), is a Japanese violinist, conductor, composer and music arranger. Saito is the leader of the Saito Neko Quartet, and is known for his many collaborations with musician Ringo Sheena.
Yoshihiro Tamogami (田母神 慈宏, Tamogami Yoshihiro; born May 15, 1959 in Tokyo), better known by his pen name Hiroshi Aro…Yoshihiro Tamogami (田母神 慈宏, Tamogami Yoshihiro; born May 15, 1959 in Tokyo), better known by his pen name Hiroshi Aro (あろ ひろし, Aro Hiroshi), is a Japanese manga artist. He is mostly known for being the author of Futaba-Kun Change!, Morumo 1/10 and Yuu and Mii. Aro worked as an assistant to manga artist Osamu Akimoto. He admitted that Futaba-kun Change! was created to be his version of Ranma ½ by Rumiko Takahashi, just as Yuu & Mi was his version of Takahashi's Maison Ikkoku. Aro makes guest appearances in his own comics, drawing himself as an alligator wearing glasses.
Hitoshi Oshitani (押谷仁, Oshitani Hitoshi, born 29 April 1959) is a Japanese university professor, virologist, medical…Hitoshi Oshitani (押谷仁, Oshitani Hitoshi, born 29 April 1959) is a Japanese university professor, virologist, medical doctor, public health expert and scientist who currently serves as the professor of virology, Department of Microbiology at Tohoku University. He is acclaimed and accredited with the crafting of the successful pandemic strategy of Japan called the "Three C's": Avoiding closed spaces, crowds and contact situations. He has been dubbed as the global ambassador of the "Japanese Model". He is also an integral member of the expert panel advising the Government of Japan in handling the COVID-19 pandemic in Japan. Despite being regarded as a prominent figure in Japanese health sector during the COVID-19 pandemic, he maintains a low profile.
Takeaki Matsumoto (松本 剛明, Matsumoto Takeaki; 25 April 1959 – 27 July 2026) was a Japanese politician who served as…Takeaki Matsumoto (松本 剛明, Matsumoto Takeaki; 25 April 1959 – 27 July 2026) was a Japanese politician who served as Minister for Foreign Affairs in 2011. A native of Tokyo and graduate of the University of Tokyo, he was elected to the House of Representatives for the first time in 2000 after running unsuccessfully as an independent in 1996.
Ritsuko Nemoto (根本 りつ子, Nemoto Ritsuko; born April 19, 1959 in Tokyo) is a Japanese actress. From 1983 to 1996, she…Ritsuko Nemoto (根本 りつ子, Nemoto Ritsuko; born April 19, 1959 in Tokyo) is a Japanese actress. From 1983 to 1996, she portrayed the nurse Shiho in Series 7–14 of the long-running prime-time series Ōoka Echizen on the nationwide Tokyo Broadcasting System network. A frequent guest star in jidaigeki roles, she has seven appearances in Mito Kōmon to her credit. Contemporary roles include parts in a 2004 television series spinoff of Castle of Sand and the 1985 Star Tanjō. Ritsuko also acts in two-hour mystery dramas, with roles in the Monday, Wednesday and Saturday prime-time slots. Ritsuko has appeared in two films. She was in the 1994 Natsu no Niwa: The Friends, directed by Shinji Sōmai and in the 2005 Semi Shigure, directed by Mitsuo Kurotsuchi. Her product endorsements include advertisements for Calpis, House Foods, and Lake (Shinsei Financial Co., Ltd.).
Katsuhiko Murooka (室岡 克彦, Murooka Katsuhiko; born March 21, 1959) is a Japanese retired professional shogi player who…Katsuhiko Murooka (室岡 克彦, Murooka Katsuhiko; born March 21, 1959) is a Japanese retired professional shogi player who achieved the rank of 8-dan.
Akira Jimbo, also transliterated as Akira Jinbo (神保 彰, Jinbo Akira; born February 27, 1959), is a Japanese jazz fusion…Akira Jimbo, also transliterated as Akira Jinbo (神保 彰, Jinbo Akira; born February 27, 1959), is a Japanese jazz fusion drummer, best known as the drummer for the Japanese jazz fusion band Casiopea in 3 separate stints (1980-1989, 1997-2006 and 2012-2022). Aside from his work with Casiopea, Jimbo has also participated in side projects with Keiko Matsui, Shambara, and Brian Bromberg.
Hideyuki Okano (Japanese: 岡野栄之) (born 26 January 1959 in Tokyo, Japan) is a Japanese physiology professor and the…Hideyuki Okano (Japanese: 岡野栄之) (born 26 January 1959 in Tokyo, Japan) is a Japanese physiology professor and the current dean of Keio University School of Medicine. He is also the team leader of the Laboratory for Marmoset Neural Architecture, at RIKEN Brain Science Institute. His lab is the first in the world to produce transgenic marmosets (Callithrix jacchus) with germline transmission. He is a director of the International Society for Stem Cell Research.
Koji Nagai (Japanese: 永井 浩二, Hepburn: Nagai Kōji) is a Japanese business executive. He served as the Chief Executive…Koji Nagai (Japanese: 永井 浩二, Hepburn: Nagai Kōji) is a Japanese business executive. He served as the Chief Executive Officer of Nomura Holdings (NYSE: NMR).
Kōtarō Yoshida (吉田 鋼太郎, Yoshida Kōtarō; born January 14, 1959, in Tokyo) is a Japanese actor and theatre director. He…Kōtarō Yoshida (吉田 鋼太郎, Yoshida Kōtarō; born January 14, 1959, in Tokyo) is a Japanese actor and theatre director. He established himself on the stage in classical theatre, becoming a regular in Yukio Ninagawa's Shakespeare productions and co-founding the theatre company Performance Unit AUN in 1997. Television roles in Hanzawa Naoki (2013) and Hanako to Anne (2014) brought him wider recognition and led to frequent film and television work. In 2016 he succeeded Ninagawa as the second artistic director of the Sai no Kuni Shakespeare Series. He is affiliated with Horipro.
Yoshimi Ashikawa (芦川 よしみ, Ashikawa Yoshimi; born 13 December 1958, in Tokyo) is a Japanese actress and singer. She…Yoshimi Ashikawa (芦川 よしみ, Ashikawa Yoshimi; born 13 December 1958, in Tokyo) is a Japanese actress and singer. She graduated from Ono Gakuen Girls High School. Her real name is Yoshimi Kono (河野 芳美, Kōno Yoshimi). She is currently married (her husband is a doctor). She is represented with Office Mitsui.
Tetsuya Komuro (小室 哲哉, Komuro Tetsuya; born November 27, 1958) is a Japanese musician, songwriter and record producer.…Tetsuya Komuro (小室 哲哉, Komuro Tetsuya; born November 27, 1958) is a Japanese musician, songwriter and record producer. He is recognized as the most successful producer in Japanese music history and has introduced contemporary electronic dance music to the Japanese mainstream. He was also a former owner of the disco Velfarre located in Roppongi, Tokyo. In the Oricon singles chart of April 1996, he monopolized all the top 5 positions as the songwriter and producer, a world record. In 1995, he monopolized all top 3 positions of the copyright distribution rankings for the JASRAC Award, a record in Japan's music history. At his peak as a record producer the artists he predominantly produced for came to be known as TK Family and at one time included Namie Amuro, hitomi, TRF, Tomomi Kahara and Ami Suzuki amongst others. As of 2008, records produced by him had sold more than 170 million copies, primarily in Japan. Total sales of the singles he has written exceed 42 million copies, making him the fourth best-selling lyricist in Japan.
Hiromi Iwasaki (岩崎 宏美, Iwasaki Hiromi; born November 12, 1958) is a Japanese female singer who debuted in 1975. Her…Hiromi Iwasaki (岩崎 宏美, Iwasaki Hiromi; born November 12, 1958) is a Japanese female singer who debuted in 1975. Her younger sister Yoshimi Iwasaki is also a singer. In 1981 she was awarded the Silver Prize at the Tokyo Music Festival for her song "Koimachigusa". Her representative songs are "ロマンス" — "Romance" (1975), "思秋期" — "Shishūki" (1977) and "聖母たちのララバイ" — "Madonna Tachi No Lullaby" (1982). However, her most immediately recognizable hit song, "シンデレラ・ハネムーン" — "Cinderella Honeymoon" (1978) has been such a consistent feature of monomane talent Korokke's routines, Hiromi Iwasaki has commented that when the intro played in concerts, fans would laugh, so she has ceremonially "gifted" that song to Korokke, whose performance has elongated both their careers.