Chiemi Eri (江利 チエミ, Eri Chiemi; January 11, 1937 – February 13, 1982) was a Japanese singer and actress. Eri was born…
Chiemi Eri (江利 チエミ, Eri Chiemi; January 11, 1937 – February 13, 1982) was a Japanese singer and actress. Eri was born as Chiemi Kubo (久保 智恵美, Kubo Chiemi) on January 11, 1937 in Tokyo, Japan. She was born to a musician father and a mother who was a singer, thus encouraging her musical career. She started her singing career at the age of 14 with her version of "Tennessee Waltz." She regularly sang on American military bases as a teenager. Her repertoire consisted largely of traditional Japanese songs as well as a few American songs such as "Jambalaya" and "Come on-a My House". Eri started her career as an actress similar to Hibari Misora. Eri, Misora and Izumi Yukimura formed a trio. In her concerts, she was supported by Nobuo Hara's jazz band. The actress was one of Japan's best-known singers in the mid-20th century and also appeared in numerous television shows from the early 1950s until just before her death. However, she is fairly unknown in many other parts of the world since her albums were rarely distributed in other markets, in which her music can almost only be accessed via the internet. Eri married Ken Takakura in 1959 and they divorced in 1971. She released the single "Sakaba Nite" (酒場にて, lit. "At the Bar") in 1974. The song was later included in the omnibus album "Enka no Kokoro".
Famous People from Tokyo
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Hiroshi Kawaguchi (Japanese: 川口 浩, romanized: Kawaguchi Hiroshi, 22 August 1936 – 17 November 1987) was a Japanese film…
Hiroshi Kawaguchi (Japanese: 川口 浩, romanized: Kawaguchi Hiroshi, 22 August 1936 – 17 November 1987) was a Japanese film actor. He appeared in more than 50 films between 1956 and 1986. He was born in Tokyo, Japan. Kawaguchi's father, writer Matsutarō Kawaguchi, was an executive at Daiei Film, where Kawaguchi acted. In 1960 he married Daiei actress Hitomi Nozoe.
Kiyoshi Kodama (児玉 清, Kodama Kiyoshi; real name: Kiyoshi Kitagawa (北川 清), born as Kiyoshi Kodama (小玉 清), 1 January 1934…
Kiyoshi Kodama (児玉 清, Kodama Kiyoshi; real name: Kiyoshi Kitagawa (北川 清), born as Kiyoshi Kodama (小玉 清), 1 January 1934 – 16 May 2011) was a Japanese TV personality and actor. He hosted the Asahi Broadcasting Corporation quiz show Panel Quiz Attack 25 continuously for thirty-six years from its start in April 1975 until he was forced to step down due to poor health at the end of March 2011. His signature catchphrase on the show is "Attack Chance!" An avid reader, Kodama hosted a TV book review show. He also published his own books. He was a voice actor for the voice of Robert Stephenson in the Japanese version of the 2004 animated movie Steamboy. Kodama died of stomach cancer at a hospital in Chuo, Tokyo on 16 May 2011.
Asei Kobayashi (小林 亜星, Kobayashi Asei; 11 August 1932 – 30 May 2021) was a Japanese composer. He was also a lyricist…
Asei Kobayashi (小林 亜星, Kobayashi Asei; 11 August 1932 – 30 May 2021) was a Japanese composer. He was also a lyricist, actor, and multi-tarento. He could also sing songs and advertisement songs. Kobayashi was represented by Astro Music. He was the director of the Japan Songwriters Association (J-scat). Kobayashi served as the first president of the Dai Nihon Piman-sha Renmei (Dai Pi Ren). His songs are used in advertisements and television themes. Asei also composed the music for the 1991 Famicom video game Niji no Silkroad. A soundtrack CD was later released titled Rainbow Silkroad Image Album WINDY ROAD. He also composed The TV Asahi song in 1977 when the television station changed its name to its current name.
Yukio Aoshima (青島 幸男, Aoshima Yukio; 17 July 1932 – 20 December 2006) was a Japanese politician who served as Governor…
Yukio Aoshima (青島 幸男, Aoshima Yukio; 17 July 1932 – 20 December 2006) was a Japanese politician who served as Governor of Tokyo from 1995 to 1999. He is also well known as a TV actor, novelist, film director, screenwriter and songwriter.
Gabdulla Safa, also known as a Roy James (Tatar: Габделхәннан Сафа, March 9, 1929, Tokyo – December 29, 1982), was a…
Gabdulla Safa, also known as a Roy James (Tatar: Габделхәннан Сафа, March 9, 1929, Tokyo – December 29, 1982), was a Japanese actor of Tatar descent.
Nobuo Kaneko (金子信雄, Kaneko Nobuo; 27 March 1923 – 20 January 1995) was a Japanese actor. His wife was actress Yatsuko…
Nobuo Kaneko (金子信雄, Kaneko Nobuo; 27 March 1923 – 20 January 1995) was a Japanese actor. His wife was actress Yatsuko Tanami. He appeared in more than 200 films between 1946 and 1993.
Demon Kakka (Japanese: デーモン閣下, Hepburn: Dēmon Kakka; "His Excellency Demon"), previously known as Demon Kogure (デーモン小暮…
Demon Kakka (Japanese: デーモン閣下, Hepburn: Dēmon Kakka; "His Excellency Demon"), previously known as Demon Kogure (デーモン小暮, Dēmon Kogure), is a Japanese musician, songwriter, entertainer, journalist, sumo commentator, actor and voice actor. He first gained fame in the 1980s as vocalist of the heavy metal band Seikima-II, before starting a solo career in 1990 and branching out into other forms of entertainment. His real name is not publicly known and he is noted for always working entirely in character, which includes wearing face paint. In 2018, readers and professional musicians voted Demon the third best vocalist in the history of hard rock and heavy metal in We Rock magazine's "Metal General Election".
Yūka Kageyama (Japanese: 影山 優佳, Hepburn: Kageyama Yūka; born May 8, 2001) is a Japanese actress and television…
Yūka Kageyama (Japanese: 影山 優佳, Hepburn: Kageyama Yūka; born May 8, 2001) is a Japanese actress and television personality. She gained national recognition for her football expertise and commentary, particularly during the 2022 FIFA World Cup, and has continued her football-related media work alongside her entertainment career, including coverage of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Kageyama began her career as a member of the girl group Hinatazaka46 (formerly Hiragana Keyakizaka46) from 2016 to 2023. She made her acting debut in the group's television drama Re:Mind (2017) and film debut in Kaguya-sama Final: Love Is War (2021). She took an extended hiatus from 2018 to 2020 for academic reasons, during which she won a bronze medal in the 2018 Japan Philosophy and Ethics Grand Prix. After resuming her entertainment activities in 2020, she began to establish herself in football media by writing a blog series covering all the teams competing in the J.League and appearing on multiple football talk shows, including a self-titled miniseries, as well as becoming a brand ambassador for the long-running FIFA football video game series. Her game analyses and multiple accurate predictions as a recurring commentator during the 2022 FIFA World Cup brought her national recognition. Aside from football, she also frequently appeared on quiz shows and became the youngest contestant to win the Q-sama!! quiz show in May 2023. She left Hinatazaka46 in 2023 due to a persistent hearing disorder, before which she released her first photobook, titled Shiranai Koto Darake. After departing from Hinatazaka46, Kageyama joined the Production Ogi agency and has since expanded her career as an actress and television personality, appearing in television dramas, films, stage productions, variety programs, and commercials. Her notable works include Hakobiya (2024), the first stage adaptation of Future Boy Conan (2024), Mr. Mikami's Classroom, Synanthrope, and Salary Man Kintaro (all 2025). She also released a best-selling essay collection in 2026, titled Kage Made Aishite.
Asumi Nakada (中田あすみ, Nakada Asumi; born April 5, 1988), formerly known under the stage name Asumi Nakata, is a Japanese…
Asumi Nakada (中田あすみ, Nakada Asumi; born April 5, 1988), formerly known under the stage name Asumi Nakata, is a Japanese television personality, model, and voice actress associated with Oscar Promotion. She debuted in 1991 at the age of 3 as a child model, appearing in many commercials. From 1998 to 2002, she was a regular on the first two series of the children's variety show Tensai TV-kun. She rejoined the series in 2007 in its third series, Tensai TV-kun Max and has become a prominent cast member in the segment Bitworld until the series' end in 2026. As a voice actress, Nakada has provided the voice to Lucia Nanami in Mermaid Melody: Pichi Pichi Pitch (2003–2004), Yusura in Himawari! (2006–2007), and Cissnei in the Compilation of Final Fantasy VII.
Takeshi Kitano (北野 武, Kitano Takeshi; born 18 January 1947), also known as Beat Takeshi (ビートたけし, Bīto Takeshi) in…
Takeshi Kitano (北野 武, Kitano Takeshi; born 18 January 1947), also known as Beat Takeshi (ビートたけし, Bīto Takeshi) in Japan, is a Japanese comedian, actor, and filmmaker. While he is known primarily as a comedian and TV host in his native Japan, he is better known abroad for his work as a filmmaker and actor as well as TV host. During his time as a student at Meiji University, he became a comedian at the strip theater France-za in Asakusa, Tokyo. In 1973, he formed a comedy duo called Two Beat with Kiyoshi Kaneko, who later became Beat Kiyoshi. Kitano adopted the stage name Beat Takeshi. Riding the wave of the comedy boom, he gained popularity with satirical and sharp-tongued black humor. In the 1980s, he appeared in TV shows such as Oretachi Hyōkin-zoku which recorded the highest viewership rating of 29.1%, and Takeshi's Castle which recorded 24.7%, becoming explosively popular on television. He gained recognition as an actor in director Nagisa Ōshima's film Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence (1983). In 1989, he made his directorial debut with the film Violent Cop after Kinji Fukasaku stepped down. He won the Golden Lion at the Venice Film Festival for his film Hana-bi (1997), becoming the third Japanese director to receive this honor after Akira Kurosawa and Hiroshi Inagaki. In October 2017, Kitano completed his Outrage crime trilogy with the release of Outrage Coda. He is also known internationally for hosting the game show Takeshi's Castle (1986–1990) and starring in the film Battle Royale (2000). He has received critical acclaim for his idiosyncratic cinematic work, winning numerous awards with Japanese film critic Nagaharu Yodogawa having once dubbed him "the true successor" to influential filmmaker Akira Kurosawa. Many of Kitano's films are dramas about yakuza gangsters or the police. Described by critics as using an acting style that is highly deadpan or a camera style that approaches near-stasis, Kitano often uses long takes during which little appears to be happening, or editing that cuts immediately to the aftermath of an event. Many of his films express a bleak worldview, but are also filled with humor and affection for their characters.
Kazunari Ninomiya (二宮 和也, Ninomiya Kazunari; born June 17, 1983), often called Nino (ニノ), is a Japanese singer…
Kazunari Ninomiya (二宮 和也, Ninomiya Kazunari; born June 17, 1983), often called Nino (ニノ), is a Japanese singer, songwriter, actor, voice actor, presenter and radio host. He is a former member of the Japanese idol group Arashi (started under Johnny & Associates, later under agent contract with Starto Entertainment), and with which he remained until the group's end of activities. He became independent from the agency in 2023 for individual activities.
Mikiyo Ōno (大野 幹代, Ōno Mikiyo; born 17 June 1974) is a Japanese model, actress and J-pop singer. She was the youngest…
Mikiyo Ōno (大野 幹代, Ōno Mikiyo; born 17 June 1974) is a Japanese model, actress and J-pop singer. She was the youngest member of the group CoCo.
Asuka Saitō (齋藤 飛鳥（さいとう あすか）, Saitō Asuka; born August 10, 1998) is a Japanese actress, model, and television…
Asuka Saitō (齋藤 飛鳥（さいとう あすか）, Saitō Asuka; born August 10, 1998) is a Japanese actress, model, and television presenter. She is a former first generation member of the idol girl group Nogizaka46 and a regular model for the fashion magazine sweet. As an actress, her lead roles have included Mana Hayase in the Japanese remake of the Taiwanese film You Are the Apple of My Eye and Midori Asakusa in both the film and television adaptations of the manga Keep Your Hands Off Eizouken!.
Haruka Fuwa (不破 遥香, Fuwa Haruka; born November 26, 1993), better known as Fuwa-chan (フワちゃん, Fuwa-chan), is a Japanese…
Haruka Fuwa (不破 遥香, Fuwa Haruka; born November 26, 1993), better known as Fuwa-chan (フワちゃん, Fuwa-chan), is a Japanese comedian, YouTuber, and professional wrestler. She is known for her blunt way of speaking and signature "devil horns" hairstyle. She is currently signed to World Wonder Ring Stardom.
Cent Chihiro Chittiii (Japanese: セントチヒロ・チッチ, Hepburn: Sento Chihiro Chitchi), also known as Cent (stylized in all caps)…
Cent Chihiro Chittiii (Japanese: セントチヒロ・チッチ, Hepburn: Sento Chihiro Chitchi), also known as Cent (stylized in all caps) and Chihiro Katō (加藤千尋), is a Japanese singer, idol and actor. She is a former member of the idol group Bish. She released her debut solo album, Per→cent→age, in August 2023.
Kazushige Nagashima (長嶋 一茂, Nagashima Kazushige; born January 26, 1966) is a Japanese tarento, sports commentator and…
Kazushige Nagashima (長嶋 一茂, Nagashima Kazushige; born January 26, 1966) is a Japanese tarento, sports commentator and former professional baseball player. His father is Japanese baseball legend Shigeo Nagashima.
Rei Yoshii (吉井 怜, Yoshii Rei; born March 18, 1982) is a Japanese actress and gravure idol. She married actor Shigenori…
Rei Yoshii (吉井 怜, Yoshii Rei; born March 18, 1982) is a Japanese actress and gravure idol. She married actor Shigenori Yamazaki on November 11, 2016.
Megumi Yasu (安 めぐみ, Yasu Megumi; born December 22, 1981, in Fuchū, Tokyo, Japan) is a Japanese entertainer and actress…
Megumi Yasu (安 めぐみ, Yasu Megumi; born December 22, 1981, in Fuchū, Tokyo, Japan) is a Japanese entertainer and actress who is represented by Harmony Promotion.
Kanichi Kurita (栗田 貫一, Kurita Kan'ichi; born March 3, 1958 as Yoshiyuki Kurihara (栗原 良之, Kurihara Yoshiyuki)) is a…
Kanichi Kurita (栗田 貫一, Kurita Kan'ichi; born March 3, 1958 as Yoshiyuki Kurihara (栗原 良之, Kurihara Yoshiyuki)) is a Japanese impressionist, comedian and voice actor. A veteran impressionist, he is known in Japan as "one of the Four Heavenly Kings of impressionists". His most famous role as a voice actor is the titular character of the Lupin the Third anime franchise.
Moe Yamaguchi (山口 もえ, Yamaguchi Moe; born 11 June 1977, in Taitō, Tokyo) is a Japanese tarento. She is affiliated with…
Moe Yamaguchi (山口 もえ, Yamaguchi Moe; born 11 June 1977, in Taitō, Tokyo) is a Japanese tarento. She is affiliated with the Stardust Promotion talent agency.
Miho Shinoda (信田 美帆, Shinoda Miho; born 18 May 1972), is a former Japanese gymnast and singer. She was a member of the…
Miho Shinoda (信田 美帆, Shinoda Miho; born 18 May 1972), is a former Japanese gymnast and singer. She was a member of the Japan women's national artistic gymnastics team, won a bronze medal at the 1993 Summer Universiade, and appeared at the 1988 Summer Olympics. From 1999 to 2000, she was the leader of the girl group Taiyo to Ciscomoon and associated with Hello! Project.
Hiroko Okabe (岡部 広子, Okabe Hiroko; born 27 June 1980), known professionally as Yūka (優香, Yūka), is a Japanese actress…
Hiroko Okabe (岡部 広子, Okabe Hiroko; born 27 June 1980), known professionally as Yūka (優香, Yūka), is a Japanese actress, presenter, and former gravure idol. She is known for playing the lead role in NHK's drama Honjitsu wa Taian Nari and presenting the TBS variety show Ōsama no Brunch. From 1999 to 2001, she received the Golden Arrow Award every year. In 2003, she was given both a Golden Graph Award and the Japan Academy Prize for Best Newcomer.
Shuzo Matsuoka (松岡 修造, Matsuoka Shūzō; born 6 November 1967) is a retired Japanese professional tennis player, sports…
Shuzo Matsuoka (松岡 修造, Matsuoka Shūzō; born 6 November 1967) is a retired Japanese professional tennis player, sports commentator, entertainer, and motivational speaker. A former Wimbledon quarter-finalist, Matsuoka won one singles title during his career, in Seoul in 1992. In the same year, he reached a career-high ranking of world No. 46. After his tennis career, he became known online for a series of short motivational videos, some edited by fans.