Shintaro Katsu (Japanese: 勝 新太郎, Hepburn: Katsu Shintarō; 29 November 1931 – 21 June 1997) was a Japanese actor…Shintaro Katsu (Japanese: 勝 新太郎, Hepburn: Katsu Shintarō; 29 November 1931 – 21 June 1997) was a Japanese actor, singer, and filmmaker. He is known for starring in the Akumyo series, the Hoodlum Soldier series, the Hanzo the Razor series, and the Zatoichi series.
Ken Utsui (宇津井健, Utsui Ken) (24 October 1931 – 14 March 2014) was a Japanese actor who worked on stage, film, and…Ken Utsui (宇津井健, Utsui Ken) (24 October 1931 – 14 March 2014) was a Japanese actor who worked on stage, film, and television from the 1950s to the 2010s.
Hiroto Muraoka (村岡 博人, Muraoka Hiroto; September 19, 1931 – March 13, 2017) was a Japanese footballer. He played for…Hiroto Muraoka (村岡 博人, Muraoka Hiroto; September 19, 1931 – March 13, 2017) was a Japanese footballer. He played for the Japan national team.
Ayako Sono (曽野 綾子, Sono Ayako; September 17, 1931 – February 28, 2025) was a Japanese writer. She published numerous…Ayako Sono (曽野 綾子, Sono Ayako; September 17, 1931 – February 28, 2025) was a Japanese writer. She published numerous novels, essays and articles between the 1950s and the early 2020s. Sono was also considered to be nationalist and conservative. She provoked controversy for advocating a system similar to South Africa's apartheid for Japan's immigrants. She also advocated for women to quit their jobs after becoming pregnant.
Shunichiro Okano (岡野 俊一郎, Okano Shunichiro; 28 August 1931 – 2 February 2017) was a Japanese football player and…Shunichiro Okano (岡野 俊一郎, Okano Shunichiro; 28 August 1931 – 2 February 2017) was a Japanese football player and manager. He played for Japan national team as a forward. He also managed Japan's national team.
Kakuichi Mimura (三村 恪一, Mimura Kakuichi; 16 August 1931 – 19 February 2022) was a Japanese football player and manager.…Kakuichi Mimura (三村 恪一, Mimura Kakuichi; 16 August 1931 – 19 February 2022) was a Japanese football player and manager. He played for the Japan national team.
Ryōko Kinomiya (来宮 良子, Kinomiya Ryōko; 10 July 1931 – 25 November 2013) was a Japanese actress and voice actress. She…Ryōko Kinomiya (来宮 良子, Kinomiya Ryōko; 10 July 1931 – 25 November 2013) was a Japanese actress and voice actress. She was born Ryōko Sakurai in Kyoto, Japan. She was known for her low voice. Kinomiya was the Japanese dub voice of Faye Dunaway. In 2008 she won a Merit Award at the 2nd Seiyu Awards. Kinomiya died of multiple organ failure on 25 November 2013 at the age of 82.
Mansaku Nomura II (二世 野村 万作, Nisei Nomura Mansaku; born Jirou Nomura (野村 二朗); June 22, 1931) is a kyōgen performer and…Mansaku Nomura II (二世 野村 万作, Nisei Nomura Mansaku; born Jirou Nomura (野村 二朗); June 22, 1931) is a kyōgen performer and Living National Treasure. He is the founder and current head of the Mansaku no Kai theatre troupe. He has been recognized as a Person of Cultural Merit, and an Intangible Cultural Property of Japan. He is also a member of the Japan Art Academy and an honorary citizen of Nerima. In 2025, a documentary 6 Faces (六つの顔) about his life was released in theatres. He married Wakabako Sakamoto, the oldest daughter of poet Etsurou Sakamoto, and has 4 children including Mansai Nomura. Mansai and his oldest son, Yuuki, are also kyogen performers who perform with Mansaku. His older brother is Manzou Nomura VII, and his younger brothers were Shirou and Mannosuke Nomura, all of whom are also kyogen perfomers.
Hiroshi Shiono (Japanese: 鹽野 宏, 13 June 1931 – 15 April 2026) was a Japanese legal scholar who specialised in…Hiroshi Shiono (Japanese: 鹽野 宏, 13 June 1931 – 15 April 2026) was a Japanese legal scholar who specialised in administrative law. He held the title of Order of Culture and was an honorary professor at the University of Tokyo, a member of the Japan Academy and its president from 2016, as well as a recipient of the Person of Cultural Merit. Due to the old character form of his surname, "鹽" is also spelled as "塩野 宏" (Shiono Hiroshi) using the new character form. Shiono held various positions throughout his career, including professor at the Faculty of Law of the University of Tokyo, professor at the Faculty of Law of Seikei University, professor at the graduate school of University of East Asia (東亜大学, Tōa daigaku), and director of the Japan Broadcasting Culture Foundation, a public interest foundation. He was president of the Japan Academy from 2016.
Koichi Sugiyama (すぎやま こういち, Sugiyama Kōichi; April 11, 1931 – September 30, 2021) was a Japanese composer, conductor…Koichi Sugiyama (すぎやま こういち, Sugiyama Kōichi; April 11, 1931 – September 30, 2021) was a Japanese composer, conductor, and orchestrator. He was best known for composing for the Dragon Quest franchise, along with several other video games, anime, film, television shows, and pop songs. Classically trained, Sugiyama was considered a major inspiration for other Japanese game music composers and was active from the 1960s until his death in 2021. Sugiyama was also a council member of the Japanese Society for Rights of Authors, Composers, and Publishers (JASRAC), board member of the Japan Institute for National Fundamentals, and honorary chairman of the Japanese Backgammon Society. Prior to his death, the Japanese government honored him with Order of the Rising Sun and named him a Person of Cultural Merit. Sugiyama was also active in politics and activism, promoting ideas such as Japanese nationalism while denying Japanese war crimes.
Masako Togawa (戸川昌子, Togawa Masako) (23 March 1931 – 26 April 2016) was a Japanese Chanson singer/songwriter, actress…Masako Togawa (戸川昌子, Togawa Masako) (23 March 1931 – 26 April 2016) was a Japanese Chanson singer/songwriter, actress, feminist, novelist, lesbian icon, former night club owner, metropolitan city planning panelist, and music educator.
Mamoru Watanabe (渡辺 護, Watanabe Mamoru; March 19, 1931 – December 24, 2013) was a Japanese film director, screenwriter…Mamoru Watanabe (渡辺 護, Watanabe Mamoru; March 19, 1931 – December 24, 2013) was a Japanese film director, screenwriter and actor, known for his work in the pink film genre. Along with directors Genji Nakamura and Banmei Takahashi, Watanabe was known as one of the "Three Pillars of Pink".
Asao Koike (小池朝雄, Koike Asao; 18 March 1931 – 23 March 1985) was a Japanese actor. He is most famous for playing yakuza…Asao Koike (小池朝雄, Koike Asao; 18 March 1931 – 23 March 1985) was a Japanese actor. He is most famous for playing yakuza roles. He is also known as voice actor. In 1950, he joined the Bungakuza Theatre Company. In 1963, he left the Bungakuza Theatre Company and established the Kumo Theatre Company. He appeared in more than 120 films.
Atsuko Ikeda (池田 厚子, Ikeda Atsuko; born 7 March 1931), formerly Atsuko, Princess Yori (順宮厚子内親王, Yori-no-miya Atsuko…Atsuko Ikeda (池田 厚子, Ikeda Atsuko; born 7 March 1931), formerly Atsuko, Princess Yori (順宮厚子内親王, Yori-no-miya Atsuko Naishinnō), is the fourth daughter of Emperor Shōwa and Empress Kōjun. As such, she is the older sister of Emperor Emeritus Akihito and paternal aunt of Emperor Naruhito. She married Takamasa Ikeda, a man from outside the imperial dynasty, on 10 October 1952; as a result, she gave up her imperial title and left the Japanese imperial family, as required by law. Later, she served as the supreme priestess (saishu) of the Ise Grand Shrine between 1988 and 2017.
Yū Fujiki (藤木 悠, Fujiki Yū; 2 March 1931 – 19 December 2005), born Yūzō Suzuki (鈴木 悠蔵, Suzuki Yūzō), was a Japanese…Yū Fujiki (藤木 悠, Fujiki Yū; 2 March 1931 – 19 December 2005), born Yūzō Suzuki (鈴木 悠蔵, Suzuki Yūzō), was a Japanese film and television actor. He appeared in more than 100 films from 1954 to 2005.
Yukiko Shimazaki (島崎 雪子, Shimazaki Yukiko; February 25, 1931 – 2014) was a Japanese actress and singer. She appeared in…Yukiko Shimazaki (島崎 雪子, Shimazaki Yukiko; February 25, 1931 – 2014) was a Japanese actress and singer. She appeared in more than twenty films from 1950 to 1964. She was married to film director Tatsumi Kumashiro from 1955 to 1967. She died in 2014.
Takeshi Kusaka (日下 武史, Kusaka Takeshi; February 24, 1931 – May 15, 2017) was a Japanese actor and voice actor from…Takeshi Kusaka (日下 武史, Kusaka Takeshi; February 24, 1931 – May 15, 2017) was a Japanese actor and voice actor from Toshima, Tokyo. He was the founder of the Shiki Theatre Company. He remarried with actress Fujiko Kimura in 2010.
Eiichi Goto (後藤 英一, Gotō Eiichi; January 26, 1931 – June 12, 2005) was a Japanese computer scientist, the builder of…Eiichi Goto (後藤 英一, Gotō Eiichi; January 26, 1931 – June 12, 2005) was a Japanese computer scientist, the builder of one of the first general-purpose computers in Japan.
Hidé Ishiguro (Japanese: 石黒ひで, Ishiguro Hidé; 4 August 1931 – 18 February 2026) was a Japanese analytic philosopher and…Hidé Ishiguro (Japanese: 石黒ひで, Ishiguro Hidé; 4 August 1931 – 18 February 2026) was a Japanese analytic philosopher and emeritus professor at Keio University, Tokyo. She is considered an expert on the philosopher Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz on whom she published many papers. She was also a Wittgenstein scholar.
Akira Takeda (竹田 晃, November 26, 1930 – August 6, 2021) was a Japanese scholar of Chinese literature. He served as a…Akira Takeda (竹田 晃, November 26, 1930 – August 6, 2021) was a Japanese scholar of Chinese literature. He served as a professor at the College of Arts and Sciences at the University of Tokyo and later held the titles of professor emeritus at both the University of Tokyo and Meikai University. His specialties were zhiguai tales from the Six Dynasties period and chuanqi tales from the Tang Dynasty. He also served as the manager of the University of Tokyo Baseball Club.
Minako Ōba (大庭 みな子, Ōba Minako; born November 11, 1930, death May 24, 2007) was a Japanese author and social critic.…Minako Ōba (大庭 みな子, Ōba Minako; born November 11, 1930, death May 24, 2007) was a Japanese author and social critic. She was awarded the 1968 Akutagawa Prize for Sanbiki no kani (Three Crabs), and the 1982 Tanizaki Prize for Katachi mo naku (寂兮寥兮). Ōba suffered a stroke in 1996 and died on May 24, 2007.
Tōru Takemitsu (武満 徹; pronounced [takeꜜmitsɯ̥ toːɾɯ]; 8 October 1930 – 20 February 1996) was a Japanese composer of…Tōru Takemitsu (武満 徹; pronounced [takeꜜmitsɯ̥ toːɾɯ]; 8 October 1930 – 20 February 1996) was a Japanese composer of contemporary classical music and writer on music. Largely self-taught, Takemitsu was admired for his subtle manipulation of instrumental and orchestral timbre. In his early years, Takemitsu was also a founding member of the Jikken Kōbō (実験工房, experimental workshop) in Japan, a group of avant-garde artists who distanced themselves from academia and whose collaborative work is often regarded among the most influential of the 20th century. His 1957 Requiem for string orchestra attracted international attention, led to several commissions from across the world and established his reputation as the leading 20th-century Japanese composer. He was the recipient of numerous awards and honours and founded the Toru Takemitsu Composition Award.
Kyotaro Nishimura (西村 京太郎, Nishimura Kyōtarō; 6 September 1930 – 3 March 2022) was a Japanese novelist in the police…Kyotaro Nishimura (西村 京太郎, Nishimura Kyōtarō; 6 September 1930 – 3 March 2022) was a Japanese novelist in the police procedural genre.
Hisae Sawachi (Japanese: 澤地久枝, Japanese: さわち ひさえ born 3 September 1930) is a Japanese writer, magazine editor and…Hisae Sawachi (Japanese: 澤地久枝, Japanese: さわち ひさえ born 3 September 1930) is a Japanese writer, magazine editor and anti-nuclear activist. She is known for her non-fiction writing on Japan's Shōwa era and wartime experiences as well as for her autobiographical work. She is a recipient of the Asahi Prize, the Kikuchi Kan Prize and the Japan Women Broadcasters Association Award.
Jun Ashida (芦田 淳) (21 August 1930 – 20 October 2018) was a Japanese fashion designer. Born in Jeonju, Jeollabuk-do…Jun Ashida (芦田 淳) (21 August 1930 – 20 October 2018) was a Japanese fashion designer. Born in Jeonju, Jeollabuk-do, Chosen, he began studying under illustrator Jun'ichi Nakahara. After gaining experience as a consulting designer, Ashida created his first fashion label in 1963, which would later be named after him. From 1966 to 1976, he served as the personal designer for Empress Michiko. Throughout his career, Ashida designed for royalty, sports teams, and companies. His daughter, Tae Ashida, also became a fashion designer. For his contributions to fashion, Ashida received Japan's Purple Ribbon Medal in 1991. He died from pneumonia on 20 October 2018.
Shuntarō Itō (伊東 俊太郎, Itō Shuntarō; April 25, 1930 – September 20, 2023) was a Japanese scholar of the history of…Shuntarō Itō (伊東 俊太郎, Itō Shuntarō; April 25, 1930 – September 20, 2023) was a Japanese scholar of the history of science and the study of comparative civilization. Itō was an honorary professor of University of Tokyo and International Research Center for Japanese Studies, and a professor of Reitaku University, and the Chairman of Japan Seaology Promotion Organization. He was also a president of the International Society for the Comparative Study of Civilizations. Itō was born in Tokyo, and obtained his bachelor's degree in literature from Tokyo University in 1953, his master's in 1955, and Ph.D. from University of Wisconsin–Madison in 1964. Itō taught at the University of Tokyo, as Professor, from 1978 to 1989, and in International Research Center for Japanese Studies from 1989 to 1995, and in Reitaku University from 1995. Itō died on September 20, 2023, at the age of 93.
Shun Akiyama (秋山駿, Akiyama Shun; April 23, 1930 – October 2, 2013) was a Japanese literary critic and member of the…Shun Akiyama (秋山駿, Akiyama Shun; April 23, 1930 – October 2, 2013) was a Japanese literary critic and member of the Japan Art Academy. He was born in Tokyo, and graduated from Waseda University in 1953 with a degree in French literature. Between 1979 and 1993 he was a professor at Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, and from 1997 at Musashino University. He died, aged 83, in Tokyo.
Hisahiko Okazaki (岡崎 久彦, Okazaki Hisahiko) (April 8, 1930 – October 26, 2014) was a Japanese diplomat, political…Hisahiko Okazaki (岡崎 久彦, Okazaki Hisahiko) (April 8, 1930 – October 26, 2014) was a Japanese diplomat, political commentator, and director of the Okazaki Institute in Tokyo.
Yōko Katsuragi (桂木洋子, Katsuragi, Yōko; 6 April 1930 – March 2007) was a Japanese actress active from 1948 to 1963. She…Yōko Katsuragi (桂木洋子, Katsuragi, Yōko; 6 April 1930 – March 2007) was a Japanese actress active from 1948 to 1963. She appeared mostly in films of the Shochiku film studios, often under the direction of Keisuke Kinoshita.
Masaya Takahashi (高橋 昌也, Takahashi Masaya; March 16, 1930 – January 16, 2014) was a Japanese actor and theatre…Masaya Takahashi (高橋 昌也, Takahashi Masaya; March 16, 1930 – January 16, 2014) was a Japanese actor and theatre director. He appeared in a wide range of films over six decades, including Goke, Body Snatcher from Hell (1968), Belladonna of Sadness (1973), Godzilla, Mothra and King Ghidorah: Giant Monsters All-Out Attack (2001), Returner (2002), and Air Doll (2009).
Kōryō Miura (Japanese: 三浦 公亮, born 1930) is a Japanese astrophysicist, inventor, and origamist known for the Miura…Kōryō Miura (Japanese: 三浦 公亮, born 1930) is a Japanese astrophysicist, inventor, and origamist known for the Miura fold. He is a professor emeritus at the University of Tokyo and at the Institute of Space and Astronautical Science.
Hajime Hana (Japanese: ハナ肇, Hepburn: Hana Hajime; February 9, 1930 – September 10, 1993) was a Japanese actor. He was…Hajime Hana (Japanese: ハナ肇, Hepburn: Hana Hajime; February 9, 1930 – September 10, 1993) was a Japanese actor. He was the leader of the comic jazz band The Crazy Cats, which featured such talent as Hitoshi Ueki and Kei Tani, and which starred in a series of film comedies (such as the "Irresponsible" (Musekinin) series at Toho) and in TV variety shows such as "Shabondama Holiday." He won the award for best actor at the 31st Blue Ribbon Awards for Kaisha monogatari: Memories of You.
Tetsuzo Fuwa (不破 哲三, Fuwa Tetsuzō; 26 January 1930 – 30 December 2025) was the pen name of Kenjiro Ueda (上田 建二郎, Ueda…Tetsuzo Fuwa (不破 哲三, Fuwa Tetsuzō; 26 January 1930 – 30 December 2025) was the pen name of Kenjiro Ueda (上田 建二郎, Ueda Kenjirō), a member and chairman of the Japanese Communist Party. He was a graduate of Tokyo University. He joined the Communist Party in 1947, and was elected to the House of Representatives in 1969.
Yasutaka Matsudaira (22 January 1930 – 31 December 2011) was a volleyball player, coach, and sports official. He was…Yasutaka Matsudaira (22 January 1930 – 31 December 2011) was a volleyball player, coach, and sports official. He was the coach of Japan men's national volleyball team from 1965–1972 and the first Japanese to enter the International Volleyball Hall of Fame. Matsudaira was also previously a captain for Keio University.
Chiyoko Nakatani (中谷千代子, Nakatani Chiyoko, January 16, 1930 - December 26, 1981) was a Japanese picture book author and…Chiyoko Nakatani (中谷千代子, Nakatani Chiyoko, January 16, 1930 - December 26, 1981) was a Japanese picture book author and illustrator. During the Shōwa era, Nakatani was one of the artists to popularize Japanese children's books outside of Japan.
Minoru Makihara (Japanese: 槙原稔 Makihara Minoru; January 12, 1930 – December 13, 2020) was a Japanese business executive…Minoru Makihara (Japanese: 槙原稔 Makihara Minoru; January 12, 1930 – December 13, 2020) was a Japanese business executive who was the chief executive (1992–1998) and chairman (1998–2004) of Mitsubishi Corporation. He was noted for steering the group through the turbulent economic times of the 1990s and for advocating strong US–Japan business relations, serving on many trade and cultural relations advocacy groups.
Kuniko Mukōda (向田 邦子, Mukōda Kuniko; November 28, 1929 – August 22, 1981) was a Japanese TV screenwriter. Most of her…Kuniko Mukōda (向田 邦子, Mukōda Kuniko; November 28, 1929 – August 22, 1981) was a Japanese TV screenwriter. Most of her scripts focus on day-to-day family life and relationships. She won the 83rd Naoki Prize (1980上) for her short stories "Hanano Namae", "Kawauso" and "Inugoya."
Kazuo Ikehiro (池広一夫, Ikehiro Kazuo; 25 October 1929 – 15 October 2025) was a Japanese film director. He is known for…Kazuo Ikehiro (池広一夫, Ikehiro Kazuo; 25 October 1929 – 15 October 2025) was a Japanese film director. He is known for directing Zatoichi series and the highly acclaimed film Onna Gokuakuchō. In 1950, he joined the Daiei Film and started working as an assistant director under Kenji Mizoguchi etc. In 1960, he was promoted to director and debuted with Bara Daimyo. Ikehiro died of a heart attack in Tokyo, on 15 October 2025, at the age of 95.
Hideo Takamatsu (高松 英郎, Hideo Takamatsu; 24 October 1929 – 26 February 2007) was a Japanese actor from Nankoku, Kōchi…Hideo Takamatsu (高松 英郎, Hideo Takamatsu; 24 October 1929 – 26 February 2007) was a Japanese actor from Nankoku, Kōchi Prefecture. Takamatsu appeared in more than 120 films between 1948 and 2007.
Satoko Kitahara (北原 怜子, Kitahara Satoko; 22 August 1929 – 23 January 1958) – later known as Elisabeth Maria Kitahara –…Satoko Kitahara (北原 怜子, Kitahara Satoko; 22 August 1929 – 23 January 1958) – later known as Elisabeth Maria Kitahara – was a Japanese Roman Catholic. Kitahara was descended from aristocrats and samurai warriors; she worked in an airplane warehouse during World War II and became disillusioned after she and others learnt of Japanese atrocities during the conflict. She discovered Roman Catholicism and after a period of being exposed to churches decided to learn catechism so she could be baptized. Upon her baptism she selected the name Elisabeth and upon her Confirmation added the name "Maria". Kitahara made it her goal to tend to the impoverished and orphaned as well as the sick and poor who were suffering as a result of the damage inflicted during the war. In 1950 she first met the Conventual Franciscan friar Zenon Żebrowski and the two worked together to care for destitute people and children in the riverside Ants Village. This work became the focus for Kitahara's life until she died from tuberculosis in 1958. The beatification process had been proposed since the 1970s and had opened in 1981 which made Kitahara known as a Servant of God. In 2015 she was named as venerable after Pope Francis confirmed her life of heroic virtue.
Susumu Nakanishi (中西進, Nakanishi Susumu; born 21 August 1929 in Tokyo) is a scholar of Japanese literature…Susumu Nakanishi (中西進, Nakanishi Susumu; born 21 August 1929 in Tokyo) is a scholar of Japanese literature, particularly of the Man'yōshū. He earned his Doctor of Literature degree from the University of Tokyo (UTokyo) in 1962. He is widely believed to have conceived the name of the current era of the official calendar of Japan, Reiwa (令和, 2019-). However, it is a custom not to reveal the conceiver of the name of an era, and he has said, 'Era names are not for secular individuals like Susumu Nakanishi to decide, but are determined by divine inspiration. There is no such person as the inventor of the name "Reiwa"'.
Keizo Hino (日野 啓三, Hino Keizō; June 14, 1929 – October 14, 2002) was a Japanese author. He won the 1974 Akutagawa Prize…Keizo Hino (日野 啓三, Hino Keizō; June 14, 1929 – October 14, 2002) was a Japanese author. He won the 1974 Akutagawa Prize for Ano yūhi (The Evening Sun) and the 22nd Tanizaki Prize for Sakyū ga ugoku yō ni (砂丘が動くように). Born in Tokyo, he accompanied his parents to Korea, when the country was still under Japanese colonial rule. After the war, he returned to Japan, graduating from the University of Tokyo and joining the staff of the Yomiuri Shimbun, a leading Japanese newspaper in 1952. He served as a foreign correspondent in South Korea and Vietnam before becoming a novelist. Though he is often described as an environmentalist author, the focus of much of his fiction is the urban physical environment. Hino's works are striking for being simultaneously autobiographical and surrealistic. His novel Yume no Shima has been translated into English by Charles de Wolf as Isle of Dreams, and into German by Jaqueline Berndt and Hiroshi Yamane as Trauminsel; a short story, Bokushikan, has been translated into English by Charles de Wolf as The Rectory; another short story, Hashigo no tatsu machi 梯の立つ街, has been translated by Lawrence Rogers as "Jacob's Tokyo Ladder" and printed in 2002's Tokyo stories: a literary stroll.
Takeshi Katō (加藤 武, Katō Takeshi; 24 May 1929 – 31 July 2015) was a Japanese stage and film actor. He appeared in more…Takeshi Katō (加藤 武, Katō Takeshi; 24 May 1929 – 31 July 2015) was a Japanese stage and film actor. He appeared in more than 100 films.
Noboru Nakaya (仲谷 昇, Nakaya Noboru; May 4, 1929 – November 16, 2006) was a Japanese actor. His career spanned over five…Noboru Nakaya (仲谷 昇, Nakaya Noboru; May 4, 1929 – November 16, 2006) was a Japanese actor. His career spanned over five decades in theater, film, and television, with more than 100 credits. Nakaya was best known internationally for his role as a ghost samurai in Kwaidan (1964), and also appeared in Hitokiri (1969) and Lady Snowblood (1973).
Takehiro Irokawa (色川 武大, Irokawa Takehiro; March 28, 1929 – April 10, 1989) was a noted Japanese writer who published…Takehiro Irokawa (色川 武大, Irokawa Takehiro; March 28, 1929 – April 10, 1989) was a noted Japanese writer who published both serious literature and light fiction under a variety of pseudonyms including Asada Tetsuya (阿佐田哲也) and Budai Irokawa (色川武大). Many of his works were autobiographical in nature and concerned his life as a mahjong gambler.
