A.B.C-Z (エー.ビー.シー-ズィー, ee.bii.shii.zii) is a five-member Japanese boy band under Starto Entertainment. The group's…A.B.C-Z (エー.ビー.シー-ズィー, ee.bii.shii.zii) is a five-member Japanese boy band under Starto Entertainment. The group's former name was A.B.C., which stands for Acrobat Boys Club. It was changed to A.B.C-Z after Ryosuke Hashimoto was moved to the group from J.J.Express in 2008. Due to the Japanese pronunciations of their name, the fans usually refer to them as "Ebi". The group was a former Johnny's Jr. unit. They debuted February 1, 2012, with their DVD Za ABC ~5 Stars~.
Akie Suzuki (鈴木 あきえ, 鈴木 明恵, Suzuki Akie; born 12 March 1987, in Tokyo) is a Japanese tarento, actress, reporter…Akie Suzuki (鈴木 あきえ, 鈴木 明恵, Suzuki Akie; born 12 March 1987, in Tokyo) is a Japanese tarento, actress, reporter, presenter-MC, radio personality, and former gravure idol. She graduated from Yukitani High School. She is represented by Production No Title.
Kazuya Kamenashi (亀梨 和也, Kamenashi Kazuya; born February 23, 1986) is a Japanese singer, actor, host, producer and…Kazuya Kamenashi (亀梨 和也, Kamenashi Kazuya; born February 23, 1986) is a Japanese singer, actor, host, producer and magazine model. Born and raised in Edogawa, Tokyo. He joined the Japanese talent agency, Johnny & Associates at the age of 12. Former member of KAT-TUN under Starto Entertainment. He was drafted as a member and co-lead vocalist of the popular J-pop group KAT-TUN in 2001. He is also one half of the temporary group, Shūji to Akira, whose only single "Seishun Amigo" became the best-selling single of 2005 in Japan. Individually, he is a popular actor who has played the lead role in several television dramas. Kamenashi announced that he would leave Starto in March 2025, when his contract expired.
Ikusaburo Yamazaki (山崎 育三郎, Yamazaki Ikusaburō; born January 18, 1986, in Tokyo, Japan) is a Japanese actor and singer…Ikusaburo Yamazaki (山崎 育三郎, Yamazaki Ikusaburō; born January 18, 1986, in Tokyo, Japan) is a Japanese actor and singer who is represented by Ken-On.
Sho Sakurai (櫻井 翔, Sakurai Shō) (born January 25, 1982) is a Japanese singer, songwriter, rapper, actor, news anchor…Sho Sakurai (櫻井 翔, Sakurai Shō) (born January 25, 1982) is a Japanese singer, songwriter, rapper, actor, news anchor, host and former radio host, under agent contract with Starto Entertainment. He is a former member of the boy band Arashi, group to which he belonged until the day it ended activities, May 31, 2026. Sakurai began his career in the entertainment industry when he joined the Japanese talent agency Johnny & Associates in 1995 at the age of 13. About seven years after his debut as a singer with Arashi in 1999, he became a newscaster in 2006, appearing in the news program News Zero every Monday. In 2008, he was appointed the official newscaster for the news coverage of the Olympic Games in Beijing on NTV. For his work as an actor, singer and newscaster, Sakurai became one of the recipients of GQ Japan's Men of the Year award in 2009. His father is Shun Sakurai, former vice-minister of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications.
Keisuke Ilmari Ogihara (荻原イルマリ恵介, Ogihara Irumari Keisuke) (born June 17, 1975) is a Japanese rapper and member of the…Keisuke Ilmari Ogihara (荻原イルマリ恵介, Ogihara Irumari Keisuke) (born June 17, 1975) is a Japanese rapper and member of the hip hop group Rip Slyme.
Taichi Kokubun (国分 太一, Kokubun Taichi; born September 2, 1974) is a Japanese keyboardist and actor. He plays keyboard…Taichi Kokubun (国分 太一, Kokubun Taichi; born September 2, 1974) is a Japanese keyboardist and actor. He plays keyboard for Tokio, a musical group of Starto Entertainment formerly known as Johnny & Associates.
Kazuki Ōtake (大竹 一樹, Ōtake Kazuki; born December 8, 1967 in Sumida, Tokyo) is a Japanese comedian. He is a former…Kazuki Ōtake (大竹 一樹, Ōtake Kazuki; born December 8, 1967 in Sumida, Tokyo) is a Japanese comedian. He is a former member of Japanese band UltraCats and current member of owarai group Summers.
Ken Ishiguro (石黒 賢, Ishiguro Ken; born 31 January 1966) is a Japanese film, television and voice actor. He has appeared…Ken Ishiguro (石黒 賢, Ishiguro Ken; born 31 January 1966) is a Japanese film, television and voice actor. He has appeared in more than 80 films since 1979. He is the son of Osamu Ishiguro, a former tennis player.
Hiromi (ヒロミ; born 13 February 1965, in Hachiōji, Tokyo, Japan) is a Japanese comedian, television presenter, radio…Hiromi (ヒロミ; born 13 February 1965, in Hachiōji, Tokyo, Japan) is a Japanese comedian, television presenter, radio personality, actor, businessman, triathlete, and racing driver. He is the president of Be Company. His full name is Hiromi Kozono (小園 浩己, Kozono Hiromi). While Be Company is from Production Jin Riki-sha, Hiromi is represented with Tanabe Agency and later Production No Title since 2008. His wife is singer Iyo Matsumoto. Hiromi's eldest son is tarento Ryo Kozono.
Manabu Suzuki (Shinjitai: 鈴木 学, Suzuki Manabu; born Tokyo, Japan, March 20, 1963) is a former racing driver…Manabu Suzuki (Shinjitai: 鈴木 学, Suzuki Manabu; born Tokyo, Japan, March 20, 1963) is a former racing driver, journalist, sport announcer and radio and TV presenter for the automotive industry. He is a Japanese citizen and is nicknamed Mana-P (マナP in katakana). Suzuki competed in the Formula Toyota and Saurus Cup until the mid nineties. When he left circuit racing behind, he became well known for working with Option as a writer and presenter for the magazine's offshoot video magazine, Video Option and Drift Tengoku. Suzuki was best known as one of the three original key judges (the other being Keiichi Tsuchiya and Manabu Orido, which Orido left at the end of the 2004 season to compete for 2005, while Tsuchiya left D1 with Daijro Inada due to irresponsible management) in the D1 Grand Prix series. He adds many comic expressions during commentary to keep the crowds entertained during the races. He also hosts various issues of the Option DVD where he is discussing cars. He often exclaims "giri giri", which means "little little" in Japanese. This phrase is used to express an instance where the "drift" is extremely close or a driver is almost in a position where he/she is going to crash. Suzuki is also involved in car designs, appearing on a segment in Drift Tengoku on DIY graphics and even working on the paint scheme and decals for Orido's 2005 RS*R Toyota Supra JZA80 and Yasuyuki Kazama's 2006 DG-5 Nissan Silvia S15.
Hayashiya Shōzō IX (九代目 林家 正蔵, Kudaime Hayashiya Shōzō; born Yasutaka Ebina (海老名 泰孝, Ebina Yasutaka), December 1, 1962…Hayashiya Shōzō IX (九代目 林家 正蔵, Kudaime Hayashiya Shōzō; born Yasutaka Ebina (海老名 泰孝, Ebina Yasutaka), December 1, 1962 in Negishi, Taito, Tokyo, Japan), formerly known as Hayashiya Kobuhei (林家 こぶ平, Hayashiya Kobuhei), is a Japanese rakugoka, tarento and voice actor. He is an associate professor of humanities at Josai International University. He is the son of Hayashiya Sanpei I.
Kumiko Owada (大和田 久美子, Ōwada Kumiko; 23 August 1956 – 23 April 2020), née Okae (岡江), was a Japanese actress, voice…Kumiko Owada (大和田 久美子, Ōwada Kumiko; 23 August 1956 – 23 April 2020), née Okae (岡江), was a Japanese actress, voice actress, and television presenter. She was known for her work on television dramas, as well as hosting entertainment and variety shows, such as Renso Game on NHK. Okae also hosted the morning show Hanamaru Market on Tokyo Broadcasting System Television from 1996 to 2014.
Ichiro Furutachi (古舘 伊知郎, Furutachi Ichirō; born December 7, 1954) is a Japanese announcer, tarento, television…Ichiro Furutachi (古舘 伊知郎, Furutachi Ichirō; born December 7, 1954) is a Japanese announcer, tarento, television presenter, and newscaster represented by Furutachi-Project. He was an announcer for TV Asahi. He graduated from Kita Kuritsu Takinogawa Daini (No. 2) Elementary School, Chiyoda Kuritsu Kanda Hitotsubashi Junior High School, Rikkyo Niiza Junior and Senior High School, and Rikkyo University, where he studied Economics with a focus on Business Administration. Controversy erupted when he stepped down as the anchor of TV Asahi's evening news broadcast, Hōdō Station, a removal reportedly due to political pressure in response to the show's critical tone.
Tomoyo Nonaka (野中 ともよ, Nonaka Tomoyo; born June 18, 1954) is a television personality and businesswoman from Japan. She…Tomoyo Nonaka (野中 ともよ, Nonaka Tomoyo; born June 18, 1954) is a television personality and businesswoman from Japan. She was the CEO of Sanyo Electric from 2005 to 2007.
Fumi Dan (檀ふみ, Dan Fumi) (born June 5, 1954) is a Japanese actress. She was nominated for Best Supporting Actress at…Fumi Dan (檀ふみ, Dan Fumi) (born June 5, 1954) is a Japanese actress. She was nominated for Best Supporting Actress at the 17th Japan Academy Prize for her role in Bloom in the Moonlight. Her father is the novelist Kazuo Dan and she herself has won awards for her essays.
Tsutomu Sekine (関根 勤, Sekine Tsutomu; born 21 August 1953, in Minato, Tokyo) is a Japanese comedian, singer and…Tsutomu Sekine (関根 勤, Sekine Tsutomu; born 21 August 1953, in Minato, Tokyo) is a Japanese comedian, singer and television presenter. His former stage name is Rabbit Sekine (ラビット関根, Rabitto Sekine). He is represented with Asai Kikaku. His daughter is tarento Mari Sekine. Sekine is partnered with Kazuki Kosakai, who is a junior at his talent agency and also a longtime best friend, in a comedy duo called Kosakin.
Masaki Kanda (Japanese: 神田 正輝, Hepburn: Kanda Masaki; born December 21, 1950) is a Japanese actor. He is well known for…Masaki Kanda (Japanese: 神田 正輝, Hepburn: Kanda Masaki; born December 21, 1950) is a Japanese actor. He is well known for his role as Doc (Akira Saijō in Taiyō ni Hoero!). His ex-wife is singer Seiko Matsuda and their daughter was actress Sayaka Kanda.
Yasunori Shimura (志村 康徳, Shimura Yasunori; February 20, 1950 – March 29, 2020), known professionally as Ken Shimura (志村…Yasunori Shimura (志村 康徳, Shimura Yasunori; February 20, 1950 – March 29, 2020), known professionally as Ken Shimura (志村 けん, Shimura Ken), was a Japanese comedian. He was born in Higashimurayama, Tokyo. He started his career as an assistant to the comedy band The Drifters, led by Chōsuke Ikariya. In 1974, He joined the group, replacing Chū Arai. He appeared as members of the group on popular comedy shows that gained massive popularity from the 1970s to the 1980s. Hachiji-dayo! Zen'in-shūgō achieved the highest viewership rating of 50.5%, and The Drifters Daibakushō (ドリフ大爆笑) reached 40.4% viewership. These shows made him nationally popular. After the end of Hachiji-dayo! in 1985, he began to work independently as well. He appeared on shows like Kato-chan Ken-chan Gokigen TV (加トちゃんケンちゃんごきげんテレビ), with Cha Katō, a fellow member of the group, Shimura Ken no Daijōbu-dā (志村けんのだいじょうぶだぁ)," and Shimura Ken no Baka Tono-sama (志村けんのバカ殿様), portraying characters like Baka Tono-sama (バカ殿様, Stupid Lord) and Hen na Oji-san (変なおじさん, Strange Older Man). These characters became highly popular. Shimura's comedic work was inspired in part by that of Jerry Lewis.
Yūki Meguro (Japanese: 目黒祐樹) is a Japanese actor. He is the son of jidaigeki actor Jūshirō Konoe and had an older…Yūki Meguro (Japanese: 目黒祐樹) is a Japanese actor. He is the son of jidaigeki actor Jūshirō Konoe and had an older brother Hiroki Matsukata. He was nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited Series or a Special for his work in Shōgun in 1981.
Kikko Matsuoka (松岡 きっこ, Matsuoka Kikko; born February 11, 1947) is a Japanese actress. Her real name is Kikuko Matsuoka…Kikko Matsuoka (松岡 きっこ, Matsuoka Kikko; born February 11, 1947) is a Japanese actress. Her real name is Kikuko Matsuoka (松岡 紀公子, Matsuoka Kikuko).
Junji Takada (高田純次, Takada Junji; born January 21, 1947), also known by the nicknames "Jun chan" (純ちゃん), "Uncle Jun"…Junji Takada (高田純次, Takada Junji; born January 21, 1947), also known by the nicknames "Jun chan" (純ちゃん), "Uncle Jun" (純じい, Jun jī) and "TJ", is a Japanese actor and comedian. Takada was born in Chōfu, Tokyo. He is known for the variety show Tensai, Takeshi no Genki ga Deru Terebi that was hosted by Takeshi Kitano and premiered on NTV from 1985 to 1996. On April 9, 2017, Takada began co-hosting a radio program with manga artist Naoki Urasawa. Junji and Naoki (純次と直樹) airs Sundays at 5pm on Nippon Cultural Broadcasting and features both men talking about their lives, professions, and favorite hobbies.
Sayuri Yoshinaga (吉永 小百合, Yoshinaga Sayuri) is a Japanese actress and activist. She has won four Japan Academy Best…Sayuri Yoshinaga (吉永 小百合, Yoshinaga Sayuri) is a Japanese actress and activist. She has won four Japan Academy Best Actress awards, more than any other actress, and has been called "one of the foremost stars in the postwar world of film."
Kōji Ishizaka (石坂 浩二, Ishizaka Kōji; born 20 June 1941 in Tokyo as Heikichi Mutō (武藤 兵吉, Mutō Heikichi)) is a Japanese…Kōji Ishizaka (石坂 浩二, Ishizaka Kōji; born 20 June 1941 in Tokyo as Heikichi Mutō (武藤 兵吉, Mutō Heikichi)) is a Japanese actor. Ishizaka graduated from Keio University with a B.L. degree. He serves as a special advisor for the Japan Plamodel Industry Association, and on 23 February 2009, he founded Rowguanes, a plastic model enthusiast group for the baby boomers. He starred as Kosuke Kindaichi in the 1970s series of Kindaichi films.
Kinichi Hagimoto (萩本 欽一, Hagimoto Kin'ichi; born May 7, 1941) is a Japanese comedian. He is active as a stage…Kinichi Hagimoto (萩本 欽一, Hagimoto Kin'ichi; born May 7, 1941) is a Japanese comedian. He is active as a stage performer, emcee, and manager of the amateur Ibaraki Golden Golds (ibaraki goruden goruzu) of the Japanese Baseball Association (nippon yakyuu renmei). Born in the Taito ward of Tokyo, Japan, he graduated from Komagome High School, and now belongs to the Asai Kikaku talent agency. He is called "Kin-chan" by fans and those within the entertainment industry. He is also known as "Hagimo", "Kin", etc. Amongst the many entertainers he has developed on his shows, who are known as the "Kinchan Family", he is known as "Taisho" ("The General"). In the 1970s and 80s, with acts like "nande so naru no!" ("Why does that happen?!") and physical comedy such as his distinctive "Kinchan run" (based on Hachiro Azuma) he blossomed into a polished professional. Many of his famous lines like "dochira dake" and "banzaai nashi yo" are still heard today. Some comedic jargon such as "ukeru" (and "yaya uke", "baka uke", etc.) that have become common Japanese words are said to have originated from his variety show Kinchan No Don To Itte Miyo. He presented three successful variety programmes in the 1970s and 1980s, and by the mid-1980s was one of the most popular comedians on Japanese television.
Kazuo Tokumitsu (徳光 和夫, Tokumitsu Kazuo; born 10 March 1941 in Meguro, Tokyo) is a Japanese TV presenter and announcer.…Kazuo Tokumitsu (徳光 和夫, Tokumitsu Kazuo; born 10 March 1941 in Meguro, Tokyo) is a Japanese TV presenter and announcer. He is the main presenter on the Nippon Television Sunday morning TV topical news programme The Sunday Next. He is also the main presenter on the Tokyo Broadcasting System programme Kazuo Tokumitsu's Moving Reunions (徳光和夫の感動再会"逢いたい", Tokumitsu Kazuo no Kando Saikai "Aitai"). He is a big fan of Yomiuri Giants.
Taichirō Hirokawa (広川 太一郎, Hirokawa Taichirō; February 15, 1939 – March 3, 2008) was a Japanese voice actor and…Taichirō Hirokawa (広川 太一郎, Hirokawa Taichirō; February 15, 1939 – March 3, 2008) was a Japanese voice actor and narrator. He was born in Tokyo on February 15, 1939, and died on March 3, 2008, in Shibuya from cancer. His death was announced at the beginning of the 2nd Seiyu Awards.
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.
Yasuo Yamada (山田 康雄, Yamada Yasuo; 10 September 1932 – 19 March 1995) was a Japanese actor, voice actor and narrator.…Yasuo Yamada (山田 康雄, Yamada Yasuo; 10 September 1932 – 19 March 1995) was a Japanese actor, voice actor and narrator. His most well known and famous role was portraying Arsène Lupin III in the Lupin III series from 1971 to 1995. He was also the official Japanese dubbing voice actor of Clint Eastwood and Jean-Paul Belmondo.
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.
Hisato Aikura (相倉久人, 8 December 1931 in Tokyo – 8 July 2015) was a Japanese music critic and jazz presenter. He was…Hisato Aikura (相倉久人, 8 December 1931 in Tokyo – 8 July 2015) was a Japanese music critic and jazz presenter. He was known for critique of musicians such as John Coltrane.
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.
Hiroshi Sekiguchi (関口 宏, Sekiguchi Hiroshi; born 13 July 1943) is a Japanese actor, tarento, television presenter…Hiroshi Sekiguchi (関口 宏, Sekiguchi Hiroshi; born 13 July 1943) is a Japanese actor, tarento, television presenter, newscaster, businessman and manager. He is a representative of the talent agency Sankei. He lives in Setagaya, Tokyo. He is the eldest of two brothers. Sekiguchi's father is Shuji Sano, who was also an actor, and his brother is Mamoru Sano. His wife is singer Sachiko Nishida, and his son is actor and tarento Tomohiro Sekiguchi. Sekiguchi's grandfather is Kamijiro Sekiguchi (Konsan Sekiguchi) who was a steeplejack for the National Diet Building. His high school classmate was Ryuzo Hayashi, who was also an actor.