Asumi Miwa (三輪 明日美, Miwa Asumi; born 12 March 1982) is a Japanese actress from Yokohama, Japan. She is the younger…Asumi Miwa (三輪 明日美, Miwa Asumi; born 12 March 1982) is a Japanese actress from Yokohama, Japan. She is the younger sister of actress Hitomi Miwa.
Masumi Mishina (三科 真澄, Mishina Masumi) (born 12 March 1982 in Kanagawa) is a Japanese softball player who won the gold…Masumi Mishina (三科 真澄, Mishina Masumi) (born 12 March 1982 in Kanagawa) is a Japanese softball player who won the gold medal at the 2008 Summer Olympics.
Emi Yamamoto (山本 絵美, Yamamoto Emi; born 9 March 1982) is a Japanese football player. She plays for Chifure AS Elfen…Emi Yamamoto (山本 絵美, Yamamoto Emi; born 9 March 1982) is a Japanese football player. She plays for Chifure AS Elfen Saitama. She has also played for the Japan national team.
Akiko Chubachi (中鉢 明子, Chubachi Akiko) (born February 18, 1982) assumed the duties of Miss Universe Japan 2007, after…Akiko Chubachi (中鉢 明子, Chubachi Akiko) (born February 18, 1982) assumed the duties of Miss Universe Japan 2007, after originally being the second runner-up. She became Miss Universe Japan after the winner, Riyo Mori, claimed the Miss Universe crown and first runner-up, Rei Hamada, turned the title down. Akiko is a graduate of Tamagawa University and has an elementary school teacher's certificate. She has travelled to 30 countries on her own doing volunteer work. She is a model and stands 5 ft 8 in (173 cm).
Osamu Mukai (向井 理, Mukai Osamu; born February 7, 1982) is a Japanese actor. He was born in Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan.…Osamu Mukai (向井 理, Mukai Osamu; born February 7, 1982) is a Japanese actor. He was born in Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan. He graduated from Meiji University.
Hirotaka Sato (佐藤 浩貴, Satō Hirotaka; born December 8, 1981) is a Japanese former professional basketball player for…Hirotaka Sato (佐藤 浩貴, Satō Hirotaka; born December 8, 1981) is a Japanese former professional basketball player for Kanazawa Samuraiz of the B.League in Japan. He played college basketball for Senshu University. He was selected by the Osaka Evessa with the 4th overall pick in the 2006 bj League draft.
Naoyuki Kotani Japanese: 小谷直之 (born December 8, 1981) is a Japanese mixed martial artist currently competing in the…Naoyuki Kotani Japanese: 小谷直之 (born December 8, 1981) is a Japanese mixed martial artist currently competing in the Lightweight division. A professional competitor since 2000, he has formerly competed in PRIDE, Pancrase, UFC, Vale Tudo Japan, and RINGS.
Tsubasa Imai (今井 翼, Imai Tsubasa; born October 17, 1981) is a Japanese singer, actor and dancer formerly in the…Tsubasa Imai (今井 翼, Imai Tsubasa; born October 17, 1981) is a Japanese singer, actor and dancer formerly in the Japanese agency Johnny & Associates. He joined Johnny & Associates in 1995 and officially debuted in 2002 in the duo Tackey & Tsubasa with Hideaki Takizawa. They are signed to the record label Avex Trax. Imai released his first solo single, "Backborn", on February 24, 2010.
Teruyuki Moniwa (茂庭 照幸, Moniwa Teruyuki; born 8 September 1981) is a Japanese former professional footballer who played…Teruyuki Moniwa (茂庭 照幸, Moniwa Teruyuki; born 8 September 1981) is a Japanese former professional footballer who played as a centre back.
Jumpei Iida (飯田 淳平, Iida Junpei; born 14 August 1981 in Odawara, Kanagawa) is a Japanese football referee. He has…Jumpei Iida (飯田 淳平, Iida Junpei; born 14 August 1981 in Odawara, Kanagawa) is a Japanese football referee. He has officiated matches in numerous international tournaments including EAFF Championship and AFC Cup. Locally he has officiated regularly in the J. League. In 2012, he officiated in the English FA Cup and Professional Development League. He broke the world record for the fastest red card decision in a professional league match on 15 April 2009, when he sent off Tokyo Verdy midfielder Tomo Sugawara 9 seconds into the match between Tokyo Verdy and Sagan Tosu. Iida also officiated the pre season friendly between Melbourne Victory and Liverpool in front of over 95,000 spectators at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in 2013.
Yushin Okami (Japanese: 岡見 勇信, Okami Yūshin; born July 21, 1981) is a Japanese mixed martial artist. A professional…Yushin Okami (Japanese: 岡見 勇信, Okami Yūshin; born July 21, 1981) is a Japanese mixed martial artist. A professional competitor since 2002, Okami has competed for the UFC, PRIDE, Pancrase, M-1 Global, World Series of Fighting, DEEP, Professional Fighters League, and ONE Championship. He is regarded as one of the greatest Japanese mixed martial artists in recent history.
Yuya Ishii (石井 裕也, Ishii Yūya; born July 7, 1981) is a Japanese former professional baseball pitcher who played in…Yuya Ishii (石井 裕也, Ishii Yūya; born July 7, 1981) is a Japanese former professional baseball pitcher who played in Nippon Professional Baseball pitcher for the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters, Yokohama BayStars and Chunichi Dragons.
Yuki Kubota (久保田 悠来, Kubota Yūki; born June 15, 1981, in Hiratsuka, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan) is a Japanese actor and…Yuki Kubota (久保田 悠来, Kubota Yūki; born June 15, 1981, in Hiratsuka, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan) is a Japanese actor and model whose work has included stage, television and film roles. He is best known as the character Takatora Kureshima / Kamen Rider Zangetsu / Kamen Rider Zangetsu Shin in the Kamen Rider series Kamen Rider Gaim. He is currently affiliated with the Japan Music Entertainment agency.
Shanti Snyder (born 4 June 1981), better known as Shanti (stylized in all-caps), is a Japanese lyricist, singer…Shanti Snyder (born 4 June 1981), better known as Shanti (stylized in all-caps), is a Japanese lyricist, singer, songwriter, and music TV host of mixed descent, based in Japan and hailing from Kanagawa Prefecture. She performs with a few different formations at clubs in the Tokyo area and has also appeared with various other musical artists. Shanti's voice is well known through her collaborations with Yoko Kanno, notably in Escaflowne the Movie, where she was the vocalist on the theme song "Sora".
Shogo Asayama (朝山 正悟, Asayama Shōgo) is a Japanese who became the head coach and was a professional basketball player…Shogo Asayama (朝山 正悟, Asayama Shōgo) is a Japanese who became the head coach and was a professional basketball player of the Hiroshima Dragonflies in the Japanese B.League.
Naohiro Ishikawa (石川 直宏, Ishikawa Naohiro; born 12 May 1981) is a former Japanese footballer who played as a midfielder…Naohiro Ishikawa (石川 直宏, Ishikawa Naohiro; born 12 May 1981) is a former Japanese footballer who played as a midfielder for the Japan national team.
Sola Aoi (Japanese: 蒼井 そら, Hepburn: Aoi Sora; born April 26, 1981) is a Japanese former AV idol, nude model, and…Sola Aoi (Japanese: 蒼井 そら, Hepburn: Aoi Sora; born April 26, 1981) is a Japanese former AV idol, nude model, and actress. Starring in more than 600 adult films between 2002 and 2011, Aoi is widely considered to be one of the most popular adult videos (AV) idols of the 2000s. Her popularity as a porn actress alone has led to celebrity status as a media personality both in Japan and internationally.
Shinjirō Koizumi (Japanese: 小泉 進次郎, Hepburn: Koizumi Shinjirō; born 14 April 1981) is a Japanese politician serving as…Shinjirō Koizumi (Japanese: 小泉 進次郎, Hepburn: Koizumi Shinjirō; born 14 April 1981) is a Japanese politician serving as the Minister of Defense since October 2025. He previously served as the Minister of the Environment from September 2019 to October 2021 and Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries from May to October 2025. He has also served as a Member of the House of Representatives for the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), representing Kanagawa since 2009. He is the second son of former Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi and the younger brother of actor Kotaro Koizumi. After graduating from Kanto Gakuin University and Columbia University, Koizumi worked as a researcher at the Center for Strategic and International Studies and became active politically as Young Leader of the Pacific Forum CSIS. He also spent time working as a political secretary for his father in the final years of his second term as prime minister. In the 2009 election, he was elected to the House of Representatives for the seat his father had occupied for more than 35 years. Koizumi was appointed as a Vice-Minister for Reconstruction after the election of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in 2012, focusing on the northeastern region of Japan that was devastated by the March 2011 tsunami and subsequent nuclear disaster. He publicly opposed his father's calls for Japan to abandon nuclear energy immediately. In 2019, Abe appointed Koizumi to the cabinet as Minister of the Environment, a role he retained when Yoshihide Suga succeeded Abe as prime minister in September 2020. Koizumi endorsed Taro Kono in the 2021 LDP leadership election, which resulted in Fumio Kishida becoming prime minister. He subsequently left the cabinet and returned to backbench politics. Koizumi ran as a candidate in the 2024 LDP presidential election to succeed Kishida and placed third, losing the first round to Sanae Takaichi and Shigeru Ishiba, with the latter leading the final runoff. The LDP would lose its majority in the 2024 general election, after which Koizumi resigned as head of the party's Election Strategy committee. After working at the LDP's political reform headquarters, he was made Minister of Agriculture by Ishiba in May 2025. Following Ishiba's announcement of his resignation, Koizumi again ran as a candidate in the 2025 LDP presidential election, this time losing to Takaichi in the runoff. Takaichi subsequently appointed Koizumi as Minister of Defense.
Miyuki Yanagita (柳田 美幸, Yanagita Miyuki; born April 11, 1981) is a former Japanese football player. She played for…Miyuki Yanagita (柳田 美幸, Yanagita Miyuki; born April 11, 1981) is a former Japanese football player. She played for Japan national team.
Shohei Tateyama (館山 昌平, Tateyama Shōhei; born March 3, 1981) is a former Japanese professional baseball pitcher and…Shohei Tateyama (館山 昌平, Tateyama Shōhei; born March 3, 1981) is a former Japanese professional baseball pitcher and currently pitting coach for the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles of the Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB). He played for the Tokyo Yakult Swallows of the NPB.
Kaori Yoneyama (米山 香織, Yoneyama Kaori; born February 26, 1981) is a Japanese professional wrestler, working as a…Kaori Yoneyama (米山 香織, Yoneyama Kaori; born February 26, 1981) is a Japanese professional wrestler, working as a freelancer on the Japanese independent circuit. Yoneyama started her career in 1999, working with the JWP Joshi Puroresu promotion. During the following years, she became a one-time JWP Openweight Champion, a one-time JWP Junior Champion, a five-time JWP Tag Team Champion, a one-time Pure-J Openweight Champion and a three-time Daily Sports Women's Tag Team Champion. Notable titles she has held outside of JWP include All Japan Women's Pro-Wrestling's AJW Championship and AJW Tag Team Championship, Ice Ribbon's International Ribbon Tag Team Championship, Big Japan Pro Wrestling's BJW Women's Championship, and NEO Japan Ladies Pro Wrestling's High Speed Championship. In July 2011, Yoneyama announced that she would be ending her twelve-year career the following December. After a retirement tour, which took Yoneyama not only across the Japanese independent circuit, but also to the United States, she announced during her retirement ceremony that she had changed her mind and decided to continue her career. In January 2013, Yoneyama quit JWP to become a freelancer, working for promotions such as Gatoh Move Pro Wrestling, Oz Academy, Union Pro Wrestling and World Wonder Ring Stardom.
Tetsuya Tsuchida (土田哲也; Tsuchida Tetsuya, born February 18, 1981, in Yokosuka, Kanagawa), better known by his stage…Tetsuya Tsuchida (土田哲也; Tsuchida Tetsuya, born February 18, 1981, in Yokosuka, Kanagawa), better known by his stage name Tetsuya and Exile Tetsuya (stylized as TETSUYA and EXILE TETSUYA), is a Japanese dancer, actor, businessman and lecturer. He is a member of Exile and Exile the Second. He was also a member of Dance Earth Party and J Soul Brothers' second generation Nidaime J Soul Brothers until their migration to Exile in 2009. Tetsuya is represented with LDH. He is engaged in various activities in the field of dance education and has graduated with a master's degree in sport sciences from Waseda University in 2018. Furthermore, he is the director of the "EXILE Performance Institute (EPI)", the coffee brand AMAZING COFFEE and "EXPG High School".
Rinko Kikuchi () (菊地 凛子, Kikuchi Rinko; born Yuriko Kikuchi (菊地 百合子, Kikuchi Yuriko), January 6, 1981) is a Japanese…Rinko Kikuchi () (菊地 凛子, Kikuchi Rinko; born Yuriko Kikuchi (菊地 百合子, Kikuchi Yuriko), January 6, 1981) is a Japanese actress. She was the first Japanese actress to be nominated for an Academy Award in 50 years, for her work in Babel (2006). Kikuchi's other notable films include Norwegian Wood (2010), which screened in competition at the 67th Venice Film Festival and Guillermo del Toro's science fiction action film Pacific Rim (2013). For her role in the drama film Kumiko, the Treasure Hunter (2014), Kikuchi received an Independent Spirit Award nomination for Best Female Lead. She played a supporting role in the HBO Max crime drama series Tokyo Vice.
Eisuke Tachikawa (Japanese: 太刀川 英輔, romanized: Tachikawa Eisuke; born 1981) is a Japanese designer, design strategist…Eisuke Tachikawa (Japanese: 太刀川 英輔, romanized: Tachikawa Eisuke; born 1981) is a Japanese designer, design strategist and educator. He is the founder of the design firm NOSIGNER, a board member of the World Design Organization (WDO), and a project professor at the Graduate School of System Design and Management at Keio University. Tachikawa served as president of the Japan Industrial Design Association (JIDA) from 2021 to 2025, becoming the youngest president in the organization's history. He was elected to the WDO Board of Directors in 2023 and re-elected for the 2025–2027 term. In 2024, he became the inaugural recipient of the DFA Designer of the Year award.
Yuki Shoujou (正城ユウキ, Shōjō Yūki; born December 12, 1980, birthname pronounced same by written 正城悠樹) is a Japanese…Yuki Shoujou (正城ユウキ, Shōjō Yūki; born December 12, 1980, birthname pronounced same by written 正城悠樹) is a Japanese professional mixed martial artist. He is currently fighting in Shooto's bantamweight division, equivalent to North America's flyweight division which is 125.0 pounds (56.7 kg).
Masami Tachikawa (立川真紗美, born 16 November 1980) is a Japanese basketball player who competed in the 2004 Summer…Masami Tachikawa (立川真紗美, born 16 November 1980) is a Japanese basketball player who competed in the 2004 Summer Olympics.
Aiko Itō (いとう あいこ, Itō Aiko; born October 24, 1980, in Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture) is a former Japanese actress who…Aiko Itō (いとう あいこ, Itō Aiko; born October 24, 1980, in Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture) is a former Japanese actress who was affiliated with Stardust Promotion. She is best known for playing the role of Ranru Itsuki / Abare Yellow in the 2003 Super Sentai TV series Bakuryū Sentai Abaranger.
Yuta Tabuse (田臥 勇太, Tabuse Yūta; born October 5, 1980) is a Japanese professional basketball player for Utsunomiya Brex…Yuta Tabuse (田臥 勇太, Tabuse Yūta; born October 5, 1980) is a Japanese professional basketball player for Utsunomiya Brex of the B.League. A point guard, Tabuse is 1.75 metres (5 ft 9 in) and 75 kilograms (165 lb). He was the first Japanese-born player to appear in a National Basketball Association (NBA) game. Tabuse has enjoyed popularity in Japan since his high school playing days, when he led his school to three straight national championships, and has been referred to as "the Michael Jordan of Japan" for his celebrity status.
Hiroyuki Nagao (長尾寛征, Nagao Hiroyuki; born 28 August 1980 in Yokohama) is a Japanese slalom canoeist who competed at…Hiroyuki Nagao (長尾寛征, Nagao Hiroyuki; born 28 August 1980 in Yokohama) is a Japanese slalom canoeist who competed at the international level from 2003 to 2011. He was eliminated in the semifinals of the C2 event at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, finishing in 9th place. His partner in the C2 boat from 2007 to 2011 was Masatoshi Sanma.
Seiko Yamamoto (山本 聖子, Yamamoto Seiko; born 22 August 1980) is a Japanese wrestler and submission grappler. She is a…Seiko Yamamoto (山本 聖子, Yamamoto Seiko; born 22 August 1980) is a Japanese wrestler and submission grappler. She is a four time World Wrestling Champion, two time Asian Wrestling Champion and an ADCC Submission Wrestling World Championship medallist.
Keiji Takei (born 1 June 1980) is a Japanese former international rugby union player. A fullback from Kanagawa…Keiji Takei (born 1 June 1980) is a Japanese former international rugby union player. A fullback from Kanagawa Prefecture, Takei was capped six times by Japan between 2004 and 2006, which included qualifying matches for the 2007 Rugby World Cup. He scored five international tries. Takei played his club rugby for NEC Green Rockets in Japan's Top League. In 2013, Takei announced his retirement from professional rugby to focus on his career in the corporate sector.
Yuki Kohara (Japanese: 小原 裕貴, Hepburn: Kohara Yūki; born 21 May 1980) is a Japanese former singer, actor, and idol…Yuki Kohara (Japanese: 小原 裕貴, Hepburn: Kohara Yūki; born 21 May 1980) is a Japanese former singer, actor, and idol whose career lasted from 1991 to 2000. He was a member of Johnny's Junior until 15 October 2000.
Masaaki Koike (小池 正晃, Koike Masaaki; born April 20, 1980 in Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan) is a professional Japanese…Masaaki Koike (小池 正晃, Koike Masaaki; born April 20, 1980 in Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan) is a professional Japanese baseball player. Koike played outfield and infield for the Chunichi Dragons (2008–2011) and for the Yokohama DeNA BayStars (2012–2013). Koike announced his retirement on October 1, 2013 and his final at-bat, hit a home run. In 2014, the Yokohama DeNA BayStars hired Koike as first team batting coach. On 6 November 2024, it was confirmed Koike had accepted an offer to become a hitting coach for the Chunichi Dragons.
Shuichiro Osada (長田 秀一郎, Osada Shuichirō; born May 6, 1980 in Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan) is a professional Japanese…Shuichiro Osada (長田 秀一郎, Osada Shuichirō; born May 6, 1980 in Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan) is a professional Japanese baseball player. He plays pitcher for the Niigata Albirex Baseball Club.
Yousuke Ichikawa (市川 洋介, Ichikawa Yōsuke; born May 1, 1980 in Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan) is a Japanese…Yousuke Ichikawa (市川 洋介, Ichikawa Yōsuke; born May 1, 1980 in Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan) is a Japanese former actor and model who is affiliated with Pocket. He graduated from Yokohama National University's University of Electro-Communications.
Kyōhei Ishiguro (Japanese: イシグロキョウヘイ, Hepburn: Ishiguro Kyōhei; born April 2, 1980) is a Japanese anime director. He…Kyōhei Ishiguro (Japanese: イシグロキョウヘイ, Hepburn: Ishiguro Kyōhei; born April 2, 1980) is a Japanese anime director. He debuted in 2009, and after doing the storyboards for three series, he was given the full directorial role in the anime adaptation of Your Lie in April. After directing other television series, he debuted as a film director with Words Bubble Up Like Soda Pop.
Takeshi Inoue (Japanese: 井上 武, Inoue Takeshi; born March 18, 1980) is a Japanese mixed martial artist currently…Takeshi Inoue (Japanese: 井上 武, Inoue Takeshi; born March 18, 1980) is a Japanese mixed martial artist currently competing in the Featherweight division of Shooto. A professional MMA competitor since 2003, he has also competed for DREAM, and Vale Tudo Japan.
Yu Irie (入江 悠, Irie Yū; born November 25, 1979) is a Japanese film director / screenwriter who was born in Yokohama…Yu Irie (入江 悠, Irie Yū; born November 25, 1979) is a Japanese film director / screenwriter who was born in Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture, and grew up in Fukaya, Saitama Prefecture. After a number of short films, including Obsession and Seven Drives which were screened at the Yubari International Fantastic Film Festival in 2003 and 2004, Irie directed two softcore erotic V-Cinema videos in 2007, Cream Lemon 7 and Swimsuit Spy - SPY GIRLS. The latter video, an erotic comedy, starred AV Idol Mihiro. In 2009 the second feature film he directed, 8000 Miles (SR サイタマノラッパー, SR: Saitama no Rapper), won the grand prize in the Off Theatre Competition at the Yubari International Fantastic Film Festival. It also earned Irie the Directors Guild of Japan New Directors Award. The film follows four friends from suburban Fukuya (punned on Fukaya) who dream of becoming rap stars. The mostly amateur cast also included adult video actress Mihiro.
Kenichiro Kogure (Japanese: 木暮 賢一郎, born 11 November 1979) is a Japanese former futsal player and, since 2021, the…Kenichiro Kogure (Japanese: 木暮 賢一郎, born 11 November 1979) is a Japanese former futsal player and, since 2021, the Japan national futsal team manager.