Hitoshi Tamura (多村 仁志, born March 28, 1977) is a retired Japanese professional baseball player who last played with the…Hitoshi Tamura (多村 仁志, born March 28, 1977) is a retired Japanese professional baseball player who last played with the Chunichi Dragons in Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball. Following his release from the Yokohama DeNA Baystars in 2015, Tamura joined the Chunichi Dragons on a trainee contract with the hope of returning to professional baseball. On October 1, 2016 it was announced that Tamura was deemed surplus to requirements by the Dragons management. He then announced his retirement from professional baseball.
Shuta Tanaka (田中 秀太, Tanaka Shūta; simply called Shuta (秀太)) is a Japanese retired professional Nippon Professional…Shuta Tanaka (田中 秀太, Tanaka Shūta; simply called Shuta (秀太)) is a Japanese retired professional Nippon Professional Baseball player.
Yujiro Shirakawa (白川 裕二郎, Shirakawa Yūjirō; born December 11, 1976, in Kōhoku-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan)…Yujiro Shirakawa (白川 裕二郎, Shirakawa Yūjirō; born December 11, 1976, in Kōhoku-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan) is a Japanese actor and singer who is represented by the talent agency, G.P.R.
Kohei Suwama (諏訪間 幸平, Suwama Kōhei; born November 23, 1976), also known mononymously as Suwama (諏訪魔, Suwa Ma; literally…Kohei Suwama (諏訪間 幸平, Suwama Kōhei; born November 23, 1976), also known mononymously as Suwama (諏訪魔, Suwa Ma; literally translated to "Suwa Evil Spirit"), is a Japanese professional wrestler and executive. He is the founder and president of Pro Wrestling Evolution, which was created in 2023. He is also signed to All Japan Pro Wrestling, where he is a former record eight-time Triple Crown Heavyweight Champion and an eight-time World Tag Team Champion. He was also part of AJPW's board of directors until his departure in early 2025 to focus on Evolution. Debuting in 2004 at the age of 27 under Hiroshi Hase and Kaz Hayashi in the AJPW Dojo, Suwama was seen as the spiritual successor to then-president Keiji Muto, until he turned on him in 2006 to join Voodoo Murders (VDM). Upon dropping his first name and joining VDM, he teamed with both leader Taru and Satoshi Kojima on numerous occasions. He left VDM in 2008 to represent AJPW, and, after winning the Champion Carnival that year, won his first Triple Crown title against Osamu Nishimura. In the years following his first Triple Crown title, he rose to become the legitimate ace of the promotion, winning multiple more Triple Crown and Tag championships. His meteoric rise led to him becoming known in AJPW as both The Emperor and the Next Jumbo. He founded the Evolution stable, which was first known as Last Revolution, in 2012. Within this time, he had been quietly dropped as the ace of AJPW, being replaced by the younger Kento Miyahara. The rivalry between Suwama and Miyahara between 2016 and 2019, and again in 2022, was a pivotal point in AJPW's successes in the mid-to-late 2010s. He formed the Violent Giants (暴走大巨人, Bōsō Dai Kyojin; Japanese for "Runaway Giants") with former DDT and BJW star Shuji Ishikawa; they won four World Tag Team titles and three consecutive Tokyo Sports Best Tag Team Awards between 2017 and 2019 during their run as a tag team. He won the 2016 and 2017 Ōdō Tournaments, and won three World's Strongest Tag Determination Leagues (once with Joe Doering, once with Miyahara, and once with Ishikawa). Since 2008, he has won eight Triple Crown titles and eight World Tag Team titles, becoming one of the winniest competitors in AJPW, surpassing even Mitsuharu Misawa and Toshiaki Kawada for championships combined.
Juri Takayama (高山 樹里, Takayama Juri; born October 21, 1976) is a Japanese softball player who played as a pitcher…Juri Takayama (高山 樹里, Takayama Juri; born October 21, 1976) is a Japanese softball player who played as a pitcher between 1996 and 2004 in the Olympic Games. She won two medals for Japan.
Shigeru Morikasa (森笠 繁, Morikasa Shigeru; born October 4, 1976) is a Japanese former professional baseball outfielder…Shigeru Morikasa (森笠 繁, Morikasa Shigeru; born October 4, 1976) is a Japanese former professional baseball outfielder, and current fourth squad hitting coach for the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB). He played as an outfielder in NPB for the Hiroshima Toyo Carp and the Yokohama BayStars.
Yasuo Saitō (斎藤 恭央, Saitō Yasuo; September 24, 1976 – October 5, 2013), also known by the stage name Yakkun Sakurazuka…Yasuo Saitō (斎藤 恭央, Saitō Yasuo; September 24, 1976 – October 5, 2013), also known by the stage name Yakkun Sakurazuka (桜塚 やっくん, Sakurazuka Yakkun), was a Japanese comedian, singer, and voice actor.
Hideki Nanba (難波 英樹, Nanba Hideki), born 14 October 1974 in Yamanashi Prefecture, is a Japanese former rugby union…Hideki Nanba (難波 英樹, Nanba Hideki), born 14 October 1974 in Yamanashi Prefecture, is a Japanese former rugby union player. He played as centre.
Hidehiro Mitani (三谷英弘, Mitani Hidehiro; born 28 June 1976) is a Japanese politician. He has been a member of the House…Hidehiro Mitani (三谷英弘, Mitani Hidehiro; born 28 June 1976) is a Japanese politician. He has been a member of the House of Representatives since 2017, having previously served from 2012 to 2014. Until 2014, he was a member of Your Party.
Kyoko Uchida (内田 恭子, Uchida Kyōko; born 9 June 1976, in Düsseldorf, West Germany) is a Germany born-Japanese free…Kyoko Uchida (内田 恭子, Uchida Kyōko; born 9 June 1976, in Düsseldorf, West Germany) is a Germany born-Japanese free announcer. She is a former announcer for Fuji Television. Her real name is Kyoko Kimoto (木本 恭子, Kimoto Kyoko) née Uchida (内田). She is nicknamed Ucchī (ウッチー). She grew up in Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture and Chicago. She graduated from Keio University College of Commerce.
Yoshinobu Minowa (箕輪 義信, Minowa Yoshinobu; born June 2, 1976) is a former Japanese football player. He played for Japan…Yoshinobu Minowa (箕輪 義信, Minowa Yoshinobu; born June 2, 1976) is a former Japanese football player. He played for Japan national team.
Mitsunori Yabuta (藪田 光教, Yabuta Mitsunori; born 2 May 1976) is a Japanese football manager and former footballer who is…Mitsunori Yabuta (藪田 光教, Yabuta Mitsunori; born 2 May 1976) is a Japanese football manager and former footballer who is manager of J3 League club FC Osaka.
Masakazu Imanari (Japanese: 今成正和, Imanari Masakazu; born 10 February 1976) is a Japanese mixed martial artist and…Masakazu Imanari (Japanese: 今成正和, Imanari Masakazu; born 10 February 1976) is a Japanese mixed martial artist and submission wrestler. He currently competes in the Bantamweight division of Rizin Fighting Federation. A professional competitor since 2000, he is a veteran of ONE Championship, DEEP, ZST, Pancrase, PRIDE Fighting Championships, and Cage Rage. He was in the final Cage Rage Featherweight Champion, DEEP Bantamweight Champion, two-time DEEP Featherweight Champion and DREAM Japan Grand Prix Finalist. Imanari is a successful submission wrestler, placing as runner-up twice at the All-Japan Combat Wrestling Championship. He is the namesake of the "Imanari roll" maneuver. He runs Imanari Jiu-Jitsu Academy in Shinjuku.
Hitomi Furuya (古谷 仁美, Furuya Hitomi; born January 26, 1976), known professionally as Hitomi (ヒトミ; stylized as hitomi)…Hitomi Furuya (古谷 仁美, Furuya Hitomi; born January 26, 1976), known professionally as Hitomi (ヒトミ; stylized as hitomi), is a Japanese singer. She began her career as teen model before making her singing debuting under the helm of Tetsuya Komuro in 1994, who produced Hitomi's earliest work in pop music. Hitomi has striven for artistry over the course of her career, penning "forward-looking" lyrics and becoming known for her "unusual" fashion sense that accompanied a "supermodel allure". Her signature songs include "Candy Girl", "Love 2000" and "Samurai Drive". Hitomi's career enjoyed success from Komuro's direction, including his work on her chart-topping second album By Myself (1996), however, her desire for more artistic input led to their amicable split by 1998. She started working with other musicians and composers, and branched out into musical genres such as pop rock as evident on her fifth album Love Life (2000), a turning point which sustained her position in the industry. Hitomi began incorporating electropop styles with her subsequent moves to Love Life Records in 2005 and independent label Maximum 10 in 2011. Hitomi has amassed four number one albums throughout her career, including H (1999), Huma-rhythm (2002) and Self Portrait (2002), and has sold over 8.5 million records in Japan alone. She has earned two Japan Record Awards for Excellent Work and a Japan Gold Disc accolade for Rock & Pop Album of the Year, and has performed at the prestigious Kōhaku Uta Gassen program twice.
Tsuyoshi Muro (ムロツヨシ, Muro Tsuyoshi; born January 23, 1976) is a Japanese actor who appears on stage and screen. He…Tsuyoshi Muro (ムロツヨシ, Muro Tsuyoshi; born January 23, 1976) is a Japanese actor who appears on stage and screen. He debuted as an actor in 1999 and has appeared in the "Bayside Shakedown" series, NHK's Gochisosan, and Yūsha Yoshihiko.
Yūsuke Ina (伊奈 祐介, Ina Yūsuke; born December 18, 1975) is a Japanese retired professional shogi player who achieved the…Yūsuke Ina (伊奈 祐介, Ina Yūsuke; born December 18, 1975) is a Japanese retired professional shogi player who achieved the rank of 7-dan.
Kazunori Kubota (窪田 和則, Kubota Kazunori; born 13 December 1975) is a Japanese judoka. Kubota is from Kawasaki…Kazunori Kubota (窪田 和則, Kubota Kazunori; born 13 December 1975) is a Japanese judoka. Kubota is from Kawasaki, Kanagawa. He began judo at the age of a 2nd grader and after graduation from Kokushikan University, he belonged to Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department Kubota received a gold medal at the Jigoro Kano Cup in 1996 and silver medal at the World Masters Munich in 1997. He also participate Asian Games in 1998, but defeated by Kwak Ok-Chol from North Korea As of 2009, Kubota coaches judo at All-Japan national team and Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department.
Tomohiro Ishii (石井 智宏, Ishii Tomohiro; born December 10, 1975) is a Japanese professional wrestler. He is signed to New…Tomohiro Ishii (石井 智宏, Ishii Tomohiro; born December 10, 1975) is a Japanese professional wrestler. He is signed to New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW), where he is a founding member of the now-defunct Chaos stable. He also makes additional appearances for All Elite Wrestling (AEW), where he is a member of The Conglomeration. He is also known for his work with the independent Fighting World of Japan Pro Wrestling (Riki Pro) promotion, where he worked backstage as the chairman. Though pushed for most of his career as an undercarder without any major championship wins, Ishii gathered a cult following, and in February 2013 was called "probably [one of the] most underrated guys in the business" by Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Ishii's status in NJPW finally began rising in early 2013, culminating in him winning his first title in the promotion, the NEVER Openweight Championship, in February 2014, a title he would later win a record six times. He went on to capture the IWGP Tag Team Championship on two occasions, the NEVER Openweight 6-Man Tag Team Championship three times, and the Strong Openweight Championship once. Through NJPW's working relationship with the American Ring of Honor (ROH) and the British Revolution Pro Wrestling (RPW) promotions, he has also won the ROH World Television Championship once and is a two-time Undisputed British Heavyweight Champion.
Taku Suzuki (鈴木 拓, Suzuki Taku; born December 7, 1975) is a Japanese comedian and actor who is part of the comedy duo…Taku Suzuki (鈴木 拓, Suzuki Taku; born December 7, 1975) is a Japanese comedian and actor who is part of the comedy duo Drunk Dragon with Muga Tsukaji. He graduated from Kanagawa Prefectural Ayase Nishi High School.
Ryoko Uno (宇野 涼子, Uno Ryōko; born 9 November 1975) (former name; Ryoko Kobayashi, 小林 涼子) is a former Japanese football…Ryoko Uno (宇野 涼子, Uno Ryōko; born 9 November 1975) (former name; Ryoko Kobayashi, 小林 涼子) is a former Japanese football player. She played for Japan national team.
Tadashi Takayanagi (高柳匡, Takayanagi Tadashi); born October 11, 1975 in Tokyo, is a Japanese theoretical physicist. He…Tadashi Takayanagi (高柳匡, Takayanagi Tadashi); born October 11, 1975 in Tokyo, is a Japanese theoretical physicist. He is a professor at the Yukawa Institute for Theoretical Physics at Kyoto University.
Masatsugu Nakazawa (中澤 公胤, Nakazawa Masatsugu; born October 8, 1975), better known by the ring name Michael Nakazawa…Masatsugu Nakazawa (中澤 公胤, Nakazawa Masatsugu; born October 8, 1975), better known by the ring name Michael Nakazawa (中澤マイケル, Nakazawa Maikeru), is a Japanese professional wrestler and judoka signed to All Elite Wrestling (AEW).
Ryuzo Morioka (森岡 隆三, Morioka Ryūzō; born 7 October 1975) is a Japanese former professional footballer who played as a…Ryuzo Morioka (森岡 隆三, Morioka Ryūzō; born 7 October 1975) is a Japanese former professional footballer who played as a defender. He played for Japan national team.
Satoshi Iwabuchi (岩渕 聡, Iwabuchi Satoshi; born October 7, 1975) is a retired professional tennis player from Japan.…Satoshi Iwabuchi (岩渕 聡, Iwabuchi Satoshi; born October 7, 1975) is a retired professional tennis player from Japan. Iwabuchi won one ATP Tour doubles title in his career, the 2005 Japan Open, where he and Takao Suzuki defeated Simon Aspelin and Todd Perry in straight sets 5–4(3), 5–4(13). As of May 17, 2009, Iwabuchi's highest singles ranking was world number 223, which he reached on October 20, 2003.
Naoya Okubo (大久保直弥, Ōkubo Naoya) (born 27 September 1975) is a former Japanese rugby union player. Okubo played 23…Naoya Okubo (大久保直弥, Ōkubo Naoya) (born 27 September 1975) is a former Japanese rugby union player. Okubo played 23 matches for the Japan national rugby union team from 1999 to 2004. His regular playing positions were Flanker and Lock. As of December 2013 Okubo is the coach of Top League team Suntory Sungoliath. In 2015, Okubo became the coach of NTT Communications Shining Arcs. He was named the first Non-Kiwi coach of the Sunwolves in their last year of Super Rugby in 2020.
Suzu Chiba (千葉 すず, born August 11, 1975, in Yokohama, Kanagawa) is a former freestyle swimmer from Japan. She competed…Suzu Chiba (千葉 すず, born August 11, 1975, in Yokohama, Kanagawa) is a former freestyle swimmer from Japan. She competed for her native country in two consequentive Summer Olympics, starting in 1992. She won the bronze medal in the 400 m Freestyle at the 1991 World Aquatics Championships in Perth, Western Australia. She married swimmer Takashi Yamamoto in 2002. They have four children together.
Masayuki Miyazawa (宮澤正之, Miyazawa Masayuki; born August 6, 1975), known professionally as Sakana-kun (さかなクン), is a…Masayuki Miyazawa (宮澤正之, Miyazawa Masayuki; born August 6, 1975), known professionally as Sakana-kun (さかなクン), is a Japanese illustrator, ichthyologist and television personality. Largely self-taught, he is based in Chiba Prefecture. His trademark is wearing a boxfish cap and a jacket adorned with fish. In 2011, he was a visiting associate professor at Tokyo University of Marine Science and Technology and was working with the Japanese government to promote fish consumption, trying to boost the sagging fisheries industry. Sakana-kun testified at the Research Committee on International Economy and Foreign Affairs during a February 12, 2020 House of Councillors committee session, discussing the changing fish habitat due to environmental problems, at the session dedicated to marine resource management and protection. As headgear is not normally allowed in the upper house, Sakana-kun was given special permission to wear his trademark boxfish cap during the testimony. In 2022, Shuichi Okita’s film “The Fish Tale” was released, based on Sakana-kun's autobiography. The film has been described as “a heartwarming story about a lovable outsider”, reflecting Sakana-kun's non-mainstream life. He is the son of Goro Miyazawa, a 9-dan professional Go player.
Yuri Komuro (Japanese: 小室友里, Hepburn: Komuro Yuri) (born July 28, 1976 in Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan) is a Japanese…Yuri Komuro (Japanese: 小室友里, Hepburn: Komuro Yuri) (born July 28, 1976 in Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan) is a Japanese actress, author and former AV idol. She was one of the top actresses in the AV field during the late 1990s and in her dominant period from 1996 to 1999 was called "The AV Queen".
Yuji Tachikawa (立川祐路, Tachikawa Yūji; born 5 July 1975) is a Japanese motorsport executive and former racing driver. He…Yuji Tachikawa (立川祐路, Tachikawa Yūji; born 5 July 1975) is a Japanese motorsport executive and former racing driver. He competed in Super GT between 1996 and 2023, and in Formula Nippon between 1997 and 2009. He is a three-time Super GT champion in the GT500 class, having won the championship in its previous guise as the All-Japan Grand Touring Car Championship in 2001, and after its rebranding in 2005 and 2013. A longtime Toyota factory driver, he competed for the Cerumo team for the majority of his racing career.
Shuhei Terada (寺田 周平, Terada Shuhei; born June 23, 1975) is a Japanese football manager and former player who is the…Shuhei Terada (寺田 周平, Terada Shuhei; born June 23, 1975) is a Japanese football manager and former player who is the current manager of J3 League club, Fukushima United.
Masato Hirano (平野 雅人, Hirano Masato; born June 11, 1975 in Kanagawa) is a former swimmer from Japan. He finished 6th in…Masato Hirano (平野 雅人, Hirano Masato; born June 11, 1975 in Kanagawa) is a former swimmer from Japan. He finished 6th in the 1500 metres freestyle competition at the 1996 Summer Olympics.
Toshio Matsumoto (松本 利夫, Matsumoto Toshio; nicknamed Matsu (stylized as MATSU); born 27 May 1975, in Kawasaki…Toshio Matsumoto (松本 利夫, Matsumoto Toshio; nicknamed Matsu (stylized as MATSU); born 27 May 1975, in Kawasaki, Kanagawa) is a Japanese dancer, actor and director. He is member and former performer of J-Pop group Exile. He was part of the first generation J Soul Brothers. Since 2016 he has been serving as the chairman of the Gekidan Exile Matsu-gumi. Matsumoto is represented with LDH.
Masanobu Ando (安藤 政信, Andō Masanobu; born May 19, 1975) is a Japanese actor. Ando has appeared in films such as Takeshi…Masanobu Ando (安藤 政信, Andō Masanobu; born May 19, 1975) is a Japanese actor. Ando has appeared in films such as Takeshi Kitano's Kids Return (1996), Kinji Fukasaku's Battle Royale (2000), Takashi Miike's Sukiyaki Western Django (2007), and Chen Kaige's Forever Enthralled (2008). He also appears in Tsai Ming-liang's award-winning film No No Sleep (2015), in a series of statically filmed urban scenes without dialogue.
Kaoru "Caol" Uno (宇野薫, Uno Kaoru) (born May 8, 1975) is a Japanese mixed martial artist and professional wrestler. He…Kaoru "Caol" Uno (宇野薫, Uno Kaoru) (born May 8, 1975) is a Japanese mixed martial artist and professional wrestler. He is the Co-Champion of the UFC 41 Lightweight Tournament and a former Shooto Lightweight Champion. As one of the early Ultimate Fighting Championship's elite Lightweight competitors, Uno competed for the UFC Lightweight Championship on two occasions. Despite falling short in both championship bouts; losing a five-round decision against Jens Pulver at UFC 30, to determine the inaugural UFC Lightweight Champion as well as a draw against B.J. Penn at UFC 41 (in a bout which would have determined the new UFC Lightweight Champion and UFC 41 Lightweight Tournament Winner), Uno is acknowledged as a pioneer for his impact and influence during the early era of the UFC Lightweight Division. In addition, Uno is a skilled submission grappler and won a silver medal on the 1999 ADCC Submission Fighting World Championship -77 kg category. Caol Uno also was a professional wrestler, having wrestled at Inoki Bom-Ba-Ye 2000 and at All Japan Pro Wrestling (AJPW) from 2002 to 2003.
Kentarō Uesugi (上杉 謙太郎, Uesugi Kentarō; born 20 April 1975) is a Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic Party…Kentarō Uesugi (上杉 謙太郎, Uesugi Kentarō; born 20 April 1975) is a Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic Party, who serves as a member of the House of Representatives.
Uno Nishimura (西村 うの, Nishimura Uno; born March 28, 1975, in Kawasaki, Kanagawa, Japan), better known as Uno Kanda (神田…Uno Nishimura (西村 うの, Nishimura Uno; born March 28, 1975, in Kawasaki, Kanagawa, Japan), better known as Uno Kanda (神田 うの, Kanda Uno), is a Japanese model, actress, tarento, and fashion designer represented by Space Craft.
Tsuyoshi Kikuchihara (菊地原 毅, Kikuchihara Tsuyoshi; born March 7, 1975) is a Japanese former professional baseball…Tsuyoshi Kikuchihara (菊地原 毅, Kikuchihara Tsuyoshi; born March 7, 1975) is a Japanese former professional baseball pitcher. He played in the Chinese Professional Baseball League (CPBL) for the China Times Eagles, and in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) for the Hiroshima Toyo Carp and Orix Buffaloes.
Yutaka Arai (荒井 優, Arai Yutaka; 28 February 1975) is a Japanese politician of the CDP and a member of the House of…Yutaka Arai (荒井 優, Arai Yutaka; 28 February 1975) is a Japanese politician of the CDP and a member of the House of Representatives in the Diet from 2021 to 2026.
Atsushi Koga (古賀淳, Koga Atsushi), sometimes translated erroneously as Jun Koga, (born Kanagawa Prefecture, 25 February…Atsushi Koga (古賀淳, Koga Atsushi), sometimes translated erroneously as Jun Koga, (born Kanagawa Prefecture, 25 February 1975) is a Japanese former rugby union player who played as Centre.
Koji Abe (あべ こうじ, Abe Kōji; born 19 February 1975, in Minami-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture) is a Japanese comedian…Koji Abe (あべ こうじ, Abe Kōji; born 19 February 1975, in Minami-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture) is a Japanese comedian (pin entertainer), comic chat artist, actor and lyricist. His wife is former Morning Musume member and tarento Ai Takahashi. Abe is represented with Yoshimoto Kogyo in Tokyo (Tokyo Yoshimoto, a subsidiary of Yoshimoto Creative Agency).
Katsuo Yakura (矢倉 克夫, Yakura Katsuo; born January 11, 1975) is a Japanese politician who served as a member of the…Katsuo Yakura (矢倉 克夫, Yakura Katsuo; born January 11, 1975) is a Japanese politician who served as a member of the House of Councillors of Japan from 2013 to 2025.