Michiko Nomura (野村 道子, Nomura Michiko; born March 31, 1938 in Yokohama, Kanagawa) is a Japanese actress, voice actress…Michiko Nomura (野村 道子, Nomura Michiko; born March 31, 1938 in Yokohama, Kanagawa) is a Japanese actress, voice actress, and sōdanyaku. She is best known for her roles as Shizuka Minamoto in Doraemon, Maya the Bee in The Adventures of Maya the Bee, and Wakame Isono in Sazae-san.
Miri Yu (柳美里, Yū Miri; Korean: 유미리; born June 22, 1968) is a Zainichi Korean playwright, novelist, and essayist. Yu…Miri Yu (柳美里, Yū Miri; Korean: 유미리; born June 22, 1968) is a Zainichi Korean playwright, novelist, and essayist. Yu writes in Japanese, her native language, but is a citizen of South Korea.
Atsushi Nakajima (中島 敦, Nakajima Atsushi; 5 May 1909 – 4 December 1942) was a Japanese author known for his unique…Atsushi Nakajima (中島 敦, Nakajima Atsushi; 5 May 1909 – 4 December 1942) was a Japanese author known for his unique style and self-introspective themes. His major works include "The Moon Over the Mountain" and "Light, Wind and Dreams" with the former being published in many Japanese textbooks. During his life he wrote about twenty works, including unfinished works, typically inspired by Classical Chinese stories and his own life experiences.
Tōru Furuya (古谷 徹, Furuya Tōru; born July 31, 1953, in Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture) is a Japanese actor and narrator.…Tōru Furuya (古谷 徹, Furuya Tōru; born July 31, 1953, in Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture) is a Japanese actor and narrator. As a child, he was a member of Gekidan Himawari, a children's acting troupe. He has been employed by talent management firm Aoni Production since 1982. Furuya is most known for the anime roles of Amuro Ray (Gundam), Hyūma Hoshi (Star of the Giants), Pegasus Seiya (Saint Seiya), Yamcha (Dragon Ball), Kyōsuke Kasuga (Kimagure Orange Road) and Tuxedo Mask (Sailor Moon). He considers them his most important roles. He also voiced Mario in several anime and commercials, starting with the film Super Mario Bros.: The Great Mission to Rescue Princess Peach!, released in 1986. He also used a pseudonym, Noboru Sōgetsu (蒼月 昇, Sōgetsu Noboru), when playing Ribbons Almark in Mobile Suit Gundam 00 (he used his real name in the narration role) and as Zen Kirishima in Sekai-ichi Hatsukoi. Both the narration role and Ribbons Almark were Furuya's first role in a non-Universal Century Gundam series. He is also the most well known official dubbing voice for Hong Kong action film actor Yuen Biao.
Yūko Andō (安藤 裕子, Andō Yūko) (born 9 May 1977) is a Japanese singer-songwriter and former actress. Andō is part of the…Yūko Andō (安藤 裕子, Andō Yūko) (born 9 May 1977) is a Japanese singer-songwriter and former actress. Andō is part of the Horipro talent agency.
Yūji Oda (織田 裕二, Oda Yūji; born December 13, 1967) is a Japanese actor and singer. He is one of Japan's 11 most popular…Yūji Oda (織田 裕二, Oda Yūji; born December 13, 1967) is a Japanese actor and singer. He is one of Japan's 11 most popular male entertainers, according to an NHK survey taken in 2004. In one survey, he was the second most popular actor after Takuya Kimura in Japan during the Heisei era (1989-2019).
Ayako Nishikawa (西川 史子, Nishikawa Ayako; 5 April 1971) is a Japanese female TV star, tarento, comedian, and cosmetic…Ayako Nishikawa (西川 史子, Nishikawa Ayako; 5 April 1971) is a Japanese female TV star, tarento, comedian, and cosmetic surgeon. She is unusual in Japan in that she is willing to appear on television, as medical practitioners are generally hesitant to appear.
Norihiro Inoue (Japanese: 井上 倫宏, Hepburn: Inoue Norihiro; March 7, 1958 – February 28, 2022) was a Japanese actor from…Norihiro Inoue (Japanese: 井上 倫宏, Hepburn: Inoue Norihiro; March 7, 1958 – February 28, 2022) was a Japanese actor from Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan.
Nanako Matsushima (松嶋 菜々子, Matsushima Nanako; born 13 October 1973) is a Japanese actress and model. She is best known…Nanako Matsushima (松嶋 菜々子, Matsushima Nanako; born 13 October 1973) is a Japanese actress and model. She is best known for starring in the horror film Ring (1998) and the drama series A Story of Love (1997) and I'm Mita, Your Housekeeper. (2011). The latter's final episode reached a viewer rating of 40%, making it one of the highest rated Japanese television dramas of all time.
Chihiro Yonekura (米倉 千尋, Yonekura Chihiro; born August 19, 1972) is a Japanese singer and songwriter from Yokohama…Chihiro Yonekura (米倉 千尋, Yonekura Chihiro; born August 19, 1972) is a Japanese singer and songwriter from Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan.
Yukari Kinga (近賀 ゆかり, Kinga Yukari; born 2 May 1984) is a Japanese former football player who played as a defender. She…Yukari Kinga (近賀 ゆかり, Kinga Yukari; born 2 May 1984) is a Japanese former football player who played as a defender. She previously played for the Japan women's national football team, winning the 2011 Fifa World Cup and an Olympic silver medal before her international retirement in 2016.
Kyoko Yano (矢野 喬子, Yano Kyōko; born June 3, 1984) is a Japanese former football player. She has played for the Japan…Kyoko Yano (矢野 喬子, Yano Kyōko; born June 3, 1984) is a Japanese former football player. She has played for the Japan national team as a defender.
Keisuke Kuwata (Japanese: 桑田 佳祐, Hepburn: Kuwata Keisuke; born February 26, 1956) is a Japanese singer-songwriter and…Keisuke Kuwata (Japanese: 桑田 佳祐, Hepburn: Kuwata Keisuke; born February 26, 1956) is a Japanese singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, best known as frontman of the rock band Southern All Stars. He also has a successful solo career and has worked as a record producer, film composer, and film director. In 2003, Southern All Stars was ranked No. 1 and Kuwata himself was ranked No. 12 on HMV Japan's list of the top 100 Japanese musical acts. In 2014, the Japanese government awarded Kuwata the Medal with Purple Ribbon for his contributions to the arts.
Sumire Uesaka (上坂すみれ, Uesaka Sumire; born December 19, 1991) is a Japanese voice actress and singer associated with…Sumire Uesaka (上坂すみれ, Uesaka Sumire; born December 19, 1991) is a Japanese voice actress and singer associated with Voice Kit. She began her career as a junior model in 2000, appearing in various commercials and becoming the first Japanese person featured in a Vidal Sassoon commercial. In 2011, she transitioned into voice acting. She won the Best Rookie Actress at the 10th Seiyu Awards. In addition to voice acting, Uesaka began a music career in April 2013 under King Records under the King Amusement Creative label. In 2025, Uesaka made her professional wrestling debut and was an Ironman Heavymetalweight Champion twice.
Aki Higashihara (東原 亜希, Higashihara Aki; born November 11, 1982) is a Japanese television personality, fashion model…Aki Higashihara (東原 亜希, Higashihara Aki; born November 11, 1982) is a Japanese television personality, fashion model and gravure idol. She married Judo athlete Kosei Inoue in 2008. She is represented by Platinum Production. Higashihara also blogs, and a tongue-in-cheek internet meme holds that items which she blogs about are certain to suffer misfortune. In 2007, she was one of the reporters on the Super Keiba TV show.
Ai Sugiyama (杉山愛, Sugiyama Ai; born July 5, 1975) is a Japanese former tennis player. She reached the world No. 1…Ai Sugiyama (杉山愛, Sugiyama Ai; born July 5, 1975) is a Japanese former tennis player. She reached the world No. 1 ranking in women's doubles on the WTA Tour and had a career-high singles ranking of world No. 8, achieved on February 9, 2004. In her career, she won six singles and 38 doubles titles, including three major titles (one with Julie Halard-Decugis and two partnering Kim Clijsters), and one mixed doubles title (partnering Mahesh Bhupathi). Sugiyama held the all-time record, for both male and female players, for her 62 consecutive Grand Slam tournament main-draw appearances, until she was surpassed by Roger Federer at the 2015 Wimbledon Championships.
Reiko Nakamura (中村 礼子, Nakamura Reiko; born May 17, 1982 in Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture) is a Japanese Olympic and…Reiko Nakamura (中村 礼子, Nakamura Reiko; born May 17, 1982 in Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture) is a Japanese Olympic and Asian record-holding swimmer.
Yuka Kaneko (née Yuka Yoshida, Japanese: 吉田友佳, born 1 April 1976) is a former professional tennis player from Japan. In…Yuka Kaneko (née Yuka Yoshida, Japanese: 吉田友佳, born 1 April 1976) is a former professional tennis player from Japan. In her career, she won three doubles titles on the WTA Tour: 1995 in Tokyo, 1996 in Pattaya, and 2005 in Memphis. Kaneko also won five singles and seven doubles titles on the ITF Circuit. Her best Grand Slam performance came in 1998 when she reached the quarterfinals of the doubles tournament of the US Open.
Takashi Ishii (石井 貴, Ishii Takashi; born 25 August 1971) is a Japanese professional baseball pitcher and coach. He…Takashi Ishii (石井 貴, Ishii Takashi; born 25 August 1971) is a Japanese professional baseball pitcher and coach. He pitched for 14 seasons for the Seibu Lions and made three All-Star teams. His brother Akio Ishii was drafted in 1986 but never made it into Nippon Pro Baseball.
Chihiro Igarashi (五十嵐 千尋, Igarashi Chihiro; born 24 May 1995) is a Japanese swimmer. She competed in the women's 400…Chihiro Igarashi (五十嵐 千尋, Igarashi Chihiro; born 24 May 1995) is a Japanese swimmer. She competed in the women's 400 metre freestyle event at the 2016 Summer Olympics. She qualified to represent Japan at the 2020 Summer Olympics.
Mao Inoue (井上 真央; born 9 January 1987) is a Japanese actress known for her roles as Akane Imai in the Kids War series…Mao Inoue (井上 真央; born 9 January 1987) is a Japanese actress known for her roles as Akane Imai in the Kids War series, Tsukushi Makino in the Boys Over Flowers series, and as Sugi Fumi (ja) in the 54th taiga drama Burning Flower. She has also appeared in several films, including I Give My First Love to You, Rebirth, and The Snow White Murder Case.
Ōnokatsu Kazuhiro (Japanese: 阿武剋 一弘; born 5 May 2000 as Batjargal Choijilsüren (Mongolian: Батжаргал Чойжилсүрэн)) is a…Ōnokatsu Kazuhiro (Japanese: 阿武剋 一弘; born 5 May 2000 as Batjargal Choijilsüren (Mongolian: Батжаргал Чойжилсүрэн)) is a professional sumo wrestler from Mongolia. His highest rank is maegashira 3.
Yoshimi Ozaki (尾崎 好美, Ozaki Yoshimi; born July 1, 1981) is a Japanese long-distance runner, who specializes in the…Yoshimi Ozaki (尾崎 好美, Ozaki Yoshimi; born July 1, 1981) is a Japanese long-distance runner, who specializes in the marathon. She won the 2008 Tokyo Women's Marathon in a personal best time of 2:23:30 hours. A year later she took the silver medal in the event at the 2009 World Championships in Athletics. Ozaki has won international team medals with Japan at the IAAF World Cross Country Championships and the IAAF World Half Marathon Championships. She represented Japan in the marathon at the 2012 Summer Olympics. She is coached by former world marathon medallist Sachiko Yamashita.
Go Shinohara (Japanese: 篠原豪, Hepburn: Shinohara Go; born 12 February 1975) is a Japanese politician serving as a member…Go Shinohara (Japanese: 篠原豪, Hepburn: Shinohara Go; born 12 February 1975) is a Japanese politician serving as a member of the House of Representatives since 2014. From 2011 to 2014, he was a member of the Yokohama City Council.
Jūrōta Kosugi (小杉 十郎太, Kosugi Jūrōta; born December 19, 1957 in Yokohama, Japan) is a Japanese voice actor. His major…Jūrōta Kosugi (小杉 十郎太, Kosugi Jūrōta; born December 19, 1957 in Yokohama, Japan) is a Japanese voice actor. His major roles include Arlong in One Piece, Asuma Sarutobi in Naruto, Akio Ohtori in Revolutionary Girl Utena, Isamu Kenmochi in Kindaichi Case Files, Big Zenki in Zenki, and Jotaro Kujo in JoJo's Bizarre Adventure (OVA). In video games, he provides the voice of Nobunaga Oda in the Samurai Warriors and Warriors Orochi series. He also provides the Japanese voice for Billy Blanks, David Duchovny, Tony Leung Chiu-wai and Luke Perry. He was also the first dub-over artist of Daniel Craig and Andy Lau in their early days.
Yurie Nabeya (鍋谷 友理枝, Nabeya Yurie; born (1993-12-15)15 December 1993) is a Japanese former volleyball player. She…Yurie Nabeya (鍋谷 友理枝, Nabeya Yurie; born (1993-12-15)15 December 1993) is a Japanese former volleyball player. She played in the 2016 Summer Olympics.
starRo is the moniker of Grammy nominated R&B producer Shinya Mizoguchi. His debut album Monday was released world wide…starRo is the moniker of Grammy nominated R&B producer Shinya Mizoguchi. His debut album Monday was released world wide October 20, 2016 and subsequently rose to the top of the charts in Japan. In 2016 he became the first Grammy nominated producer from Japan rising him to fame in his country of origin. Uproxx later wrote, "starRo may well be one of the first, true SoundCloud producers to be nominated for a Grammy." The LA-based, Japanese-born producer also became the first to host a Beats1 Radio show focused on Tokyo culture. Since then, he produced for a number of Japanese and Korean R&B/Hip Hop stars including the Korean group Common Cold (Mad Clown and Justhis) called "WASH!WASH!" which went to number 3 in Korea and received critical acclaim in Korea.
Tomomi Kai (甲斐 智美, Kai Tomomi; born May 30, 1983) is a retired Japanese women's professional shogi player who achieved…Tomomi Kai (甲斐 智美, Kai Tomomi; born May 30, 1983) is a retired Japanese women's professional shogi player who achieved the rank of 5-dan. She is a former Women's Ōi, Kurashiki Tōka Cup, and Jo-Ō title holder.
Toshio Aoki or Tershui Aoki (青木年雄 Aoki Toshio, born 1854, in Yokohama, Japan – 1912, in San Diego, California) was a…Toshio Aoki or Tershui Aoki (青木年雄 Aoki Toshio, born 1854, in Yokohama, Japan – 1912, in San Diego, California) was a Japanese American artist and painter who lived and worked in California at the turn of the 20th century. Aoki found significant success among the American upper class and was known for hosting social events. Guests of his are alleged to have included John D. Rockefeller and J. P. Morgan. Aoki was born in Yokohama, Japan in 1854. He emigrated to San Francisco in 1880 at the invitation of a department store owner. Upon his arrival, he began work as a commercial artist for the Deakin Brothers of San Francisco. He also worked as a cartoon illustrator for a San Francisco newspaper. Eventually, he became one of the preeminent Japanese artists working in the United States. He later relocated to Pasadena, California, where he received commissions to decorate the interiors of Arts and Crafts houses whose architecture, such as the famed residences by Greene and Greene, often reflected Japanese aesthetics. During this time, he was also featured in an article by the Los Angeles Herald, entitled "To See Yourselves As Aoki Sees You" which indicated that he had already gained prominence. He was active until 1910 and died in San Diego on April 26, 1912. Aoki painted portraits and murals in the homes of prominent people and became very successful. His works were handled by George T. Marsh & Company. He exhibited at the World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago in 1893, and the Art Institute of Chicago gave him a showing in 1924. The Fine Arts Gallery of San Francisco State University said of him: "Much of Aoki's early life in Japan is speculation, ranging from artistic pursuits (student of acting, or street artist) to the grand and spectacular (a Samurai opposed to the new Japanese government). . . . [he painted] 'spontaneous seki'e ('on the spot' or 'before the viewers' eyes'). He built a reputation as a storyteller, sketching comical figures and eventually landing an illustrating job with the San Francisco Call." After moving to Pasadena, Aoki "worked hard to shed his reputation as an amusing character and storyteller and to be taken seriously as an artist. He began to work on 'Oriental receptions,' creating an atmosphere of a Japanese masquerade ball." Not much is known about Aoki's personal life and marriage; however, he is known to have adopted a 7-year-old girl named Tsuru, who later became an actress. While he was based in Pasadena, Aoki also maintained a studio in San Francisco where he first met Tsuru and her original guardians. He died on June 26, 1912.
Kyokukaiyū Ren (Japanese: 旭海雄 蓮), born April 4, 2000 as Shagdarsuren Dalaibaatar (Mongolian: Шагдарсүрэн Далайбаатар)…Kyokukaiyū Ren (Japanese: 旭海雄 蓮), born April 4, 2000 as Shagdarsuren Dalaibaatar (Mongolian: Шагдарсүрэн Далайбаатар) is a Mongolian professional sumo wrestler from Bayankhongor. He wrestles for Ōshima stable. He has won a sandanme division championship. Kyokukaiyū's highest rank is maegashira 16.
