Yuhki Nakayama (中山友貴, Nakayama Yūki; born July 29, 1987 in Kanazawa) is a Japanese racing driver. As of 2025, he drives…Yuhki Nakayama (中山友貴, Nakayama Yūki; born July 29, 1987 in Kanazawa) is a Japanese racing driver. As of 2025, he drives in the Super GT series in the GT300 category for Good Smile Racing. He was the Super GT champion in the GT300 in 2013.
Yasuhiro Tanaka (田中 靖洋, born June 21, 1987, in Komatsu, Ishikawa) is a Japanese former professional baseball pitcher.…Yasuhiro Tanaka (田中 靖洋, born June 21, 1987, in Komatsu, Ishikawa) is a Japanese former professional baseball pitcher. He played for the Saitama Seibu Lions and Chiba Lotte Marines in Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball from 2010 to 2022.
Kokoro Saegusa (三枝 こころ, Saegusa Kokoro; born 2 June 1987) is a Japanese fashion model. She is represented with Neutral…Kokoro Saegusa (三枝 こころ, Saegusa Kokoro; born 2 June 1987) is a Japanese fashion model. She is represented with Neutral Management. Saegusa's brother is businessman Yasuaki Miyashita.
Katsuya Kakunaka (角中 勝也, born May 25, 1987) is a Japanese professional baseball outfielder for the Chiba Lotte Marines…Katsuya Kakunaka (角中 勝也, born May 25, 1987) is a Japanese professional baseball outfielder for the Chiba Lotte Marines in Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball.
Mai Nakagawa (中川 真依, Nakagawa Mai; born 7 April 1987) is a Japanese diver. She competed at the 10 metre platform event…Mai Nakagawa (中川 真依, Nakagawa Mai; born 7 April 1987) is a Japanese diver. She competed at the 10 metre platform event at the 2008 Summer Olympics and at the 2012 Summer Olympics.
Koji Hashimoto (橋本 晃司, Hashimoto Kōji; born on 22 April 1986 in Kanazawa, Ishikawa) is a Japanese football player…Koji Hashimoto (橋本 晃司, Hashimoto Kōji; born on 22 April 1986 in Kanazawa, Ishikawa) is a Japanese football player currently playing for Suzuka Point Getters in the Japan Football League. He is currently the club's captain.
Yohei Toyoda (豊田 陽平, Toyoda Yōhei; born 11 April 1985) is a Japanese football player who plays for Zweigen Kanazawa. He…Yohei Toyoda (豊田 陽平, Toyoda Yōhei; born 11 April 1985) is a Japanese football player who plays for Zweigen Kanazawa. He played for Japan national team.
Koyuki Higashi (東 小雪, Higashi Koyuki; born 1 February 1985) is a Japanese LGBT activist, stage actress and writer. From…Koyuki Higashi (東 小雪, Higashi Koyuki; born 1 February 1985) is a Japanese LGBT activist, stage actress and writer. From 2005 to 2006, she was an otokoyaku member of the Takarazuka Revue Hana-gumi under the name Aura Maki (あうら真輝). In the fall of 2010, she became involved in LGBT issues.
Tokushima Vortis (徳島ヴォルティス, Tokushima Vorutisu) is a Japanese professional football club located in Tokushima, capital…Tokushima Vortis (徳島ヴォルティス, Tokushima Vorutisu) is a Japanese professional football club located in Tokushima, capital of Tokushima Prefecture. The club currently playing in the J2 League, the Japanese second tier of professional football league.
Takako Oguchi (小口貴子, Oguchi Takako; born August 8, 1984, in Wajima) (née Omukai) is a Japanese skeleton racer who has…Takako Oguchi (小口貴子, Oguchi Takako; born August 8, 1984, in Wajima) (née Omukai) is a Japanese skeleton racer who has competed since 2003 and joined the Japanese national team in 2005. She uses a Bromley sled. She married in 2015.
Yu Koshikawa (越川 優, Koshikawa Yū; born June 30, 1984) is a Japanese volleyball player who plays for Voreas Hokkaido in…Yu Koshikawa (越川 優, Koshikawa Yū; born June 30, 1984) is a Japanese volleyball player who plays for Voreas Hokkaido in V.League Division 2. In July 2009, Suntory Sunbirds announced that Koshikawa would move to Pallavolo Padova next season. In July 2012, Suntory Sunbirds announced Koshikawa would join the club in the next season.
Tsubasa Imamura (今村つばさ, Imamura Tsubasa) is a Japanese singer who became known in Brazil after posting YouTube videos…Tsubasa Imamura (今村つばさ, Imamura Tsubasa) is a Japanese singer who became known in Brazil after posting YouTube videos covering Brazilian songs.
Takanori Hashimoto (橋本 崇載, Hashimoto Takanori; born March 3, 1983) is a Japanese former professional shogi player who…Takanori Hashimoto (橋本 崇載, Hashimoto Takanori; born March 3, 1983) is a Japanese former professional shogi player who achieved the rank of 8-dan.
Shoitsu Omatsu (大松 尚逸, born June 16, 1982, in Kanazawa, Ishikawa) is a Japanese former professional baseball outfielder…Shoitsu Omatsu (大松 尚逸, born June 16, 1982, in Kanazawa, Ishikawa) is a Japanese former professional baseball outfielder in Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball. He played with the Chiba Lotte Marines from 2005 to 2015 and with the Tokyo Yakult Swallows in 2017. He has been a coach since 2020.
Shintaro Yoshida (由田 慎太郎, Yoshida Shintarō; born July 20, 1981) is a Japanese professional baseball outfielder for the…Shintaro Yoshida (由田 慎太郎, Yoshida Shintarō; born July 20, 1981) is a Japanese professional baseball outfielder for the Orix Buffaloes in Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball.
Ryōko Shintani (新谷良子, Shintani Ryōko; born March 31, 1981) is a Japanese voice actress and singer from Kanazawa…Ryōko Shintani (新谷良子, Shintani Ryōko; born March 31, 1981) is a Japanese voice actress and singer from Kanazawa, Ishikawa. She is under the Lantis and Vi-vo Recording Label and famous as the voice of Milfeulle Sakuraba in the Galaxy Angel Series. She also sang along with Yukari Tamura, Miyuki Sawashiro, Mayumi Yamaguchi and Mika Kanai as the group Angel-Tai.
Yasutaka Nakata (中田 ヤスタカ, Nakata Yasutaka; born February 6, 1980) is a Japanese music producer and DJ. He formed the…Yasutaka Nakata (中田 ヤスタカ, Nakata Yasutaka; born February 6, 1980) is a Japanese music producer and DJ. He formed the group CAPSULE in 1997 with vocalist Toshiko Koshijima and himself as composer and record producer. The group debuted in 2001 with the song "Sakura". He is known for being the music producer of Japanese girl group Perfume and Japanese model-turned-singer Kyary Pamyu Pamyu since 2003 and 2011, respectively. These artists have gained commercial success for the songs that Nakata wrote and produced, such as "Chocolate Disco", "Polyrhythm", "Fashion Monster", and "Ninja Re Bang Bang". Nakata has worked with several other Japanese pop singers, including MEG, Ami Suzuki, and SMAP, and has also remixed songs by other artists, including m-Flo and Leah Dizon. He ran his own label, Contemode, in association with Yamaha. After Towa Tei, he was the second Japanese artist to officially remix Kylie Minogue, contributing a version of her single "Get Outta My Way". He also formed Coltemonikha with singer, model, and fashion designer Kate Sakai. In July 2012, he won the "Creator" award for the "Change Maker of the Year 2012" event. The Japan Record Awards also awarded Nakata the Best Music Arrangement Award twice, the first for the songs "Tsukema Tsukeru" by Kyary Pamyu Pamyu and "Spice" by Perfume in 2012, and the second one for Kyary's songs "Harajuku Iyahoi" and "Easta" in 2017. Nakata released his first solo album, Digital Native, on February 7, 2018. As of September 25, 2019, Nakata has put out a total of ten number-one albums, most as part of his production with Perfume (six albums and two compilations) and Kyary Pamyu Pamyu (two albums).
Mamiko Noto (能登 麻美子, Noto Mamiko; born February 6, 1980) is a Japanese actress and singer. Some of her prominent anime…Mamiko Noto (能登 麻美子, Noto Mamiko; born February 6, 1980) is a Japanese actress and singer. Some of her prominent anime roles include Kotomi Ichinose in Clannad, Rin in Inuyasha, Warrior Priestess Tomoe in Queen's Blade, Kotori Monou in X, Aoi Kannazuki in Kaitō Tenshi Twin Angel, Durandal in Honkai Impact 3rd, Ishmael in Punishing: Gray Raven, Haruka Nogizaka in Nogizaka Haruka no Himitsu, UMP9 in Girls' Frontline, Fiel Nirvalen in No Game No Life, Sawako Kuronuma in Kimi ni Todoke, and Satellizer L. Bridget in Freezing. Noto was nominated in the 1st Seiyu Awards for her work as Yakumo Tsukamoto in School Rumble and as Masane Amaha in Witchblade, and she was one of the recipients of the Best Supporting Actor Award at the 18th Seiyu Awards. Noto has released several character songs and albums which have charted in Oricon and was a guest at the Otakon and Anime Expo conventions held in the United States.
Yusuke Kanamaru (金丸 雄介, Kanamaru Yūsuke; born 14 September 1979) is a retired Japanese judoka. Kanamaru was born in…Yusuke Kanamaru (金丸 雄介, Kanamaru Yūsuke; born 14 September 1979) is a retired Japanese judoka. Kanamaru was born in Tsurugi, Ishikawa, and began to train in judo at the age of 5. He entered the Ryotokuji Gakuen after graduating from Tsukuba University. Kanamaru is good at Seoinage and Sode tsurikomi goshi. Since 2000, He got a gold medal at the Kodokan Cup, and has been a judoka representing Japan in the Lightweight category. Kanamaru placed seventh in the men's 73 kg class at the 2008 Summer Olympics.
Yukiko Motoya (本谷 有希子, Motoya Yukiko; born July 14, 1979) is a Japanese novelist, playwright, theatre director, and…Yukiko Motoya (本谷 有希子, Motoya Yukiko; born July 14, 1979) is a Japanese novelist, playwright, theatre director, and former voice actress. She has won numerous Japanese literary and dramatic awards, including the Akutagawa Prize, the Noma Literary New Face Prize, the Mishima Yukio Prize, the Kenzaburo Oe Prize, the Kishida Kunio Drama Award, and the Tsuruya Nanboku Drama Award. Her work has been adapted multiple times for film.
Shogo Yamamoto (山本 省吾, Yamamoto Shōgo; born May 28, 1978 in Ishikawa, Japan) is a Japanese former Nippon Professional…Shogo Yamamoto (山本 省吾, Yamamoto Shōgo; born May 28, 1978 in Ishikawa, Japan) is a Japanese former Nippon Professional Baseball pitcher.
Takanori Sugibayashi (Japanese: 杉林 孝法; born 14 March 1976) is a retired Japanese triple jumper. His personal best is…Takanori Sugibayashi (Japanese: 杉林 孝法; born 14 March 1976) is a retired Japanese triple jumper. His personal best is 17.02 metres, achieved in July 2000 in Sapporo. He has competed at the Olympic Games twice.
Miki Itakura (Japanese: 板倉 美紀; born August 1, 1975, in Ishikawa, Japan) is a retired Japanese female race walker. She…Miki Itakura (Japanese: 板倉 美紀; born August 1, 1975, in Ishikawa, Japan) is a retired Japanese female race walker. She competed for Japan at the 1992 Summer Olympics.
Tak Sakaguchi (坂口 拓, Sakaguchi Taku; born March 15, 1975) is a Japanese actor, director, fight choreographer, stuntman…Tak Sakaguchi (坂口 拓, Sakaguchi Taku; born March 15, 1975) is a Japanese actor, director, fight choreographer, stuntman and martial artist. He is known for his role in Ryuhei Kitamura's Versus. Since his debut, Sakaguchi has worked with Kitamura several times, often appearing alongside fellow Kitamura staple Hideo Sakaki. He has also worked with frequent Kitamura collaborators Yudai Yamaguchi and Yuji Shimomura. Sakaguchi is a martial artist, and most often appears in films featuring fight scenes, usually performing all of his own stunts. He is reportedly skilled in Bajiquan, Shorinji Kempo, Boxing, Kickboxing, and while recently filming Re:Born learned Zero Range Combat developed by Yoshitaka Inagawa.
Mayuko Watanabe (渡辺 真由子, Watanabe Mayuko; born 1975) is a Japanese journalist and media scholar specialized in media…Mayuko Watanabe (渡辺 真由子, Watanabe Mayuko; born 1975) is a Japanese journalist and media scholar specialized in media literacy, gender and sexuality. She had been a Senior Researcher and lecturer at Keio University Research Institute. Her research interest through nearly 20 years of career including as a TV news reporter has been the way of regulatory policy of obscene expressions. She has published research and provided media commentary on the topics of media communication and literacy of Japanese obscene content. In 2017, Mayuko Watanabe was awarded a doctoral degree from Keio University and subsequently published a book based on her doctoral thesis. However, it was later revealed that a significant portion of the book consisted of unattributed quotations and plagiarized content. Similarly, her doctoral thesis was also found to be plagiarized. As a result, the publishing company Keisho Shobo discontinued the book and initiated a recall. In March 2018, Keio University revoked her doctoral degree.
Hajime Sasaki (佐々木紀, Sasaki Hajime; born 18 October 1974) is a Japanese politician serving as a member of the House of…Hajime Sasaki (佐々木紀, Sasaki Hajime; born 18 October 1974) is a Japanese politician serving as a member of the House of Representatives since 2012. From 2018 to 2019, he served as director of the LDP Youth Division. He is the nephew of Mamoru Sasaki.
Hideki Matsui (松井 秀喜, Matsui Hideki; born June 12, 1974), nicknamed "Godzilla", is a Japanese former professional…Hideki Matsui (松井 秀喜, Matsui Hideki; born June 12, 1974), nicknamed "Godzilla", is a Japanese former professional baseball outfielder and designated hitter who is the manager of the Yomiuri Giants of Nippon Professional Baseball's Central League. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the New York Yankees, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, Oakland Athletics, Tampa Bay Rays, and in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) for the Yomiuri Giants. He batted left-handed and threw right-handed. Matsui played the first 10 seasons of his career in Japan for NPB's Yomiuri Giants. During that span, he was a nine-time All-Star, three-time Japan Series champion, and three-time Central League Most Valuable Player (MVP). In 2003, Matsui transitioned to playing in MLB in North America, and spent his first seven seasons there with the New York Yankees. As a Yankee, he was a two-time All-Star and 2009 World Series champion, for which he was named the World Series MVP. He is the first Asian player to win the award in league history. After becoming a free agent, Matsui had one-year stints with three other MLB teams: the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, Oakland Athletics, and Tampa Bay Rays. On July 28, 2013, Matsui signed a one-day minor league contract with the Yankees in order to officially retire with the team. During his 20-year playing career, Matsui hit 507 home runs, 332 in NPB and 175 in MLB. In 2018, Matsui was inducted into the Japanese Baseball Hall of Fame. He was appointed manager of the Yomiuri Giants during the 2026 offseason.
Dejima Takeharu (出島 武春, born March 21, 1974) is a former sumo wrestler from Kanazawa, Ishikawa, Japan. A former amateur…Dejima Takeharu (出島 武春, born March 21, 1974) is a former sumo wrestler from Kanazawa, Ishikawa, Japan. A former amateur champion, he made his professional debut in 1996, reaching the top makuuchi division the following year. In July 1999 he won the yūshō or tournament championship and earned promotion to the second highest rank of ōzeki. He lost the rank in 2001 and, for the most part, remained a maegashira until his retirement in 2009. He won ten special prizes and six gold stars over his long career. He wrestled for Musashigawa stable. He is now an elder of the Japan Sumo Association under the name Ōnaruto Oyakata.
Daisuke Nakata (中田 大輔, Nakata Daisuke; born March 2, 1974 in Mikawa, Ishikawa, Japan) is a trampoline gymnast who…Daisuke Nakata (中田 大輔, Nakata Daisuke; born March 2, 1974 in Mikawa, Ishikawa, Japan) is a trampoline gymnast who competed for Japan in the 2000 Summer Olympics. Daisuke also performs on SASUKE (known in America as Ninja Warrior), where he is one of the most well-known competitors. On the trampoline, Nakata can jump as high as 26 feet.
Tochinonada Taiichi (栃乃洋 泰一 born February 26, 1974, as Taiichi Gotō) is a former sumo wrestler from Ishikawa…Tochinonada Taiichi (栃乃洋 泰一 born February 26, 1974, as Taiichi Gotō) is a former sumo wrestler from Ishikawa Prefecture, Japan. An amateur sumo champion, he turned professional in 1996 and reached the top makuuchi division in 1997. He earned twelve kinboshi or gold stars for defeating yokozuna, the second highest ever, and he was a runner-up in two tournaments. His highest rank was sekiwake. He is now a coach at Kasugano stable under the name Takenawa Oyakata.
Akiko Furu (古章子, Furu Akiko; born 18 July 1973) is a Japanese trampoline gymnast. She competed in the women's…Akiko Furu (古章子, Furu Akiko; born 18 July 1973) is a Japanese trampoline gymnast. She competed in the women's trampoline event at the 2000 Summer Olympics held in Sydney, Australia. She finished in 6th place. In 2001, she competed in the women's synchronized trampoline event at the 2001 World Games held in Akita, Japan.
Hiromasa Yonebayashi (米林 宏昌, Yonebayashi Hiromasa; born July 10, 1973 in Nonoichi, Ishikawa, Japan), nicknamed Maro…Hiromasa Yonebayashi (米林 宏昌, Yonebayashi Hiromasa; born July 10, 1973 in Nonoichi, Ishikawa, Japan), nicknamed Maro (麻呂), is a Japanese animator and director, formerly for Studio Ghibli. After his directorial debut with Studio Ghibli (The Secret World of Arrietty), he became the youngest director of a theatrical film produced by the studio. He was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature in 2015 for his second film, When Marnie Was There. Together with Ghibli producer Yoshiaki Nishimura, Yonebayashi left Studio Ghibli in December 2014 after 18 years, and established Studio Ponoc in June 2015. His first film as director at Studio Ponoc is Mary and the Witch's Flower. He studied at the Kanazawa College of Art, where he majored in commercial design.
Tomoo Torii (鳥居 智男, Torii Tomio) (born May 20, 1973) is a Japanese judoka. He won Asian silver medal in the…Tomoo Torii (鳥居 智男, Torii Tomio) (born May 20, 1973) is a Japanese judoka. He won Asian silver medal in the half-lightweight division in 1996 Asian Judo Championships. In November 2012 Torii took 5th in the World Sambo Championships in Minsk.
Arihito Muramatsu (村松 有人, born December 12, 1972) is a Japanese former professional baseball outfielder, and current…Arihito Muramatsu (村松 有人, born December 12, 1972) is a Japanese former professional baseball outfielder, and current first squad hitting coach for the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB). He played in NPB for the Fukuoka Daiei Hawks, Fukuoka SoftBank and Orix Buffaloes.
Tomomi Adachi (足立 智美, Adachi Tomomi; born 1972 in Kanazawa, Ishikawa) is a Japanese vocal and electronics performer…Tomomi Adachi (足立 智美, Adachi Tomomi; born 1972 in Kanazawa, Ishikawa) is a Japanese vocal and electronics performer, composer, and instrument builder. He has performed and recorded with artists such as Jaap Blonk, Nicolas Collins, Carl Stone, Noah Creshevsky, Yuji Takahashi, Toshi Ichiyanagi, Ute Wassermann, Jennifer Walshe, Zbigniew Karkowski, Butch Morris, Otomo Yoshihide. Adachi directed Japan's premiere of John Cage's Europera V and Variations VII. He was invited by Asian Cultural Council to New York from 2009 to 2010 and was a guest of the DAAD Berliner Künstlerprogramm in 2012.
Yuichiro Kawa (川裕一郎, Kawa Yuichiro; born 27 October 1971) is a Japanese politician serving as a member of the House of…Yuichiro Kawa (川裕一郎, Kawa Yuichiro; born 27 October 1971) is a Japanese politician serving as a member of the House of Representatives since 2026. He was a member of the Ishikawa Prefectural Assembly from 2011 to 2014 and from 2014 to 2025.
Atsushi Inaba (稲葉 敦志, Inaba Atsushi; born August 28, 1971) is a Japanese video game producer. He was the former CEO and…Atsushi Inaba (稲葉 敦志, Inaba Atsushi; born August 28, 1971) is a Japanese video game producer. He was the former CEO and producer of the Capcom subsidiary Clover Studio, who developed the games Viewtiful Joe, Ōkami, and God Hand. He is currently the head producer at the development division at PlatinumGames and the CEO since 2021, after years being vice-president in the company.
Kazu Hamabe (浜辺和, Hamabe Kazu) (born Ishikawa Prefecture, 31 May 1971) is a former Japanese rugby union player who…Kazu Hamabe (浜辺和, Hamabe Kazu) (born Ishikawa Prefecture, 31 May 1971) is a former Japanese rugby union player who played as prop.
Shuji Miyamoto (宮本周司, Miyamoto Shuji; born 27 March 1971) is a Japanese politician serving as a member of the House of…Shuji Miyamoto (宮本周司, Miyamoto Shuji; born 27 March 1971) is a Japanese politician serving as a member of the House of Councillors since 2013. He has served as chairman of the Liberal Democratic Party in Ishikawa Prefecture since 2022.
Kazumi Nakamura (Japanese: 中村 和美; born 24 February 1971) is a Japanese former volleyball player who competed in the…Kazumi Nakamura (Japanese: 中村 和美; born 24 February 1971) is a Japanese former volleyball player who competed in the 1992 Summer Olympics and in the 1996 Summer Olympics. In 1992, Nakamura finished fifth with the Japanese team in the Olympic tournament in Barcelona. Nakamura was a member of the Japanese team that was eliminated in the preliminary round of the 1996 Olympic tournament in Atlanta.
Masako Asada (浅田雅子, Asada Masako; born 8 January 1971) is a Japanese diver. She competed in two events at the 1988…Masako Asada (浅田雅子, Asada Masako; born 8 January 1971) is a Japanese diver. She competed in two events at the 1988 Summer Olympics.