Shoko Miyata (宮田 笙子, Miyata Shōko; born 21 September 2004) is a Japanese artistic gymnast. She is the 2022 World bronze…Shoko Miyata (宮田 笙子, Miyata Shōko; born 21 September 2004) is a Japanese artistic gymnast. She is the 2022 World bronze medalist on the balance beam as well as the 2022 Asian Championships silver medalist on vault and floor exercise. She was set to represent Japan at the 2024 Summer Olympics, but withdrew from the Games after she admitted to smoking and drinking in violation of team rules.
826aska (はちにいろくあすか, Hachiniiroku Asuka; born August 26, 2001) is a Japanese electric organist from Fukui Prefecture.…826aska (はちにいろくあすか, Hachiniiroku Asuka; born August 26, 2001) is a Japanese electric organist from Fukui Prefecture. Her 2019 debut album, DEPARTURE, and her 2020 follow-up, possible, have both charted on the Oricon Albums Chart.
Shogo Tamamura (玉村 昇悟, Tamamura Shogo; born April 16, 2001 in Echizen, Fukui, Japan) is a professional Japanese…Shogo Tamamura (玉村 昇悟, Tamamura Shogo; born April 16, 2001 in Echizen, Fukui, Japan) is a professional Japanese baseball player. He is a pitcher for the Hiroshima Toyo Carp of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB).
Kyoya Honda (本田 響矢, Honda Kyōya; born June 20, 1999) is a Japanese actor and model. As a model, he gained recognition…Kyoya Honda (本田 響矢, Honda Kyōya; born June 20, 1999) is a Japanese actor and model. As a model, he gained recognition after winning the grand prize at the "High School Mr. Con 2016," organized by the teen fashion magazine Seventeen.
Kiho Miyashita (宮下希保, Miyashita Kiho; born October 6, 1998) is a Japanese basketball player who plays for Aisin AW…Kiho Miyashita (宮下希保, Miyashita Kiho; born October 6, 1998) is a Japanese basketball player who plays for Aisin AW Wings of the Women's Japan Basketball League . She also plays for Japan women's national 3x3 team.
Wakaba Shimoguchi (下口 稚葉, Shimoguchi Wakaba; born 2 May 1998) is a Japanese professional footballer who plays as a…Wakaba Shimoguchi (下口 稚葉, Shimoguchi Wakaba; born 2 May 1998) is a Japanese professional footballer who plays as a centre-back for J2 League club Shonan Bellmare.
Yūki Hashimoto (橋本 侑樹, Hashimoto Yūki; born January 8, 1998 in Takahama, Fukui, Japan) is a professional Japanese…Yūki Hashimoto (橋本 侑樹, Hashimoto Yūki; born January 8, 1998 in Takahama, Fukui, Japan) is a professional Japanese baseball player. He plays pitcher for the Chunichi Dragons. A native of Fukui prefecture, Hashimoto went to high school at Ogaki Nihon University High School in Gifu Prefecture where he appeared with the team at the Japanese High School Baseball Championship. Hashimoto later enrolled at Osaka University of Commerce where he threw a no-hitter in the Kansai6 Baseball League. On 17 October 2019, Hashimoto was selected as the 2nd draft pick for the Chunichi Dragons at the 2019 NPB Draft and on 20 November signed a provisional contract with a ¥80,000,000 sign-on bonus and a ¥12,000,000 yearly salary.
Shōta Hiranuma (平沼 翔太, Hiranuma Shōta; born August 16, 1997) is a professional Japanese baseball player. He plays…Shōta Hiranuma (平沼 翔太, Hiranuma Shōta; born August 16, 1997) is a professional Japanese baseball player. He plays infielder for the Orix Buffaloes of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB).
Kota Watanabe (渡辺 晃大, Watanabe Kōta; born 30 October 1996) is a Japanese field hockey player who plays as a forward for…Kota Watanabe (渡辺 晃大, Watanabe Kōta; born 30 October 1996) is a Japanese field hockey player who plays as a forward for Japanese national team.
Takamasa Kitagawa (北川 貴理, Kitagawa Takamasa; born 5 September 1996) is a Japanese sprinter specialising in the 400…Takamasa Kitagawa (北川 貴理, Kitagawa Takamasa; born 5 September 1996) is a Japanese sprinter specialising in the 400 metres. He has won several medals with the Japanese 4 × 400 metres relay team. His personal best in the 400 metres is 45.52 seconds set in Niigata in 2015.
Ryoya Kurihara (栗原 陵矢, Kurihara Ryōya; born July 4, 1996) is a Japanese professional baseball catcher, infielder, and…Ryoya Kurihara (栗原 陵矢, Kurihara Ryōya; born July 4, 1996) is a Japanese professional baseball catcher, infielder, and outfielder for the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB).
Junki Kishimoto (岸本淳希, Kishimoto Junki; born February 19, 1996) is a Japanese baseball pitcher who is a free agent. He…Junki Kishimoto (岸本淳希, Kishimoto Junki; born February 19, 1996) is a Japanese baseball pitcher who is a free agent. He has previously played in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) for the Chunichi Dragons.
Kodai Iida (飯田 昴大, Iida Kodai; born 6 December 1994) is a Japanese professional footballer who plays as a midfielder…Kodai Iida (飯田 昴大, Iida Kodai; born 6 December 1994) is a Japanese professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Polish III liga club Lipno Stęszew.
Yukino Tsujisaki (born 21 June 1994) is a Japanese rugby sevens player. She was originally listed as a traveling…Yukino Tsujisaki (born 21 June 1994) is a Japanese rugby sevens player. She was originally listed as a traveling reserve for Japan but competed at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris.
Mika Nagata (born 28 May 1994) is a Japanese handball player for Hokkoku Bank and the Japanese national team. She…Mika Nagata (born 28 May 1994) is a Japanese handball player for Hokkoku Bank and the Japanese national team. She participated at the 2017 World Women's Handball Championship. At the 2022 Asian Championship, she won silver medals, losing to South Korea in the final.
Mana Horikawa (Japanese: 堀川真奈. born 4 March 1994) is a Japanese handball player for lzumi Maple Reds and the Japanese…Mana Horikawa (Japanese: 堀川真奈. born 4 March 1994) is a Japanese handball player for lzumi Maple Reds and the Japanese national team. She represented Japan at the 2019 World Women's Handball Championship.
Masataka Yoshida (Japanese: 吉田 正尚, Hepburn: Yoshida Masataka; pronounced [joɕida masaꜜtaka]; born July 5, 1993)…Masataka Yoshida (Japanese: 吉田 正尚, Hepburn: Yoshida Masataka; pronounced [joɕida masaꜜtaka]; born July 5, 1993), shortened by teammates to “Masa”, nicknamed Macho Man, is a Japanese professional baseball designated hitter and left fielder for the Boston Red Sox of Major League Baseball (MLB). He started his professional career with the Orix Buffaloes of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB).
Chihiro Hashimoto (橋本 千紘, Hashimoto Chihiro; born July 1, 1992) is a Japanese professional wrestler currently signed to…Chihiro Hashimoto (橋本 千紘, Hashimoto Chihiro; born July 1, 1992) is a Japanese professional wrestler currently signed to Sendai Girls' Pro Wrestling, where she is the current Sendai Girls World Champion in her sixth reign. Hashimoto was trained in the Sendai Girls' dojo under Meiko Satomura, and made her debut in October 2015. Since her debut, Hashimoto has gone on to hold the Sendai Girls World Championship five times, and was named the 2016 Rookie of the Year by Tokyo Sports, making her only the second female to win the award.
Anna Kawamura (born 26 October 1991) is a Japanese handball player for Sony Semiconductor and the Japanese Republic…Anna Kawamura (born 26 October 1991) is a Japanese handball player for Sony Semiconductor and the Japanese Republic national team.
Takatsugu Uda (Japanese: 宇田崇二, born 25 October 1991) is a Japanese cross-country skier. He represented Japan at the FIS…Takatsugu Uda (Japanese: 宇田崇二, born 25 October 1991) is a Japanese cross-country skier. He represented Japan at the FIS Nordic World Ski Championships 2015 in Falun.
Nobuyoshi Yamada (山田 修義, Yamada Nobuyoshi; born September 19, 1991 in Fukui, Fukui, Japan) is a professional Japanese…Nobuyoshi Yamada (山田 修義, Yamada Nobuyoshi; born September 19, 1991 in Fukui, Fukui, Japan) is a professional Japanese baseball player. He plays pitcher for the Orix Buffaloes.
Takayuki Minowa (蓑輪 貴幸, Minowa Takayuki; born 8 September 1991) is a Japanese volleyball coach whose last role as a…Takayuki Minowa (蓑輪 貴幸, Minowa Takayuki; born 8 September 1991) is a Japanese volleyball coach whose last role as a head with Philippine women's club Akari Chargers of the Premier Volleyball League from 2024 to 2025.
Riko Koike (Japanese: 小池 理子, Hepburn: Koike Riko; born 1 January 1991) is a Japanese voice actress from Fukui, Fukui…Riko Koike (Japanese: 小池 理子, Hepburn: Koike Riko; born 1 January 1991) is a Japanese voice actress from Fukui, Fukui Prefecture, affiliated with Millennium Pro. Inspired by the 1994 film Mobile Fighter G Gundam, her voice acting career began in 2015 when she voiced Paru in Chain Chronicle, and she has also starred as Caracal in Kemono Friends 2 and Myamu in Waccha PriMagi!.
Yuhei Nakamura (中村 悠平, Nakamura Yūhei; born 17 June 1990) is a Japanese professional baseball player. He plays catcher…Yuhei Nakamura (中村 悠平, Nakamura Yūhei; born 17 June 1990) is a Japanese professional baseball player. He plays catcher for the Tokyo Yakult Swallows.
Takato Ishida (Japanese: 石田 嵩人, Hepburn: Ishida Takato; born 5 February 1990) is a Japanese politician who has been the…Takato Ishida (Japanese: 石田 嵩人, Hepburn: Ishida Takato; born 5 February 1990) is a Japanese politician who has been the governor of Fukui Prefecture since 2026. He was previously a diplomat under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Zambia and Australia. He resigned his ministry post to run for governor after his predecessor’s resignation and won the January 2026 election, campaigning on child‑rearing support, crisis management and greater use of social media to engage voters.
Yuta Matsuoka (松岡 祐太, Matsuoka Yūta; born (1989-11-06)6 November 1989) is a retired Japanese male volleyball player. He…Yuta Matsuoka (松岡 祐太, Matsuoka Yūta; born (1989-11-06)6 November 1989) is a retired Japanese male volleyball player. He used to be a part of the Japan men's national volleyball team. On club level, he played for Sakai Blazers.
Aoi Mimura (born 24 August 1989) is a Japanese rugby union player. She competed for Japan at the 2017 Women's Rugby…Aoi Mimura (born 24 August 1989) is a Japanese rugby union player. She competed for Japan at the 2017 Women's Rugby World Cup.
Yuta Wakimoto (脇本 雄太, Wakimoto Yūta; born 21 March 1989) is a Japanese track and road cyclist, who currently rides for…Yuta Wakimoto (脇本 雄太, Wakimoto Yūta; born 21 March 1989) is a Japanese track and road cyclist, who currently rides for UCI Continental team Team Bridgestone Cycling. He competed in the keirin event at the 2014 UCI Track Cycling World Championships. He is also a professional keirin cyclist. He has qualified to represent Japan at the 2020 Summer Olympics.
Shōya Yamamoto (山本 翔也, Yamamoto Shōya; born October 12, 1988 in Takefu, Fukui) is a Japanese Nippon Professional…Shōya Yamamoto (山本 翔也, Yamamoto Shōya; born October 12, 1988 in Takefu, Fukui) is a Japanese Nippon Professional Baseball pitcher for the Hanshin Tigers in Japan's Central League.
Shouta Aoi (蒼井 翔太, Aoi Shōta; born August 11, 1987), is a Japanese singer and actor. Under the stage name Showta…Shouta Aoi (蒼井 翔太, Aoi Shōta; born August 11, 1987), is a Japanese singer and actor. Under the stage name Showta (stylized as "SHOWTA."), he debuted as a singer with the song "Negaiboshi" in 2006 and released his first studio album, Eve, in 2008. In 2009, he left his agency and briefly released music independently under the pseudonym Noboru Ryugaki (柳ヶ木 昇). After making his acting debut as Saki Hanajima in the Fruits Basket musical in 2009, Aoi has been involved in multiple musical theatre productions, including Sakuya Shiomi in Persona 3: The Weird Masquerade. In 2011, he began voice acting and gained media attention after voicing Ai Mikaze from Uta no Prince-sama. Since then, he has been recognized for roles such as Hideaki Tojo from Ace of Diamond, Monet Tsukushi in the Magic-kyun! Renaissance series, Rui Minazuki from the Tsukiuta series, Louis Kisaragi from King of Prism series, and Licht von Glanzreich from The Royal Tutor. In 2013, Aoi relaunched his singing career under his new stage name with the extended play Blue Bird, followed by the release of "Virginal" in 2014. In 2015, he released his first studio album, Unlimited. Since the relaunch of his music career, his music is produced by Elements Garden. Throughout his career, Aoi has been given titles such as "Archangel" and was praised for his "angelic" singing voice. He is known for his soft, high-pitched voice and androgynous appearance, allowing him to play female parts as well.
Kazuyasu Minobe (見延 和靖, Minobe Kazuyasu; born 15 July 1987) is a Japanese left-handed épée fencer, 2016 team Asian…Kazuyasu Minobe (見延 和靖, Minobe Kazuyasu; born 15 July 1987) is a Japanese left-handed épée fencer, 2016 team Asian champion, two-time Olympian, and 2021 team Olympic champion. Along with Koki Kano, Masaru Yamada, and Satoru Uyama, Minobe was a member of the Japanese team that won gold in the team men's épée event at the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games. It was Japan's first Olympic gold medal in fencing.
Yuki Saito (齊藤 悠葵, Saitō Yūki; born June 20, 1987) is a former professional baseball pitcher who played in Nippon…Yuki Saito (齊藤 悠葵, Saitō Yūki; born June 20, 1987) is a former professional baseball pitcher who played in Nippon Professional Baseball for the Hiroshima Toyo Carp. He was chosen by the Carp in the third round of the 2005 high school draft. Saito is 1.86 m (6 ft 1 in) and weighs 76 kg (168 lb).
Mayuko Ishitate (石立 真悠子, Ishitate Mayuko; born 18 January 1987) is a Japanese handballer for MIE violet' IRIS and the…Mayuko Ishitate (石立 真悠子, Ishitate Mayuko; born 18 January 1987) is a Japanese handballer for MIE violet' IRIS and the Japanese national team. She participated at the 2011 World Women's Handball Championship in Brazil and the 2013 World Women's Handball Championship in Serbia.
Kunihiro Shimizu (清水邦広, Shimizu Kunihiro; born (1986-08-11)11 August 1986) is a Japanese former professional volleyball…Kunihiro Shimizu (清水邦広, Shimizu Kunihiro; born (1986-08-11)11 August 1986) is a Japanese former professional volleyball player who played for the Japan national team. A one-club man, he spent his entire professional career with Osaka Bluteon. He announced his retirement from the national team after finishing seventh place in 2020 Summer Olympics, total of 14 years in the team. Shimizu was crowned the Most Valuable Player (MVP) in Asian Championship 2015.
Nozomi Satō (佐藤 希望, Satō Nozomi) (née Nozomi Nakano (中野 希望, Nakano Nozomi), born 3 July 1986, Fukui Prefecture) is a…Nozomi Satō (佐藤 希望, Satō Nozomi) (née Nozomi Nakano (中野 希望, Nakano Nozomi), born 3 July 1986, Fukui Prefecture) is a Japanese fencer. She competed at the 2012 Summer Olympics in the Women's épée, but was defeated in the second round.
Yasuharu Nakajima (中島 康晴, Nakajima Yasuharu; born 27 December 1984 in Echizen, Fukui) is a Japanese former professional…Yasuharu Nakajima (中島 康晴, Nakajima Yasuharu; born 27 December 1984 in Echizen, Fukui) is a Japanese former professional cyclist, who last rode for UCI Continental team Kinan Racing Team. He has won a stage at the HC classified Tour of Hainan and won the overall classification twice in a row at the Tour of Thailand. He now works as a directeur sportif for UCI Continental team Kinan Racing Team.
Sayaka Araki (荒木 さやか, Araki Sayaka; born December 22, 1984) is a Japanese fashion model, disc jockey, and…Sayaka Araki (荒木 さやか, Araki Sayaka; born December 22, 1984) is a Japanese fashion model, disc jockey, and businesswoman. She is best known for her stint as a model for the cabaret-gyaru fashion magazine Koakuma Ageha . She was a major contributor to Koakuma Ageha for 4 years and 10 months, since the magazine's very early days. She left Koakuma Ageha in 2011, and has since become a main model for its sister magazine Ane Ageha.
Takumi Ishizaki (石崎 巧, Ishizaki Takumi; born July 6, 1984) is a Japanese retired professional basketball player who…Takumi Ishizaki (石崎 巧, Ishizaki Takumi; born July 6, 1984) is a Japanese retired professional basketball player who formerly played for the Riesen Ludwigsburg in the German Basketball Bundesliga and BV Chemnitz 99 of the German ProA. He has been a member of the Japan national basketball team.
Sohichiro Amaya (天谷 宗一郎, Amaya Sohichiro; born November 8, 1983 in Fukui, Japan) is a Nippon Professional Baseball…Sohichiro Amaya (天谷 宗一郎, Amaya Sohichiro; born November 8, 1983 in Fukui, Japan) is a Nippon Professional Baseball player. He is currently with the Hiroshima Toyo Carp of Japan's Central League.
Akifumi Takahashi (高橋 聡文, Takahashi Akifumi; born May 29, 1983) is a Japanese former professional baseball pitcher. He…Akifumi Takahashi (高橋 聡文, Takahashi Akifumi; born May 29, 1983) is a Japanese former professional baseball pitcher. He played in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) for the Chunichi Dragons and Hanshin Tigers.
Yoshiteru Hirobe (廣部好輝, Hirobe Yoshiteru; born 8 August 1982) is a Japanese badminton player, and joined the Unisys…Yoshiteru Hirobe (廣部好輝, Hirobe Yoshiteru; born 8 August 1982) is a Japanese badminton player, and joined the Unisys team in 2005. Hirobe graduated from the Chuo University. In 2009, he won the Osaka International Challenge tournament in the men's doubles event partnered with Hajime Komiyama. At the Superseries event, He was the semi-finalist of the 2010 Denmark and Korea Open.
Akihisa Makida (牧田 明久, born June 3, 1982) is a Japanese former professional baseball outfielder and currently second…Akihisa Makida (牧田 明久, born June 3, 1982) is a Japanese former professional baseball outfielder and currently second squad coach for the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles of the Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB). He played for the Golden Eagles from 2005 to 2007 and from 2009 to 2016. On October 14, 2019, Makita become second squad fielding coach for the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles of NPB.
Yoshito Shintani (新谷 義人, Shintani Yoshito; born December 7, 1981 in Fukui Prefecture) is a Japanese weightlifter.…Yoshito Shintani (新谷 義人, Shintani Yoshito; born December 7, 1981 in Fukui Prefecture) is a Japanese weightlifter. Shintani represented Japan at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, where he competed for the men's lightweight category (69 kg). Shintani placed tenth in this event, as he successfully lifted 135 kg in the single-motion snatch, and hoisted 175 kg in the two-part, shoulder-to-overhead clean and jerk, for a total of 310 kg.
Tomonobu Shimizu (清水 智信, Shimizu Tomonobu; born June 28, 1981) is a Japanese professional boxer who is a former WBA…Tomonobu Shimizu (清水 智信, Shimizu Tomonobu; born June 28, 1981) is a Japanese professional boxer who is a former WBA super flyweight champion. He is an alumnus of the Tokyo University of Agriculture.
Kazuo Inoue (井上 和郎, Inoue Kazuo; born 17 February 1981) is a Japanese former professional racing cyclist. He finished…Kazuo Inoue (井上 和郎, Inoue Kazuo; born 17 February 1981) is a Japanese former professional racing cyclist. He finished second in the Japanese National Road Race Championships in 2008 and 2014, and represented Japan in the 2008 UCI Road World Championships. He has won the elite road race competition at the National Sports Festival of Japan four times.
Akihiro Higashide (東出 輝裕, Higashide Akihiro; born August 21, 1980) is a Nippon Professional Baseball player for the…Akihiro Higashide (東出 輝裕, Higashide Akihiro; born August 21, 1980) is a Nippon Professional Baseball player for the Hiroshima Toyo Carp in Japan's Central League.
Yōichirō Morikawa (森川 陽一郎, Morikawa Yōichirō; born 14 August 1979, Fukui, Fukui) is a Japanese Independent film…Yōichirō Morikawa (森川 陽一郎, Morikawa Yōichirō; born 14 August 1979, Fukui, Fukui) is a Japanese Independent film director, screenwriter, actor and calligrapher. He gained media attention when he was arrested and charged on suspicion of paying a 17-year-old girl for sexual services in March 2006.