Yoshitomo Hori (Japanese: 堀 慶末; né Kim; born April 29, 1975) is a Korean-Japanese serial killer who killed a couple in…Yoshitomo Hori (Japanese: 堀 慶末; né Kim; born April 29, 1975) is a Korean-Japanese serial killer who killed a couple in Hekinan in 1998, and later participated in the murder of Rie Isogai in 2007. Sentenced to life imprisonment for the latter crime, he was linked to the double murder and another attempted murder in 2012, for which he was sentenced to death and currently awaits execution on death row.
Keiko Miura (三浦恵子, Miura Keiko; born 16 March 1975 in Gifu, Gifu Prefecture) is a female field hockey field player from…Keiko Miura (三浦恵子, Miura Keiko; born 16 March 1975 in Gifu, Gifu Prefecture) is a female field hockey field player from Japan, who is playing for Sony Bravia Ladies. She plays as a defender and is the striker of the penalty corner in her league team as well as the national team. She can strike the ball up to 120 km/h. She was the team captain of the women's national team that participated in the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens, Greece as well as a member of the team of the women's national team that participated in the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, China.
Masanobu Matsunami (松波 正信, Matsunami Masanobu; born November 21, 1974) is a former Japanese football player and manager…Masanobu Matsunami (松波 正信, Matsunami Masanobu; born November 21, 1974) is a former Japanese football player and manager and currently academy manager for Gamba Osaka.
Kanji Ichikawa (市川 寛二, Ichikawa Kanji; born October 12, 1974), better known by his stage name "Hollywood" Stalker…Kanji Ichikawa (市川 寛二, Ichikawa Kanji; born October 12, 1974), better known by his stage name "Hollywood" Stalker Ichikawa (“ハリウッド”ストーカー市川, “Hariuddo” Sutōkā Ichikawa), is a Japanese retired professional wrestler he is best known tenure for Dragon Gate.
Makoto Kawada (河田 誠, Kawada Makoto; born August 23, 1974, in Gifu, Japan), known by the pen name Makoto Raiku (雷句誠…Makoto Kawada (河田 誠, Kawada Makoto; born August 23, 1974, in Gifu, Japan), known by the pen name Makoto Raiku (雷句誠, Raiku Makoto), is a manga artist known for creating the Zatch Bell! franchise. Starting off an assistant for Kazuhiro Fujita on his manga Ushio & Tora, he began creating several one-shots for the Weekly Shōnen Sunday shōnen manga anthology such as Bird Man (about a young pilot), Hero Ba-Ban (about a cheerful, but weak superhero) and Genmai Blade (about a teenage medicinal exorcist, of which he created both a one-shot and a two-part story). By 1999, he had created the series Newtown Heroes, which was published in Shōnen Sunday Super, a seasonal publication featuring upcoming manga artists and one-shots from the main Sunday book.
Yuko Arai (born 20 September 1973) is a Japanese fencer. She competed in the women's individual and team épée events at…Yuko Arai (born 20 September 1973) is a Japanese fencer. She competed in the women's individual and team épée events at the 1996 Summer Olympics and the individual foil event at the 2000 Summer Olympics.
Kazuhiro Wada (和田 一浩, Wada Kazuhiro; born June 19, 1972) is a retired Japanese professional baseball player. He played…Kazuhiro Wada (和田 一浩, Wada Kazuhiro; born June 19, 1972) is a retired Japanese professional baseball player. He played mostly as an outfielder for the Chunichi Dragons and the Seibu Lions of the Nippon Professional Baseball league in a career spanning 18 years. Following retirement in 2015, he has become a color commentator for Dragons broadcasts for the NHK.
Yumi Tomei (東明 有美, Tōmei Yumi; born 1 June 1972) is a former Japanese football player. She played for Japan national…Yumi Tomei (東明 有美, Tōmei Yumi; born 1 June 1972) is a former Japanese football player. She played for Japan national team.
Shigetaka Kurita (栗田 穣崇; born May 9, 1972, Gifu Prefecture, Japan) is a Japanese interface designer often cited for his…Shigetaka Kurita (栗田 穣崇; born May 9, 1972, Gifu Prefecture, Japan) is a Japanese interface designer often cited for his early work with emoji sets. Many refer to him as the creator of the emoji, a claim that has been corrected and clarified in recent years. He was part of the team that created one of the first emojis used solely for communication, a heart-shaped pictogram that appeared on an NTT DoCoMo pager aimed at teenagers. It went on to become the Red Heart emoji. This development and the aftermath of its use led Kurita to design a set of 176 colored emojis. Many of the general-use emojis used today by Unicode can be traced back to Kurita's set. He now works for Dwango Co. Ltd., a Japanese game company owned by Kadokawa Dwango Corporation. The NTT DoCoMo emoji set he created is in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York City.
Naoko Takahashi (高橋 尚子, Takahashi Naoko; born May 6, 1972) is a Japanese retired long-distance runner and Olympic gold…Naoko Takahashi (高橋 尚子, Takahashi Naoko; born May 6, 1972) is a Japanese retired long-distance runner and Olympic gold medal-winning marathoner. She won the gold medal in the marathon at the 2000 Sydney Olympics, and at the 2001 Berlin Marathon she became the first woman to complete a marathon in under 2 hours and 20 minutes.
Yumiko Fujii (藤井 由宮子, Fujii Yumiko) (born April 24, 1972) is a Japanese softball player who played as a pitcher. She…Yumiko Fujii (藤井 由宮子, Fujii Yumiko) (born April 24, 1972) is a Japanese softball player who played as a pitcher. She won the silver medal in the 2000 Summer Olympics.
Mika Kuroki (黒木 美香, Kuroki Mika; born 15 November 1971) is a Japanese former cyclist. She competed in the women's…Mika Kuroki (黒木 美香, Kuroki Mika; born 15 November 1971) is a Japanese former cyclist. She competed in the women's sprint at the 1992 Summer Olympics.
Mitsuteru Tanaka (田中 光輝, Tanaka Mitsuteru; 27 September 1971 – 5 August 2018) was a Japanese cyclist. He competed in…Mitsuteru Tanaka (田中 光輝, Tanaka Mitsuteru; 27 September 1971 – 5 August 2018) was a Japanese cyclist. He competed in the individual road race at the 1992 Summer Olympics. He was also Japanese national champion in 1992. During his career, he rode for Aisan Racing Team, and after retirement, served as both team manager and general manager of Aisan.
Atsuko Wakai (若井 敦子, Wakai Atsuko; born September 12, 1971) is a Japanese practitioner of karate who has won many…Atsuko Wakai (若井 敦子, Wakai Atsuko; born September 12, 1971) is a Japanese practitioner of karate who has won many international and Japanese national competitions in kata (patterns), including unprecedented numbers of consecutive titles in World Karate Federation (WKF) and All Japan Karatedo championships. She holds the rank of 6th dan black belt from the Japan Karatedo Federation (JKF), training in Seigokan Goju-ryu karate.
Hajime Itoi (糸井 統, Itoi Hajime) (born June 22, 1971, in Gifu) is a retired Olympic backstroke swimmer from Japan. He…Hajime Itoi (糸井 統, Itoi Hajime) (born June 22, 1971, in Gifu) is a retired Olympic backstroke swimmer from Japan. He represented his native country at two consecutive Summer Olympics, starting in 1992. He is best known for winning a silver medal at the 1995 Summer Universiade in Fukuoka. He competed for the Waseda University.
Kenichi Shimokawa (下川 健一, Shimokawa Kenichi; born May 14, 1970) is a former Japanese football player. He played for…Kenichi Shimokawa (下川 健一, Shimokawa Kenichi; born May 14, 1970) is a former Japanese football player. He played for Japan national team.
Kenichi Kasai (カサヰ ケンイチ, Kasai Ken'ichi; born April 12, 1970 in Gifu Prefecture) is a Japanese storyboard artist and…Kenichi Kasai (カサヰ ケンイチ, Kasai Ken'ichi; born April 12, 1970 in Gifu Prefecture) is a Japanese storyboard artist and director. He is amongst J.C.Staff's most noted directors, having directed the highly rated Honey and Clover series. Beginning his career as a production manager, using his name in kanji, Kenichi Kasai (笠井 賢一), he moved on to direction with J.C.Staff. With 2002's Wagamama: Fairy Mirumo De Pon!, he began using his name in katakana.
Kenji Nakamura (中村 健治 Nakamura Kenji; born March 25, 1970) is a Japanese anime director. He is best known for directing…Kenji Nakamura (中村 健治 Nakamura Kenji; born March 25, 1970) is a Japanese anime director. He is best known for directing Mononoke, [C]: Controland Tsuritama.
Nobuyoshi Fujisawa (藤澤 信義, Fujisawa Nobuyoshi; born January 17, 1970) is from Gifu Prefecture, Japan and Representative…Nobuyoshi Fujisawa (藤澤 信義, Fujisawa Nobuyoshi; born January 17, 1970) is from Gifu Prefecture, Japan and Representative Director, President & Chief Executive Officer of J Trust Group which runs banking business, credit guarantee business and financial business in Asian countries.
Kenjiro Jitsui (born 16 December 1968) is a Japanese long-distance runner. He competed in the men's marathon at the…Kenjiro Jitsui (born 16 December 1968) is a Japanese long-distance runner. He competed in the men's marathon at the 1996 Summer Olympics.
Kiyoharu Mori (Japanese: 森 清治, Hepburn: Mori Kiyoharu; born 30 October 1968), better known by his stage name Kiyoharu…Kiyoharu Mori (Japanese: 森 清治, Hepburn: Mori Kiyoharu; born 30 October 1968), better known by his stage name Kiyoharu (清春), is a Japanese musician and singer-songwriter, known as frontman of the rock bands Kuroyume and Sads. In 2003, he began a solo career, performing as both singer and guitarist.
Tomoyuki Uchiyama (born August 15, 1968) is a former pitcher who played for the Seibu Lions and Fukuoka Daiei Hawks of…Tomoyuki Uchiyama (born August 15, 1968) is a former pitcher who played for the Seibu Lions and Fukuoka Daiei Hawks of Nippon Professional Baseball from 1992 to 1997. Born in Minokamo-gun, Gifu Japan, Uchiyama attended Minokamo High School and then Osaka Keio University prior to playing in NPB. With Seibu in 1992, he was 0-1 with a 3.00 ERA in 11 relief appearances and in 1993, also with the Lions, he went 3-4 with a 3.01 ERA in 31 games (six starts), allowing only 62 hits in 83 2/3 innings pitched. From 1994 to 1997, he played for the Hawks. In 1994, he went 6-11 with three complete games a 5.22 ERA in 24 games (22 starts), walking 31 batters in 112 frames. In 1995, he was 2-3 with a 4.83 ERA in 14 games (11 starts) and in 1996, he went 3-2 with a 4.33 mark in 28 games (six starts). To finish his NPB career, he was 1-0 with a 4.71 ERA in 17 relief appearances in 1997. Overall, Uchiyama was 15-21 with a 4.32 ERA in 125 games (45 starts) over six seasons in NPB. In 373 innings, he allowed 389 hits, walked 128 batters and had 221 strikeouts. For the 1998 campaign, he pitched for the Reading Phillies in the Philadelphia Phillies organization. In 43 games (five starts), he was 5-6 with a 3.94 ERA. In 118 2/3 innings, he allowed 129 hits and 49 walks while striking out 96 batters.
Takeyuki Watanabe (born April 18, 1968, in Gifu Prefecture, Japan) is a Japanese politician who has served as a member…Takeyuki Watanabe (born April 18, 1968, in Gifu Prefecture, Japan) is a Japanese politician who has served as a member of the House of Councillors of Japan since 2010. He represents the Gifu at-large district and is a member of the Liberal Democratic Party. He is one of three State Ministers for Reconstruction in the Second Kishida Cabinet.
Takashi Hirose (Japanese: タカ・ヒロセ (広瀬 隆), born 28 July 1967) is a Japanese musician who is the current bass guitarist…Takashi Hirose (Japanese: タカ・ヒロセ (広瀬 隆), born 28 July 1967) is a Japanese musician who is the current bass guitarist for the rock band Feeder.
Yasuhiro Sonoda (園田 康博, Sonoda Yasuhiro; born 9 June 1967) is a former Japanese politician who served in the House of…Yasuhiro Sonoda (園田 康博, Sonoda Yasuhiro; born 9 June 1967) is a former Japanese politician who served in the House of Representatives in the Diet (national legislature) as a member of the Democratic Party of Japan.
Hirotaka Okada (岡田 弘隆, Okada Hirotaka; born 22 February 1967 in Ōno, Gifu, Japan) is a retired judoka who competed in…Hirotaka Okada (岡田 弘隆, Okada Hirotaka; born 22 February 1967 in Ōno, Gifu, Japan) is a retired judoka who competed in the –78 kg and –86 kg divisions.
Mitsuyo Kusano (草野満代, Kusano Mitsuyo; born 4 February 1967 in Nakatsugawa, Gifu) is a female Japanese TV presenter and…Mitsuyo Kusano (草野満代, Kusano Mitsuyo; born 4 February 1967 in Nakatsugawa, Gifu) is a female Japanese TV presenter and news anchor. She once served as an announcer for NHK and as one of the masters of ceremony for the annual Kohaku Uta Gassen.
Saori Oguri (小栗 左多里, Oguri Saori; born December 10, 1966) is a Japanese manga artist born in Gifu Prefecture, Japan.…Saori Oguri (小栗 左多里, Oguri Saori; born December 10, 1966) is a Japanese manga artist born in Gifu Prefecture, Japan. She is a graduate of Tama Art University, where she studied graphic design. Her first work was Sora ni makka na mono relu in the shōjo comic magazine, Chorus (published in 1995 by Shueisha). Oguri is known for the comic essay series Dārin wa Gaikokujin (literally "My Darling is a Foreigner"), known in English as Is He Turning Japanese?, which portrays her life with her husband, Tony László, with whom she also co-authored Dārin no atamannaka (Inside darling's mind), a comic essay about English and linguistics. The comics were turned into the comedy film My Darling is a Foreigner, released in April 2010.
Toru Suzuki (鈴木 亨, Suzuki Tōru; born 28 May 1966) is a Japanese professional golfer, currently playing on the Japan…Toru Suzuki (鈴木 亨, Suzuki Tōru; born 28 May 1966) is a Japanese professional golfer, currently playing on the Japan Golf Tour.
Satoshi Okumura (奥村 聡司, Okumura Satoshi; born 3 November 1965), better known by his stage name Kannazuki (神奈月), is a…Satoshi Okumura (奥村 聡司, Okumura Satoshi; born 3 November 1965), better known by his stage name Kannazuki (神奈月), is a Japanese comedian who specializes in impersonations of sportspeople.
Hiromichi Mizuno (水野 弘道) is a financial executive who served as chief investment officer of the Japan Government…Hiromichi Mizuno (水野 弘道) is a financial executive who served as chief investment officer of the Japan Government Pension Investment Fund (GPIF), the largest asset owner in the world, from January 2015 until March 2020. He is currently United Nations special envoy on innovative finance and sustainable investments.
Ikuto Yamashita (山下 いくと, Yamashita Ikuto; born August 23, 1965) is a Japanese manga artist and designer from Gifu…Ikuto Yamashita (山下 いくと, Yamashita Ikuto; born August 23, 1965) is a Japanese manga artist and designer from Gifu Prefecture. He is currently based in and continuing to live in Gifu Prefecture.
Shinya Hashimoto (橋本 真也, Hashimoto Shin'ya; July 3, 1965 – July 11, 2005) was a Japanese professional wrestler…Shinya Hashimoto (橋本 真也, Hashimoto Shin'ya; July 3, 1965 – July 11, 2005) was a Japanese professional wrestler, promoter and actor. Along with Masahiro Chono and Keiji Mutoh, Hashimoto was dubbed one of the "Three Musketeers" that began competing in New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW) in the mid-1980s and dominated the promotion in the 1990s. He is one of three wrestlers (the others being Keiji Mutoh and Satoshi Kojima) that have held the NWA World Heavyweight Championship, the Triple Crown Heavyweight Championship and the IWGP Heavyweight Championship and is an overall five-time world champion.
Yoshihide Esaki (江崎禎英, Esaki Yoshihide; born 27 November 1964) is a Japanese politician who has served as governor of…Yoshihide Esaki (江崎禎英, Esaki Yoshihide; born 27 November 1964) is a Japanese politician who has served as governor of Gifu Prefecture since February 2025.
Yasunori Takami (高見 泰範, Takami Yasunori) (born January 6, 1964, in Gifu, Gifu, Japan) is a Japanese baseball player. He…Yasunori Takami (高見 泰範, Takami Yasunori) (born January 6, 1964, in Gifu, Gifu, Japan) is a Japanese baseball player. He won a bronze medal at the 1992 Summer Olympics. He has also coached the Japan national baseball team at the international level.
Toshiyuki Horie (堀江 敏幸, Horie Toshiyuki; born January 3, 1964) is a Japanese author, translator, and scholar of French…Toshiyuki Horie (堀江 敏幸, Horie Toshiyuki; born January 3, 1964) is a Japanese author, translator, and scholar of French literature.
Junji Ito (Japanese: 伊藤 潤二, Hepburn: Itō Junji; born July 31, 1963) is a Japanese horror manga artist. Some of his most…Junji Ito (Japanese: 伊藤 潤二, Hepburn: Itō Junji; born July 31, 1963) is a Japanese horror manga artist. Some of his most notable works include Tomie, a series chronicling an immortal girl who drives her stricken admirers to madness; Uzumaki, a three-volume series about a town cursed by spirals; and Gyo, a two-volume story in which fish are controlled by a strain of bacteria called "the death stench." His other works include The Junji Ito Horror Comic Collection, a collection of his many short stories, and Junji Ito's Cat Diary: Yon & Mu, a self-parody about him and his wife living in a house with two cats. Ito's work has developed a substantial cult following, and Ito has been called an iconic horror manga artist. His manga has been adapted to both film and anime television series, including the Tomie film series and both the Junji Ito Collection and Junji Ito Maniac: Japanese Tales of the Macabre anime anthology series.
Yasufumi Tanahashi (棚橋 泰文, Tanahashi Yasufumi; born 11 February 1963), is a Japanese politician who served as the…Yasufumi Tanahashi (棚橋 泰文, Tanahashi Yasufumi; born 11 February 1963), is a Japanese politician who served as the Chairman of the National Public Safety Commission.
Tatsuji Sugimoto (杉本 達治, Sugimoto Tatsuji; born 31 July 1962) is a Japanese politician and former Governor of Fukui…Tatsuji Sugimoto (杉本 達治, Sugimoto Tatsuji; born 31 July 1962) is a Japanese politician and former Governor of Fukui Prefecture from 2019 to 2025. He is from Gifu Prefecture.
Hirosi Ooguri (spelled as Hiroshi Oguri in government documents) (大栗 博司; born 1962) is a theoretical physicist working…Hirosi Ooguri (spelled as Hiroshi Oguri in government documents) (大栗 博司; born 1962) is a theoretical physicist working on quantum field theory, quantum gravity, superstring theory, and their interfaces with mathematics. He is Fred Kavli Professor of Theoretical Physics and Mathematics and the Founding Director of the Walter Burke Institute for Theoretical Physics at California Institute of Technology. He is also the director of the Kavli Institute for the Physics and Mathematics at the University of Tokyo and is the chair of the board of trustees of the Aspen Center for Physics in Colorado. In July 2025, he was appointed chair of the Division of Physics, Mathematics and Astronomy (PMA) at Caltech. Ooguri aims at discovering mathematical structures in these theories and exploiting them to invent new theoretical tools to solve fundamental questions in physics. In particular, he developed the topological string theory to compute Feynman diagrams in superstring theory and used it to study mysterious quantum mechanical properties of black holes. He also made fundamental contributions to conformal field theories in two dimensions, D-branes in Calabi-Yau manifolds, the AdS/CFT correspondence, and properties of supersymmetric gauge theories and their relations to superstring theory.
Eriko Kitagawa (北川 悦吏子) (born December 24, 1961) is a Japanese screenwriter and film director. She is best known for…Eriko Kitagawa (北川 悦吏子) (born December 24, 1961) is a Japanese screenwriter and film director. She is best known for writing Japanese television dramas, notably Long Vacation (1996), Beautiful Life (2000), Sora Kara Furu Ichioku no Hoshi (2002), and Orange Days (2004). In 2009, Kitagawa made her directorial debut in the coming-of-age film Halfway, which she also wrote and co-edited. She then wrote and directed the 2012 film I Have to Buy New Shoes, a contemporary romantic comedy set in Paris. Both films were produced by her friend Shunji Iwai, and Kitagawa appeared in his 2011 documentary Friends after 3.11, which explores the aftermath of the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami.
Enazakura Tooru (born 29 July 1960 as Toru Hayakawa) is a former sumo wrestler from Sakashita, Gifu, Japan. He made his…Enazakura Tooru (born 29 July 1960 as Toru Hayakawa) is a former sumo wrestler from Sakashita, Gifu, Japan. He made his professional debut in March 1977 and reached the top division in November 1987. His highest rank was maegashira 1. Upon retirement from active competition in 1994 he became an elder in the Japan Sumo Association, leaving in July 1999.
Michiko Shimizu (清水 ミチコ, Shimizu Michiko; born 27 January 1960, in Takayama, Gifu) is a Japanese tarento, comedian, and…Michiko Shimizu (清水 ミチコ, Shimizu Michiko; born 27 January 1960, in Takayama, Gifu) is a Japanese tarento, comedian, and actress. She is also an impressionist (monomane tarento). Shimizu's real name is Michiko Sakata (坂田 美智子, Sakata Michiko; née Shimizu (清水)) She is represented with Jam House. Shimizu graduated from Takayama Nishi High School and Bunkyo University Women's College Division of Home Economics. She is nicknamed Micchan (ミッちゃん) and Shimichiko (シミチコ). Shimizu's catchphrase is Rinjin wa Gei no koyashi (隣人は芸のこやし).
Yasutada Ōno is a Japanese politician serving as a member of the House of Councillors since 2013. He was a member of…Yasutada Ōno is a Japanese politician serving as a member of the House of Councillors since 2013. He was a member of the Liberal Democratic Party until 2024, having resigned following an indictment during the 2023–2024 Japanese slush fund scandal.
Makoto Ogino (Japanese: 荻野 真, Hepburn: Ogino Makoto; May 26, 1959 – April 29, 2019) was a Japanese manga artist. A…Makoto Ogino (Japanese: 荻野 真, Hepburn: Ogino Makoto; May 26, 1959 – April 29, 2019) was a Japanese manga artist. A dropout of Nagoya University, his best-known work is the Peacock King (孔雀王, Kujaku-Oh) manga series.
Teruyo Tanaka (田中 照代, Tanaka Teruyo) (born 24 May 1959) is a Paralympian athlete from Japan competing mainly in…Teruyo Tanaka (田中 照代, Tanaka Teruyo) (born 24 May 1959) is a Paralympian athlete from Japan competing mainly in category T52 sprint events. She competed in the 1996 Summer Paralympics in Atlanta, United States. There she won a gold medal in the women's 800 metres T51, finished sixth in the women's 200 metres T51 and finished sixth in the women's 400 metres T51. She also competed at the 2000 Summer Paralympics in Sydney, Australia. There she won a silver medal in the women's 200 metres T52, a silver medal in the women's 800 metres T52 and a silver medal in the women's 1500 metres T52. She also competed at the 2008 Summer Paralympics in Beijing, China. There she won a bronze medal in the women's 100 metres T52 and finished fourth in the women's 200 metres T52.
Akihiro Iwashima (岩島 章博, Iwashima Akihiro; born 23 April 1959) is a Japanese former volleyball player who competed at…Akihiro Iwashima (岩島 章博, Iwashima Akihiro; born 23 April 1959) is a Japanese former volleyball player who competed at the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles and the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul. Iwashima competed at the 1986 Goodwill Games in Moscow and won a bronze medal.
Hiroko Yai (Japanese: 矢井 弘子, Hepburn: Yai Hiroko; born February 12, 1959), better known by her stage name Nana Okada…Hiroko Yai (Japanese: 矢井 弘子, Hepburn: Yai Hiroko; born February 12, 1959), better known by her stage name Nana Okada (岡田 奈々, Okada Nana), is a Japanese actress and former idol singer.