Waku Kunitate (Japanese: 国立 和玖, Hepburn: Kunitate Waku; born 8 January 2012) is a Japanese motorcycle racer who…Waku Kunitate (Japanese: 国立 和玖, Hepburn: Kunitate Waku; born 8 January 2012) is a Japanese motorcycle racer who competes in the Moto4 Asia Cup. He is the 2024 FIM MiniGP World Series champion of the 160cc class. Kunitate has previously competed in the All Japan J-GP3 class in 2025. He is part of Tetsuta Nagashima's rider development program TN45.
Rena Uezono (上薗 恋奈, Uezono Rena; born June 7, 2010) is a Japanese figure skater. She is the 2024 World Junior bronze…Rena Uezono (上薗 恋奈, Uezono Rena; born June 7, 2010) is a Japanese figure skater. She is the 2024 World Junior bronze medalist, the 2023–24 ISU Junior Grand Prix Final bronze medalist, the 2023 JGP Poland champion, the 2023 JGP Turkey silver medalist, and the 2023–24 Japan Junior bronze medalist.
Mao Shimada (島田 麻央, Shimada Mao; born October 30, 2008) is a Japanese figure skater. She is the 2024 Youth Olympic…Mao Shimada (島田 麻央, Shimada Mao; born October 30, 2008) is a Japanese figure skater. She is the 2024 Youth Olympic champion, a four-time World Junior champion (2023, 2024, 2025, 2026), a four-time ISU Junior Grand Prix Final champion (2022–23, 2023–24, 2024–25, 2025-26), an eight-time ISU Junior Grand Prix gold medalist, a four-time Japanese national medalist (silver in 2025 and 2026, bronze in 2023 and 2024), and a five-time Japanese junior national champion (2021–2025). She is the twenty-first woman in history to have successfully landed a triple Axel jump, fourteenth woman to successfully land a quadruple jump and second Japanese woman to land a quadruple toeloop in competition. As a junior skater, Shimada won all 19 international events she competed in, accomplishing a Junior Golden Slam as well as 4 consecutive Junior Grand Slams, making her the most dominant skater in the junior field in the history of figure skating.
Rio Nakata (中田璃士, Nakata Rio; born 8 September 2008) is a Welsh-Japanese figure skater. He is a two-time Junior World…Rio Nakata (中田璃士, Nakata Rio; born 8 September 2008) is a Welsh-Japanese figure skater. He is a two-time Junior World champion (2025, 2026), the 2024–25 Japan national silver medalist, the 2024 Junior World silver medalist, the 2023–24 Junior Grand Prix Final champion, the 2024–25 Junior Grand Prix Final bronze medalist, a five-time ISU Junior Grand Prix medalist, a two-time Japanese Junior national champion (2024–25), and the 2023–24 Japanese Junior national silver medalist.
Azusa Inaba (稲葉あずさ, Inaba Azusa) is a Japanese professional wrestler. She is signed to Professional Wrestling Just Tap…Azusa Inaba (稲葉あずさ, Inaba Azusa) is a Japanese professional wrestler. She is signed to Professional Wrestling Just Tap Out (JTO), where she is the current JTO Girls Champion in her second reign. She also appears for JTO’s partners World Wonder Ring Stardom, where she is a member of H.A.T.E. and a former New Blood Tag Team Champion.
Ikura Kushida (櫛田 育良, Kushida Ikura; born October 29, 2007) is a Japanese figure skater. With ice dance partner…Ikura Kushida (櫛田 育良, Kushida Ikura; born October 29, 2007) is a Japanese figure skater. With ice dance partner, Koshiro Shimada, she is the 2025–26 Japanese national silver medalist. As a singles skater, she is the 2022 JGP Czech Republic bronze medalist, the 2023–24 Japan Junior silver medalist, and the 2024–25 Japan Junior bronze medalist.
Tatsuya Murasa (村佐達也, Murasa Tatsuya; born 27 March 2007) is a Japanese competitive swimmer. He competed in the men's 4…Tatsuya Murasa (村佐達也, Murasa Tatsuya; born 27 March 2007) is a Japanese competitive swimmer. He competed in the men's 4 × 200 metre freestyle relay at the 2024 Summer Olympics and won a bronze medal at the men's 200 metre freestyle at the 2025 World Aquatics Championships.
Mizuki Hirai (born 7 March 2007) is a Japanese swimmer. She placed seventh in the women's 100 metre butterfly at the…Mizuki Hirai (born 7 March 2007) is a Japanese swimmer. She placed seventh in the women's 100 metre butterfly at the 2024 Summer Olympics held in Paris, France.
Mari Fukada (深田茉莉, Fukada Mari; born 1 January 2007) is a Japanese snowboarder who competes in the slopestyle and big…Mari Fukada (深田茉莉, Fukada Mari; born 1 January 2007) is a Japanese snowboarder who competes in the slopestyle and big air events. She won the gold medal in the slopestyle event at the 2026 Winter Olympics.
Misugu Okamoto (岡本 碧優, Okamoto Misugu; born 22 June 2006) is a Japanese skateboarder. She won the gold at the women's…Misugu Okamoto (岡本 碧優, Okamoto Misugu; born 22 June 2006) is a Japanese skateboarder. She won the gold at the women's park event at the World Skateboarding Championship in 2019 and, in 2021, she qualified to represent Japan at the 2020 Summer Olympics.
Tomoharu Tsunogai (角皆友晴, Tomoharu Tsunogai; born 22 April 2006) is a Japanese artistic gymnast. He was part of the gold…Tomoharu Tsunogai (角皆友晴, Tomoharu Tsunogai; born 22 April 2006) is a Japanese artistic gymnast. He was part of the gold medal winning teams at the 2023 Junior World Championships, 2025 Asian Championships, and 2025 World University Games. Individually he is the 2023 Junior World Champion on parallel bars and horizontal bar and the 2025 World silver medalist on the parallel bars.
Mio Shiraishi (Japanese: 白石 弥桜; born 17 April 2006) is a Japanese basketball player who plays for Denso Iris in the…Mio Shiraishi (Japanese: 白石 弥桜; born 17 April 2006) is a Japanese basketball player who plays for Denso Iris in the Women's Japan Basketball League. She has represented Japan in international basketball, including at the FIBA Under-19 Women's Basketball World Cup and the women's basketball tournament at the 2026 Asian Games, where she won a silver medal.
Alexandre Kouto Horio Pisano (ピサノ・アレクサンドレ幸冬堀尾, Pisano Arekusandore Kōto Horio; born 10 January 2006) known as Alex…Alexandre Kouto Horio Pisano (ピサノ・アレクサンドレ幸冬堀尾, Pisano Arekusandore Kōto Horio; born 10 January 2006) known as Alex Pisano (Japanese: ピサノ・アレックス), is a Japanese professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for Nagoya Grampus and the Japan national team.
Kokoro Tanaka (田中 こころ, Tanaka Kokoro) (born 10 January 2006) is a Japanese professional basketball player for the Eneos…Kokoro Tanaka (田中 こころ, Tanaka Kokoro) (born 10 January 2006) is a Japanese professional basketball player for the Eneos Sunflowers of the Women's Japan Basketball League. She was drafted 38th overall by the Golden State Valkyries in the 2026 WNBA draft.
Yuto Nomura (野村勇斗, Nomura Yūto; born 12 November 2005) is a Japanese racing driver who currently competes in the Super…Yuto Nomura (野村勇斗, Nomura Yūto; born 12 November 2005) is a Japanese racing driver who currently competes in the Super Formula Championship for B-Max Racing. He has won back-to-back titles in Super Formula Lights and the F4 Japanese Championship in 2025 and 2024.
Taiga Hasegawa (長谷川 帝勝, Hasegawa Taiga; born 23 October 2005) is a Japanese snowboarder. He represented Japan at the…Taiga Hasegawa (長谷川 帝勝, Hasegawa Taiga; born 23 October 2005) is a Japanese snowboarder. He represented Japan at the 2026 Winter Olympics and won a silver medal in slopestyle.
Hana Yoshida (吉田 陽菜, Yoshida Hana; born August 21, 2005) is a Japanese retired figure skater. She is the 2023–24 ISU…Hana Yoshida (吉田 陽菜, Yoshida Hana; born August 21, 2005) is a Japanese retired figure skater. She is the 2023–24 ISU Grand Prix Final bronze medalist, the 2025 Asian Winter Games bronze medalist, a three-time ISU Grand Prix medalist (2 gold, 1 bronze), and two-time ISU Challenger Series medalist (1 silver, 1 bronze). At the junior level, she is a two-time ISU Junior Grand Prix gold medalist and a two-time Japanese Junior medalist. Yoshida is the nineteenth woman to successfully land a triple Axel in international competition.
Shunsuke Nakamura (中村俊介, Nakamura Shunsuke; born 8 June 2005) is a Japanese figure skater. He is a five-time ISU Junior…Shunsuke Nakamura (中村俊介, Nakamura Shunsuke; born 8 June 2005) is a Japanese figure skater. He is a five-time ISU Junior Grand Prix medalist and the 2023 Japanese Junior National champion.
Ryōga Kida (貴田 遼河, Kida Ryōga; born 15 July 2005) is a Japanese professional footballer who plays as a forward for…Ryōga Kida (貴田 遼河, Kida Ryōga; born 15 July 2005) is a Japanese professional footballer who plays as a forward for Argentine Primera División club Argentinos Juniors, on loan from Nagoya Grampus.
Rei Nakashima (中島 怜, Nakashima Rei; born November 27, 2004) is a Japanese singer who is signed to FlyingDog and E-Stone…Rei Nakashima (中島 怜, Nakashima Rei; born November 27, 2004) is a Japanese singer who is signed to FlyingDog and E-Stone Music. She made her debut in 2023 after winning a nationwide audition held by FlyingDog, with her debut single's title song being used as the opening theme to the second season of the anime television series Sugar Apple Fairy Tale. Her music was also featured in the anime series Train to the End of the World.
Mana Kawabe (河辺 愛菜, Kawabe Mana; born October 31, 2004) is a Japanese figure skater. She is the 2026 Coupe du Printemps…Mana Kawabe (河辺 愛菜, Kawabe Mana; born October 31, 2004) is a Japanese figure skater. She is the 2026 Coupe du Printemps champion, 2021 NHK Trophy silver medalist, the 2022 Grand Prix of Espoo bronze medalist, the 2022 CS U.S. Classic bronze medalist, the 2021–22 Japanese national bronze medalist, and the 2019–20 Japanese junior national champion. Kawabe is the eighteenth woman to land a clean triple Axel internationally. She represented Japan at the 2022 Winter Olympics.
Rino Matsuike ( REE-noh mat-soo-EE-kay; Japanese: 松生 理乃, IPA: [matsɯꜜike ɾiꜜno]; born October 10, 2004) is a Japanese…Rino Matsuike ( REE-noh mat-soo-EE-kay; Japanese: 松生 理乃, IPA: [matsɯꜜike ɾiꜜno]; born October 10, 2004) is a Japanese figure skater. She is a five-time ISU Grand Prix medalist (two silver, three bronze) and finished fifth at the 2022 Four Continents Championships, winning a small bronze medal for her free skate. She is also the 2022 International Challenge Cup champion. On the junior level, she is the 2020–21 Japanese junior national champion and the 2019 JGP Latvia bronze medalist.
Kohane Ushioku (Japanese: 牛奥 小羽; born 17 August 2004) is a Japanese artistic gymnast. She won a silver medal in the…Kohane Ushioku (Japanese: 牛奥 小羽; born 17 August 2004) is a Japanese artistic gymnast. She won a silver medal in the team events at the 2022 Asian Games and 2021 Summer World University Games. She represented Japan at the 2024 Summer Olympics.
Hazuki Watanabe (渡部 葉月, born 7 August 2004) is a Japanese artistic gymnast. She is the 2022 World Champion on the…Hazuki Watanabe (渡部 葉月, born 7 August 2004) is a Japanese artistic gymnast. She is the 2022 World Champion on the balance beam. She was part of the bronze medal winning team at the 2022 Asian Championships. Additionally she represented Japan at the inaugural Junior World Championships.
Aoi Itō (Japanese: 伊藤 あおい, Hepburn: Itō Aoi; born 21 May 2004) is a Japanese tennis player. She has been ranked by the…Aoi Itō (Japanese: 伊藤 あおい, Hepburn: Itō Aoi; born 21 May 2004) is a Japanese tennis player. She has been ranked by the WTA as high as No. 82 in singles, achieved on 18 August 2025, and No. 180 in doubles, reached on 16 September 2024. Ito has won one WTA 125 singles title.
Hiroto Shinozuka (Japanese: 篠塚大登; born 23 December 2003) is a Japanese table tennis player. He competed at the 2024…Hiroto Shinozuka (Japanese: 篠塚大登; born 23 December 2003) is a Japanese table tennis player. He competed at the 2024 Summer Olympics.
Yuki Hirashita (Japanese: 平下 結貴, born 14 May 2003) is a Japanese 3x3 basketball and basketball player who plays as a…Yuki Hirashita (Japanese: 平下 結貴, born 14 May 2003) is a Japanese 3x3 basketball and basketball player who plays as a point guard. She plays for the Toyota Boshoku Sunshine Rabbits in the WJBL and represents Japan in international 3x3 basketball competitions. Hirashita won the gold medal with Japan in the women's 3x3 basketball tournament at the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan. She scored nine points in Japan's 21–11 victory over the Philippines in the final, including the decisive two-point basket that secured the gold medal.
Fujiryōga Masaharu (Japanese: 藤凌駕 雅治; born February 27, 2003 as Masaharu Goshima (五島 雅治, Goshima Masaharu)) is a…Fujiryōga Masaharu (Japanese: 藤凌駕 雅治; born February 27, 2003 as Masaharu Goshima (五島 雅治, Goshima Masaharu)) is a Japanese professional sumo wrestler from Kasugai, Aichi. Wrestling for Fujishima stable, his highest rank is maegashira 1.
Mako Yamashita (Japanese: 山下 真瑚; born December 31, 2002) is a Japanese figure skater. She is the 2018 Skate Canada…Mako Yamashita (Japanese: 山下 真瑚; born December 31, 2002) is a Japanese figure skater. She is the 2018 Skate Canada silver medalist and a two-time medalist at the ISU Challenger Series. On the junior level, she is the 2018 World Junior bronze medalist, a four-time medalist on the ISU Junior Grand Prix series, and the 2017–18 Japanese junior national silver medalist.
Tatsuya Tsuboi (壷井 達也, Tsuboi Tatsuya; born December 17, 2002) is a Japanese figure skater. He is the 2024–25 Japan…Tatsuya Tsuboi (壷井 達也, Tsuboi Tatsuya; born December 17, 2002) is a Japanese figure skater. He is the 2024–25 Japan national bronze medalist, the 2024 NHK Trophy bronze medalist, the 2023 World University Games silver medalist, and the 2022 Coupe du Printemps silver medalist. On the junior level, he is the 2022 World Junior bronze medalist and 2018–19 Japan junior national champion.
Kota Kaneko (金子駆大, Kaneko Kota; born 4 September 2002) is a Japanese professional golfer who plays on the European…Kota Kaneko (金子駆大, Kaneko Kota; born 4 September 2002) is a Japanese professional golfer who plays on the European Tour, where he claimed his first win in 2026 at the Austrian Alpine Open. He also plays on the Japan Golf Tour where he has won twice and topped the 2025 money list.
Hiroto Takahashi (髙橋 宏斗, Takahashi Hiroto; born August 9, 2002) is a Japanese professional baseball pitcher for the…Hiroto Takahashi (髙橋 宏斗, Takahashi Hiroto; born August 9, 2002) is a Japanese professional baseball pitcher for the Chunichi Dragons of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB).
Tomoka Inaba (稲葉ともか, Inaba Tomoka; born July 24, 2002) is a Japanese professional wrestler. She is signed to…Tomoka Inaba (稲葉ともか, Inaba Tomoka; born July 24, 2002) is a Japanese professional wrestler. She is signed to Professional Wrestling Just Tap Out. She also appears with JTO’s partners World Wonder Ring Stardom, where she is a member of God's Eye. She is well known for working with other independent promotions such as Sendai Girls' Pro Wrestling and Pro Wrestling Wave.
Takako Sato (Japanese: 佐藤 多伽子, born 19 July 2002) is a Japanese professional basketball player who plays as a small…Takako Sato (Japanese: 佐藤 多伽子, born 19 July 2002) is a Japanese professional basketball player who plays as a small forward for Prestige International Aranmare in the Women's Japan Basketball League. She has represented Japan in international competitions, including the FIBA Under-19 Women's Basketball World Cup and the Summer World University Games. She was also a member of Japan's women's basketball team that won the silver medal at the 2026 Asian Games.
Sōta Fujii (藤井 聡太, Fujii Sōta; born July 19, 2002 in Seto, Aichi) is a Japanese professional shogi player ranked 9-dan.…Sōta Fujii (藤井 聡太, Fujii Sōta; born July 19, 2002 in Seto, Aichi) is a Japanese professional shogi player ranked 9-dan. He is the current holder of the Kiō, Kisei, Meijin, Ōi, Ōshō and Ryūō titles, and a former holder of the Eiō and Ōza titles. He is the youngest person to be awarded professional status by the Japan Shogi Association and one of only five players to become professional while still a junior high school student. Since becoming a professional, Fujii has broken a number of professional shogi records including being the youngest player to win a professional shogi tournament, the youngest player to challenge for a major title, the youngest player to win a major title, the youngest player to be a 2-crown title holder, the youngest player to defend a major title, the youngest player to be awarded the rank of 9-dan, the youngest to be a 3-crown title holder, the youngest to be a 4-crown title holder, the youngest to be a 5-crown title holder, the youngest to be a 6-crown title holder, the youngest to be a 7-crown title holder, the youngest to win the Meijin title, the youngest to win the Ōza title and becoming the first 8-crown title holder in professional shogi history. He also won his first 29 games as a professional to set a new record for most consecutive games won, and is also the first player to win all current non-title tournaments open to all professional shogi players in a single shogi year. In July 2024, Fujii at age 21 years and 11 months became the youngest player to satisfy the criteria for becoming a "Lifetime Title Holder" when he qualified for the Lifetime Kisei title. The following month, he also qualified for the Lifetime Ōi title. In November 2025, he qualified for the Lifetime Ryūō title. In 2025, Fujii became the first player to earn more than JPY 200 million in a single year.
Mana Nishizaki (西崎 愛菜, Nishizaki Mana; born 1 May 2002) is a Japanese professional volleyball player. She plays in the…Mana Nishizaki (西崎 愛菜, Nishizaki Mana; born 1 May 2002) is a Japanese professional volleyball player. She plays in the SV.League for Osaka Marvelous.
Meru Nukumi (生見 愛瑠, Nukumi Meru; born 6 March 2002), also known as Meruru, is a Japanese model, actress and tarento…Meru Nukumi (生見 愛瑠, Nukumi Meru; born 6 March 2002), also known as Meruru, is a Japanese model, actress and tarento from Inazawa, Aichi Prefecture. She is represented by the talent agency Avex Management and is currently active in Tokyo. Nukumi was a former Popteen magazine model and is currently an exclusive model for the fashion magazine CanCam.
Nana Araki (荒木 菜那 Araki Nana, born May 3, 2002) is a Japanese figure skater. She is the 2017 JGP Belarus silver…Nana Araki (荒木 菜那 Araki Nana, born May 3, 2002) is a Japanese figure skater. She is the 2017 JGP Belarus silver medalist, the 2018 Challenge Cup Junior champion, and a two-time Japanese Junior national medalist.
Ufuoma Tanaka (Japanese: 田中 平和, born 10 February 2002) is a Japanese basketball player who plays as a power forward for…Ufuoma Tanaka (Japanese: 田中 平和, born 10 February 2002) is a Japanese basketball player who plays as a power forward for the Toyota Antelopes in the Women's Japan Basketball League. She has represented Japan in international basketball competitions, including the FIBA Under-19 Women's Basketball World Cup, the Summer World University Games and the Asian Games. She won silver medals with Japan at the 2023 Summer World University Games and the 2026 Asian Games.
Ryotaro Ishida (石田 凌太郎, Ishida Ryotaro; born December 13, 2001) is a Japanese footballer who plays as a winger or right…Ryotaro Ishida (石田 凌太郎, Ishida Ryotaro; born December 13, 2001) is a Japanese footballer who plays as a winger or right back for J2 League club Blaublitz Akita.
Kazuki Oki (大木 一輝, Ohki Kazuki) (born 1 December 2002) is a Japanese racing driver who is set to compete for GAINER in…Kazuki Oki (大木 一輝, Ohki Kazuki) (born 1 December 2002) is a Japanese racing driver who is set to compete for GAINER in Super GT. Oki previously raced in Super Taikyu ST-X with Team Impul.
Yuri Tanaka (born 15 November 2001) is a Japanese multi-event athlete. She won the gold medal in heptathlon at the 2026…Yuri Tanaka (born 15 November 2001) is a Japanese multi-event athlete. She won the gold medal in heptathlon at the 2026 Asian Games and is the national record holder in the event, becoming the first Japanese woman to surpass 6000 points.
Sakura Endō (遠藤 さくら, Endō Sakura; born 3 October 2001) is a Japanese singer, actress, and model. She is a fourth…Sakura Endō (遠藤 さくら, Endō Sakura; born 3 October 2001) is a Japanese singer, actress, and model. She is a fourth generation member of the idol girl group Nogizaka46.
Shun Ayukawa (鮎川 峻, Ayukawa Shun; born 15 September 2001) is a Japanese footballer currently playing as a forward for…Shun Ayukawa (鮎川 峻, Ayukawa Shun; born 15 September 2001) is a Japanese footballer currently playing as a forward for J1 League club Sanfrecce Hiroshima.
Yuta Sugiura (杉浦 悠太, Sugiura Yuta; born 12 September 2001) is a Japanese professional golfer who plays on the Korn…Yuta Sugiura (杉浦 悠太, Sugiura Yuta; born 12 September 2001) is a Japanese professional golfer who plays on the Korn Ferry Tour, where he claimed his first win at the 2026 AdventHealth Championship. He also plays on the Japan Golf Tour where he has three victories and was the 2025 Rookie of the Year.
Kyūto Ueda (上田 希由翔, Ueda Kyūto; born August 12, 2001 in Okazaki, Aichi Prefecture) is a professional Japanese baseball…Kyūto Ueda (上田 希由翔, Ueda Kyūto; born August 12, 2001 in Okazaki, Aichi Prefecture) is a professional Japanese baseball player. He plays infielder for the Chiba Lotte Marines.
Shunsuke Iwai (岩井 俊介, Shunsuke Iwai; born July 31, 2001) is a Japanese professional baseball player. He is a pitcher…Shunsuke Iwai (岩井 俊介, Shunsuke Iwai; born July 31, 2001) is a Japanese professional baseball player. He is a pitcher for the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB).
Takaya Ishikawa (石川昂弥, Ishikawa Takaya; born June 22, 2001) is a professional Japanese baseball player. He plays…Takaya Ishikawa (石川昂弥, Ishikawa Takaya; born June 22, 2001) is a professional Japanese baseball player. He plays infielder for the Chunichi Dragons. Ishikawa won the 2019 Japanese High School Baseball Invitational Tournament with Toho High School where he was the team's ace and batted 4th in the line-up. In the 2019 NPB Draft, he was largely regarded as the most talented hitter of his class.
