Hiromasa Yamamoto (山本 浩正, Yamamoto Hiromasa; born June 5, 1979) is a former Japanese football player.
Aichi Prefecture: 859 people
Hiromasa Yamamoto (山本 浩正, Yamamoto Hiromasa; born June 5, 1979) is a former Japanese football player.
Shota Takiya (Japanese: 瀧谷渉太, Takiya Shota; born April 15, 1989) is a retired Japanese kickboxer who competed in the…
Shota Takiya (Japanese: 瀧谷渉太, Takiya Shota; born April 15, 1989) is a retired Japanese kickboxer who competed in the super bantamweight divisions of Krush, K-1, RISE and Rizin FF. A professional competitor since 2007, he is a former two-time Krush Super Bantamweight champion.
Kei Satō (born 4 July 1979) is a Japanese politician who has served as a member of the House of Councillors since 2016…
Kei Satō (born 4 July 1979) is a Japanese politician who has served as a member of the House of Councillors since 2016, representing Nara Prefecture.
Yuki Miyazaki (宮崎有妃, Miyazaki Yuki) is a Japanese retired professional wrestler best known for her tenures with the…
Yuki Miyazaki (宮崎有妃, Miyazaki Yuki) is a Japanese retired professional wrestler best known for her tenures with the Japanese professional wrestling promotions Pro Wrestling Wave, NEO Japan Ladies Pro-Wrestling (NEO) and JWP Joshi Puroresu (JWP) and All Japan Women's Pro-Wrestling.
Tomohiko Itō (伊藤 智彦, Itō Tomohiko; born October 20, 1978) is a Japanese anime director, best known for directing the…
Tomohiko Itō (伊藤 智彦, Itō Tomohiko; born October 20, 1978) is a Japanese anime director, best known for directing the A-1 Pictures projects Occult Academy, the first season of Silver Spoon, the first two seasons of Sword Art Online, and Erased. He currently resides in Shinjuku, Tokyo.
Kōen Kondō (近藤公園; born 11 October 1978) is a Japanese actor. He made his debut in the popular 2001 film Waterboys.
Takuya Suzumura (鈴村 拓也, Suzumura Takuya; born September 13, 1978) is a former Japanese football player.
AK-69, also known as Kalassy Nikoff (エーケーシックスティーナイン/カラシニコフ) is a Japanese hip-hop artist from Komaki, Aichi. As a…
AK-69, also known as Kalassy Nikoff (エーケーシックスティーナイン/カラシニコフ) is a Japanese hip-hop artist from Komaki, Aichi. As a rapper, AK-69 uses his stage name; while singing, he is usually known as "Kalassy Nikoff." AK-69 also goes by the alias "REDSTA." In 2004, he began producing a fashion line known as "BAGARCH." The single "Public Enemy" was nominated in 2011 for Best Hip Hop Music Video in the MTV Music Aid Japan, and won the same award at the 2011 Space Shower Music Video Awards. At the 2011 Billboard Japan Awards, AK-69 was selected as Independent Artist of the Year.
Atsushi Harada (原田 篤, Harada Atsushi; born July 19, 1978) is a Japanese actor in the Tokusatsu genre. He is best known…
Atsushi Harada (原田 篤, Harada Atsushi; born July 19, 1978) is a Japanese actor in the Tokusatsu genre. He is best known for being Kamen Rider Delta in Kamen Rider 555, and Shou Tatsumi/Go Green in the 1999 Super Sentai Series Kyuukyuu Sentai GoGo-V, and reprised his role in the Sentai Teamup Special Timeranger vs. GoGo-V and Gokaiger. He was also involved in a band with GoGo-V co-star Masashi Taniguchi called [G]. In 2012, he worked with the Aimachi Marching Band on their 50th anniversary concert event Evolution where he served as a Story Teller.
Kaori Aoba (青葉 かおり, Aoba Kaori; born July 11, 1978) is a female professional 5 dan Go player. She is currently an…
Kaori Aoba (青葉 かおり, Aoba Kaori; born July 11, 1978) is a female professional 5 dan Go player. She is currently an affiliate of the Nihon Ki-in, the largest Go association of Japan, and was a student of Yasumasa Hane. On 4 September 2008, Aoba was defeated by Crazy Stone, a Monte-Carlo Tree Search Go playing engine, in an 8-stone handicap game in Tokyo, Japan. The exhibition match marks the earliest official defeat of a professional by a computer with a conventional handicap.
Masaru Takeda (武田 勝, born July 10, 1978, in Nagoya) is a Japanese former professional baseball pitcher and coach. He…
Masaru Takeda (武田 勝, born July 10, 1978, in Nagoya) is a Japanese former professional baseball pitcher and coach. He played in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) for the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters from 2006 to 2016.
Tomoko Ogawa (尾川 智子, Ogawa Tomoko; born April 14, 1978) is a Japanese boulderer. In 2012, she sent Catharsis, a boulder…
Tomoko Ogawa (尾川 智子, Ogawa Tomoko; born April 14, 1978) is a Japanese boulderer. In 2012, she sent Catharsis, a boulder route in Shiobara established by Dai Koyamada, and confirmed by Daniel Woods, to become the first-ever woman to climb an 8B+ (V14) route. Ogawa began climbing in 2000, at age 22. Her other notable ascents of boulders include Caramba 8A+ (V12), Mutante 8A+ (V12), Akugeki 8A/8A+ , Atomic Playboy 8A (V11), Hatchling 8A (V11), and No Late Tenders 8A (V11).
Sakura Hirota (広田さくら, Hirota sakura) is a Japanese politician and professional wrestler. She is currently a freelancer…
Sakura Hirota (広田さくら, Hirota sakura) is a Japanese politician and professional wrestler. She is currently a freelancer who is best known for her tenure with the Japanese promotions Gaea, Pro Wrestling Wave and Oz Academy. Hirota's later career is characterized by being a comedy wrestler who oft appears as a doppelgänger of other wrestlers, dressing up as and portraying their mannerisms in an exaggerated, poorly executed way for comedic effect. Hirota sometimes even ironically imitates her own opponent, examples include: Saki Akai and Asuka. She tentatively retired on June 2, 2025, due to her pursuing a career in politics; in the process, she left Pro Wrestling Wave. However she resumed full time activity in August 2025 as a result of having lost her local House of Councillors election. She became representative of the Katsushika Ward Assembly in Tokyo as of 2026, a result of winning the assembly election in November 2025.
Arina Tanemura (種村 有菜, Tanemura Arina; born March 12, 1978) is a Japanese manga artist, illustrator, and character…
Arina Tanemura (種村 有菜, Tanemura Arina; born March 12, 1978) is a Japanese manga artist, illustrator, and character designer. She made her professional manga debut in 1996 with the one-shot The Style of the Second Love in the shōjo manga magazine Ribon Original and later published her first series, I.O.N, in 1997, in the main Ribon magazine. She gained mainstream popularity from the late 1990s to mid-2000s with her series Phantom Thief Jeanne, Full Moon o Sagashite, and The Gentlemen's Alliance Cross. Throughout her career, Tanemura's work has been recognized in shōjo manga for her art style and themes of young girls transforming into the women they would like to become. In addition to her publications, Tanemura has released two independent studio albums of songs based on her characters and is the character designer for Idolish7 and other media projects.
Shintarō Tokita (常田真太郎, Tokita Shintarō) is a member of the J-pop band, Sukima Switch. He was born February 25, 1978…
Shintarō Tokita (常田真太郎, Tokita Shintarō) is a member of the J-pop band, Sukima Switch. He was born February 25, 1978, in Midori-ku, Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture Japan. He has also produced Chitose Hajime's comeback single "Kataritsugu Koto", ending theme to Blood+. He enjoys soccer, judo and skiing. He especially loves music. He is usually identified with his large afro and wispy goatee. In 2008, Tokita produced the winner of the second annual Animax Anison Grand Prix competition, Catherine St. Onge's debut theme song for the anime adaptation of Valkyria Chronicles.
Shintaro Yamada (Japanese: 山田 進太郎, Hepburn: Yamada Shintarō; born 1977/1978) is a Japanese businessman, and the…
Shintaro Yamada (Japanese: 山田 進太郎, Hepburn: Yamada Shintarō; born 1977/1978) is a Japanese businessman, and the founder, CEO and one-third owner of the online marketplace Mercari.
Fuminori Nakamura (中村 文則, Nakamura Fuminori; born 2 September 1977) is the pseudonym of a Japanese author. Nakamura…
Fuminori Nakamura (中村 文則, Nakamura Fuminori; born 2 September 1977) is the pseudonym of a Japanese author. Nakamura came to international attention when he won the 2010 Kenzaburō Ōe Prize for his novel, The Thief (掏摸, "Pickpocket"). The English translation of the novel was well received.
Tomohiro Kondo (Japanese: 近藤智弘, born 17 June 1977) is a Japanese professional golfer.
Ryuji Sato (佐藤 隆治, Satō Ryūji; born 16 April 1977) is a former Japanese football referee. He has officiated matches in…
Ryuji Sato (佐藤 隆治, Satō Ryūji; born 16 April 1977) is a former Japanese football referee. He has officiated matches in the J1 League, AFC Champions League and FIFA World Cup qualifiers and is currently a director of referees in the J.League.
Yoshio Sawai (澤井啓夫, Sawai Yoshio; born March 14, 1977 in Toyohashi, Aichi Prefecture) is a Japanese manga artist, best…
Yoshio Sawai (澤井啓夫, Sawai Yoshio; born March 14, 1977 in Toyohashi, Aichi Prefecture) is a Japanese manga artist, best known for his series Bobobo-bo Bo-bobo and sequel Shinsetsu Bobobo-bo Bo-bobo, both serialized in Weekly Shōnen Jump. Bobobo-bo Bo-bobo was adapted into a 76 episodes anime series by the Toei Animation studio between 2003 and 2005. His father is Japanese literature academic Taizo Sawai.
Yuka Murofushi (室伏 由佳, Murofushi Yuka; born 11 February 1977) is a retired Japanese discus and hammer thrower.…
Yuka Murofushi (室伏 由佳, Murofushi Yuka; born 11 February 1977) is a retired Japanese discus and hammer thrower. Murofushi comes from a hammer throwing family, as her father Shigenobu Murofushi is a former Olympian and held the Japanese record for decades, and her brother Koji Murofushi, is the 2004 Olympic champion in the event. Her mother, Serafina Moritz, is Romanian, and former European junior javelin champion and senior champion for Romania. Her parents are now divorced. She won the 2010 Japanese title in both the discus and hammer throw events.
A..C..O (born February 3, 1977) is a Japanese singer. She made her debut in 1995 with the pop single "Fuan nano"…
A..C..O (born February 3, 1977) is a Japanese singer. She made her debut in 1995 with the pop single "Fuan nano" (不安なの). She is a part of Sony Music Japan. She explores different musical styles, with the albums Absolute Ego and Material displaying electronica influences. Absolute Ego was produced by ex-Denki Groove keyboardist, Yoshinori Sunahara and The Other Side of Absolute Ego album contains remixes by Tricky, DJ Krush, and Silent Poets. In 2003, after a two-year hiatus, she enlisted the help of the avant-garde audio-visual performance group portable [k]ommunity for her quieter, more delicate album, Irony. AllMusic described Irony as "one of the most beautiful albums to come out of Japan in 2003", with the music compared to an "airy lullaby".
Tsutomu Ishizuki (石月努, born in Ichinomiya on January 8, 1977) is a Japanese singer, musician and designer, best known…
Tsutomu Ishizuki (石月努, born in Ichinomiya on January 8, 1977) is a Japanese singer, musician and designer, best known as the lead singer and songwriter of rock band Fanatic Crisis from 1992 to 2005. Two years later, he started working as a designer. In 2012, he returned to music by starting a solo career and in 2019, Ishizuki and the two guitarists from Fanatic Crisis formed the sub-unit Fantastic Circus.
Asaka Seto (瀬戸 朝香, Seto Asaka) also known as Megumi Ieda, is a Japanese actress who works at Foster Management. She won…
Asaka Seto (瀬戸 朝香, Seto Asaka) also known as Megumi Ieda, is a Japanese actress who works at Foster Management. She won the award for Best Actress at the 24th Yokohama Film Festival for Travail. She is married to Yoshihiko Inohara of the band V6.
Makoto Hirose (廣瀬 誠, Hirose Makoto; born 22 November 1976) is a Japanese Paralympic judoka in Lightweight. In 2004 he…
Makoto Hirose (廣瀬 誠, Hirose Makoto; born 22 November 1976) is a Japanese Paralympic judoka in Lightweight. In 2004 he won the silver medal in the men's 60 kg, but was not upgraded when Sergio Arturo Perez was stripped of his gold medal after testing positive for a banned substance. In 2008 he made it to the quarter-finals but lost to Mouloud Noura (Algeria). In 2012 he switched to 66 kg (half-lightweight) and lost the semi-final to Zhao Xu (China). The 2016 Summer Paralympics in Rio will be his fourth Games. In the 60 kg, he won his second silver medal when Sherzod Namozov (Uzbekistan) beat him in the final. At the 2010 Asian Para Games he won a bronze medal in the men's -66 kg event.
Kenichi Takitō (滝藤 賢一, Takitō Ken'ichi; born November 2, 1976 in Nagoya) is a Japanese actor.
Yoeko Kurahashi (倉橋 ヨエコ, Kurahashi Yoeko) is a Japanese singer and songwriter who made music between 2000 and 2008…
Yoeko Kurahashi (倉橋 ヨエコ, Kurahashi Yoeko) is a Japanese singer and songwriter who made music between 2000 and 2008 before quitting. In 2023 she returned to making music. A piano book featuring her work has also been released.
Nobuhiro Yamashita (山下敦弘, Yamashita Nobuhiro; born 29 August 1976) is a Japanese film director.
Yasuhiro Yamamura (山村 泰弘, Yamamura Yasuhiro; born August 18, 1976) is a former Japanese football player and manager.
Harunoyama Tatsunao (Japanese: 春ノ山 竜尚, born 2 August 1976), known as Tatsunao Haruyama is a former Japanese sumo…
Harunoyama Tatsunao (Japanese: 春ノ山 竜尚, born 2 August 1976), known as Tatsunao Haruyama is a former Japanese sumo wrestler from Toyota, Aichi. He made his professional debut in March 1992 and reached the top division in March 2004. His highest rank was maegashira 10. Upon retirement from active competition he became an elder in the Japan Sumo Association, under the name Takenawa. He left the Sumo Association in January 2008.
Akihiro Kasamatsu (笠松 昭宏, Kasamatsu Akihiro; born 22 July 1976) is a Japanese gymnast. In the 1998 Asian Games, he won…
Akihiro Kasamatsu (笠松 昭宏, Kasamatsu Akihiro; born 22 July 1976) is a Japanese gymnast. In the 1998 Asian Games, he won a bronze medal in the team event. He competed at the 2000 Summer Olympics.
Kohei Morita (盛田 剛平, Morita Kohei; born July 13, 1976) is a former Japanese football player.
Sonoko Kato (加藤 園子, Katō Sonoko; born June 11, 1976) is a Japanese retired professional wrestler. She made her debut in…
Sonoko Kato (加藤 園子, Katō Sonoko; born June 11, 1976) is a Japanese retired professional wrestler. She made her debut in April 1995, working for Gaea Japan, where she became one half of the inaugural AAAW Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champions. After becoming a two-time winner of the High Spurt 600 Tournament, Kato's career came to a halt following multiple injuries. After being sidelined for five years, Kato returned to the ring in October 2006, following the folding of Gaea Japan, and found a new home in the Oz Academy promotion, where she is a former two-time Oz Academy Openweight Champion and seven-time Oz Academy Tag Team Champion. Kato has also wrestled in the US for World Championship Wrestling (WCW) and in Mexico for Lucha Libre AAA World Wide (AAA).
Kotomitsuki Keiji (琴光喜 啓司; born April 11, 1976 as Keiji Tamiya (田宮 啓司)) is a Japanese former professional sumo wrestler…
Kotomitsuki Keiji (琴光喜 啓司; born April 11, 1976 as Keiji Tamiya (田宮 啓司)) is a Japanese former professional sumo wrestler from Okazaki City. A former amateur champion, he turned professional in 1999. He reached the top makuuchi division in November 2000 and won one yūshō or tournament championship, in September 2001. He was a runner-up in eight other tournaments, and earned thirteen sanshō or special prizes. He is one of six wrestlers in the history of sumo to receive all three sanshō in the same tournament, accomplishing the feat in the November 2000 honbasho. After a record 22 tournaments at sekiwake, he achieved promotion to sumo's second highest rank of ōzeki in July 2007 upon winning 35 out of 45 bouts in three consecutive tournaments. This made him at 31 the oldest man to reach ōzeki in the modern era. He wrestled for Sadogatake stable. On July 4, 2010, he was expelled from professional sumo by the Japan Sumo Association for his involvement in an illegal gambling ring.
Norihiro Akahoshi (赤星 憲広, Akahoshi Norihiro; born April 10, 1976) is a Japanese former professional baseball…
Norihiro Akahoshi (赤星 憲広, Akahoshi Norihiro; born April 10, 1976) is a Japanese former professional baseball outfielder. He played in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) for the Hanshin Tigers from 2001 to 2009.
Norio Murata (村田 教生, Murata Norio; born February 7, 1976) is a former Japanese football player.
Nobuyoshi Nakamura (中村信義, Nakamura Nobuyoshi; born February 2, 1976) is a Japanese professional wrestler currently…
Nobuyoshi Nakamura (中村信義, Nakamura Nobuyoshi; born February 2, 1976) is a Japanese professional wrestler currently working for Dragon Gate as Dragon Kid (ドラゴン・キッド, Doragon Kiddo). Nakamura initially broke into the wrestling business with Frontier Martial Arts Wrestling (FMW), but was not allowed to be a wrestler by owner Atsushi Onita and instead worked as a referee for the promotion during the mid-1990s. Longing to become a wrestler, he left FMW in 1997 and joined Ultimo Dragon's Toryumón Gym, where he was given the gimmick of “Dragon Kid”, a character he has used for his entire career.
Eiji Mitsuoka (Japanese: 光岡 映二, Mitsuoka Eiji; born January 1, 1976) is a retired Japanese professional mixed martial…
Eiji Mitsuoka (Japanese: 光岡 映二, Mitsuoka Eiji; born January 1, 1976) is a retired Japanese professional mixed martial artist. A professional competitor from 2001 until 2012, Mitsuoka fought for the UFC, DREAM, World Victory Road, PRIDE, Shooto, Cage Force, DEEP and King of the Cage promotions. Mitsuoka's nickname Kanaami no Mōshigo (金網の申し子), which translates as "The Heaven-sent Child of the Cage" was given in reference to his earlier career in King of the Cage and his performance in Cage Force.
D. Oyuntulhuur (Mongolian: Дамдинсүрэнгийн Оюунтүлхүүр, born 10 November 1975) better known by the stage name Oyunaa…
D. Oyuntulhuur (Mongolian: Дамдинсүрэнгийн Оюунтүлхүүр, born 10 November 1975) better known by the stage name Oyunaa (Оюунаа), is a Mongolian singer based in Japan. Oyunaa won the Grand Prix at the World Children's Music Festival in Tokyo in 1989. In 1996, Oyunaa returned to Ulaanbaatar to play a benefit concert at the Central Cultural Palace, raising more than $70,000 for homeless children, single parents, low-income families, and spring fire and flood victims.
Naoki Takada (高田 尚輝, Takada Naoki; born October 31, 1975) is a Japanese hip hop recording artist better known by his…
Naoki Takada (高田 尚輝, Takada Naoki; born October 31, 1975) is a Japanese hip hop recording artist better known by his stage name Seamo (シーモ, Shīmo). He made his debut in 2002 using the alias Seamonator (シーモネーター, Shīmonētā), but later changed his name to Seamo. He made his solo debut in 2005 with the Japanese record label BMG Japan with the single "Kanpaku" (関白, Advisor). Seamo became famous when he appeared along with the duo Bennie K on the song "A Love Story." In 2006, Seamo had his best-selling single in Japan with "Mata Aimashō" (マタアイマショウ), which despite peaking at number fourteen on the singles chart has spent thirty four weeks on the chart and sold more than 160,000 copies so far. His debut album is Get Back On Stage, released on October 31, 2005. His second album, Live Goes On, made its debut on the Japanese chart at number one. As his favorite artists and influences, Seamo lists Kool Keith, MC Hammer, and Japanese acts Unicorn, Sing Like Talking, and Original Love. In 2008, he released "Honey Honey Feat. Ayuse Kozue", which was used as the ending theme song of the second season of the anime xxxHolic, xxxHolic: Kei. His song "My Answer" was used as the tenth ending of the popular anime Naruto Shippuden. His song "Umi e Ikou" was featured as the ending theme for the 2010 live-action drama Moyashimon.
Taira Imata (井俣 太良, Imata Taira; born September 24, 1975) is a Japanese actor who is represented by the talent agencies…
Taira Imata (井俣 太良, Imata Taira; born September 24, 1975) is a Japanese actor who is represented by the talent agencies Shōnen Shachu and Ace Agent.
Satoru Terao (寺尾 悟, Terao Satoru; born 25 July 1975) is a Japanese short track speed skater. He competed at the 1994…
Satoru Terao (寺尾 悟, Terao Satoru; born 25 July 1975) is a Japanese short track speed skater. He competed at the 1994, 1998, 2002 and the 2010 Winter Olympics.
Ryuji Kawai (河合竜児, Kawai Ryuji) is the associate coach of the Shimane Susanoo Magic in the Japanese B.League.
Shizuo Yamashita (山下 史守朗, Yamashita Shizuo; born 6 July 1975) is a Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic Party…
Shizuo Yamashita (山下 史守朗, Yamashita Shizuo; born 6 July 1975) is a Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic Party who has served as a member of the House of Representatives for Aichi 16th district since 2026. He previously served as a member of the Aichi Prefectural Assembly and as mayor of Komaki.
Takae Itō (born June 30, 1975, in Aichi Prefecture, Japan) is a Japanese politician who has served as a member of the…
Takae Itō (born June 30, 1975, in Aichi Prefecture, Japan) is a Japanese politician who has served as a member of the House of Councillors of Japan since 2016. She represents the Aichi at-large district and is a member of the Democratic Party for the People.
Kumiko Koiwai (小岩井 久美子, Koiwai Kumiko; born June 27, 1975) is a Japanese former competitive figure skater. She is the…
Kumiko Koiwai (小岩井 久美子, Koiwai Kumiko; born June 27, 1975) is a Japanese former competitive figure skater. She is the 1993 World Junior champion, 1992 NHK Trophy silver medalist, 1997 Winter Universiade champion, and a three-time Japan national bronze medalist.
Keiichirō Hirano (平野 啓一郎, Hirano Keiichirō; born June 22, 1975) is a Japanese novelist. Hirano was born in Gamagori…
Keiichirō Hirano (平野 啓一郎, Hirano Keiichirō; born June 22, 1975) is a Japanese novelist. Hirano was born in Gamagori, Aichi prefecture, Japan. He published his first novel (Nisshoku, 日蝕) in 1998 and won the Akutagawa Prize the next year as one of the youngest winners ever (at 23 years of age). He graduated from the Law Department of Kyoto University in 1999. In 2005 he was nominated as a cultural ambassador and spent a year in France.
Miki Imai (Japanese: 今井美希; born 30 May 1975) is a Japanese former track and field athlete who competed in the high…
Miki Imai (Japanese: 今井美希; born 30 May 1975) is a Japanese former track and field athlete who competed in the high jump. Her personal best of 1.96 m (6 ft 5 in), set in 2001, is the Japanese record for the event. She is also co-holder of the indoor national record of 1.91 m (6 ft 3 in) with Megumi Sato. She represented Japan at the 2000 Sydney Olympics and was a three-time participant at the World Championships in Athletics (1999, 2001 and 2003). Her best major global placing came at the 1999 IAAF World Indoor Championships, where she came eighth. She also made appearances at the 1998 Asian Games and the 1998 IAAF World Cup. Imai was the 1998 Asian Champion in the high jump and holds the championship record of 1.94 m (6 ft 4+1⁄4 in). She was the runner-up in 1995 and fourth in 2002. She was also a two-time medallist at the East Asian Games, taking bronze in 1997 and the gold medal in 2001 (with a games record of 1.92 m (6 ft 3+1⁄2 in)). She was a six-time Japanese champion in the high jump.
Hitoki Iwase (岩瀬 仁紀, born November 10, 1974) is a Japanese former professional baseball pitcher. He played in Nippon…
Hitoki Iwase (岩瀬 仁紀, born November 10, 1974) is a Japanese former professional baseball pitcher. He played in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) from 1999 to 2018 for the Chunichi Dragons. He holds the NPB record for career saves and mound appearances. In 2005, he marked 46 saves with a 1.88 ERA, renewing the single-season save record previously set by Kazuhiro Sasaki. This was subsequently broken by Dennis Sarfate of the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks in 2017. He was chosen to play on the Japanese Olympic baseball team for the 2004 Summer Olympics, and won a bronze medal. In the 2007 Japan Series, he saved a perfect game with eight innings thrown by Daisuke Yamai. In 2008, he was selected to play on the Japanese Olympic baseball team for the 2008 Summer Olympics. In group stage against South Korean Olympic baseball team, his pitch was hit by Kim Hyunsoo, which resulted in a loss. In the semifinal round against the South Korean team, his pitch was hit by Lee Seung-Yeop, leading to a two-run homerun. This again led to another loss. His overall performance in the 2008 Summer Olympics included three defeats and an ERA of 13.75. On 16 January 2025, Iwase was inducted into the Japanese Baseball Hall of Fame.
Alexander Koji Murofushi (室伏 アレクサンダー広治, Murofushi Arekusandā Kōji; born 8 October 1974) is a Japanese former hammer…
Alexander Koji Murofushi (室伏 アレクサンダー広治, Murofushi Arekusandā Kōji; born 8 October 1974) is a Japanese former hammer thrower and sports scientist. He has been among the world elite since the 2001 World Championships, where he won the silver medal. He was the 2004 Olympic champion. In 2011, he was crowned world champion.