Yusuke Yamamoto (山本裕典, Yamamoto Yūsuke; born January 19, 1988) is a Japanese actor and DJ. He was born in Aichi, Japan.…Yusuke Yamamoto (山本裕典, Yamamoto Yūsuke; born January 19, 1988) is a Japanese actor and DJ. He was born in Aichi, Japan. His debut role was as Tsurugi Kamishiro, a.k.a. Kamen Rider Sasword, in Kamen Rider Kabuto.
Atsushi Fujii (藤井 淳志, born May 20, 1981) is a retired Japanese professional outfielder. He spent his career playing for…Atsushi Fujii (藤井 淳志, born May 20, 1981) is a retired Japanese professional outfielder. He spent his career playing for the Chunichi Dragons in Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball.
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.
Wataru Sakata (坂田 亘, Sakata Wataru; born March 11, 1973 in Inazawa, Aichi, Japan) is a Japanese retired mixed martial…Wataru Sakata (坂田 亘, Sakata Wataru; born March 11, 1973 in Inazawa, Aichi, Japan) is a Japanese retired mixed martial artist and professional wrestler. A professional MMA competitor from 1994 until 2016, Sakata fought for Fighting Network RINGS, Pride FC, Deep and Rizin Fighting Federation, and holds notable victories over RINGS King of Kings 2000 Tournament runner up Valentijn Overeem, UFC 23 Middleweight Tournament winner Kenichi Yamamoto, ADCC bronze medallist and RINGS Light Heavyweight title contender Chris Haseman, and NCAA All-American and UFC veteran Branden Lee Hinkle.
Yutaka Akita (秋田 豊, Akita Yutaka; born 6 August 1970) is a Japanese football manager and former player who played as a…Yutaka Akita (秋田 豊, Akita Yutaka; born 6 August 1970) is a Japanese football manager and former player who played as a defender. He is currently manager of J3 League club Kochi United. He played for Japan national team until 2003.
Yoshihiro Narisawa (成澤 由浩, Narisawa Yoshihiro; born 11 April 1969) is a Japanese chef and owner of the two-Michelin…Yoshihiro Narisawa (成澤 由浩, Narisawa Yoshihiro; born 11 April 1969) is a Japanese chef and owner of the two-Michelin star restaurant Narisawa in Minato, Tokyo, Japan.
Masaki Inayoshi (稲吉 正樹, Inayoshi Masaki) (born 1969) is the owner and founder of G.Communication, a Japanese kabushiki…Masaki Inayoshi (稲吉 正樹, Inayoshi Masaki) (born 1969) is the owner and founder of G.Communication, a Japanese kabushiki kaisha based in Nagoya, Japan. The company is an operator of restaurant chains, juku (cram schools), and eikaiwa (language schools).
Mitsuhiro Matsunaga (松永 光広, Matsunaga Mitsuhiro; born March 24, 1966) is a Japanese retired professional wrestler best…Mitsuhiro Matsunaga (松永 光広, Matsunaga Mitsuhiro; born March 24, 1966) is a Japanese retired professional wrestler best known for his deathmatch wrestling style, having competed in memorable deathmatches in Big Japan Pro Wrestling (BJW), Frontier Martial-Arts Wrestling (FMW) and Wrestling International New Generations (W*ING). He is renowned for participating in the first-ever deathmatch in Japanese wrestling history on December 10, 1989 and is also credited for participating in a Piranha Deathmatch against Kendo Nagasaki on August 19, 1996, which has been considered to be the most popular and greatest deathmatch in Japanese wrestling history by wrestling journalists and many sports websites and Matsunaga has received critical acclaim for his performance. Matsunaga began his career in FMW where he specialized in the deathmatch wrestling style and adopted it as his own trademark style. He competed in many infamous deathmatches in W*ING and high-profile feuds with Mr. Pogo, Freddy Krueger and Leatherface in many successful deathmatches earned him the moniker of "Mr. Danger". After working as W*ING's ace from 1992-1993, Matsunaga left the company and returned to FMW where he headlined the successful 1993 Year End Spectacular event against Atsushi Onita. After an alliance with Onita, Matsunaga formed the W*ING Alliance to feud with FMW and avenge the demise of W*ING from FMW. Initially considered to be Onita's successor as FMW's ace, Matsunaga was demoted from his role and failed to gain prominence in FMW and ultimately quit the company in 1996. He then joined BJW and helped the promotion revolutionize in deathmatch wrestling and became a two-time Deathmatch Heavyweight Champion in the company before quitting in 2001.
Kenji Horikawa (堀川 憲司, Horikawa, Kenji) is the founder and president of P.A. Works Studio and the operations director…Kenji Horikawa (堀川 憲司, Horikawa, Kenji) is the founder and president of P.A. Works Studio and the operations director for Bee Train productions Inc. He was also formerly an employee with Production I.G and Tatsunoko Productions. In 2000 he founded P.A. Works and currently produces the works produced by the studio. Horikawa has also worked as a production manager and productionAssistant.
Yoshitake Kimata (木俣 佳丈, Kimata Yoshitake; born February 19, 1965) is a former Japanese politician of the Democratic…Yoshitake Kimata (木俣 佳丈, Kimata Yoshitake; born February 19, 1965) is a former Japanese politician of the Democratic Party of Japan and a member of the House of Councillors in the Diet (national legislature). He represented the Aichi at-large district. A native of Toyohashi, Aichi and a graduate of Hitotsubashi University and the George Washington University School of Public Policy and Public Administration, he ran unsuccessfully for the House of Representatives in 1996. In 1998 he ran for the House of Councillors and was elected for the first time.
Ichirō Hirosawa (Japanese: 広沢 一郎, Hepburn: Hirosawa Ichirō; born December 27, 1963) is a Japanese businessman and…Ichirō Hirosawa (Japanese: 広沢 一郎, Hepburn: Hirosawa Ichirō; born December 27, 1963) is a Japanese businessman and politician who is the mayor of Nagoya since 2024. Born in Mizuho-ku, Nagoya, he previously worked as a producer and CEO for Magnolia kabushiki-gaisha before entering politics in 2011. Hirosawa was a member of the Aichi Prefectural Assembly for Mizuho-ku from 2011 to 2014 alongside Taro Kawashima. He lost elections for the House of Representatives for Aichi 1st district in the 2014 and for the House of Councillors for Aichi at-large district in 2022. He was later appointed as Deputy Mayor for Nagoya from 2017 to 2021. A member of the Aichi-based regional party Genzei Nippon, Hirosawa served as deputy general-secretary for the party from 2011 to 2023. He also served as the deputy general-secretary for Conservative Party of Japan from 2023 to 2024.
Nobuyuki Sakakibara (榊原信行, Sakakibara Nobuyuki; born November 18, 1963) is a Japanese businessman and mixed martial…Nobuyuki Sakakibara (榊原信行, Sakakibara Nobuyuki; born November 18, 1963) is a Japanese businessman and mixed martial arts (MMA) promoter. He is known for his executive role in Dream Stage Entertainment, including its promotions Pride Fighting Championships and Fighting Opera Hustle, and works as the current president of Rizin Fighting Federation.
Akio Toyoda (豊田 章男, Toyoda Akio; born 3 May 1956), also known by his racing name Morizo Kinoshita, is a Japanese…Akio Toyoda (豊田 章男, Toyoda Akio; born 3 May 1956), also known by his racing name Morizo Kinoshita, is a Japanese business executive who is the chairman of Toyota. He was previously the company's president and chief executive officer (CEO). Toyoda is a grandson of the founder of Toyota Motors, Kiichiro Toyoda, and a great-grandson of both the industrialist, Sakichi Toyoda, and the founder of the Takashimaya department stores corporation, Shinshichi Iida. On 1 April 2023, Toyoda stepped down as Toyota president and became chairman of the board. Toyota's chief branding officer and president of the Lexus division, Koji Sato, succeeded Toyoda as CEO.
Satoru Nakajima (Japanese: 中嶋 悟, Hepburn: Nakajima Satoru; born 23 February 1953) is a Japanese former racing driver…Satoru Nakajima (Japanese: 中嶋 悟, Hepburn: Nakajima Satoru; born 23 February 1953) is a Japanese former racing driver and motorsport executive, who competed in Formula One from 1987 to 1991. Born and raised in Okazaki, Aichi, Nakajima began his racing career at the Suzuka Circuit in 1973. He progressed to Japanese Formula Two in 1977, winning a then-record five titles between 1981 and 1986, with 21 victories across 10 seasons. After several appearances in sportscar racing via the World Sportscar Championship and the All Japan Endurance Championship—as well as a season in International Formula 3000—Nakajima signed for Lotus in 1987 to partner Ayrton Senna, becoming the first Japanese driver to compete full-time in Formula One at the Brazilian Grand Prix. He scored his maiden points finish at the following round in San Marino, and achieved a career-best fourth place at the British Grand Prix. Across his remaining two seasons at Lotus, Nakajima scored points finishes at the 1988 Brazilian and 1989 Australian Grands Prix, setting the fastest lap and finishing fourth at the latter. Nakajima moved to Tyrrell in 1990, scoring points finishes in the United States, Italy and his home Grand Prix in Japan. Retaining his seat for his 1991 campaign at Tyrrell under Honda power, Nakajima scored his final points at the season-opening United States Grand Prix, leaving at the end of the season to join Honda's works team project. Nakajima tested the RC100 and related models until 1994, when Honda pulled out of Formula One following the Japanese asset price bubble. Upon retiring from motor racing, Nakajima focused on his Nakajima Racing team, which he had founded in 1984 to privately enter March chassis into the Japanese Formula Two Championship, winning three consecutive titles until 1986. Nakajima won four Formula Nippon Teams' Championship titles between 1999 and 2009, still competing in the newly-formed Super Formula Championship, as well as the Super GT Series. Nakajima's sons Kazuki and Daisuke both became racing drivers, the former also competing in Formula One for Williams from 2007 to 2009.
Yutaka Mizutani (水谷 豊, Mizutani Yutaka) is a Japanese actor and singer. He was born on July 14, 1952, in Ashibetsu…Yutaka Mizutani (水谷 豊, Mizutani Yutaka) is a Japanese actor and singer. He was born on July 14, 1952, in Ashibetsu, Hokkaidō, Japan.
Makoto Tonami (戸並 誠, Tonami Makoto; born September 18, 1948), also known as Mac Akasaka (マック 赤坂, Makku Akasaka), is a…Makoto Tonami (戸並 誠, Tonami Makoto; born September 18, 1948), also known as Mac Akasaka (マック 赤坂, Makku Akasaka), is a Japanese businessman, retired politician and activist and former perennial candidate.
Takeshi Uchiyamada (内山田 竹志, Uchiyamada Takeshi; born August 17, 1946) is a Japanese businessman who was chairman of…Takeshi Uchiyamada (内山田 竹志, Uchiyamada Takeshi; born August 17, 1946) is a Japanese businessman who was chairman of Toyota from 2013 to 2023. He graduated from Nagoya University. He is known as the "father of the Prius" for his role in leading the development of the Toyota Prius, the world's best-selling hybrid electric vehicle in history.
Katsuaki Watanabe (渡辺 捷昭, Watanabe Katsuaki; born February 13, 1943) is senior advisor at Toyota Motor Corporation. He…Katsuaki Watanabe (渡辺 捷昭, Watanabe Katsuaki; born February 13, 1943) is senior advisor at Toyota Motor Corporation. He was president and CEO of the company before Akio Toyoda assumed those positions on June 23, 2009. Watanabe, who earned a degree in economics from Tokyo's Keio University, joined Toyota upon graduating from that university in 1964. He has gained experience in a broad range of activities at Toyota, primarily in corporate planning and administrative affairs. Watanabe became the general manager of the secretarial division in 1988 and moved to the Corporate Planning division as general manager in 1989. In his work as general manager of the Corporate Planning division, Watanabe participated in charting and articulating a common, long-term vision for Toyota operations around the world. Named to the Board of Directors in 1992, he continued to supervise work in production control, including supervising Toyota's Motomachi Plant, which makes passenger cars. In 1999, Watanabe was appointed senior managing director, after which he assumed the position of executive vice-president in 2001. In June 2005 he became president and CEO of TMC, succeeding Fujio Cho. Watanabe is regarded as having made the key decision to build a manufacturing plant in San Antonio, Texas U.S.A to build full-size pick-up trucks. Watanabe was born in 1942 in Mie Prefecture, Japan, and now lives in Toyota City. He was married and has three daughters. An amateur musician, he sings in a men's choir, and he also likes to play golf and tennis. He was listed as one of TIME magazine's 100 most influential people of 2005 and again in 2007.
Uichiro Niwa (丹羽 宇一郎, Niwa Uichirō; January 29, 1939 – December 24, 2025) was a Japanese diplomat and businessman who…Uichiro Niwa (丹羽 宇一郎, Niwa Uichirō; January 29, 1939 – December 24, 2025) was a Japanese diplomat and businessman who served as the Ambassador of Japan to the People's Republic of China, president and chairman of Itochu Corporation, and chairman of the Society of Global Business (SGB).
Fujio Cho (張 富士夫, Chō Fujio; born February 2, 1937) is a Japanese businessman who was formerly honorary chairman of the…Fujio Cho (張 富士夫, Chō Fujio; born February 2, 1937) is a Japanese businessman who was formerly honorary chairman of the Toyota Motor Corporation. Chō is the only second "outsider" to head Toyota Motor Co. since the members of the founding Toyoda family stepped aside in 1995. He earned a bachelor's degree in law from the University of Tokyo in March 1960. Chō joined the Toyota Motor Corporation in April 1960. Chō's previous titles include: managing director, senior managing director, vice president, president and vice chairman of the board. He previously worked as president in a subsidiary. Chō has been serving as chairman of the board and representative director of Toyota Motor Corporation from June 2006 to June 2013. Chō has been a strong advocate of environmentally friendly automotive technology, such as the hybrid-electric Prius.
Kisho Kurokawa (黒川 紀章, Kurokawa Kishō) (April 8, 1934 – October 12, 2007) was a leading Japanese architect and a…Kisho Kurokawa (黒川 紀章, Kurokawa Kishō) (April 8, 1934 – October 12, 2007) was a leading Japanese architect and a founder of the Metabolist Movement.
Masaichi Kaneda (金田 正一, Kaneda Masaichi; 1 August 1933 – 6 October 2019) was a Japanese professional baseball pitcher…Masaichi Kaneda (金田 正一, Kaneda Masaichi; 1 August 1933 – 6 October 2019) was a Japanese professional baseball pitcher of Zainichi Korean origin, one of the best-known pitchers in Japanese baseball history, and is the only Japanese pitcher to have won 400 games. He was inducted in the Japanese Baseball Hall of Fame in 1988. Nicknamed "The Emperor" because he was the most dominant pitcher in Japan during his prime, Kaneda holds numerous Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) career records. He won 400 games despite being on an extremely weak team, the Kokutetsu Swallows, for most of his career. About 90% of his 400 career wins came with the Swallows. He left for the Yomiuri Giants in 1965. In five seasons with the team, he won the Japan Series each time before retiring in 1969. Kaneda batted and threw left-handed. After his playing career ended, he became a manager for the Lotte Orions, where he managed in two different stints that saw him win the Japan Series in 1974.
Tatsuro Toyoda (Japanese: 豊田達郎, Hepburn: Toyoda Tatsurō; June 1, 1930 – Deсember 30, 2017) was the brother of Shoichiro…Tatsuro Toyoda (Japanese: 豊田達郎, Hepburn: Toyoda Tatsurō; June 1, 1930 – Deсember 30, 2017) was the brother of Shoichiro and the son of Toyota Motor Corporation founder, Kiichiro Toyoda.
Bungo Shirai (白井 文吾, Shirai Bungo; 27 January 1928 – 29 October 2024) was a Japanese journalist and businessman, who…Bungo Shirai (白井 文吾, Shirai Bungo; 27 January 1928 – 29 October 2024) was a Japanese journalist and businessman, who was the president of Chunichi Shimbun and owner of Nippon Professional Baseball team, the Chunichi Dragons.
Shoichiro Toyoda (Japanese: 豊田 章一郞, Hepburn: Toyoda Shōichirō; 27 February 1925 – 14 February 2023) was a Japanese…Shoichiro Toyoda (Japanese: 豊田 章一郞, Hepburn: Toyoda Shōichirō; 27 February 1925 – 14 February 2023) was a Japanese business executive who served as chairman of Toyota Motor Corporation from 1992 to 1999, as well as chairman of the influential Japan Business Federation (日本経済団体連合会, Nippon Keidanren) from 1994 to 1998. Under Toyoda's leadership, Toyota started manufacturing vehicles overseas and undertook the development of the Lexus brand. He was the grandson of the Toyoda Automatic Loom Works founder Sakichi Toyoda and the son of the Toyota Motor founder Kiichiro Toyoda.
Akio Morita (盛田 昭夫, Morita Akio; January 26, 1921 – October 3, 1999) was a Japanese entrepreneur and co-founder of Sony…Akio Morita (盛田 昭夫, Morita Akio; January 26, 1921 – October 3, 1999) was a Japanese entrepreneur and co-founder of Sony along with Masaru Ibuka.
Kazuo Iwama (岩間 和夫, Iwama Kazuo; 1919–1982) was a Japanese engineer who became the president of Sony. Iwama was born in…Kazuo Iwama (岩間 和夫, Iwama Kazuo; 1919–1982) was a Japanese engineer who became the president of Sony. Iwama was born in Nagoya and studied geophysics. He worked in a seismology laboratory at the University of Tokyo until 1946, when Akio Morita hired him to work at a predecessor of Sony. By 1950, he was a director of the company. At Sony, he helped introduce the first Japanese transistor radio in 1954, and the first transistor television set in 1960. He headed the Sony Corporation of America from 1971 to 1973, and became president of Sony from 1976 until his death of colon cancer on August 25, 1982.
Sakae Ōba (大場 栄, Ōba Sakae; 21 March 1914 – 8 June 1992) was an officer of the Imperial Japanese Army during World War…Sakae Ōba (大場 栄, Ōba Sakae; 21 March 1914 – 8 June 1992) was an officer of the Imperial Japanese Army during World War II. He served in both China and in the Pacific campaign. After Japanese forces were defeated in the Battle of Saipan, he led a group of soldiers and civilians deep into the jungle to evade capture by Allied forces. Under Ōba's leadership, the group survived for over a year after the battle and finally surrendered in December 1945, three months after the war had ended. Following his return to Japan, he became a successful businessman and served on the city council of Gamagōri.
Taizo Kawamoto (川本 泰三, Kawamoto Taizō; January 17, 1914 – September 20, 1985) was a Japanese football player and…Taizo Kawamoto (川本 泰三, Kawamoto Taizō; January 17, 1914 – September 20, 1985) was a Japanese football player and manager. He played for and later managed the Japan national team.
Eiji Toyoda (豊田 英二, Toyoda Eiji; 12 September 1913 – 17 September 2013) was a Japanese engineer and industrialist. He…Eiji Toyoda (豊田 英二, Toyoda Eiji; 12 September 1913 – 17 September 2013) was a Japanese engineer and industrialist. He was largely responsible for bringing Toyota Motor Corporation to profitability and worldwide prominence during his tenure as president and later, as chairman. He was succeeded as the president of Toyota by Shoichiro Toyoda.
Masaji Kiyokawa (清川 正二, Kiyokawa Masaji; February 11, 1913 – April 13, 1999) was a Japanese businessman, sports…Masaji Kiyokawa (清川 正二, Kiyokawa Masaji; February 11, 1913 – April 13, 1999) was a Japanese businessman, sports administrator and backstroke swimmer who won two medals at the 1932 and 1936 Olympics. During his swimming career Kiyokawa set one world record, in the 400-metre backstroke. Kiyokawa was born in Toyohashi, Aichi Prefecture, and graduated from the Tokyo College of Commerce (now Hitotsubashi University). Selected as a member of the Japanese swimming team at the 1932 Los Angeles Olympics, he won the gold medal in the 100 m backstroke event, with teammates Toshio Irie and Kentaro Kawatsu taking the silver and bronze. At the 1936 Berlin Olympics, he placed third in the same event. In 1948, Kiyokawa became a director of the Japan Swimming Federation, and a member of the International Olympic Committee from 1975 to 1989, serving as vice chairman from 1979 to 1983. During his tenure, the city of Nagoya made a bid for the 1988 Summer Olympics, competing against Seoul, South Korea. Kiyokawa was critical of the large amounts of money being spent by both parties to entertain and influence the votes of the IOC members. He was also critical of the decision of the Japanese government to bow to political pressure from the United States to boycott the 1980 Summer Olympics in Moscow. Kiyokawa was the CEO of the general trading company Kanematsu Corp. from 1976. He died of pancreatic cancer on April 13, 1999.
Ohno Taiichi (大野耐一, Ōno Taiichi; February 29, 1912 – May 28, 1990) was a Japanese industrial engineer and businessman.…Ohno Taiichi (大野耐一, Ōno Taiichi; February 29, 1912 – May 28, 1990) was a Japanese industrial engineer and businessman. He is considered to be the father of the Toyota Production System, which inspired Lean Manufacturing in the U.S. He devised the seven wastes (or muda in Japanese) as part of this system. He wrote several books about the system, including Toyota Production System: Beyond Large-Scale Production.
Kiichiro Toyoda (Japanese: 豊田 喜一郎（とよだ きいちろう）, Hepburn: Toyoda Kiichirō; 11 June 1894 – 27 March 1952) was a Japanese…Kiichiro Toyoda (Japanese: 豊田 喜一郎（とよだ きいちろう）, Hepburn: Toyoda Kiichirō; 11 June 1894 – 27 March 1952) was a Japanese engineer and businessman, and the son of Toyoda Loom Works founder Sakichi Toyoda. His decision to change Toyoda's focus from automatic loom manufacturing into automobile manufacturing created what later became Toyota.
Taizo Ishida (16 November 1888 - 19 September 1979) was a Japanese businessman. He was the president, chairman, and…Taizo Ishida (16 November 1888 - 19 September 1979) was a Japanese businessman. He was the president, chairman, and advisor of Toyota Industries Corporation and Toyota Motor Corporation. He was called "The Great Banto of Toyota", a Japanese title given to the highest of the merchants for his services in rebuilding Toyota as a successful car making business. He is succeeded as president of Toyota Motors Co by Fukio Nakagawa.
Michiji Tajima (Japanese: 田島道治) (July 2, 1885 – December 2, 1968) was a Japanese businessman and educator. He was Grand…Michiji Tajima (Japanese: 田島道治) (July 2, 1885 – December 2, 1968) was a Japanese businessman and educator. He was Grand Steward of the Imperial Household Office (June 5, 1948 – May 31, 1949) and continued as Grand Steward of its successor, the Imperial Household Agency (June 1, 1949 – December 16, 1953). He graduated from the University of Tokyo. Documents written by Tajima and made public by the Japanese broadcaster NHK in 2019 suggest that Emperor Hirohito sought to apologize to the Japanese people for the damage caused during World War II. These include 18 notebooks, as well as a 1948 draft for an apology speech written in preparation for Japan gaining independence from Allied occupation in April 1952, which included phrases such as "deep shame" due to "my fault" (for the war). However, Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Yoshida sought to avoid all mention of the war by Hirohito, and the passage referencing the emperor's "remorse" was dropped altogether.
