Makoto Kakuda (角田 誠, Kakuda Makoto; born 10 July 1983) is a Japanese football manager and former player who play as a…Makoto Kakuda (角田 誠, Kakuda Makoto; born 10 July 1983) is a Japanese football manager and former player who play as a Defender. He currently manager of J3 League club, Reilac Shiga.
Yudai Yamamoto (山本 雄大, Yamamoto Yūdai; born 1983) is a Japanese professional football referee. He has been a full…Yudai Yamamoto (山本 雄大, Yamamoto Yūdai; born 1983) is a Japanese professional football referee. He has been a full international for FIFA since 2011. He refereed some matches in AFC Champions League.
Yukiko Horiguchi (堀口 悠紀子, Horiguchi Yukiko; born 28 January 1983) is a Japanese animator and illustrator from Kyoto…Yukiko Horiguchi (堀口 悠紀子, Horiguchi Yukiko; born 28 January 1983) is a Japanese animator and illustrator from Kyoto Prefecture who worked for the anime studio Kyoto Animation. When illustrating a light novel, she uses the pen name "Shiromizakana" (白身魚). She is best known as the character designer for the anime adaptations of K-On! and Lucky Star and as the illustrator of the light novel series Kokoro Connect. She is the older sister of BUNBUN (also known as abec), the original character designer for the anime Sakura Quest and the illustrator of the light novel series Sword Art Online and Sword Art Online: Progressive. She is close to her brother and was once part of a doujinshi circle with him.
Kanae Ikehata (池端 花奈恵, Kanae Ikehata) is a Japanese female Foil fencer. She competed at the 2012 Summer Olympics in the…Kanae Ikehata (池端 花奈恵, Kanae Ikehata) is a Japanese female Foil fencer. She competed at the 2012 Summer Olympics in the individual event and the team event. In the individual event she was eliminated in the quarterfinals by Nam Hyun-Hee. In the team event the Japanese team was eliminated in the second round by Russia.
Masato Akamatsu (赤松 真人, Akamatsu Masato; born September 6, 1982, in Fushimi Ward, Kyoto City) is a Nippon Professional…Masato Akamatsu (赤松 真人, Akamatsu Masato; born September 6, 1982, in Fushimi Ward, Kyoto City) is a Nippon Professional Baseball player. He is currently with the Hiroshima Toyo Carp. In August 2010, Masato made sports headlines by denying batter Shuichi Murata a home run with what sportswriters dubbed the "Spider-Man Catch," rapidly scaling the outfield fence before snaring the ball in midleap. He won the Gold Glove that same year.
Masaki Nishina (仁科 克基, 仁科 正樹, Nishina Masaki; born 2 September 1982 in Nishikyō-ku, Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture) is a…Masaki Nishina (仁科 克基, 仁科 正樹, Nishina Masaki; born 2 September 1982 in Nishikyō-ku, Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture) is a Japanese actor and tarento. His former stage names were Masaki Meguro (目黒 正樹, Meguro Masaki) and Katsumi Nishina (仁科 克己, Nishina Katsumi). He is represented with Shochiku Entertainment.
Masashi Chikazawa (近澤 昌志, Chikazawa Masashi; born June 26, 1982) is a former baseball player from Japan. Chikazawa…Masashi Chikazawa (近澤 昌志, Chikazawa Masashi; born June 26, 1982) is a former baseball player from Japan. Chikazawa played in the Japan Pacific League for the Osaka Kintetsu Buffaloes. He later played for Reno.
Aya Shimokozuru (下小鶴 綾, Shimokozuru Aya; born 7 June 1982) is a former Japanese football player. She played for Japan…Aya Shimokozuru (下小鶴 綾, Shimokozuru Aya; born 7 June 1982) is a former Japanese football player. She played for Japan national team.
Hiroyasu Tanaka (Japanese:田中 浩康, born May 24, 1982) is a Japanese former professional baseball player. He was the…Hiroyasu Tanaka (Japanese:田中 浩康, born May 24, 1982) is a Japanese former professional baseball player. He was the number 1 draft pick for the Yakult Swallows in 2005.
Tetsuya Utsumi (内海 哲也, Utsumi Tetsuya; born April 29, 1982 in Kyoto, Japan) is a Japanese professional baseball player…Tetsuya Utsumi (内海 哲也, Utsumi Tetsuya; born April 29, 1982 in Kyoto, Japan) is a Japanese professional baseball player for the Saitama Seibu Lions of Nippon Professional Baseball(NPB). He previously played for the Yomiuri Giants.
Tomoki Yoshida (吉田朋生, Yoshida Tomoki; born 22 February 1982 in Kyoto, Japan) is a Japanese rugby union footballer. He…Tomoki Yoshida (吉田朋生, Yoshida Tomoki; born 22 February 1982 in Kyoto, Japan) is a Japanese rugby union footballer. He plays as a scrum-half. He plays for the Toshiba Brave Lupus in Japan's Top League. He had 25 caps for Japan, from 2007 to 2011, scoring 2 tries, 10 points on aggregate. He was called for the 2007 Rugby World Cup, playing in three games but without scoring. He played again for his country at the 2011 Rugby World Cup in New Zealand, in a single game, once again remaining scoreless.
Takaya Kawauchi (河内 貴哉, Kawauchi Takaya; born January 6, 1982 in Yawata, Kyoto, Japan) is a professional Japanese…Takaya Kawauchi (河内 貴哉, Kawauchi Takaya; born January 6, 1982 in Yawata, Kyoto, Japan) is a professional Japanese baseball player. He plays pitcher for the Hiroshima Toyo Carp.
Tomoko Kashiki (樫木知子, Kashiki Tomoko; born 1982) is a Japanese artist based in Kyoto, Japan. She is known for her…Tomoko Kashiki (樫木知子, Kashiki Tomoko; born 1982) is a Japanese artist based in Kyoto, Japan. She is known for her paintings, which often portray dreamlike scenes of lone female figures.
Yuki Yoshimura (芳村裕生, Yuki Yoshimura; born September 9, 1981) is a Japanese gymnast. Yoshimura was part of the Japanese…Yuki Yoshimura (芳村裕生, Yuki Yoshimura; born September 9, 1981) is a Japanese gymnast. Yoshimura was part of the Japanese team that won the silver medal in the team event at the 2006 Asian Games.
Yoshio Itoi (糸井 嘉男, Itoi Yoshio; born July 31, 1981) is a Japanese former professional baseball outfielder. He played…Yoshio Itoi (糸井 嘉男, Itoi Yoshio; born July 31, 1981) is a Japanese former professional baseball outfielder. He played in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) for the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters, the Orix Buffaloes, and the Hanshin Tigers. Itoi bats left-handed and throws right-handed. He played for team Japan in WBC 2013, and hit for Japan in games against Brazil (4th batter) and China (5th batter).
Yumi Hayashi (born 12 May 1981; Japanese 林佑美) is a Japanese politician. In April 2023, she was elected to the House of…Yumi Hayashi (born 12 May 1981; Japanese 林佑美) is a Japanese politician. In April 2023, she was elected to the House of Representatives in a by-election in Wakayama 1st district.
Toshizumi Kitagawa (北川俊澄, Kitagawa Toshizumi) (born 7 February 1981 in Kyoto, Japan) is a Japanese rugby union player.…Toshizumi Kitagawa (北川俊澄, Kitagawa Toshizumi) (born 7 February 1981 in Kyoto, Japan) is a Japanese rugby union player. Kitagawa has played 43 international matches for the Japan national rugby union team. Kitagawa was a member of the Japan team at the 2011 Rugby World Cup, and played four matches for the Brave Blossoms.
Yuki Hayashi (林 ゆうき, Hayashi Yūki; born 31 December 1980) is a Japanese composer and arranger best known for his work…Yuki Hayashi (林 ゆうき, Hayashi Yūki; born 31 December 1980) is a Japanese composer and arranger best known for his work on the soundtracks for anime, television series, and films. His notable works include Triangle (in collaboration with Hiroyuki Sawano), Zettai Reido, Diabolik Lovers, Asa ga Kita, Haikyū!!, and My Hero Academia.
Takashi Miyake (born 2 May 1980) is a Japanese former international rugby union player. Miyake, a native of Kyoto…Takashi Miyake (born 2 May 1980) is a Japanese former international rugby union player. Miyake, a native of Kyoto, attended Fushimi Technical High School and was a member of Japan's top-ranked collegiate team during his time at Kanto Gakuin University. He played his rugby for Panasonic Wild Knights. A versatile back, Miyake was capped four times for Japan, debuting against Spain in 2005. He made three appearances as starting fullback in the 2006 Pacific 5 Nations and scored a try against the Junior All Blacks. Miyake announced his retirement from rugby at the end of the 2014–15 Top League season.
Kentaro Hashimoto (橋本 健太郎, Hashimoto Kentarō; born April 28, 1980) is a Japanese professional baseball pitcher. He was…Kentaro Hashimoto (橋本 健太郎, Hashimoto Kentarō; born April 28, 1980) is a Japanese professional baseball pitcher. He was born in Yao, Osaka. He is currently playing for the Chiba Lotte Marines of the NPB.
Tetsuji Tamayama (玉山 鉄二, Tamayama Tetsuji; born April 7, 1980) is a Japanese TV, film actor and model. He joined…Tetsuji Tamayama (玉山 鉄二, Tamayama Tetsuji; born April 7, 1980) is a Japanese TV, film actor and model. He joined modeling competitions and was active in Checkmate and other fashion magazines. In 2001, Tamayama debuted in Hyakujuu Sentai Gaoranger as Tsukumaro Ogami/GaoSilver. He continued to star in more movies and TV dramas such as Casshern, Tokyo Love Cinema, and Rockers.
Shinsuke Nakamura (Japanese: 中邑 真輔, Hepburn: Nakamura Shinsuke; born February 24, 1980) is a Japanese professional…Shinsuke Nakamura (Japanese: 中邑 真輔, Hepburn: Nakamura Shinsuke; born February 24, 1980) is a Japanese professional wrestler and former mixed martial artist. As of January 2016, he is signed to WWE, where he performs on the SmackDown brand and is one-half of Bakusai with Kyoki. Nakamura is also known for his time in New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW), where he is a former 3-time IWGP Heavyweight Champion, with his first reign coming at the age of 23 years and 9 months; making Nakamura the youngest IWGP Heavyweight Champion at the time. His other accomplishments within the company include winning the 2011 G1 Climax and the 2014 New Japan Cup, and being the final IWGP Third Belt Champion, the final NWF Heavyweight Champion, and the longest reigning IWGP Intercontinental Champion for his first reign (he formerly held the record for most reigns at five). He is also a founding member and the original leader of the stable Chaos. Prior to his main roster debut in WWE, Nakamura competed in the company's NXT brand, where he became a two-time NXT Champion. In January 2018, Nakamura won the 2018 Men's Royal Rumble match and lost at WrestleMania 34 and later won the WWE United States Championship three times. He won the Intercontinental Championship for the first time in 2019 at Extreme Rules, making him the second wrestler (behind Chris Jericho) to hold both WWE and IWGP Intercontinental Championships. Nakamura is also a former WWE SmackDown Tag Team Champion with Cesaro. From July 2021 to October of the same year, Nakamura dubbed himself King Nakamura due to being in possession of the King of the Ring crown, although he never won the tournament, instead defeating reigning King of the Ring Baron Corbin in a "Battle for the Crown" match. Overall, Nakamura is a five-time world champion and a seven-time intercontinental champion in professional wrestling.
Kaori Fujino (藤野 可織, Fujino Kaori) is a Japanese writer from Kyoto. Her work has won the 103rd Bungakukai Prize and the…Kaori Fujino (藤野 可織, Fujino Kaori) is a Japanese writer from Kyoto. Her work has won the 103rd Bungakukai Prize and the 149th Akutagawa Prize.
Ryosuke Shimizu (Shimizu Ryosuke; born 18 January 1980) is a Japanese instructor of Shotokan karate. He has won the JKA…Ryosuke Shimizu (Shimizu Ryosuke; born 18 January 1980) is a Japanese instructor of Shotokan karate. He has won the JKA All-Japan championships for kumite on 2 occasions. He is currently an instructor of the Japan Karate Association.
Akira Kawashima (川島 明, Kawashima Akira; born February 3, 1979, in Uji, Kyoto) is a Japanese comedian, tarento and actor…Akira Kawashima (川島 明, Kawashima Akira; born February 3, 1979, in Uji, Kyoto) is a Japanese comedian, tarento and actor who has featured in films, television, and radio. He performs boke and writes all the material in his comedy duo Kirin. His partner is Hiroshi Tamura. Kawashima is represented by Yoshimoto Kogyo and is mainly active in Tokyo and Osaka.
Kengo Mashimo (真霜拳號, Mashimo Kengo; born November 25, 1978 in Maizuru, Kyoto, Japan) is a Japanese professional…Kengo Mashimo (真霜拳號, Mashimo Kengo; born November 25, 1978 in Maizuru, Kyoto, Japan) is a Japanese professional wrestler currently working for Active Advance Pro Wrestling (2AW). His style is a combination of submission wrestling and hard martial arts style strikes.
Chūya Koyama (小山 宙哉, Koyama Chūya; born 30 September 1978) is a Japanese writer, best known for his Space Brothers…Chūya Koyama (小山 宙哉, Koyama Chūya; born 30 September 1978) is a Japanese writer, best known for his Space Brothers series, published regularly from 2007 to 2026. On 2 November 2016 his artwork was carried into space by the H-IIA rocket carrying the Himawari-9 weather satellite as part of an outreach project organized by the Young Astronauts Club Japan.
Ryohei Miki (三木亮平, Miki Ryōhei) (born Tokyo, 24 March 1978) is a former Japanese rugby union player. He played as wing…Ryohei Miki (三木亮平, Miki Ryōhei) (born Tokyo, 24 March 1978) is a former Japanese rugby union player. He played as wing and as centre.
Dai Oketani (桶谷大, Oketani Dai; born December 23, 1977) is a Japanese professional basketball coach, who currently…Dai Oketani (桶谷大, Oketani Dai; born December 23, 1977) is a Japanese professional basketball coach, who currently serves as head coach for the Kawasaki Brave Thunders of the B.League and the Japanese national team.
Masakatsu Ueda (born December 21, 1977) is a professional Japanese mixed martial artist who currently competes in the…Masakatsu Ueda (born December 21, 1977) is a professional Japanese mixed martial artist who currently competes in the bantamweight division of Pancrase. Ueda was also a college level wrestler in Japan, where holds a win over fellow mixed martial artist and Japanese superstar Norifumi Yamamoto, better known as "Kid" Yamamoto. Ueda has also won many national titles in combat wrestling. He also won the All Japan Shooto Grappling championship, and both A and B class Shooto Rookie Tournaments. He is a blue belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under Yuki Nakai.
Kazumi Saito (斉藤 和巳, Saitō Kazumi; born November 30, 1977) is a Japanese former professional baseball starting pitcher…Kazumi Saito (斉藤 和巳, Saitō Kazumi; born November 30, 1977) is a Japanese former professional baseball starting pitcher, and current fourth squad manager for the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB). He was a two-time winner of the Eiji Sawamura Award (2003, 2006), but did not pitch in a regular season game after October 2007 due to various shoulder injuries.
Satoshi Hamada (浜田 聡, Hamada Satoshi; born 11 May 1977 in Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture) is a Japanese politician and…Satoshi Hamada (浜田 聡, Hamada Satoshi; born 11 May 1977 in Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture) is a Japanese politician and radiologist. He served as a member of the House of Councillors from 2019 until his loss in 2025.
Yuki Nakata (中田 有紀, Nakata Yuki; born 10 March 1977) is a Japanese track and field athlete who competes in the women's…Yuki Nakata (中田 有紀, Nakata Yuki; born 10 March 1977) is a Japanese track and field athlete who competes in the women's heptathlon. She represented Japan at the 2004 Summer Olympics and has competed twice at the World Championships in Athletics. She was the silver medallist at the 2009 Asian Athletics Championships and the 2010 Asian Games and has won the heptathlon at the East Asian Games and the Asian Indoor Athletics Championships. With straight wins from 2002 to 2010, she is a nine time national champion and her best of 5962 points for the heptathlon is the national record for the event.
Kenji Inoue (井上 謙二, Inoue Kenji) (born November 5, 1976, in Kyoto) is a Japanese wrestler who won the bronze medal in…Kenji Inoue (井上 謙二, Inoue Kenji) (born November 5, 1976, in Kyoto) is a Japanese wrestler who won the bronze medal in the Men's Freestyle 60 kg at the 2004 Summer Olympics.
Misako Odani (小谷美紗子) (born November 4, 1976, in Miyazu, Kyoto-fu), is a Japanese singer, songwriter, and pianist.…Misako Odani (小谷美紗子) (born November 4, 1976, in Miyazu, Kyoto-fu), is a Japanese singer, songwriter, and pianist. Misako, whose songs make heavy use of the piano, began playing the instrument at age seven, and studied abroad in Australia in 1994. Since entering the music industry in 1996, she has released eight albums, and many singles. Her most recent album, Koto no Ha (ことの は), was released in May 2010.
Masako Chiba (千葉 真子, Chiba Masako; born 18 July 1976 in Uji, Kyoto) is a Japanese long-distance runner, who won the…Masako Chiba (千葉 真子, Chiba Masako; born 18 July 1976 in Uji, Kyoto) is a Japanese long-distance runner, who won the bronze medal in 10,000 metres at the 1997 World Championships in Athens and in the marathon race at the 2003 World Championships in Paris. Chiba was a torchbearer during the 1998 Nagano Olympics Opening Ceremony.
Tomokazu Ohka (大家 友和, Ōka Tomokazu; IPA: [oːka tomokazɯ]) (born 18 March 1976) is a Japanese former professional…Tomokazu Ohka (大家 友和, Ōka Tomokazu; IPA: [oːka tomokazɯ]) (born 18 March 1976) is a Japanese former professional baseball pitcher. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Boston Red Sox (1999–2001), Montreal Expos / Washington Nationals (2001–2005), Milwaukee Brewers (2005–2006), Toronto Blue Jays (2007), Cleveland Indians (2009), in Japan's Baseball Challenge League for the Fukushima Hopes, and in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) for the Yokohama BayStars. He throws right-handed and is a switch hitter.
Emiko Raika (来家 恵美子, born January 24, 1975, in Kyoto, Japan) is a Japanese female professional boxer and mixed martial…Emiko Raika (来家 恵美子, born January 24, 1975, in Kyoto, Japan) is a Japanese female professional boxer and mixed martial artist. Although more Japanese women have taken up traditionally male sports such as karate, kickboxing and wrestling in recent years, many in Japan still believe that women should not box, because of the injury risk. Raika, who has suffered a broken nose and an eye socket fracture in fights, shrugs off the possibility of injuries. "When I told friends that I want to become a boxer, they were surprised and put down my decision because I am a woman," said Raika. "But I had to resist. I like boxing and I wanted to do it. In fact, I am expressing myself through boxing. I am fighting not to beat the opponent, but for myself."
Hideki Okajima (岡島 秀樹, Okajima Hideki; born December 25, 1975) is a Japanese former professional baseball pitcher.…Hideki Okajima (岡島 秀樹, Okajima Hideki; born December 25, 1975) is a Japanese former professional baseball pitcher. Okajima pitched for the Yomiuri Giants, Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters, Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks, and Yokohama DeNA BayStars of Nippon Professional Baseball, and the Boston Red Sox and Oakland Athletics of Major League Baseball. Okajima was elected to the 2007 Major League Baseball All-Star Game as a first time All-Star via the All-Star Final Vote. He became the first Japanese-born pitcher to play in the World Series in Game 2 of the 2007 World Series. On July 18, 2016, Okajima announced his retirement.
Mutsumi Harada (原田睦巳, Harada Mutsumi; born 24 September 1975) is a Japanese gymnast. In the 1998 Asian Games, he won a…Mutsumi Harada (原田睦巳, Harada Mutsumi; born 24 September 1975) 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.
Yoshikazu Kura (倉 義和, Kura Yoshikazu; born July 27, 1975 in Kyoto, Kyoto, Japan) is a professional Japanese baseball…Yoshikazu Kura (倉 義和, Kura Yoshikazu; born July 27, 1975 in Kyoto, Kyoto, Japan) is a professional Japanese baseball player. He plays catcher for the Hiroshima Toyo Carp.
Yusuke Fujimoto (Japanese: 藤本祐介 [ɸɯʑiꜜmoto juꜜːsɯ̥ke]; born July 22, 1975) is a Japanese former heavyweight kickboxer…Yusuke Fujimoto (Japanese: 藤本祐介 [ɸɯʑiꜜmoto juꜜːsɯ̥ke]; born July 22, 1975) is a Japanese former heavyweight kickboxer who competed in K-1 and was the K-1 World GP 2007 in Hong Kong tournament champion. He is nicknamed "Bun Bun Maru" because of his tendency to throw big, swinging punches, and is distinguishable by his bald head and lack of eyebrows. He holds notable victories over Musashi, Dewey Cooper, and Francois Botha.
