Tatsuma Ejiri (江尻立真, Ejiri Tatsuma) is a Japanese manga artist from Kyoto Prefecture. After graduating from Kanazawa…Tatsuma Ejiri (江尻立真, Ejiri Tatsuma) is a Japanese manga artist from Kyoto Prefecture. After graduating from Kanazawa University he worked as a manga assistant for, among others, Eiichiro Oda and Jin Kobayashi. His first professionally published work was CHILDS published in the 1999 winter edition of Akamaru Jump. In 2006 his sports manga P2! -let's Play Pingpong!- was serialized in Weekly Shonen Jump. His latest work is Infini-T Force, which celebrates Tatsunoko Productions' 55th anniversary and has been licensed in English by Udon Entertainment.
Kenji Takao (Japanese: 高尾 憲司; born 23 March 1975) is a Japanese running coach and former long-distance runner who…Kenji Takao (Japanese: 高尾 憲司; born 23 March 1975) is a Japanese running coach and former long-distance runner who competed mainly in the 10,000 metres. His personal best for the distance was 27:56.05 minutes, set in 1995. He was the 1998 Asian Games champion in the 10,000 m. Takao twice represented Japan at the World Championships in Athletics, running in 1995 and 1999. Other than his Asian Games title, he won two other international 10,000 m medals during his career: a silver at the 1994 World Junior Championships in Athletics and a second silver at the 1997 East Asian Games. He competed up to the marathon distance in the latter half of his career but retired in 2005 due to injury. He launched his own running club in 2006 (Running Club Blooming) and has since gone into coaching.
Akiko Akazome (赤染 晶子, Akazome Akiko), born Akiko Seino (瀬野 晶子, Seino Akiko), was a Japanese writer. Akazome won the…Akiko Akazome (赤染 晶子, Akazome Akiko), born Akiko Seino (瀬野 晶子, Seino Akiko), was a Japanese writer. Akazome won the 143rd Akutagawa Prize and the 99th Bungakukai Prize before her death in 2017.
Kōji Wada (和田 光司, Wada Kōji; January 29, 1974 – April 3, 2016) was a Japanese pop singer. He was best known for…Kōji Wada (和田 光司, Wada Kōji; January 29, 1974 – April 3, 2016) was a Japanese pop singer. He was best known for performing theme songs for several installments of the Digimon anime television series, including his recording debut in 1999 with his first and most famous single, "Butter-Fly", the theme song of the anime Digimon Adventure. He was signed with the Lantis recording label. His nickname is "Immortal Butterfly Anisong Singer" (不死蝶のアニソンシンガー).
Aiko Miyanaga (born 1974) is a contemporary Japanese artist known for sculpture and installation works that give visual…Aiko Miyanaga (born 1974) is a contemporary Japanese artist known for sculpture and installation works that give visual form to time by revealing the evidential traces of its passing. Miyanaga has made many works using naphthalene which leads to the disintegration of the work over time.
Nana Rokusha (六車 奈々, Rokusha Nana; born December 2, 1973 in Kyoto Prefecture, Japan) is a Japanese model, entertainer…Nana Rokusha (六車 奈々, Rokusha Nana; born December 2, 1973 in Kyoto Prefecture, Japan) is a Japanese model, entertainer, and actress who is represented by Amuse, Inc.
Gota Nishidera (西寺 郷太, Nishidera Gōta; born 27 November 1973, in Chiyoda, Tokyo) is a Japanese musician and music…Gota Nishidera (西寺 郷太, Nishidera Gōta; born 27 November 1973, in Chiyoda, Tokyo) is a Japanese musician and music producer. Nishidera is the singer and main songwriter of the band Nona Reeves, and also acts as a songwriter/composer, arranger, music producer, novelist, writer, MC for the band. He is president of Gotown Records. Nishidera was raised in Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture. He graduated from Kyoto Seihi High School and Waseda University Second Literature Department (Western Culture Seminar) in March 1996.
Hiroyuki Tominaga (富永 啓之, Tominaga Hiroyuki; born 7 October 1973) is a former Japanese basketball player. He is the…Hiroyuki Tominaga (富永 啓之, Tominaga Hiroyuki; born 7 October 1973) is a former Japanese basketball player. He is the father of Keisei Tominaga, who plays for the Nebraska Cornhuskers and was a member of the Japan men's national basketball team.
Ryota Nakano is a Japanese film director known for his films Her Love Boils Bathwater (2016), A Long Goodbye (2019)…Ryota Nakano is a Japanese film director known for his films Her Love Boils Bathwater (2016), A Long Goodbye (2019), and The Asadas (2020).
Ryuichi Kosugi (小杉 竜一, Kosugi Ryūichi; born 5 July 1973, in Kyoto) is a Japanese comedian who performs tsukkomi in the…Ryuichi Kosugi (小杉 竜一, Kosugi Ryūichi; born 5 July 1973, in Kyoto) is a Japanese comedian who performs tsukkomi in the comedy duo Black Mayonnaise. His standing position is on the left. His partner is Takashi Yoshida. Kosugi is represented with Yoshimoto Kogyo. He graduated from Kyoto Prefectural Katsura High School. On 12 November 2010 Kosugi married a former dental assistant from Osaka Prefecture.
Koichi "Nishi" Nishimura (born 30 June 1973) is a beach volleyball player from Japan. He was born in Kyoto. Nishimura…Koichi "Nishi" Nishimura (born 30 June 1973) is a beach volleyball player from Japan. He was born in Kyoto. Nishimura began his career as an indoor volleyball player and played Libero for the Japanese National Team. In 2002 Nishimura switched to beach volleyball. He currently plays in the "Winds" beach volleyball team. In 2009, Nishimura founded the environmental non-profit-organisation "Save the Beach". They were the fourth ranked team at the 2006 Asian Games but were eliminated in the fourth round. He married volleyball player Kaoru Sugayama in 2011.
Yuko Nakazawa (中澤 裕子, Nakazawa Yūko; born June 19, 1973) is a Japanese pop and enka singer, and actress, best known as…Yuko Nakazawa (中澤 裕子, Nakazawa Yūko; born June 19, 1973) is a Japanese pop and enka singer, and actress, best known as one of the original members of the all-female J-pop group Morning Musume. She is also a member of Japanese pop group Dream Morning Musume.
Shinobu Terajima (寺島 しのぶ, Terajima Shinobu; born December 28, 1972) is a Japanese actress. Her feature films include…Shinobu Terajima (寺島 しのぶ, Terajima Shinobu; born December 28, 1972) is a Japanese actress. Her feature films include Akame 48 Waterfalls (2003) and Vibrator (2003). For her role in Caterpillar (2010), Terajima won the Silver Bear for Best Actress at the 60th Berlin Film Festival while her performance in Oh Lucy! (2017) earned her an Independent Spirit Award nomination for Best Actress.
Minori Hayakari (早狩実紀) (born 29 November 1972) is a Japanese track and field athlete who specialises in the 3000 metres…Minori Hayakari (早狩実紀) (born 29 November 1972) is a Japanese track and field athlete who specialises in the 3000 metres steeplechase. Her personal best of 9:33.93 minutes is the Japanese record and she has won straight Japanese national titles since the first event in 2005, taking her sixth title in 2011. She became the first international female steeplechaser from her country, following the event's introduction to the World Championships in 2005, where she set an Asian record. She has featured in the World Championship steeplechase event from 2005 to 2011 and represented Japan in the first ever Olympic women's steeplechase at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. In regional competition, she was the bronze medallist at the 2010 Asian Games and took the continental title at the 2011 Asian Athletics Championships. She is a five-time participant at the IAAF World Cross Country Championships and a two-time medallist at the East Asian Games (1999 and 2009).
Masaaki Sakata (坂田正彰, Sakata Masaaki) (born 25 November 1972 in Nagaokakyō), is a Japanese former rugby union player…Masaaki Sakata (坂田正彰, Sakata Masaaki) (born 25 November 1972 in Nagaokakyō), is a Japanese former rugby union player who played as hooker.
Daisuke Miyagawa (宮川 大輔, Miyagawa Daisuke; born 16 September 1972, in Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture, Japan) is a Japanese…Daisuke Miyagawa (宮川 大輔, Miyagawa Daisuke; born 16 September 1972, in Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture, Japan) is a Japanese comedian and actor. Miyagawa grew up in Ōtsu, Shiga Prefecture. He is represented with Yoshimoto Creative Agency from Yoshimoto Kogyo. Miyagawa should not be confused with Daisuke Miyagawa of the comedy duo Daisuke and Hanako Miyagawa.
Tatsuhito Takaiwa (高岩竜一, Takaiwa Tatsuhito; born Go Yong-Il; Korean: 고용일; July 5, 1972) is a Korean-Japanese…Tatsuhito Takaiwa (高岩竜一, Takaiwa Tatsuhito; born Go Yong-Il; Korean: 고용일; July 5, 1972) is a Korean-Japanese professional wrestler. He has wrestled for New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW), Pro Wrestling Zero1, All Japan Pro Wrestling (AJPW), and Pro Wrestling Noah. Known for his work as a tag team specialist, Takaiwa has won the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship a number of times alongside Shinjiro Otani.
Ōikari Tsuyoshi (born 16 June 1972 as Tsuyoshi Saito) is a former sumo wrestler from Nishikyō, Kyoto, Japan. He made…Ōikari Tsuyoshi (born 16 June 1972 as Tsuyoshi Saito) is a former sumo wrestler from Nishikyō, Kyoto, Japan. He made his professional debut in March 1995, and reached the top division in November 1998. His highest rank was maegashira 11. He retired in November 2004, and as of 2016 he is an elder in the Japan Sumo Association under the name Kabutoyama.
Michihiro Kuroda (黒田 倫弘, Kuroda Michihiro), or Rin (born June 6, 1972) to his fans, was the lead vocalist in the…Michihiro Kuroda (黒田 倫弘, Kuroda Michihiro), or Rin (born June 6, 1972) to his fans, was the lead vocalist in the Japanese group Iceman. The group lasted from about 1996–1999. Since then Michihiro has pursued a solo career. Michihiro has released 10 CDs and videos, along with 6 books. In 2006 he teamed up with Iceman guitarist Kenichi Ito once again for a more rock oriented group known as Scarecrow. The group has released a single, titled "Steal your misery". 2006–2009 Scarecrow has released 2 albums and 4 singles and 2 live videos. Michihiro Kuroda continues his career as a rock vocalist well known for his high live performance quality, releasing album and music videos every year. From 2000 to 2013, he released 10 albums. He released live videos from every national album live tours. During this decade he collaborated with musicians such as Tokiko Kato, Naoto Kine (TM Network), Haruichi Shindo (Porno Graffitti). After 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami, he joined volunteering activity "Stand Up Japan" held by Takanori Nishikawa.
Kazue Nanjo (南條 和恵, Nanjō Kazue; née Nagai Nagai (永井); born 19 March 1972) is a retired Japanese judoka. Nanjo was born…Kazue Nanjo (南條 和恵, Nanjō Kazue; née Nagai Nagai (永井); born 19 March 1972) is a retired Japanese judoka. Nanjo was born in Uji, Kyoto, and began judo at the age of 5. She belonged to Daicolo Co., Ltd. after graduating from University of Tsukuba in 1995. In 1997, she participated in the World Championships but was defeated by Carolina Mariani from Argentina. In 1998, she also participated in the Asian Games held in Bangkok and won a bronze medal. Nanjo was good at Seoi nage, Tomoe nage and Newaza, learned by Shōzō Fujii at Tenri University. She was known as a rival of Noriko Narazaki who is a classmate of the same university and former world champion. As of 2010, Nanjo coaches judo at Sendai University with her husband.
Fumiko Okuno (Japanese: 奥野史子 Okuno Fumiko; born April 14, 1972, in Kyoto) is a former competitor in synchronised…Fumiko Okuno (Japanese: 奥野史子 Okuno Fumiko; born April 14, 1972, in Kyoto) is a former competitor in synchronised swimming from Japan. She competed in both the women's solo and women's duet events at the 1992 Summer Olympics, and won two bronze medals.
Yuriko Nanahara (七原由理子, Nanahara Yuriko; born 1 February 1972) is a Japanese gymnast. She competed in six events at the…Yuriko Nanahara (七原由理子, Nanahara Yuriko; born 1 February 1972) is a Japanese gymnast. She competed in six events at the 1988 Summer Olympics.
Takuya Asanuma (浅沼 拓也, Asanuma Takuya; born 9 September 1971), better known mononymously as Takuya (stylized in all…Takuya Asanuma (浅沼 拓也, Asanuma Takuya; born 9 September 1971), better known mononymously as Takuya (stylized in all caps as TAKUYA), is a Japanese musician, singer, songwriter and record producer. He was formerly the second guitarist of Judy and Mary. He currently works as a solo artist under the name Takuya and also had a solo project called Robots which was dissolved in 2009. He was previously married to a former geisha from Gion, but they divorced in 2006. His most recent release was a duet with Aya Kamiki titled "W-B-X (W-Boiled Extreme)", the theme for Kamen Rider W.
Tetsuya Kanmuri (冠 徹弥, Kanmuri Tetsuya; born: 7 September 1971) is a Japanese heavy metal singer, originally from Uji…Tetsuya Kanmuri (冠 徹弥, Kanmuri Tetsuya; born: 7 September 1971) is a Japanese heavy metal singer, originally from Uji, Kyoto Prefecture. He took his inspiration from Van Halen's songs.
Akira Yoshida (吉田明, Yoshida Akira) (born Kyoto, 13 August 1971) is a former Japanese rugby union player who played as…Akira Yoshida (吉田明, Yoshida Akira) (born Kyoto, 13 August 1971) is a former Japanese rugby union player who played as centre.
Katsuhiko Hanada (Japanese: 花田 勝彦; born 12 June 1971 in Kyoto) is a retired Japanese athlete who competed in the…Katsuhiko Hanada (Japanese: 花田 勝彦; born 12 June 1971 in Kyoto) is a retired Japanese athlete who competed in the long-distance events. He represented his country at two Summer Olympics, in 1996 and 2000.
Hiroyoshi Yamamoto (山本 広吉, Yamamoto Hiroyoshi; born March 23, 1971), better known by his ring name Hiroyoshi Tenzan (天山…Hiroyoshi Yamamoto (山本 広吉, Yamamoto Hiroyoshi; born March 23, 1971), better known by his ring name Hiroyoshi Tenzan (天山 広吉, Tenzan Hiroyoshi), is a retired Japanese professional wrestler. He is signed to New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW). With Satoshi Kojima, in 2008, they won the World's Strongest Tag Determination League in All Japan Pro Wrestling and the G1 Tag League in NJPW, becoming the only tag team which has done both. He is a four-time IWGP Heavyweight Champion and a record twelve-time IWGP Tag Team Champion.
Eri Imai (今井 恵理, Imai Eri; born January 26, 1971 in Yawata, Kyoto) is a Japanese actress and model. In April 1994, she…Eri Imai (今井 恵理, Imai Eri; born January 26, 1971 in Yawata, Kyoto) is a Japanese actress and model. In April 1994, she won the "Shape Up Girl Audition" Grand Prix, and made appearances with three other models under the "Shape Up Girl" name. She made numerous appearances on television, film, v-cinema, photobooks and on stage during the 1990s. She and her husband, actor Yūjin Nomura, announced the birth of their first child, a son, in October 2009. At the end of that year Imai appeared in the "Shape-Up Girl" calendar with her fellow alumni of that group. She returned for this calendar the following year.
Yoshinori Akazawa (Japanese: ⾚澤 嘉則, romanized: Akazawa Yoshinori, born 1971 -) is a contemporary artist and ceramicist.…Yoshinori Akazawa (Japanese: ⾚澤 嘉則, romanized: Akazawa Yoshinori, born 1971 -) is a contemporary artist and ceramicist. He is known as the 5th generation head of the Akazawa Roseki studio (Akazawa Roseki V), specializing in traditional and contemporary Japanese ceramics.
Tomohito Ito (伊藤 智仁; born October 30, 1970) is a Japanese former professional baseball player from Kyoto, Japan. He…Tomohito Ito (伊藤 智仁; born October 30, 1970) is a Japanese former professional baseball player from Kyoto, Japan. He played for the Yakult Swallows from 1993–2003 before retiring. He currently works as a pitching coach for the Tokyo Yakult Swallows. He won a bronze medal in the 1992 Summer Olympics before entering the Japanese professional leagues.
Toshinari Takaoka (高岡 寿成, Takaoka Toshinari; born 24 September 1970) is a Japanese long-distance runner who specializes…Toshinari Takaoka (高岡 寿成, Takaoka Toshinari; born 24 September 1970) is a Japanese long-distance runner who specializes in the 5000 metres, 10,000 metres and the marathon race. He owned the former men's marathon Asian record.
Michiko Shimizu (志水 見千子, Shimizu Michiko; born 22 September 1970 in Amino, Kyoto) is a retired Japanese long-distance…Michiko Shimizu (志水 見千子, Shimizu Michiko; born 22 September 1970 in Amino, Kyoto) is a retired Japanese long-distance runner who mainly competed in the 5000 metres. She finished fourth at the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta.
Chiho Torii (鳥居 千穂, Torii Chiho) (born 29 July 1970) is a Japanese former volleyball player who competed in the 1996…Chiho Torii (鳥居 千穂, Torii Chiho) (born 29 July 1970) is a Japanese former volleyball player who competed in the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta. In 1996, Torii was eliminated with the Japanese team in the preliminary round of the Olympic tournament.
Masami Hirosaka (広坂正美, Hirosaka Masami; born February 26, 1970, Kyoto, Japan) is a Japanese radio controlled car driver…Masami Hirosaka (広坂正美, Hirosaka Masami; born February 26, 1970, Kyoto, Japan) is a Japanese radio controlled car driver who is considered to be the world's most successful with a record fourteen IFMAR World Championships in 1/12 scale electric, 1/10 scale Pan, 1/10 scale 2WD off-road and 1/10 scale 4WD, all electric. Hirosaka's peers have nicknamed him "Master Masami". He was considered to be one of the highest paid drivers in RC racing, until he retired from the activity. His last IFMAR race was the 2008 world championship in Thailand. His retirement ceremony was on May 3, 2009.
Yoshihiro Inoue (井上嘉浩, Inoue Yoshihiro; December 28, 1969 – July 6, 2018) was a Japanese terrorist and high ranking…Yoshihiro Inoue (井上嘉浩, Inoue Yoshihiro; December 28, 1969 – July 6, 2018) was a Japanese terrorist and high ranking member of the doomsday cult Aum Shinrikyo who was executed in Japan on July 6, 2018. He was responsible for coordinating the Tokyo subway sarin attack in 1995 which killed 14 people. His holy name was Aananda and his stage in the cult was Master Shogo.
Yasumitsu Satō (佐藤 康光, Satō Yasumitsu; born October 1, 1969) is a Japanese professional shogi player from Yawata City…Yasumitsu Satō (佐藤 康光, Satō Yasumitsu; born October 1, 1969) is a Japanese professional shogi player from Yawata City in Kyoto Prefecture, Japan, ranked 9-dan. He is a former president of the Japan Shogi Association as well as former holder of the Ryūō, Meijin, Oshō, Kisei, Kiō major titles. He has qualified for the Lifetime Kisei title.
Tadashi Ogasahara (born 12 September 1969) is a Japanese football manager who currently manages WE League club AC…Tadashi Ogasahara (born 12 September 1969) is a Japanese football manager who currently manages WE League club AC Nagano Parceiro Ladies.
Shinjiro Hiyama (桧山 進次郎, Hiyama Shinjirō; Korean: 황진환; Hanja: 黄進煥; RR: Hwang Jinhwan; born July 1, 1969) is a…Shinjiro Hiyama (桧山 進次郎, Hiyama Shinjirō; Korean: 황진환; Hanja: 黄進煥; RR: Hwang Jinhwan; born July 1, 1969) is a Korean-born Japanese baseball player from Ukyō-ku, Kyoto, Japan. He plays as an outfielder for the Hanshin Tigers of the Central League.
Kazu Hiro (born Kazuhiro Tsuji, Japanese: 辻 一弘 Tsuji Kazuhiro; born May 26, 1969) is a Japanese and American special…Kazu Hiro (born Kazuhiro Tsuji, Japanese: 辻 一弘 Tsuji Kazuhiro; born May 26, 1969) is a Japanese and American special make-up effects artist and visual artist. He won the Academy Award for Best Makeup and Hairstyling for the biographical films Darkest Hour (2017) and Bombshell (2019) after earning nominations for the comedies Click (2006) and Norbit (2007). He was additionally nominated for Maestro (2023) and The Smashing Machine (2025).