Hitomi Yaida 矢井田瞳 (Yaida Hitomi, born July 28, 1978) is a Japanese pop/folk rock singer-songwriter and guitarist. She…Hitomi Yaida 矢井田瞳 (Yaida Hitomi, born July 28, 1978) is a Japanese pop/folk rock singer-songwriter and guitarist. She often goes by the nickname Yaiko. Yaida is an established musical artist in Japan and has also had minor club hits in the United Kingdom.
Yusuke Kawakita (川北 裕介, Kawakita Yusuke; born May 13, 1978) is a Japanese football coach and former football player…Yusuke Kawakita (川北 裕介, Kawakita Yusuke; born May 13, 1978) is a Japanese football coach and former football player, who is the goalkeeper coach of Thailand U23.
Daisuke Yamai (山井 大介, Yamai Daisuke; born May 10, 1978) is a former Japanese professional baseball pitcher who played…Daisuke Yamai (山井 大介, Yamai Daisuke; born May 10, 1978) is a former Japanese professional baseball pitcher who played his entire career with the Chunichi Dragons. He is most noted for his combined perfect game with Hitoki Iwase in the 2007 Japan Series to clinch the title for the Dragons for the first time since 1954.
Seiko Okamoto (岡本 聖子, Okamoto Seiko) (born 14 March 1978) is a Japanese former professional tennis player. Okamoto took…Seiko Okamoto (岡本 聖子, Okamoto Seiko) (born 14 March 1978) is a Japanese former professional tennis player. Okamoto took part in the 2006 Bangalore Open but lost in the first round of singles qualifying, and the first round of doubles, alongside Ryōko Fuda. She has stated that her favorite surface to play on is hardcourt. In her career, Okamoto won one doubles title on the WTA Tour, as well as two singles and 15 doubles titles on the ITF Women's Circuit.
Kota Yoshihara (吉原 宏太, Yoshihara Kōta; born February 2, 1978) is a former Japanese football player. He played for Japan…Kota Yoshihara (吉原 宏太, Yoshihara Kōta; born February 2, 1978) is a former Japanese football player. He played for Japan national team.
Kikuko Tsumura (津村 記久子, Tsumura Kikuko) is a Japanese writer from Osaka. She has won numerous Japanese literary awards…Kikuko Tsumura (津村 記久子, Tsumura Kikuko) is a Japanese writer from Osaka. She has won numerous Japanese literary awards, including the Akutagawa Prize, the Noma Literary New Face Prize, the Dazai Osamu Prize, the Kawabata Yasunari Prize, and the Oda Sakunosuke Prize.
Kojiro Kaimoto (海本 幸治郎, Kaimoto Kojiro; born October 14, 1977) is a former Japanese football player. His elder brother…Kojiro Kaimoto (海本 幸治郎, Kaimoto Kojiro; born October 14, 1977) is a former Japanese football player. His elder brother Keiji is also a former footballer.
Kimiko Hida (飛田 季実子, Hida Kimiko; born 26 September 1977) is a Japanese handball goalkeeper for Sony Semiconductor and…Kimiko Hida (飛田 季実子, Hida Kimiko; born 26 September 1977) is a Japanese handball goalkeeper for Sony Semiconductor and the Japanese national team. She represented Japan at the 2013 World Women's Handball Championship in Serbia.
Aika Ōno (大野 愛果, Ōno Aika; born September 7, 1977) is a Japanese singer and songwriter. She is contracted with the Giza…Aika Ōno (大野 愛果, Ōno Aika; born September 7, 1977) is a Japanese singer and songwriter. She is contracted with the Giza Studio record label Aika is best known for writing songs for several artists under Giza Studio, notably Rina Aiuchi, Mai Kuraki, Aya Kamiki, U-ka Saegusa in db and Zard, among others. Many of her songs have been featured in anime shows such as Detective Conan (or Case Closed in the US), MÄR, Golgo 13, Detective School Q and Secret of Cerulean Sand. To a lesser extent, she released three studio albums containing cover versions of her own song written for other artists, in English and Japanese.
Isao Yoneda (米田 功); (born August 20, 1977, in Hamburg, Germany) is a Japanese gymnast. He was raised in Tokyo. He is…Isao Yoneda (米田 功); (born August 20, 1977, in Hamburg, Germany) is a Japanese gymnast. He was raised in Tokyo. He is the 2004 Summer Olympics gold medalist in the team event and the bronze medalist in the high bar.
Natsumi Yabuuchi (薮内夏美, born 21 July 1977) is a Japanese former basketball player who competed in the 2004 Summer…Natsumi Yabuuchi (薮内夏美, born 21 July 1977) is a Japanese former basketball player who competed in the 2004 Summer Olympics. Born: Jul 21, 1977 in Osaka Height: 175 cm / 5.7 feet Positions: Point Guard Previous teams : Japan (W) ()
Shinya Wada (和田 伸也, Wada Shin'ya; born 9 July 1977 in Neyagawa, Osaka pref.) is a visually impaired Japanese…Shinya Wada (和田 伸也, Wada Shin'ya; born 9 July 1977 in Neyagawa, Osaka pref.) is a visually impaired Japanese long-distance runner. Competing in the T11 classification, Shinya has represented his country at the 2012 Summer Paralympics in London, where he took the bronze medal in the men's 5000m T11 race. He is also a multiple World and Asian Para Games medalist, taking six medals over four tournaments.
Naoki Matoba (的場 直樹, Matoba Naoki; born May 9, 1977 in Osaka), nicknamed "Matton", is a Japanese former professional…Naoki Matoba (的場 直樹, Matoba Naoki; born May 9, 1977 in Osaka), nicknamed "Matton", is a Japanese former professional baseball catcher in Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball. He played for the Fukuoka Daiei Hawks/Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks in 2000, and from 2003 to 2008 and with the Chiba Lotte Marines in 2010 and 2011. Matoba is an ordained priest within the Ōtani-ha branch of Shin Buddhism.
Kanako Nishi (西 加奈子, Nishi Kanako; born May 7, 1977) is a Japanese writer and artist. She has won the Oda Sakunosuke…Kanako Nishi (西 加奈子, Nishi Kanako; born May 7, 1977) is a Japanese writer and artist. She has won the Oda Sakunosuke Prize, the Kawai Hayao Literary Prize, and the Naoki Prize, and several of her books have been adapted for film.
Hajime Miki (三木 肇, Miki Hajime; born April 25, 1977) is a Japanese former professional baseball infielder who currently…Hajime Miki (三木 肇, Miki Hajime; born April 25, 1977) is a Japanese former professional baseball infielder who currently serves as the manager for the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB). He played in NPB from 1996 to 2008 for the Yakult Swallows/Tokyo Yakult Swallows and Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters.
Tsuneyasu Miyamoto (宮本 恒靖, Miyamoto Tsuneyasu; born 7 February 1977) is a Japanese former football coach and former…Tsuneyasu Miyamoto (宮本 恒靖, Miyamoto Tsuneyasu; born 7 February 1977) is a Japanese former football coach and former player who last coached Gamba Osaka. He played for Japan national team and is the current president of the Japan Football Association. A central defender, Miyamoto went on to make 71 international appearances and led the Japan national team in the 2002 and 2006 World Cups as well as the 2004 Asian Cup. Miyamoto also captained Gamba Osaka during their 2005 J1 League championship season. He is also a graduate of the 13th edition of FIFA Master.
Hisashi Aikyoh (愛敬 尚史, Aikyō Hisashi; born December 4, 1976) is a former Nippon Professional Baseball player. He played…Hisashi Aikyoh (愛敬 尚史, Aikyō Hisashi; born December 4, 1976) is a former Nippon Professional Baseball player. He played for the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles, and was also previously with the Osaka Kintetsu Buffaloes.
Machiko Nakanishi (中西 真知子, Nakanishi Machiko; born November 19, 1976 in Osaka Prefecture) is an athlete from Japan, who…Machiko Nakanishi (中西 真知子, Nakanishi Machiko; born November 19, 1976 in Osaka Prefecture) is an athlete from Japan, who competes in triathlon. Nakanishi competed at the second Olympic triathlon at the 2004 Summer Olympics. She took twentieth place with a total time of 2:08:51.06.
Takashi Kawai (川井 貴志, Kawai Takashi; born September 16, 1976 in Osaka, Japan) is a Japanese Nippon Professional…Takashi Kawai (川井 貴志, Kawai Takashi; born September 16, 1976 in Osaka, Japan) is a Japanese Nippon Professional Baseball pitcher for the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles in Japan's Pacific League. He attended Osaka Tōin High School and Josai University before being drafted by the Chiba Lotte Marines in the third round of the 1998 draft.
Mieko Kawakami (川上未映子, Kawakami Mieko; born August 29, 1976) is a Japanese writer and poet. She is best known for her…Mieko Kawakami (川上未映子, Kawakami Mieko; born August 29, 1976) is a Japanese writer and poet. She is best known for her 2019 novel Breasts and Eggs, an expanded and reworked version of her 2008 novella Chichi to Ran (乳と卵; lit. 'Breasts and Eggs'). Following the international success of Breasts and Eggs multiple of her earlier novels and most of her works since have been translated into English, among many other languages, and distributed internationally. Among them are Heaven (2009) and All the Lovers in the Night (2011), as well as Sisters in Yellow (2023), her first novel released since Breasts and Eggs. Her work is known for her "philosophical explorations of gender, class and ethics in modern society" and slice of life style. Kawakami's books often revolve around women and children. Kawakami's work has won several literary awards, including the 2007 Akutagawa Prize for Chichi to Ran, the 2009 Murasaki Shikibu Prize for Heaven and the 2013 Tanizaki Prize for her short story collection Ai no yume to ka (愛の夢とか), among many more.
Shinji Udaka (宇高 伸次, Udaka Shinji) (born August 24, 1976 in Kadoma, Osaka) is a Japanese baseball player. He played for…Shinji Udaka (宇高 伸次, Udaka Shinji) (born August 24, 1976 in Kadoma, Osaka) is a Japanese baseball player. He played for the Osaka Kintetsu Buffaloes from 1999 to 2003. In the 1999 draft, he was selected as the number 1 overall pick.
Kotaro Tatsumi (Japanese: 辰巳 孝太郎, Hepburn: Tatsumi Kōtarō; born 21 August 1976) is a Japanese politician who serves in…Kotaro Tatsumi (Japanese: 辰巳 孝太郎, Hepburn: Tatsumi Kōtarō; born 21 August 1976) is a Japanese politician who serves in the House of Representatives for Kinki PR as a member of the Japanese Communist Party. Tatsumi was in the House of Councillors for Osaka from 2013 to 2019. He was a candidate in the 2023 Osaka gubernatorial election.
Tatsuhiko Kinjoh (Japanese: 金城 龍彦, Korean: 김용언, Hanja: 金龍彦, born July 27, 1976) is a Japanese professional baseball…Tatsuhiko Kinjoh (Japanese: 金城 龍彦, Korean: 김용언, Hanja: 金龍彦, born July 27, 1976) is a Japanese professional baseball coach and former player of Korean descent from Higashinari-ku, Osaka, Japan. He played center field for the Yomiuri Giants. He threw right-handed, and was a switch hitter.
Kenichi Yamamoto (山本 喧一, Yamamoto Ken'ichi) (born June 11, 1976) is a Japanese mixed martial artist and professional…Kenichi Yamamoto (山本 喧一, Yamamoto Ken'ichi) (born June 11, 1976) is a Japanese mixed martial artist and professional wrestler. Known for his pro wrestling career in UWF International, Yamamoto also competed against some of the best MMA fighters of his era in RINGS, Pride and the UFC, taking on Kevin Randleman, Genki Sudo and Pat Miletich, among others. In 1999, Yamamoto won the UFC 23 Middleweight Tournament in Japan. He returned to the ring against former Light Heavyweight King Of Pancrase Keiichiro Yamamiya on October 27, 2012. He lost via unanimous decision. Following his combat sports career, Yamamoto now works as an MMA coach.
Taizo Sugitani (杉谷 泰造, Sugitani Taizō; born 27 June 1976 in Izumi, Japan) is a Japanese Olympic show jumping rider.…Taizo Sugitani (杉谷 泰造, Sugitani Taizō; born 27 June 1976 in Izumi, Japan) is a Japanese Olympic show jumping rider. Representing Japan, he competed in seven Summer Olympics (in 1996, 2000, 2004, 2008, 2012, 2016, and 2024). By competing in Paris 2024 he became the first Japanese athlete to compete in seven Summer Olympics. He placed 11th in team jumping in 2000. Meanwhile, his current best individual Olympic placement is 15th place from Athens in 2004. He is the son of the Olympic rider and riding club owner Masayu Sugitani. After graduating from Canadian Academy in Kobe in 1996, he moved to the Netherlands to get coached by former Dutch champion Henk Nooren. Sugitani also competed at six editions World Equestrian Games (each edition from 1994 to 2014) and at two editions of Show Jumping World Cup finals (in 2000 and 2007). In 2010, he was 10th place at the World Equestrian Games in Kentucky. Sugitani won two bronze medals at the 2014 Asian Games in Incheon, South Korea.
Akihito Fujii (藤井 彰人, Fujii Akihito; born June 18, 1976) is a Japanese former professional baseball catcher and current…Akihito Fujii (藤井 彰人, Fujii Akihito; born June 18, 1976) is a Japanese former professional baseball catcher and current coach for the Hanshin Tigers in Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball. He previously played for the Osaka Kintetsu Buffaloes from 1999 to 2004 and the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles from 2005 to 2010 and the Tigers from 2011 to 2015.
Naoko Imoto (井本 直歩子, Imoto Naoko; born May 20, 1976) is a former freestyle swimmer from Japan, who competed for her…Naoko Imoto (井本 直歩子, Imoto Naoko; born May 20, 1976) is a former freestyle swimmer from Japan, who competed for her native country at the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta, Georgia. There she finished in fourth place in the 4 × 200 m freestyle relay, alongside Aiko Miyake, Eri Yamanoi, and Suzu Chiba. In 2020, Imoto received the Olympic Flame in a ceremony in Greece to be transferred to Japan for the 2020 Summer Olympics.
Fuminori Ujihara (宇治原 史規, Ujihara Fuminori; born April 20, 1976) is a Japanese comedian best known as the tsukkomi half…Fuminori Ujihara (宇治原 史規, Ujihara Fuminori; born April 20, 1976) is a Japanese comedian best known as the tsukkomi half of a popular owarai duo Rozan (ロザン) alongside Hirofumi Suga (菅 広文). Given his 158 IQ score, bachelor's degree in law from Kyoto University (one of the top-tier universities in the country), and championship titles from a number of TV quiz shows, he is also widely known as one of the most intelligent comedians in Japan. He is 177 cm tall and weighs 59 kg.
Saiko Takahashi (高橋 彩子, Takahashi Saiko; born April 11, 1976) is a former Japanese football player. She played for…Saiko Takahashi (高橋 彩子, Takahashi Saiko; born April 11, 1976) is a former Japanese football player. She played for Japan national team.
Aoki Takamasa (青木孝允, Aoki Takamasa) (sometimes stylized as AOKI takamasa) (born 1976), is a Japanese electronic…Aoki Takamasa (青木孝允, Aoki Takamasa) (sometimes stylized as AOKI takamasa) (born 1976), is a Japanese electronic musician and producer.
Yoshinori Tateyama (建山 義紀, Tateyama Yoshinori; born December 26, 1975) is a Japanese former professional baseball…Yoshinori Tateyama (建山 義紀, Tateyama Yoshinori; born December 26, 1975) is a Japanese former professional baseball pitcher. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Texas Rangers, and in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) for the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters and the Hanshin Tigers.
Tomoka Kurotani (黒谷友香, Kurotani Tomoka; born December 11, 1975) is a Japanese actress. She starred as the femme fatale…Tomoka Kurotani (黒谷友香, Kurotani Tomoka; born December 11, 1975) is a Japanese actress. She starred as the femme fatale female ninja Kagero in Shinobi Heart Under Blade.
Kenji Kasahara (笠原 健治, Kenji Kasahara; born December 6, 1975 in Minoh, Osaka Prefecture) is a Japanese entrepreneur who…Kenji Kasahara (笠原 健治, Kenji Kasahara; born December 6, 1975 in Minoh, Osaka Prefecture) is a Japanese entrepreneur who founded Mixi, a social networking site. In 2008, he was ranked as the 37th richest Japanese person.
Aiko Yanai (柳井愛子, Yanai Aiko; born 22 November 1975), known simply as Aiko (stylized in smallcaps), is a Japanese…Aiko Yanai (柳井愛子, Yanai Aiko; born 22 November 1975), known simply as Aiko (stylized in smallcaps), is a Japanese singer and songwriter. She is most famous for her hit songs Ashita, Kabutomushi, Hanabi, Sakura no Toki, Boyfriend, and Kira Kira.
Daisuke Ohata (大畑大介, Ōhata Daisuke; born November 11, 1975) is a former Japanese rugby union player. He usually played…Daisuke Ohata (大畑大介, Ōhata Daisuke; born November 11, 1975) is a former Japanese rugby union player. He usually played on the wing, and sometimes at centre, for the Japanese national team. He made his name internationally as a speedy ace in the World Rugby Sevens Series (then known as the IRB World Sevens Series), and went on to become a regular member of the national team. He first played for Japan on November 9, 1996, and scored three tries that day. He is the leading rugby union test try scorer of all time. In November 2016, Ohata was inducted into the World Rugby Hall of Fame at the opening ceremony for the Hall's first physical location in Rugby, Warwickshire.
Kazuo Matsui (松井 稼頭央, Matsui Kazuo; born October 23, 1975) is a Japanese former professional baseball player who played…Kazuo Matsui (松井 稼頭央, Matsui Kazuo; born October 23, 1975) is a Japanese former professional baseball player who played as a shortstop and is a former manager of the Saitama Seibu Lions. He is a switch-hitter. Matsui signed with the New York Mets on December 17, 2003, becoming the first Japanese infielder to sign with a Major League Baseball team.
Susumu Hamamura (Japanese: 濱村 進, Hepburn: Hamamura Susumu; born 30 September 1975) is a member of Komeito serving in…Susumu Hamamura (Japanese: 濱村 進, Hepburn: Hamamura Susumu; born 30 September 1975) is a member of Komeito serving in the Japanese House of Representatives, a position that he has been elected to two times. He is supportive of casinos in Japan, saying that they will help the economy and "will give foreigners something to do at night".
Seichi Ikemoto (Japanese: 池本誠知; born August 24, 1975) is a Japanese mixed martial artist and professional wrestler. He…Seichi Ikemoto (Japanese: 池本誠知; born August 24, 1975) is a Japanese mixed martial artist and professional wrestler. He is a veteran of Shooto, PRIDE and DEEP. His specialty is a "double punch", in which he puts his hands together and throws them at his opponent.
Junko Torikai (鳥飼 淳子, Torikai Junko) (born 3 August 1975) is a Japanese former swimmer who competed in the 1992 Summer…Junko Torikai (鳥飼 淳子, Torikai Junko) (born 3 August 1975) is a Japanese former swimmer who competed in the 1992 Summer Olympics.
Yoshihiro Akiyama (Japanese: 秋山 成勲; born July 29, 1975), also known as Choo Sung-hoon (Korean: 추성훈) and by his nickname…Yoshihiro Akiyama (Japanese: 秋山 成勲; born July 29, 1975), also known as Choo Sung-hoon (Korean: 추성훈) and by his nickname Sexyama, is a Japanese mixed martial artist and judoka who won the gold medal at the 2001 Asian Championships for South Korea and for Japan at the 2002 Asian Games. He is the former K-1 HERO's Light Heavyweight Grand Prix Tournament Champion.
