Mayuko Fujiki (藤木 麻祐子, Fujiki Mayuko; born June 21, 1975) is an international artistic swimming coach originally from…Mayuko Fujiki (藤木 麻祐子, Fujiki Mayuko; born June 21, 1975) is an international artistic swimming coach originally from Japan, who has competed over seven Olympic Games as an athlete, and has served as the head coach for the national teams of Spain, China, and the United States. Leveraging her success at Paris 2024, she transitioned to a new role as an international High-performance Consultant.
Takafumi Hirao (平尾 剛史, Hirao Takafumi), also known as Tsuyoshi Hirao (平尾剛, Hirao Tsuyoshi), (born Osaka, 3 May 1975) is…Takafumi Hirao (平尾 剛史, Hirao Takafumi), also known as Tsuyoshi Hirao (平尾剛, Hirao Tsuyoshi), (born Osaka, 3 May 1975) is a Japanese former rugby union player. He played as wing and as fullback. He is not related to the late Seiji Hirao. As of 2015 he works as teacher at Kobe Shinwa Women's University's Development and Education Faculty of Junior sports education Department, with "sports pedagogy", "kinematics" as field of specialization and "body and sports" and "sports education rooted in children's development" as research field.
Koji Uehara (上原 浩治, Uehara Kōji; [ɯehara koːdʑi]; born April 3, 1975) is a Japanese former professional baseball…Koji Uehara (上原 浩治, Uehara Kōji; [ɯehara koːdʑi]; born April 3, 1975) is a Japanese former professional baseball pitcher. He played for the Yomiuri Giants of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB), as well as the Baltimore Orioles, Texas Rangers, Boston Red Sox, and Chicago Cubs of Major League Baseball (MLB). A right-handed pitcher, Uehara has an MLB career strikeout rate of 10.7 K/9 innings and a walk rate of 1.5 BB/9 innings through the 2017 season. Through the 2017 season, his career 7.33 K/BB is the best in MLB history for a player with at least 100 innings pitched. Uehara won the 2013 ALCS MVP Award, and closed the final game of the 2013 World Series against the St. Louis Cardinals. With his World Series win, Uehara became one of sixteen players in history to have won both a World Series and a World Baseball Classic.
Nanase Aikawa (相川 七瀬, Aikawa Nanase; born February 16, 1975) is a Japanese singer. She publishes her music under the…Nanase Aikawa (相川 七瀬, Aikawa Nanase; born February 16, 1975) is a Japanese singer. She publishes her music under the Motorod label, a division of Avex Group.
Satoshi Umemura (梅村 聡, Umemura Satoshi; born 1975) is a Japanese politician of the Japan Innovation Party, who served…Satoshi Umemura (梅村 聡, Umemura Satoshi; born 1975) is a Japanese politician of the Japan Innovation Party, who served as a member of the House of Councillors and the House of Representatives in the Diet (national legislature). A native of Sakai, Osaka and graduate of Osaka University, he was elected for the first time in 2007.
Hiroki Kuroda (黒田 博樹, Kuroda Hiroki; born February 10, 1975) is a Japanese former professional baseball pitcher. He…Hiroki Kuroda (黒田 博樹, Kuroda Hiroki; born February 10, 1975) is a Japanese former professional baseball pitcher. He pitched in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) for Hiroshima Toyo Carp from 1997 to 2007 before playing in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Los Angeles Dodgers from 2008 to 2011 and New York Yankees from 2012 to 2014. After the 2014 season, he chose to return to the Carp to finish out his career. Between the two leagues, he won 203 games. In NPB, Kuroda won the Best Nine Award in 2005 and was NPB ERA Champion in 2006. He also won a bronze medal at the 2004 Summer Olympics with the Japanese national baseball team. Kuroda was appointed UNITAR Goodwill Ambassador on 14 September 2015. In 2024, he was inducted into the Japanese Baseball Hall of Fame.
Ryohei Sakaguchi (阪口 良平, Sakaguchi Ryōhei; born 6 February 1975 in Habikino) is a Japanese racing driver competing in…Ryohei Sakaguchi (阪口 良平, Sakaguchi Ryōhei; born 6 February 1975 in Habikino) is a Japanese racing driver competing in Super Taikyu for Mazda Spirit Racing. Sakaguchi won the 2003 Korean Formula 1800 Series and has five Super Taikyu titles to his name, two in ST-3 and three in ST-2.
Mineko Tanaka (田中 美音子, Tanaka Mineko; born 14 January 1975) is a Japanese handball player who plays for the club Osaka…Mineko Tanaka (田中 美音子, Tanaka Mineko; born 14 January 1975) is a Japanese handball player who plays for the club Osaka Lovvits. She is also member of the Japanese national team. She competed at the 2005 World Women's Handball Championship in Russia, and at the 2015 World Women's Handball Championship in Denmark.
Kohei Nawa (born 1975) is a Japanese sculptor and designer. He holds a bachelor's degree from the Kyoto City University…Kohei Nawa (born 1975) is a Japanese sculptor and designer. He holds a bachelor's degree from the Kyoto City University of Arts, and, since 2003, he also holds a Ph.D. in Fine Arts from the Royal College of Art (RCA). Since 1999, Nawa has participated in group exhibitions.
Shimpei Cole Ota (太田 心平; born 1975) is a sociocultural anthropologist, sociocultural historian, researcher of Northeast…Shimpei Cole Ota (太田 心平; born 1975) is a sociocultural anthropologist, sociocultural historian, researcher of Northeast Asian studies and curator of ethnology. He is an associate professor of cross-field research at the National Museum of Ethnology which is the largest research institute for the humanities in Japan and is one of the six members of the National Institutes for the Humanities, Japan (NIHU). Ota is also working for the Graduate University for Advanced Studies as an associate professor of museum studies, and is affiliated at the American Museum of Natural History as a research associate of anthropology.
Yuka Tsuji (辻結花, Tsuji Yuka; born (1974-12-11)December 11, 1974) is a Japanese female mixed martial artist whose…Yuka Tsuji (辻結花, Tsuji Yuka; born (1974-12-11)December 11, 1974) is a Japanese female mixed martial artist whose nickname is Vale Tudo Queen. Tsuji was a prolific female mixed martial artist in the 2000s. Tsuji is a former Smackgirl tournament winner, Smackgirl Lightweight Champion and Valkyrie Featherweight Champion. MMA ranking system portal Fight Matrix ranked Tsuji as the No. 1 pound-for-pound Female Mixed Martial artist in the world in the years 2002, 2004 and 2005. Between 2002 and her retirement from MMA in 2012, she had frequently placed in the Top 5 of women's MMA fighters in flyweight and strawweight classes.
Shinichi Isa (伊佐 進一, Isa Shinichi; born 10 December 1974) is a Japanese politician of the Centrist Reform Alliance, who…Shinichi Isa (伊佐 進一, Isa Shinichi; born 10 December 1974) is a Japanese politician of the Centrist Reform Alliance, who serves as a member of the House of Representatives.
Tōru Kunishige (國重 徹, Kunishige Tōru; born 23 November 1974) is a Japanese politician of the Centrist Reform Alliance…Tōru Kunishige (國重 徹, Kunishige Tōru; born 23 November 1974) is a Japanese politician of the Centrist Reform Alliance, who serves as a member of the House of Representatives.
Sō Tsutsui (筒井 壮, Tsutsui Sō; born November 1, 1974) is a former professional baseball player from Ibaraki, Osaka…Sō Tsutsui (筒井 壮, Tsutsui Sō; born November 1, 1974) is a former professional baseball player from Ibaraki, Osaka, Japan.
Satoru Kōsaki (神前 暁, Kōsaki Satoru; born September 16, 1974) is a Japanese music composer and arranger. He is best…Satoru Kōsaki (神前 暁, Kōsaki Satoru; born September 16, 1974) is a Japanese music composer and arranger. He is best known for his work on anime, including Lucky Star, The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya, Monogatari, Beastars, and The Apothecary Diaries. He worked at Namco, where he primarily composed soundtracks for video games. Since 2005, he has been affiliated with Keiichi Okabe's music production company Monaca, where he has often collaborated with his colleagues to produce soundtracks for anime and other media.
Motohiro Yoshida (吉田 宗弘, Yoshida Motohiro; born August 25, 1974) is a former Japanese football player. He is currently…Motohiro Yoshida (吉田 宗弘, Yoshida Motohiro; born August 25, 1974) is a former Japanese football player. He is currently a goalkeeper coach of Gamba Osaka.
Masayuki Ishikawa (Japanese: 石川 雅之, Hepburn: Ishikawa Masayuki; born 23 October 1974 in Sakai, Osaka Prefecture) is a…Masayuki Ishikawa (Japanese: 石川 雅之, Hepburn: Ishikawa Masayuki; born 23 October 1974 in Sakai, Osaka Prefecture) is a Japanese manga artist. He is best known for Moyasimon: Tales of Agriculture and Maria the Virgin Witch; both of which were adapted into anime television series.
Hitomi Akano (赤野 仁美, Akano Hitomi; born 27 July 1974) is a retired Japanese female mixed martial artist. She announced…Hitomi Akano (赤野 仁美, Akano Hitomi; born 27 July 1974) is a retired Japanese female mixed martial artist. She announced her formal retirement from MMA on 1 August 2013. Akano used a song she penned herself called "Between the Sky" as her entrance music. She is a former Smackgirl Middleweight Champion at 128 pounds (58 kg).
Yoshie Nishioka (西岡 由恵, Nishioka Yoshie; born 11 July 1974) is a Japanese former swimmer who competed in the 1988…Yoshie Nishioka (西岡 由恵, Nishioka Yoshie; born 11 July 1974) is a Japanese former swimmer who competed in the 1988 Summer Olympics.
Chikako Fushimi (伏見 知何子, Fushimi Chikako) (born 21 June 1974) is a Japanese snowboarder. Born in Osaka Prefecture, her…Chikako Fushimi (伏見 知何子, Fushimi Chikako) (born 21 June 1974) is a Japanese snowboarder. Born in Osaka Prefecture, her career-high has so far been a 3rd-place finish in the 2005 Nokia Snowboard FIS World Cup held in Canada. She competed in the Women's Halfpipe in the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin, Italy. Fushimi qualified for the competition's final, which was held on 13 February, but only finished 12th with a score of 15.6.
Terumoto Gotō (後藤 輝基, Gotō Terumoto; born June 18, 1974, in Higashiyodogawa-ku, Osaka) is a Japanese comedian and…Terumoto Gotō (後藤 輝基, Gotō Terumoto; born June 18, 1974, in Higashiyodogawa-ku, Osaka) is a Japanese comedian and television presenter. He performs tsukkomi in the comedy duo Football Hour with his partner Nozomu Iwao. Gotō is represented by Yoshimoto Kogyo and is mainly active in Tokyo and Osaka.
Yoshiyuki Fuchiwaki (渕脇 芳行) is a Japanese retired professional baseball player. He spent seven seasons with the Osaka…Yoshiyuki Fuchiwaki (渕脇 芳行) is a Japanese retired professional baseball player. He spent seven seasons with the Osaka Kintetsu Buffaloes and made one appearance in a first-team match.
Shin Nakamura (中村 伸, Nakamura Shin; born May 6, 1974) is a former Japanese football player. He is the current manager…Shin Nakamura (中村 伸, Nakamura Shin; born May 6, 1974) is a former Japanese football player. He is the current manager of WE League club of Sanfrecce Hiroshima Regina.
Tsuyoshi Nakasako (Japanese: 中迫剛; born January 29, 1974) is a Japanese retired heavyweight kickboxer who competed in…Tsuyoshi Nakasako (Japanese: 中迫剛; born January 29, 1974) is a Japanese retired heavyweight kickboxer who competed in K-1. During his ten-year career from 1998 until 2008, he fought a variety of K-1 champions including Ernesto Hoost, Peter Aerts, Remy Bonjasky, Mark Hunt, and Andy Hug.
Hiroshi Nishio (Japanese: 西尾 孔志, Hepburn: Nishio Hiroshi) is a Japanese film director, animator, and writer born in…Hiroshi Nishio (Japanese: 西尾 孔志, Hepburn: Nishio Hiroshi) is a Japanese film director, animator, and writer born in 1974 in Osaka, where he is currently based. Nishio started his career as an animator on anime including "Moldiver" and the TV series Sosei kishi Gaiasu. As a teenager, he started working on sets of movies by Japanese director Kinji Fukasaku. He moved on from animation, starting off with short films, before making his first feature film National Anthem—a horror film—in 2003. His next movie was the surreal Ochon-chan: Pussy's Adventures in Love and Revolution (Ochonchan no ai to bōken to kakumei おちょんちゃんの愛と冒険と革命) in 2005. Ochon-chan was picked for Osaka's CO2 Film Festival, and then was one of two movies selected from that to feature at the 2005 Raindance Film Festival in London. His most recent film Hakodate Coffee was shot in Hokkaido, Japan, and was based on the manga of the same name. His recent movies are often generally quirky dramas, with a touch of comedy, set in rural Japan. Nishio won the Osaka Film Festival New Director's Award in 2013, for Souru furawâ torein. His most recent movie is the human comedy drama, Shining Star Kuzu.
Jun Hiromichi (廣道 純, Hiromichi Jun; born December 21, 1973) is a Paralympian athlete from Japan competing mainly in…Jun Hiromichi (廣道 純, Hiromichi Jun; born December 21, 1973) is a Paralympian athlete from Japan competing mainly in category T53 wheelchair racing events. Jun competed at the 2000, 2004 and 2008 Summer Paralympics where like many wheelchair racers he competed in events as diverse as the 200m and marathon but both of his medals, a silver in 2000 and bronze in 2004, came in the 800m.
Hololive Production, also known as just Hololive (both names stylized in lowercase), is a virtual YouTuber agency owned…Hololive Production, also known as just Hololive (both names stylized in lowercase), is a virtual YouTuber agency owned by Japanese tech entertainment company Cover Corporation. In addition to acting as a multi-channel network, Hololive Production also handles licensing, merchandising, music production and concert organization. As of June 2026, channels operated by Hololive Production had a combined 95.2 million subscribers on YouTube. The agency includes Japanese, Indonesian and English-speaking talents, including several of the most subscribed VTubers on YouTube and some of the most watched female streamers in the world. The name "Hololive" was initially used for Cover's 3D stream distribution app, launched in December 2017, and later its female VTuber agency, whose first generation debuted from May to June 2018. In December 2019, Hololive was merged with Cover's male Holostars agency and INoNaKa music label under the unified "Hololive Production" brand.
Haruyuki Ishibashi (石橋晴行, Ishibashi Haruyuki) is a Japanese former basketball player and the current assistant coach of…Haruyuki Ishibashi (石橋晴行, Ishibashi Haruyuki) is a Japanese former basketball player and the current assistant coach of the Toyama Grouses in the Japanese B.League. He played college basketball for Osaka Sangyo University. He was selected by the Osaka Evessa with the 14th overall pick in the 2005 bj League draft.
Takumi Nakayama (Japanese: 中山巧, Nakayama Takumi; born 11 November 1973) is a Japanese mixed martial artist and former…Takumi Nakayama (Japanese: 中山巧, Nakayama Takumi; born 11 November 1973) is a Japanese mixed martial artist and former King of Pancrase Featherweight Champion. He is also the former King of the Cage Lightweight Champion. "Takumi"(タクミ, all katakana) ring name of Nakayama in Japan.
Kiyotaka Ishimaru (石丸 清隆, Ishimaru Kiyotaka; born October 30, 1973) is a Japanese professional football manager and…Kiyotaka Ishimaru (石丸 清隆, Ishimaru Kiyotaka; born October 30, 1973) is a Japanese professional football manager and former player.
Tomoka Shibasaki (柴崎 友香, Shibasaki Tomoka; born October 20, 1973) is a Japanese writer from Osaka. She has won the Noma…Tomoka Shibasaki (柴崎 友香, Shibasaki Tomoka; born October 20, 1973) is a Japanese writer from Osaka. She has won the Noma Literary New Face Prize and the Akutagawa Prize, and two of her works have been adapted for film.
Ryozo Tsujimoto (辻本良三, Tsujimoto Ryozo) (born October 18, 1973) is a Japanese video game producer and game designer. He…Ryozo Tsujimoto (辻本良三, Tsujimoto Ryozo) (born October 18, 1973) is a Japanese video game producer and game designer. He is currently an Executive Corporate Officer at Capcom. He is also the son of Capcom founder and CEO Kenzo Tsujimoto, and the younger brother of President and COO Haruhiro Tsujimoto.
Hirotaka Ishikawa (born September 12, 1973, in Osaka Prefecture) is a Japanese politician who has served as a member of…Hirotaka Ishikawa (born September 12, 1973, in Osaka Prefecture) is a Japanese politician who has served as a member of the House of Councillors of Japan since 2010. He represents the Osaka at-large district and is a member of the Komeito party.
Kazutoyo Koyabu (小籔 千豊, Koyabu Kazutoyo; born September 11, 1973 in Sumiyoshi-ku, Osaka) is a Japanese TV comedian…Kazutoyo Koyabu (小籔 千豊, Koyabu Kazutoyo; born September 11, 1973 in Sumiyoshi-ku, Osaka) is a Japanese TV comedian, presenter, tarento, and musician, represented by Yoshimoto Kogyo. He was the chairman of the comedy troupe Yoshimoto Shinkigeki from 2006 to 2022 and drummer for the band Genie High. Koyabu graduated as the 12th generation class from Yoshimoto NSC Osaka and speaks with an Osaka dialect.
Norihiro Nakamura (中村 紀洋, Nakamura Norihiko; born July 24, 1973) is a Japanese former professional baseball third…Norihiro Nakamura (中村 紀洋, Nakamura Norihiko; born July 24, 1973) is a Japanese former professional baseball third baseman. Nakamura spent almost all of his professional career in Japan with the Osaka Kintetsu Buffaloes. Nakamura had a .266 career batting average, 404 home runs and 1348 RBI, and was an eight-time All-Star and four-time Golden Glove winner. Nakamura is one of only 16 players to have hit 400 or more home runs in NPB. He also played briefly for the Los Angeles Dodgers of Major League Baseball in 2005.
Sōhei Niikawa (Japanese: 新川宗平, Hepburn: Niikawa Sōhei) is a Japanese video game developer and executive known for…Sōhei Niikawa (Japanese: 新川宗平, Hepburn: Niikawa Sōhei) is a Japanese video game developer and executive known for creating the Disgaea series. He joined Nippon Ichi Software in 1996, and was its CEO and president from 2009 to 2022. In March 2025, Niikawa announced that he had founded a new company, SuperNiche. Two games were listed as them being involved with: an adaptation of Etrange Overlord where they were working with developer Gemdrops in production, and an untitled production. It later emerged that after his resignation in 2022, Niikawa shopped around game pitches, manga scripts, and novels under the pen name "Roman Kitayama". The eventual result was Etrange Overlord, which was credited to Kitayama (really Niikawa) as author.
Akio Mizuta (水田 章雄, Mizuta Akio; born July 11, 1973) is a Nippon Professional Baseball pitcher for the Fukuoka SoftBank…Akio Mizuta (水田 章雄, Mizuta Akio; born July 11, 1973) is a Nippon Professional Baseball pitcher for the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks in Japan's Pacific League.
Yuji Sonoda (苑田 右二, Sonoda Yūji; born 5 July 1973 in Osaka) is a Japanese former rugby union player and currently…Yuji Sonoda (苑田 右二, Sonoda Yūji; born 5 July 1973 in Osaka) is a Japanese former rugby union player and currently coach. He played as scrum-half. He is the current coach of Hosei University RFC. He is nicknamed "Son".
Yasuhiko Yabuta (薮田 安彦, Yabuta Yasuhiko; born June 19, 1973) is a Japanese former baseball pitcher. Yabuta made his…Yasuhiko Yabuta (薮田 安彦, Yabuta Yasuhiko; born June 19, 1973) is a Japanese former baseball pitcher. Yabuta made his professional debut with the Marines in 1996, and spent 12 years with the organization. He competed in the 2006 World Baseball Classic and struck out Alex Rodriguez, Johnny Damon, and Derrek Lee. He served as a setup man for the Marines in 2007 recording a 4–6 record with a 2.73 ERA in 58 games. After the season, he declared his free agency and came to America to pursue a Major League Baseball career. On November 22, 2007, the Kansas City Star reported that the Kansas City Royals agreed with Yabuta on a two-year contract with a club option for 2010. Yabuta officially signed with the Royals on November 28, 2007. He signed a two-year, $6 million deal with the Kansas City Royals. The deal included a $4 million club option for a third year. Yabuta was sent down to Triple-A Omaha Royals on June 25, 2008. He was designated for assignment on August 2 and was eventually sent outright to the minors. He was brought back to the Royals when the rosters expanded on September 1. His teammates on the Royals have given him the nickname "Shake." On November 24, 2009, he signed a one-year deal with his old team Chiba Lotte, and he has remained with the team since.
Katsunori Okamoto (岡本 克道, Okamoto Katsunori; born June 9, 1973) is a Japanese former Nippon Professional Baseball…Katsunori Okamoto (岡本 克道, Okamoto Katsunori; born June 9, 1973) is a Japanese former Nippon Professional Baseball pitcher.
Yutaka Nakamura (中村 豊, Nakamura Yutaka; born April 23, 1973 in Sakai, Osaka) is a retired Japanese professional…Yutaka Nakamura (中村 豊, Nakamura Yutaka; born April 23, 1973 in Sakai, Osaka) is a retired Japanese professional outfielder.
Keiji Hirose (廣瀬佳司, Hirose Keiji), born April 16, 1973, in Osaka) is a former Japanese rugby union player. He played as…Keiji Hirose (廣瀬佳司, Hirose Keiji), born April 16, 1973, in Osaka) is a former Japanese rugby union player. He played as a fly-half. His club team was Toyota Verblitz. He was nicknamed Golden Boots (ゴールデン・ブーツ, Gôruden Būtsu). Hirose was awarded 40 caps for Japan; he made his debut in a 26–11 1995 Rugby World Cup qualifier win over South Korea, October 29, 1994, in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. In his career, Hirose scored 5 tries, 77 conversions, 79 penalties and 2 drop goals, reaching a national record of 422 points in aggregate. He was the primary goalkicker for Japan during his international career. He played in a single game at the 1995 Rugby World Cup, the infamous 145–17 defeat to New Zealand. Hirose scored 2 conversions and 1 penalty in the game. In the 44–17 win over Tonga, at 8 May 1999, in Tokyo, during the Pacific Rim Championship, he kicked a then record of 9 penalties from 9 attempts. He played in all three of Japan's games at the 1999 Rugby World Cup. His 5 penalties and 4 conversions (a total of 23 points) led his country in scoring. Hirose again played only once at the 2003 Rugby World Cup, in a 32–11 defeat to Scotland, at 12 October 2003, scoring 2 penalties. His last international game came was on 5 November 2005, a 44–29 win over Spain, in Tokyo. Hirose had a memorable farewell, scoring 19 points through 5 conversions, 2 penalties and 1 drop goal. He was 32 years old.
Keiko Aono (青野敬子, Aono Keiko) is a Japanese retired professional wrestler best known for her tenure with the defunct…Keiko Aono (青野敬子, Aono Keiko) is a Japanese retired professional wrestler best known for her tenure with the defunct Japanese promotions JWP Joshi Puroresu, Ladies Legend Pro-Wrestling and World Woman Pro-Wrestling Diana.
Masaaki Daito (大塔 正明, Daitō Masaaki; born 5 April 1973) is a former baseball player from Japan. He played in the…Masaaki Daito (大塔 正明, Daitō Masaaki; born 5 April 1973) is a former baseball player from Japan. He played in the Central League for the Chunichi Dragons.
Kanako Abe (Japanese: 阿部 加奈子, romanized: Abe Kanako; born 23 March 1973 in Ōsaka, Ōsaka prefecture) is a Japanese…Kanako Abe (Japanese: 阿部 加奈子, romanized: Abe Kanako; born 23 March 1973 in Ōsaka, Ōsaka prefecture) is a Japanese conductor, composer and pianist. Based in The Hague, Netherlands, she has performed works by contemporary composers, including Tōru Takemitsu, Michaël Levinas, Régis Campo and Bushra El-Turk.
