Mayo Kawasaki (川﨑麻世, Kawasaki Mayo; born 1 March 1963, in Kita-ku, Kyoto, Japan) is a Japanese actor and singer. He…Mayo Kawasaki (川﨑麻世, Kawasaki Mayo; born 1 March 1963, in Kita-ku, Kyoto, Japan) is a Japanese actor and singer. He grew up in Hirakata, Osaka. His father is former actor Jo Azumi. His wife is Carolyn Kawasaki.
Yuzo Ishikawa (石川 雄三, Ishikawa Yūzō; born June 18, 1962, in Asahi-ku, Osaka, Osaka Prefecture, Japan), better known as…Yuzo Ishikawa (石川 雄三, Ishikawa Yūzō; born June 18, 1962, in Asahi-ku, Osaka, Osaka Prefecture, Japan), better known as Tajin (タージン, Tājin), is a Japanese comedian, reporter, and radio personality who is represented by the talent agency, Wako Promotion. Tajin is an active reporter mainly in the Kansai region, by the nicknames Kansai No. 1 Reporter (関西No.1リポーター, Kansai Nanbā 1 Ripōtā) and Location God (King-Emperor) (ロケの神様（王様・帝王）, Roke no Kamisama (Ōsama Teiō)).
Yasufumi Terawaki (寺脇康文, Terawaki Yasufumi) is a Japanese actor. He was nominated for Best Supporting Actor at the 32nd…Yasufumi Terawaki (寺脇康文, Terawaki Yasufumi) is a Japanese actor. He was nominated for Best Supporting Actor at the 32nd Japan Academy Prize for Aibō The Movie.
Masami Hisamoto (Japanese: 久本雅美, Hepburn: Hisamoto Masami; born July 9, 1958) is a Japanese comedian, actress, singer…Masami Hisamoto (Japanese: 久本雅美, Hepburn: Hisamoto Masami; born July 9, 1958) is a Japanese comedian, actress, singer and tarento from Kami, Osaka. She belongs to the Wahaha-Hompo talent agency, appearing on variety shows like Waratte Iitomo! and Hirunandesu!. She has also been a notable adherent to Soka Gakkai since 1984 and became an internet meme for it.
Yōko Akino (秋野 暢子 Akino Yōko, born Yōko Tashiro, 田代 暢子 Tashiro Yōko, born 18 January 1957 in Osaka, Japan) is a…Yōko Akino (秋野 暢子 Akino Yōko, born Yōko Tashiro, 田代 暢子 Tashiro Yōko, born 18 January 1957 in Osaka, Japan) is a Japanese actress.
Akio Ishii (Japanese: 石井朗夫, Hepburn: Ishii Akio; born October 19, 1955), known professionally as LaSalle Ishii (ラサール石井…Akio Ishii (Japanese: 石井朗夫, Hepburn: Ishii Akio; born October 19, 1955), known professionally as LaSalle Ishii (ラサール石井, Rasāru Ishii), is a Japanese TV personality, actor, director, writer, columnist, and politician. He named himself after his high school Japanese La Salle Academy. His best-known anime role is Kankichi Ryotsu the lead character in Kochira Katsushika-ku Kameari Kōen-mae Hashutsujo which ran from 1999 to 2004 for 373 episodes. In 2025, he ran in the House of Councillors election in the proportional representation district as a member of the Social Democratic Party, winning a seat. On September 24 the same year, the managerial committee of SDP announced it approved his inauguration as its Vice-Chairman.
Yasushi Tao (田尾 安志, Tao Yasushi; born January 8, 1954 in Mitoyo, Kagawa) is a Japanese retired Nippon Professional…Yasushi Tao (田尾 安志, Tao Yasushi; born January 8, 1954 in Mitoyo, Kagawa) is a Japanese retired Nippon Professional Baseball player. He was raised in Osaka. After playing, Tao managed the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles. In his one year as manager, the Eagles finished in last in the PL and was the first PL team in 40 years to lose over 90 games in a single season.
Shofukutei Tsurube II (笑福亭 鶴瓶 (2代目), Shōfukutei Tsurube (Nidaime)), born Manabu Suruga (駿河 学, Suruga Manabu), is a…Shofukutei Tsurube II (笑福亭 鶴瓶 (2代目), Shōfukutei Tsurube (Nidaime)), born Manabu Suruga (駿河 学, Suruga Manabu), is a Japanese rakugo comedian and actor.
Akiko Wada (和田 アキ子, Wada Akiko; born April 10, 1950) is an ethnically Korean/Japanese singer, tarento and businesswoman…Akiko Wada (和田 アキ子, Wada Akiko; born April 10, 1950) is an ethnically Korean/Japanese singer, tarento and businesswoman from Tennōji-ku, Osaka, Osaka Prefecture. She has various nicknames, one being "Akko". Due to her above-average height (174 cm or 5’8.5"), she is also nicknamed jotei (女帝), meaning "empress".
Takao Horiuchi (堀内孝雄, Horiuchi Takao; born October 27, 1949 in Abeno-ku, Osaka) is a Japanese pop and enka singer. He…Takao Horiuchi (堀内孝雄, Horiuchi Takao; born October 27, 1949 in Abeno-ku, Osaka) is a Japanese pop and enka singer. He won a 1990 Japan Record Award for enka.
Takajin Yashiki (やしき たかじん, Yashiki Takajin; real name Takaji Yashiki (家鋪 隆仁, Yashiki Takaji)), often referred to as…Takajin Yashiki (やしき たかじん, Yashiki Takajin; real name Takaji Yashiki (家鋪 隆仁, Yashiki Takaji)), often referred to as simply Takajin (たかじん), (5 October 1949 – 3 January 2014) was a Japanese singer and television personality. Born in Nishinari-ku, Osaka, Japan, to a Zainichi-issei Korean father Gonzaburou ((unknown surname) 權三郞) and a Japanese mother Mitsuko Yashiki (Japanese: 家鋪光子), he started his singing career in the 1970s in Gion, Kyoto, and then moved to Shimokitazawa, Tokyo in 1980. In 1981, he sang the theme song of the first movie of the Mobile Suit Gundam, Suna no Jūjika and it sold thirteen thousand CDs. He moved back to Osaka in 1982 and had been active mainly in the Kansai region since then. He sang many songs about Osaka such as Yappa Suki Yanen (1986), Osaka Koi Monogatari (1989), Nametonka (1990) and Tokyo (1993). He was popular in Kansai as a frank television presenter. Having made public his dislike of Tokyo, Takajin rarely made appearances on TV stations in Tokyo. He also kept a blacklist of people he wouldn't appear with. His trademark was sunglasses. He wore them because of his taste and glaucoma. In January 2012, he announced that he had been diagnosed with esophageal cancer, and that he would take a leave and concentrate on its treatment. He made a short comeback in 2013, but he died on January 3, 2014. Takajin owned five racehorses between years 1998-2006.
Masataka Itsumi (逸見 政孝, Itsumi Masataka; February 16, 1945 – December 25, 1993) was a Japanese television announcer…Masataka Itsumi (逸見 政孝, Itsumi Masataka; February 16, 1945 – December 25, 1993) was a Japanese television announcer, tarento, writer, singer and master of ceremonies. His nickname was "It's me". He was friends with Shingo Yamashiro. His son, Taro Itsumi is an actor, and his daughter, Ai Itsumi is an actress, tarento, and announcer. Born in Osaka, Itsumi became a popular master of ceremonies. He was the only person who was able to govern three big talents; Takeshi Kitano, Sanma Akashiya and Tamori. On 6 September 1993, he announced that he was suffering from stomach cancer. Japanese mass media reported on his condition. He died of linitis plastica on December 25, 1993, at the age of 48.
Toshio Sakata (7 October 1941 – 29 December 2023) was a Japanese comedian, known as part of the Comedy No. 1 duo with…Toshio Sakata (7 October 1941 – 29 December 2023) was a Japanese comedian, known as part of the Comedy No. 1 duo with Goro Maeda.
Sandayū Dokumamushi (毒蝮 三太夫, Dokumamushi Sandayū) born Iyoshi Ishii (石井 伊吉, Ishii Iyoshi) on 31 March 1936 in Osaka…Sandayū Dokumamushi (毒蝮 三太夫, Dokumamushi Sandayū) born Iyoshi Ishii (石井 伊吉, Ishii Iyoshi) on 31 March 1936 in Osaka, Japan) is a Japanese actor. He portrayed the role of Daisuke Arashi in the original Ultraman series (1966-1967) and Shigeru Furuhashi in Ultra Seven. He has been a radio personality on the Tokyo Broadcasting System (TBS) since 1969. His radio program is famous for vulgar language and is popular with an older audience.
Joe Shishido (宍戸 錠, Shishido Jō; December 6, 1933 – January 18, 2020) was a Japanese actor recognizable for his…Joe Shishido (宍戸 錠, Shishido Jō; December 6, 1933 – January 18, 2020) was a Japanese actor recognizable for his intense, eccentric yakuza film roles. He appeared in some 300 films but is best known in the West for his performance in the cult film Branded to Kill (1967). In Japan, he is also known by the nickname Joe the Ace (エースのジョー, Ēsu no Jō) for his popular role in the Western Quick Draw Joe (1961).
Akiyuki Nosaka (野坂 昭如, Nosaka Akiyuki; October 10, 1930 – December 9, 2015) was a Japanese novelist, journalist…Akiyuki Nosaka (野坂 昭如, Nosaka Akiyuki; October 10, 1930 – December 9, 2015) was a Japanese novelist, journalist, singer, lyricist, and member of the House of Councillors. As a broadcasting writer he used the name Yukio Aki (阿木 由紀夫, Aki Yukio) and his alias as a chanson singer was Claude Nosaka (クロード 野坂, Kurōdo Nosaka). He wrote the short story "Grave of the Fireflies" based on his experiences in the wake of American bombing during the Second World War; the short story has been adapted into both an animated film and a live-action film.
Sugako Hashida (橋田 壽賀子, Hashida Sugako; May 10, 1925 – April 4, 2021) was a Japanese scriptwriter. She is known…Sugako Hashida (橋田 壽賀子, Hashida Sugako; May 10, 1925 – April 4, 2021) was a Japanese scriptwriter. She is known particularly for writing the NHK Asadora Oshin, and was considered Japan's most successful TV drama scriptwriter. She established Hashida Cultural Foundation. Her real name was Sugako Iwasaki (岩﨑 壽賀子, Iwasaki Sugako).
Rome Kanda (神田 瀧夢, Kanda Romu) is a Japanese television personality (tarento), comedian, and actor based in the United…Rome Kanda (神田 瀧夢, Kanda Romu) is a Japanese television personality (tarento), comedian, and actor based in the United States. Kanda currently lives and works in Los Angeles, California. Born in Kishiwada, Kanda spent his early career as an actor with his debut movie, Tokyo Pop directed by Fran Rubel Kuzui and filmed in Japan and the USA in 1987. After deciding to be an actor and comedian, he moved to the USA in 1999 and made his first appearances on Ned's Declassified School Survival Guide as a samurai. Kanda is also known for his hosting role on the "Majide" game on I Survived a Japanese Game Show in 2008 and 2009 and played host Kei Kato on the G4 broadcasts of Kinniku Banzuke. He has also appeared on Late Night with Conan O'Brien, Saturday Night Live, and in a commercial for the New York Mets as a sushi chef. Kanda has also starred in films such as Takeshi Kitano's film Sonatine. His most recent film appearance has been a supportive role (President of the Japanese corporation) in The Informant! (2009), a Matt Damon film directed by Steven Soderbergh. Kanda recently appeared as a spokesman and personality for Sun Drop. He appears in several TV commercials playing a soda sommelier named "The Taste Master". Kanda is familiar with a variety of Japanese traditional performing arts and martial arts such as Buyō, Karate, Kendo, Iaido, among which is samurai sword fighting, which he teaches, while he continues to perform at a comedy club in Hollywood as a comedian. Kanda was chosen to be one of the speakers at "TEDxTOKYO 2010 HIT RESET" held in Tokyo on May 15, 2010.
Sayuri Matsumura (松村 沙友理, Matsumura Sayuri; born August 27, 1992) is a Japanese actress, television personality, and…Sayuri Matsumura (松村 沙友理, Matsumura Sayuri; born August 27, 1992) is a Japanese actress, television personality, and YouTuber. She is a former first generation member of the idol girl group Nogizaka46. She is affiliated with First Agent.
