Hiromasa Ezoe (June 12, 1936 – February 8, 2013) was a Japanese industrialist who founded Recruit Holdings. He is…Hiromasa Ezoe (June 12, 1936 – February 8, 2013) was a Japanese industrialist who founded Recruit Holdings. He is remembered as one of the most prolific entrepreneurs educated at the University of Tokyo, alongside Kiichiro Toyoda (founder of Toyota) and Namihei Odaira (founder of Hitachi). Ezoe was also the central figure in the Recruit insider trading scandal, which fundamentally changed the Japanese political landscape after the resignation of prominent figures including then-PM Noboru Takeshita.
Ichirō Inaba (稲葉 一郎, Inaba Ichirō; 3 May 1936 – 23 September 2017) was a Japanese historian of China and professor…Ichirō Inaba (稲葉 一郎, Inaba Ichirō; 3 May 1936 – 23 September 2017) was a Japanese historian of China and professor emeritus at Kwansei Gakuin University.
Sō Nishimura (西村 宗, Nishimura Sou); (born April 28, 1936) is a Japanese manga artist from Izumiōtsu. Nishimura's…Sō Nishimura (西村 宗, Nishimura Sou); (born April 28, 1936) is a Japanese manga artist from Izumiōtsu. Nishimura's best-known work is the yonkoma comedy Sarari-kun (サラリ君, Mr. Salary), which earned Nishimura the 1985 Bungeishunjū Manga Award and the Japanese Cartoonists' Association's Excellence Prize for 2000.
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.
Akio Nakajima (Japanese: 中島章夫; 27 January 1936 – 8 June 2024) was a Japanese politician. As a member of the Japan New…Akio Nakajima (Japanese: 中島章夫; 27 January 1936 – 8 June 2024) was a Japanese politician. As a member of the Japan New Party, the New Party Sakigake, and the Democratic Party, he served in the House of Representatives from 1993 to 1996 and in the House of Councillors from 2003 to 2004.
Tadatoshi Miyagawa (水谷川忠俊, Miyagawa Tadatoshi; born 9 December 1935) is a Japanese composer, a Gagaku performer and…Tadatoshi Miyagawa (水谷川忠俊, Miyagawa Tadatoshi; born 9 December 1935) is a Japanese composer, a Gagaku performer and researcher, as well as a music arranger. His former last and first name was Konoe Toshitake (近衛俊健). He is a 13th generation Patrilinear descendant, also known as the male line, of Emperor Go-Yōzei, Emperor of Japan.
Toshihiko Fukui (福井 俊彦, Fukui Toshihiko; 7 September 1935) is a Japanese economist and central banker. He was the 29th…Toshihiko Fukui (福井 俊彦, Fukui Toshihiko; 7 September 1935) is a Japanese economist and central banker. He was the 29th Governor of the Bank of Japan (BOJ) and a Director of the Bank for International Settlements (BIS).
Junichi Seki (Japanese: 關 淳一 Seki Jun'ichi; 13 August 1935 – 9 June 2024) was a Japanese politician. An independent, he…Junichi Seki (Japanese: 關 淳一 Seki Jun'ichi; 13 August 1935 – 9 June 2024) was a Japanese politician. An independent, he served as mayor of Osaka from 2003 to 2007. Seki died on 9 June 2024, at the age of 88.
Etsushi Takahashi (高橋 悦史, Takahashi Etsushi; 2 August 1935 – 19 May 1996) was a Japanese actor from Kishiwada, Osaka…Etsushi Takahashi (高橋 悦史, Takahashi Etsushi; 2 August 1935 – 19 May 1996) was a Japanese actor from Kishiwada, Osaka Prefecture. Takahashi often worked with Kihachi Okamoto and Satsuo Yamamoto. After graduating from Rikkyo University, Takahashi joined NHK acting school. In 1964, he joined Bungakuza Theatre Company's acting school and became an official member in 1967. In the same year, he gave his film debut with Watashi Machigatterukashira?. He received the Elan d'or Award for Newcomer of the Year in 1968. He appeared in Onihei's Detective Records, although he was fighting against cancer, and the film became his final film appearance.
Taeko Tomioka (富岡 多恵子, Tomioka Taeko; July 28, 1935 – April 6, 2023) was a Japanese writer. She was born in Osaka, was…Taeko Tomioka (富岡 多恵子, Tomioka Taeko; July 28, 1935 – April 6, 2023) was a Japanese writer. She was born in Osaka, was educated at Osaka Women's College, worked as a high school English teacher and moved to Tokyo in 1960. Tomioka visited New York City in 1964 and returned home to Japan in 1966. In 1969, she married Suga Kishio. Tomioka published several collections of poems. Henrei (1958) won the Mr. H Prize (H-shi Shō), awarded by the Association of Contemporary Japanese Poets. Monogatari no akuru hi (1961) received the 'Muro Saisei Prize. Tomioka also wrote a poetical drama Matsuri (1959) and a screenplay Shinju ten no Amijima (Double suicide, 1968). In 1971, she published the novel Oka ni mukatte hito wa narabu (Facing the Hills they stand). In 1974, Tomioka wrote Shokubutsu sai, which received the Tamura Toshiko Prize. In 1974, she published Meido no kazoku (Family in hell), which received the Women's Literature Prize. Her 1983 novel Namiutsu tochi was published in English as Building Waves (2012: ISBN 9781564787156). Tomioka also translated some English works by authors such as Gertrude Stein into Japanese. She has also produced essays on literature from a feminist viewpoint. In 1993, she published Nobuyoshi Araki: Akt-Tokyo, 1971-1991, a book of erotic photography. In 1997, Tomioka wrote Hiberunia kikō (A journey to Ireland), which received the Noma Literary Prize. In 2000, The Funeral of a Giraffe: Seven Stories, a collection of her stories translated from Japanese to English, was published. Tomioka died on April 6, 2023, at the age of 87.
Mitsuru Hotta (堀田 満, Hotta Mitsuru) (23 July 1935 – 8 July 2015) was a Japanese botanist best known for his research on…Mitsuru Hotta (堀田 満, Hotta Mitsuru) (23 July 1935 – 8 July 2015) was a Japanese botanist best known for his research on Araceae. Hotta was born in Osaka, Japan in 1935. He graduated from the Agricultural Department of Osaka Prefecture University in 1960. The same year, he took part in the Tonga and Fiji Expedition organised by Kyoto University. Between 1963 and 1964, Hotta made numerous plant collections in Borneo together with Professor Minoru Hirano of Osaka City University.
Kotaro Ikeguchi (13 July 1935 – 8 February 2019), known by his pen name Taichi Sakaiya, was a Japanese economist and…Kotaro Ikeguchi (13 July 1935 – 8 February 2019), known by his pen name Taichi Sakaiya, was a Japanese economist and author.
Keiji Hase (長谷 景治, Hase Keiji; born 3 July 1935) is a Japanese former backstroke swimmer who competed in the 1956…Keiji Hase (長谷 景治, Hase Keiji; born 3 July 1935) is a Japanese former backstroke swimmer who competed in the 1956 Summer Olympics.
Yoshihiro Tatsumi (辰巳 ヨシヒロ, Tatsumi Yoshihiro; June 10, 1935 – March 7, 2015) was a Japanese manga artist whose work…Yoshihiro Tatsumi (辰巳 ヨシヒロ, Tatsumi Yoshihiro; June 10, 1935 – March 7, 2015) was a Japanese manga artist whose work was first published in his teens, and continued through the rest of his life. He is widely credited with starting the gekiga style of alternative manga in Japan, having allegedly coined the term in 1957. His work frequently illustrated the darker elements of life.
Akira Kitaguchi (北口 晃, Kitaguchi Akira; born March 8, 1935) is a former Japanese football player. He played for Japan…Akira Kitaguchi (北口 晃, Kitaguchi Akira; born March 8, 1935) is a former Japanese football player. He played for Japan national team.
Yoshiomi Tamai (玉井 義臣, Tamai Yoshiomi; 6 February 1935 – 5 July 2025) was a Japanese activist, philanthropist and…Yoshiomi Tamai (玉井 義臣, Tamai Yoshiomi; 6 February 1935 – 5 July 2025) was a Japanese activist, philanthropist and educator who was the founder and president of Ashinaga and the founder and headmaster of Kokorojuku dormitory.
Ritsuo Horimoto (堀本律雄, Horimoto Ritsuo; January 20, 1935 – January 14, 2012) was a Japanese baseball pitcher. He played…Ritsuo Horimoto (堀本律雄, Horimoto Ritsuo; January 20, 1935 – January 14, 2012) was a Japanese baseball pitcher. He played for the Yomiuri Giants from 1960 to 1962, winning both the Central League Rookie of the Year Award and the Eiji Sawamura Award in his first season. The Giants won the Japan Series the next year, and traded him for Toshio Yanagida at the end of the 1962 season. Horimoto closed his playing career with the Orions franchise, and coached the Yokohama Taiyo Whales in two stints from 1977 to 1978 and 1991 to 1992. He then joined the Nippon Ham Fighters coaching staff for two seasons, 1993 and 1994, followed by a return to coaching in 1997 with the Uni-President Lions, a Chinese Professional Baseball League team. Horimoto died of pneumonia in Yokohama on January 14, 2012, at the age of 76.
Tomiko Ishii (石井 トミコ, Ishii Tomiko; 12 January 1935 – 6 October 2022) was a Japanese actress. Ishii died on 6 October…Tomiko Ishii (石井 トミコ, Ishii Tomiko; 12 January 1935 – 6 October 2022) was a Japanese actress. Ishii died on 6 October 2022, at the age of 87.
Norio Nobuhito Maeda (前田 憲男, Maeda Norio; December 6, 1934 – November 25, 2018 Osaka Prefecture) was a Japanese jazz…Norio Nobuhito Maeda (前田 憲男, Maeda Norio; December 6, 1934 – November 25, 2018 Osaka Prefecture) was a Japanese jazz composer and pianist. Maeda learned piano as a young child, and moved to Tokyo to play and arrange jazz professionally in 1955. There he played with Shungo Sawada's ensemble and founded a group called the Wind Breakers. He joined the West Liners, led by Konosuke Saijo, as a pianist and arranger in 1959. Known as a composer, he penned pieces for The Blue Coats, Tatsuya Takahashi, Nobuo Hara, and Toshiyuki Miyama. He also founded We 3 with Yasuo Arakawa and Takeshi Inomata, and later worked with Inomata again in a trio with Sadanori Nakamure. On 25 November 2018, Maeda died from pneumonia at a hospital in Tokyo.
Taku Mayumura (眉村 卓 Mayumura Taku, 20 October 1934 – 3 November 2019) was a Japanese novelist, science fiction writer…Taku Mayumura (眉村 卓 Mayumura Taku, 20 October 1934 – 3 November 2019) was a Japanese novelist, science fiction writer and haiku poet. He won the Seiun Award for Novel twice. His novel Shiseikan (司政官, Administrator, one story of the "Shiseikan series"), written in 1974, was translated into English by Daniel Jackson in 2004. Mayumura was also a young adult fiction writer whose works have been adapted into TV drama, film, and anime. Mayumura was an honorary member of the SFWJ (Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of Japan).
Yasutaka Tsutsui (筒井 康隆, Tsutsui Yasutaka; born September 24, 1934 in Osaka) is a Japanese novelist, science fiction…Yasutaka Tsutsui (筒井 康隆, Tsutsui Yasutaka; born September 24, 1934 in Osaka) is a Japanese novelist, science fiction author, and actor. His Yumenokizaka bunkiten won the Tanizaki Prize in 1987. He has also won the 1981 Izumi Kyoka award, the 1989 Kawabata Yasunari award, and the 1992 Nihon SF Taisho Award.
Yoshio Furukawa (古川 好男, Furukawa Yoshio; born July 5, 1934) is a former Japanese football player. He played for Japan…Yoshio Furukawa (古川 好男, Furukawa Yoshio; born July 5, 1934) is a former Japanese football player. He played for Japan national team.
Ikuo Kushiro MJA (久城 育夫, Kushiro Ikuo, born March 30, 1934, in Osaka Prefecture) is a Japanese petrologist, known for…Ikuo Kushiro MJA (久城 育夫, Kushiro Ikuo, born March 30, 1934, in Osaka Prefecture) is a Japanese petrologist, known for his research in experimental petrology. His experiments on peridotites contributed significantly to the understanding of the formation of magma under mid-ocean ridges and island arcs.
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).
Takamitsu Azuma (東 孝光, Azuma Takamitsu; September 20, 1933 – June 18, 2015) was a Japanese architect, and winner of the…Takamitsu Azuma (東 孝光, Azuma Takamitsu; September 20, 1933 – June 18, 2015) was a Japanese architect, and winner of the 1995 the Prize of AIJ (Architectural Institute of Japan). He was a follower of Le Corbusier and was one of the most significant architects of the 20th century, combining traditional Japanese styles with modernism, and designed new types of houses symbolized living in the metropolis.
Takaharu Doi (Japanese: 土肥孝治 Doi Takaharu; 12 July 1933 – 1 August 2023) was a Japanese lawyer. He served as…Takaharu Doi (Japanese: 土肥孝治 Doi Takaharu; 12 July 1933 – 1 August 2023) was a Japanese lawyer. He served as Prosecutor-General of Japan from 1996 to 1998. Doi died of heart failure on 1 August 2023, at the age of 90.
Ryōhei Tanaka (1933- 2019) was a Japanese artist. He specialised in printmaking, through etching. His works are in…Ryōhei Tanaka (1933- 2019) was a Japanese artist. He specialised in printmaking, through etching. His works are in several collections, including those of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Cleveland Museum of Art. and the National Museum of Singapore.
Oda Makoto (小田 実, Oda Makoto; June 2, 1932 – July 30, 2007) was a Japanese novelist, peace activist, academic and Time…Oda Makoto (小田 実, Oda Makoto; June 2, 1932 – July 30, 2007) was a Japanese novelist, peace activist, academic and Time Asian Hero.
Jun'ya Yano (矢野 絢也, Yano Junya; born 27 April 1932) is a retired Japanese politician and political commentator who…Jun'ya Yano (矢野 絢也, Yano Junya; born 27 April 1932) is a retired Japanese politician and political commentator who served as the fourth leader of Komeito between 1986 and 1989. Over a decade after leaving politics, Yano has become a notable critic of the party and its religious partner Soka Gakkai.
Ineko Arima (有馬稲子, Arima Ineko; born 3 April 1932) is a Japanese stage and film actress. She has appeared in films of…Ineko Arima (有馬稲子, Arima Ineko; born 3 April 1932) is a Japanese stage and film actress. She has appeared in films of directors such as Yasujirō Ozu, Mikio Naruse and Kon Ichikawa. In 1954, Arima co-founded Ninjin Club with Keiko Kishi and Yoshiko Kuga.
Tadanari Okamoto (岡本 忠成, Okamoto Tadanari; January 11, 1932 – February 16, 1990) was a Japanese independent animator.…Tadanari Okamoto (岡本 忠成, Okamoto Tadanari; January 11, 1932 – February 16, 1990) was a Japanese independent animator. From 1965 until his death he completed at least 37 short subject films in a wide variety of mediums, many of them winning award-winning, his honorific nicknamed "Sheldon Cohen and Hans Fischerkoesen of Japan".
Fujiko Yamamoto (山本富士子, Yamamoto Fujiko) (born 11 December 1931) is a Japanese stage, film and television actress. She…Fujiko Yamamoto (山本富士子, Yamamoto Fujiko) (born 11 December 1931) is a Japanese stage, film and television actress. She was the winner of the first Miss Nippon Grand Prix in 1950, and appeared in over 100 films between 1953 and 1963, including works by directors Yasujirō Ozu, Kon Ichikawa, Shirō Toyoda and Kōzaburō Yoshimura.
Masami Kubota (久保田正躬, Kubota Msami; born 6 December 1931) is a Japanese former gymnast who competed in the 1956 Summer…Masami Kubota (久保田正躬, Kubota Msami; born 6 December 1931) is a Japanese former gymnast who competed in the 1956 Summer Olympics.
Ryuzo Hiraki (平木 隆三, Hiraki Ryūzō; October 7, 1931 – January 2, 2009) was a Japanese football player and manager. He…Ryuzo Hiraki (平木 隆三, Hiraki Ryūzō; October 7, 1931 – January 2, 2009) was a Japanese football player and manager. He played for Japan national team.
Kazumi Takahashi (高橋 和巳, Takahashi Kazumi; 31 August 1931—3 May 1971) was a Japanese novelist and scholar of Chinese…Kazumi Takahashi (高橋 和巳, Takahashi Kazumi; 31 August 1931—3 May 1971) was a Japanese novelist and scholar of Chinese literature in Shōwa-era Japan. His wife was fellow writer Takako Takahashi.
Kaoru Yachigusa (八千草 薫, Yachigusa Kaoru; 6 January 1931 – 24 October 2019) was a Japanese actress from Osaka…Kaoru Yachigusa (八千草 薫, Yachigusa Kaoru; 6 January 1931 – 24 October 2019) was a Japanese actress from Osaka Prefecture. From 1947 to 1957, she was a member of the Takarazuka Revue. After leaving the revue, she was active in film, television, and narration. In 1975, She famously quit part way through the filming of the television series Akai Giwaku, outraged at being forced to work at times dictated by idol Momoe Yamaguchi's schedule. Her husband, director Senkichi Taniguchi, died on October 29, 2007, in Tokyo, Japan. The couple had been married since 1957. Yachigusa died on October 24, 2019, at a Tokyo hospital from pancreatic cancer, aged 88.
Takeshi Kaikō (開高 健, Kaikō Takeshi; 30 December 1930 – 9 December 1989), also known as Ken Kaikō, was a Japanese…Takeshi Kaikō (開高 健, Kaikō Takeshi; 30 December 1930 – 9 December 1989), also known as Ken Kaikō, was a Japanese novelist, short-story writer, essayist, literary critic, and television documentary writer. He was distinguished by his knowledge, intellect, sense of humor and conversational skills, and although his style has been criticized as wordy and obtuse, he was one of the more popular Japanese writers in the late Shōwa period.
Takafumi Isomura (磯村 隆文, Isomura Takafumi; 8 December 1930 – 26 November 2007) was a Japanese politician. He served as…Takafumi Isomura (磯村 隆文, Isomura Takafumi; 8 December 1930 – 26 November 2007) was a Japanese politician. He served as the former mayor of Osaka from 1995 until 2003 and professor emeritus of Osaka City University.
Fumiko Kometani (米谷ふみ子, Kometani Fumiko; born 1930 in Osaka, Japan) is a Japanese author and artist (painter) and a…Fumiko Kometani (米谷ふみ子, Kometani Fumiko; born 1930 in Osaka, Japan) is a Japanese author and artist (painter) and a longtime resident of the United States. Kometani moved to the US in 1960 when she was working as an abstract painter, spending time at the MacDowell Colony in New Hampshire where she met her husband, Josh Greenfeld (they later moved to California). She changed her focus to writing when her developmentally disabled son Noah became too hard to handle when he was around the art supplies in her studio. Her older son, Karl Taro Greenfeld, is also a writer. Kometani is also noted for her expressed displeasure of what she terms the fascist mentality of the World War II Japanese Army. She regularly participates in anti-war and anti-nuclear protests. Her first book, Passover, received the distinguished Akutagawa Prize. It was subsequently described in The New York Times as "anti-Semitic" and an example of Japan's "widespread anti-Semitism", although Kometani's husband is Jewish, and the novel was an adaption of a visit to his parents' house. A judge for the Akutagawa Prize claimed that the Times had misinterpreted the sardonic and self-ridiculing tone of the novel. In January 2025 Kometani's home was destroyed in the Palisades Fire.
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.
Akito Arima, KBE (有馬 朗人, Arima Akito; 13 September 1930 – 7 December 2020) was a Japanese nuclear physicist…Akito Arima, KBE (有馬 朗人, Arima Akito; 13 September 1930 – 7 December 2020) was a Japanese nuclear physicist, politician, and haiku poet, known for the interacting boson model.
Rokkō Toura (戸浦 六宏, Toura Rokkō; 30 April 1937 – 25 March 1993) was a Japanese stage and film actor active from 1960 to…Rokkō Toura (戸浦 六宏, Toura Rokkō; 30 April 1937 – 25 March 1993) was a Japanese stage and film actor active from 1960 to 1993. He is mostly associated with the films of director Nagisa Ōshima.
Yushu Kitano (北野 祐秀, Kitano Yūshū; 14 April 1930 – 27 February 2016) was a Japanese freestyle wrestler. In his weight…Yushu Kitano (北野 祐秀, Kitano Yūshū; 14 April 1930 – 27 February 2016) was a Japanese freestyle wrestler. In his weight category of under 52 kg, he won silver medals at the 1952 Olympics, 1954 World Championships and 1954 Asian Games. In retirement he worked as a wrestling coach and in this capacity attended the 1960 Olympics. In 2016, he died of a heart attack, aged 85.
Kiichirō Furukawa (Japanese: 古川 麒一郎, Hepburn: Furukawa Kiichirō; Kunrei: Hurukawa Kiitirô, 22 July 1929 – 29 June 2016)…Kiichirō Furukawa (Japanese: 古川 麒一郎, Hepburn: Furukawa Kiichirō; Kunrei: Hurukawa Kiitirô, 22 July 1929 – 29 June 2016) was a Japanese astronomer and discoverer of minor planets at the Tokyo Astronomical Observatory. Furukawa was also associated with Nagoya University Department of Astrophysics.
Akira Yamagishi (山岸 章, Yamagishi Akira; 18 July 1929 – 10 April 2016) was a Japanese trade union leader who served as…Akira Yamagishi (山岸 章, Yamagishi Akira; 18 July 1929 – 10 April 2016) was a Japanese trade union leader who served as the first president of the Japanese Trade Union Confederation from 1989 to 1994.
Kazumasa Nagai (Japanese: 永井 一正, Nagai Kazumasa; Ōsaka, April 20, 1929 – February 23, 2026) was a Japanese printmaker…Kazumasa Nagai (Japanese: 永井 一正, Nagai Kazumasa; Ōsaka, April 20, 1929 – February 23, 2026) was a Japanese printmaker and graphic designer. He attended the Tokyo University of the Arts to study sculpture, and withdrew due to health problems. Nagai was a founding member of the Nippon Design Center (NDC, established in 1959), and was its president. His first works were abstract, then he changed to handmade designs of animals and plants in the 1980s. Some of his works appeared on the cover of LIFE. His work is held in museums including the Fine Arts Museum of San Francisco, the National Gallery of Australia, the Museum of New Zealand, the British Museum, the University of Michigan Museum of Art, the Walker Art Center, the Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam, the National Museum of Contemporary Art in Tokyo, the Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences, and the Museum of Modern Art. Nagai died on February 23, 2026, at the age of 96.
