Reo Nishiguchi (西口 黎央, Nishiguchi Reo; born 21 August 1997) is a Japanese professional footballer who plays as a…Reo Nishiguchi (西口 黎央, Nishiguchi Reo; born 21 August 1997) is a Japanese professional footballer who plays as a striker or winger for K3 League side Chuncheon FC.
Kaito Ono (Japanese: 大野海人; born August 21, 1997), better known by his ring name Kaito (海人), is a Japanese kickboxer and…Kaito Ono (Japanese: 大野海人; born August 21, 1997), better known by his ring name Kaito (海人), is a Japanese kickboxer and Shoot boxer. He is the current KNOCK OUT Black Super Welterweight champion and the current SHOOT BOXING World Super Welterweight champion, as well as the former REBELS Black Super Welterweight champion, the former SHOOT BOXING Super Lightweight champion and the 2018 SHOOT BOXING S-Cup World Tournament Winner. As of January 2023, he is ranked as the tenth best lightweight (-71 kg) kickboxer in the world by both Combat Press and Beyond Kickboxing. Combat Press ranked him as a top ten super flyweight (-58 kg) between August 2021 and April 2022, as well as a top ten super featherweight (-68 kg) between July and October 2022.
Kenta Kurose (黒瀬 健太, Kurose Kenta; born August 12, 1997) is a Japanese former professional baseball Infielder of Nippon…Kenta Kurose (黒瀬 健太, Kurose Kenta; born August 12, 1997) is a Japanese former professional baseball Infielder of Nippon Professional Baseball(NPB). He previously played in NPB for the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks.
Naoki Inoue (井上直輝, Inoue Naoki; born 5 August 1997) is a Japanese footballer who plays as a midfielder for J2 League…Naoki Inoue (井上直輝, Inoue Naoki; born 5 August 1997) is a Japanese footballer who plays as a midfielder for J2 League club Blaublitz Akita.
Akito Takagi (髙木 彰人, Takagi Akito) is a Japanese football player. He currently plays for SC Sagamihara in the J3…Akito Takagi (髙木 彰人, Takagi Akito) is a Japanese football player. He currently plays for SC Sagamihara in the J3 League. His playing position is either attacking midfielder or forward.
Daiki Yoshida (吉田 大喜, Yoshida Daiki; born July 27, 1996) is a Japanese professional baseball player. He plays pitcher…Daiki Yoshida (吉田 大喜, Yoshida Daiki; born July 27, 1996) is a Japanese professional baseball player. He plays pitcher for the Tokyo Yakult Swallows.
Ryo Hatsuse (初瀬 亮, Hatsuse Ryō; born 10 July 1997) is a Japanese professional footballer who plays as a left back for…Ryo Hatsuse (初瀬 亮, Hatsuse Ryō; born 10 July 1997) is a Japanese professional footballer who plays as a left back for Gamba Osaka.
Shiho Matsubara (松原 志歩, Matsubara Shiho; pronounced [matsɯbaɾa ɕiho]; born 7 July 1997) is a Japanese professional…Shiho Matsubara (松原 志歩, Matsubara Shiho; pronounced [matsɯbaɾa ɕiho]; born 7 July 1997) is a Japanese professional footballer who plays as a defender for Damallsvenskan club Piteå IF. She previously played for Nadeshiko League and WE League clubs Cerezo Osaka Sakai, Albirex Niigata and Sanfrecce Hiroshima Regina, and for Kvindeliga club Fortuna Hjørring. Matsubara is the older sister of Yuna Matsubara, who is also a professional footballer (currently playing for WE League club INAC Kobe Leonessa).
Tadasuke Makino (牧野任祐, Makino Tadasuke; born 28 June 1997) is a Japanese racing driver for Honda Motor Company who…Tadasuke Makino (牧野任祐, Makino Tadasuke; born 28 June 1997) is a Japanese racing driver for Honda Motor Company who currently competes in Super GT for Team Kunimitsu and in the Super Formula Championship for Dandelion Racing. A feature race winner in the FIA Formula 2 Championship during his time abroad in junior categories, Makino has competed in the top level of Japan's domestic racing scene since 2019. Alongside teammate Naoki Yamamoto, he won the GT500 class championship in Super GT in 2020.
Kanta Makino (牧野 寛太, Makino Kanta; born 2 June 1997) is a Japanese footballer currently playing as a midfielder for…Kanta Makino (牧野 寛太, Makino Kanta; born 2 June 1997) is a Japanese footballer currently playing as a midfielder for Nagano Parceiro.
Shunta Tanaka (田中 駿汰, Tanaka Shunta; born 26 May 1997) is a Japanese footballer currently playing as a centre back for…Shunta Tanaka (田中 駿汰, Tanaka Shunta; born 26 May 1997) is a Japanese footballer currently playing as a centre back for J1 League club Cerezo Osaka.
Daichi Hayashi (林 大地, Hayashi Daichi; born 23 May 1997) is a Japanese professional footballer who plays as a forward…Daichi Hayashi (林 大地, Hayashi Daichi; born 23 May 1997) is a Japanese professional footballer who plays as a forward for J1 League club Gamba Osaka.
Kōki Aoyagi (青柳 昴樹, Aoyagi Kōki; born May 19, 1997) is a professional Japanese baseball player. He was born in…Kōki Aoyagi (青柳 昴樹, Aoyagi Kōki; born May 19, 1997) is a professional Japanese baseball player. He was born in Izumiōtsu, Osaka, and plays outfielder for the Yokohama DeNA BayStars. Aoyagi signed with the Canberra Cavalry of the Australian Baseball League for the 2018/19 season.
Mizuki Ichimaru (市丸 瑞希, Ichimaru Mizuki) is a Japanese footballer who plays as a central midfielder for FC SONHO…Mizuki Ichimaru (市丸 瑞希, Ichimaru Mizuki) is a Japanese footballer who plays as a central midfielder for FC SONHO Kawanishi.
Nanaka Kori (郡 菜々佳, Kori Nanaka; born 2 May 1997) is a Japanese athlete competing in the shot put and discus throw. She…Nanaka Kori (郡 菜々佳, Kori Nanaka; born 2 May 1997) is a Japanese athlete competing in the shot put and discus throw. She represented her country in the discus at the 2019 World Championships in Doha without reaching the final. Her personal best in the discus of 59.03 metres is the current national record.
Taichi Takeda (武田 太一, Takeda Taichi; born 22 April 1997) is a Japanese former footballer who played as a forward. His…Taichi Takeda (武田 太一, Takeda Taichi; born 22 April 1997) is a Japanese former footballer who played as a forward. His career was severely affected by injuries, and he retired at the end of the 2023 season with six career appearances in the J3 League.
Takumi Komatsu (小松 拓幹, Komatsu Takumi; born 9 April 1997) is a Japanese footballer currently playing as a defender for…Takumi Komatsu (小松 拓幹, Komatsu Takumi; born 9 April 1997) is a Japanese footballer currently playing as a defender for Kamatamare Sanuki.
Taishi Hirooka (廣岡 大志, Hirooka Taishi; born April 9, 1997) is a Japanese professional baseball infielder for the Orix…Taishi Hirooka (廣岡 大志, Hirooka Taishi; born April 9, 1997) is a Japanese professional baseball infielder for the Orix Buffaloes of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB). He has previously played in NPB for the Tokyo Yakult Swallows and Yomiuri Giants.
Kazuki Iwamoto (岩本 和希, Iwamoto Kazuki; born 7 April 1997) is a Japanese footballer currently playing as a midfielder…Kazuki Iwamoto (岩本 和希, Iwamoto Kazuki; born 7 April 1997) is a Japanese footballer currently playing as a midfielder for Kamatamare Sanuki.
Aito Takeda (武田 愛斗, Takeda Aito; born April 6, 1997) also known as Aito (愛斗) is a professional Japanese baseball player…Aito Takeda (武田 愛斗, Takeda Aito; born April 6, 1997) also known as Aito (愛斗) is a professional Japanese baseball player for the Chiba Lotte Marines. He played outfield for the Saitama Seibu Lions from 2017 to 2023. He was selected by the Chiba Lotte Marines in the 2023 Active Player Draft.
Hirai Kawato (川人 拓来, Kawato Hirai; born March 13, 1997) is a Japanese professional wrestler. He is signed to New Japan…Hirai Kawato (川人 拓来, Kawato Hirai; born March 13, 1997) is a Japanese professional wrestler. He is signed to New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW), where he performs under the ring name Master Wato (マスター・ワト Masutā Wato). He was trained in the NJPW Noge Dojo in the Tokyo Prefecture. From 2016 until 2019 he worked as a Young Lion in NJPW, gaining in ring experience while still training. As a Young Lion he mainly faced other trainees early on, moving on to participate in various tournaments such as the 2017 Super Junior Tag Tournament (with Kushida) and finishing second in the 2017 Young Lion Cup. From 2018 to 2019, he embarked on an international learning excursion with NJPW's Mexican partner Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre (CMLL) under the ring name Kawato-San (or Kawato San), where he became a one-time CMLL World Lightweight Champion and competed in the main event of CMLL's 2020 Sin Piedad supercard show. He returned to NJPW in 2020 as Master Wato, where he became a two-time IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champion, a one-time NEVER Openweight 6-Man Tag Team Champion, and the winner of the 2023 Best of the Super Juniors tournament.
Masahiko Suzuki (Japanese: 鈴木真彦, Suzuki Masahiko; born February 21, 1997) is a Japanese kickboxer, currently competing…Masahiko Suzuki (Japanese: 鈴木真彦, Suzuki Masahiko; born February 21, 1997) is a Japanese kickboxer, currently competing in the bantamweight division of RISE. He is the former RISE Bantamweight Champion, having held the title between 2018 and 2023. As of August 2023, he is ranked as the third best flyweight (-56.7 kg) kickboxer in the world by Combat Press and the third best super flyweight (-55 kg) kickboxer by Beyond Kickboxing. Between October 2019 and August 2020, he was ranked in the strawweight top ten by Combat Press, and as a top ten flyweight since September 2020.
Ryōsuke Takashima (born 4 February 1997) is a Japanese politician who has served as mayor of Ashiya, Hyogo Prefecture…Ryōsuke Takashima (born 4 February 1997) is a Japanese politician who has served as mayor of Ashiya, Hyogo Prefecture since April 2023. He is known as the youngest elected mayor in Japan, being 26 years old at the time of the election on 23 April 2023.
Naoto Nishiguchi (西口 直人, born November 14, 1996) is a Japanese professional baseball pitcher for the Tohoku Rakuten…Naoto Nishiguchi (西口 直人, born November 14, 1996) is a Japanese professional baseball pitcher for the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB). He made his NPB debut in 2018, pitching in one game that season.
Hayato Nukui (温井 駿斗, Nukui Hayato; born 16 October 1996 in Takatsuki, Osaka) is a Japanese footballer who plays for…Hayato Nukui (温井 駿斗, Nukui Hayato; born 16 October 1996 in Takatsuki, Osaka) is a Japanese footballer who plays for Gainare Tottori from 2024.
Kan Nakamura (Japanese: 中村寛, Nakamura Kan; born August 6, 1996) is a Japanese kickboxer. He is the reinging Rajadamnern…Kan Nakamura (Japanese: 中村寛, Nakamura Kan; born August 6, 1996) is a Japanese kickboxer. He is the reinging Rajadamnern Stadium Lightweight Champion and a former RISE lightweight champion. As of August 2024, he was ranked as the seventh best featherweight (-64 kg) kickboxer in the world by Beyond Kickboxing and the ninth best super bantamweight kickboxer (-64 kg) in the world by Combat Press.
Shota Yomesaka (嫁阪 翔太, Yomesaka Shōta) is a Japanese football player. He is currently contracted to J3 League side Nara…Shota Yomesaka (嫁阪 翔太, Yomesaka Shōta) is a Japanese football player. He is currently contracted to J3 League side Nara Club<
Mizuki Hayashi (林 瑞輝, Hayashi Mizuki) is a Japanese footballer who plays as a goalkeeper. He last played for Gamba…Mizuki Hayashi (林 瑞輝, Hayashi Mizuki) is a Japanese footballer who plays as a goalkeeper. He last played for Gamba Osaka.
Shuhei Kumura (玖村 修平) is a Japanese kickboxer, fighting out of Tokyo, Japan. He is the former Krush Featherweight…Shuhei Kumura (玖村 修平) is a Japanese kickboxer, fighting out of Tokyo, Japan. He is the former Krush Featherweight (-57.5kg) champion. As of June 2022, Combat Press ranks him as the fourth best super flyweight kickboxer in the world.
Hayato Araki (荒木 隼人, Araki Hayato; born 7 August 1996) is a Japanese professional footballer who plays as a centre back…Hayato Araki (荒木 隼人, Araki Hayato; born 7 August 1996) is a Japanese professional footballer who plays as a centre back for Sanfrecce Hiroshima and the Japan national team.
This is a list of J.League designated special players, picked by J.League clubs from universities and high schools all…This is a list of J.League designated special players, picked by J.League clubs from universities and high schools all over Japan.
Arashi Morisaka (森坂 嵐, Morisaka Arashi; born 2 June 1996) is a Japanese boxer. He competed in the men's bantamweight…Arashi Morisaka (森坂 嵐, Morisaka Arashi; born 2 June 1996) is a Japanese boxer. He competed in the men's bantamweight event at the 2016 Summer Olympics. He was eliminated in the round of 32.
Shuhei Tada (多田 修平, Tada Shūhei; born 24 June 1996) is a Japanese sprinter. He competed in the men's 100 metres at the…Shuhei Tada (多田 修平, Tada Shūhei; born 24 June 1996) is a Japanese sprinter. He competed in the men's 100 metres at the 2017 World Championships in Athletics. Tada also represented Japan at the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, competing in the 100 metre and 4x100 metre relay events.
Taiga Maekawa (前川 大河, Maekawa Taiga; born June 13, 1996 in Osaka) is a Japanese professional footballer who plays as a…Taiga Maekawa (前川 大河, Maekawa Taiga; born June 13, 1996 in Osaka) is a Japanese professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for J3 League club Kamatamare Sanuki.
Kento Sugō (Japanese: 菅生 健人, Hepburn: Sugō Kento; born June 13, 1996), known professionally as Kocchi no Kento…Kento Sugō (Japanese: 菅生 健人, Hepburn: Sugō Kento; born June 13, 1996), known professionally as Kocchi no Kento (こっちのけんと, Kotchi no Kento; lit. 'This Kento'), is a Japanese singer-songwriter and internet personality. He began covering songs a cappella in 2019 and is best known for his 2024 single "Hai Yorokonde".
Masataka Nishimoto (西本雅崇, Nishimoto, Masataka; born 11 June 1996) is a Japanese footballer who plays as a midfielder…Masataka Nishimoto (西本雅崇, Nishimoto, Masataka; born 11 June 1996) is a Japanese footballer who plays as a midfielder for Thai League 3 club Chiangrai City.
Kazuya Onohara (小野原 和哉, Onohara Kazuya; born 16 April 1996) is a Japanese professional footballer who plays as a…Kazuya Onohara (小野原 和哉, Onohara Kazuya; born 16 April 1996) is a Japanese professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Portuguese Liga 3 club Oliveirense.
Keita Nakagawa (中川 圭太 Nakagawa Keita, born April 12, 1996) is a Japanese professional baseball infielder or outfielder…Keita Nakagawa (中川 圭太 Nakagawa Keita, born April 12, 1996) is a Japanese professional baseball infielder or outfielder for the Orix Buffaloes in Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball.
Yuta Sakiyama (born 5 April 1996) is a Japanese javelin thrower who won the Japanese Athletics Championships in 2025.…Yuta Sakiyama (born 5 April 1996) is a Japanese javelin thrower who won the Japanese Athletics Championships in 2025. He represented Japan at the 2023 World Athletics Championships.
Daiki Miya (宮 大樹, Miya Daiki; born April 1, 1996) is a Japanese professional footballer who plays as a centre back for…Daiki Miya (宮 大樹, Miya Daiki; born April 1, 1996) is a Japanese professional footballer who plays as a centre back for J1 League club Avispa Fukuoka.
Asuka Fujita (藤田 明日香, Fujita Asuka; born 14 February 1996) is a Japanese professional handballer who plays as a right…Asuka Fujita (藤田 明日香, Fujita Asuka; born 14 February 1996) is a Japanese professional handballer who plays as a right wing for Liga Națională club Gloria Bistrița-Năsăud and the Japan national team.
Joichiro Fujiwara (藤原 丈一郎, Fujiwara Jōichirō, born February 8, 1996) is a Japanese singer, actor, and television…Joichiro Fujiwara (藤原 丈一郎, Fujiwara Jōichirō, born February 8, 1996) is a Japanese singer, actor, and television personality. He is a member of the idol group Naniwa Danshi, formed under Starto Entertainment.
Zachary Herivaux (born 1 February 1996) is a professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for USL Championship…Zachary Herivaux (born 1 February 1996) is a professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for USL Championship club Rhode Island FC. Born in Japan, he plays for the Haiti national team.
Rei Higuchi (Japanese: 樋口黎; born 28 January 1996) is a Japanese freestyle wrestler. He won the gold medal in the men's…Rei Higuchi (Japanese: 樋口黎; born 28 January 1996) is a Japanese freestyle wrestler. He won the gold medal in the men's freestyle 57 kg event at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, France. He won a silver medal in the 57 kg division at the 2016 Olympics. He won the gold medal in the 61 kg event at the 2022 World Wrestling Championships held in Belgrade, Serbia.