Masatoshi Hamada (浜田 雅功), nicknamed Hama-chan (浜ちゃん), is a Japanese comedian best known as the tsukkomi half of the…Masatoshi Hamada (浜田 雅功), nicknamed Hama-chan (浜ちゃん), is a Japanese comedian best known as the tsukkomi half of the owarai duo Downtown alongside Hitoshi Matsumoto. Hamada is married to Natsumi Ogawa, with whom he has two children.
Yoshifumi Nagao (永尾 嘉章, Nagao Yoshifumi) is a Paralympian athlete from Japan competing mainly in category T54 sprint…Yoshifumi Nagao (永尾 嘉章, Nagao Yoshifumi) is a Paralympian athlete from Japan competing mainly in category T54 sprint events. Yoshifumi has competed in every Summer Paralympics between 1988 and 2008, normally in the 100m,200m and 400m but in other distances including the 1992 marathon. His first and so far only medal came as part of the Japanese 4 × 400 m bronze medal-winning team in 2004.
Satoshi Fukushima (born 1962) is a Japanese researcher and advocate for people with disabilities. Blind since age nine…Satoshi Fukushima (born 1962) is a Japanese researcher and advocate for people with disabilities. Blind since age nine and deaf from the age of eighteen, Fukushima was the first deafblind student to earn a degree from a Japanese university when he graduated from Tokyo Metropolitan University in 1987. Fukushima leads the Barrier-Free Laboratory, part of the Research Center for Advanced Science and Technology at the University of Tokyo; the research done by members of the lab's staff focuses on accessibility.
Yoshito Terakado (寺門 義人, Terakado Yoshito; born 25 November 1962, in Kawanishi, Hyōgo, Japan), better known as Jimon…Yoshito Terakado (寺門 義人, Terakado Yoshito; born 25 November 1962, in Kawanishi, Hyōgo, Japan), better known as Jimon Terakado (寺門 ジモン, Terakado Jimon), is a Japanese comedian who is represented by the talent agency Ohta Production. He is part of the comedy trio Dachou Club. He is known for his love of food, in particular beef, and appears often on gourmet programs on television.
Yasutoshi Nishimura (西村 康稔, Nishimura Yasutoshi; born 15 October 1962) is a Japanese politician who serves as chairman…Yasutoshi Nishimura (西村 康稔, Nishimura Yasutoshi; born 15 October 1962) is a Japanese politician who serves as chairman of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) Election Strategy Committee since 2026. He was previously Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry from 2022 to 2023 and as Minister of State for Economic and Fiscal Policy from 2019 to 2021. He has been a member of the House of Representatives since 2003, representing Hyogo 9th district. Nishimura resigned from his cabinet posts in December 2023 amid allegations of a slush fund involving himself and several other ministers and members of the LDP.
Toshihiro Shibutani (born August 30, 1962) is a retired long-distance runner from Japan, who won the 1988 edition of…Toshihiro Shibutani (born August 30, 1962) is a retired long-distance runner from Japan, who won the 1988 edition of the Fukuoka Marathon, clocking 2:11:04 on December 4, 1988.
Kōji Tanigawa (谷川 浩司, Tanigawa Kōji; born April 6, 1962) is a Japanese professional shogi player ranked 9-dan. He is…Kōji Tanigawa (谷川 浩司, Tanigawa Kōji; born April 6, 1962) is a Japanese professional shogi player ranked 9-dan. He is the 17th Lifetime Meijin and also a former president of the Japan Shogi Association (JSA).
Gen Fukunaga (福永 元, Fukunaga Gen; born March 22, 1962) is an American engineer and entrepreneur. He established…Gen Fukunaga (福永 元, Fukunaga Gen; born March 22, 1962) is an American engineer and entrepreneur. He established Funimation (now Crunchyroll, LLC), a company that distributes anime in Canada and the United States. He was its president and chairman until he stepped down in 2019. As of October 2011, Fukunaga was chairman of online video game publisher GameSamba.
Toshinao Sasaki (佐々木 俊尚, Sasaki Toshinao; born December 5, 1961) is a Japanese freelance journalist and critic, a…Toshinao Sasaki (佐々木 俊尚, Sasaki Toshinao; born December 5, 1961) is a Japanese freelance journalist and critic, a regular writer for CNET Japan, and a one-time reporter for Mainichi Shimbun. He was born in Hyōgo Prefecture.
Masanori Ota (太田正典, Ōta Masanori; born November 23, 1961), better known by his pen name Masamune Shirow (士郎 正宗, Shirō…Masanori Ota (太田正典, Ōta Masanori; born November 23, 1961), better known by his pen name Masamune Shirow (士郎 正宗, Shirō Masamune), is a Japanese manga artist and designer for video games and anime productions. Shirow is best known for his award-winning debut work, Appleseed, and his widely known manga, Ghost in the Shell. Both series have been adapted into theatrical or television anime films, anime television series, OVA or ONA productions, and several video games. Ghost in the Shell was additionally adapted into a Hollywood live-action film. He is a key figure in the development of cyberpunk aesthetics and themes in Japan during the 1980s and 1990s. In addition to his mainstream manga and design work, Shirow has produced erotic and hentai manga and illustrations since the 1990s, under his regular pen name, with numerous art books and a 2025 exhibition dedicated to this work. These share the same canon as his interconnected mainstream publications.
Kanako Wada (Japanese: 和田 加奈子, Hepburn: Wada Kanako; born 28 October 1961) is a Japanese singer and songwriter.…Kanako Wada (Japanese: 和田 加奈子, Hepburn: Wada Kanako; born 28 October 1961) is a Japanese singer and songwriter. Originally studying classical piano, she studied sculpture and managed the rugby team at the Tokyo University of the Arts before being scouted at a concert she organized. Debuting in November 1985, she released seven original albums and eleven singles with Toshiba EMI before retiring in 1991. She was also a television personality who worked as Akira Inoue's assistant on NHK's Best Sound II , as well as a radio personality at networks such as Asahi Broadcasting Corporation and Nippon Cultural Broadcasting. Her music has received renewed attention amidst the city pop boom of the 2010s and 2020s.
Hidenori Hara (原秀則, Hara Hidenori; born June 14, 1961 in Akashi, Hyōgo, Japan) is a Japanese manga artist. He won the…Hidenori Hara (原秀則, Hara Hidenori; born June 14, 1961 in Akashi, Hyōgo, Japan) is a Japanese manga artist. He won the 1988 Shogakukan Manga Award for shōnen for his manga Just Meet and Fuyu Monogatari.
Hiroyuki Matsushita (松下弘幸, Matsushita Hiroyuki), also known by Hiro Matsushita (ヒロ松下), is a Japanese businessman and…Hiroyuki Matsushita (松下弘幸, Matsushita Hiroyuki), also known by Hiro Matsushita (ヒロ松下), is a Japanese businessman and former racing driver. He is the grandson of Kōnosuke Matsushita, the founder of Panasonic. In 1989, Matsushita won the Toyota Atlantic Championship (Pacific), becoming the first and only Japanese driver to do so. He was also the first Japanese driver to race in the Indy 500.
Akira Sasō (Japanese: さそう あきら, Hepburn: Sasō Akira; born 1961) is a Japanese manga artist and educator. He has won a…Akira Sasō (Japanese: さそう あきら, Hepburn: Sasō Akira; born 1961) is a Japanese manga artist and educator. He has won a Tezuka Osamu Cultural Prize and two Japan Media Arts Awards, the latter for his manga Shindō (1997–98) and Maestro (2003–07).
Mako Ishino (石野真子/眞子; born January 31, 1961), is a Japanese singer and actress. After being discovered by the…Mako Ishino (石野真子/眞子; born January 31, 1961), is a Japanese singer and actress. After being discovered by the talent-search show Star Tanjō!, she received a newcomer award at the 20th Japan Record Awards (1978). She has been selected to compete twice on the NHK Kōhaku Uta Gassen. Born in Ashiya, Hyogo Prefecture, she is the elder sister of actresses Yōko Ishino and Atsuko Ishino. Ishino is affiliated with From First Production Co., Ltd.
Ryūhei Ueshima (Japanese: 上島 竜兵, Hepburn: Ueshima Ryūhei; 20 January 1961 – 11 May 2022) was a Japanese comedian and…Ryūhei Ueshima (Japanese: 上島 竜兵, Hepburn: Ueshima Ryūhei; 20 January 1961 – 11 May 2022) was a Japanese comedian and actor. He was a member of the comedy trio Dachō Club.
Shozin Fukui (福居ショウジン, Fukui Shōjin; 29 July 1961 – 2 April 2026) was a Japanese film director and screenwriter. He was…Shozin Fukui (福居ショウジン, Fukui Shōjin; 29 July 1961 – 2 April 2026) was a Japanese film director and screenwriter. He was best known for his contributions to the cyberpunk genre.
Masahiko Katsuya (勝谷 誠彦, Katsuya Masahiko) (6 December 1960 – 28 November 2018) was a Japanese journalist, columnist…Masahiko Katsuya (勝谷 誠彦, Katsuya Masahiko) (6 December 1960 – 28 November 2018) was a Japanese journalist, columnist, television commentator, photographer and author. After graduating from Waseda University, he joined the publishing company Bungeishunjū in 1985 and worked as a reporter and desk editor for publications including Shūkan Bunshun, Bungeishunjū and Marco Polo. His reporting assignments included the Cambodian Civil War and the Gulf War. Katsuya left Bungeishunjū in 1996 and subsequently worked independently as a columnist, writer and television personality. He appeared regularly on Japanese television programmes including Yajiuma Plus, Sukkiri!! and Takajin no Sokomade Itte Iinkai, and later hosted the Sun Television talk programme Katsuyama Sahiko Show. In 2017, he unsuccessfully stood as an independent candidate in the 2017 Hyōgo gubernatorial election.
Masafumi Nishi (西 正文, Nishi Masafumi; born November 25, 1960 in Hyogo Prefecture, Japan) is a Japanese baseball player.…Masafumi Nishi (西 正文, Nishi Masafumi; born November 25, 1960 in Hyogo Prefecture, Japan) is a Japanese baseball player. He won a bronze medal at the 1992 Summer Olympics.
Hiroshi Moriwaki (森脇 浩司, Moriwaki Hiroshi; born August 6, 1960) is a former Japanese Nippon Professional Baseball…Hiroshi Moriwaki (森脇 浩司, Moriwaki Hiroshi; born August 6, 1960) is a former Japanese Nippon Professional Baseball player and current coach.
Kō Nakata (Japanese: 中田 考, Hepburn: Nakata Kō; born 1960) is a Japanese Islamic scholar and author. He has written and…Kō Nakata (Japanese: 中田 考, Hepburn: Nakata Kō; born 1960) is a Japanese Islamic scholar and author. He has written and translated dozens of books related to Islam and Islamic studies, as well as a light novel and manga.
Yūko Asano (浅野 ゆう子, Asano Yūko; born 9 July 1960) is a Japanese actress and singer. She won the award for best actress…Yūko Asano (浅野 ゆう子, Asano Yūko; born 9 July 1960) is a Japanese actress and singer. She won the award for best actress at the 19th Japan Academy Prize for Kura. She was born in Kobe. Her biggest hit was "Sexy Bus Stop" released in 1976. It reached the No. 12 position on the Oricon chart list.
Ōsama (王様, Ōsama; born Ōsama Jirō (王様 治郎, Ousama Jirou)) is a Japanese musician and guitarist. He is from Nishinomiya…Ōsama (王様, Ōsama; born Ōsama Jirō (王様 治郎, Ousama Jirou)) is a Japanese musician and guitarist. He is from Nishinomiya in Hyōgo Prefecture.
Takashi Matsuo (松尾貴史, Matsuo Takashi) (May 11, 1960 - ) is a Japanese tarento, narrator, disc jockey, actor, and…Takashi Matsuo (松尾貴史, Matsuo Takashi) (May 11, 1960 - ) is a Japanese tarento, narrator, disc jockey, actor, and columnist from Kobe, Hyōgo Prefecture. His pet name, as well as his former stage name, is Kitsch (キッチュ, Kicchu). He is currently attached to Furutachi-Project. He is a graduate of the Osaka University of Arts's graphic design course, and is the chairman of the theatrical unit AGAPE store. He is also an associate professor in the Kyoto University of Art & Design.
Buichiro Kuroda (Japanese: 黒田武一郎, Hepburn: Kuroda Buichiro; born February 20, 1960) is a Japanese official who serves…Buichiro Kuroda (Japanese: 黒田武一郎, Hepburn: Kuroda Buichiro; born February 20, 1960) is a Japanese official who serves as Grand Steward of the Imperial Household Agency since December 2025.
Masahiro Kotaka (小高正宏, Kotaka Masahiro; born February 18, 1960) is a retired Japanese weightlifter. He won a bronze…Masahiro Kotaka (小高正宏, Kotaka Masahiro; born February 18, 1960) is a retired Japanese weightlifter. He won a bronze medal in the bantamweight category at the 1984 Summer Olympics, which was combined with the world championships.
Natsumi Itsuki (樹なつみ, Itsuki Natsumi; born 5 February 1960 in Kobe, Hyogo, Japan) is a Japanese shōjo manga artist best…Natsumi Itsuki (樹なつみ, Itsuki Natsumi; born 5 February 1960 in Kobe, Hyogo, Japan) is a Japanese shōjo manga artist best known for writing science fiction manga. She debuted in 1979 with Megumi-chan ni Sasageru Comedy in LaLa. She won the 1993 Seiun Award for best science fiction manga for Oz and the 1997 Kodansha Manga Award for shōjo manga for Eight Clouds Rising. Several of her works have been adapted as anime, including Jyu Oh Sei, Oz, Eight Clouds Rising, and Hanasakeru Seishōnen. Her series Demon Sacred and Jyu Oh Sei are licensed in North America by Tokyopop, and the anime of Jyu Oh Sei is distributed in English by Funimation.
Shinji Hosokawa (細川伸二, Hosokawa Shinji; born on 2 January 1960 in Ichinomiya, Hyogo, Japan) is a Japanese retired…Shinji Hosokawa (細川伸二, Hosokawa Shinji; born on 2 January 1960 in Ichinomiya, Hyogo, Japan) is a Japanese retired judoka who won two Olympic medals during the 1980s.
Daisuke Terasawa (寺沢大介, Terasawa Daisuke; born 10 June 1959 in Kobe, Japan) is a Japanese manga artist. He is best…Daisuke Terasawa (寺沢大介, Terasawa Daisuke; born 10 June 1959 in Kobe, Japan) is a Japanese manga artist. He is best known for writing cooking manga series such as Mister Ajikko and Shōta no Sushi, which earned him twice the Kodansha Manga Award for shōnen in 1988 and 1996 respectively. Both series have been adapted as dramas, the latter as a live-action television series, the former as the first cooking anime television series.
Hiromitsu Kanki (神吉宏充, Kanki Hiromitsu; born January 1, 1940) is a Japanese retired professional shogi player who…Hiromitsu Kanki (神吉宏充, Kanki Hiromitsu; born January 1, 1940) is a Japanese retired professional shogi player who achieved the rank of 7-dan. He is known for wearing colorful suits on television programs as a shogi expert.
Yasuhiro Yoshigaki (Japanese: 芳垣安洋; born 1959) is a Japanese drummer and percussionist, noted for his command of rhythm…Yasuhiro Yoshigaki (Japanese: 芳垣安洋; born 1959) is a Japanese drummer and percussionist, noted for his command of rhythm in jazz and ensemble settings. He is also highly regarded in free improvisation and has collaborated with musicians in Japan and abroad, including Otomo Yoshihide and John Zorn. He is one of the twin drummers of the post-rock band Rovo and the leader of Vincent Atmicus, an ensemble distinguished by twin drums, strings, brass, and layered percussion to create dense, polyrhythmic textures. He has also led long-running projects as a bandleader, including Orquesta Libre and Orquesta Nudge! Nudge!.
Keiko Kawashima (Japanese: 川島慶子; born 1959) is a Japanese historian of science whose research has focused on women in…Keiko Kawashima (Japanese: 川島慶子; born 1959) is a Japanese historian of science whose research has focused on women in science and gender in science. She is a professor emerita at the Nagoya Institute of Technology.
Tōryū Kenji (born 19 December 1958 as Kenji Tanaka) is a former sumo wrestler from Kakogawa, Hyōgo, Japan. He made his…Tōryū Kenji (born 19 December 1958 as Kenji Tanaka) is a former sumo wrestler from Kakogawa, Hyōgo, Japan. He made his professional debut in March 1974, and reached the top division in November 1979. His highest rank was sekiwake. He retired in January 1990.
Tsukasa Kobiki (木挽 司, Kobiki Tsukasa; born 18 October 1958) is a former Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic…Tsukasa Kobiki (木挽 司, Kobiki Tsukasa; born 18 October 1958) is a former Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic Party, who served as a member of the House of Representatives in the Diet (national legislature). A native of Nishinomiya, Hyogo and graduate of Kansai University, he was elected to the House of Representatives for the first time in 2005 after serving in the city assembly of Itami, Hyogo.
Seiichi Yamamoto (山本 精一, Yamamoto Seiichi; born July 16, 1958) is a Japanese musician. He is the guitarist of…Seiichi Yamamoto (山本 精一, Yamamoto Seiichi; born July 16, 1958) is a Japanese musician. He is the guitarist of psychedelic rock band Rovo as well as a former guitarist for the noise rock band Boredoms, and has also released records as a solo artist. He has also composed the soundtracks to several films, as well as collaborating with various other musicians and bands.
Satoko Inoue (井上 郷子, Inoue Satoko; born January 29, 1958) is a Japanese musician. Inoue is a concert pianist whose…Satoko Inoue (井上 郷子, Inoue Satoko; born January 29, 1958) is a Japanese musician. Inoue is a concert pianist whose performance repertoire is mainly contemporary music. Inoue is also associate professor at the Kunitachi College of Music in Tokyo.
Katsuhiko Oku (奥 克彦 Oku Katsuhiko, 3 January 1958 – 29 November 2003) was a Japanese diplomat who played rugby for…Katsuhiko Oku (奥 克彦 Oku Katsuhiko, 3 January 1958 – 29 November 2003) was a Japanese diplomat who played rugby for Oxford and Waseda University. In Britain he was known as "Katsu".
Yukihiko Imasaki (今崎 幸彦, Imasaki Yukihiko; born November 10, 1957) is a Japanese jurist. He has served as the Chief…Yukihiko Imasaki (今崎 幸彦, Imasaki Yukihiko; born November 10, 1957) is a Japanese jurist. He has served as the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Japan since August 16, 2024. Previously, Imasaki served as Chief Justice of both the Mito and Tokyo District Courts. He was appointed to the Supreme Court on June 24, 2022.
Hideya Sugio is a Japanese politician who is a member of the House of Councillors of Japan. Sugio is part of the CDP's…Hideya Sugio is a Japanese politician who is a member of the House of Councillors of Japan. Sugio is part of the CDP's shadow cabinet 'Next Cabinet' as the shadow Minister in Charge of the Cabinet.
Keiko Tobe (戸部 けいこ, Tobe Keiko; 30 July 1957 – 28 January 2010) was a Japanese manga artist who wrote primarily josei…Keiko Tobe (戸部 けいこ, Tobe Keiko; 30 July 1957 – 28 January 2010) was a Japanese manga artist who wrote primarily josei manga. She was best known for creating With the Light, which won an Excellence Prize in the Japan Media Arts Festival Awards in 2004 from the Japanese Agency for Cultural Affairs and inspired a television drama.
Masao Akashi (明石昌夫, Akashi Masao; March 25, 1957 – May 19, 2025) was a Japanese music arranger in distributors Being…Masao Akashi (明石昌夫, Akashi Masao; March 25, 1957 – May 19, 2025) was a Japanese music arranger in distributors Being Inc., mainly in their label B-Gram Records. In 1988, he debuted as arranger in debut single Dakara Sono Te wo Hanashite by Japanese hard-rock band B'z. By 1998, his arrangement work had been involved with many Being artists including Manish, Wands and Zard. Although Akashi was no longer working for Being Inc., he sometimes provided producing jobs for various artists such as Naomi Tamura, Maria, Color Bottle and Sonoda Band. Akashi died on May 19, 2025, at the age of 68.
Akira Asada (浅田 彰, Asada Akira; born March 23, 1957) is a Japanese postmodern critic and curator, whose interests…Akira Asada (浅田 彰, Asada Akira; born March 23, 1957) is a Japanese postmodern critic and curator, whose interests include contemporary arts, the history of social thought, and economic philosophy. He is currently the Dean of the Graduate School at the Kyoto University of Art and Design. Until March 2008, he served as an associate professor of economics at the Institute of Economic Research at Kyoto University (KIER). Asada is widely recognized as the author of the bestselling book, "構造と力─記号論を超えて (Structure and Power: Beyond Semiotics)", which was published in 1983. He holds a position as a member of the supervisory committee at NTT InterCommunication Center, and was a co-editor of the Japanese quarterly journal Hihyōkūkan (Critical Space) with Kojin Karatani until 2002. It has been noted that it was popular in late 1980s Japan to have words ending with "... phenomenon", an example being the use of the expression "Akira Asada phenomenon", which took the name of Asada as he was a central figure in the "new academism" that was a much-discussed topic at the time.
Yoshiyuki Matsuoka (松岡義之, Matsuoka Yoshiyuki; born on 6 March 1957, in Hyogo, Japan) is a retired judoka from Japan…Yoshiyuki Matsuoka (松岡義之, Matsuoka Yoshiyuki; born on 6 March 1957, in Hyogo, Japan) is a retired judoka from Japan, who represented Japan at the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, California. Matsuoka won the gold medal in the men's half-lightweight division (–65 kg), after having defeated South Korea's Hwang Jung-Oh in the final by Seoi Nage. He trained under 4 time world champion Shozo Fujii (1971–1979). As of 2007, Matsuoka coaches the Komatsu Limited judo club. Among his students are world champions & olympic medalists Ayumi Tanimoto, Miku Tashiro, and Tsukasa Yoshida.
Hiroshi Michinaga (道永 宏, Michinaga Hiroshi) (born 8 October 1956) is an archer from Japan, who was born in Hyogo…Hiroshi Michinaga (道永 宏, Michinaga Hiroshi) (born 8 October 1956) is an archer from Japan, who was born in Hyogo, Japan. He competed for Japan in the 1976 Summer Olympics held in Montreal, Quebec, Canada in the individual event where he finished in second place behind American Darrell Pace .
Takehiko Nakao (中尾 武彦, Nakao Takehiko; born 5 March 1956) is a Japanese former civil servant who served as the ninth…Takehiko Nakao (中尾 武彦, Nakao Takehiko; born 5 March 1956) is a Japanese former civil servant who served as the ninth president of the Asian Development Bank between 2013 and early 2020. He is Adviser, Sumitomo Corporation and Chairman, Center for International Economy and Strategy. He is also a board member (external) of the Daiichi Life Insurance Ltd. He teaches international economic policies and development economics as visiting professor at the Graduate School of Public Policy at Tokyo University and National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies (Tokyo).
Takayoshi Nakao (中尾 孝義, Nakao Takayoshi, born February 16, 1956) is a former Japanese professional baseball player. He…Takayoshi Nakao (中尾 孝義, Nakao Takayoshi, born February 16, 1956) is a former Japanese professional baseball player. He was a catcher. In 1982, he was the MVP of the Central League. His career lasted 13 seasons, from 1981 to 1993.
