Eiko Koizumi (小泉 栄子, Koizumi Eiko; born September 1, 1973 in Hyougo) is a beach volleyball player from Japan. She won…Eiko Koizumi (小泉 栄子, Koizumi Eiko; born September 1, 1973 in Hyougo) is a beach volleyball player from Japan. She won the silver medal in the women's team competition at the 2006 Asian Games in Doha, partnering compatriot Shinako Tanaka. In the final the couple lost (1-2) to the Chinese pair Xue Chen and Zhang Xi.
Isao Machii (町井勲, Machii Isao; born August 20, 1973) is a Japanese Iaido master (Shūshinryū Iaijutsu hyōhō, Shūshin-kan…Isao Machii (町井勲, Machii Isao; born August 20, 1973) is a Japanese Iaido master (Shūshinryū Iaijutsu hyōhō, Shūshin-kan head master) based in Kawanishi, Hyōgo, Japan. He holds a number of Guinness World Records for his katana skills, including "Most martial arts katana cuts to one mat (suegiri)", "Fastest 1,000 martial arts sword cuts", "Most sword cuts to straw mats in three minutes", and "Fastest tennis ball (708km/h) cut by sword".
Masanori Suda (born July 7, 1973) is a Japanese mixed martial artist. He competed in the Welterweight, Middleweight and…Masanori Suda (born July 7, 1973) is a Japanese mixed martial artist. He competed in the Welterweight, Middleweight and Heavyweight divisions. Suda is known primarily for his time in Shooto, where he is a former Light Heavyweight Champion.
Yukihiro Matsushita (松下 幸広, Matsushita Yukihiro; born 5 June 1973) is a Japanese former swimmer who competed at the…Yukihiro Matsushita (松下 幸広, Matsushita Yukihiro; born 5 June 1973) is a Japanese former swimmer who competed at the 1996 Summer Olympics. Matsushita graduated from Ichikawa High School in Hyōgo Prefecture, Japan, and was a member of the school's swim team. Matsushita won the gold medal in the 100 metre freestyle at the 1994 Asian Games in Hiroshima, Japan. He was also a member of the 4 x 100 and 4 x 200 metres freestyle relay teams at the same Games. At the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta, Georgia, United States, Matshuita competed in the men's 50 metre freestyle and men's 100 metre butterfly. Matsushita finished 35th in the freestyle, with a time of 23.60 seconds, and 20th in the butterfly, with a time of 54.50 seconds.
Haruna Hosoya (細谷 はるな, Hosoya Haruna; born April 23, 1973 in Kawanishi, Hyōgo) is an athlete from Japan. She competes…Haruna Hosoya (細谷 はるな, Hosoya Haruna; born April 23, 1973 in Kawanishi, Hyōgo) is an athlete from Japan. She competes in the triathlon. Hosoya competed at the first Olympic triathlon at the 2000 Summer Olympics. She did not finish the competition.
Naoko Sawamatsu (沢松奈生子, Sawamatsu Naoko; born on 23 March 1973) is a former professional tennis player. In her career…Naoko Sawamatsu (沢松奈生子, Sawamatsu Naoko; born on 23 March 1973) is a former professional tennis player. In her career, she won four singles titles on the WTA Tour. Sawamatsu reached a career-high ranking of world No. 14, on 6 February 1995. At the time of the 1995 Australian Open, her family survived the Great Hanshin earthquake, and Sawamatsu went on to achieve her best Grand Slam result at Melbourne Park, reaching the quarterfinals by defeating compatriot Ai Sugiyama, Laurence Courtois, Kimiko Date in the third round, Mary Joe Fernandez in the fourth round before losing to Arantxa Sánchez Vicario. Her most significant title came in 1993 at Strasbourg, when she defeated clay-courter Judith Wiesner in the final. Sawamatsu had much success at Strasbourg reaching the semifinals in 1991, final in 1992 losing to Judith Wiesner. She retired from professional tennis after losing in the second round of the 1998 Japan Open to Monica Seles in a three-set match. Sawamatsu had wins over the following players during her career: Martina Hingis, Lindsay Davenport, Kimiko Date, Mary Joe Fernandez, Amanda Coetzer, and Conchita Martínez. She was the first player to be beaten by Venus Williams in the main draw of a Grand Slam tournament, at the French Open in 1997. Sawamatsu's has a career win–loss record in singles of 205–143. Since retirement, she has been involved in the development of sport in her native country. Sawamatsu is the daughter of tennis player Junko Sawamatsu and the niece of 1975 Wimbledon ladies doubles champion Kazuko Sawamatsu. Sawamatsu appeared in the 2018 TBS medical drama Black Pean as Yoshie Koyama, the wife of a patient.
Kiyoko Ichiki (市来貴代子, Ichiki Kiyoko) is a Japanese professional wrestler currently working as a freelancer and is best…Kiyoko Ichiki (市来貴代子, Ichiki Kiyoko) is a Japanese professional wrestler currently working as a freelancer and is best known for her time in the Japanese promotions JWP Joshi Puroresu, NEO Japan Ladies Pro-Wrestling and Big Japan Pro Wrestling.
Masafumi Kawaguchi (born February 19, 1973) is a Japanese former professional American football linebacker. He was born…Masafumi Kawaguchi (born February 19, 1973) is a Japanese former professional American football linebacker. He was born in Kawanishi, Hyogo and introduced to football during his senior year at San Clemente High School in California, when he moved there at the age of 17. He enrolled at Ritsumeikan University in Kyoto as an international relations major. He played for seven years with the Amsterdam Admirals of NFL Europe from 1997 to 2004. He was named to the All-NFL Europe Team in 1999. In 1998, he was among the first four Japanese players to participate in a National Football League training camp when he participated in the Green Bay Packers camp and played in the 1998 American Bowl in Tokyo. In 2003, he was invited to the San Francisco 49ers training camp in 2003, and participated in the American Bowl exhibition game in the Osaka game between the 49ers and the Washington Redskins. He signed with the 49ers in 2003 but was released before the start of the season. Kawaguchi played a key role on the Japanese national team that won the International Federation of American Football 1999 World Cup.
Shinichi Shinohara (篠原 信一, Shinohara Shin'ichi; born 23 January 1973 in Kobe, Japan) is a Japanese television…Shinichi Shinohara (篠原 信一, Shinohara Shin'ichi; born 23 January 1973 in Kobe, Japan) is a Japanese television personality, judoka and winner of two gold medals at the 1999 World Championships in Birmingham.
Eri Yamaguchi (山口 衛里, Yamaguchi Eri; born 14 January 1973 in Takino, Hyogo) is a Japanese long-distance runner who…Eri Yamaguchi (山口 衛里, Yamaguchi Eri; born 14 January 1973 in Takino, Hyogo) is a Japanese long-distance runner who specializes in the marathon race. She won the 1999 Tokyo International Women's Marathon and finished seventh at the 2000 Summer Olympics. Her personal best time is 2:22:12 hours.
Takashi Manei (万永 貴司, Manei Takashi; born July 7, 1972 in Himeji, Hyōgo, Japan) is a Japanese former Nippon…Takashi Manei (万永 貴司, Manei Takashi; born July 7, 1972 in Himeji, Hyōgo, Japan) is a Japanese former Nippon Professional Baseball infielder.
Nobuharu Asahara (朝原 宣治, Asahara Nobuharu; born 21 June 1972 in Kita-ku, Kobe) is a former Japanese athlete who…Nobuharu Asahara (朝原 宣治, Asahara Nobuharu; born 21 June 1972 in Kita-ku, Kobe) is a former Japanese athlete who specialized in the 100 meters and long jump. He won the 100 m at the Japanese national championship on five occasions in 1996, 1997, 2000, 2001 and 2002, and he took part in the Olympics four times in 1996, 2000, 2004 and 2008. He represented Japan six times at the World Championships in Athletics. At global-level championships, he reached the semifinals five times: at the 1996 Olympics and the World Championships in 1997, 2001, 2003 and 2007. He also finished twelfth in the long jump final at the 1995 World Championships. In addition, he won silver medals in both 100 m and 4 × 100 m relay at the 2002 Asian Games.
Atsuhiko Mori (森 敦彦, Mori Atsuhiko; born May 31, 1972) is a former Japanese professional football player. He played as…Atsuhiko Mori (森 敦彦, Mori Atsuhiko; born May 31, 1972) is a former Japanese professional football player. He played as a goalkeeper, most notably with Yokohama Flügels from 1991 to 1997.
Hirotoshi Kitagawa (北川 博敏, Kitagawa Hirotoshi; born May 27, 1972) is a former Nippon Professional Baseball infielder.…Hirotoshi Kitagawa (北川 博敏, Kitagawa Hirotoshi; born May 27, 1972) is a former Nippon Professional Baseball infielder. In 2001, his pinch hit walk-off grand slam erased a 3-run deficit in the bottom of the ninth inning and secured the pennant for the Osaka Kintetsu Buffaloes.
Eiji Maruo (丸尾 英司, born April 26, 1976) is a Japanese former professional baseball pitcher in Japan's Nippon…Eiji Maruo (丸尾 英司, born April 26, 1976) is a Japanese former professional baseball pitcher in Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball. He played with the Orix BlueWave in 1995 and from 1997 to 1998, and the Osaka Kintetsu Buffaloes in 2000.
Nobuyuki Ebisu (戎 信行, Ebisu Nobuyuki) is a former baseball player in Japan. He primarily played for the Orix BlueWave…Nobuyuki Ebisu (戎 信行, Ebisu Nobuyuki) is a former baseball player in Japan. He primarily played for the Orix BlueWave in the Pacific League He attended Spring Training with the Seattle Mariners.
Yasuhiro Takemoto (Japanese: 武本 康弘, Hepburn: Takemoto Yasuhiro; April 5, 1972 – July 18, 2019) was a Japanese animator…Yasuhiro Takemoto (Japanese: 武本 康弘, Hepburn: Takemoto Yasuhiro; April 5, 1972 – July 18, 2019) was a Japanese animator and television and film director. He worked at Kyoto Animation for almost his entire animation career after joining the company in 1996 until his death in 2019.
Rie Yasumi (やすみ りえ) (born 1 March 1972 in Kobe, Hyogo) is a Japanese senryū poet, a graduate of Otemae University. Her…Rie Yasumi (やすみ りえ) (born 1 March 1972 in Kobe, Hyogo) is a Japanese senryū poet, a graduate of Otemae University. Her real name is Rieko Yasumi (休 理英子, Yasumi Rieko).
Takashi Kiyama (木山 隆之, Kiyama Takashi; born February 18, 1972) is a Japanese professional football manager and former…Takashi Kiyama (木山 隆之, Kiyama Takashi; born February 18, 1972) is a Japanese professional football manager and former player who is the manager of J1 League club Fagiano Okayama.
Yumi Kokamo (小鴨 由水, Kokamo Yumi) (born December 26, 1971, in Akashi, Hyogo) is a retired female long-distance runner…Yumi Kokamo (小鴨 由水, Kokamo Yumi) (born December 26, 1971, in Akashi, Hyogo) is a retired female long-distance runner from Japan. She won the 1992 edition of the Osaka Ladies Marathon. She clocked a winning time of 2:26:26 on January 26, 1992. Later that year Kokamo competed at the 1992 Summer Olympics, finishing in 29th place in the women's marathon race.
Yoshikazu Higashitani (東谷 義和, Higashitani Yoshikazu; born October 6, 1971), also known as GaaSyy (ガーシー, Gāshī), is a…Yoshikazu Higashitani (東谷 義和, Higashitani Yoshikazu; born October 6, 1971), also known as GaaSyy (ガーシー, Gāshī), is a Japanese politician, YouTuber, and businessman. He was elected into the House of Councillors in 2022 as part of the NHK Party, but was expelled on March 15, 2023 for not attending any sessions of Parliament. The following day, the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department sought an arrest warrant for alleged defamation of celebrities in his YouTube videos. On June 4, 2023, the Metropolitan Police Department arrested Higashitani immediately upon his arrival at Narita Airport on suspicion of habitually threatening celebrities and others.
Yudai Deguchi (出口 雄大, Deguchi Yūdai; born September 23, 1971) is a Japanese former professional baseball outfielder. He…Yudai Deguchi (出口 雄大, Deguchi Yūdai; born September 23, 1971) is a Japanese former professional baseball outfielder. He played in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) for the Yomiuri Giants and Fukuoka Daiei Hawks from 1990 to 2005.
Hisayuki Fujii (藤井比早之, Fujii Hisayuki; born 11 September 1971) is a Japanese politician serving as a member of the…Hisayuki Fujii (藤井比早之, Fujii Hisayuki; born 11 September 1971) is a Japanese politician serving as a member of the House of Representatives since 2012. He served as deputy minister of foreign affairs under Shigeru Ishiba between 2024 and 2025.
Yukiko Kashihara (柏原 由紀子, Kashihara Yukiko; born September 8, 1971) is a Japanese retired competitive figure skater.…Yukiko Kashihara (柏原 由紀子, Kashihara Yukiko; born September 8, 1971) is a Japanese retired competitive figure skater. She is the 1988 World Junior bronze medalist and the 1988 Japanese national bronze medalist.
Norika Fujiwara (藤原 紀香, Fujiwara Norika; born June 28, 1971) is a Japanese actress, model and beauty pageant…Norika Fujiwara (藤原 紀香, Fujiwara Norika; born June 28, 1971) is a Japanese actress, model and beauty pageant titleholder. She became Miss Nippon in 1992 and was an exclusive model for fashion magazine CanCam. She has appeared in various commercials and TV series and a number of films in Japan.
Katsuhiro Maeda (born June 23, 1971) is a Japanese former professional baseball pitcher. He played in Nippon…Katsuhiro Maeda (born June 23, 1971) is a Japanese former professional baseball pitcher. He played in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) for the Seibu Lions, and in the Chinese Professional Baseball League (CPBL) for the Sinon Bulls.
Akihiro Tabuki (田吹昭博, Tabuki Akihiro; born June 20, 1971) is a retired Japanese professional baseball pitcher. He…Akihiro Tabuki (田吹昭博, Tabuki Akihiro; born June 20, 1971) is a retired Japanese professional baseball pitcher. He played for the Nippon-Ham Fighters during the 1995 Nippon Professional Baseball season.
Toshiyuki Notomi (納富 俊行, Nōtomi Toshiyuki; born 15 June 1971) is a Japanese weightlifter. He competed in the men's…Toshiyuki Notomi (納富 俊行, Nōtomi Toshiyuki; born 15 June 1971) is a Japanese weightlifter. He competed in the men's flyweight event at the 1996 Summer Olympics.
Misako Ando (安藤 美佐子, Andō Misako) (born March 21, 1971) is a Japanese softball player who plays as a shortstop. She won…Misako Ando (安藤 美佐子, Andō Misako) (born March 21, 1971) is a Japanese softball player who plays as a shortstop. She won the silver medal at the 2000 Summer Olympics.
Ryohei Odai (小田井 涼平, Odai Ryōhei; born February 23, 1971 in Konohana-ku, Osaka and raised in Kawanishi, Hyogo)…Ryohei Odai (小田井 涼平, Odai Ryōhei; born February 23, 1971 in Konohana-ku, Osaka and raised in Kawanishi, Hyogo), otherwise known by his mononym Ryohei (涼平, Ryōhei), is a Japanese actor and voice actor probably best known for providing the voice of Orga Sabnak in Gundam Seed and portraying Shuichi Kitaoka/Kamen Rider Zolda in Kamen Rider Ryuki.
Ōtsukasa Nobuhide (皇司信秀 (Ōtsukasanobuhide), born February 18, 1971, as Nobuhide Ōuchi) is a former sumo wrestler from…Ōtsukasa Nobuhide (皇司信秀 (Ōtsukasanobuhide), born February 18, 1971, as Nobuhide Ōuchi) is a former sumo wrestler from Miki, Hyōgo, Japan. A former amateur champion, he made his professional debut in 1993. The highest rank he reached was maegashira 4. He retired in March 2009 and is now a sumo coach.
Nagaru Tanigawa (谷川 流, Tanigawa Nagaru; born December 19, 1970) is a Japanese author. He is a graduate of the law…Nagaru Tanigawa (谷川 流, Tanigawa Nagaru; born December 19, 1970) is a Japanese author. He is a graduate of the law school at Kwansei Gakuin University. He is best known as the creator of the Haruhi Suzumiya light novel series, which was adapted into an anime television series and film, and for which he won the Grand Prize at the eighth annual Sneaker Awards. While Tanigawa was on hiatus from writing his light novel series, he wrote the manga series Amnesia Labyrinth, which was serialized in Dengeki Bunko Magazine.
Tetsuya Matoyama (Japanese: 的山 哲也, born October 1, 1970) is a Japanese former professional baseball catcher, and…Tetsuya Matoyama (Japanese: 的山 哲也, born October 1, 1970) is a Japanese former professional baseball catcher, and current fourth squad battery coach for the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB). He played in NPB for the Osaka Kintetsu Buffaloes, Orix Buffaloes, and Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks.
Noriko Yamaji (山路 典子, Yamaji Noriko) (born September 17, 1970) is a Japanese softball player who played first base and…Noriko Yamaji (山路 典子, Yamaji Noriko) (born September 17, 1970) is a Japanese softball player who played first base and as a catcher in the Olympic Games from 1996 to 2004. For the team she won a silver medal in 2000 and the bronze medal in 2004. She also served as a coach for the gold medal winning team at the 2020 Summer Olympics.
Ganyū Kenji (born 6 August 1970 as Kenji Hirano) is a former sumo wrestler from Himeji, Hyōgo, Japan. He made his…Ganyū Kenji (born 6 August 1970 as Kenji Hirano) is a former sumo wrestler from Himeji, Hyōgo, Japan. He made his professional debut in March 1986, and reached the top division in March 1996. His highest rank was maegashira 1. He retired in 2000 and became an elder of the Japan Sumo Association. In 2015 he became the head coach of Yamahibiki stable following the death of his old stablemaster, Kitanoumi.
Yoshiko Yamamoto (Japanese: 山本佳子, born 6 March 1970) is a Japanese former marathon runner who won the 1990 Paris…Yoshiko Yamamoto (Japanese: 山本佳子, born 6 March 1970) is a Japanese former marathon runner who won the 1990 Paris Marathon, came second at the 1992 Boston Marathon, and third at the 1992 New York City Marathon.
Concerto Moon (コンチェルト・ムーン, Koncheruto Mūn) is a Japanese neoclassical metal/power metal band formed in 1996 and led by…Concerto Moon (コンチェルト・ムーン, Koncheruto Mūn) is a Japanese neoclassical metal/power metal band formed in 1996 and led by guitarist Norifumi Shima. The band's first two albums were reissued by InsideOut Music in 2003.
Fumito Ueda (上田 文人, Ueda Fumito; born April 19, 1970) is a Japanese video game designer, game director and visual…Fumito Ueda (上田 文人, Ueda Fumito; born April 19, 1970) is a Japanese video game designer, game director and visual artist. Ueda is best known as the director and lead designer of Ico (2001) and Shadow of the Colossus (2005) during his tenure at Sony Computer Entertainment's Japan Studio, and The Last Guardian (2016) through his own development company GenDesign. His games have achieved cult status and are distinguished by their usage of minimal plot and scenario using fictional languages, and use of overexposed, desaturated light. He has been described by some as an auteur.
Chika Kodama (児玉千佳, Kodama Chika; born 19 March 1970) is a Japanese softball player. She competed in the women's…Chika Kodama (児玉千佳, Kodama Chika; born 19 March 1970) is a Japanese softball player. She competed in the women's tournament at the 1996 Summer Olympics.
Koji Ito (伊東 浩司, Itō Kōji; born 29 January 1970 in Kobe) is a retired Japanese track and field sprinter and Japan's…Koji Ito (伊東 浩司, Itō Kōji; born 29 January 1970 in Kobe) is a retired Japanese track and field sprinter and Japan's fourth-fastest record holder of 100m sprint with a time of 10.00 seconds. He held the 100 metres Japanese national record between December 1998 and September 2017. He is a former Asian record holder in the 100 metres and 200 metres, and still holds the indoor record as well as the 4×400 metres relay record. He is married to former long-distance runner Hiromi Suzuki.
Michael Kawajo (川条 志嘉, Kawajō Shika; born 25 January 1970) is a former Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic…Michael Kawajo (川条 志嘉, Kawajō Shika; born 25 January 1970) 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).
Takeshi Senoo (妹尾 武) (born December 26, 1969) is a Japanese composer. He has worked on several different anime shows…Takeshi Senoo (妹尾 武) (born December 26, 1969) is a Japanese composer. He has worked on several different anime shows, including the Aria series, Inari, Konkon, Koi Iroha, and the Himawari! series. Along with Shigeharu Sasago he was music director of the Aria soundtracks, which he composed with Choro Club. He also co-composed the music for the live action series Ariadne no Dangan and produced the soundtrack for the film Sweet Little Lies.
Yū Yabūchi (やぶうち 優, Yabūchi Yū; born 1 December 1969 in Nishinomiya) is a Japanese manga artist who specializes in…Yū Yabūchi (やぶうち 優, Yabūchi Yū; born 1 December 1969 in Nishinomiya) is a Japanese manga artist who specializes in shōjo manga. Yū Yabuchi's most famous works are Mizuiro Jidai, Shōjo-Shōnen, and Naisho no Tsubomi. The main focus of her manga are the emotional and psychological growth of preteen girls and boys and early romances between them. Her works are popular among preteen and teenage girls. She received the 2009 Shogakukan Manga Award for children's manga for Naisho no Tsubomi. Her favorites subjects to draw are trains and birds (especially the Java sparrow).
Ryō Adachi (安達 亮, Adachi Ryō; born July 2, 1969) is a Japanese football manager and former player. He is the current…Ryō Adachi (安達 亮, Adachi Ryō; born July 2, 1969) is a Japanese football manager and former player. He is the current manager of J2 League club Kataller Toyama .
So Taguchi (田口 壮, Taguchi Sō; born July 2, 1969) is a Japanese former professional baseball outfielder. He played in…So Taguchi (田口 壮, Taguchi Sō; born July 2, 1969) is a Japanese former professional baseball outfielder. He played in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) for the Orix BlueWave / Buffaloes, and in Major League Baseball (MLB) with the St. Louis Cardinals, Philadelphia Phillies, and Chicago Cubs. Taguchi is the third Japanese-born player to win a World Series after Hideki Irabu in 1998 and Tadahito Iguchi in 2005. Taguchi is also the first Japanese player to win two World Series with different teams – with the St. Louis Cardinals in 2006 and the Philadelphia Phillies in 2008.
Keiichi Okabe (岡部 啓一, Okabe Keiichi; born May 26, 1969) is a Japanese composer and arranger, best known for composing…Keiichi Okabe (岡部 啓一, Okabe Keiichi; born May 26, 1969) is a Japanese composer and arranger, best known for composing music for the Tekken and Drakengard series. He started his career at Namco in 1994, where he primarily composed for arcade games. Outside of video games, he has composed for anime series such as Working!! and Yuki Yuna is a Hero, along with arranging tracks for J-pop artists. He established the music production studio Monaca in 2004, which composes for various types of media.
Ikuyo Namura (Japanese: 苗村 郁代; born 13 May 1969) is a Japanese former volleyball player who competed in the 1992 Summer…Ikuyo Namura (Japanese: 苗村 郁代; born 13 May 1969) is a Japanese former volleyball player who competed in the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona. In 1992, Namura finished fifth with the Japanese team in the Olympic tournament.
