Kimitoshi Nōgawa (直川 公俊, Nōgawa Kimitoshi; born 6 February 1984) is a Japanese former professional footballer who…Kimitoshi Nōgawa (直川 公俊, Nōgawa Kimitoshi; born 6 February 1984) is a Japanese former professional footballer who played as a striker. His birthday has also been reported as 27 June 1978.
Kazuya Maeda (前田 和哉, Maeda Kazuya; born September 8, 1982 in Wakayama) is a former Japanese football player who last…Kazuya Maeda (前田 和哉, Maeda Kazuya; born September 8, 1982 in Wakayama) is a former Japanese football player who last featured for Giravanz Kitakyushu.
Yuichi Komano (駒野 友一, Komano Yūichi; born 25 July 1981) is a former Japanese professional footballer who last played as…Yuichi Komano (駒野 友一, Komano Yūichi; born 25 July 1981) is a former Japanese professional footballer who last played as a defender. He played for Japan national team until 2013.
Kimurayama Mamoru (13 July 1981 – 6 July 2024) was a Japanese professional sumo wrestler. His highest rank was…Kimurayama Mamoru (13 July 1981 – 6 July 2024) was a Japanese professional sumo wrestler. His highest rank was maegashira 7. He was a coach at Kasugano stable. He was the only wrestler in the elite ranks in his time from Wakayama Prefecture.
Aki Shibata (芝田安希 Shibata Aki, born January 6, 1981) was a Japanese volleyball player who played for Toray Arrows. She…Aki Shibata (芝田安希 Shibata Aki, born January 6, 1981) was a Japanese volleyball player who played for Toray Arrows. She served as captain of the team between 2008 and 2010. Toray announced that she retired in June 2010.
Naoya Tabara (田原 直哉, Tabara Naoya; born 24 December 1980) is a Japanese male artistic gymnast and freestyle skier. He…Naoya Tabara (田原 直哉, Tabara Naoya; born 24 December 1980) is a Japanese male artistic gymnast and freestyle skier. He has formerly competed as a gymnast and has participated at the gymnastic competitions until 2005 before switching on to take the sport of freestyle skiing in 2006. Naoya Tabara sustained a shoulder injury in 2005 when he was professional artistic gymnast which caused him to choose aerials freestyle skiing. He participated at the 2018 Winter Olympics and competed in the freestyle skiing men's aerials event. Naoya most notably took part in the 2005 Gymnastics World Cup finishing sixth in the floor excise event. Naoya Tabara has competed in FIS World Championships and has represented Japan during the 2011 Asian Winter Games before being selected to represent Japan at the 2018 Winter Olympics. He is also the first Japanese male freestyle skier to secure a podium finish in aerials at a Skiing World Cup.
Midori Shintani (薪谷 翠, Shintani Midori; born 15 August 1980 in Kinokawa, Wakayama) is a female Japanese judoka.…Midori Shintani (薪谷 翠, Shintani Midori; born 15 August 1980 in Kinokawa, Wakayama) is a female Japanese judoka. Shintani won a gold medal at the women's open category of the 2005 World Judo Championships in Cairo. Shintani won a silver medal at the +78 kg category of the 2001 World Judo Championships in Munich. She won a bronze medal at the +78 kg category of the 2006 Asian Games.
Jin Nakatani (中谷 仁, born May 5, 1979) is a Japanese former professional baseball catcher in Nippon Professional…Jin Nakatani (中谷 仁, born May 5, 1979) is a Japanese former professional baseball catcher in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB). He played for the Hanshin Tigers in 2002, the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles in 2006, and from 2008 to 2011 and for the Yomiuri Giants in 2012. Following his retirement from the NPB, he managed at the Chiben Wakayama High School baseball team.
Jun Toba (鳥羽 潤, Toba Jun; born October 13, 1978 in Arida, Wakayama, Japan) is a Japanese actor and musician who is…Jun Toba (鳥羽 潤, Toba Jun; born October 13, 1978 in Arida, Wakayama, Japan) is a Japanese actor and musician who is represented by the talent agencies, Amuse, Inc., and later, Office Nigun Niiba.
Osamu Hamanaka (濱中 治, born July 9, 1978, in Tanabe, Wakayama) is a former Japanese professional baseball player.…Osamu Hamanaka (濱中 治, born July 9, 1978, in Tanabe, Wakayama) is a former Japanese professional baseball player. Drafted by the Hanshin Tigers in Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball in 1996, Hamanaka spent 11 years with the club from 1997 to 2007. Following his time with Hanshin, Hamanaka spent three seasons with the Orix Buffaloes from 2008 to 2010 and one season with the Tokyo Yakult Swallows in 2011. In November 2014 it was announced that Hamanaka had signed a contract to return to Hanshin as a batting coach for the farm team.
Yuji Yoshimi (吉見 祐治, born May 21, 1978, in Wakayama, Wakayama) is a Japanese former professional baseball pitcher in…Yuji Yoshimi (吉見 祐治, born May 21, 1978, in Wakayama, Wakayama) is a Japanese former professional baseball pitcher in Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball. He played with the Yokohama BayStars from 2001 to 2010 and for the Chiba Lotte Marines from 2010 to 2013. He also played for Team Japan at the 2000 Olympics.
Tadashi Matsuura (Japanese: 松浦忠史; born March 10, 1976), known exclusively by his stage name Kisaki (きさき), is a Japanese…Tadashi Matsuura (Japanese: 松浦忠史; born March 10, 1976), known exclusively by his stage name Kisaki (きさき), is a Japanese musician, record producer and businessman, whose career in the visual kei scene spans more than 30 years. He is best known for having been the bassist of several bands, including La:Sadie's, Mirage, Syndrome, Kisaki Project, and Phantasmagoria. When Phantasmagoria disbanded in 2007, Kisaki announced his retirement as an active musician. However, in 2010, he ended his retirement and formed the band Lin -The End of Corruption World-. Kisaki also works as a record producer, including for his two former visual kei record labels, Matina and Under Code Production. These labels launched the careers of many bands, including Vidoll, The Gazette and 12012. In 2023, Matenrou Opera vocalist Sono stated that the visual kei scene would not be what it is today without Kisaki.
Takaya Hayashi (林 孝哉, Hayashi Takaya; born June 1, 1973 in Wakayama, Wakayama) is a Japanese retired professional…Takaya Hayashi (林 孝哉, Hayashi Takaya; born June 1, 1973 in Wakayama, Wakayama) is a Japanese retired professional baseball infielder.
Aya Koyama (小山 亜矢, Koyama Aya; 8 March 1973 – 27 August 2018), better known by her stage name Aliya (亜利弥’), was a…Aya Koyama (小山 亜矢, Koyama Aya; 8 March 1973 – 27 August 2018), better known by her stage name Aliya (亜利弥’), was a Japanese female mixed martial artist and a professional wrestler. She started her career as a pro wrestler in 1996 before starting to compete in mixed martial arts from 2001.
Masato Tanaka (田中 正人, ring name: 田中 将斗, Tanaka Masato; born February 28, 1973) is a Japanese professional wrestler, He…Masato Tanaka (田中 正人, ring name: 田中 将斗, Tanaka Masato; born February 28, 1973) is a Japanese professional wrestler, He is currently working for both promotions Pro Wrestling Noah (Noah) and Pro Wrestling Zero1 (Zero1). He is best known for his appearances with Frontier Martial-Arts Wrestling (FMW) in Japan where he was a one-time FMW Brass Knuckles Heavyweight Champion and a one-time WEW World Heavyweight Champion and in Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW) in the United States where he was a one-time ECW World Heavyweight Champion. He is overall a ten-time world champion in major professional wrestling promotions.
Fumiya Nishiguchi (西口 文也, Nishiguchi Fumiya), (born September 26, 1972) is a Japanese former professional baseball…Fumiya Nishiguchi (西口 文也, Nishiguchi Fumiya), (born September 26, 1972) is a Japanese former professional baseball right-handed pitcher and current manager for the Saitama Seibu Lions of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB). He played 21 seasons in NPB, all for the Lions.
Hitoshi Morishita (森下 仁志, Morishita Hitoshi; born September 21, 1972) is a former Japanese football player and manager.…Hitoshi Morishita (森下 仁志, Morishita Hitoshi; born September 21, 1972) is a former Japanese football player and manager. he is the currently assistant manager of J1 League club Tokyo Verdy.
Hikaru Tanaka (田中 光, Tanaka Hikaru; born 19 July 1972) is a Japanese gymnast. He finished in eighteenth place in the…Hikaru Tanaka (田中 光, Tanaka Hikaru; born 19 July 1972) is a Japanese gymnast. He finished in eighteenth place in the all around at the 1996 Summer Olympics.
Kei Taniguchi (谷口 けい, Taniguchi Kei, 14 July 1972 – 22 December 2015) was a Japanese mountaineer. Her accomplishments…Kei Taniguchi (谷口 けい, Taniguchi Kei, 14 July 1972 – 22 December 2015) was a Japanese mountaineer. Her accomplishments included climbing new technical routes on various mountains in Alaska, Nepal, Tibet, Pakistan and China. In 2009, she became the first female mountaineer to win the prestigious International Climbing award Piolet d'Or (Golden Ice Axe) after completing the first ascent of the Southeast Face of Kamet (7756 m) in India, sharing the award with her climbing partner Kazuya Hiraide. She was known for her fearless Alpinist climbing style with no Sherpa support and was considered a pioneer among her peers.
Wakanoyama Hiroshi (born May 12, 1972 as Hiroshi Nishizaki) is a former sumo wrestler from Gobo, Wakayama Prefecture…Wakanoyama Hiroshi (born May 12, 1972 as Hiroshi Nishizaki) is a former sumo wrestler from Gobo, Wakayama Prefecture, Japan. His highest rank was komusubi.
Yoshihisa Hirano (平野 義久, Hirano Yoshihisa; born December 7, 1971) is a Japanese composer and arranger. He is best known…Yoshihisa Hirano (平野 義久, Hirano Yoshihisa; born December 7, 1971) is a Japanese composer and arranger. He is best known for composing the scores for anime series, such as Death Note, Hunter × Hunter (2011), Hajime no Ippo and Edens Zero. He has also made the orchestration for video games, mostly in the Final Fantasy franchise. His musical style combines impressionism and atonal music. He employs techniques such as polyrhythm, tone clusters, polytonality, brass glissandi and polymodal chromaticism to create unique musical textures.
Hiroki Kokubo (小久保 裕紀, Kokubo Hiroki; born October 8, 1971) is a Japanese former professional baseball infielder, and…Hiroki Kokubo (小久保 裕紀, Kokubo Hiroki; born October 8, 1971) is a Japanese former professional baseball infielder, and current manager for the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB). He played in NPB for the Hawks and Yomiuri Giants, and recorded over 2,000 hits across his 19 year career.
Lynn Okamoto (岡本 倫, Okamoto Rin) is a Japanese manga artist and a former employee of Bandai and Arc System Works. His…Lynn Okamoto (岡本 倫, Okamoto Rin) is a Japanese manga artist and a former employee of Bandai and Arc System Works. His most famous work is the series Elfen Lied which was adapted into a 13-episode anime series by the studio Arms.
Tetsuya Kakiuchi (垣内 哲也, Kakiuchi Tetsuya; born June 6, 1970 in Hidaka, Wakayama, Japan) is a Japanese former Nippon…Tetsuya Kakiuchi (垣内 哲也, Kakiuchi Tetsuya; born June 6, 1970 in Hidaka, Wakayama, Japan) is a Japanese former Nippon Professional Baseball outfielder.
Takuya Ōta (太田 拓弥, Ōta Takuya; born 2 January 1970) is a Japanese former wrestler who competed in the 1996 Summer…Takuya Ōta (太田 拓弥, Ōta Takuya; born 2 January 1970) is a Japanese former wrestler who competed in the 1996 Summer Olympics.
Fumiharu Miyamoto (宮本 文晴, Miyamoto Fumiharu; born 31 March 1969) is a Japanese former cyclist. He competed in the team…Fumiharu Miyamoto (宮本 文晴, Miyamoto Fumiharu; born 31 March 1969) is a Japanese former cyclist. He competed in the team pursuit event at the 1988 Summer Olympics. He later rode for the Nippon Hodo Racing Team (a precursor of Team Nippo), and after retiring, served as a coach for the Japan Cycling Federation.
Masanori Sugiura (杉浦 正則, born May 23, 1968) is a retired Japanese Olympic baseball player from Kudoyama, Wakayama…Masanori Sugiura (杉浦 正則, born May 23, 1968) is a retired Japanese Olympic baseball player from Kudoyama, Wakayama, Japan. Sugiura was the ace pitcher of the Nippon Life Insurance Company baseball team, and was chosen to join the Japanese national team in the 1992 Summer Olympics, where he won a bronze medal. He returned to the olympics four years later, winning a silver medal at the 1996 Summer Olympics. Professional players were allowed to participate in the 2000 Summer Olympics, but Sugiura was still chosen as the captain of the Japanese national team, and the captain of the entire Japanese olympic team in 2000 Summer Olympics. The Japanese team did not win a medal that year. Sugiura refused numerous offers to join the Japanese professional leagues and retired in 2000. The Nippon Life Insurance Company baseball team won the Intercity Baseball Tournament twice during the 10 years Sugiura played with the team. He also marked a record five career wins in the olympic tournaments. He served as a pitching coach for his team from 2001 to 2004 and became the manager in 2006.
Miki Inoue (井上 美紀, Inoue Miki; born 8 December 1967) is a Japanese voice actress affiliated with Aoni Production. Her…Miki Inoue (井上 美紀, Inoue Miki; born 8 December 1967) is a Japanese voice actress affiliated with Aoni Production. Her hometown is Wakayama, Wakayama Prefecture.
Terunoumi Masato, also known as Daikikō Masato, born Masato Hayashi (September 15, 1967 – June 6, 2009), was a sumo…Terunoumi Masato, also known as Daikikō Masato, born Masato Hayashi (September 15, 1967 – June 6, 2009), was a sumo wrestler from Gobō, Wakayama, Japan. A former amateur champion, he made his professional debut in 1990. His highest rank was maegashira 15. He was the first wrestler in the six tournaments per year era to reach the top makuuchi division after spending just one tournament in the second highest jūryō division. After injury problems he retired in 1993, and died at the age of 41 in 2009.
Hisanori Yokota (横田 久則, Yokota Hisanori; born September 8, 1967) is a Japanese former professional baseball pitcher and…Hisanori Yokota (横田 久則, Yokota Hisanori; born September 8, 1967) is a Japanese former professional baseball pitcher and current pitching coach of the TSG Hawks of Taiwan's Chinese Professional Baseball League (CPBL). He played in Nippon Professional Baseball for the Seibu Lions, Chiba Lotte Marines, and Hanshin Tigers, and in the Chinese Professional Baseball League (CPBL) for the Brother Elephants.
Shinji Aoto (青戸 慎司, Aoto Shinji; born 7 May 1967 in Wakayama) is a retired Japanese sprinter turned bobsledder who…Shinji Aoto (青戸 慎司, Aoto Shinji; born 7 May 1967 in Wakayama) is a retired Japanese sprinter turned bobsledder who represented his country at the 1988 Summer Olympics and 1998 Winter Olympics. He is the first and only Japanese male athlete to compete in both the Summer and Winter Olympic games (As of 2020). During his athletics career he also competed at two World Indoor Championships, in 1989 and 1993. He was the former national record holder in the 100 metres and the first Japanese to run under 10.3 seconds. He is currently the deputy director of track and field club at Chukyo University.
Hideaki Matsuyama (松山 秀明, Matsuyama Hideaki; born April 18, 1967) is a Japanese former professional baseball infielder…Hideaki Matsuyama (松山 秀明, Matsuyama Hideaki; born April 18, 1967) is a Japanese former professional baseball infielder, and current the second squad manager for the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB). He previously played for the Orix Blue Wave.
Fuyumi Sakamoto (坂本 冬美, Sakamoto Fuyumi; born March 30, 1967, in Kamitonda, Nishimuro District, Wakayama Prefecture…Fuyumi Sakamoto (坂本 冬美, Sakamoto Fuyumi; born March 30, 1967, in Kamitonda, Nishimuro District, Wakayama Prefecture, Japan) is a Japanese female enka singer under EMI Music Japan.
Tatsuya Tanimoto (谷本 龍哉, Tanimoto Tatsuya; born 26 October 1966) is a former Japanese member of the House of…Tatsuya Tanimoto (谷本 龍哉, Tanimoto Tatsuya; born 26 October 1966) is a former Japanese member of the House of Representatives of the Diet. He served as a representative of Wakayama 1st district, first as an independent politician, but after 2003 as a member of the Liberal Democratic Party. A native of Wakayama City and graduate of the University of Tokyo, he was elected for the first time in 2000 after working as a bartender and an aide to Representative Toshihiro Nikai, and serving in the Wakayama Prefectural Assembly.
Kushimaumi Keita (久島海 啓太; 6 August 1965 – 13 February 2012), born as Keita Kushima (久嶋 啓太), was a sumo wrestler from…Kushimaumi Keita (久島海 啓太; 6 August 1965 – 13 February 2012), born as Keita Kushima (久嶋 啓太), was a sumo wrestler from Shingū, Wakayama Prefecture, Japan. A successful amateur, his highest rank in professional sumo was maegashira 1. After his retirement he became an elder of the Japan Sumo Association and established Tagonoura stable.
Masato Yoshii (吉井 理人, Yoshii Masato; born April 20, 1965), nicknamed "Oiyan", is a Japanese former professional…Masato Yoshii (吉井 理人, Yoshii Masato; born April 20, 1965), nicknamed "Oiyan", is a Japanese former professional baseball pitcher, coach, and manager. He played in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) from 1985 to 2007 for the Kintetsu Buffaloes, Yakult Swallows, Orix BlueWave / Orix Buffaloes, and Chiba Lotte Marines. He also played in Major League Baseball (MLB) from 1998 to 2002 for the New York Mets, Colorado Rockies, and Montreal Expos.
Toshio Wakita (脇田 寿雄, Wakita Toshio; born 19 February 1965) is a Japanese bobsledder. He competed at the 1988, 1992…Toshio Wakita (脇田 寿雄, Wakita Toshio; born 19 February 1965) is a Japanese bobsledder. He competed at the 1988, 1992, 1994 and the 1998 Winter Olympics.
Hiroyuki Konishi (小西 裕之, Konishi Hiroyuki; born 14 August 1963) is a Japanese former gymnast who competed in the 1988…Hiroyuki Konishi (小西 裕之, Konishi Hiroyuki; born 14 August 1963) is a Japanese former gymnast who competed in the 1988 Summer Olympics.
Tsunenobu Kimoto, from Kyoto University in Japan, was named Fellow of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics…Tsunenobu Kimoto, from Kyoto University in Japan, was named Fellow of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) in 2015 for contributions to silicon carbide materials and devices.
Yumi Tamura (田村由美, Tamura Yumi; born September 5th in Wakayama Prefecture, Japan) is a Japanese manga artist. Her debut…Yumi Tamura (田村由美, Tamura Yumi; born September 5th in Wakayama Prefecture, Japan) is a Japanese manga artist. Her debut short story, Ore-tachi no Zettai Jikan ("This is the Time for Us"), was published in 1983 in Bessatsu Shōjo Comic and received the 1983 Shogakukan Grand Prize for new artists. Since then, she has completed more than 50 compiled volumes of short stories and continuing series. Popular works such as Tomoe ga Yuku! ("There goes Tomoe") exemplify her work, but she made her reputation with the long-running shōjo action/adventure series Basara, for which she won the 1993 Shogakukan Manga Award for the shōjo category. Her series 7 Seeds, for which she won a second Shogakukan Manga Award for the shōjo category in 2007, ran in the anthology magazine Flowers in Japan. Chicago was her first series to be published in North America. In 2021, she won a third Shogakukan Manga Award for general manga for her latest series Don't Call It Mystery. In addition to manga, she has published four novels with illustrations by herself, as well as doing character designs for Square's Super Famicom RPG Live A Live's Distant Future chapter, "The Mechanical Heart."
Tochinowaka Kiyotaka (born 22 May 1962 as Kiyotaka Kaseda) is a former sumo wrestler from Wakayama Prefecture, Japan. A…Tochinowaka Kiyotaka (born 22 May 1962 as Kiyotaka Kaseda) is a former sumo wrestler from Wakayama Prefecture, Japan. A former amateur champion, he turned professional in 1985, reaching the top makuuchi division in 1987. His highest rank was sekiwake. He was a runner-up in one tournament and earned six special prizes and four kinboshi. After 76 tournaments and 1114 bouts in the top division he retired in 1999. He is now an elder of the Japan Sumo Association and the head coach of Kasugano stable.
Kazufumi Taniguchi (谷口 和史, Taniguchi Kazufumi; born 14 April 1962) is a Japanese politician serving in the House of…Kazufumi Taniguchi (谷口 和史, Taniguchi Kazufumi; born 14 April 1962) is a Japanese politician serving in the House of Representatives in the Diet (national legislature) as a member of the New Komeito Party. A native of Wakayama Prefecture and graduate of Soka University he was elected for the first time in 2005.
Kazuhiro Mizoguchi (溝口 和洋, Mizoguchi Kazuhiro; born March 18, 1962) is a Japanese former javelin thrower. He set the…Kazuhiro Mizoguchi (溝口 和洋, Mizoguchi Kazuhiro; born March 18, 1962) is a Japanese former javelin thrower. He set the world best year performance in 1989, throwing 87.60 metres at a meet in San Jose, California, United States on May 27, 1989. Initially, it was announced as a new world record of 87.86m, 20cm further than the previous world record, but the measurer re-measured it with a plastic tape measure and announced it as 87.60m.
