Yoshio Utsumi (内海 善雄, Utsumi Yoshio; born August 14, 1942) was the Secretary-General of the International…Yoshio Utsumi (内海 善雄, Utsumi Yoshio; born August 14, 1942) was the Secretary-General of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) from 1998 to 2006.
Junji Kunishige (國重 純二, Kunishige Junji; January 20, 1942 – December 14, 2013) was a Japanese scholar and translator of…Junji Kunishige (國重 純二, Kunishige Junji; January 20, 1942 – December 14, 2013) was a Japanese scholar and translator of American literature.
Takeki Manabe (真鍋 武紀, Manabe Takeki; born 3 April 1940) is a Japanese politician who was the 43rd governor of Kagawa…Takeki Manabe (真鍋 武紀, Manabe Takeki; born 3 April 1940) is a Japanese politician who was the 43rd governor of Kagawa Prefecture in Japan, serving three terms from 1998 until 2010. In 2009 he announced he would not contest the 2010 election and was succeeded by Keizō Hamada.
Nobuko Okashita (岡下 信子, Okashita Nobuko; born 28 June 1939) is a retired Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic…Nobuko Okashita (岡下 信子, Okashita Nobuko; born 28 June 1939) is a retired 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 Kagawa Prefecture and graduate of Gakushuin Women's Junior College, she was elected to the House of Representatives for the first time in 2000. She lost her seat in 2003 but was re-elected two years later.
Kimiyo Matsuzaki (Japanese: 松崎キミ代, born June 18, 1938 in Takase, Kagawa Prefecture, Japan) is a former international…Kimiyo Matsuzaki (Japanese: 松崎キミ代, born June 18, 1938 in Takase, Kagawa Prefecture, Japan) is a former international table tennis player from Japan.
Akihito Kondo (近藤 昭仁, Kondo Akihito; 1 April 1938 – 27 March 2019) was a Japanese Nippon Professional Baseball pitcher.…Akihito Kondo (近藤 昭仁, Kondo Akihito; 1 April 1938 – 27 March 2019) was a Japanese Nippon Professional Baseball pitcher. He played for the Taiyō Whales from 1960 to 1973. Kondo was named the Japan Series Most Valuable Player in 1960. He later managed the Yokohama BayStars from 1993 to 1995 and the Chiba Lotte Marines in 1997 and 1998. He died on 27 March 2019, at age 80.
Wakamisugi Akiteru, also known as Daigō Hisateru, (24 September 1937 – 2 November 1983) was a sumo wrestler from…Wakamisugi Akiteru, also known as Daigō Hisateru, (24 September 1937 – 2 November 1983) was a sumo wrestler from Kagawa, Japan. The highest rank he achieved was sekiwake. He was the brother in law of yokozuna Wakanohana Kanji I.
Hiroyuki Konishi (Japanese: 小西博行 Konishi Hiroyuki; 19 October 1936 – 23 January 2022) was a Japanese politician. A…Hiroyuki Konishi (Japanese: 小西博行 Konishi Hiroyuki; 19 October 1936 – 23 January 2022) was a Japanese politician. A member of the Democratic Socialist Party, he served in the House of Councillors from 1980 to 1992. He died in Kure on 23 January 2022, at the age of 85.
Tsutomu Koyama (小山 勉, Koyama Tsutomu) (July 26, 1936 – July 2, 2012) was a Japanese volleyball player. He was a member…Tsutomu Koyama (小山 勉, Koyama Tsutomu) (July 26, 1936 – July 2, 2012) was a Japanese volleyball player. He was a member of the Men's National Volleyball Team that claimed the bronze medal at the 1964 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, Japan. He later served as the head coach of the Men's National Team. Koyama died on July 2, 2012, of esophageal cancer, aged 75.
Yoshinori Ohno (大野 功統 Ōno Yoshinori; 16 October 1935 – 16 July 2023) was a Japanese politician who served as Minister…Yoshinori Ohno (大野 功統 Ōno Yoshinori; 16 October 1935 – 16 July 2023) was a Japanese politician who served as Minister of State for Defense in Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi's third Cabinet from 2004 to 2005. He was a member of the Liberal Democratic Party.
Kenji Manabe (Japanese: 真鍋賢二 Manabe Kenji; 14 July 1935 – 2 March 2024) was a Japanese pathologist and politician. A…Kenji Manabe (Japanese: 真鍋賢二 Manabe Kenji; 14 July 1935 – 2 March 2024) was a Japanese pathologist and politician. A member of the Liberal Democratic Party, he served in the House of Councillors from 1977 to 1989 and again from 1995 to 2007. He was also Director-General of the Environmental Agency from 1998 to 1999. Manabe died in Tokyo on 2 March 2024, at the age of 88.
Yoshio Anabuki (穴吹 義雄, Anabuki Yoshio; May 6, 1933 – July 31, 2018) was a Japanese baseball player and former manager…Yoshio Anabuki (穴吹 義雄, Anabuki Yoshio; May 6, 1933 – July 31, 2018) was a Japanese baseball player and former manager of the Nankai Hawks. Anabuki died July 31, 2018.
Yoshihisa Maitani (January 8, 1933 – July 30, 2009) was a designer of cameras for the Japan-based camera manufacturer…Yoshihisa Maitani (January 8, 1933 – July 30, 2009) was a designer of cameras for the Japan-based camera manufacturer Olympus Corporation. After studying mechanical engineering at university, he joined Olympus Optical Co., Ltd. (now Olympus Corporation) in 1956. Maitani went on to work for them for 40 years. He was involved with the design of many of the company's most well-known cameras, including the Pen and the Pen F half frame cameras, the OM System, and the XA.
Kotogahama Sadao (Japanese: 琴ヶ濵貞雄) (10 October 1927 – 7 June 1981) was a sumo wrestler from Kanonji, Kagawa, Japan. He…Kotogahama Sadao (Japanese: 琴ヶ濵貞雄) (10 October 1927 – 7 June 1981) was a sumo wrestler from Kanonji, Kagawa, Japan. He reached the second highest rank of ōzeki in 1958. He was a tournament runner-up in the top makuuchi division on five occasions and earned seven kinboshi for defeating yokozuna when ranked as a maegashira. After his retirement in 1962 he became an elder in the Japan Sumo Association and worked as a coach at Sadogatake stable. He was offered the chance to take charge of the stable in 1974 but declined, preferring to remain as an assistant coach there until his death in 1981.
Kotonishiki Noboru (March 7, 1922 – July 14, 1974, born Noboru Fujimura) was a sumo wrestler and coach from Kanonji…Kotonishiki Noboru (March 7, 1922 – July 14, 1974, born Noboru Fujimura) was a sumo wrestler and coach from Kanonji, Kagawa, Japan. His highest rank was komusubi. He was runner-up in the January 1949 tournament and earned seven gold stars for defeating yokozuna. After his retirement in 1955 he founded the Sadogatake stable and produced yokozuna Kotozakura among others. He ran the stable until his death in 1974.
Kamikaze Shoichi (born Shoichi Akazawa; October 19, 1921 – May 15, 1990) was a sumo wrestler from Higashikagawa, Kagawa…Kamikaze Shoichi (born Shoichi Akazawa; October 19, 1921 – May 15, 1990) was a sumo wrestler from Higashikagawa, Kagawa Prefecture, Japan. He made his professional debut in May 1937 and reached the top division in May 1942. His highest rank was sekiwake. He won six gold stars against grand champion yokozuna in the course of his career. Upon retirement from active competition he became an elder in the Japan Sumo Association under the name Kataonami. He left the Sumo Association in September 1952.
Hirofumi Daimatsu (大松 博文, Daimatsu Hirofumi; 12 February 1921 – 24 November 1978) was a Japanese volleyball coach and a…Hirofumi Daimatsu (大松 博文, Daimatsu Hirofumi; 12 February 1921 – 24 November 1978) was a Japanese volleyball coach and a Japanese politician. He led Oriental Witches, nickname of "Nichibo Kaizuka", a factory volleyball team of Dai Nippon Spinning Co., Ltd. (later, Nichibo, thereafter, Unitika) in Kaizuka, Osaka given by the reports of European media when they achieved 24 consecutive victories against other national teams on the expedition to Europe, to world champion.
Flight Petty Officer Third Class Hajime Toyoshima (豊嶋 一, Toyoshima Hajime; 29 March 1920 – 5 August 1944) was a…Flight Petty Officer Third Class Hajime Toyoshima (豊嶋 一, Toyoshima Hajime; 29 March 1920 – 5 August 1944) was a Japanese airman in World War II. His A6M Zero was the first of that type to be recovered relatively intact on Allied territory (after those recovered after the attack on Pearl Harbor) when he crash landed on Melville Island, Northern Territory, Australia. Toyoshima was the first Japanese prisoner of war to be captured in Australia. In August 1944, while a POW in rural New South Wales, Toyoshima was one of the instigators of the Cowra breakout, sounding a bugle to signal the commencement of the escape, and died during the fight.
Ichirō Satsuki (五月一朗, Satsuki Ichirō) (7 July 1919 – 4 September 2014) was a Japanese rōkyoku singer. He died at the…Ichirō Satsuki (五月一朗, Satsuki Ichirō) (7 July 1919 – 4 September 2014) was a Japanese rōkyoku singer. He died at the age of 95.
Hiroshi Shima (島 比呂志, 1918–2003, real name Kaoru Kishiue,岸上 薫) was a Japanese novelist, Hansen's disease patient and…Hiroshi Shima (島 比呂志, 1918–2003, real name Kaoru Kishiue,岸上 薫) was a Japanese novelist, Hansen's disease patient and the chief editor of a literary coterie journal Kazan Chitai (Lava belt). He is famous for his letter which prompted a lawsuit resulting in compensation on account of the unconstitutionality of the Japanese leprosy prevention law.
Yoshinori Ohkoso (大社 義規, Ōkoso Yoshinori) (1 February 1915—27 April 2005) was a Japanese businessman and baseball team…Yoshinori Ohkoso (大社 義規, Ōkoso Yoshinori) (1 February 1915—27 April 2005) was a Japanese businessman and baseball team owner. Ohkoso was inducted into the Japanese Baseball Hall of Fame in 2009. Ohkoso founded the Nippon Meat Packers company, but stepped down as its chairman in 2002.
Masanori Yusa (遊佐 正憲, Yusa Masanori; January 8, 1915 – March 8, 1975) was a Japanese freestyle swimmer. He won gold…Masanori Yusa (遊佐 正憲, Yusa Masanori; January 8, 1915 – March 8, 1975) was a Japanese freestyle swimmer. He won gold medals in the 4 × 200 m relay in the 1932 and 1936 Olympics, setting world records on both occasions. In 1936 he finished almost simultaneously with Shigeo Arai and Masaharu Taguchi in the 100 m race and was awarded a silver medal. Yusa graduated from Nihon University and later worked for the Yokohama Rubber Company. In 1942, he married Yumeko Aizome, a famous stage and silent/sound film actress in Japan.
Kanichi Kashimura (樫村 寛一, Kashimura Kan'ichi; July 5, 1913 – March 6, 1943) was an Imperial Japanese Navy Naval Ace of…Kanichi Kashimura (樫村 寛一, Kashimura Kan'ichi; July 5, 1913 – March 6, 1943) was an Imperial Japanese Navy Naval Ace of the Second Sino-Japanese and Second World War. On December 9, 1937, Kashimura fought Hawk III over Nan- chang, destroying one and then colliding with another aircraft (an unknown type that could have been either Japanese or Chinese), tearing off a third of his left wing. Through superb piloting, the calm aviator brought his crippled Claude' back to base, and after four landing attempts, the aircraft somersaulted on touching the ground on its fourth approach and lost its tail in the subsequent crash. Astoundingly, the pilot walked away from the wreckage unharmed. Local news reporters quickly sent the story back to Japan, where Kashimura gained instant fame. On March 6, 1943 he was shot down and killed by a US aircraft near the Russell Islands.
Jun'ichi Nakahara (Japanese: 中原淳一; February 16, 1913 – April 19, 1983) was a Japanese graphic artist and fashion…Jun'ichi Nakahara (Japanese: 中原淳一; February 16, 1913 – April 19, 1983) was a Japanese graphic artist and fashion designer born in Higashikagawa. He was also a French doll maker. He became famous as an illustrator in the 1920s when his work appeared in the magazine Shojo No Tomo. According to the scholar Nozomi Masuda, Nakahara "greatly developed the eyes of shojo manga characters". Nakahara was married to the actress Kuniko Ashihara. The couple had four children, including the painter Shuichi Nakahara.
Tomomi Narita (成田 知巳, Narita Tomomi; 15 September 1912 – 9 March 1979) was a Japanese politician who served as the…Tomomi Narita (成田 知巳, Narita Tomomi; 15 September 1912 – 9 March 1979) was a Japanese politician who served as the chairman for the Japan Socialist Party from 1968 to 1977. He also served in a few other capacities, such as Chief of the Policy Deliberation Group and Secretary General.
Osamu Mihara (三原 脩, Mihara Osamu; November 21, 1911 – February 6, 1984) was a professional Japanese baseball player and…Osamu Mihara (三原 脩, Mihara Osamu; November 21, 1911 – February 6, 1984) was a professional Japanese baseball player and manager. Mihara played for a few years for The Great Japan Tokyo Baseball Club/Tokyo Kyojin. After serving as a private in the Japanese Army during World War II, he became a manager of the Giants from 1947 to 1949. He became manager of the Nishitetsu Lions in 1951. He led them to their first league pennant in 1954, where they lost in the Japan Series to the Chunichi Dragons. They returned to the Series in 1956 in what became the first of three consecutive league pennants, all of which resulted in victories in the Japan Series. He departed the team after the 1959 season to coach the Taiyō Whales. In his first season with the team, he led them to their first ever Japan Series by winning the Central League pennant, making him the first manager to win multiple league pennants. In the Japan Series, they prevailed in a four-game sweep over the Daimai Orions to win their first championship. It was the last of four Japan Series titles for Mihara. While he managed the team for seven more years, the Whales never returned to the Japan Series. He concluded his managerial career with brief stints for the Kintetsu Buffaloes and the Yakult Atoms before his career ended in 1973. Mihara was well known for his penchant for playing percentage baseball to his own type of logic that often was called "Mihara magic", which most notably could see him take a player who was 3-for-3 out of the game because he figured the odds were that the hitter would not get another hit. Often called one of the best Japanese managers of all time, he was inducted into the Japanese Baseball Hall of Fame in 1983.
Masayoshi Ōhira (大平 正芳, Ōhira Masayoshi; 12 March 1910 – 12 June 1980) was a Japanese politician who served as prime…Masayoshi Ōhira (大平 正芳, Ōhira Masayoshi; 12 March 1910 – 12 June 1980) was a Japanese politician who served as prime minister of Japan from 1978 until his death in 1980. Born in Kagawa Prefecture, Ōhira worked in the Ministry of Finance from 1936, and served as the private secretary to Hayato Ikeda, finance minister from 1949 to 1952. Ōhira was first elected to the Diet in 1952, and served as foreign minister in Ikeda's cabinet from 1962 to 1964 and as international trade and industry minister from 1968 to 1970 under Eisaku Satō. He took over Ikeda's faction of the Liberal Democratic Party and later served as foreign minister from 1972 to 1974 under Kakuei Tanaka and as finance minister from 1974 to 1976 under Takeo Miki. He succeeded Takeo Fukuda as LDP president and prime minister in 1978. After his government was defeated in a no-confidence vote, Ōhira decided to call the 1980 election rather than resign, but died suddenly of a heart attack. He is the most recent Japanese premier to die in office.
Kiyoshi Tanimoto (谷本 清, Tanimoto Kiyoshi; June 27, 1909 – September 28, 1986) was a Japanese Methodist minister famous…Kiyoshi Tanimoto (谷本 清, Tanimoto Kiyoshi; June 27, 1909 – September 28, 1986) was a Japanese Methodist minister famous for his humanitarian work for the Hiroshima Maidens. Tanimoto was a U.S educated Methodist minister who moved to Hiroshima with his wife during the midst of World War II. He survived the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, and was one of the six Hiroshima survivors whose experience of the bomb and later life are portrayed in John Hersey's book Hiroshima.
Shigeru Mizuhara (水原 茂, Mizuhara Shigeru; January 19, 1909 – March 26, 1982) is a former professional baseball…Shigeru Mizuhara (水原 茂, Mizuhara Shigeru; January 19, 1909 – March 26, 1982) is a former professional baseball infielder and manager in Japan's Japanese Baseball League (JBL) and Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB). As a player his team won nine JBL championships; as a manager his teams won five Japan Series championships. Mizuhara was a star third baseman for Keio University. Mizuhara played his entire professional career for the Tokyo Giants/Tokyo Kyojin/Yomiuri Giants, from the Japanese Baseball League's beginnings in 1936 until 1950. In 1940, he was selected as one of the Best Nine Award for the JBL. Playing second base for Tokyo in 1942, Mizuhara was voted Most Valuable Player of the JBL. Mizuhara served in the Japanese military during World War II, eventually being captured by the Russians; while in the prisoner of war camp, he introduced baseball to his captors. The JBL reorganized to Nippon Professional Baseball in 1950, and Mizhuara became player-manager of the Giants (although he retired as a player after the season). As manager for the Giants from 1950 to 1960, the Toei Flyers from 1961 to 1967, and the Chunichi Dragons from 1969 to 1971, Mizuhara compiled a record of 1586–1123, for a .585 winning percentage. As manager, he guided his teams to five Japan Series championships, four of those with Yomiuri and one with Toei. Mizuhara was elected to the Japanese Baseball Hall of Fame in 1977.
Tamao Shiwaku (塩飽 玉男, May 12, 1906 – December 15, 1990) was a Japanese runner. He competed at the 1936 Olympics in the…Tamao Shiwaku (塩飽 玉男, May 12, 1906 – December 15, 1990) was a Japanese runner. He competed at the 1936 Olympics in the marathon but did not finish the race. He died in Sakaide, Kagawa on December 15, 1990.
Tatsuyoshi 'Ryuki' Miki (三木龍喜, Miki Tatsuyoshi; 11 February 1904 – 9 January 1967) was a Japanese amateur tennis…Tatsuyoshi 'Ryuki' Miki (三木龍喜, Miki Tatsuyoshi; 11 February 1904 – 9 January 1967) was a Japanese amateur tennis player. His main success was winning the 1934 Wimbledon Championships in mixed doubles (with Dorothy Round).
Kanematsu Yamada (山田 兼松, September 16, 1903 – August 27, 1977) was a Japanese long-distance runner. He competed in the…Kanematsu Yamada (山田 兼松, September 16, 1903 – August 27, 1977) was a Japanese long-distance runner. He competed in the 1928 Olympics marathon, finishing in fourth place.
Gen'ichirō Inokuma (猪熊弦一郎, Inokuma Gen'ichirō; born on 14 December 1902, died on 17 May 1993) was a Japanese painter.…Gen'ichirō Inokuma (猪熊弦一郎, Inokuma Gen'ichirō; born on 14 December 1902, died on 17 May 1993) was a Japanese painter. Inokuma is best known for his large-scale abstract paintings that allude to industrial landscapes, ladders, rail tracks, derricks, cranes, urban maps, and city planners’ blueprints.
Yoshishige Ashihara (芦原 義重, Ashihara Yoshishige; March 4, 1901 – July 12, 2003) was a Japanese businessman in the Shōwa…Yoshishige Ashihara (芦原 義重, Ashihara Yoshishige; March 4, 1901 – July 12, 2003) was a Japanese businessman in the Shōwa period, president of Kansai Electric Power Company. In 1997 he received the highest distinction of the Scout Association of Japan, the Golden Pheasant Award.
Fujio Shido (志度 藤雄, Shido Fujio; 1901–1986) was a Japanese chef who played an important role in introducing French…Fujio Shido (志度 藤雄, Shido Fujio; 1901–1986) was a Japanese chef who played an important role in introducing French cuisine to Japan. When he was in his early 20s, he stowed away on a ship going to London, where he was deported. However, on his trip back to Japan, he escaped the ship when it stopped in Marseille, eventually making his way to Paris. There he studied at the Le Cordon Bleu cooking school. After World War II, he returned to Japan and opened a series of restaurants. In the mid-1950s, he served as the cook at the official residence of the Prime Minister of Japan. Shido was a pioneer of French cuisine in Japan, and is credited with creating fond de veau curry and soupe Paris soir, the former of which made him an overnight celebrity in Japan. He wrote books on Japanese and French cuisine, one of which influenced Iron Chef French Hiroyuki Sakai. Sakai studied under Shido for three years.
Tameichi Hara (原 為一, Hara Tameichi; October 16, 1900 – October 10, 1980) was an Imperial Japanese naval commander…Tameichi Hara (原 為一, Hara Tameichi; October 16, 1900 – October 10, 1980) was an Imperial Japanese naval commander during the Pacific War and the author of the IJN manual on torpedo attack techniques, notable for his skill in torpedo warfare and night fighting. Hara was the only IJN destroyer captain at the start of World War II to survive the entire war and his memoirs serve as an important source for historians.
Shigeji Tsuboi (壺井繁治, Tsuboi Shigeji; October 18, 1897 – September 4, 1975) was an influential Japanese poet of the…Shigeji Tsuboi (壺井繁治, Tsuboi Shigeji; October 18, 1897 – September 4, 1975) was an influential Japanese poet of the modern era of Japanese literature. He was cofounder (with Hagiwara Kyojiro) of the Dadaist-Anarchist poetry journal Aka tokuro (Red and Black, 1923–24) and Bungei Kaiho (Literary liberation, 1927).
Yasuhiro Konishi (小西康裕, Konishi Yasuhiro; 1893 - 1983) was one of the first karateka to teach karate on mainland Japan.…Yasuhiro Konishi (小西康裕, Konishi Yasuhiro; 1893 - 1983) was one of the first karateka to teach karate on mainland Japan. He was instrumental in developing modern karate, as well as a driving force in the art's acceptance in Japan. He is credited with developing the style known as Shindō jinen-ryū (神道自然流).
Shigeru Katagiri (片桐 茂, Katagiri Shigeru; 18 March 1892 – 28 April 1944) was a general in the Imperial Japanese Army…Shigeru Katagiri (片桐 茂, Katagiri Shigeru; 18 March 1892 – 28 April 1944) was a general in the Imperial Japanese Army, commanding Japanese ground forces on New Guinea until his death.
Akiyama Monzō (秋山 門造, Akiyama Monzō; December 30, 1891 – January 25, 1944) was an admiral in the Imperial Japanese Navy…Akiyama Monzō (秋山 門造, Akiyama Monzō; December 30, 1891 – January 25, 1944) was an admiral in the Imperial Japanese Navy who served in World War II. He was killed in action during the Battle of Kwajalein.
Shigeru Nambara (南原繁) was a Japanese political scientist, who served as the president of the University of Tokyo and…Shigeru Nambara (南原繁) was a Japanese political scientist, who served as the president of the University of Tokyo and the Japan Academy, and as a member of the House of Peers.
Juichi Tsushima (Japanese: 津島壽一) (1888–1967) was the 7th President of the Japanese Olympic Committee (1959–1962). He…Juichi Tsushima (Japanese: 津島壽一) (1888–1967) was the 7th President of the Japanese Olympic Committee (1959–1962). He was a graduate of the Tokyo Imperial University. From 1957 to 1958 he was Director General of the Japan Defense Agency.
Ōsugi Sakae (Japanese: 大杉 栄; 17 January 1885 – 16 September 1923) was a Japanese anarchist writer and social critic of…Ōsugi Sakae (Japanese: 大杉 栄; 17 January 1885 – 16 September 1923) was a Japanese anarchist writer and social critic of the Taishō period. His thought centered on individualism, direct action, and the "expansion of the ego" as philosophical underpinnings for social and personal revolution. Born into a military family, Ōsugi was expelled from military school for insubordination and turned to language studies and radical politics in Tokyo. After a series of prison terms between 1906 and 1910, which he considered his "real education," he emerged as a leading voice in the Japanese anarchist movement. Through his journals, such as Kindai shisō (Modern Thought) and Rōdō undō (The Labor Movement), he introduced the works of European thinkers like Peter Kropotkin, Georges Sorel, and Henri Bergson to Japan, synthesizing their ideas into his own philosophy. His advocacy of free love and his controversial personal life, which included simultaneous relationships with three women, led to a violent attack against him in 1916 and his temporary ostracism from the socialist movement. Ōsugi became a key figure in the Japanese labor movement, advocating for syndicalism and workers' autonomy while strongly criticizing both state authority and the emerging Bolshevism. In the chaotic aftermath of the 1923 Great Kantō earthquake, Ōsugi, his partner and fellow anarchist Itō Noe, and his six-year-old nephew were arrested by a squad of military police led by Captain Amakasu Masahiko. They were beaten and strangled, their bodies disposed of in a well. Their murders, known as the Amakasu Incident, became a symbol of state violence against radicals during the period.
Bukichi Miki (三木 武吉, Miki Bukichi; 15 August 1884 – 4 July 1956) was a Japanese politician. He was a close friend and…Bukichi Miki (三木 武吉, Miki Bukichi; 15 August 1884 – 4 July 1956) was a Japanese politician. He was a close friend and ally of Ichiro Hatoyama, and was the key figure in carrying out the "conservative merger" that resulted in the formation of the Liberal Democratic Party. Despite being a powerful conservative politician in the Taishō and Shōwa eras, Miki remarkably never held any cabinet post. He still has a high reputation as the archetype of a behind-the-scenes power broker, and at the zenith of their power there were times when both Kanemaru Shin and Hiromu Nonaka were openly complimented by Prime Minister Yasuhiro Nakasone for having "surpassed Bukichi Miki." Miki's nicknames included "the heckling general," "the wily schemer," and "the great tanuki of Japanese politics."
Kono Yasui (保井 コノ, Yasui Kono; 16 February 1880 – 24 March 1971) was a Japanese biologist and cytologist. In 1927, she…Kono Yasui (保井 コノ, Yasui Kono; 16 February 1880 – 24 March 1971) was a Japanese biologist and cytologist. In 1927, she became the first Japanese woman to receive a doctoral degree in science. She received a Medal of Honor with Purple Ribbon and was awarded an Order of the Precious Crown Third Class for her academic accomplishments and leadership in women’s education in Japan.
Usui Kojima (小島 烏水, Kojima Usui; December 29, 1873 – December 13, 1948) was a Japanese author from Yokohama, Japan who…Usui Kojima (小島 烏水, Kojima Usui; December 29, 1873 – December 13, 1948) was a Japanese author from Yokohama, Japan who authored over 20 books. He was also known for amassing a collection of over 900 ukiyo-e prints and establishing Japan's first mountaineering society.
Kume Eizaemon Michikata (Japanese: 久米 榮左衛門 通賢; 1780–1841) was a Japanese civil engineer, inventor, gunsmith, and…Kume Eizaemon Michikata (Japanese: 久米 榮左衛門 通賢; 1780–1841) was a Japanese civil engineer, inventor, gunsmith, and scholar of rangaku.
Hideyuki Yokoyama (横山 英幸, Yokoyama Hideyuki; born 13 May 1981) is a Japanese economist and politician who has served as…Hideyuki Yokoyama (横山 英幸, Yokoyama Hideyuki; born 13 May 1981) is a Japanese economist and politician who has served as the incumbent mayor of Osaka since 9 April 2023. He graduated from Kwansei Gakuin University with a degree in economics in 2004 and immediately began a career under the Osaka prefectural government. He was elected to the Osaka Prefectural Assembly in April 2011 and won further two terms in April 2015 and April 2019. He was elected as Osaka Restoration Association / Nippon Ishin No Kai candidate for mayor of Osaka in the April 2023 Osaka mayoral election following the previous incumbent, Ichirō Matsui's retirement from politics following the defeat of the Osaka Metropolis Plan in a 2020 referendum. He was reelected in 2026.
Enchin (円珍) (814–891) was a Japanese Buddhist monk, founder of the Jimon school of Tendai Buddhism and Chief Abbot of…Enchin (円珍) (814–891) was a Japanese Buddhist monk, founder of the Jimon school of Tendai Buddhism and Chief Abbot of Mii-dera at the foot of Mount Hiei. After succeeding to the post of Tendai zasu (座主; "Head of the Tendai Order"), in 873, a strong rivalry developed between his followers and those of Ennin's at Enryaku-ji (note: Ennin had died in 864). The rivalry was largely geographical, and was not based much on sectarian differences over interpretations of practice or doctrine; nevertheless, the friction between the followers of the two zasu finally broke out into a violent conflict. Rivalries between the followers of different zasu were not anything new at the time. During his twelve years on Mount Hiei, Enchin witnessed a conflict between direct disciples of Saichō (namely Enchō and Kōshō) and the disciples of his own master, the second Tendai zasu Gishin. After the death of Gishin, his main follower, Enshu, was elected as the third zasu, but Enchō and Kōshō objected and finally forced Enshu and his followers to leave Mount Hiei. Most significantly, Enchin united the Tendai school's teachings with those of Chinese Esoteric Buddhism, and interpreted the Lotus Sutra from the point of view of esoteric teachings and used Tendai terminology in order to explain the esoteric Mahavairocana Tantra. Enchin is said to have supported the worship of kami as well as certain elements of Confucianism. In a memorial speech in 887, he noted the respect the court of Tang China had for Japan due to the latter's support for the ideals of li (Chinese: 禮) and yi (Chinese: 義). He warned that although Enryaku-ji was founded with the kami in mind, "no such officiating monks are provided for the main deities of the mountain. This is certainly a breach of Li. There ought to be two monks to worship the two gods."
