Tetsuya Nomura (野村 哲也, Nomura Tetsuya; born October 8, 1970) is a Japanese video game artist, designer, producer, and…
Tetsuya Nomura (野村 哲也, Nomura Tetsuya; born October 8, 1970) is a Japanese video game artist, designer, producer, and director working for Square Enix. He was hired by Square initially as a monster designer for Final Fantasy V (1992), before being shifted towards secondary character designer alongside Yoshitaka Amano for Final Fantasy VI (1994). Final Fantasy VII (1997) had him working in the original story alongside Hironobu Sakaguchi, and marked his debut as the lead character designer, a capacity he would retain for several future installments of the series, as well as other Square Enix titles such as The Bouncer and The World Ends with You. He also created the characters Cactuar, Gilgamesh, and Tonberry. Nomura created and has led the development as director and character designer of the Kingdom Hearts series since its inception in 2002. He has also been a creative producer in The World Ends with You series. He has directed the 2005 film Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children, and directed Final Fantasy VII Remake (2020), and served as creative director for the sequels Final Fantasy VII Rebirth (2024) and Final Fantasy VII Revelation (2027).
Famous People from Kochi Prefecture
Kochi Prefecture: 173 people
Kazutaka Nishiyama (西山 一宇, Nishiyama Kazutaka; born August 28, 1970) is a retired Japanese professional baseball player…
Kazutaka Nishiyama (西山 一宇, Nishiyama Kazutaka; born August 28, 1970) is a retired Japanese professional baseball player from Kōchi, Japan. Nishiyama was drafted in the 5th round of the 1988 amateur draft by the Lotte Orions, but did not sign with the team. He entered the professional leagues in 1993 as the 3rd round draft pick of the Yomiuri Giants. He marked a 5–1 record and 7 saves with a stunning 0.55 ERA in his 3rd year, but his pitching deteriorated afterwards. He was a vital part of the relief staff in 1998, marking a 2.48 ERA in 49 appearances, but was inconsistent in the following years. He began throwing from the sidearm in 2002 to fix his control problems, but was not signed for the next season. He currently works as a coach for the Yomiuri Giants organization. He won a bronze medal in the 1992 Summer Olympics before entering the Japanese professional leagues.
Takahito Nomura (野村 貴仁, born January 10, 1969) is a Japanese former professional baseball pitcher. He played for the…
Takahito Nomura (野村 貴仁, born January 10, 1969) is a Japanese former professional baseball pitcher. He played for the Orix BlueWave, Yomiuri Giants, and Nippon-Ham Fighters of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB), the Milwaukee Brewers of Major League Baseball (MLB), and the Macoto Cobras of the Chinese Professional Baseball League (CPBL). Nomura played under the name Takaki Nomura from 2000 to 2003. Nomura was one of the relief pitchers in the Pacific League during his early career, and his team won two championships (1995 and 1996) with his contributions from the bullpen. He was valued as a left-handed reliever, and was known for his wide curve. However, he was only effective for his first 7 seasons (1991–1997), and has gone downhill ever since.
Hajime Hirota (広田 一, Hirota Hajime; born October 10, 1968) is a Japanese politician of the Constitutional Democratic…
Hajime Hirota (広田 一, Hirota Hajime; born October 10, 1968) is a Japanese politician of the Constitutional Democratic Party and a member of the House of Councillors in the National Diet since 2023, having previously served from 2004 until 2016. He previously served two terms in the Kōchi Prefectural Assembly from 1995 until 2001. In 2015 changes to the electoral laws merged Hirota's Kōchi at-large district with the neighbouring Tokushima district, in order to address the problem of disparity in the representation of urban and rural areas. In October 2015 Hirota announced that he would not contest the merged Tokushima-Kōchi at-large district at the 2016 election as a protest against the merger. In June 2016 it was reported that Hirota would instead contest one of Kochi Prefecture's districts at the next House of Representatives election, to be held by the end of 2018. His decision meant that no candidates that contested the new district were born in Kochi Prefecture.
Takashi Komatsu (小松 隆志, Komatsu Takashi; born 30 December 1967) is a male triple jumper from Japan. His personal best…
Takashi Komatsu (小松 隆志, Komatsu Takashi; born 30 December 1967) is a male triple jumper from Japan. His personal best jump is 16.65 metres, achieved in October 2003 in Hyderabad.
Masanao Ozaki (尾崎 正直, Ozaki Masanao; born 14 September 1967 in Kōchi, Kōchi) is a Japanese politician who has been…
Masanao Ozaki (尾崎 正直, Ozaki Masanao; born 14 September 1967 in Kōchi, Kōchi) is a Japanese politician who has been serving as a member of the House of Representatives since 2021.
Tomio Watanabe (渡辺 智男, Watanabe Tomio; born June 23, 1967) is a former professional baseball player from Takaoka…
Tomio Watanabe (渡辺 智男, Watanabe Tomio; born June 23, 1967) is a former professional baseball player from Takaoka, Kōchi, Japan.
Eisaku Kubonouchi (窪之内英策, Kubonouchi Eisaku; born November 11, 1966 in Kōchi, Japan) is a Japanese manga artist and…
Eisaku Kubonouchi (窪之内英策, Kubonouchi Eisaku; born November 11, 1966 in Kōchi, Japan) is a Japanese manga artist and character designer.
Yoshifumi Ushima (Japanese: 鵜島仁文; 9 September 1966 - 7 August 2022) was a Japanese singer-songwriter, composer…
Yoshifumi Ushima (Japanese: 鵜島仁文; 9 September 1966 - 7 August 2022) was a Japanese singer-songwriter, composer, guitarist, arranger and music producer.
Hiroshi Tsuno (津野浩, Tsuno Hiroshi; born August 6, 1965) is a retired Japanese professional baseball pitcher. He played…
Hiroshi Tsuno (津野浩, Tsuno Hiroshi; born August 6, 1965) is a retired Japanese professional baseball pitcher. He played in Nippon Professional Baseball for the Nippon Ham Fighters, Hiroshima Toyo Carp, Chunichi Dragons, and Chiba Lotte Marines.
Rieko Saibara (西原 理恵子, Saibara Rieko; born 1 November 1964) is a Japanese manga artist. She made her professional debut…
Rieko Saibara (西原 理恵子, Saibara Rieko; born 1 November 1964) is a Japanese manga artist. She made her professional debut in 1988 with Chikuro Yochien, serialized in Weekly Young Sunday. In 1989, she graduated from the Department of Visual Communication Design at Musashino Art University. Saibara has received numerous awards throughout her career, including the 43rd Bungeishunjū Manga Award in 1997 for Bokunchi; the Excellence Award at the 8th Japan Media Arts Festival in 2004 for Mainichi Kaasan; the Short Story Award at the 9th Osamu Tezuka Cultural Prizes in 2005 for Mainichi Kaasan and Jōkyō Monogatari; the President of the House of Councilors Award at the 40th Japan Cartoonist Awards in 2011 for Mainichi Kaasan; and the 6th Best Mother Award for Literature in 2020. She is friends with fellow manga artist Nobuyuki Fukumoto. When she appeared on "Big Comic Superior Presents: The 6th Saibara Rieko's Life Art Skill Showdown", she revealed that she had known him for 20 years, and wrote that he has been "a handsome, serious, gentle-mannered and lovely man ever since then", but he was ignored by female manga artists because of his unpopular status.
Fumio Nutahara (奴田原 文雄, Nutahara Fumio; born 20 December 1963) is a Japanese rally driver. He finished eighth on the…
Fumio Nutahara (奴田原 文雄, Nutahara Fumio; born 20 December 1963) is a Japanese rally driver. He finished eighth on the 2006 Rally Japan to score one World Rally Championship point.
Seiji Hamada (浜田省司, Hamada Seiji; born 23 January 1963) is a Japanese politician. He currently serves as governor of…
Seiji Hamada (浜田省司, Hamada Seiji; born 23 January 1963) is a Japanese politician. He currently serves as governor of Kōchi Prefecture since 2019.
Masato Honda (本田 雅人, Honda Masato; born November 13, 1962) is a Japanese saxophone player, composer, and…
Masato Honda (本田 雅人, Honda Masato; born November 13, 1962) is a Japanese saxophone player, composer, and multi-instrumentalist. Born in Nakamura City, Kochi Prefecture (now Shimanto City), he graduated from Kunitachi College of Music. He is most well known for being a member of the band T-Square and appearing on Cowboy Bebop's soundtrack with The Seatbelts.
Nobuo Uematsu (植松 伸夫, Uematsu Nobuo; born March 21, 1959) is a Japanese composer and keyboardist best known for his…
Nobuo Uematsu (植松 伸夫, Uematsu Nobuo; born March 21, 1959) is a Japanese composer and keyboardist best known for his contributions to the Final Fantasy video game series by Square Enix. A self-taught musician, he began playing the piano at the age of twelve. Uematsu joined Square in 1986, where he first met Final Fantasy creator Hironobu Sakaguchi. The two later worked together on many games at the company, most notably in the Final Fantasy series. After nearly two decades with Square, Uematsu left in 2004 to create his own production company and music label, Dog Ear Records. He has since composed music as a freelancer for other games, including ones developed by Square Enix and Sakaguchi's studio Mistwalker. Many soundtracks and arranged albums of Uematsu's game scores have been released. Pieces from his video game works have been performed in various Final Fantasy concerts, where he has worked with conductor Arnie Roth and Game Concerts producer Thomas Böcker on several of these performances. Uematsu was also the keyboardist in The Black Mages in the 2000s, which played various hard rock versions of his Final Fantasy compositions. He has since performed with the Earthbound Papas, which he formed as the successor to The Black Mages in 2011. Uematsu has made several listings in Britain's Classic FM Hall of Fame, with the station referring to him as the Beethoven of game music.
Masaya Tokuhiro (徳弘正也, Tokuhiro Masaya) is a Japanese manga artist working for various magazines within the Shueisha…
Masaya Tokuhiro (徳弘正也, Tokuhiro Masaya) is a Japanese manga artist working for various magazines within the Shueisha lines, including Weekly Shōnen Jump and Super Jump. Born in Ōtoyo in the prefecture of Kōchi on March 1, 1959, he originally got notice from a placing entry in the 17th Akatsuka Award for his story Bijō wa Niku-Ryori ga Tokui (美女は肉料理がお得意) in 1982. His first series, Shape Up Ran (シェイプアップ乱), soon followed, running between 1983 and 1985 in Weekly Shōnen Jump and quickly established him as not only a gag manga artist but one who balanced in dramatic elements into his stories as well. His most well known work, Jungle King Tar-chan (ジャングルの王者 ターちゃん♡) (a bizarre take on Edgar Rice Burroughs' famous jungle hero Tarzan), became a Weekly Shōnen Jump staple during its run between 1988 and 1995. At the same time as his Weekly Shōnen Jump success, he also had a successful series in Super Jump by way of Fundoshi Police Ken-chan and Chaco-chan (ふんどし刑事ケンちゃんとチャコちゃん), running between 1986 and 1990. Other notable more recent series in the seinen magazine include Kyōshirō 2030 (狂四郎2030) and Showa Eternal Immortal Legend Vampire (昭和不老不死伝説 バンパイア). Tokuhiro incorporates many of his loves in his stories, including guns, bodybuilding, and muscular physiques (for both males and females) as well as Shorinji Kempo. One of the few assistants he has used in his work was a young Eiichiro Oda, who has admitted to taking many of the ideas and styles from Tokuhiro but has had little contact with him since those days.
Masahiro Morioka (森岡 正博, Morioka Masahiro; born September 25, 1958) is a Japanese philosopher, who has contributed to…
Masahiro Morioka (森岡 正博, Morioka Masahiro; born September 25, 1958) is a Japanese philosopher, who has contributed to the fields of philosophy of life, bioethics, gender studies, media theory, and civilization studies. He is a professor of philosophy and ethics at Waseda University, Japan. He coined the term "life studies" for an integrated approach to the issues of life, death, and nature in contemporary society. Since 2006 he has proposed a new philosophical discipline he calls "philosophy of life". He has published numerous academic books and articles, mainly in Japanese, and has regularly contributed commentaries and book reviews to major Japanese newspapers and magazines. His books include Painless Civilization, which criticizes the incessant attempts to escape from pain and suffering in modern civilization, Confessions of a Frigid Man: A Philosopher's Journey into the Hidden Layers of Men's Sexuality, which illuminates some of the darker sides of male sexuality such as the "Lolita complex" and male frigidity, and Lessons in Love for Herbivore Men, one of the books that helped popularize the term "herbivore men". He is the editor-in-chief of Journal of Philosophy of Life, an associate editor of Eubios Journal of Asian and International Bioethics, and a steering committee member of the International Conference on Philosophy and Meaning in Life.
Takashi Uemura (植村 隆, Uemura Takashi) is a Japanese academic and former journalist who, while a reporter for The Asahi…
Takashi Uemura (植村 隆, Uemura Takashi) is a Japanese academic and former journalist who, while a reporter for The Asahi Shimbun, wrote about comfort women. He later came under scrutiny for alleged inaccuracy of terminology and omissions of information. Rival newspapers attacked him for twisting the truth, and more far-right figures went so far as to accuse him of fabrication. His mother-in-law is Yang Sun-Im, a Korean activist who heads the Association for the Pacific War Victims and plaintiff groups for lawsuits by former comfort women. Yang was charged with fraudulently misleading donors to her organization, but has been acquitted, according to Uemura.
Masako Bandō (坂東 眞砂子, Bandō Masako; March 30, 1958 – January 27, 2014) was a Japanese novelist. She was awarded the…
Masako Bandō (坂東 眞砂子, Bandō Masako; March 30, 1958 – January 27, 2014) was a Japanese novelist. She was awarded the prestigious Naoki Prize in 1996 for the novel Yamahaha.
Tetsurō Oda (織田 哲郎, Oda Tetsurō; born March 11, 1958) is a Japanese composer, record producer, and singer-songwriter.…
Tetsurō Oda (織田 哲郎, Oda Tetsurō; born March 11, 1958) is a Japanese composer, record producer, and singer-songwriter. Oda is the third best-selling composer in the history of the Japanese singles chart, with over 40 million units being sold.
Gen Nakatani (中谷 元, Nakatani Gen; born 14 October 1957) is a Japanese politician who was Director General of the Japan…
Gen Nakatani (中谷 元, Nakatani Gen; born 14 October 1957) is a Japanese politician who was Director General of the Japan Defense Agency (now Japan Ministry of Defense) in the first cabinet of former prime minister Junichiro Koizumi in 2001-2002 and was appointed the Minister of Defense by former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in 2014. Nakatani was again named to the position of Minister of Defense for the cabinet of Shigeru Ishiba in 2024.
Shigeru Sugimura (杉村 繁, Sugimura Shigeru; born July 31, 1957) is a Japanese former Nippon Professional Baseball…
Shigeru Sugimura (杉村 繁, Sugimura Shigeru; born July 31, 1957) is a Japanese former Nippon Professional Baseball infielder.
Yoshitaka Katori (鹿取 義隆, Katori Yoshitaka; born March 10, 1957 in Kami, Kōchi, Japan) is a former Nippon Professional…
Yoshitaka Katori (鹿取 義隆, Katori Yoshitaka; born March 10, 1957 in Kami, Kōchi, Japan) is a former Nippon Professional Baseball pitcher.
Akihiro Yamada (山田 章博, Yamada Akihiro); born February 10, 1957, in Kōchi) is a Japanese illustrator and manga artist.…
Akihiro Yamada (山田 章博, Yamada Akihiro); born February 10, 1957, in Kōchi) is a Japanese illustrator and manga artist. During his career, Yamada has branched out into making book covers, character design for video games, theatre costume and set design, concept design for live-action film, and more, though his passion continues to be working on manga. He is known for delicate images reminiscent of suiboku and depiction of fantasy subjects. His most popular work is perhaps with The Twelve Kingdoms franchise. He won the Seiun Award in 1996 in the Best Artist category. He currently lives in Kyoto.
Michiharu Kusunoki (Japanese: 楠 みちはる, Hepburn: Kusunoki Michiharu; born 25 January 1957) is a Japanese manga artist…
Michiharu Kusunoki (Japanese: 楠 みちはる, Hepburn: Kusunoki Michiharu; born 25 January 1957) is a Japanese manga artist from Tosa, Kōchi. He is most known for the street racing series Wangan Midnight serialized in Kodansha's weekly Young Magazine and which has been adapted into a 26-episode anime series, a series of video games, and a movie. Other manga series created by Michiharu Kusunoki include J Monogatari and Shakotan Boogie, also published by Kodansha.
Yuko Yamaguchi (山口 裕子, Yamaguchi Yūko; born October 24, 1955) is a Japanese character designer and illustrator. She is…
Yuko Yamaguchi (山口 裕子, Yamaguchi Yūko; born October 24, 1955) is a Japanese character designer and illustrator. She is well known as the third character designer of Hello Kitty.
Yuji Yamamoto (山本 有二, Yamamoto Yūji; born 11 May 1952) is a former Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic Party…
Yuji Yamamoto (山本 有二, Yamamoto Yūji; born 11 May 1952) 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 Kōchi Prefecture and graduate of Waseda University, he was elected to the Kōchi Prefectural Assembly in 1985 (serving for one term) and then to the House of Representatives for the first time in 1990. Yamamoto later served as Minister of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries in the Third Abe Cabinet.
Satoshi Nakanishi is a Japanese politician who is a member of the House of Councillors of Japan.
Noritoshi Ishida (石田 祝稔, Ishida Noritoshi; born 1 September 1951) is a Japanese politician belonging to the New Komeito…
Noritoshi Ishida (石田 祝稔, Ishida Noritoshi; born 1 September 1951) is a Japanese politician belonging to the New Komeito Party. He served as a member of the House of Representatives in the Diet (national legislature).
Dai Muneishi (Japanese: 宗石 大; born January 1, 1951) is a Japanese jockey and trainer at the Kochi Racecourse. He was…
Dai Muneishi (Japanese: 宗石 大; born January 1, 1951) is a Japanese jockey and trainer at the Kochi Racecourse. He was known as trainer of the thoroughbred Haru Urara. His first race was with Burringbar at Kochi. He achieved his first win with Gambare Shacho. His overall record according to Sky Racing World website: 61 wins, 273 places, among 3,495 total starts, not getting a single grade during his career.
Hiroshi Fukutomi (福冨 博, Fukutomi Hiroshi; former name 福富 博 (read the same)) (born July 25, 1950) is an anime director.…
Hiroshi Fukutomi (福冨 博, Fukutomi Hiroshi; former name 福富 博 (read the same)) (born July 25, 1950) is an anime director. After leaving Tokyo Designer Gakuin in the middle of his studies, he joined A Production (then known as Shin'ei Dōga). In 1982, with some of the staff producing Kaibutsu-kun (including Yoshinobu Sanada, Toshiyuki Honda, and Makoto Moriwaki), Fukutomi founded Animal House (あにまる屋, Animaru-ya), now known as Studio Comet.
Katsuko Nishimoto (西本 勝子, Nishimoto Katsuko; 1 April 1950 – 2 February 2025) was a Japanese politician of the Liberal…
Katsuko Nishimoto (西本 勝子, Nishimoto Katsuko; 1 April 1950 – 2 February 2025) was a Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), who was a member of the House of Representatives in the Diet (national legislature).
Arase Nagahide (荒勢 永英; 20 June 1949 – 11 August 2008), real name Arase Hideo (荒瀬 英生) was a sumo wrestler from Ino…
Arase Nagahide (荒勢 永英; 20 June 1949 – 11 August 2008), real name Arase Hideo (荒瀬 英生) was a sumo wrestler from Ino, Agawa District, Kōchi Prefecture, Japan. His highest rank was sekiwake. After his retirement in 1981 he became a television personality and ran unsuccessfully for political office.
Sumio Hirota (弘田 澄男, Hirota Sumio) (born May 13, 1949 in Sukumo, Kōchi Prefecture, Japan) is a Japanese former…
Sumio Hirota (弘田 澄男, Hirota Sumio) (born May 13, 1949 in Sukumo, Kōchi Prefecture, Japan) is a Japanese former professional baseball outfielder. He played with the Lotte Orions from 1972 to 1983 and the Hanshin Tigers from 1984 to 1987. He won the Japan Series Most Valuable Player Award in 1974.
Luiz Hiloshi Nishimori (born 9 April 1949) is a Brazilian politician and farmer. He has spent his political career…
Luiz Hiloshi Nishimori (born 9 April 1949) is a Brazilian politician and farmer. He has spent his political career representing Paraná, having served as a state deputy representative from 2005 to 2011 and as federal deputy representative from 2011.
Masahide Jinno (神野 正英, Jinno Masahide; born 7 August 1948) is a Japanese former sprinter who competed in the 1976…
Masahide Jinno (神野 正英, Jinno Masahide; born 7 August 1948) is a Japanese former sprinter who competed in the 1976 Summer Olympics.
Takenori Emoto (江本 孟紀, born July 22, 1947) is a Japanese professional baseball pitcher in Nippon Professional Baseball.…
Takenori Emoto (江本 孟紀, born July 22, 1947) is a Japanese professional baseball pitcher in Nippon Professional Baseball. He played for the Toei Flyers in 1971, the Nankai Hawks from 1972 to 1975, and the Hanshin Tigers from 1976 to 1981. Emoto was unusually non-confirmative for a player, once almost being released by the team for letting his hair grow over his ears. After complaining publicly about being shuttled between starting and relief in 1981, he was forced to retire by his team the Hanshin Tigers. Despite being only 34 years old, he was prevented from pitching professionally again. Emoto later went on to write a series of successful tell-all books about his experiences in professional baseball, drawing comparisons to pitcher-turned-author Jim Bouton. Turning to politics, in the late 1990s Emoto became a member of From Five, a political party that existed from December 1997 to January 1998. It was formed by former Prime Minister Morihiro Hosokawa and four other legislators (Emoto, Yoriko Madoka, Shinji Tarutoko, and Kiyoshi Ueda) who left the New Frontier Party in June 1997. From Five merged into the Good Governance Party in January 1998, which became part of the Democratic Party of Japan in 1998. In 1998, Emoto, as a member of the DPJ, was elected to the Japanese House of Councillors.
Michiyo Arito (有藤 通世, Aritō Michiyo; born December 17, 1946) is a Japanese former professional baseball third baseman…
Michiyo Arito (有藤 通世, Aritō Michiyo; born December 17, 1946) is a Japanese former professional baseball third baseman in Nippon Professional Baseball. He played his entire career for the Lotte Orions from 1969 to 1986. He was the Pacific League Rookie of the Year in 1969.
Kazuyoshi Nomachi (野町 和嘉, Nomachi Kazuyoshi; born 1946) is a Japanese photographer. He embraced Islam as his religion…
Kazuyoshi Nomachi (野町 和嘉, Nomachi Kazuyoshi; born 1946) is a Japanese photographer. He embraced Islam as his religion in 1994
Yoshiko Nishitani (西谷祥子, Nishitani Yoshiko; born 2 October 1943) is a Japanese manga artist pioneering in shōjo manga.…
Yoshiko Nishitani (西谷祥子, Nishitani Yoshiko; born 2 October 1943) is a Japanese manga artist pioneering in shōjo manga. She released her works in Shōjo Club and Margaret. According to Rachel Thorn, Nishitani "more or less single-handedly invented the school campus romance that remains the mainstay of shôjo manga today", and Robert Petersen regards her innovation as giving her characters personality. She gave her readers characters that were like them, "teenaged Japanese girls dealing with friendships, family, school, and, yes, falling in love." Her success inspired an influx of female manga artists. Her manga Mary Lou is thought to have opened up the idea of shōjo manga telling stories about ordinary teenagers. Nishitani's characteristics have been described as 'big eyes and huge reflections within' as well as a use of curly hair and frilly clothes, with an attention to detail when drawing that inspired later artists like Nanae Sasaya.
Ritsuo Hosaka (細川 律夫, Hosakawa Ritsuo; born 8 August 1943) is a former Japanese politician of the Democratic Party of…
Ritsuo Hosaka (細川 律夫, Hosakawa Ritsuo; born 8 August 1943) is a former Japanese politician of the Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ), who served as a member of the House of Representatives in the Diet (national legislature).
Taira Hara (はら たいら, Hara Taira; 8 March 1943 – 10 November 2006) was a Japanese manga artist and tarento born in…
Taira Hara (はら たいら, Hara Taira; 8 March 1943 – 10 November 2006) was a Japanese manga artist and tarento born in Tosayamada (now part of Kami), Kōchi Prefecture, Japan. He was a long-time resident of Koishikawa, Bunkyō, Tokyo, Japan. He made his professional manga debut in 1963 with his story Shinjuku BB (新宿B·B, Shinjuku Bebe), published in Weekly Manga Times.
Takuzo Kawatani (川谷拓三; 21 July 1941 – 22 December 1995) was a Japanese film actor. He appeared in 56 films between 1967…
Takuzo Kawatani (川谷拓三; 21 July 1941 – 22 December 1995) was a Japanese film actor. He appeared in 56 films between 1967 and 1995. He was most famous for playing villains.
Shoichiro Irimajiri (入交 昭一郎, Irimajiri Shōichirō; born on January 3, 1940, in Kochi, Japan) is a Japanese engineer and…
Shoichiro Irimajiri (入交 昭一郎, Irimajiri Shōichirō; born on January 3, 1940, in Kochi, Japan) is a Japanese engineer and businessman. He earned an aeronautical engineering degree from the University of Tokyo and worked for Honda Motor Co., Ltd. for 20 years, overseeing the introduction of its CBX motorcycle, design of their F1 racing engines for the RA273 as well as being the president of Honda of America Inc. He resigned in 1992 due to a heart problem, and started a Chinese traditional treatment to restore his condition. During this time, it was said that General Motors recruited Irimajiri for a senior executive position at the company, in light of his success at Honda. While he declined that position and accepted a spot as an outside director, if Irimajiri had accepted the offer, he would have been the first Japanese-born automotive executive of an American automobile manufacturer. After his recovery, Hayao Nakayama, then president of Sega Enterprises, asked him to become vice president of the company. In 1996, he additionally became chairman and CEO of Sega of America. He became president of Sega in 1998, when he laid an ambitious plan using the Dreamcast to restore Sega's lost market share and prestige, which took a severe downfall following the flawed launches of the Sega Saturn and the Sega 32X. After Sega reported its third consecutive loss, Irimajiri resigned and Isao Okawa took his place. While president of Sega he invested $5 million into Nvidia, after the tiny Silicon Valley startup had failed to deliver on its contract to create the graphics chip for the Dreamcast. Jensen Huang has publicly expressed his gratitude to Irimajiri for helping to keep Nvidia alive. Nvidia went public in 1999, and in 2000, after Irimajiri had left, Sega sold its Nvidia stock for $15 million. In 2017, Huang returned the favor by honoring a request from Irimajiri to speak to a small group of business leaders while visiting Japan. Irimajiri's most recent position was as chairman of Asahi Tec, a Japanese manufacturer of aluminum parts and castings for automobiles, owned by Ripplewood Holdings.
Yutaka Sudō (須藤 豊, Sudō Yutaka; born April 21, 1937, in Aki, Kōchi, Japan) is a Japanese former Nippon Professional…
Yutaka Sudō (須藤 豊, Sudō Yutaka; born April 21, 1937, in Aki, Kōchi, Japan) is a Japanese former Nippon Professional Baseball infielder. He played for the Mainichi Orions, Daimai Orions and Yomiuri Giants. He later managed the Yokohama Taiyō Whales from 1990 to 1992.
Akiko Kojima (児島 明子, Kojima Akiko; born October 29, 1936) is a Japanese model and beauty queen. She was crowned Miss…
Akiko Kojima (児島 明子, Kojima Akiko; born October 29, 1936) is a Japanese model and beauty queen. She was crowned Miss Universe 1959, making her the first Japanese and Asian woman to win the title, as well as the first Asian person to win a major beauty pageant title.
Chisako Hara (原知佐子, Hara Chisako; 6 January 1936 – 19 January 2020) was a Japanese actress best known for starring in…
Chisako Hara (原知佐子, Hara Chisako; 6 January 1936 – 19 January 2020) was a Japanese actress best known for starring in the Akai and the Kishibe no arubamu series.
Yumiko Kurahashi (倉橋 由美子, Kurahashi Yumiko; October 10, 1935 – June 10, 2005) was a Japanese writer. Her married name…
Yumiko Kurahashi (倉橋 由美子, Kurahashi Yumiko; October 10, 1935 – June 10, 2005) was a Japanese writer. Her married name was Yumiko Kumagai (熊谷 由美子, Kumagai Yumiko), but she wrote under her birth name. Her work was experimental and antirealist, questioning prevailing societal norms regarding sexual relations, violence, and social order. Her antinovels employed pastiche, parody, and other elements typical of postmodernist writing.
Takashi Ishimoto (石本隆, Ishimoto Takashi; born April 6, 1935) is a retired butterfly swimmer from Japan. He won the…
Takashi Ishimoto (石本隆, Ishimoto Takashi; born April 6, 1935) is a retired butterfly swimmer from Japan. He won the silver medal in the men's 200 m butterfly at the 1956 Summer Olympics in Melbourne, Australia. Ishimoto set 16 world records between 1958 and 1959. He won the 100m and 200m butterfly events at the 1959 U.S. International Swimming Championships, and in the 1950s received the Japan Sports Award, Mainichi Sports Award and Asahi Sports Award (twice, in 1955 and 1957). In 1985 he opened his own swimming pool in Kurihama, Yokosuka, Japan.
Tensei Kono (河野 典生, Kōno Tensei; January 27, 1935 – January 29, 2012) was a prominent Japanese mystery and science…
Tensei Kono (河野 典生, Kōno Tensei; January 27, 1935 – January 29, 2012) was a prominent Japanese mystery and science fiction writer who won the Mystery Writers of Japan Award and was a two-time finalist for the Naoki Prize. His short fiction including his often-reprinted story "Triceratops" has been translated into English in anthologies such as Speculative Japan: Outstanding Tales of Japanese Science Fiction and Fantasy, The Best Japanese Science Fiction Stories and The World Treasury of Science Fiction. In total, he published more than 30 novels and short story collections.