Masaaki Shirakawa (白川 方明, Shirakawa Masaaki; born September 27, 1949) is a Japanese economist and the 30th Governor of…Masaaki Shirakawa (白川 方明, Shirakawa Masaaki; born September 27, 1949) is a Japanese economist and the 30th Governor of the Bank of Japan (BOJ), and professor at Aoyama Gakuin University. He is also a Director and Vice-Chairman of the Bank for International Settlements (BIS).
Moto Hagio (萩尾 望都, Hagio Moto; born May 12, 1949) is a Japanese manga artist. Regarded for her contributions to shōjo…Moto Hagio (萩尾 望都, Hagio Moto; born May 12, 1949) is a Japanese manga artist. Regarded for her contributions to shōjo manga (manga aimed at young and adolescent women), Hagio is considered the most significant artist in the demographic and among the most influential manga artists of all time, being referred to as the "god of shōjo manga" (少女漫画の神様, shōjo manga no kami-sama) by critics. Hagio made her debut as a manga artist in 1969 at the publishing company Kodansha before moving to Shogakukan in 1971, where she was able to publish her more radical and unconventional works that had been rejected by other publishers. Her first serializations at Shogakukan – the vampire fantasy The Poe Clan, the shōnen-ai (male–male romance) drama The Heart of Thomas, and the science fiction thriller They Were Eleven – were among the first works of shōjo manga to achieve mainstream critical and commercial success. Hagio subsequently emerged as a central figure in the Year 24 Group, a grouping of female manga artists who significantly influenced shōjo manga in the 1970s by introducing new aesthetic styles and expanding the category to incorporate new genres. Since the 1980s, Hagio has drawn primarily adult-oriented manga in the manga magazine Petit Flower and its successor publication Flowers, notably Marginal, A Cruel God Reigns, and Nanohana. While Hagio primarily authors works in the science fiction, fantasy, and shōnen-ai genres, her manga explores a wide range of themes and subjects, including comedy, historical drama, and social and environmental issues. She has been recognized with numerous awards both in Japan and internationally, including the Order of the Rising Sun, a Medal of Honor, and commendation as a Person of Cultural Merit.
Yoshiko Tōma (当摩 好子, Tōma Yoshiko; born 26 April 1949) is a Japanese politician from Ōmuta, Fukuoka. Having graduated…Yoshiko Tōma (当摩 好子, Tōma Yoshiko; born 26 April 1949) is a Japanese politician from Ōmuta, Fukuoka. Having graduated from Keio University, Tōma was elected to Tokorozawa City Council in 1979. She ran unsuccessfully for the Tokorozawa mayoral election in 1991 and for the national lower house election in 1996 before she was elected to the Saitama Prefectural Assembly in 1999. Elected as mayor of Tokorozawa in October 2007, Tōma became the first woman to hold that post.
Tetsuya Takeda (武田 鉄矢, Takeda Tetsuya; born April 11, 1949) is a Japanese folk singer and actor. Takeda is perhaps most…Tetsuya Takeda (武田 鉄矢, Takeda Tetsuya; born April 11, 1949) is a Japanese folk singer and actor. Takeda is perhaps most known in Japan for his starring role in the Tokyo Broadcasting System's long-running, highly rated television drama Mr. Kinpachi of the Third-Year B Class. The program, targeted at junior high and high school-aged adolescents, ran on TBS with Takeda at various times from 1979 until 2011. Takeda wrote and performed several well-known songs, including "Childhood", the theme song for the 1985 animated film Doraemon: Nobita's Little Star Wars. Takeda's 1980 song, "The Word I Give to You", is often performed at junior high school and high school graduation ceremonies in Japan. Previous to his appearance on Kinpachi, Takeda studied to be a teacher at Fukuoka University of Education. He later formed a folk music group called Kaientai. The song "Okuru Kotoba", which Takeda wrote and performed with Kaientai, actually had nothing to do with schooling, but is reportedly associated with education because of Takeda's role in Kinpachi.
Yōichi Masuzoe (舛添 要一, Masuzoe Yōichi; born 29 November 1948) is a Japanese politician who was elected to the position…Yōichi Masuzoe (舛添 要一, Masuzoe Yōichi; born 29 November 1948) is a Japanese politician who was elected to the position of governor of Tokyo in 2014 and resigned in June 2016 due to the misuse of public funds. He was previously a member of the Japanese House of Councillors and served as the Minister of Health, Labour, and Welfare. Before entering politics, he became well known in Japan as a television commentator on political issues.
Yoshiko Morizane (森実 芳子, Morizane Yoshiko; born 4 September 1948) is a Japanese former swimmer. She competed in the…Yoshiko Morizane (森実 芳子, Morizane Yoshiko; born 4 September 1948) is a Japanese former swimmer. She competed in the women's 200 metre breaststroke at the 1964 Summer Olympics.
Yōsui Inoue (井上 陽水, Inoue Yōsui; born August 30, 1948) is a Japanese singer, lyricist, composer, guitarist and record…Yōsui Inoue (井上 陽水, Inoue Yōsui; born August 30, 1948) is a Japanese singer, lyricist, composer, guitarist and record producer, who is an important figure in Japanese music. He is renowned for his unique tone, eccentric lyrics, and dark sunglasses which he always wears. Under the stage name Andre Candre, Inoue debuted in 1969 and released a single "Candre Mandre" by CBS Sony Records. After he changed his stage name and signed onto Polydor, he recorded his first studio album Danzetsu in 1971, and the album was acclaimed by critics. Inoue gained recognition as a folk-rock singer-songwriter through his 1973 Kōri no Sekai album, which became the first long-playing record that sold more than a million copies in Japan alone. His early work has been compared with the music of Paul McCartney and Roy Orbison. Mark Anderson writes in the Encyclopedia of Contemporary Japanese Culture, "His music was smart, melancholy and melodic. [...] Inoue's work of the early 1970s [...] is widely thought to have been a significant influence on the development of Japanese pop rock". Inoue has released 22 solo studio albums, and also produced two albums with Tamio Okuda. He has been one of the most commercially successful Japanese male solo recording artists of the last 40 years, selling in excess of 10.9 million copies on the country's Oricon albums chart up to May 2009 and has had seven number-one albums; Kori no Sekai, Nishoku no Koma, Good Pages, Shoutaijou no Nai Show, 9.5 Carats, Under the Sun, and the compilation Golden Best which was released in 1999 and has shipped over two million units.
Kozo Yamamoto (山本 幸三, Yamamoto Kōzō; born 8 August 1948) is a Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic Party…Kozo Yamamoto (山本 幸三, Yamamoto Kōzō; born 8 August 1948) is a Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), who is a former Ministry of Finance official, and a member of the House of Representatives in the Diet (national legislature). He served as State Minister in charge of: Regional Revitalization; Regulatory Reform; Administrative Reform; City, People, Job-Creation; and Civil Service Reform from 2016 to 2017. Previous posts include Vice Minister of Economy, Trade, and Industry (in the 2006 cabinet of Shinzo Abe), Chairman of the Judicial Affairs Committee of the House of Representatives, Chairman of the Special Commission on Consumer Issues, and Chairman of the Special Commission on Regional Revitalization. He is known to be one of the main fathers of Abenomics. A native of Yukuhashi, Fukuoka, Yamamoto attended the University of Tokyo and received his MBA from Cornell University in the United States. He was elected to the House of Representatives for the first time in 1993 after an unsuccessful run in 1990. Tatsuo Murayama, Yamamoto's father in law, was an LDP member of the House of Representatives who served as Minister of Finance and Minister of Health and Welfare. His uncle, Momotaro Yanagida, was mayor of the City of Moji (Fukuoka Prefecture) and a member of the House of Representatives.
Takaharu Koyama (小山 隆治, Koyama Takaharu; 8 July 1948 – 11 September 2018) was a Japanese middle distance runner who…Takaharu Koyama (小山 隆治, Koyama Takaharu; 8 July 1948 – 11 September 2018) was a Japanese middle distance runner who competed in the 1972 Summer Olympics and in the 1976 Summer Olympics. Koyama finished second behind John Davies in the 3,000 metres steeplechase event at the British 1974 AAA Championships.
Tsutomu Tomioka (冨岡 勉, Tomioka Tsutomu; born 4 July 1948) is a Japanese doctor and former politician who served in the…Tsutomu Tomioka (冨岡 勉, Tomioka Tsutomu; born 4 July 1948) is a Japanese doctor and former politician who served in the House of Representatives in the Diet (national legislature) as a member of the Liberal Democratic Party.
Toshinori Koga (古賀 俊憲, Toga Toshinori; born 24 May 1948) is a Japanese boxer. He competed in the men's flyweight event…Toshinori Koga (古賀 俊憲, Toga Toshinori; born 24 May 1948) is a Japanese boxer. He competed in the men's flyweight event at the 1976 Summer Olympics.
Kiyoshi Ueda (上田 清司, Ueda Kiyoshi; born 15 May 1948) is a Japanese politician currently serving as a member of the…Kiyoshi Ueda (上田 清司, Ueda Kiyoshi; born 15 May 1948) is a Japanese politician currently serving as a member of the Senate for the Saitama at-large district after winning a by-election in 2019. He has signed the Taxpayer Protection Pledge, signaling his opposition to any and all tax increases. He previously served as governor of Saitama Prefecture from 2003 to 2019, when he subsequently retired.
Jirō Akagawa (赤川 次郎, Akagawa Jirō; born February 29, 1948) is a Japanese novelist born in Fukuoka, Fukuoka Prefecture…Jirō Akagawa (赤川 次郎, Akagawa Jirō; born February 29, 1948) is a Japanese novelist born in Fukuoka, Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan.
Ōshio Kenji (born Kenji Hatano; 4 January 1948 – 25 May 2024) was a Japanese sumo wrestler from Kitakyushu. His highest…Ōshio Kenji (born Kenji Hatano; 4 January 1948 – 25 May 2024) was a Japanese sumo wrestler from Kitakyushu. His highest rank was komusubi. His career lasted twenty-six years, from 1962 until 1988, and he holds the record for the most bouts contested in professional sumo. After his retirement at the age of 40 he became an elder of the Japan Sumo Association and set up Shikihide stable in 1992. He left the Sumo Association upon turning 65 in 2013. He died in 2024.
Issei Koga (古賀 一成, Koga Issei; born 30 July 1947) is a retired Japanese politician of the Democratic Party of Japan…Issei Koga (古賀 一成, Koga Issei; born 30 July 1947) is a retired Japanese politician of the Democratic Party of Japan, who served as a member of the House of Representatives in the Diet (national legislature). A native of Yanagawa, Fukuoka and graduate of the University of Tokyo, he was a bureaucrat at the Ministry of Construction from 1971 to 1988. He was elected to the House of Representatives for the first time in 1990.
Asahiko Mihara (三原 朝彦, Mihara Asahiko; born 23 May 1947) is a former Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic…Asahiko Mihara (三原 朝彦, Mihara Asahiko; born 23 May 1947) is a former Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), who served as a member of the House of Representatives in the Diet (national legislature). A native of Onga, Fukuoka, he attended Hitotsubashi University and Dag Hammarskjöld College in the United States, and received a master's degree from Carleton University in Canada. He was elected to the House of Representatives for the first time in 1986. He participated in the formation of the New Party Sakigake in 1993 but later returned to the LDP. He was defeated in the 2009 election by DPJ candidate Rintaro Ogata. Representative Mihara was re-elected in 2012 to the Fukuoka Prefectural 9th district. He is a member of the Party Ethics and Fundamental National Policies Committees as well as the Director of the Special Committee on Promotion of Science and Technology, and Innovation. In 2004, Mihara received political donations of ¥ 300,000 from organizations related to the Unification Church. Mihara is a member of the Diet groups of Nippon Kaigi, an openly revisionist lobby, and Shintō Seiji Renmei, a fundamentalist Shintō lobby.
Ryuko Sakurai (桜井 龍子, Sakurai Ryūko; born January 16, 1947) was a member of the Supreme Court of Japan. She joined on…Ryuko Sakurai (桜井 龍子, Sakurai Ryūko; born January 16, 1947) was a member of the Supreme Court of Japan. She joined on September 11, 2008. Sakurai, a former bureaucrat of the Ministry of Labor, replaced Kazuko Yokoo, who resigned. She was the third woman to take a post in the Supreme Court of Japan.
Koriki Jojima (城島光力, Jōjima Kōriki; 1 January 1947) is a Japanese politician who served four terms in the House of…Koriki Jojima (城島光力, Jōjima Kōriki; 1 January 1947) is a Japanese politician who served four terms in the House of Representatives and was Minister of Finance from 1 October to 26 December 2012.
Kazuhiro Ninomiya (二宮 和弘, Ninomiya Kazuhiro; 28 November 1946 – 4 May 2026) was a Japanese judoka who competed in the…Kazuhiro Ninomiya (二宮 和弘, Ninomiya Kazuhiro; 28 November 1946 – 4 May 2026) was a Japanese judoka who competed in the 1976 Summer Olympics.
Isamu Sonoda (園田 勇, Sonoda Isamu; 4 November 1946 – 16 July 2026) was a Japanese Olympic champion judoka who competed…Isamu Sonoda (園田 勇, Sonoda Isamu; 4 November 1946 – 16 July 2026) was a Japanese Olympic champion judoka who competed in the middleweight division (–80 kg) at the 1976 Summer Olympics.
Junji Higashi (東 順治, Higashi Junji; 6 October 1946 – 17 October 2023) was a Japanese politician of the New Komeito…Junji Higashi (東 順治, Higashi Junji; 6 October 1946 – 17 October 2023) was a Japanese politician of the New Komeito Party, a member of the House of Representatives in the Diet (national legislature). A native of Kitakyūshū, Fukuoka and graduate of the University of Kitakyushu he was elected to the House of Representatives for the first time in 1990. He represented the 2nd District of Fukuoka prefecture. Junji Higashi died of pneumonia on 17 October 2023, at the age of 77.
Mie Nakao (Japanese: 中尾 ミエ; born 6 June 1946 in Kokura) is a Japanese actress and singer. With Yukari Itō and Mari Sono…Mie Nakao (Japanese: 中尾 ミエ; born 6 June 1946 in Kokura) is a Japanese actress and singer. With Yukari Itō and Mari Sono she co-starred in the hit 1963 teen movie Hai, Hai Sannin Musume ("Yes, Yes, The Three Girls"). The three actresses became the latest incarnation of the long-running series of "Three Girls" acts during the 1950s, 60s and 70s, under their manager Watanabe as the Watanabe-Pro Sannin musume (渡辺プロ三人娘). Nakao has continued to appear on television and produce music. Nakao debuted as a singer at the age of 16. In May 1962, her debut single was "Kawaii Baby" (可愛いベイビー), a cover of the song "Pretty Little Baby" by Connie Francis (from the 1962 album Connie Francis Sings "Second Hand Love"), was released. The song sold over a million copies.
Kazuaki Kimura (木村 一信, Kimura Kazuaki; 24 April 1946 – 26 September 2015) was a Japanese scholar of modern Japanese…Kazuaki Kimura (木村 一信, Kimura Kazuaki; 24 April 1946 – 26 September 2015) was a Japanese scholar of modern Japanese literature. He was a professor at Ritsumeikan University and held senior administrative roles at Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University and Poole Gakuin University. His research focused on the writer Atsushi Nakajima, a writer at the beginning of the Shōwa period.
Shozaburo Jimi (自見 庄三郎, Jimi Shōzaburō; born 5 November 1945) is a former Japanese politician of the now defunct…Shozaburo Jimi (自見 庄三郎, Jimi Shōzaburō; born 5 November 1945) is a former Japanese politician of the now defunct People's New Party, and was a member of the House of Councillors in the Diet (national legislature).
Seiichi Ota (太田 誠一, Ōta Seiichi; 31 October 1945 – 4 December 2024) was a Japanese politician who served as a member of…Seiichi Ota (太田 誠一, Ōta Seiichi; 31 October 1945 – 4 December 2024) was a Japanese politician who served as a member of the House of Representatives. He was a member of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) in the Koga faction. He was the cousin of Kiyoko Fukuda, who married Prime Minister of Japan Yasuo Fukuda.
Seizō Watase (わたせ せいぞう or 渡瀬 政造, Watase Seizō) is a Japanese manga artist and illustrator born 15 February 1945 in…Seizō Watase (わたせ せいぞう or 渡瀬 政造, Watase Seizō) is a Japanese manga artist and illustrator born 15 February 1945 in Kobe, Hyōgo Prefecture, Japan. Outside of being an illustrator for numerous posters, books, and other works, he is most well known for his dramatic romance manga Heart Cocktail, which had sold over 5 million copies. He won the 1974 Shogakukan Big Comic Prize. In 1987, Watase received the Bungeishunjū Manga Award for his work Phillip, P.I. (私立探偵フィリップ, Shiritsu Tantei Firippu). In addition to various exhibits in Japan, Watase held his first major exhibit in the United States at the Japanese American Cultural and Community Center in Los Angeles, California in 1998.
Yoshinori Ohsumi (大隅 良典, Ōsumi Yoshinori; born February 9, 1945) is a Japanese cell biologist specializing in…Yoshinori Ohsumi (大隅 良典, Ōsumi Yoshinori; born February 9, 1945) is a Japanese cell biologist specializing in autophagy, the process that cells use to destroy and recycle cellular components. Ohsumi is a professor at Institute of Science Tokyo's Institute of Innovative Research. He received the Kyoto Prize for Basic Sciences in 2012, the 2016 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine, and the 2017 Breakthrough Prize in Life Sciences for his discoveries of mechanisms for autophagy.
Haruhiko Kuroda (黒田 東彦, Kuroda Haruhiko; born 25 October 1944) is a Japanese banker and a former Ministry of Finance…Haruhiko Kuroda (黒田 東彦, Kuroda Haruhiko; born 25 October 1944) is a Japanese banker and a former Ministry of Finance government official who served as the 31st governor of the Bank of Japan (BOJ) from March 2013 to April 2023 and is currently a professor at the National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies (GRIPS). From 2003 Mr Kuroda served as special advisor to the Cabinet of Prime Minister Koizumi, while teaching economics and finance as a professor at the Hitotsubashi University Graduate School of Economics. He was formerly the president of the Asian Development Bank from 1 February 2005 to 18 March 2013.
Yoshiaki Harada (原田 義昭, Harada Yoshiaki; born 1 October 1944) is a Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic Party…Yoshiaki Harada (原田 義昭, Harada Yoshiaki; born 1 October 1944) is a Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic Party, a member of the House of Representatives in the Diet (national legislature). Harada represents the 2nd District of Kanagawa prefecture, which includes the cities of Kawasaki, Yokosuka, and Kamakura.
Kazuo Hirotomo (弘友 和夫, Hirotomo Kazuo; born August 17, 1944) is a Japanese politician of the New Komeito Party, a…Kazuo Hirotomo (弘友 和夫, Hirotomo Kazuo; born August 17, 1944) is a Japanese politician of the New Komeito Party, a member of the House of Councillors in the Diet (national legislature). A native of Kitakyūshū, Fukuoka and graduate of Chuo University, he was elected to the House of Representatives for the first time in 1993 after serving in the city assembly of Kitakyushu. In 1998, he was elected to the House of Councillors for the first time.
Seiji Shinkai (新海 征治, Shinkai Seiji; born July 5, 1944) is a Japanese chemist and professor of Kyushu University, and…Seiji Shinkai (新海 征治, Shinkai Seiji; born July 5, 1944) is a Japanese chemist and professor of Kyushu University, and emeritus professor.
Tsuneyuki Mitamura (三田村 統之), known as Toji Mitamura (May 8, 1944 – September 16, 2026), was a Japanese politician. He…Tsuneyuki Mitamura (三田村 統之), known as Toji Mitamura (May 8, 1944 – September 16, 2026), was a Japanese politician. He served five terms as a member of the Fukuoka Prefectural Assembly from 1991 until 2008, including a tenure as Vice Speaker of the Fukuoka Prefectural Assembly from May 2005 to June 2006. Mitamura was then elected Mayor of the city of Yame, Fukuoka Prefecture, for four consecutive terms from November 16, 2008, until November 15, 2024. In 2026, Mitamura was awarded the Order of the Rising Sun, 3rd Class, Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon, for his service. Mitamura died from complications of cirrhosis at a hospital in Yame city, on September 16, 2026, at the age of 82. He was survived by his wife, Ritsuko. His funeral was held at Koyeksha Ceremony Hall Kourin in Yame on September 19.
Yasumasa Furo (不老 安正, Furō Yasumasa; born 26 January 1944) is a Japanese sport shooter who competed in the 1988 Summer…Yasumasa Furo (不老 安正, Furō Yasumasa; born 26 January 1944) is a Japanese sport shooter who competed in the 1988 Summer Olympics.
Hirofumi Matsuda (松田 博文, Matsuda Hirofumi) is a Japanese judoka and world champion. Born in Fukuoka, Hirofumi is a…Hirofumi Matsuda (松田 博文, Matsuda Hirofumi) is a Japanese judoka and world champion. Born in Fukuoka, Hirofumi is a graduate of Kansai University. He received a gold medal in the lightweight class at the 1965 World Judo Championships in Rio de Janeiro, and a silver medal at the 1967 World Judo Championships in Salt Lake City.
Katsuto Momii (籾井 勝人, Momii Katsuto; born 4 March 1943) is a Japanese businessman who was elected as NHK's 21st…Katsuto Momii (籾井 勝人, Momii Katsuto; born 4 March 1943) is a Japanese businessman who was elected as NHK's 21st Director-General on 20 December 2013. He worked for Mitsui & Co. from 1965 until 2005. From 2005 until 2011, he worked as President and representative director of Unisys Japan.
Kenichi Ohmae (大前 研一, Ōmae Ken'ichi; born February 22, 1943) is a Japanese organizational theorist, management…Kenichi Ohmae (大前 研一, Ōmae Ken'ichi; born February 22, 1943) is a Japanese organizational theorist, management consultant, former Professor and Dean of UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs, and author, known for developing the 3Cs model. He has argued that Japan's prolonged economic stagnation stems from a societal shift he terms a "low-desire society", characterized by declining ambition and consumption, particularly among younger generations.
Katsuhiro Nakagawa (中川 勝弘, Nakagawa Katsuhiro; March 11, 1942 – July 8, 2016) is the former vice chairman of Toyota…Katsuhiro Nakagawa (中川 勝弘, Nakagawa Katsuhiro; March 11, 1942 – July 8, 2016) is the former vice chairman of Toyota Motor Corporation. Vice-Minister for International Affairs, Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry in 1997–1998. Former president and CEO Katsuaki Watanabe replaced him as the new vice chairman of the company and Watanabe's spot being replaced by Akio Toyoda. Other corporate position held by Nakagawa: Chairman of Tokio Marine Capital Co., Ltd Auditor of Shochiku Co., Ltd. (2001–2014) Corporate Auditor of Aichi Steel Corp. (2006–present) President and Director of MX Mobiling Co., Ltd. (2008–?) Director of Mikuni Corporation (2013–present)
Yozo Fujita (Japanese: 藤田陽三 Fujita Yōzō; 20 February 1942 – 1 August 2023) was a Japanese plasterer and politician. A…Yozo Fujita (Japanese: 藤田陽三 Fujita Yōzō; 20 February 1942 – 1 August 2023) was a Japanese plasterer and politician. A member of the Liberal Democratic Party, he served as mayor of Chikushino from 2011 to 2023. Fujita died on 1 August 2023, at the age of 81.
Seiji Sakaguchi (坂口征二, Sakaguchi Seiji; born February 17, 1942) is a Japanese retired professional wrestler and judoka…Seiji Sakaguchi (坂口征二, Sakaguchi Seiji; born February 17, 1942) is a Japanese retired professional wrestler and judoka, Sakaguchi holds a 7th dan red and white belt in judo. Sakaguchi was a mainstay of New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW) and also competed for the World Wide Wrestling Federation and the National Wrestling Alliance. His sons are professional wrestler and mixed martial arts fighter Yukio Sakaguchi and television actor Kenji Sakaguchi. Sakaguchi currently works for New Japan as an advisor.
Masao Komatsu (Japanese: 小松政夫, Hepburn: Masao Komatsu; 10 January 1942 – 7 December 2020) was a Japanese actor and…Masao Komatsu (Japanese: 小松政夫, Hepburn: Masao Komatsu; 10 January 1942 – 7 December 2020) was a Japanese actor and comedian.
Hirotaro Yamasaki (山崎 広太郎, Yamasaki Hirotarō; 3 September 1941 – 11 March 2021) was a Japanese politician. He served as…Hirotaro Yamasaki (山崎 広太郎, Yamasaki Hirotarō; 3 September 1941 – 11 March 2021) was a Japanese politician. He served as Mayor of Fukuoka from 1998 to 2006, a member of the House of Representatives from 1993 to 1996, and served on the Fukuoka City Council from 1971 to 1990.
Masayuki Minami (南 将之, Minami Masayuki; July 8, 1941 – April 7, 2000) was a Japanese volleyball player born in Fukuoka…Masayuki Minami (南 将之, Minami Masayuki; July 8, 1941 – April 7, 2000) was a Japanese volleyball player born in Fukuoka, Japan. He was a member of the Japanese Men's National Volleyball Team in the 1960s and early 1970s. He won three Olympic medals during his career.
Tadashi Yokouchi (横内正, Yokouchi Tadashi; born July 1, 1941) is a Japanese actor. Born in Dalian, Kwantung Leased…Tadashi Yokouchi (横内正, Yokouchi Tadashi; born July 1, 1941) is a Japanese actor. Born in Dalian, Kwantung Leased Territory, he graduated from high school in Kitakyushu, Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan. A member of the 13th group of actors and actresses trained at the Haiyū-za, he counts Tetsuo Ishidate, Toshiyuki Hosokawa, Tomomi Satō, and Gō Katō as classmates. His older brother Shōji is a much-recorded guitarist, and his younger brother Hiroshi a composer. Tadashi belongs to TY Pro. NHK tapped Yokouchi for the lead in the series "Tabiji," the 1967–68 morning drama. Yokouchi's first major jidaigeki role was Atsumi Kakunoshin in the long-running "Mito Kōmon." He portrayed "Kaku-san" in the first eight series on TBS from 1969 to 1978. Fans remember his deep voice in the theme song as well. He made another appearance on the show in 2003 when the series celebrated its thousandth episode. Another major jidaigeki role began in 1978 as Yokouchi played the historical Ōoka Tadasuke in Abarenbo Shogun (TV Asahi). Having created the role, he continued to portray the magistrate in the first seven series until 1997. Two taiga drama roles have been his. He appeared in the 1980 Shishi no Jidai starring Bunta Sugawara, and as Shimizu Yoshimasa in the 2007 Fūrin Kazan, having been in the 1992 Nippon Television show of the same name. A versatile talent, Yokouchi has also appeared in contemporary dramas, dubbed foreign productions, and voiced animated characters. He played Michio Kamakura, the lover of Sakura, in a television version of Otoko wa Tsurai yo. In Japan, fans of Cosmos: A Personal Voyage heard him as the voice of Carl Sagan. He also voiced Moog the Rock Giant in Hols: Prince of the Sun from Toei Animation (1968). Yokouchi has appeared on variety programs and released a single.
Tomoyoshi Watanabe (渡辺 具能, Watanabe Tomoyoshi; born 7 April 1941) is a retired Japanese politician of the Liberal…Tomoyoshi Watanabe (渡辺 具能, Watanabe Tomoyoshi; born 7 April 1941) 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 Kasuya District, Fukuoka and graduate of Kyushu University, he worked at the Ministry of Transport from 1964 to 1994. After teaching at Fukuoka University, he was elected to the House of Representatives for the first time in 1996.
Kenji Kimihara (君原 健二, Kimihara Kenji; born March 20, 1941) is a retired Japanese long-distance runner. He competed in…Kenji Kimihara (君原 健二, Kimihara Kenji; born March 20, 1941) is a retired Japanese long-distance runner. He competed in the marathon at the 1964, 1968 and 1972 Olympics and finished in eighth, second and fifth place, respectively. He won two gold medals in the marathon at the Asian Games in 1966 and 1970, and won the Boston Marathon in 1966. He was very successful on the Japanese road racing circuit, winning the Tokyo International Marathon and Lake Biwa Marathon in both 1963 and 1964, and registering four wins at the Beppu-Ōita Marathon between 1967 and 1973. Kimihara raced in the 2016 Boston Marathon, celebrating the 50th anniversary of his 1966 win. He completed the race in a time of 4:53:14.
Taiji Arita (有田 泰而, Arita Taiji; 1941–2011) was a Japanese commercial photographer who exhibited non-commercial nudes…Taiji Arita (有田 泰而, Arita Taiji; 1941–2011) was a Japanese commercial photographer who exhibited non-commercial nudes and other work, and later a painter and sculptor.
Toshiyuki Hosokawa (細川 俊之, Hosokawa Toshiyuki; December 15, 1940 – January 14, 2011) was a Japanese actor and disc…Toshiyuki Hosokawa (細川 俊之, Hosokawa Toshiyuki; December 15, 1940 – January 14, 2011) was a Japanese actor and disc jockey, whose credits included roles in television, film, stage and musical theater. He reached prominence in Japan for his starring role in the 1970 film Eros Plus Massacre, which was directed by Yoshishige Yoshida. Hosokawa was born and raised in Fukuoka Prefecture. He launched his acting career as a member of the theater company, Bungakuza, in 1964. He joined Bungakuza after leaving his university. He soon co-starred with actress, Nana Kinomi, in the musical, Show Girl. Additionally, Hosokawa served as a professor at Osaka University of Arts beginning in 2004. Hosokawa accidentally fell and suffered head injuries at his home on January 12, 2011. He died of subdural hematoma at a hospital in Tokyo, Japan, on January 14, 2011, at the age of 70.
Tarō Asō (麻生 太郎, Asō Tarō; born 20 September 1940) is a Japanese politician who served as Prime Minister of Japan from…Tarō Asō (麻生 太郎, Asō Tarō; born 20 September 1940) is a Japanese politician who served as Prime Minister of Japan from 2008 to 2009. A member of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), he also served as Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance from 2012 to 2021. He was the longest-serving Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance in Japanese history, having previously served as Minister for Foreign Affairs from 2005 to 2007 and as Minister for Internal Affairs and Communications from 2003 to 2005. He leads the Shikōkai faction within the LDP. Asō was first elected to the House of Representatives in 1979. He served in numerous ministerial roles before becoming Secretary-General of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) in 2008, having also held that role temporarily in 2007. He was later elected LDP President in September 2008, becoming prime minister the same month. He led the LDP to the worst election result in its history a year later, marking only the second time in post-war Japan that a governing party had lost re-election, and resigned as the President of the party immediately afterwards. After the LDP returned to government following the 2012 election under Shinzo Abe, Asō was appointed to the Cabinet as Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister, retaining those roles when Yoshihide Suga replaced Abe in 2020. After leaving cabinet, he's served as vice president of the LDP under Fumio Kishida and as senior advisor to the LDP under Shigeru Ishiba. He is a noted power broker inside the party, leading the Shikōkai. Asō has been attached to a number of controversies in his career. He conceded in 2008 that his family had benefitted from forced labor during World War II, although he has refused to apologize for it. Asō also had a reputation for political gaffes and controversial remarks.
