Koichi Toyama (Japanese: 外山 恒一, Hepburn: Toyama Kōichi; born July 26, 1970) is a Japanese street musician and a fringe…Koichi Toyama (Japanese: 外山 恒一, Hepburn: Toyama Kōichi; born July 26, 1970) is a Japanese street musician and a fringe political activist who was a candidate for the governor of Tokyo in the year 2007. He was born in Kagoshima Prefecture and lives in Fukuoka. He gained notoriety with his provocative 2007 Tokyo gubernatorial election speech.
Hanamaru Hakata (博多 華丸, Hakata Hanamaru; born Mitsuteru Okazaki (岡崎 光輝, Okazaki Mitsuteru), 8 April 1970, in Sawara-ku…Hanamaru Hakata (博多 華丸, Hakata Hanamaru; born Mitsuteru Okazaki (岡崎 光輝, Okazaki Mitsuteru), 8 April 1970, in Sawara-ku, Fukuoka, Fukuoka Prefecture) is a Japanese comedian who performs boke of the double act Hanamaru-Daikichi Hakata, in which his partner is Daikichi Hakata. After working with Fukuoka Yoshimoto, he joined Yoshimoto Creative Agency (Tokyo Yoshimoto) since 2005.
Tatsuya Maruyama (丸山 達也, Maruyama Tatsuya; born 25 March 1970) is a Japanese politician and current governor of Shimane…Tatsuya Maruyama (丸山 達也, Maruyama Tatsuya; born 25 March 1970) is a Japanese politician and current governor of Shimane Prefecture.
Katsuya Onizuka (鬼塚 勝也, Onizuka Katsuya; born Takashi Onizuka; March 12, 1970) is a former WBA Super Flyweight champion…Katsuya Onizuka (鬼塚 勝也, Onizuka Katsuya; born Takashi Onizuka; March 12, 1970) is a former WBA Super Flyweight champion from Kitakyushu, Japan. Onizuka was an extremely popular boxer in Japan, creating a boxing boom in Japan during the early 1990s along with Joichiro Tatsuyoshi.
Sunao Matsumoto (October 24, 1969 – July 15, 2004), known professionally as Sunao Yoshida (吉田直 Yoshida Sunao), was a…Sunao Matsumoto (October 24, 1969 – July 15, 2004), known professionally as Sunao Yoshida (吉田直 Yoshida Sunao), was a Japanese novelist. He was born in Fukuoka Prefecture and graduated from La Salle Junior and Senior High School in Kagoshima. He attended Waseda University and earned a Master's degree from Kyoto University. Yoshida died of a lung blockage in 2004. Yoshida was known primarily for "light novels," a category in Japanese publishing that includes youth-oriented stories, often featuring anime-style cover illustrations. In 1997, Yoshida was awarded the Sneaker Taisho literary prize for his debut novel, Genocide Angel. He was the author of the novel series Trinity Blood, which was serialized in Kadokawa Shoten's The Sneaker magazine. The popularity of The Sneaker dropped significantly after Yoshida's death. The Trinity Blood series was published in North America by Tokyopop. Two years after Yoshida's death, from January to October 2006, his home village of Ashiyamachi, Fukuoka, in conjunction with publishers Kadokawa Shoten, Gonzo and Broccoli, held a "Sunao Exhibit" to memorialize his achievements. Gainax's scheduled project Neppu Kairiku Bushi Road was indefinitely delayed after his death, as he was supposed to be its world designer. The project was eventually taken over by Kinema Citrus and Orange and completed in 2013.
Riichi Ueshiba (植芝 理一, Ueshiba Riichi; a.k.a. Reach Ueshiba) is a Japanese manga artist. He has written and illustrated…Riichi Ueshiba (植芝 理一, Ueshiba Riichi; a.k.a. Reach Ueshiba) is a Japanese manga artist. He has written and illustrated Yume Tsukai and Mysterious Girlfriend X, both of which were adapted into anime series. Another of his works, Discommunication, had its main characters animated in the 14th OVA episode of Mysterious Girlfriend X as a cameo appearance. Mysterious Girlfriend X is licensed in North America by Vertical. Discommunication has been licensed by J-Novel Club and is being released in English digitally.
Aki Nagatomi (永富 有紀, Nagatomi Aki) (born 15 July 1969) is a Japanese former volleyball player who competed at the 1996…Aki Nagatomi (永富 有紀, Nagatomi Aki) (born 15 July 1969) is a Japanese former volleyball player who competed at the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta, where she finished in ninth place. Nagatomi won the bronze medal at the 1994 Goodwill Games in Saint Petersburg.
Kaba-chan (KABA.ちゃん), born on June 19, 1969, in Yanagawa, Fukuoka, is a transgender woman who is a Japanese tarento and…Kaba-chan (KABA.ちゃん), born on June 19, 1969, in Yanagawa, Fukuoka, is a transgender woman who is a Japanese tarento and choreographer. After studying dance in New York City, she returned to Japan and was a member of the musical group Dos with Taeco Nishikawa and Asami Yoshino.
Akihiro Hino (日野 晃博, Hino Akihiro; born July 20, 1968) is a Japanese video game designer, producer, scriptwriter, and…Akihiro Hino (日野 晃博, Hino Akihiro; born July 20, 1968) is a Japanese video game designer, producer, scriptwriter, and businessman. He is the founder, president, and chief executive officer of Level-5. Hino has held multiple roles in game development, including programming, scenario writing, directing, and executive production.
Susumu Aoyagi (青柳 進, Aoyagi Susumu) was a professional baseball player. He played in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB)…Susumu Aoyagi (青柳 進, Aoyagi Susumu) was a professional baseball player. He played in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) for the Lotte Orions/Chiba Lotte Marines in the Japan Pacific League and the Yakult Swallows in the Japan Central League.
Hiromi Hanamura (花村 博美, Hanamura Hiromi) (born June 13, 1968, in Fukuoka, Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan), better known by…Hiromi Hanamura (花村 博美, Hanamura Hiromi) (born June 13, 1968, in Fukuoka, Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan), better known by her stage name Hiroko Moriguchi (森口 博子, Moriguchi Hiroko) is a female Japanese singer and tarento. Moriguchi is affiliated with the talent agency NoReason Inc., where she also serves as Second Production Department Manager.
Yasuhiro Kai (甲斐 康浩, Kai Yasuhiro; born 30 April 1968) is a Japanese judoka. He competed in the men's half-heavyweight…Yasuhiro Kai (甲斐 康浩, Kai Yasuhiro; born 30 April 1968) is a Japanese judoka. He competed in the men's half-heavyweight event at the 1992 Summer Olympics.
Ryota Takeda (武田 良太, Takeda Ryōta; born 1 April 1968) is a Japanese politician who served as the Minister of Internal…Ryota Takeda (武田 良太, Takeda Ryōta; born 1 April 1968) is a Japanese politician who served as the Minister of Internal Affairs and Communications from September 2020 to October 2021. A member of the Liberal Democratic Party, he previously served as the Minister in Charge of Public Safety, Measures for National Land Strengthening and Disaster Management.
Wataru Murata (村田亙, Murata Wataru) (born 25 January 1968 in Jōnan) is a former Japanese rugby player and coach. He…Wataru Murata (村田亙, Murata Wataru) (born 25 January 1968 in Jōnan) is a former Japanese rugby player and coach. He played as scrum-half. He currently coaches Senshu University Rugby Football Club.
Naoko Matsumoto is a Professor in the Department of Archaeology at Okayama University. Her research covers the areas of…Naoko Matsumoto is a Professor in the Department of Archaeology at Okayama University. Her research covers the areas of cognitive archaeology, gender archaeology and the Jomon period.
Takenobu Mitsuyoshi (光吉 猛修, Mitsuyoshi Takenobu; born December 25, 1967) is a Japanese composer of video game music…Takenobu Mitsuyoshi (光吉 猛修, Mitsuyoshi Takenobu; born December 25, 1967) is a Japanese composer of video game music, singer, and video game voice actor. He has composed music for various games produced by Sega, including Virtua Fighter 2 and Shenmue. He first gained major recognition after the release of Daytona USA, for which he wrote music and personally sang vocals. He also recorded live orchestras for the arcade games Derby Owners Club, World Club Champion Football, and Star Horse. Aside from original compositions, he also arranges, provides vocals, and is a performer for various projects, including S.S.T from 1988 to 1993, and [H.] from 2004 onwards. He is well-known for voicing the character Kage-Maru in the Virtua Fighter franchise. His younger brother, Kenji Mitsuyoshi (光吉 賢司, Mitsuyoshi Kenji), is a manga artist and member of the artist-writer duo Ark Performance along with Kōichi Ishikawa.
Akinobu Yokouchi (横内 昭展, Yokouchi Akinobu; born November 30, 1967) is a Japanese football manager and former football…Akinobu Yokouchi (横内 昭展, Yokouchi Akinobu; born November 30, 1967) is a Japanese football manager and former football player. He is the currently manager of J2 League club Montedio Yamagata.
Hiroya Oku (奥 浩哉, Oku Hiroya; born September 16, 1967) is a Japanese manga artist, known for his works Hen, Gantz…Hiroya Oku (奥 浩哉, Oku Hiroya; born September 16, 1967) is a Japanese manga artist, known for his works Hen, Gantz, Inuyashiki, and Gigant. Originally influenced by Katsuhiro Otomo and Ryoichi Ikegami, his manga often contain explicit violence, sexual depictions, and matters that are considered taboo by the public, and he is known as a pioneer in the use of digital processing for manga backgrounds. His debut manga, Hen, was a runner-up in the 1988 Young Jump Youth Manga Awards. The pseudonym he used at the time was Kuon Yahiro (久遠 矢広, Yahiro Kuron). Oku designed a character named Shura for Namco Bandai's Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 fighting game Soulcalibur IV. Oku created the manga series Thunder 3, published under the pen name Yuki Ikeda (池田 祐輝, Ikeda Yūki) from 2022 to 2026. Oku revealed his identity as Ikeda on his X account in September 2026. In an August 2026 interview, Oku stated that he would retire after finishing his latest manga series The Sweet Sixty Princess.
Satoshi Ōie (born July 17, 1967, in Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan) is a Japanese politician who has served as a member of…Satoshi Ōie (born July 17, 1967, in Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan) is a Japanese politician who has served as a member of the House of Councillors of Japan since 2010. He represents the Fukuoka at-large district as a member of the Liberal Democratic Party. He has directed the House's Committee on Financial Affairs since 2016.
Shiji Koh (高 信二, Koh Shinji; born April 16, 1967 in Kitakyushu, Fukuoka, Japan) is a former professional Japanese…Shiji Koh (高 信二, Koh Shinji; born April 16, 1967 in Kitakyushu, Fukuoka, Japan) is a former professional Japanese baseball player.
Hiroshi Shibutani (渋谷 浩, Shibutani Hiroshi; born 1967) is a Japanese former international table tennis player. He won a…Hiroshi Shibutani (渋谷 浩, Shibutani Hiroshi; born 1967) is a Japanese former international table tennis player. He won a bronze medal at the 1997 World Table Tennis Championships in the men's doubles with Kōji Matsushita and three years later won another bronze at the 2000 World Team Table Tennis Championships. His father was Goro Shibutani and they became the first father and son to win the All-Japan Singles title.
Chieko Nakanishi (中西 千枝子, Nakanishi Chieko; born 24 August 1966) is a Japanese former volleyball player who competed in…Chieko Nakanishi (中西 千枝子, Nakanishi Chieko; born 24 August 1966) is a Japanese former volleyball player who competed in the 1992 Summer Olympics and the 1996 Summer Olympics. In 1992, Nakanishi finished fifth with the Japanese team in the Olympic tournament in Barcelona. Four years later, Nakanishi was eliminated with the Japanese team in the preliminary round of the 1996 Olympic tournament in Atlanta.
Kensuke Sasaki (Japanese: 佐々木 健介, Sasaki Kensuke; born August 4, 1966) is a Japanese retired professional wrestler. He…Kensuke Sasaki (Japanese: 佐々木 健介, Sasaki Kensuke; born August 4, 1966) is a Japanese retired professional wrestler. He is best known for his numerous runs in the top three Japanese wrestling promotions; New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW), All Japan Pro Wrestling (AJPW), and Pro Wrestling Noah. He was the founder and owner of the now-defunct wrestling promotion Diamond Ring, which was also named Kensuke Office. Sasaki is the first of five men ever to hold all three of puroresu's major heavyweight titles (the IWGP Heavyweight Championship, the Triple Crown Heavyweight Championship, and the GHC Heavyweight Championship), the others being Yoshihiro Takayama, Keiji Muto, Satoshi Kojima, and Yuji Nagata - totaling seven world championship reigns. Sasaki also competed in MMA and won both fights by submission, remaining undefeated in mixed martial arts competition.
Kohmi Hirose (広瀬 香美, Hirose Kōmi; born April 12, 1966) is a Japanese pop singer and songwriter. Since the release of…Kohmi Hirose (広瀬 香美, Hirose Kōmi; born April 12, 1966) is a Japanese pop singer and songwriter. Since the release of her million-selling single "Romance no Kamisama" in 1993, Hirose has recorded music for winter-sporting goods company Alpen's advertising campaigns. This has prompted the Japanese public to bestow upon her the nickname of "Winter Queen" (冬の女王, Fuyu no Joō).
Tamaki Daido (大道 珠貴, Daidō Tamaki; born 1966) is a Japanese writer. She has won the Kyushu Arts Festival Literary…Tamaki Daido (大道 珠貴, Daidō Tamaki; born 1966) is a Japanese writer. She has won the Kyushu Arts Festival Literary Prize, the Bunkamura Deux Magots Literary Prize, and the Akutagawa Prize.
Ken Sugimori (Japanese: 杉森 建, Hepburn: Sugimori Ken; born January 27, 1966) is a Japanese video game designer…Ken Sugimori (Japanese: 杉森 建, Hepburn: Sugimori Ken; born January 27, 1966) is a Japanese video game designer, illustrator, manga artist, director, and co-founder of Game Freak alongside Satoshi Tajiri. He is best known as the primary character designer and art director for the Pokémon franchise. Sugimori is also credited with the art direction for other titles, including Pulseman. Sugimori drew and finalized most of the original 151 Pokémon. He also co-directed Ruby and Sapphire, Diamond and Pearl and Black and White, as well as worked on various Pokémon films, trading cards, and other games like the Super Smash Bros. series.
Kumi Araki (荒木 久美, Araki Kumi; born October 11, 1965) is a retired long-distance runner from Japan. She represented her…Kumi Araki (荒木 久美, Araki Kumi; born October 11, 1965) is a retired long-distance runner from Japan. She represented her native country in the women's marathon at the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul, South Korea. She won the silver medal in the women's 10.000 metres at the 1986 Asian Games in Seoul, South Korea.
Wataru Kurihara (栗原 渉, Kurihara Wataru; born 27 September 1965) is a Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic…Wataru Kurihara (栗原 渉, Kurihara Wataru; born 27 September 1965) is a Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic Party, who serves as a member of the House of Representatives.
Shinji Hamada (22 September 1965 – 20 November 2021), better known as Toyonoumi Shinji, was a Japanese sumo wrestler…Shinji Hamada (22 September 1965 – 20 November 2021), better known as Toyonoumi Shinji, was a Japanese sumo wrestler from Buzen, Fukuoka. He made his professional debut in March 1981 and reached the top division in November 1988. He was known by the shikona Takanohama until 1990. His highest rank was maegashira 1. He did not miss a single bout in his 19-year professional career. Upon retirement from active competition he became an elder in the Japan Sumo Association, under the name Yamahibiki. He left the Sumo Association in June 2002.
Osamu Maeda (前田 治, Maeda Osamu; born September 5, 1965) is a former Japanese football player. He played for Japan…Osamu Maeda (前田 治, Maeda Osamu; born September 5, 1965) is a former Japanese football player. He played for Japan national team.
Takayuki Murakami (村上 隆行, Murakami Takayuki; born August 26, 1965) is a Japanese former professional baseball…Takayuki Murakami (村上 隆行, Murakami Takayuki; born August 26, 1965) is a Japanese former professional baseball infielder, and current first squad hitting coach for the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB). As a player he spent 16 years with the Osaka Kintetsu Buffaloes and 1 year with the Seibu Lions. He also managed the 06 Bulls, leading them to become champions of Hyogo in the Kansai independent league in 2015.
Mitsuo Yamaguchi (山口 光雄, Yamaguchi Mitsuo; born May 23, 1965), known professionally as Kappei Yamaguchi (山口 勝平…Mitsuo Yamaguchi (山口 光雄, Yamaguchi Mitsuo; born May 23, 1965), known professionally as Kappei Yamaguchi (山口 勝平, Yamaguchi Kappei), is a Japanese actor, voice actor, and rakugoka currently affiliated with Gokū and formerly with 21st Century Fox. After making his voice acting debut in 1989 as the male version of the titular character Ranma Saotome in the Ranma ½ television anime, he went on to perform other notable roles such as the titular character in Inuyasha and in its sequel Yashahime, and L in Death Note. He currently voices Shinichi Kudo and Kaito Kid in Great Detective Conan, Usopp in One Piece and Teddie in Persona 4. He is married and has a son named Ryūnosuke and a daughter named Akane. Ryūnosuke and Akane are also voice actors, while the latter is also a rakugoka.
Ken Nomura (Shinjitai: 野村謙, Nomura Ken; born Fukuoka, May 9, 1965) is a drifting driver from Japan. He made his debut…Ken Nomura (Shinjitai: 野村謙, Nomura Ken; born Fukuoka, May 9, 1965) is a drifting driver from Japan. He made his debut in the D1 Grand Prix in the third round in 2001, driving the Blitz D1 Spec ER34 Skyline which he still drives. His nickname is Nomuken (のむけん) or Monkey Magic (as a reference to his company). In his youth, Nomura was a baseball player and was very well known within his region, but his career never progressed any further through injury and turned to property developing. Once he gained his driving licence, he was dedicated to night-time street drag racing and then progressed to touge racing. In 1992, Nomuken was runner up in the "All Japan Ikaten" Finals and later in 1996 opened his own tuning shop Uras (reverse for saru, Japanese for monkey), producing drift specific products. When he first joined the D1GP series in 2000, Nomura's performance was average, he had been away from drifting for some time before competing in its inaugural year. But as soon as he signed a contract with parts manufacturer Blitz as a works driver, his skills quickly developed. In the D1 events, Nomura is known for his imitation of a monkey, as the pioneer of the smoke technique, he drifts with the most smoke. He is widely a fan favorite in the series. He also competes in the budget spinoff series, D1 Street Legal with a toned down version of his Skyline. In 2006, Nomura won the D1GP Non Championship Event World All Star. Nomura has also appeared for a TV commercial for his sponsor, Dunlop Tires in Japan, appears as a guest presenter in Video Option and Drift Tengoku as well as a columnist for the Option magazine and judges in drift events. Nomura announced his intention to retire after the 2018 season on Twitter, and ran his last full-time race on Odaiba.
Tatsuto Mochida (持田 達人, Mochida Tatsuto; born April 3, 1965) is a Japanese judoka. He was born in Shima, Fukuoka, and…Tatsuto Mochida (持田 達人, Mochida Tatsuto; born April 3, 1965) is a Japanese judoka. He was born in Shima, Fukuoka, and began judo at Kodogakusha (講道学舎, Kōdōgakusha) in earnest at the age of a junior high student. After graduating from Nihon University, Mochida entered the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department and won a silver medal at the -78 kg category of the World Championships in 1989. He was good at Okuriashi harai, Harai tsurikomi ashi and Uchi mata. Mochida retired after All-Japan Police Championships in 1998. As of 2009, he coaches All-Japan men's judo team and so on.
Toshifumi Baba (馬場 敏史, Baba Toshifumi; born February 10, 1965) is a former baseball player from Japan. He primarily…Toshifumi Baba (馬場 敏史, Baba Toshifumi; born February 10, 1965) is a former baseball player from Japan. He primarily paid for Orix Blue Wave in the Japan Pacific League.
Mitsuko Tottori (鳥取 三津子, Tottori Mitsuko; born 31 December 1964) is a Japanese airline executive. She was named…Mitsuko Tottori (鳥取 三津子, Tottori Mitsuko; born 31 December 1964) is a Japanese airline executive. She was named representative director, President and Chief Executive Officer of Japan Airlines (JAL) in April 2024, becoming the first woman to lead the company. Tottori began her career as a flight attendant. She joined Toa Domestic Airlines (TDA) in 1985 after graduating from Kwassui Women's Junior College. TDA (later JAS) was merged with JAL in 2001. "Her leadership style is often described as calm, methodical, and people-focused, with a strong emphasis on safety, discipline, and corporate responsibility." She was ranked number 5 on the 2024 Fortune Most Powerful Women Asia list, and number 10 on the same list in 2025. Her estimated salary in 2026 is ¥240 million per year.
Erika Akiyama (Japanese: 秋山 エリカ, born December 31, 1964, Fukuoka) is a retired Japanese rhythmic gymnast, a gymnastics…Erika Akiyama (Japanese: 秋山 エリカ, born December 31, 1964, Fukuoka) is a retired Japanese rhythmic gymnast, a gymnastics coach. She competed for Japan in the individual rhythmic gymnastics all-around competition at two Olympic Games: in 1984 in Los Angeles in 1988 in Seoul. In 1984 she was 13th in the qualification and advanced to the final, placing 13th overall, in 1988 she tied for 17th place in the qualification and again advanced to the final, placing 15th overall.
Tsukasa Iwamoto (岩本 司, Iwamoto Tsukasa; born July 21, 1964) is a former Japanese politician of the Democratic Party of…Tsukasa Iwamoto (岩本 司, Iwamoto Tsukasa; born July 21, 1964) is a former Japanese politician of the Democratic Party of Japan, who served as a member of the House of Councillors in the Diet (national legislature). A native of Fukuoka, Fukuoka and graduate of Nihon University, he had served in the ward assembly of Shibuya, Tokyo since 1993. After running unsuccessfully for the House of Representatives in 2000, he was elected to the House of Councillors for the first time in 2001.
Koichiro Ichimura (市村 浩一郎, Ichimura Kōichirō; born 16 July 1964) is a Japanese politician of the Japan Innovation…Koichiro Ichimura (市村 浩一郎, Ichimura Kōichirō; born 16 July 1964) is a Japanese politician of the Japan Innovation Party, who serves as a member of the House of Representatives in the Diet (national legislature). A native of Fukuoka, Fukuoka and graduate of Hitotsubashi University, he was elected to the House of Representatives for the first time in 2003 after an unsuccessful run in 2000.
Shinji Aoyama (青山 真治, Aoyama Shinji; 13 July 1964 – 21 March 2022) was a Japanese film director, screenwriter…Shinji Aoyama (青山 真治, Aoyama Shinji; 13 July 1964 – 21 March 2022) was a Japanese film director, screenwriter, composer, film critic, and novelist. He graduated from Rikkyo University. He won two awards at the 2000 Cannes Film Festival for his film Eureka.
Hiroyuki Morita (森田 宏幸, Morita Hiroyuki; born June 26, 1964) is a Japanese animator and director. He is best known for…Hiroyuki Morita (森田 宏幸, Morita Hiroyuki; born June 26, 1964) is a Japanese animator and director. He is best known for working as director on the Studio Ghibli film The Cat Returns.
