Yoshihiro Yonezawa (米澤 嘉博, Yonezawa Yoshihiro; March 21, 1953 – October 1, 2006) was a Japanese manga critic and…Yoshihiro Yonezawa (米澤 嘉博, Yonezawa Yoshihiro; March 21, 1953 – October 1, 2006) was a Japanese manga critic and author. He is also known for being Comiket's co-founder and president. He died of lung cancer at 53. He won the 2007 Seiun Award in the special category and 2010 Tezuka Osamu Cultural Prize Special Award.
Kōzō Murashita (村下 孝蔵, Murashita Kōzō; February 28, 1953 – June 24, 1999) was a Japanese singer-songwriter who was born…Kōzō Murashita (村下 孝蔵, Murashita Kōzō; February 28, 1953 – June 24, 1999) was a Japanese singer-songwriter who was born in Minamata, Kumamoto, Japan. He died of a brain hemorrhage in 1999.
Teruko Miyamoto (宮本 輝子, Miyamoto Teruko; born 31 May 1952) is a Japanese basketball player. She competed in the women's…Teruko Miyamoto (宮本 輝子, Miyamoto Teruko; born 31 May 1952) is a Japanese basketball player. She competed in the women's tournament at the 1976 Summer Olympics.
Yasuo Daichi (大地 康雄, Daichi Yasuo; born 25 November 1951) is a Japanese actor. He has appeared in more than 50 films…Yasuo Daichi (大地 康雄, Daichi Yasuo; born 25 November 1951) is a Japanese actor. He has appeared in more than 50 films since 1979.
Kazuo Yoshimura (吉村 和郎, Yoshimura Kazuo; born 6 July 1951) is a retired Japanese judoka. Yoshimura is from Kumamoto…Kazuo Yoshimura (吉村 和郎, Yoshimura Kazuo; born 6 July 1951) is a retired Japanese judoka. Yoshimura is from Kumamoto, Kumamoto. He belonged to Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department after graduation from Nihon University in 1973. In 1973, When Yoshimura was a student of university, he won a bronze medal at the World Championships held in Lausanne. He was expected to get gold medal of World Championships in 1977 or Olympic Games in 1980. But he couldn't because World Championship was cancelled and Olympic Games was boycotted by Japanese Government. Yoshimura retired in 1980 and took office as the coach of Kodogakusha (講道学舎, Kōdōgakusha). Among his students is former world champion, Toshihiko Koga and Hidehiko Yoshida. As of 2010, He has coached All-Japan women's judo team since 1997. In November 2012 he resigned as the women's trainer and was replaced by Hitoshi Saito.
Haruki Uemura (上村 春樹, Uemura Haruki; born 14 February 1951 in Uki, Kumamoto) is a judoka from Japan, who won the gold…Haruki Uemura (上村 春樹, Uemura Haruki; born 14 February 1951 in Uki, Kumamoto) is a judoka from Japan, who won the gold medal in the Open class at the 1976 Summer Olympics in Montreal. In the final of the Olympic tournament in Canada he defeated Great Britain's Keith Remfry. In 2009 Uemura was elected President of Kodokan and awarded the rank of 9th dan.
Kyōko Ariyoshi (有吉 京子, Ariyoshi Kyōko; born September 14, 1950) is a Japanese shōjo manga artist. She is well known for…Kyōko Ariyoshi (有吉 京子, Ariyoshi Kyōko; born September 14, 1950) is a Japanese shōjo manga artist. She is well known for her works of ballet manga stories. Ariyoshi's representative work is Swan (21 volumes, Part 1, 1977–1980, and Part 2, 1980–1981), which depicted the heroine Masumi's growing up to the world-famous ballerina and got the great hit, won the high reputation among readers. Ariyoshi's other representative works are Swan -The Prayer of Swan- (1982–1983) and Applause which also depicted growing up of the young ballerinas with talent and potential.
Aki Yashiro (八代亜紀, Yashiro Aki; August 29, 1950 – December 30, 2023), real name Akiyo Masuda (増田明代, Masuda Akiyo), née…Aki Yashiro (八代亜紀, Yashiro Aki; August 29, 1950 – December 30, 2023), real name Akiyo Masuda (増田明代, Masuda Akiyo), née Hashimoto (橋本明代, Hashimoto Akiyo), was a Japanese enka singer and painter. Her stage name "Yashiro" was adopted from her hometown Yatsushiro.
Kang Sang-jung (Korean: 강상중; Hanja: 姜尙中; born 1950), also known by his Japanese name Nagano Tetsuo (永野鉄男), is a…Kang Sang-jung (Korean: 강상중; Hanja: 姜尙中; born 1950), also known by his Japanese name Nagano Tetsuo (永野鉄男), is a Japanese-born South Korean political scientist, writer and public commentator. He has been an academic at several Japanese universities including the University of Tokyo (1996–2013), and President of Seigakuin University (2013–2015). He is currently Chairman of the Board of Kumamoto Prefectural Theatre.
Kazuo Kobayashi (小林 和男, Kobayashi Kazuo; born October 10, 1949 – November 17, 2020), better known as Royal Kobayashi…Kazuo Kobayashi (小林 和男, Kobayashi Kazuo; born October 10, 1949 – November 17, 2020), better known as Royal Kobayashi, was a Japanese boxer who competed at the 1972 Munich Olympic Games in the featherweight division, and won the WBC junior featherweight titles in 1976. He is an alumnus of the Takushoku University.
Hiroshi Katsuno (勝野 洋, Katsuno Hiroshi; born July 27, 1949 in Kumamoto) is a Japanese actor. He graduated from Aoyama…Hiroshi Katsuno (勝野 洋, Katsuno Hiroshi; born July 27, 1949 in Kumamoto) is a Japanese actor. He graduated from Aoyama Gakuin University. Katsuno's debut was as a detective Texas in the television series Taiyō ni Hoero! in 1974 and he won great popularity through the role. The episode his character Texas was killed recorded 42.5% audience rating, it was highest audience rating in Taiyō ni Hoero!.
Yoshioyama Osamu (born 20 May 1949 as Osamu Yoshimura) is a former sumo wrestler from Yatsushiro, Kumamoto, Japan. He…Yoshioyama Osamu (born 20 May 1949 as Osamu Yoshimura) is a former sumo wrestler from Yatsushiro, Kumamoto, Japan. He made his professional debut in March 1965 and reached the top division in November 1969. His highest rank was maegashira 2. Upon retirement from active competition he became an elder in the Japan Sumo Association under the name Onogawa. He left the Sumo Association in January 1977.
Shinji Kajio (梶尾 真治, Kajio Shinji; born 24 December 1947 in Kumamoto Prefecture) is a Japanese author of science…Shinji Kajio (梶尾 真治, Kajio Shinji; born 24 December 1947 in Kumamoto Prefecture) is a Japanese author of science fiction and fantasy. The film Yomigaeri is based on Kajio's novel of the same name and he also co-wrote the manga series Memories of Emanon (おもいでエマノン, Omoide Emanon) (2008) with Kenji Tsuruta (who additionally illustrated the series), which was serialized in Monthly Comic Ryu. The manga is based on his 1983 short story of the same title and became the beginning of his long-running series of "Emanon" short stories, about a mysterious girl born 3 billion years ago (and whose name is "No name" backwards). In 1971, he made his pro debut after his book, Pearls for Mia (美亜へ贈る真珠, Mia e Okuru Shinju) was published by Hayakawa Publishing Company (早川書房, Hayakawa Shoboo). He won the 1991 Nihon SF Taisho Award.
Kōzō Okamoto (Japanese: 岡本 公三, Hepburn: Okamoto Kōzō; IPA: [o̞ka̠mo̞to̞ ko̞ːzo̞ː]; 7 December 1947 – 23 July 2026) was…Kōzō Okamoto (Japanese: 岡本 公三, Hepburn: Okamoto Kōzō; IPA: [o̞ka̠mo̞to̞ ko̞ːzo̞ː]; 7 December 1947 – 23 July 2026) was a Japanese communist militant and a member of the Japanese Red Army (JRA), responsible for the massacre of 26 passengers at Ben-Gurion International Airport in Israel in 1972. While at university, Okamoto was introduced to the Red Army Faction (the precursor organization to the JRA) by his brother, a member of the group. He later traveled to Beirut, Lebanon, where he received military training by the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) and was selected to carry out the Lod Airport massacre. He was the sole survivor of the three perpetrators. After his arrest by Israeli forces, Okamoto was sentenced to three life sentences, but was released in the 1985 Jibril Agreement after serving 13 years. He would later move to Lebanon, where he spent three years in prison on false visa charges before being granted asylum, despite a Japanese extradition request.
Takashi Tanoue (30 April 1947 – 19 February 2009) was a Japanese wrestler who competed in the 1972 Summer Olympics…Takashi Tanoue (30 April 1947 – 19 February 2009) was a Japanese wrestler who competed in the 1972 Summer Olympics, placing 5th overall in the Greco-Roman event.
Ikuo Kabashima (蒲島 郁夫, Kabashima Ikuo; born 28 January 1947) is a Japanese politician and a former governor of Kumamoto…Ikuo Kabashima (蒲島 郁夫, Kabashima Ikuo; born 28 January 1947) is a Japanese politician and a former governor of Kumamoto Prefecture. Kabashima served as governor for 4 terms, between 2008 and 2024. Ikuo Kabashima received a bachelor's and master's degrees in Animal Science and Agricultural Economics from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. He received a Ph.D. in political economy from Harvard University, John F. Kennedy School of Government in 1979. He studied under Samuel P. Huntington and Sidney Verba in HKS. Kabashima was an associate professor at the Institute of Policy and Planning Sciences of the University of Tsukuba from 1986 to 1991. He became a professor in 1991 and in 1996 was named dean of the Graduate School of International Political Economy. In 1997 he became a professor of law at the University of Tokyo. Kabahsima led the development of Kumamon, a promotional mascot that gained popularity both in Japan and abroad.
Kenji Utsunomiya (宇都宮 健児, Utsunomiya Kenji; born December 1, 1946) is a Japanese lawyer and former chair of the Japan…Kenji Utsunomiya (宇都宮 健児, Utsunomiya Kenji; born December 1, 1946) is a Japanese lawyer and former chair of the Japan Federation of Bar Associations.
Kenji Ueno (上野 健爾, Ueno Kenji, 1945, Kumamoto Prefecture) is a Japanese mathematician, specializing in algebraic…Kenji Ueno (上野 健爾, Ueno Kenji, 1945, Kumamoto Prefecture) is a Japanese mathematician, specializing in algebraic geometry. He was in the 1970s at the University of Tokyo and was from 1987 to 2009 a professor at the University of Kyoto and is now the director of Yokkaichi University's Seki Kōwa Institute for Mathematics. In 1978 he was an Invited Speaker (Classification of algebraic manifolds) at the International Congress of Mathematicians in Helsinki. Ueno was a visiting professor at several universities, including the University of Bonn and the University of Mannheim in the 1970s. He is the author and editor of several books on algebraic geometry.
Tamiko Hayashida (林田 民子, Hayashida Tamiko; born 1945), better known as Kiyoko Suizenji (水前寺 清子, Suizenji Kiyoko), is a…Tamiko Hayashida (林田 民子, Hayashida Tamiko; born 1945), better known as Kiyoko Suizenji (水前寺 清子, Suizenji Kiyoko), is a Japanese enka singer and actress represented by Suisei Kikaku.
Toshikatsu Matsuoka (松岡 利勝, Matsuoka Toshikatsu; 25 February 1945 – 28 May 2007) was a Japanese politician who served…Toshikatsu Matsuoka (松岡 利勝, Matsuoka Toshikatsu; 25 February 1945 – 28 May 2007) was a Japanese politician who served as the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries from 2006 until his suicide in 2007 amid a financial scandal.
Eiji Hosoya (細谷 英二, Hosoya Eiji; c. 1945 – 4 November 2012) was a Japanese businessman who served as the chairman of…Eiji Hosoya (細谷 英二, Hosoya Eiji; c. 1945 – 4 November 2012) was a Japanese businessman who served as the chairman of Resona Holdings, Japan's fifth largest bank by market share, from 2003 until his death in 2012. Hosoya was appointed Chairman of Resona in May 2003, is credited with leading Resona's revitalization in the wake of a 2003 taxpayer-funded bailout from the government for 1.96 trillion yen ($24 billion US dollars). Hosoya graduated from the University of Tokyo in 1968. He joined the staff of the former Japanese National Railways, the state-owned railway network company, after college. The Japanese National Railway is the predecessor of the East Japan Railway Company and the other six members of the Japan Railways Group. Hosoya worked on the privatization of the East Japan Railway Company.
Takeshi Hayashida (林田 彪, Hayashida Takeshi; born 1944) is a former Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic Party…Takeshi Hayashida (林田 彪, Hayashida Takeshi; born 1944) 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 Nagasu, Kumamoto and graduate of Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology he joined the Ministry of Construction in 1967. Leaving the ministry, he was elected to the House of Representatives for the first time in 1996. He represented the 2nd District of Kumamoto Prefecture.
Masafumi Hara (原 正文, Hara Masafumi; born December 21, 1943) is a former Japanese football player. He played for Japan…Masafumi Hara (原 正文, Hara Masafumi; born December 21, 1943) is a former Japanese football player. He played for Japan national team.
Shiratayama Hidetoshi (born 25 December 1943 as Hidetoshi Shirata) is a former sumo wrestler from Kagami, Kumamoto…Shiratayama Hidetoshi (born 25 December 1943 as Hidetoshi Shirata) is a former sumo wrestler from Kagami, Kumamoto, Japan. He made his professional debut in September July 1959 and reached the top division in March 1971. His highest rank was maegashira 4. Upon retirement from active competition he became an elder in the Japan Sumo Association, under the name Tanigawa. He reached the Sumo Association's mandatory retirement age in December 2008.
Toshimitsu Suetsugu (末次 利光, Suetsugu Toshimitsu; born March 2, 1942) is a Japanese former professional baseball…Toshimitsu Suetsugu (末次 利光, Suetsugu Toshimitsu; born March 2, 1942) is a Japanese former professional baseball outfielder in Nippon Professional Baseball. He played for the Yomiuri Giants from 1965 to 1977.
Hiroyuki Sonoda (園田 博之, Sonoda Hiroyuki; 19 February 1942 – 11 November 2018) was a Japanese politician who served in…Hiroyuki Sonoda (園田 博之, Sonoda Hiroyuki; 19 February 1942 – 11 November 2018) was a Japanese politician who served in the Diet (national legislature) as a member of the House of Representatives for Kumamoto 4th district; following the 2017 general election when Kumamoto lost one seat due to reapportionment, he moved to the Kyūshū proportional representation block. He was a member of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), previous party affiliations have been independent→LDP→New Party Sakigake→Independent→LDP→Sunrise Party of Japan→Sunrise Party→Japan Restoration Party→Party for Future Generations→Sunrise Party→Party for Future Generations→LDP.
Tensuiyama Masanori (born 8 December 1940 as Masanori Ikeda) is a former sumo wrestler from Tensui, Kumamoto, Japan. He…Tensuiyama Masanori (born 8 December 1940 as Masanori Ikeda) is a former sumo wrestler from Tensui, Kumamoto, Japan. He made his professional debut in May 1956, and reached the top division in May 1965. His highest rank was maegashira 10. He left the sumo world upon retirement in September 1968.
Fukunohana Koichi (born 1 July 1940 as Koichi Fukushima) is a former sumo wrestler from Kōshi, Kumamoto, Japan. He made…Fukunohana Koichi (born 1 July 1940 as Koichi Fukushima) is a former sumo wrestler from Kōshi, Kumamoto, Japan. He made his professional debut in January 1958 and reached the top division in September 1965. His highest rank was sekiwake. He retired in November 1975. He had been scheduled to fight Kashiwado in July 1969 and Taihō in May 1971, but on both occasions received a fusensho or win by default because the yokozuna both announced their retirements. Fukunohana had never beaten Taihō in the ring, losing to him ten straight times. He made his only appearance at sekiwake in January 1971, by which time he was already over 30, unusually old for a sekiwake debut at that time. He was three times a tournament runner-up, earned seven special prizes for Fighting Spirit and five gold stars for defeating yokozuna. In January 1970 he knocked out ōzeki Kitanofuji with a harite or strike with the open hand, a legitimate sumo move, and acquired the nickname "flower of the hook," a play on his shikona Fukunohana. He became a mentor to Mienoumi, who was a fellow member of Dewanoumi stable, and said that he would not retire until Mienoumi reached the rank of ōzeki. After six straight make-koshi or losing scores in the top division, he announced his retirement after the November 1975 tournament, when Mienoumi's promotion to ōzeki was confirmed. He became an elder of the Japan Sumo Association under the name Sekinoto, working as a coach at Dewanoumi stable. His wife was the daughter of a previous owner of the Sekinoto elder name, former komusubi Wakashima. He became a special executive in 2000. He left the Sumo Association in 2005 upon turning 65 years of age. From 2009 until 2011 a junior wrestler at Dewanoumi stable, whose real name was Fukumoto, was given permission to use the Fukunohana shikona.
Ryoichi Honda (Japanese: 本田良一, Hepburn: Honda Ryōichi; 24 April 1940 – 22 July 2022) was a Japanese politician. A…Ryoichi Honda (Japanese: 本田良一, Hepburn: Honda Ryōichi; 24 April 1940 – 22 July 2022) was a Japanese politician. A member of the Democratic Party of Japan, he served in the House of Councillors from 1998 to 2004. Honda died on 22 July 2022, at the age of 82.
Hidehiko Koga (born September 15, 1939) is a former professional baseball player. He played in Nippon Professional…Hidehiko Koga (born September 15, 1939) is a former professional baseball player. He played in Nippon Professional Baseball and in the American minor leagues, while later becoming a minor league manager in the United States and a front office worker and coach in Japan.
Tamaki Katori (香取環; 21 October 1938 – 12 October 2015) was a Japanese actress best known for her appearances in "pink…Tamaki Katori (香取環; 21 October 1938 – 12 October 2015) was a Japanese actress best known for her appearances in "pink film" during the 1960s and early 1970s. Katori was the star of Flesh Market (1962), the first of these softcore pornographic films made in Japan. With over 600 film credits between 1962 and 1972, she was one of the most prolific Japanese adult film actresses of the 1960s, and became known as the "Pink Princess" of the first wave of pink films.
Shinichi Eto (江藤 愼一, Shinichi Eto; October 6, 1937 – February 28, 2008) was a Japanese professional baseball outfielder…Shinichi Eto (江藤 愼一, Shinichi Eto; October 6, 1937 – February 28, 2008) was a Japanese professional baseball outfielder and first baseman in Nippon Professional Baseball. Eto played for the Chunichi Dragons from 1959 to 1969, where he was the Central League batting champion in 1964 and 1965 (hitting .323 and .336 respectively). In addition, he was a Best Nine Award-winner as an outfielder five times: 1961, 1963, 1964, 1965, 1966, and 1968. Eto moved to the Lotte Orions from 1970 to 1971 and the Taiyo Whales from 1972 to 1974. He was the player-manager of the Taiheiyo Club Lions in 1975. He returned to the Lotte Orions for his final season in 1976. Eto died in 2008 of liver cancer at the age of 70. He was posthumously inducted into the Japanese Baseball Hall of Fame in 2010.
Toyozo Ueda (上田 豊三, Ueda Toyozō; born May 23, 1937) was a former justice on the Supreme Court of Japan. In spring 2009…Toyozo Ueda (上田 豊三, Ueda Toyozō; born May 23, 1937) was a former justice on the Supreme Court of Japan. In spring 2009, Ueda was awarded the highest decoration of Japan, the Grand Cordon of the Order of the Rising Sun. Before being appointed to the Supreme Court in 2002, he headed the courts in Osaka and in Hiroshima and served as a judge in Tokyo and Maebashi.
Masateru Nagatani, known professionally as Charlie Nagatani, is a Japanese country music singer-songwriter. He started…Masateru Nagatani, known professionally as Charlie Nagatani, is a Japanese country music singer-songwriter. He started performing music with his band Charlie and the Cannonballs in 1961, which is one of the longest-running music groups in Japanese history. He opened a honky tonk in his hometown of Kumamoto called Good Time Charlie, and started the Country Gold music festival at Mount Aso in 1989. His first studio album in 1992 Charlie Nagatani Sings Country Gold featured Emmylou Harris, Bill Monroe, the Osborne Brothers, and Porter Wagoner.
Daisaburo Honda (本田 大三郎, Honda Daisaburō; born February 17, 1935) is a Japanese sprint canoer who competed in the…Daisaburo Honda (本田 大三郎, Honda Daisaburō; born February 17, 1935) is a Japanese sprint canoer who competed in the mid-1960s. He was eliminated in the semifinals of the C-2 1000 m event at the 1964 Summer Olympics in Tokyo. His son is Olympian wrestler and retired pro wrestler Tamon Honda and his great-nephew is footballer Keisuke Honda.
Yoshihiro Tsurumi (霍見 芳浩, Tsurumi Yoshihiro; born 1935) is a Japanese economist and professor of international business…Yoshihiro Tsurumi (霍見 芳浩, Tsurumi Yoshihiro; born 1935) is a Japanese economist and professor of international business at Baruch College of the City University of New York and serves as President of the Pacific Basin Center Foundation in New York. Tsurumi, a native of Kumamoto Prefecture, lives in Scarsdale, Westchester County, New York. He holds bachelor's and master's degrees in economics from Keio University in Tokyo, Japan and MBA and DBA degrees from Harvard University, and received CUNY's presidential excellence award for distinguished scholarship in 2002.
Yukiyoshi Aoki (青木行義, Aoki Yukiyoshi; 15 September 1934 – 19 April 1996) was a Japanese Olympic freestyle swimmer who…Yukiyoshi Aoki (青木行義, Aoki Yukiyoshi; 15 September 1934 – 19 April 1996) was a Japanese Olympic freestyle swimmer who competed in the 1952 Summer Olympics and in the 1956 Summer Olympics.
Hitoshi Kimura (木村 仁, Kimura Hitoshi; 24 June 1934 – 15 November 2023) was a Japanese politician of the Liberal…Hitoshi Kimura (木村 仁, Kimura Hitoshi; 24 June 1934 – 15 November 2023) was a Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic Party, a member of the House of Councillors in the Diet (national legislature). A native of Kumamoto Prefecture and graduate of the University of Tokyo, he worked at the Ministry of Home Affairs from 1958 to 1991. After teaching, he was elected to the House of Councillors for the first time in 1998. Kimura died in Tokyo on 15 November 2023, at the age of 89.
Tochihikari Masayuki (29 August 1933 – 28 March 1977) was a sumo wrestler from Kumamoto Prefecture in Japan who reached…Tochihikari Masayuki (29 August 1933 – 28 March 1977) was a sumo wrestler from Kumamoto Prefecture in Japan who reached the second highest rank of ōzeki in 1962. He joined Kasugano stable in 1952 and reached the top makuuchi division in 1955. He never won a top division championship but was a tournament runner-up four times. He was promoted to ōzeki in May 1962 alongside his stablemate Tochinoumi. He fought as an ōzeki for 22 tournaments but lost the rank after recording three consecutive losing scores and immediately announced his retirement in January 1966. He became an elder of the Japan Sumo Association under the name Chiganoura. He was a judge of tournament bouts and was involved in both the incorrect decision to award a win to Toda that stopped Taiho's 45 bout winning streak in March 1969 and the famous decision in January 1972 to declare Kitanofuji the winner over Takanohana by kabai-te. He died of rectal cancer at the age of 43. His shikona of Tochihikari was subsequently used by a later wrestler from Kasugano stable, also known as Kaneshiro Kofuku.
Yoko Nagae Ceschina (チェスキーナ・永江洋子) (5 April 1932 – 10 January 2015) was a Japanese-born patron of the arts and noted…Yoko Nagae Ceschina (チェスキーナ・永江洋子) (5 April 1932 – 10 January 2015) was a Japanese-born patron of the arts and noted patroness of classical music.
Jun-Ichiro Mukai (September 30, 1931–January 5, 1998) is a Japanese biochemist, emeritus professor at faculty of…Jun-Ichiro Mukai (September 30, 1931–January 5, 1998) is a Japanese biochemist, emeritus professor at faculty of agriculture, Kyushu University.
Kyoji Watanabe (Japanese: 渡辺京二; 1 August 1930 – 25 December 2022) was a Japanese historian, literary critic and…Kyoji Watanabe (Japanese: 渡辺京二; 1 August 1930 – 25 December 2022) was a Japanese historian, literary critic and essayist.
Michiko Ishimure (石牟礼道子, Ishimure Michiko; 11 March 1927 – 10 February 2018) was a Japanese writer and activist. She…Michiko Ishimure (石牟礼道子, Ishimure Michiko; 11 March 1927 – 10 February 2018) was a Japanese writer and activist. She won the 1973 Ramon Magsaysay Award, among the most prestigious awards in Asia, for publicizing writings about Minamata disease, which was extremely controversial at the time.
Isao Arita (蟻田 功, Arita Isao; 1926 – 17 March 2023) was a Japanese physician, virologist and vaccination specialist who…Isao Arita (蟻田 功, Arita Isao; 1926 – 17 March 2023) was a Japanese physician, virologist and vaccination specialist who headed the World Health Organization (WHO) Smallpox Eradication Unit in 1977–85. During this period, smallpox became the first infectious disease of humans to be eradicated globally. He and his colleagues were awarded the Japan Prize in 1988 for this work. He also advised the successful programme to eradicate poliovirus from the Western Pacific region.
Manabu Mabe (マナブ間部) (September 14, 1924 – September 22, 1997) was a Japanese-Brazilian painter. Mabe worked as a vendor…Manabu Mabe (マナブ間部) (September 14, 1924 – September 22, 1997) was a Japanese-Brazilian painter. Mabe worked as a vendor of hand-painted ties in São Paulo before becoming an artist. In the late 1950s, Mabe won the top award in São Paulo's Contemporary Art Salon, the top award as Brazil's best painter in the São Paulo Bienal, and the top honors for artists under 35 at Paris's first biennial. His works are currently displayed in the permanent exhibitions of the São Paulo Contemporary Art Museum, the Modern Art Museum in Rio de Janeiro, the Boston Contemporary Art Museum, the Beaux-Arts Museum of Dallas among others. The Rio de Janeiro National Museum for the Beaux-Arts lodges the most expressive paintings of a Still Life (oil on canvas). Other institutions that display his work are the National Art Museum of Bolivia and the V+R Sapoznik Art Collection. Mabe died in São Paulo on September 22, 1997.
Gan Tanigawa (谷川 雁; December 25, 1923 – February 2, 1995) was a Japanese poet, critic, and social activist. He is best…Gan Tanigawa (谷川 雁; December 25, 1923 – February 2, 1995) was a Japanese poet, critic, and social activist. He is best known for his work with the Sakuru Mura (サークル村) poetry group.
Tetsuharu Kawakami (川上 哲治, Kawakami Tetsuharu; March 23, 1920 – October 28, 2013) was a Japanese baseball player and…Tetsuharu Kawakami (川上 哲治, Kawakami Tetsuharu; March 23, 1920 – October 28, 2013) was a Japanese baseball player and manager, known for his red bat, and his nickname dageki no kamisama (打撃の神様, "the God of Batting/Hitting"). He was a professional player for 18 years, winning the batting title five times, two home run crowns, three RBI titles, and had six titles for the most hits in a season. He was the MVP of the 1953 Japan Series. He was the first player in Japanese pro baseball to achieve 2,000 hits and was named the league's MVP three times. As manager of the Yomiuri Giants from 1961 to 1974, he led the Giants to eleven championships, with nine of them being in consecutive years; his teams never lost a Japan Series with him as a manager. He has the most Japan Series championships as a manager. Kawakami was inducted into the Japanese Baseball Hall of Fame in 1965.