Masahiko Kimura (木村 政彦, Kimura Masahiko; 10 September 1917 – 18 April 1993) was a Japanese judoka and professional…
Masahiko Kimura (木村 政彦, Kimura Masahiko; 10 September 1917 – 18 April 1993) was a Japanese judoka and professional wrestler. He won the All-Japan Judo Championships three times in a row for the first time in history and had never lost a judo match from 1936 to 1950. In submission grappling, the reverse ude-garami arm lock is often called the "Kimura", due to his famous victory over Gracie jiu-jitsu co-founder Hélio Gracie. In the Japanese professional wrestling world, he is known for being one of Japan's earliest stars and the controversial match he had with Rikidōzan.
Famous People from Kumamoto Prefecture
Kumamoto Prefecture: 370 people
Raizo Matsuno (松野 頼三, Matsuno Raizō; 12 February 1917 – 10 May 2006) was a Japanese politician. Born in Yamaga…
Raizo Matsuno (松野 頼三, Matsuno Raizō; 12 February 1917 – 10 May 2006) was a Japanese politician. Born in Yamaga, Kumamoto, Kumamoto Prefecture in 1917, Matsuno served in the Imperial Japanese Navy as an officer at the end of World War II as he was attending Naval Accounting School. He successively held numerous offices in post-war Japan: Director-General for the Prime Minister's Office from 1958 to 1959 under Nobusuke Kishi Minister of Labor from 1959 to 1960 under Nobusuke Kishi Director General of the Japan Defense Agency from 1965 to 1966 under Eisaku Satō Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries 1966 under Eisaku Satō He was Chairman of the Policy Affairs Research Council at Liberal Democratic Party, Chairman of the Executive Council.
Tomoshige Tsunoda (津野田 知重, Tsunoda Tomoshige) was a major in the Imperial Japanese Military during World War II. He was…
Tomoshige Tsunoda (津野田 知重, Tsunoda Tomoshige) was a major in the Imperial Japanese Military during World War II. He was known for his failed assassination attempt on controversial Japanese Prime Minister Hideki Tojo.
Michita Sakata (Japanese: 坂田 道太; 18 July 1916 – 13 January 2004) was a Japanese politician and member of the House of…
Michita Sakata (Japanese: 坂田 道太; 18 July 1916 – 13 January 2004) was a Japanese politician and member of the House of Representatives. Throughout his career, he served as the Minister of Education, Head of the Defense Agency, Minister of Justice, Minister of Health and Welfare, and Speaker of the House of Representatives. Sakata's prolific career spanned over 40 years, beginning in 1946 and ending in his retirement in 1990, being reelected 16 times to the House of Representatives. He is most known for his role in the suppression of the 1968-69 Japanese university protests as Minister of Education, as well as for his tenure as the Director of the Defense Agency, when he helped write the National Defense Program Outline and set guidelines for US-Japan cooperation.
Jihei Furusho (古荘次平, Furusho Jihei; born 15 December 1914) was a Japanese water polo player. He competed in the men's…
Jihei Furusho (古荘次平, Furusho Jihei; born 15 December 1914) was a Japanese water polo player. He competed in the men's tournament at the 1936 Summer Olympics.
Yasuhira Kiyohara (清原 康平, married name Yasuhira Yukawa; January 14, 1914 – April 7, 2001) was a second lieutenant in…
Yasuhira Kiyohara (清原 康平, married name Yasuhira Yukawa; January 14, 1914 – April 7, 2001) was a second lieutenant in the Imperial Japanese Army who was sentenced to life imprisonment for directing a mob in the February 26 Incident of 1936. He was assigned to the 3rd Company, 3rd Infantry Regiment. He was granted amnesty in December 1941. After amnesty, he became the president of an airplane company. After the World War II, he was engaged in various enterprises related to Korea since he was acquainted with Korean President Park Chung-hee.
Sunao Sonoda (園田 直, Sonoda Sunao; 11 December 1913 – 2 April 1984) was a Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic…
Sunao Sonoda (園田 直, Sonoda Sunao; 11 December 1913 – 2 April 1984) was a Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) who served as minister for foreign affairs and minister of health and welfare. He was called "flying foreign minister" due to his active diplomacy in increasing the role of Japan when he was in office. He was one of the significant figures in normalizing the relations between Japan and China.
Mutsuo Taniguchi (5 March 1913 – 2 October 1943) was a Japanese sprinter. He competed in the men's 200 metres and the…
Mutsuo Taniguchi (5 March 1913 – 2 October 1943) was a Japanese sprinter. He competed in the men's 200 metres and the men's 4 x 100 meters relay events at the 1936 Summer Olympics. He was killed in action during World War II.
Kenshi Togami (戸上 研之, Togami Kenshi; 1 August 1912 – 1986) was a Japanese athlete. He competed in the men's long jump…
Kenshi Togami (戸上 研之, Togami Kenshi; 1 August 1912 – 1986) was a Japanese athlete. He competed in the men's long jump at the 1936 Summer Olympics. His personal best in the long jump was 7.64 meters, achieved in 1938
Hideo Noda (野田 英夫, Noda Hideo; July 15, 1908 – January 12, 1939), also known as Hideo Benjamin Noda and Benjamin Hideo…
Hideo Noda (野田 英夫, Noda Hideo; July 15, 1908 – January 12, 1939), also known as Hideo Benjamin Noda and Benjamin Hideo Noda, was a Japanese-American modernist painter and muralist, member of the Shinseisakuha movement in Japan, student of Arnold Blanch, and uncle of Japanese printmaker Tetsuya Noda, as well as alleged communist spy recruited by Whittaker Chambers.
Shinichi Ikejiri (池尻 愼一, Ikejiri Shin'ichi; 1908–1945), pen name Shinichi Ōra (邑楽 慎一, Ōra Shin'ichi), was a physician…
Shinichi Ikejiri (池尻 愼一, Ikejiri Shin'ichi; 1908–1945), pen name Shinichi Ōra (邑楽 慎一, Ōra Shin'ichi), was a physician for Hansen's disease patients at Kaishun Hospital of Hannah Riddell and Tama Zenshoen Sanatorium and a writer. His book Itameru Ashi (Diseased Reeds) sold well. He was drafted into the Imperial Japanese Army in 1937 and again in 1941, and shot dead in Indonesia in 1945.
Haruto Kō (耕 治人, Kō Haruto; August 1, 1906 - January 6, 1988) was a noted Japanese poet and novelist. Kō was born in…
Haruto Kō (耕 治人, Kō Haruto; August 1, 1906 - January 6, 1988) was a noted Japanese poet and novelist. Kō was born in Yatsushiro, Kumamoto and graduated from the Department of English Literature of Meiji Gakuin University. He was arrested as a political offender during World War II, and after the war started to write I novels. Kō received the 1969 Yomiuri Prize for Ichijō no hikari, as well as the Ministry of Education's Art Encouragement Prize.
Chishū Ryū (笠 智衆, Ryū Chishū; May 13, 1904 – March 16, 1993) was a Japanese actor, whose career spanned 65 years and…
Chishū Ryū (笠 智衆, Ryū Chishū; May 13, 1904 – March 16, 1993) was a Japanese actor, whose career spanned 65 years and over 230 film and television productions. He was best known for his collaborations with director Yasujirō Ozu, whom he worked with on at least 32 films.
Tatsukuma Ushijima (牛島辰熊, March 10, 1904 – May 26, 1985) was a Japanese judoka and former All-Japan judo champion. he…
Tatsukuma Ushijima (牛島辰熊, March 10, 1904 – May 26, 1985) was a Japanese judoka and former All-Japan judo champion. he was also known as a teacher of Masahiko Kimura, a famous judoka. His nickname was "The Demon Ushijima".
Itaru Tachibana (立花 止, Tachibana Itaru; 1903-1954) was a Japanese spy active in the United States. USC PhD student…
Itaru Tachibana (立花 止, Tachibana Itaru; 1903-1954) was a Japanese spy active in the United States. USC PhD student Pedro Loureiro wrote that Tachibana's arrest by agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) "became the most publicized and sensational Japanese espionage case in the United States during 1941."
Shigeyoshi Matsumae (松前重義, Matsumae Shigeyoshi; October 24, 1901 – August 25, 1991) was a Japanese electrical engineer…
Shigeyoshi Matsumae (松前重義, Matsumae Shigeyoshi; October 24, 1901 – August 25, 1991) was a Japanese electrical engineer, inventor of the non-loaded cable carrier system, the Minister of the Ministry of Communications (Teishin-in, between August 30, 1945, and April 8, 1946), politician and the founder of Tokai University. He is also known as a patron of Yasuhiro Yamashita, a judo champion from Tokai University.
Toyoaki Horiuchi (Japanese: 堀内 豊秋, Hepburn: Horiuchi Toyoaki; 27 September 1900 – 25 September 1948) was a Japanese…
Toyoaki Horiuchi (Japanese: 堀内 豊秋, Hepburn: Horiuchi Toyoaki; 27 September 1900 – 25 September 1948) was a Japanese Navy officer; his highest rank was daisa (大佐, captain). He was known for the development of naval gymnastics, which were meant to improve the alertness and flexibility of sailors in closed areas of warships and he was known for leading the paratroopers. He was the first jumper during the drop on an airfield 60 km south of Manado, Indonesia, in the Battle of Manado.
Mamoru Uchida (内田 守, Uchida Mamoru; June 10, 1900 – 1982) was an ophthalmologist who worked for leprosy patients at…
Mamoru Uchida (内田 守, Uchida Mamoru; June 10, 1900 – 1982) was an ophthalmologist who worked for leprosy patients at Kyushu Sanatorium (Kikuchi Keifuen Sanatorium), Nagashima Aiseien Sanatorium, and Matsuoka Hoyoen Sanatorium. He taught leprosy patients tanka, in these sanatoriums. Later, he studied social welfare as a professor at Kumamoto Junior College. He extensively studied the history of leprosy, and presented many documents to the Kumamoto Prefectural Library as Uchida Library; 338 items were shown at an exhibition of Hansen's disease and literature in 2003.
Teijo Nakamura (中村 汀女, なかむら ていじょ, April 11, 1900 – Sept. 20, 1988) was the pen name of Japanese haiku poet Hamako Saitō…
Teijo Nakamura (中村 汀女, なかむら ていじょ, April 11, 1900 – Sept. 20, 1988) was the pen name of Japanese haiku poet Hamako Saitō (斎藤 破魔子, さいとう はまこ). She was a prolific poet and one of the founding leaders of the women's haiku circle at Hototogisu, and is credited with championing women's inclusion in the world of haiku. Alongside three of the other members of her literary circle, Teijo's work is considered to typify women's haiku of the Showa period.
Matsuki Miyazaki (宮崎 松記, Miyazaki Matsuki; January 10, 1900 – June 14, 1972) was a Japanese medical doctor, the…
Matsuki Miyazaki (宮崎 松記, Miyazaki Matsuki; January 10, 1900 – June 14, 1972) was a Japanese medical doctor, the director of the Kyushu Sanatorium (Kikuchi Keifuen Sanatorium) (1934–1958) in Kumamoto, Japan. He studied war and leprosy and found that stress was a great factor in the development of leprosy. He later established a leprosy center belonging to Japan Leprosy Mission of Asia, in India. He died in the Japan Airlines Flight 471 airplane accident in 1972.
Kunio Nakagawa (中川 州男, Nakagawa Kunio; 23 January 1898 – 24 November 1944) was the commander of Japanese forces which…
Kunio Nakagawa (中川 州男, Nakagawa Kunio; 23 January 1898 – 24 November 1944) was the commander of Japanese forces which defended the island of Peleliu in the Battle of Peleliu which took place from the 15th of September to the 27th of November,1944. He inflicted heavy losses on attacking U.S. Marines and held Peleliu Island for almost three months. On the evening of the 24th of November, after the battle was lost, he performed seppuku (ritual suicide) in the tradition of Japanese samurai warriors. He was posthumously promoted to lieutenant general.
Kiyohiko Ushihara (牛原 虚彦, Ushihara Kiyohiko; 2 March 1897 – 20 May 1985) was a Japanese film director most famous for…
Kiyohiko Ushihara (牛原 虚彦, Ushihara Kiyohiko; 2 March 1897 – 20 May 1985) was a Japanese film director most famous for his gendaigeki of the silent era.
Rear Admiral Chiaki Matsuda (松田千秋, Matsuda Chiaki; 29 September 1896 – 6 November 1995) was an admiral in the Imperial…
Rear Admiral Chiaki Matsuda (松田千秋, Matsuda Chiaki; 29 September 1896 – 6 November 1995) was an admiral in the Imperial Japanese Navy and the third captain of the Yamato.
Kitsuju Ayabe (綾部 橘樹, Ayabe Kitsuju; 18 April 1894 – 14 February 1980) was a general in the Imperial Japanese Army…
Kitsuju Ayabe (綾部 橘樹, Ayabe Kitsuju; 18 April 1894 – 14 February 1980) was a general in the Imperial Japanese Army during World War II.
Sōkichi Takagi (高木 惣吉, Takagi Sōkichi; 9 August 1893 – 27 July 1979) was a Japanese admiral and political figure…
Sōkichi Takagi (高木 惣吉, Takagi Sōkichi; 9 August 1893 – 27 July 1979) was a Japanese admiral and political figure opposed to the Tōjō government during World War II. Takagi's efforts to undermine the Japanese wartime government have been compared with the efforts of German Admiral Wilhelm Canaris to undermine the Nazi government, and contributed to the end of the war.
Akira Mutō (武藤 章, Mutō Akira; 15 December 1892 – 23 December 1948) was a general in the Imperial Japanese Army during…
Akira Mutō (武藤 章, Mutō Akira; 15 December 1892 – 23 December 1948) was a general in the Imperial Japanese Army during World War II. He was convicted of war crimes and was executed by hanging. Mutō was implicated in both the Nanjing Massacre and the Manila massacre.
Sentarō Ōmori (大森 仙太郎, Ōmori Sentarō; 3 October 1892 – 24 December 1974), was an admiral in the Imperial Japanese Navy…
Sentarō Ōmori (大森 仙太郎, Ōmori Sentarō; 3 October 1892 – 24 December 1974), was an admiral in the Imperial Japanese Navy during World War II.
Einosuke Harada (原田 永之助, Harada Einosuke; February 25, 1892 – December 20, 1946) was a Japanese ophthalmologist who…
Einosuke Harada (原田 永之助, Harada Einosuke; February 25, 1892 – December 20, 1946) was a Japanese ophthalmologist who reported a condition now known as Vogt–Koyanagi–Harada disease.
Shizo Kanakuri (金栗 四三, Kanaguri Shisō; 20 August 1891 – 13 November 1983) was a Japanese marathon runner celebrated as…
Shizo Kanakuri (金栗 四三, Kanaguri Shisō; 20 August 1891 – 13 November 1983) was a Japanese marathon runner celebrated as the "father of marathon" in Japan. He holds the Guinness World Record for the longest time to complete a marathon with a time of 54 years 8 months 6 days 5 hours 32 minutes 20.3 seconds. Kanakuri retired from the men's marathon event at the 1912 Stockholm Olympics without informing the authorities, but Sveriges Television gave him the opportunity to complete his marathon in 1967.
Masayuki Tani (谷正之) (9 February 1889 – 26 October 1962) was a Japanese diplomat and politician who was briefly foreign…
Masayuki Tani (谷正之) (9 February 1889 – 26 October 1962) was a Japanese diplomat and politician who was briefly foreign minister of Japan from September 1942 to 21 April 1943 during World War II.
Kiichi Matsuda (松田 喜一, Matsuda Kiichi; December 1, 1887 – July 30, 1968) was a Japanese professor of agriculture who…
Kiichi Matsuda (松田 喜一, Matsuda Kiichi; December 1, 1887 – July 30, 1968) was a Japanese professor of agriculture who lived in Yatsushiro, Kumamoto, during the Taishō and Shōwa periods. Over 48 years, he taught farming techniques to 3,600 students at Matsuda Farm, his private school, and forty thousand people attended his lectures during that time.
Manjiro "Matty" Matsuda (松田万次郎 (Matsuda Manjirō); b. 1887 Yatsushiro City, Japan, d. August 15, 1929, Battle Creek…
Manjiro "Matty" Matsuda (松田万次郎 (Matsuda Manjirō); b. 1887 Yatsushiro City, Japan, d. August 15, 1929, Battle Creek, Michigan) was a judoka who became a noted professional wrestler in the early 20th century.
Yoshio Kozuki (上月 良夫, Kōzuki Yoshio; November 7, 1886 – April 3, 1971) was a Lieutenant General in the Imperial…
Yoshio Kozuki (上月 良夫, Kōzuki Yoshio; November 7, 1886 – April 3, 1971) was a Lieutenant General in the Imperial Japanese Army, who commanded the 17th Area Army in Korea from April 1945 until the end of World War II.
Sadae Inoue (井上 貞衛, Inoue Sadae; November 5, 1886 – October 26, 1961) was a general in the Imperial Japanese Army in…
Sadae Inoue (井上 貞衛, Inoue Sadae; November 5, 1886 – October 26, 1961) was a general in the Imperial Japanese Army in World War II. He commanded the Japanese forces at the Battle of Peleliu and the Battle of Angaur.
Hakushū Kitahara (北原 白秋, Kitahara Hakushū; 25 January 1885 – 2 November 1942) is the pen-name of Kitahara Ryūkichi (北原…
Hakushū Kitahara (北原 白秋, Kitahara Hakushū; 25 January 1885 – 2 November 1942) is the pen-name of Kitahara Ryūkichi (北原 隆吉), a Japanese tanka poet active during the Taishō and Shōwa periods of Japan. He is regarded as one of the most popular and important poets in modern Japanese literature.
Isei Otsuka (大塚 惟精, Ōtsuka Isei, 11 December 1884 – 6 August 1945) was a Japanese politician who served as governor of…
Isei Otsuka (大塚 惟精, Ōtsuka Isei, 11 December 1884 – 6 August 1945) was a Japanese politician who served as governor of Hiroshima Prefecture from April to June 1945. He was also governor of Tochigi Prefecture (1924–1926), Fukuoka Prefecture (1926–1927) and Ishikawa Prefecture (1927). He was killed in the atomic bombing of Hiroshima.
Morio Takahashi (高橋 守雄, Takahashi Morio; 1 January 1883 – 6 May 1957) was a Japanese politician. He was born in…
Morio Takahashi (高橋 守雄, Takahashi Morio; 1 January 1883 – 6 May 1957) was a Japanese politician. He was born in Kumamoto Prefecture. He was a graduate of Tokyo Imperial University. He was mayor of Kumamoto (1922–1925) and governor of Shiga Prefecture (1925–1926), Nagano Prefecture (1926–1927) and Hyōgo Prefecture (1929–1931). In 1931, he served in the Government-General of Taiwan. He served as Superintendent General in 1934.
Kubushiro Ochimi (16 December 1882 – 23 October 1972; in Japanese, 久布白落実, or くぶしろ おちみ in kana) was a Japanese religious…
Kubushiro Ochimi (16 December 1882 – 23 October 1972; in Japanese, 久布白落実, or くぶしろ おちみ in kana) was a Japanese religious leader, temperance activist, and feminist. She was president of the Japanese Women's Christian Temperance Union, and general director of the Women's Suffrage League in Japan.
Hino Kumazō (日野 熊蔵, Hino Kumazō; June 9, 1878 – January 15, 1946) was a Japanese inventor and aviation pioneer. His…
Hino Kumazō (日野 熊蔵, Hino Kumazō; June 9, 1878 – January 15, 1946) was a Japanese inventor and aviation pioneer. His most famous invention is the 1908 Hino–Komuro pistol.
Tōten Miyazaki (Japanese: 宮崎 滔天, Hepburn: Miyazaki Tōten) or Torazō Miyazaki (1 January 1871 – 6 December 1922) was a…
Tōten Miyazaki (Japanese: 宮崎 滔天, Hepburn: Miyazaki Tōten) or Torazō Miyazaki (1 January 1871 – 6 December 1922) was a Japanese philosopher who aided and supported Sun Yat-sen during the Xinhai Revolution. He assisted Sun during his visits to Japan as he was wanted by Qing dynasty authorities.
Yoshioka Hansaku (吉岡 範策; 8 May 1869 – 19 March 1930) was a vice admiral of the Imperial Japanese Navy.
Tokutomi Sohō (徳富 蘇峰; Japanese pronunciation: [to.kɯ̥.toꜜ.mʲi | soꜜ.hoː], March 14 1863 – November 2 1957), born…
Tokutomi Sohō (徳富 蘇峰; Japanese pronunciation: [to.kɯ̥.toꜜ.mʲi | soꜜ.hoː], March 14 1863 – November 2 1957), born Tokutomi Iichirō (徳富 猪一郎), was a Japanese journalist, publisher and historian. He advocated commoner Europeanism and Europeanization, established Min'yūsha, and launched the magazines Kokumin no Tomo and the newspaper Kokumin Shimbun. He was the older brother of noted author, Tokutomi Roka.
Korehiro Kurahara (蔵原 惟郭; August 11, 1861 – January 8, 1949) was a Japanese educator and politician. He was the father…
Korehiro Kurahara (蔵原 惟郭; August 11, 1861 – January 8, 1949) was a Japanese educator and politician. He was the father of Korehito Kurahara.
Kanamori Michitomo (金森 通倫; 2 October 1857 – 4 March 1945) was a Japanese Christian minister. He also went under the…
Kanamori Michitomo (金森 通倫; 2 October 1857 – 4 March 1945) was a Japanese Christian minister. He also went under the English name Paul Kanamori and published as Kanamori Tsurin. Former prime minister of Japan, Shigeru Ishiba is Kanamori's great-grandson.
Count Kiyoura Keigo (清浦 奎吾; 14 February or 27 March 1850 – 5 November 1942) was a Japanese politician. He was the Prime…
Count Kiyoura Keigo (清浦 奎吾; 14 February or 27 March 1850 – 5 November 1942) was a Japanese politician. He was the Prime Minister of Japan in 1924, during the period which historians have called the "Taishō Democracy".
Viscount Inoue Kowashi (Japanese: 井上 毅; 6 February 1844 – 15 March 1895) was a Japanese statesman of the Meiji period.
Shiranui Dakuemon (Japanese: 不知火 諾右衛門; October 1801 – August 20, 1854, name also read as Shiranui Nagiemon) was a…
Shiranui Dakuemon (Japanese: 不知火 諾右衛門; October 1801 – August 20, 1854, name also read as Shiranui Nagiemon) was a Japanese sumo wrestler from Uto, Higo Province. He was the sport's 8th yokozuna, and is the only yokozuna in history to have been demoted.
Minoru Kihara (木原 稔, Kihara Minoru; born 12 August 1969) is a Japanese politician who has been the Chief Cabinet…
Minoru Kihara (木原 稔, Kihara Minoru; born 12 August 1969) is a Japanese politician who has been the Chief Cabinet Secretary since 2025. He previously served as Minister of Defense from 2023 to 2024. A member of the Liberal Democratic Party, he also serves in the House of Representatives, and was previously Parliamentary Vice-Minister of Defense.
Hasuda Zenmei (蓮田 善明; 1904–1945) was a Japanese nationalist, Shinto fundamentalist, and scholar of kokugaku as well as…
Hasuda Zenmei (蓮田 善明; 1904–1945) was a Japanese nationalist, Shinto fundamentalist, and scholar of kokugaku as well as classical Japanese literature. He was also a historian, author, and military officer.
A video game developer is a software developer specializing in video game development – the process and related…
A video game developer is a software developer specializing in video game development – the process and related disciplines of creating video games. A game developer can range from one person who undertakes all tasks to a large business with employee responsibilities split between individual disciplines, such as programmers, designers, artists, etc. Most game development companies have video game publisher financial and usually marketing support. Self-funded developers are known as independent or indie developers and usually make indie games. A developer may specialize in specific game engines or specific video game consoles, or may develop for several systems (including personal computers and mobile devices). Some focus on porting games from one system to another, or translating games from one language to another. Less commonly, some do software development work in addition to games. Most video game publishers maintain development studios (such as Electronic Arts's EA Canada, Square Enix's studios, Activision's Radical Entertainment, Nintendo EPD and Sony's Polyphony Digital and Naughty Dog). However, since publishing is still their primary activity they are generally described as "publishers" rather than "developers". Developers may be private as well.