Masato Sakai (堺 雅人) is a Japanese actor. He is best known for the Hanzawa Naoki series, which achieved the highest…Masato Sakai (堺 雅人) is a Japanese actor. He is best known for the Hanzawa Naoki series, which achieved the highest television ratings in Japan during the Heisei era (1989–2019).
Anri Kawai (河井 案里, Kawai Anri; born 23 September 1973) is a Japanese politician, formerly of the Liberal Democratic…Anri Kawai (河井 案里, Kawai Anri; born 23 September 1973) is a Japanese politician, formerly of the Liberal Democratic Party, and a former member of the House of Councillors in the Diet. Her husband is member of the House of Representatives and former Minister of Justice Katsuyuki Kawai. Born in Nobeoka, Miyazaki and a graduate of Keio University, she served in the assembly of Hiroshima Prefecture for four terms. On 20 January 2021, at the Tokyo District Court, she was convicted of vote-buying in the 2019 House of Councillors election.
Hideki Todaka (戸高 秀樹, Todaka Hideki; born March 16, 1973 in Miyazaki, Japan) is a former professional boxer who fought…Hideki Todaka (戸高 秀樹, Todaka Hideki; born March 16, 1973 in Miyazaki, Japan) is a former professional boxer who fought in the super flyweight and bantamweight divisions. He is the former WBA super flyweight champion, and former WBA bantamweight interim champion.
Yusaku Iriki (入来 祐作, Iriki Yūsaku; born August 8, 1972 in Miyakonojō, Miyazaki, Japan) is a Japanese former baseball…Yusaku Iriki (入来 祐作, Iriki Yūsaku; born August 8, 1972 in Miyakonojō, Miyazaki, Japan) is a Japanese former baseball pitcher. His elder brother Satoshi was also a former professional baseball player.
Makoto Nagano (長野 誠, Nagano Makoto; born March 30, 1972, in Kitakata, Miyazaki) (sometimes known as the World's…Makoto Nagano (長野 誠, Nagano Makoto; born March 30, 1972, in Kitakata, Miyazaki) (sometimes known as the World's Strongest Fisherman) is a Japanese commercial fisherman, captain, and musician. He is captain of his vessel F/V Konpira Maru 50 (第50金比羅丸), and was previously captain of the F/V Konpira Maru 28 (第28金比羅丸). He is regularly seen on the Japanese television show Sasuke (Ninja Warrior) where he was one of the "SASUKE All-Stars," a group of favored competitors who were thought to possess the greatest potential in completing the obstacle courses. He can also be seen on the lesser known spinoff to Ninja Warrior, Viking: The Ultimate Obstacle Course, where he was one of few competitors to make it to the final round. Winning in the 17th Sasuke competition (2006) he is the second of only four victors of the competition. By the time he retired in July 2017, he had competed in 26 versions of Sasuke, and has since competed in a 27th version in 2020.
Ito Ōgure (Japanese: 大暮 維人, Hepburn: Ōgure Ito; born February 22, 1972), known professionally as Oh! great, is a…Ito Ōgure (Japanese: 大暮 維人, Hepburn: Ōgure Ito; born February 22, 1972), known professionally as Oh! great, is a Japanese manga artist best known for his manga series Tenjho Tenge (1997–2010) and Air Gear (2002–2012). In 2006, Air Gear earned him the Kodansha Manga Award in the shōnen category.
Yoshikazu Mera (米良 美一, Mera Yoshikazu; born May 21, 1971 in Miyazaki) is a Japanese countertenor. His range is three…Yoshikazu Mera (米良 美一, Mera Yoshikazu; born May 21, 1971 in Miyazaki) is a Japanese countertenor. His range is three and a half octaves. Originally wanting to become a pop singer, Mera now primarily sings classical music from the West but also classical Japanese music. He appears frequently as a soloist with the Bach Collegium Japan, which under its conductor Masaaki Suzuki performs Baroque music. His 1998 recital disc "Nightingale" on Sweden's BIS Records was a major success in Japan. It was revealed in a television documentary entitled "米良美一の實話" ("Yoshikazu Mera's true story") that he was born with congenital osteogenesis imperfecta.
Katsuyuki Minami (南 克幸, Minami Katsuyuki; born 30 September 1970, in Nobeoka, Miyazaki) is a former volleyball player…Katsuyuki Minami (南 克幸, Minami Katsuyuki; born 30 September 1970, in Nobeoka, Miyazaki) is a former volleyball player from Japan, who played as a middle blocker for the Men's National Team in the 1990s. He played at the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona, finishing in sixth place. He finished in tenth place at the 1998 World Championship in Japan.
Keiichirō Toyama (外山 圭一郎, Toyama Keiichirō; born 1970) is a Japanese video game director and designer. He is the…Keiichirō Toyama (外山 圭一郎, Toyama Keiichirō; born 1970) is a Japanese video game director and designer. He is the creator of the Silent Hill, Siren and Gravity Rush franchises.
Yui Asaka (浅香 唯, Asaka Yui; born December 4, 1969) is a Japanese singer, idol and actress. She debuted with the single…Yui Asaka (浅香 唯, Asaka Yui; born December 4, 1969) is a Japanese singer, idol and actress. She debuted with the single "Natsu Shojo" in 1985 under Warner Music Japan, and made her acting debut with the main role in the third series of Sukeban Deka in 1987.
Makoto Nagamine is a Japanese politician who served as a member of the House of Councillors of Japan as a member of the…Makoto Nagamine is a Japanese politician who served as a member of the House of Councillors of Japan as a member of the Liberal Democratic Party. He was the parliamentary Vice-Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry.
Satoshi Iriki (入來 智, Iriki Satoshi; 3 June 1967 — 10 February 2023) was a Japanese baseball player for the Japanese…Satoshi Iriki (入來 智, Iriki Satoshi; 3 June 1967 — 10 February 2023) was a Japanese baseball player for the Japanese Professional Baseball league. He played in the Japan Pacific League and the Korea Baseball Organization.
Shinpei Matsushita (松下 新平, Matsushita Shinpei; born August 18, 1966) is a Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic…Shinpei Matsushita (松下 新平, Matsushita Shinpei; born August 18, 1966) is a Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic Party, and a member of the House of Councillors in the Diet (national legislature).
Masatoshi Nagase (永瀬 正敏, Nagase Masatoshi; born July 15, 1966) is a Japanese actor and singer. He is best known in the…Masatoshi Nagase (永瀬 正敏, Nagase Masatoshi; born July 15, 1966) is a Japanese actor and singer. He is best known in the West for his roles in Friðrik Þór Friðriksson's Cold Fever and Jim Jarmusch's Mystery Train. Nagase was described by Todd Brown of Twitch Film as "one of the great unsung heroes of Japanese film, a hugely reliable character actor with seemingly unerring taste in projects who - despite a huge body of work - remains largely unknown by name."
Kenji Maruyama (born 21 August 1965) is a Japanese former judoka. He competed in the men's half-lightweight event at…Kenji Maruyama (born 21 August 1965) is a Japanese former judoka. He competed in the men's half-lightweight event at the 1992 Summer Olympics.
Yoshihisa Furukawa (古川 禎久, Furukawa Yoshihisa; born 3 August 1965) is a Japanese politician who served as the Minister…Yoshihisa Furukawa (古川 禎久, Furukawa Yoshihisa; born 3 August 1965) is a Japanese politician who served as the Minister of Justice from October 2021 to August 2022. He is serving in the House of Representatives as a member of the Liberal Democratic Party.
Jiro Okamoto (岡元 次郎, Okamoto Jirō) (born January 5, 1965) is a Japanese veteran suit actor. He did some stunt work for…Jiro Okamoto (岡元 次郎, Okamoto Jirō) (born January 5, 1965) is a Japanese veteran suit actor. He did some stunt work for Kamen Rider Series, Super Sentai and Metal Hero.
Yoichi Nukumizu (温水 洋一, Nukumizu Yōichi; born 19 June 1964) is a Japanese actor and television personality. He is…Yoichi Nukumizu (温水 洋一, Nukumizu Yōichi; born 19 June 1964) is a Japanese actor and television personality. He is nicknamed Nukkun (ぬっくん). He was born from Miyakonojō, Miyazaki Prefecture.
Miki Imai (今井 美樹, Imai Miki; born 14 April 1963) is a female Japanese pop singer and actress. She won the award for…Miki Imai (今井 美樹, Imai Miki; born 14 April 1963) is a female Japanese pop singer and actress. She won the award for best newcomer at the 8th Yokohama Film Festival for Inuji ni Seshi Mono.
Hironori Kamezawa (亀澤 宏規, Kamezawa Hironori; born 18 November 1961) is a Japanese business executive. He serves as the…Hironori Kamezawa (亀澤 宏規, Kamezawa Hironori; born 18 November 1961) is a Japanese business executive. He serves as the President and Group CEO of Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group (MUFG), the ninth-largest bank in the world by total assets. He holds a Master of Science degree in mathematics from the University of Tokyo.
For the wrestler, see Keiko Saito (wrestler). Keiko Saito (斉藤 慶子, Saitō Keiko; born 14 July 1961) is a Japanese actress…For the wrestler, see Keiko Saito (wrestler). Keiko Saito (斉藤 慶子, Saitō Keiko; born 14 July 1961) is a Japanese actress and tarento.
Akinobu Osako (大迫明伸, Ōsako Akinobu) (born 27 November 1960) is a retired judoka from Japan, who represented his native…Akinobu Osako (大迫明伸, Ōsako Akinobu) (born 27 November 1960) is a retired judoka from Japan, who represented his native country at the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul, South Korea. There he won a bronze medal in the men's middleweight division (–86 kg), alongside Ben Spijkers from the Netherlands. Osako was born in Nishimorokata District, Miyazaki and began judo at the age of a junior high student. He entered noble Asahi Kasei of the judo after graduation in Tenri University. In the days of active play, he was good at Seoi Nage, Tai Otoshi and Uchi Mata.
Masamitsu Hidaka (日高 政光, Hidaka Masamitsu; 19 October 1960 – 9 March 2022) was a Japanese anime director and storyboard…Masamitsu Hidaka (日高 政光, Hidaka Masamitsu; 19 October 1960 – 9 March 2022) was a Japanese anime director and storyboard artist of television anime. He notably served as the supervising director of the Pokémon television anime series from 1997 to 2006.
Taku Etō (Japanese: 江藤 拓, Hepburn: Etō Taku; born July 1, 1960) is a Japanese politician who has served as a member of…Taku Etō (Japanese: 江藤 拓, Hepburn: Etō Taku; born July 1, 1960) is a Japanese politician who has served as a member of the House of Representatives since 2003. He previously served as the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries in the Cabinet of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and again in the Cabinet of Shigeru Ishiba.
Junichi Fukura (福良 淳一, Fukura Junichi; born 28 June 1960) was a Japanese Nippon Professional Baseball player from…Junichi Fukura (福良 淳一, Fukura Junichi; born 28 June 1960) was a Japanese Nippon Professional Baseball player from Kitaura Town, Higashiusuki District, Miyazaki Prefecture (now Nobeoka City). He was a line-drive hitter. Junichi Fukura currently serves as the general manager and head of team organization for the Orix Buffaloes. Prior to assuming his current position, he served as the team's 27th manager.
Hiromi Taniguchi (谷口 浩美, Taniguchi Hiromi; born April 5, 1960) is a former Japanese long-distance runner, best known…Hiromi Taniguchi (谷口 浩美, Taniguchi Hiromi; born April 5, 1960) is a former Japanese long-distance runner, best known from winning the gold medal in the marathon at the 1991 World Championships in Athletics in Tokyo. The favourite to win the race, Olympic champion Gelindo Bordin, only finished eighth. The marathon was run under extremely adverse conditions of heat and humidity, which are reflected in the slow winning time of 2:14:57h. Taniguchi is the only male Japanese runner ever to have won a gold medal at World Championships. Taniguchi also won the Beppu-Ōita Marathon in 1985 and the Tokyo and London Marathons in 1987.
Motomu Azaki (安崎 求, Azaki Motomu; born March 7, 1960) is a Japanese actor and voice actor from Nobeoka, Miyazaki. He is…Motomu Azaki (安崎 求, Azaki Motomu; born March 7, 1960) is a Japanese actor and voice actor from Nobeoka, Miyazaki. He is attached to Aoni Production, Nichine Promotion, Soeta Office and Horipro. He is married to actress Honoka Suzuki.
Toshiharu Todoroki (轟木 利治, Todoroki Toshiharu; born February 10, 1960) is a Japanese politician of the Democratic Party…Toshiharu Todoroki (轟木 利治, Todoroki Toshiharu; born February 10, 1960) is a Japanese politician of the Democratic Party of Japan, a member of the House of Councillors in the Diet (national legislature). A native of Mimata, Miyazaki and graduate of Chuo University, he was elected for the first time in 2007.
Norifumi Nishimura (西村 徳文, Nishimura Norifumi; born January 9, 1960 in Kushima, Miyazaki) is a former Nippon…Norifumi Nishimura (西村 徳文, Nishimura Norifumi; born January 9, 1960 in Kushima, Miyazaki) is a former Nippon Professional Baseball player and current manager. Nishimura spent the entirety of his 16-year playing career with the Chiba Lotte Marines. After retiring, he coached for the team until being named the successor to former Marines-manager Bobby Valentine in late 2009.
Hideo Higashikokubaru (東国原 英夫, Higashikokubaru Hideo; born 16 September 1957) is a Japanese politician. He originally…Hideo Higashikokubaru (東国原 英夫, Higashikokubaru Hideo; born 16 September 1957) is a Japanese politician. He originally rose to fame as a comedian and actor under the stage name Sonomanma Higashi (そのまんま東; literally "Higashi without change" or "simply Higashi"), and was known for his role in the popular game show Takeshi's Castle. He served as the governor of Miyazaki Prefecture from 2007 to 2011, resigning to run against incumbent Shintarō Ishihara for Governor of Tokyo in the 2011 election, where he came in second. He was elected to the House of Representatives in the general election of 2012, but resigned in December 2013.
Kazuharu Sonoda (薗田 一治, Sonoda Kazuharu; September 16, 1956 – November 28, 1987) also known under the ring names Haru…Kazuharu Sonoda (薗田 一治, Sonoda Kazuharu; September 16, 1956 – November 28, 1987) also known under the ring names Haru Sonoda (ハル 薗田) and Magic Dragon (マジック・ドラゴン, Majikku Doragon), was a Japanese professional wrestler. He was a former NWA Western States Tag Team Champion, NWA/WWC North American Tag Team Champion with Mitsu Ishikawa and the WCCW All Asia Tag Team Championship with the Great Kabuki in 1982.
Mizuho Fukushima (福島 瑞穂, Fukushima Mizuho; born 24 December 1955) is a Japanese politician and attorney. A native of…Mizuho Fukushima (福島 瑞穂, Fukushima Mizuho; born 24 December 1955) is a Japanese politician and attorney. A native of Nobeoka, Miyazaki, she has been a member of the House of Councillors since 1998, was re-elected in 2004 and 2010, and was the head of the Social Democratic Party of Japan (SDP), from 2003 to 2013. She was elected as the leader of the party for a second time in February 2020.
Nobuyuki Kajitani (梶谷 信之, Kajitani Nobuyuki; born May 3, 1955 in Saito City, Miyazaki) is a Japanese former gymnast who…Nobuyuki Kajitani (梶谷 信之, Kajitani Nobuyuki; born May 3, 1955 in Saito City, Miyazaki) is a Japanese former gymnast who competed in the 1984 Summer Olympics. Kajitani is a graduate of the Nippon College of Physical Education.
Shuichi Toyama (外山 秀一, Toyama Shūichi; born June 1954) is a Japanese archaeologist and historian, Professor in the…Shuichi Toyama (外山 秀一, Toyama Shūichi; born June 1954) is a Japanese archaeologist and historian, Professor in the Faculty of Letters at Kogakkan University. He specializes in archaeological geography, environment archeology, geomorphology, and the history of geography, and is an expert in ancient Japanese farming practices and the history of the Yamanashi Prefecture. He has conducted much research into rice cultivation in ancient Japan in particular, which has been quoted in numerous publications. In his work related to the environment and archaeology, he has examined the relationship history between nature and human beings, which was the subject of a 2008 book. In 2009 he was a co-author of a book on archaeology of the Jōmon period.
Naoyuki Ii (伊井 直行, Ii Naoyuki; born September 1, 1953) is a noted Japanese author and professor of creative writing at…Naoyuki Ii (伊井 直行, Ii Naoyuki; born September 1, 1953) is a noted Japanese author and professor of creative writing at Tokai University's Shonan campus.
Seiichirō Dōkyū (Japanese: 道休誠一郎 Dōkyū Seiichirō; 1 April 1953 – 3 February 2026) was a Japanese politician. A member…Seiichirō Dōkyū (Japanese: 道休誠一郎 Dōkyū Seiichirō; 1 April 1953 – 3 February 2026) was a Japanese politician. A member of the Democratic Party, he served in the House of Representatives from 2009 to 2012. Dōkyū died in Miyazaki on 3 February 2026, at the age of 72.
Kaneshiro Kōfuku (February 27, 1953 - December 29, 2002) was a sumo wrestler from Takanabe, Miyazaki, Japan. He made…Kaneshiro Kōfuku (February 27, 1953 - December 29, 2002) was a sumo wrestler from Takanabe, Miyazaki, Japan. He made his professional debut in September 1969, and reached the top division in September 1974. His highest rank was sekiwake. He was a runner-up in two tournaments and earned two gold stars and three Fighting Spirit prizes. After retiring in 1987 he opened up a sumo-themed restaurant. He died of a heart attack in 2002.
Misako Satake (佐竹 美佐子, Satake Misako; born 19 January 1951) is a Japanese basketball player. She competed in the…Misako Satake (佐竹 美佐子, Satake Misako; born 19 January 1951) is a Japanese basketball player. She competed in the women's tournament at the 1976 Summer Olympics.
Takashi Yabe (矢部 孝, Yabe Takashi) is a professor at the Department of Mechanical Sciences and Engineering, Tokyo…Takashi Yabe (矢部 孝, Yabe Takashi) is a professor at the Department of Mechanical Sciences and Engineering, Tokyo Institute of Technology (Tokyo Tech.).
Toshifumi Kosehira (小斉平 敏文, Kosehira Toshifumi; September 30, 1949 – July 9, 2015) was a Japanese politician and a…Toshifumi Kosehira (小斉平 敏文, Kosehira Toshifumi; September 30, 1949 – July 9, 2015) was a Japanese politician and a member of the National Diet.
Hiroko Uehara (上原 公子, Uehara Hiroko) is a Japanese centre-left politician and policy consultant. From 1999 to 2007, she…Hiroko Uehara (上原 公子, Uehara Hiroko) is a Japanese centre-left politician and policy consultant. From 1999 to 2007, she served for two terms as mayor of Kunitachi City, becoming the first female mayor in Tokyo. Uehara was born in 1949 in Miyazaki City, Miyazaki Prefecture. After attending Miyazaki prefectural Miyazaki-Ōmiya High School (Miyazaki kenritsu Miyazaki Ōmiya kōtō-gakkō), she graduated from the Faculty of Letters of Hōsei University, but subsequently broke off her postgraduate studies. Later, she became the leader of the female consumer-driven local party Tokyo Seikatsusha Network, part of the national citizens' network movement (also known as "representative/deputy/proxy movement", 代理人運動, dairinin undō), and was elected to the assembly of Kunitachi City. In 1999, Uehara won the mayoral election, ending a two-decade streak of conservative/centre-right mayors. After two terms, she did not stand for re-election (the network movement has rules on assembly member rotation and chief executive term limits). With centre-left support including hers, Hiroshi Sekiguchi was elected to succeed her. In the 2007 regular election, she tried to win a seat in the House of Councillors via the Social Democratic Party list in the proportional district; but she received only 108,636 votes nationwide, making her fourth on the SDP list while the party won only two seats in the proportional election. In the 2016 Tokyo gubernatorial election, Uehara ran a support group for centre-left candidate Shuntarō Torigoe.
Akihisa Mera (米良 明久, Mera Akihisa; born September 8, 1948), better known as The Great Kabuki (ザ・グレート・カブキ, Za Gurēto…Akihisa Mera (米良 明久, Mera Akihisa; born September 8, 1948), better known as The Great Kabuki (ザ・グレート・カブキ, Za Gurēto Kabuki), is a Japanese retired professional wrestler. He is famous as the first to blow Asian mist in his opponents' faces.
Yū Kikumura (菊村 憂, Kikumura Yū; born 1947) is an alleged member of the Japanese Red Army, an armed militant…Yū Kikumura (菊村 憂, Kikumura Yū; born 1947) is an alleged member of the Japanese Red Army, an armed militant organization.
Tomojiro Toda (30 June 1946 – 23 October 2016), known as Haguroiwa Tomomi, was a sumo wrestler from Nobeoka, Miyazaki…Tomojiro Toda (30 June 1946 – 23 October 2016), known as Haguroiwa Tomomi, was a sumo wrestler from Nobeoka, Miyazaki, Japan. He made his professional debut in May 1961, and reached the top division in January 1967. His highest rank was komusubi. He withdrew from active competition in January 1978 and remained in the Japan Sumo Association as an elder under the name Ikazuchi. He reached the mandatory retirement age of 65, and left the Sumo Association in June 2011.
Mako Midori (緑 魔子, Midori Mako; born 26 March 1944, Taiwan) is a Japanese actress. Debuting on film in 1964, she won…Mako Midori (緑 魔子, Midori Mako; born 26 March 1944, Taiwan) is a Japanese actress. Debuting on film in 1964, she won the Blue Ribbon Award for best new face for Nihiki no mesuinu. Beyond appearing in over fifty Japanese language films in the 1960s and 1970s, she has also acted extensively on stage, winning major awards such as the Kinokuniya Theatre Prize. She is married to Renji Ishibashi.
Kenji Hirata (平田 健二, Hirata Kenji; born January 4, 1944) is a Japanese politician of the Democratic Party of Japan, a…Kenji Hirata (平田 健二, Hirata Kenji; born January 4, 1944) is a Japanese politician of the Democratic Party of Japan, a member of the House of Councillors in the Diet (national legislature). A native of Ōita, Ōita, he was elected for the first time in 1995 as a member of the New Frontier Party. In November 2011, he was elected as the President of the House of Councillors.
Kayoko Hashiguchi-Saka (born 26 April 1944) is a Japanese gymnast. She competed at the 1968 Summer Olympics and the…Kayoko Hashiguchi-Saka (born 26 April 1944) is a Japanese gymnast. She competed at the 1968 Summer Olympics and the 1972 Summer Olympics.
