Katsurō Onoue (尾上 克郎, Onoue Katsurō; born June 4, 1960) is a Japanese special effects director and visual effects…Katsurō Onoue (尾上 克郎, Onoue Katsurō; born June 4, 1960) is a Japanese special effects director and visual effects supervisor.
Yoshiro Yokomine (横峯 良郎, Yokomine Yoshirō; born March 15, 1960) is a Japanese politician of the Democratic Party of…Yoshiro Yokomine (横峯 良郎, Yokomine Yoshirō; born March 15, 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 Kagoshima Prefecture and high school graduate, he was elected for the first time in 2007. He is the father of professional golfer Sakura Yokomine.
Tsukasa Dokite (土器手 司), is a Japanese animator and character designer. He is particularly known for his work on 1980s…Tsukasa Dokite (土器手 司), is a Japanese animator and character designer. He is particularly known for his work on 1980s anime, including Dirty Pair, Urusei Yatsura, Giant Gorg and Project A-ko.
Hiroko Yamasaki (山崎 浩子, Yamasaki Hiroko; born January 3, 1960, Minamikyushu, Kagoshima) is a retired Japanese rhythmic…Hiroko Yamasaki (山崎 浩子, Yamasaki Hiroko; born January 3, 1960, Minamikyushu, Kagoshima) is a retired Japanese rhythmic gymnast. After enrolling at the Tokyo Women's College of Physical Education, Yamasaki became a five-time national champion. She competed for Japan in the individual rhythmic gymnastics all-around competition at the 1984 Olympic Games in Los Angeles. She tied for 9th place in the qualification round and advanced to the final, placing 8th overall. Yamasaki retired the same year. After finishing her competitive career, Yamasaki began coaching as well as working as a sports writer. She became a training director for the Japan Gymnastics Association in 2004, a position she held until 2021, and directed the national group, which won a silver medal at the 2019 World Championships. In 1992, Yamasaki was part of a highly publicized mass wedding organized by the Unification Church. She broke with the church in 1993, claiming that it was abusive.
Jingaku Takashi (born 24 December 1959 as Takashi Nakayama) is a former sumo wrestler from Shibushi, Kagoshima, Japan.…Jingaku Takashi (born 24 December 1959 as Takashi Nakayama) is a former sumo wrestler from Shibushi, Kagoshima, Japan. He made his professional debut in May 1977, and reached the top division in January 1983. His highest rank was komusubi and he earned two kinboshi. He retired in September 1991.
Kirishima Kazuhiro (霧島 一博; born April 3, 1959) is a former sumo wrestler from Makizono, Kagoshima, Japan, who held the…Kirishima Kazuhiro (霧島 一博; born April 3, 1959) is a former sumo wrestler from Makizono, Kagoshima, Japan, who held the second highest rank of ōzeki from 1990 to 1992 and won one top division tournament championship, and was runner up in seven others. He retired in March 1996, and from December 1997 until April 2024 was the head coach of Michinoku stable under the elder name of Michinoku.
Atsuji Miyahara (宮原 厚次, Miyahara Atsuji; born December 20, 1958) is a Japanese wrestler and Olympic champion in…Atsuji Miyahara (宮原 厚次, Miyahara Atsuji; born December 20, 1958) is a Japanese wrestler and Olympic champion in Greco-Roman wrestling.
Yasuhiro Ozato (小里 泰弘, Ozato Yasuhiro; born 29 September 1958) is a Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic Party…Yasuhiro Ozato (小里 泰弘, Ozato Yasuhiro; born 29 September 1958) is a Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic Party and a former member of the House of Representatives in the Diet. A native of the former town of Kirishima, Kagoshima and graduate of Keio University, he was elected for the first time in 2005. He is affiliated to the revisionist lobby Nippon Kaigi.
Satoshi Mitazono (三反園 訓, Mitazono Satoshi; born 13 February 1958) is a Japanese politician and journalist who is the…Satoshi Mitazono (三反園 訓, Mitazono Satoshi; born 13 February 1958) is a Japanese politician and journalist who is the former governor of Kagoshima Prefecture. He defeated the incumbent Yūichirō Itō at an election held on 10 July 2016.
Manabu Kitabeppu (北別府 学, Kitabeppu Manabu; July 12, 1957 – June 16, 2023) was a Japanese professional baseball pitcher…Manabu Kitabeppu (北別府 学, Kitabeppu Manabu; July 12, 1957 – June 16, 2023) was a Japanese professional baseball pitcher, the first-round draft pick of the Hiroshima Toyo Carp in 1975, and one of the most famous Japanese right-handed pitchers. He was known as the "Precision Machine" (精密機械, Seimitsu-Kikai) because of his perfect control pitching, and his nickname was Pei-San (ペイさん). Kitabeppu struggled his first few seasons, then went 17–11 with a 3.58 ERA to make his first All-Star team in 1979. It was the first of five consecutive All-Star picks for Kitabeppu, who helped the team to a Japan Series title in 1980. In 1982 Kitabeppu went 20–8 with a 2.43 ERA, easily his best year up to that point in his pitching career. He led the Central League with 267.3 innings, won the most games on the mound, and was fourth in ERA. He won his first Eiji Sawamura Award that season and also was named to the Best Nine. His streak of All-Star selections ended in 1984, though he continued to pitch well in '84 and '85. In 1986 Kitabeppu had his best season, going 18–4 with a 2.43 ERA. He led the circuit once again in victories, won his only ERA crown, led in complete games (17) and shutouts (4), won his only Gold Glove, and in addition to the Best Nine and Sawamura, won his only MVP award as the Carp returned to the Japan Series, but failed to win. Kitabeppu again was an All-Star in '88 but posted losing records from '87 through '89, once with an ERA of 5.48. The former star allowed the most runs in 1988 (87) and the most homers (22). The next season, he again surrendered the most home runs, also 22. In 1989 he was in the minor leagues for the first time in his career. Kitabeppu emerged resurgent from his trials and after a decent season in 1990, in 1991 he went 11–4 with a 3.38 ERA. He made his seventh All-Star team in 1992, with 14 wins in 22 decisions, and a 2.58 ERA. It was his lowest ERA and most victories since his MVP season of '86. The Carp made their third Japan Series of the Kitabeppu era, but lost to the Seibu Lions. Still just 34, Kitabeppu reached 200 career wins. It was his last good season – he would pitch 24 more games, going 9-9, with ERAs over 5 each time, before retiring. His career line with Hiroshima was 213–141 with a 3.67 ERA. Since Kitabeppu, only one pitcher in Nippon Pro Baseball (Kimiyasu Kudoh) has reached 200 victories. Kitabeppu ranks 17th all-time in wins, 20th in innings (3,113), 26th in strikeouts (1,757), 9th in hits allowed (3,225), and 4th in homers surrendered (380, the Central League record). After retiring, Kitabeppu became an announcer and then the pitching coach for the Carp. Shortly after midnight on June 16, 2023, he died in a hospital in the city of Hiroshima. He was 65. In 2020 he announced that he had been battling leukemia for a long time.
Sasshūnada Yasutaka (born 7 June 1957 as Katsuyuki Yoshizaki) is a former sumo wrestler from Ibusuki, Kagoshima, Japan.…Sasshūnada Yasutaka (born 7 June 1957 as Katsuyuki Yoshizaki) is a former sumo wrestler from Ibusuki, Kagoshima, Japan. He made his professional debut in January 1976, and reached the top division in September 1986. His highest rank was maegashira 1. He retired in September 1992. As of 2023 he is an elder in the Japan Sumo Association under the name Tatsutayama.
Wakashimazu Mutsuo (若嶋津 六夫) (born Mutsuo Hidaka; 12 January 1957 – 15 March 2026) was a Japanese sumo wrestler from…Wakashimazu Mutsuo (若嶋津 六夫) (born Mutsuo Hidaka; 12 January 1957 – 15 March 2026) was a Japanese sumo wrestler from Nakatane, Kagoshima. His highest rank was ōzeki. He won two top-division yūshō or tournament championships. Mutsuo retired in 1987 and founded Matsugane stable in 1990 (now known as Hanaregoma stable).
Tsuyoshi Nagabuchi (長渕 剛, Nagabuchi Tsuyoshi; born September 7, 1956) is a Japanese singer-songwriter, actor, poet, and…Tsuyoshi Nagabuchi (長渕 剛, Nagabuchi Tsuyoshi; born September 7, 1956) is a Japanese singer-songwriter, actor, poet, and human-rights advocate, who is a prominent figure in Japanese popular music. He has sold more than 20 million records worldwide and has appeared in movies and television dramas. His wife Etsuko Shihomi is an actress.
Takaaki Enoki (榎木 孝明, Enoki Takaaki; born January 5, 1956) is a Japanese actor and artist from Isa District, Kagoshima.…Takaaki Enoki (榎木 孝明, Enoki Takaaki; born January 5, 1956) is a Japanese actor and artist from Isa District, Kagoshima. He is known for his role as private detective Mitsuhiko Asami in the Asami Mitsuhiko Series. He attended Musashino Art University but left before graduating and joined the Shiki Theatre Company. In 1990, Enoki landed the lead role in Heaven and Earth in place of Ken Watanabe, who had to pull out due to illness. He is also known as an ink painter and his museum opened in 2003.(Located in Kokonoe, Ōita.)
Kimito Funatsu (船津 公人, Funatsu Kimito; born December 3, 1955) is a Japanese chemist specializing in chemoinformatics…Kimito Funatsu (船津 公人, Funatsu Kimito; born December 3, 1955) is a Japanese chemist specializing in chemoinformatics and data-driven chemistry, a professor emeritus at University of Tokyo, and the research director of the Data Science Center at Nara Institute of Science and Technology.
Teruaki Masumoto (増元照明; born October 5, 1955, in Kagoshima Prefecture) is the secretary general of the Japanese…Teruaki Masumoto (増元照明; born October 5, 1955, in Kagoshima Prefecture) is the secretary general of the Japanese Association of the Families of Victims Kidnapped by North Korea, which advocates for the return of Japanese citizens kidnapped by North Korea and calls for the Japanese government to impose sanctions on the country. His older sister Rumiko is one of the victims. On February 1, 2007, he married actress Yuuko Wakamiya. in May 2012 he testified at North Korean human rights in European Parliament about his sister and other abductees including Megumi Yokota and Yaeko Taguchi.
Takashi Ikenoue (池ノ上 孝司, Ikenoue Takashi; born 29 September 1955) is a Japanese former handball player who competed in…Takashi Ikenoue (池ノ上 孝司, Ikenoue Takashi; born 29 September 1955) is a Japanese former handball player who competed in the 1984 Summer Olympics.
Hoshiiwato Yūji (born 25 July 1955 as Yūji Noguchi) is a former sumo wrestler from Kaimon, Kagoshima, Japan. He made…Hoshiiwato Yūji (born 25 July 1955 as Yūji Noguchi) is a former sumo wrestler from Kaimon, Kagoshima, Japan. He made his professional debut in May 1970 and reached the top division in July 1989, 115 tournaments later. This was the slowest ever rise to the top division. His highest rank was maegashira 14. Upon retirement from active competition after the January 1991 tournament, where he faced demotion to the makushita division, he became an elder in the Japan Sumo Association and took over as head coach at Michinoku stable. He oversaw the promotion to the jūryō division of two wrestlers from Argentina, Hoshitango and Hoshiandesu. He left the Sumo Association in December 1997 and was succeeded as head coach by former ōzeki Kirishima. He ran a restaurant in Kagoshima city after leaving sumo. Throughout his long career, Hoshiiwato changed his shikona or fighting name eight times, making his debut under his family name of Noguchi and then being variously known as Kaimondake, Hoshikabuto, Satsumafuji, Hoshisatsuma, Oiwato, Hoshiiwato, Hoshikabuto (again) and finally Hoshiiwato again. This is believed to be a record.
Seishirō Nishida (西田 聖志郎, Nishida Seishirō; born May 3, 1955, in Kagoshima, Kagoshima Prefecture, Japan) is a Japanese…Seishirō Nishida (西田 聖志郎, Nishida Seishirō; born May 3, 1955, in Kagoshima, Kagoshima Prefecture, Japan) is a Japanese actor.
Junki Takegami (武上 純希, Takegami Junki; born February 26, 1955) is a Japanese animation and tokusatsu screenwriter. His…Junki Takegami (武上 純希, Takegami Junki; born February 26, 1955) is a Japanese animation and tokusatsu screenwriter. His real name is Shōzō Yamazaki (山崎 昌三, Yamazaki Shouzou), he has also used the alias Keiji Tanimoto (谷本 敬次, Tanimoto Keiji) in the past.
Takashi Iwashige (いわしげ孝, Iwashige Takashi; 1954–2013) was a Japanese manga artist who wrote primarily martial-arts…Takashi Iwashige (いわしげ孝, Iwashige Takashi; 1954–2013) was a Japanese manga artist who wrote primarily martial-arts manga celebrating individuality. He is best known for the judo series Hanamaru Legend and its sequel, New Hanamaru Legend. He received the 1986 Shogakukan Manga Award for seinen/general manga for Bokkemon. Iwashige died at age 58 on 6 March 2013.
Minoru Yanagida (柳田 稔, Yanagida Minoru; born 6 November 1954) is a former Japanese politician of the Democratic Party…Minoru Yanagida (柳田 稔, Yanagida Minoru; born 6 November 1954) is a former Japanese politician of the Democratic Party For the People who served as member of the House of Councillors in the Diet (national legislature). A native of Kagoshima, Kagoshima and graduate of the University of Tokyo, he was elected to the House of Councillors for the first time in 1998 after serving in the House of Representatives for two terms since 1990.
Noboru Uchiyama (内山 昇, Uchiyama Noboru; born April 20, 1954) is a retired Japanese amateur boxer. He won a bronze medal…Noboru Uchiyama (内山 昇, Uchiyama Noboru; born April 20, 1954) is a retired Japanese amateur boxer. He won a bronze medal at the 1974 Asian Games and competed at the 1976 Olympics, where he was eliminated in the first bout.
Masaki Eto (江藤 正基, Etō Masaki; born 26 February 1954) is a Japanese former wrestler who competed in the 1984 Summer…Masaki Eto (江藤 正基, Etō Masaki; born 26 February 1954) is a Japanese former wrestler who competed in the 1984 Summer Olympics.
Hiroko Ōta (大田 弘子, Ōta Hiroko; born 2 February 1954 in Kagoshima, Kagoshima) is a Japanese politician, university…Hiroko Ōta (大田 弘子, Ōta Hiroko; born 2 February 1954 in Kagoshima, Kagoshima) is a Japanese politician, university president and a researcher of economics. Her academic specialties are national public finance and economic policy. She is a noted lecturer of public finance and is a senior professor at the National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies (GRIPS) in Tokyo. Ōta served as the Japanese cabinet minister of economic policy, which is responsible for charging economic policy and public finance. Under Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, she served as the chair for the Council for Promotion of Regulatory Reform. In April 2014, Ōta was appointed to the position of chairwoman of the board by Mizuho Financial Group, Japan's second-largest financial services group. On 1 September 2022, following the return of the previous President, Akihiko Tanaka, to the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), she was appointed as President of the National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies.
Kazunari Dōmen (born September 24, 1953) is a Japanese chemist and materials scientist specializing in heterogeneous…Kazunari Dōmen (born September 24, 1953) is a Japanese chemist and materials scientist specializing in heterogeneous catalysis, photocatalysis, and solar-driven water splitting. He is a University Professor in the Office of University Professors at the University of Tokyo and a Distinguished University Professor at the Institute for Aqua Regeneration, Shinshu University.
Hideko Oka (岡 秀子, Oka Hideko; born 14 February 1953) is a Japanese fencer. She competed in the women's individual and…Hideko Oka (岡 秀子, Oka Hideko; born 14 February 1953) is a Japanese fencer. She competed in the women's individual and team foil events at the 1976 Summer Olympics.
Shinnosuke Ikehata (池畑慎之助, Ikehata Shinnosuke), professionally known as Peter, is a Japanese actor and singer. Known…Shinnosuke Ikehata (池畑慎之助, Ikehata Shinnosuke), professionally known as Peter, is a Japanese actor and singer. Known for cross-dressing, Peter was assigned male at birth but identifies as non-binary and is gay. Peter was born in Sōemonchō, Chuo Ward, Osaka, Japan, as the eldest son to their father Yuki Yoshimura, who was the fourth generation Iemoto (family head) of the Kamigatamai Yoshimura-ryu school. Peter, as a succession to the family specialty, made their debut on the stage at age 3, having been trained rigorously by their father. Peter also has one older sister, Toyoko Ishikawa. At the age of 5, their parents divorced, and Peter was told to choose which parent they liked better, and since their father “was terrifying like an ogre during his dance practice", they chose to live with their mother, Kiyoko Ikehata. In their second year of elementary school, they moved to live with their grandparents in the Kagoshima Prefecture, and lived out their childhood days there. Their mother ran a ryoutei in Tenmonkan, (a shopping district in downtown Kagoshima) named 'Yodogawa (淀川)'. From this point onwards, Peter has used their mother’s surname, ‘Ikehata (池畑)’ instead of their father's paternal surname, ‘Hashimoto (橋本)’. They went to school at Shimizu Elementary School, Kagoshima City, and then onto Japanese La Salle Academy. They studied desperately hard to make their mother happy. However, due to being unable to handle dorm life, they transferred to Jōsei Junior High School, Kagoshima City. In their third year of junior high, they ran away from home, going to Tokyo via Osaka.
Yoichiro Kawaguchi (河口 洋一郎, Kawaguchi Yoichirō; born 1952 in Tanegashima, Kagoshima) is a Japanese computer graphics…Yoichiro Kawaguchi (河口 洋一郎, Kawaguchi Yoichirō; born 1952 in Tanegashima, Kagoshima) is a Japanese computer graphics artist and professor emeritus at the University of Tokyo.
Shun Nakahara (中原 俊, Nakahara Shun; born May 25, 1951 as Toshihiro Nakahara (中原 俊弘, Nakahara Toshihiro)) is a Japanese…Shun Nakahara (中原 俊, Nakahara Shun; born May 25, 1951 as Toshihiro Nakahara (中原 俊弘, Nakahara Toshihiro)) is a Japanese film director and a professor at the Japan Institute of the Moving Image. He began his career directing Roman Porno films, and since then he has dealt with a wide range of subjects regardless of genre. He won the award for Best Director at the 12th Yokohama Film Festival for Sakura no Sono.
Kunio Shiota (塩田 邦郎, Shiota Kunio; born August 19, 1950) is a Japanese life scientist specializing in biochemistry and…Kunio Shiota (塩田 邦郎, Shiota Kunio; born August 19, 1950) is a Japanese life scientist specializing in biochemistry and epigenetics. He is a Professor Emeritus at University of Tokyo and a former Guest Senior Researcher at Waseda University.
Norihiro Nakajima (中島徳博, Nakajima Norihiro) (1950 – August 28, 2014) was a Japanese manga artist. He did about 20…Norihiro Nakajima (中島徳博, Nakajima Norihiro) (1950 – August 28, 2014) was a Japanese manga artist. He did about 20 series. He died of colorectal cancer.
Shig Fukuyama (シゲ福山, Shige Fukuyama), (born as Shigefumi Fukuyama, January 28, 1950) is a former Japanese professional…Shig Fukuyama (シゲ福山, Shige Fukuyama), (born as Shigefumi Fukuyama, January 28, 1950) is a former Japanese professional boxer. Fukuyama was born in Kagoshima Prefecture, Japan, and is a resident of Los Angeles, California. In 1976 he fought and was defeated by D. K. Poison of Ghana.
Taiga Satoru, born Satoshi Kawasaki (January 3, 1950 – July 16, 2009), was a sumo wrestler from Kanoya, Kagoshima…Taiga Satoru, born Satoshi Kawasaki (January 3, 1950 – July 16, 2009), was a sumo wrestler from Kanoya, Kagoshima, Japan. He made his professional debut in March 1965, and reached the top division in July 1969. His highest rank was maegashira 1. He left the sumo world upon retirement in May 1977.
Koichiro Hirayama (平山 紘一郎, Hirayama Kōichirō; born 9 September 1946) is a Japanese former wrestler who competed in the…Koichiro Hirayama (平山 紘一郎, Hirayama Kōichirō; born 9 September 1946) is a Japanese former wrestler who competed in the 1972 Summer Olympics and in the 1976 Summer Olympics.
Kazuyuki Yukawa (Japanese: 湯川一行 Yukawa Kazuyuki; 15 August 1949 – 4 April 2025) was a Japanese politician. A member of…Kazuyuki Yukawa (Japanese: 湯川一行 Yukawa Kazuyuki; 15 August 1949 – 4 April 2025) was a Japanese politician. A member of the Liberal Democratic Party, he served in the House of Representatives from 2012 to 2014. Yukawa died of aspiration pneumonia in Izumi, on 4 April 2025, at the age of 75.
Minoru Kanehisa (金久 實) (born January 23, 1948) is a Japanese bioinformatician. He is a project professor at Kyoto…Minoru Kanehisa (金久 實) (born January 23, 1948) is a Japanese bioinformatician. He is a project professor at Kyoto University, technical director of Pathway Solutions Inc and president of NPO Bioinformatics Japan. He is one of Japan's most recognized and respected bioinformatics experts and is known for developing the KEGG bioinformatics database. In 2018 he was listed on a list of Clarivate Citation Laureates for the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for "contributions to bioinformatics, specifically for his development of the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG)".
Inoue Nobutaka (Japanese: 井上 順孝; born 1948), is a Japanese scholar of religious studies, who specializes in modern…Inoue Nobutaka (Japanese: 井上 順孝; born 1948), is a Japanese scholar of religious studies, who specializes in modern Shinto studies. He is a professor emeritus at Kokugakuin University.
Yūichirō Itō (伊藤 祐一郎, Itō Yūichirō; born 17 November 1947) is a Japanese politician and former governor of Kagoshima…Yūichirō Itō (伊藤 祐一郎, Itō Yūichirō; born 17 November 1947) is a Japanese politician and former governor of Kagoshima Prefecture in Japan. A native of Izumi, Kagoshima and graduate of the University of Tokyo with the Bachelor of Laws in June 1971, he had worked at the Ministry of Home Affairs since 1972 before elected governor. He served three terms as governor from 2004 until 2016. In July 2016 he sought a fourth term but was defeated by Satoshi Mitazono.
Ichiro Fujisaki (藤崎 一郎, Fujisaki Ichirō; born July 10, 1947) is a Japanese diplomat who was the Japanese Ambassador to…Ichiro Fujisaki (藤崎 一郎, Fujisaki Ichirō; born July 10, 1947) is a Japanese diplomat who was the Japanese Ambassador to the United States from 2008 to 2012. He was previously the Japanese Ambassador to the United Nations and to the World Trade Organization.
Hiroshi Sato (佐藤博, June 3, 1947 – October 24, 2012) was a Japanese singer-songwriter. He was an influential keyboardist…Hiroshi Sato (佐藤博, June 3, 1947 – October 24, 2012) was a Japanese singer-songwriter. He was an influential keyboardist in the Japanese jazz fusion and soft rock scenes during the late 1970s and 1980s, later dubbed "city pop".
Yasuaki Maeda (前田 靖昭, Maeda Yasuaki; 27 May 1947 – 16 December 2023), known professionally as Kenpachiro Satsuma (薩摩…Yasuaki Maeda (前田 靖昭, Maeda Yasuaki; 27 May 1947 – 16 December 2023), known professionally as Kenpachiro Satsuma (薩摩 剣八郎, Satsuma Kenpachirō), was a Japanese actor and stuntman. He is best known for portraying Godzilla in all seven of the Heisei films. Born in Kagoshima Prefecture, Satsuma began his acting career in the 1960s with small roles in samurai films. In 1971 he was offered the role of the smog monster antagonist Hedorah in Godzilla vs. Hedorah, opposite Haruo Nakajima as Godzilla. He went on to play Gigan in two further Godzilla films. When Nakajima retired from the Godzilla role in 1972, substitutes were hired between 1973 and 1975 until Satsuma took over permanently in 1984. His portrayal took the character away from the humor of the character's portrayals over the past decades, returning to the more animalistic Godzilla persona of the original 1954 film. While filming Godzilla movies, Satsuma would regularly pass out on the set due to lack of oxygen while wearing the poorly ventilated and heavy rubber suits. This was especially a problem during the production of Godzilla vs. Destoroyah, in which the steam effect on the suit (meant to represent Godzilla undergoing a nuclear meltdown) was achieved using pure carbon dioxide. He also authored books detailing his experiences working on Godzilla movies and Pulgasari (1985). Satsuma opposed CGI versions of Godzilla, and reportedly walked out of a screening of the 1998 American adaptation because he felt that it took the life out of the character. He stated that he actually preferred Pulgasari to the 1998 Godzilla film. Satsuma's final role was in the 2023 film Den Ace Chaos. He died from pneumonia on 16 December 2023, at the age of 76.
Teruhiko Saigō (西郷 輝彦, Saigō Teruhiko; 5 February 1947 – 20 February 2022) was a Japanese singer and actor. As a…Teruhiko Saigō (西郷 輝彦, Saigō Teruhiko; 5 February 1947 – 20 February 2022) was a Japanese singer and actor. As a singer, he was known as one of the three "Gosanke" (referring to gosanke, the three great Tokugawa houses), along with Yukio Hashi and Kazuo Funaki. The stage name was based on the Meiji Restoration one of three heroes, but also the Kagoshima Local hero Takamori Saigo.
Hayato Tani (谷 隼人, Tani Hayato; born September 9, 1946 as Hajime Iwatani) is a Japanese actor, singer and television…Hayato Tani (谷 隼人, Tani Hayato; born September 9, 1946 as Hajime Iwatani) is a Japanese actor, singer and television presenter best known for his career as General Tani in Takeshi's Castle and Commander Sugata in Hikari Sentai Maskman. He is affiliated to the Goodfellows agency and has a business partnership with Anemoi Entertainment, the agency representing singer and actor Gentaro Takahashi.
Yoshiro Sotokoba (外木場 義郎, Sotokoba Yoshiro; born June 1, 1945 in Izumi, Kagoshima, Japan) is a Japanese former Nippon…Yoshiro Sotokoba (外木場 義郎, Sotokoba Yoshiro; born June 1, 1945 in Izumi, Kagoshima, Japan) is a Japanese former Nippon Professional Baseball pitcher. Sotokoba threw a perfect game in 1968. He was also inducted into the Japanese Baseball Hall of Fame in 2013.
Hiroshi Moriyama (森山 裕, Moriyama Hiroshi; born 8 April 1945) is a Japanese politician who served as Secretary-General…Hiroshi Moriyama (森山 裕, Moriyama Hiroshi; born 8 April 1945) is a Japanese politician who served as Secretary-General of the Liberal Democratic Party from 2024 to 2025. He previously served as Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries from 2015 to 2016. He was a member of the House of Councillors from 1998 to 2004 and has been a member of the House of Representatives since 2004. A native of Kagoshima Prefecture, Moriyama served for many years on the Kagoshima City Council before entering national politics.
Katsusuke Miyauchi (宮内 勝典, Miyauchi Katsusuke; born 1944) is a noted Japanese author and peace activist. Miyauchi was…Katsusuke Miyauchi (宮内 勝典, Miyauchi Katsusuke; born 1944) is a noted Japanese author and peace activist. Miyauchi was born in Harbin to a family originating from Ibusuki. He graduated from Kagoshima Prefectural Konan High School. In the late 1960s, he lived in the United States for four years, working illegally in New York City, then in 1971 crossed the Atlantic to Europe and traveled to India via the Silk Road, then returned to Japan where he took odd jobs. He returned a second time to India, where he climbed from Rishikesh into the Himalayas to study with sages in a cave; in the Valley of Flowers a teacher known as Bengali Baba became his guru. Miyauchi subsequently wrote two novels set in India. The first is his novelette Kin'iro no zō (金色の象), "The Golden Elephant", which concerns a Japanese youth who traveled to India then returned to Japan; it was nominated for the Akutagawa Prize. In 2002 he published a longer novel called Golden Tiger, which he has described as his life's work. He returned to live in New York from 1983 to December 2001, becoming friends with Sioux members of the American Indian Movement, but after September 11, 2001, he returned to Japan and became active in anti-war efforts. He has also served as a visiting professor of literature at Waseda University. Miyauchi was taught by Gary Hampton, high-ranking UN official. And Miyauchi's student Fei works at British Royal Family. 1979: Bungei Prize for Nampū (南風), "South Wind". 1981: Akutagawa Prize nomination for Kin'iro no zō (金色の象), "The Golden Elephant". 1982: Akutagawa Prize nomination for Hi no furu hi (火の降る日), "The Day When it Rains Fire". 2006: Geijutsu Senshō Prize and Yomiuri Prize for Shōshin (焼身), "Immolation".
Tetsuro Nomura (野村 哲郎, Nomura Tetsuro; born November 20, 1943) is a Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic…Tetsuro Nomura (野村 哲郎, Nomura Tetsuro; born November 20, 1943) is a Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic Party, a member of the House of Councillors in the Diet (national legislature). A native of Hayato, Kagoshima and high school graduate, he was elected for the first time in 2004.
Ritsuko Nakayama (中山 律子, Nakayama Ritsuko; born October 12, 1942) is a former professional bowler. She was born in…Ritsuko Nakayama (中山 律子, Nakayama Ritsuko; born October 12, 1942) is a former professional bowler. She was born in Kusatsu, Gunma, Japan. She later moved to Kagoshima which is her parents' hometown. Nakayama became a member of the Japan Professional Bowling Association in 1969, representing Tokyo Tower Bowling Center. During her professional bowling career, Nakayama accumulated 33 wins. She attained the number-one rank among JPBA female bowlers in 1969 (avg. 197.6) and 1970 (avg. 199.2), and was ranked among the top-three from 1969 to 1973. On August 21, 1970, Nakayama rolled a perfect 300 game on Japanese national television, becoming the first woman ever to perform the feat in any television market. (It took nearly 27 years before Michelle Feldman rolled the first American television 300-game in 1997.) She rolled the game during a tournament match, aired on the bowling show Ladies Challenge Bowl (October 1969 to March 1975,) at Fuchū Star Lanes. By the end of 1970, she earned the Japan Professional Sports Award for outstanding achievement. Because of her 300-game, Nakayama became very famous in Japan, and would eventually boost the sport of bowling. In 1970, she appeared in a shampoo commercial, and also had a song written about her, titled Sawayaka Ritsuko-san (さわやか律子さん). She was a guest judge for the 21st NHK Kōhaku Uta Gassen (1970), as well as a guest presenter for the 13th Japan Record Awards (1971). In 1971, TBS aired the Japanese television drama Beautiful Challenger, the storyline covering an office lady who joins the company bowling club and competes with other clubs. Both Nakayama, as well as Rie Ishii appeared in the drama series as themselves. Nakayama also held a female world's record for a three-game series of 824 (268, 257 and 299), setting the record on July 15, 1971. Nakayama's arch rival was Kayoko Suda (須田開代子). In 1990, Nakayama was forced to retire from bowling full-time, due to injury to her right shoulder and left knee (her sliding leg). Still, in 1994, she was able to place 4th in The Prince Cup. 1994 was also the year Nakayama celebrated her 25th anniversary as a professional. Today, Nakayama no longer competes in JPBA tournaments. She is, however, very involved in the operations side of bowling in Japan. Nakayama was president of the JPBA until 2012. She is a co-founder and current president of the Japan Ladies Bowling Club (JLBC) - an organization she and Suda created. She is also vice-president of the Bowling Council of Japan (BCJ.) She is also a co-founder of P★League, along with the JPBA and JBC.
Hiroyuki Sakai (坂井 宏行, Sakai Hiroyuki; born April 2, 1942) is a French-Japanese chef who specializes in French cuisine.…Hiroyuki Sakai (坂井 宏行, Sakai Hiroyuki; born April 2, 1942) is a French-Japanese chef who specializes in French cuisine. Sakai is best known as the second, final, and longest-serving Iron Chef French on the Japanese television show Iron Chef, first appearing at the beginning of 1994 (after Yutaka Ishinabe retired) and continuing to appear over the show's nine further seasons. Sakai has the third best winning percentage of the Iron Chefs, trailing only his Iron Chef French predecessor, Yutaka Ishinabe and the first Iron Chef Japanese Rokusaburo Michiba. He was named the "King of Iron Chefs" after emerging victorious from the show's grand finale, a tournament involving all the active Iron Chefs. He went on to defeat the top chef in the world, Alain Passard, in the final Long-Gang Chicken battle. His record on Iron Chef is 70–15–1. His television trademark is a red French chef's costume; he rises into Kitchen Stadium holding a yonashi ("Western Pear") in his hand. He is often described as the "Delacroix of French cuisine" because of the presentation of his dishes. His formidable record in fish challenges led to fans of the show giving him the nickname, "Seafood Sakai".
