Ōkubo Toshimichi (Japanese: 大久保 利通; 26 September 1830 – 14 May 1878) was a Japanese statesman and samurai of the…
Ōkubo Toshimichi (Japanese: 大久保 利通; 26 September 1830 – 14 May 1878) was a Japanese statesman and samurai of the Satsuma Domain. Regarded as one of the main founders of modern Japan, he was one of the "Three Great Nobles" who led the Meiji Restoration in 1868, alongside Kido Takayoshi and Saigō Takamori. His policies, often characterized by realism and a focus on national strength (fukoku kyōhei), has led some historians to compare his role in Japan to that of Otto von Bismarck in Prussia. Beginning his career as a low-ranking retainer in Satsuma, Ōkubo became a central figure in the movement to overthrow the Tokugawa shogunate, and following the restoration of imperial rule became a prominent leader in the new Meiji government. As a junior councilor and later in key ministerial posts, he was a principal architect of the new state, driving reforms that dismantled the old feudal structure. His most significant achievement in this period was the abolition of the han system in 1871, which centralized the country under the Tokyo government. Ōkubo served as a vice-ambassador on the Iwakura Mission (1871–1873), touring the United States and Europe. The experience reinforced his belief that Japan must prioritize internal modernization before engaging in foreign ventures. Following his return, he successfully opposed a proposed invasion of Korea (Seikanron) in October 1873, thereby leading to a political split with his former ally Takamori. Upon being named Home Minister in November 1873, Ōkubo consolidated power to become the dominant figure within the Meiji oligarchy. Ōkubo then focused on a state-led industrialization drive and suppressed several samurai uprisings that challenged the central government, including the Saga and Satsuma Rebellions. In 1878, Ōkubo was assassinated by a group of disaffected samurai who accused him of tyranny. While controversial for his authoritarian methods, Ōkubo is remembered for his political shrewdness and unwavering vision. His leadership during the turbulent early Meiji period was instrumental in transforming Japan from a feudal country into a modern, industrialised nation-state.
Famous People from Kagoshima Prefecture
Kagoshima Prefecture: 378 people
Boku ga Mitakatta Aozora (Japanese: 僕が見たかった青空; lit. 'The blue sky I wanted to see'), often abbreviated as BokuAo (僕青)…
Boku ga Mitakatta Aozora (Japanese: 僕が見たかった青空; lit. 'The blue sky I wanted to see'), often abbreviated as BokuAo (僕青), is a Japanese girl group signed to Avex Trax and managed by Ligareaz Management. Formed and produced by record producer Yasushi Akimoto, they are officially labelled as an "official rival" of girl group Nogizaka46, whose also produced by Akimoto. The group was announced on June 15, 2023, and debuted on August 30 with the single "Aozora ni Tsuite Kangaeru".
Saori Ariyoshi (有吉 佐織, Ariyoshi Sayori; born November 1, 1987) is a Japanese footballer who currently plays for Albirex…
Saori Ariyoshi (有吉 佐織, Ariyoshi Sayori; born November 1, 1987) is a Japanese footballer who currently plays for Albirex Niigata in the WE League. She has played for the Japan national team.
Chinatsu Kira (吉良 知夏, Kira Chinatsu; born July 5, 1991) is a Japanese footballer who plays as a forward. She plays for…
Chinatsu Kira (吉良 知夏, Kira Chinatsu; born July 5, 1991) is a Japanese footballer who plays as a forward. She plays for Japanese Nadeshiko League club Orca Kamogawa. She played for the Japanese national team.
Hanae Shibata (柴田 華絵, Shibata Hanae; born July 27, 1992) is a Japanese football player. She plays for Urawa Reds in the…
Hanae Shibata (柴田 華絵, Shibata Hanae; born July 27, 1992) is a Japanese football player. She plays for Urawa Reds in the WE League. She has also played for the Japan national team.
Ryoko Takara (高良 亮子, Takara Ryoko; born April 9, 1990) is a former Japanese footballer who played for the Japan…
Ryoko Takara (高良 亮子, Takara Ryoko; born April 9, 1990) is a former Japanese footballer who played for the Japan national team as a midfielder.
Miho Fukumoto (福元 美穂, Fukumoto Miho; born October 2, 1983) is a Japanese former football player who played as a…
Miho Fukumoto (福元 美穂, Fukumoto Miho; born October 2, 1983) is a Japanese former football player who played as a goalkeeper. She plays for Okayama Yunogo Belle in the Nadeshiko League. As a player for the Japan national team, she was capped 81 times between 2002 and 2016.
Hideshi Futori (Japanese: 太 栄志, romanized: Futori Hideshi; born 27 April 1977) is a Japanese politician who currently…
Hideshi Futori (Japanese: 太 栄志, romanized: Futori Hideshi; born 27 April 1977) is a Japanese politician who currently serves as a member of the Constitutional Democratic Party (CDP) in the House of Representatives, representing Kanagawa 13th district.
Ijichi Ryū'emon Masaharu (Japanese: 伊地知 龍右衛門 正治; August 7, 1828 – May 23, 1886) was a Japanese samurai retainer of the…
Ijichi Ryū'emon Masaharu (Japanese: 伊地知 龍右衛門 正治; August 7, 1828 – May 23, 1886) was a Japanese samurai retainer of the Shimazu clan, military strategist, and aristocrat. His imina was Sueyasu (季靖).
Yuki Kashiwagi (柏木 由紀, Kashiwagi Yuki; born July 15, 1991) is a Japanese gravure idol, model, actress, and former…
Yuki Kashiwagi (柏木 由紀, Kashiwagi Yuki; born July 15, 1991) is a Japanese gravure idol, model, actress, and former singer. Kashiwagi began her career as a member of the girl group AKB48 and, later, their sister groups NMB48 and NGT48. Notable for spending 17 years with the group, she is recognized as the longest-serving member of AKB48 with the moniker "Eternal Idol". She is represented by Watanabe Productions. Kashiwagi joined AKB48 on December 3, 2006, and was a member and captain of the group's Team B. She was also a member of AKB48 subgroup French Kiss, which released singles as a separate unit, and has released solo singles of her own. In the annual AKB48 Group General Elections, Kashiwagi has consistently ranked among the group's top members. She placed ninth in 2009, eighth in 2010, third in 2011 and 2012, fourth in 2013, third in 2014, second in 2015 and fifth in 2016.
Mika Nakashima (中島 美嘉, Nakashima Mika; born February 19, 1983) is a Japanese singer and actress. Five of her studio…
Mika Nakashima (中島 美嘉, Nakashima Mika; born February 19, 1983) is a Japanese singer and actress. Five of her studio albums, one of her mini-albums and one of her compilation albums have reached number one in Japan's Oricon album chart. She also embarked on an acting career, most notably as Nana Osaki in the live action film adaptations of Nana. She has sold over 10 million records in Japan.
Fumiaki Uto (宇都 文昭, Uto Fumiaki) is a Japanese amateur astronomer and a discoverer of minor planets. He is credited by…
Fumiaki Uto (宇都 文昭, Uto Fumiaki) is a Japanese amateur astronomer and a discoverer of minor planets. He is credited by the Minor Planet Center with the discovery of 21 numbered minor planets between 1992 and 1999. Among his discoveries are the named asteroids 7253 Nara, 7895 Kaseda, 8041 Masumoto, and 9648 Gotouhideo.
Keiko Nishi (西 炯子, Nishi Keiko; born December 26, 1966, in Ibusuki, Kagoshima Prefecture, Japan) is a Japanese manga…
Keiko Nishi (西 炯子, Nishi Keiko; born December 26, 1966, in Ibusuki, Kagoshima Prefecture, Japan) is a Japanese manga artist.
Emi Hashino (はしの えみ, Hashino Emi) is a Japanese comedian and stage actress. She is usually starring in TBS's long-term…
Emi Hashino (はしの えみ, Hashino Emi) is a Japanese comedian and stage actress. She is usually starring in TBS's long-term program, King's brunch, where she is a popular regular. She is perhaps most recognizable from her "Kaimono Suki-na-Hime-sama" ("The Shopping-Loving Princess") character, and is affectionately called "Emi chan" by other TV tarentos or announcers.
Yūna Inamura (稲村 優奈, Inamura Yūna; born July 11, 1982) is a Japanese voice actress who is affiliated with AT…
Yūna Inamura (稲村 優奈, Inamura Yūna; born July 11, 1982) is a Japanese voice actress who is affiliated with AT Production. She was born in Kagoshima Prefecture and grew up in Nakano, Tokyo.
For the wrestler, see Miyuki Maeda. Miyuki Maeda (前田 美順, Maeda Miyuki; born 14 October 1985) is a Japanese…
For the wrestler, see Miyuki Maeda. Miyuki Maeda (前田 美順, Maeda Miyuki; born 14 October 1985) is a Japanese international badminton player from the Renesas badminton club and later affiliated with Saishunkan team. She participated at the 2008 and 2012 Olympic Games, and also in three Asian Games editions from 2006 to 2014.
Risa Shinnabe (新鍋 理沙 Shinnabe Risa, born July 11, 1990) is a retired professional Japanese volleyball player who played…
Risa Shinnabe (新鍋 理沙 Shinnabe Risa, born July 11, 1990) is a retired professional Japanese volleyball player who played for Hisamitsu Springs. She also played for the All-Japan women's volleyball team. She won a bronze medal with the Japanese team at the 2012 Summer Olympics. She announced her retirement from the sport at the age of 29.
Chinatsu Akasaki (赤﨑 千夏, Akasaki Chinatsu; born August 10, 1987) is a Japanese voice actress affiliated with 81…
Chinatsu Akasaki (赤﨑 千夏, Akasaki Chinatsu; born August 10, 1987) is a Japanese voice actress affiliated with 81 Produce. She voiced Falulu and Chanko in PriPara.
Rosa Kato (加藤 ローサ, Katō Rōsa; born 22 June 1985) is a Japanese actress and commercial model.
Saori Sakoda (迫田さおり Sakoda Saori, born December 18, 1987) is a Japanese volleyball player who played for Toray Arrows.…
Saori Sakoda (迫田さおり Sakoda Saori, born December 18, 1987) is a Japanese volleyball player who played for Toray Arrows. She also played for the All-Japan women's volleyball team.
Minami Kizuki (城 南海, Kizuki Minami), born on 26 December 1989, is a Japanese pop and Shima-uta folk singer. She was…
Minami Kizuki (城 南海, Kizuki Minami), born on 26 December 1989, is a Japanese pop and Shima-uta folk singer. She was born in Amami Ōshima, Kagoshima, Japan. In 2006, Kizuki was recruited by Pony Canyon while performing on Kagoshima City's streets. Her debut single, "Ai Tsumugi" was released on 7 January 2009. She also writes lyrics and compositions. Her latest lyrics (in Japanese) is "Reflection" . It is the theme song of Disney's live-action movie "Mulan" (Japan version) which was released in 2020. She uses guin, a type of kobushi peculiar to traditional folk songs of Amami Ōshima. Guin used at key points in the song captivates the ears of listeners. Recognized as a skilled J-Pop singer, some people are eager to listen to her singing songs of various genres. Some say that her singing voice is like a natural god. She hopes to play a role of conveying the beauty of Japanese language to the world through music. Also, she would like to spread the charm of Amami to the world through songs. She is appointed as a tourism ambassador for some districts in Amami. She is expected to promote Amami by several local governments in Amami. She has participated in the "Uta-shima" project of Amami since May 2018. The project was organized in 2018 to support Amami to be registered as a World Heritage Site. With her 10th anniversary, she has made it a challenge to try various new attempts to further explore and establish her own music. She organized a live tour of English popular music only in July 2019.
Hiroki Ichigatani (市ヶ谷 廣輝, Ichigatani Hiroki; born 6 May 1969) is a Japanese fencer. He competed in the individual foil…
Hiroki Ichigatani (市ヶ谷 廣輝, Ichigatani Hiroki; born 6 May 1969) is a Japanese fencer. He competed in the individual foil event at the 1992 and 1996 Summer Olympics.
Daiamami Genki (Japanese: 大奄美 元規; born December 15, 1992 as Genki Sakamoto (坂元 元規)) is a Japanese former professional…
Daiamami Genki (Japanese: 大奄美 元規; born December 15, 1992 as Genki Sakamoto (坂元 元規)) is a Japanese former professional sumo wrestler from Tatsugō, Kagoshima. After a successful amateur career, Daiamami entered the professional league in January 2016, making the top makuuchi division in November of the following year. His highest rank was maegashira 11. He wrestled for Oitekaze stable.
Manami Konishi (小西 真奈美, Konishi Manami; born October 27, 1978 in Satsumasendai, Kagoshima), also known as KONI-TAN, is…
Manami Konishi (小西 真奈美, Konishi Manami; born October 27, 1978 in Satsumasendai, Kagoshima), also known as KONI-TAN, is a Japanese actress, singer, songwriter, rapper, and record producer.
Chitose Hajime (元 ちとせ, Hajime Chitose; born January 5, 1979) is a Japanese singer from Amami Ōshima. She sings in the…
Chitose Hajime (元 ちとせ, Hajime Chitose; born January 5, 1979) is a Japanese singer from Amami Ōshima. She sings in the shima-uta style particular to that region, with distinctive falsetto effects.
Mao Ichiyama (一山 麻緒, Ichiyama Mao; born 29 May 1997 in Izumi, Kagoshima Prefecture, Japan) is a Japanese long-distance…
Mao Ichiyama (一山 麻緒, Ichiyama Mao; born 29 May 1997 in Izumi, Kagoshima Prefecture, Japan) is a Japanese long-distance runner. She represented Japan at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
Yuji Iiyama (飯山 裕志, born July 13, 1979, in Ichikikushikino, Kagoshima) is a Japanese former professional baseball…
Yuji Iiyama (飯山 裕志, born July 13, 1979, in Ichikikushikino, Kagoshima) is a Japanese former professional baseball infielder and current coach for the Chunichi Dragons in Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball. He played his entire professional career with the Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters and served as a coach after retirement in 2017.
Ayami Sato (里 綾実, Sato Ayami; born December 21, 1989) is a Japanese professional baseball pitcher for the Los Angeles…
Ayami Sato (里 綾実, Sato Ayami; born December 21, 1989) is a Japanese professional baseball pitcher for the Los Angeles Queens of the Women's Pro Baseball League. She formerly played for the Toronto Maple Leafs of the Canadian Baseball League (CBL) for the 2025 season, becoming the first female player in the league. She is also a starting pitcher for the Japan women’s national baseball team, with which she has won six gold medals at the Women's Baseball World Cup. Sato is considered by many to be the best female pitcher, and by some the best female baseball player, in the world. She can throw close to 80 mph (130 km/h). Her curveball was clocked at 2,583 revolutions per minute. Sato has won six gold medals for her home country. She is the only women's baseball player to have won three consecutive World Cup MVP awards.