1. Yuta Tabuse (1980)

Japanese Basketball Player

The first Japanese national basketball player to participate and play in the NBA Summer League.

2. Eiji Yoshikawa (1892)

Japanese Writer

A Japanese author known for his historical adventure novels containing elements of Japanese culture and folklore, he is most famous for his 1935 novel, Miyamoto Musashi. His other works include...

3. Ailes Gilmour (1912)

American Dancer

Japanese American dancer, most recognized for being one of the first pioneers of the Modern Dance movement to emerge during the 1930s.

4. Minoru Suzuki (1968)

Japanese Professional Wrestler

Japanese pro-wrestler and MMA fighter, who's worked for New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW), All Japan Pro Wrestling and Pro Wrestling Noah. In NJPW, Suzuki is a one time holder of the...

5. Kenzo Shirai (1996)

Japanese Gymnast

Professional gymnast from Japan who is best known for his competitions in both team events and the single vault. He is a part of the Japanese National Olympic team. 

6. Setsuko Hara (1920)

Film Actress

Japanese actress who played roles in Late Spring in 1949 and Tokyo Story in 1953.

7. Tadanobu Asano (1973)

Japanese Actor

Japanese actor who rose to prominence for his roles in Electric Dragon 80,000 V and Ichi the Killer. His role as Hogun in the 2011 film Thor brought him additional fame.

8. Shunsuke Nakamura (1978)

Footballer

Attacking midfielder who played internationally for Japan from 2000-2010 and played professionally in Scotland for Celtic from 2005-2009.

9. Keiko Kishi (1932)

Actress Writer

She has appeared in numerous films, including Kah-chan, for which she won a Japan Academy Prize in the Best Actress category.

10. Hibari Misora (1937)

Japanese Actor And Singer

Japanese icon who sold over 68 million records, she is known for songs like "Kawa no Nagare no Yo ni" and is a Medal of Honor recipient.

11. Soichi Noguchi (1965)

Japanese Astronaut

Mission Specialist aboard STS-114, which was NASA's first "return to flight" after the Columbia tragedy.

12. Antonio Inoki (1943)

Japanese Politician

Born Kanji Inoki and better known by his ring name Antonio Inoki, this Japanese professional wrestler, New Japan Pro Wrestling founder, and mixed martial artist later pursued a political career,...

13. Violette Wautier (1993)

Movie Actress

Actress and singer most well known for bringing to life Je in the 2015 film Heart Attack. She would then go on to play Pang in 2016's A Gift. 

14. Yutaka Ishinabe (1970)

Chef

Japanese-born chef known for his French cuisine and for his appearances on the Food Network program Iron Chef.

15. Yuya Tegoshi (1987)

Japanese Idol

Famous as a member of an all-male vocal ensemble called NEWS and of an affiliated music group called Tegomass, this Japanese pop singer released such popular singles as "Tanabata Matsuri"...

16. Mao Inoue (1987)

Japanese Actor

Japanese actress who starred as Makino Tsukushi in the manga series Hana Yori Dango, for which she won a Television Drama Academy Award in the Best Actress.

17. Pamela Franklin (1950)

British Actor

English actress who appeared in horror films during the 1960s and '70s and played 'Sandy' in 'The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie.'

18. Yoshihiro Usami (1970)

Dancer

Former dancer, singer and actor known primarily for being a member of the group Exile. Prior to joining Exile, he was a member of the J Soul Brothers dance team. 

19. Junichi Tazawa (1986)

Baseball Pitcher

MLB pitcher who debuted in 2009 for the Boston Red Sox. He became one of the top relief pitchers on the World Series Champion Red Sox in 2013.

20. Yuta Watanabe (1994)

Basketball Player

Japanese-born basketball player who signed with Toronto Raptors during the 2020-21 NBA season. While in college at George Washington University, he won the Atlantic 10 Defensive Player of the Year in 2018. 

21. Kansai Yamamoto (1944)

Fashion Designer

This prominent twentieth-century Japanese fashion designer rose to fame during the 1970s and 1980s and founded a Tokyo fashion house called the Yamamoto Kansai Company, Ltd. He established his Kansai...

22. Mariya Nagao (1994)

Pop Singer

Pop star who performed as a member of the Japanese girl group AKB48 from 2010 to 2016. She is also an actress who has been featured on television dramas like Shiritsu Bakaleya Koukou...

23. Naoyuki Kotani (1970)

MMA Fighter

Lightweight division mixed martial artist who has fought for Pride Fighting Championships and Ultimate Fighting Championship. He went 15 fights without incurring a loss, but 2 of those matches did...

24. Yuko Hara (1970)

Pianist

Keyboardist, vocalist and songwriter who built her career as a keyboardist for the Southern All Stars. She writes many of the songs performed by the band, and she is nicknamed Harabo. 

25. Takehito Koyasu (1967)

Japanese Voice Actor

Japanese voice actor who has played over 482 voice roles in anime, video games, and dubbing.

26. Crystal Kay (1986)

Japan-based Singer Of Korean And

Known for her prolific singing career throughout the Japan music industry. She earned her first number one release in 2007 with her 7th studio album release All Yours.

27. Nanako Matsushima (1973)

Japanese Actor

Japanese actress who became known for her role in the 1998 horror film, Ring.

28. Fūka Haruna (2001)

Child Actress

Japanese actress and model best known for her roles in TV dramas like Akumu-chan. She has also lent her vocal talents to anime like Eureka Seven: AO.

29. Ryo Kase (1970)

Movie Actor

Japanese actor who initially broke through with a starring role in the 2003 movie Antenna. He went on to appear in several prominent films including Letters from Iwo Jima, Restless, Autoreiji...

30. Taku Takahashi (1974)

Japanese Dj Producer.

Japanese DJ and producer who became known as one third of the musical trio M-Flo. Their hit EP The Tripod debuted in the top ten of the Japanese singles chart...

31. Shuhei Kudo (1988)

Pop Singer

Singer and guitarist who became known as the leader of the Japanese group Goose House. He is also a member of the musical duo K.K. Goose House rose to fame releasing...

32. May Hashimoto (1988)

Pop Singer

Japanese pop singer better known as May J. who rose to fame with hit singles including "I Say Yeah!" "Here We Go" and "Dear…"

33. Ryoko Yonekura (1975)

Japanese Actor

Model turned actress recognized for her roles in Japanese television series like Doctor X, The 35 Year-Old High School Student, and Love Revolution.

34. Yuki Ninagawa (1970)

Movie Actress

Japanese actress who appeared in Green Requiem in 1988 and appeared in the 1980 film, Shogun's Ninja.

35. Risa Niigaki (1988)

Japanese Idol

Pop music performer and idol who rose to fame as a member of both Morning Musume and Hello! Project. With Morning Musume she was the longest serving member and also acted as...

36. Sayaka Ohara (1975)

Japanese Voice Actor

Voice actress who is widely recognized for her work on anime series such as Space Pirate Mito, Kaleido Star, and Tsubasa: Reservoir Chronicle. In 2016, she provided the Japanese voiceover for Mercy in the...

37. Mariya Ise (1988)

Japanese Actor

Perhaps most well known as the voice of Killua Zoldyck in the anime series Hunter x Hunter, she is also notable for her voice acting contributions to Hanamaru Kindergarten; Bodacious...

38. Shingo Katori (1977)

Japanese Idol

J-Pop singer, actor and television host known primarily for being a member of the Japanese boy band SMAP. He began making music as a solo artist in 2016 after the band...

39. Tomomi Itano (1991)

Japanese Singer

Versatile Japanese performer who has acted in film and television, but is best known as a pop singer. She is a former member of the girl group AKB48 and had...

40. Hiroshi Abe (1964)

Actor

Actor known for his roles in the movies Godzilla 2000: Millenium, Still Walking, and Chocolate. He has appeared in dozens of films and TV series in Japan. 

41. Rina Takeda (1991)

Japanese Actor

TV actress who became a black belt in Ryukyu Shōrin-ryū Karate. She auditioned for High Kick Girl! after being seen by Shaolin Girl producer Fuyuhiko Nishi. She has more than 80,000 followers...

42. Misaki Doi (1991)

Japanese Tennis Player

Japanese tennis player who won the BGL Luxembourg Open in October 2015. She made it into the third round of Wimbledon in 2011.

43. Seri Iwahori (1977)

Model

Model and actress from Japan who has earned over 200,000 followers on Instagram. 

44. Namiko Chen (1976)

Chef

Professional chef who is known for cooking a variety of different recipes which she shares and offers step by step instructions on to her over 240,000 Instagram followers. She is known...

45. Tōru Furuya (1953)

Japanese Voice Actor

Voice of Amuro Ray from Mobile Suit Gundam, Yamcha in the Dragon Ball franchise, and many other anime titles.

46. Kazuhiko Inoue (1954)

Japanese Voice Actor

Japanese voice actor who has become renowned for voicing characters in popular anime, including Kakashi Hatake in Naruto, Jerrid Messa in Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam and Akio Nitta in Touch. He is also...

47. Yoshihiro Tajiri (1970)

Professional Wrestler

Acrobatic wrestler best known for his time in the WWE as a three-time Cruiserweight Champion.

48. Rica Matsumoto (1968)

Japanese Voice Actress

Japanese voice actress and singer who is a founding member of the vocal group JAM Project and has voiced roles in several animated features, including the television series Yu-Gi-Oh! and...

49. Junichi Masuda (1968)

Japanese Composer And Videogame

Video game designer, director, and soundtrack composer who helped create the Pokémon series.

50. Yuki Saito (1966)

Actress

Japanese actress and singer who has starred in numerous films and television series including Hane Konma in 1986 and the anime Maison Ikkoku.