Events in the year 1978 in Japan. It corresponds to Shōwa 53 (昭和53年) in the

Japanese calendar Japanese calendar types have included a range of official and unofficial systems. At present, Japan uses the Gregorian calendar together with year designations stating the year of the reign of the current Emperor. The written form starts with t ...

Incumbents

Emperor An emperor (from la, imperator, via fro, empereor) is a monarch, and usually the sovereignty, sovereign ruler of an empire or another type of imperial realm. Empress, the female equivalent, may indicate an emperor's wife (empress consort), ...

Hirohito Emperor , commonly known in English-speaking countries by his personal name , was the 124th emperor of Japan, ruling from 25 December 1926 until his death in 1989. Hirohito and his wife, Empress Kōjun, had two sons and five daughters; he was ...

Prime minister A prime minister, premier or chief of cabinet is the head of the cabinet and the leader of the ministers in the executive branch of government, often in a parliamentary or semi-presidential system. Under those systems, a prime minister is not ...

Takeo Fukuda was a Japanese politician who was Prime Minister of Japan from 1976 to 1978. Early life and education Fukuda was born in Gunma, capital of the Gunma Prefecture on 14 January 1905. He hailed from a former samurai family and his father was mayor ...

(

Liberal Democratic Liberal democracy is the combination of a liberal political ideology that operates under an indirect democratic form of government. It is characterized by elections between multiple distinct political parties, a separation of powers into diff ...

) until December 7,

Masayoshi Ōhira was a Japanese politician who was Prime Minister of Japan from 1978 to 1980. Ōhira's time in office was cut short when he died in office; he remains the most recent Japanese Prime Minister to die in office. Early life Masayoshi Ōhira was bo ...

(

) *

Chief Cabinet Secretary The is a member of the cabinet and is the leader and chief executive of the Cabinet Secretariat of Japan. The Chief Cabinet Secretary coordinates the policies of ministries and agencies in the executive branch, and also serves as the government ...

Shintaro Abe was a Japanese politician from Yamaguchi Prefecture. He was a leading member of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP). He served as foreign minister from 1982 to 1986. He was the father of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. Early life and ...

until December 7, Rokusuke Tanaka *Chief Justice of the

Supreme Court A supreme court is the highest court within the hierarchy of courts in most legal jurisdictions. Other descriptions for such courts include court of last resort, apex court, and high (or final) court of appeal. Broadly speaking, the decisions of ...

: Masao Okahara *President of the

House of Representatives House of Representatives is the name of legislative bodies in many countries and sub-national entitles. In many countries, the House of Representatives is the lower house of a bicameral legislature, with the corresponding upper house often c ...

: Shigeru Hori *President of the

House of Councillors The is the upper house of the National Diet of Japan. The House of Representatives is the lower house. The House of Councillors is the successor to the pre-war House of Peers. If the two houses disagree on matters of the budget, treaties, ...

Ken Yasui Ken or KEN may refer to: Entertainment * ''Ken'' (album), a 2017 album by Canadian indie rock band Destroyer. * ''Ken'' (film), 1964 Japanese film. * ''Ken'' (magazine), a large-format political magazine. * Ken Masters, a main character in t ...

Diet Diet may refer to: Food * Diet (nutrition), the sum of the food consumed by an organism or group * Dieting, the deliberate selection of food to control body weight or nutrient intake ** Diet food, foods that aid in creating a diet for weight loss ...

sessions: 84th (regular session opened in December 19, 1977, to June 16), 85th (extraordinary, September 18 to October 21), 86th (extraordinary, December 6 to December 12), 87th (regular, December 22 to June 14, 1979)

Governors

Aichi Prefecture is a prefecture of Japan located in the Chūbu region of Honshū. Aichi Prefecture has a population of 7,552,873 () and a geographic area of with a population density of . Aichi Prefecture borders Mie Prefecture to the west, Gifu Prefectur ...

Yoshiaki Nakaya Yoshiaki is a masculine Japanese given name. Possible writings Yoshiaki can be written using many different combinations of kanji characters. Here are some examples: *義明, "justice, bright" *義昭, "justice, bright" *義章, "justice, chapte ...

*Akita Prefecture:

Yūjirō Obata Yūjirō, Yujiro or Yuujirou is a masculine Japanese given name. Possible writings Yūjirō can be written using different combinations of kanji characters. Some examples: *勇二郎, "courage, 2, son" *勇次郎, "courage, next, son" *勇治郎 ...

*Aomori Prefecture:

Shunkichi Takeuchi Shunkichi (written: 俊吉 or 駿吉) is a masculine Japanese given name. Notable people with the name include: *, Japanese field hockey player *, Japanese photographer {{given name Japanese masculine given names ...

*Chiba Prefecture:

Kiichi Kawakami Kiichi (written: , , , , , or ) is a masculine Japanese given name. Notable people with the name include: *, Japanese politician *, Japanese equestrian *, Imperial Japanese Navy admiral *, Japanese politician *, Japanese mixed martial artist *, J ...

*Ehime Prefecture:

Haruki Shiraishi Haruki is both a masculine/neutral Japanese given name and a Japanese surname. Notable people with the name include: Given name: *, Japanese footballer *, Japanese-born theatre performer *, Japanese footballer *, Nippon Professional Baseball pla ...

*Fukui Prefecture: Heidayū Nakagawa *Fukuoka Prefecture:

Hikaru Kamei is a Japanese unisex given name meaning "light" or "radiance". Possible writings Hikaru can be written using different kanji characters and can mean: * 光, "light" * 輝, "radiance" The name can also be written in hiragana or katakana. It is m ...

*Fukushima Prefecture:

Isao Matsudaira is a masculine Japanese given name which was popular during the Shōwa period. Possible writings Isao can be written using different kanji characters and can mean: *功, "achievement" *勲, "meritorious" *績, "exploits" *公, "public" *勇男 ...

*Gifu Prefecture: Yosuke Uematsu *Gunma Prefecture: Ichiro Shimizu *

Hiroshima Prefecture is a Prefectures of Japan, prefecture of Japan located in the Chūgoku region of Honshu. Hiroshima Prefecture has a population of 2,811,410 (1 June 2019) and has a geographic area of 8,479 km² (3,274 sq mi). Hiroshima Prefecture borders Okayama ...

Hiroshi Miyazawa was the governor of Hiroshima Prefecture from 1973 to 1981 and justice minister from 1995 to 1996. Biography Miyazawa was born in 1921. He was the younger brother of Kiichi Miyazawa. He was elected as governor of Hiroshima in December 1973 fo ...

Hokkaido is Japan's second largest island and comprises the largest and northernmost prefecture, making up its own region. The Tsugaru Strait separates Hokkaidō from Honshu; the two islands are connected by the undersea railway Seikan Tunnel. The la ...

Naohiro Dōgakinai Naohiro Dōgakinai ( ja, 堂垣内尚弘) (June 2, 1914 – February 2, 2004) was the 3rd Governor of Hokkaido (1971–1983). He was member of the Liberal Democratic Party, and originally from Sapporo. Awards *Order of the Sacred Treasure T ...

*Hyogo Prefecture: Tokitada Sakai *

Ibaraki Prefecture is a Prefectures of Japan, prefecture of Japan located in the Kantō region of Honshu. Ibaraki Prefecture has a population of 2,871,199 (1 June 2019) and has a geographic area of . Ibaraki Prefecture borders Fukushima Prefecture to the north, ...

Fujio Takeuchi Fujio (written: 正行, 藤雄, 藤夫, 不二夫, 富士雄, 冨士夫, 富士夫, 富士男, 希仁男 or ふじを, ふじお in hiragana) is a masculine Japanese given name. Notable people with the name include: *, Japanese manga artist *, Mon ...

Ishikawa Prefecture is a prefecture of Japan located in the Chūbu region of Honshu island. Ishikawa Prefecture has a population of 1,140,573 (31 October 2019) and has a geographic area of 4,186 km2 (1,616 sq mi). Ishikawa Prefecture borders Toyama Prefecture to ...

Yōichi Nakanishi Yōichi Nakanishi ( ja, 中西陽一) (September 23, 1917 – February 2, 1994) was Governor of Ishikawa Prefecture (1963–1994). He was a graduate of Kyoto University and a member of the Liberal Democratic Party (Japan) The , frequently ab ...

*Iwate Prefecture: Tadashi Chida *Kagawa Prefecture: Tadao Maekawa *Kagoshima Prefecture: Kaname Kamada *

Kanagawa Prefecture is a prefecture of Japan located in the Kantō region of Honshu. Kanagawa Prefecture is the second-most populous prefecture of Japan at 9,221,129 (1 April 2022) and third-densest at . Its geographic area of makes it fifth-smallest. Kana ...

: Kazuji Nagasu *Kochi Prefecture: Chikara Nakauchi *

Kumamoto Prefecture is a Prefectures of Japan, prefecture of Japan located on the island of Kyūshū. Kumamoto Prefecture has a population of 1,748,134 () and has a geographic area of . Kumamoto Prefecture borders Fukuoka Prefecture to the north, Ōita Prefecture to ...

: Issei Sawada * Kyoto Prefecture: Torazō Ninagawa (until 15 April);

Yukio Hayashida was a Japanese politician and former member of the House of Councillors. Hayashida served as the governor of Kyoto from April 16, 1978 until April 15, 1986. He later became the Minister of Justice from November 6, 1987 to December 27, 1988. Hay ...

(starting 15 April) *Mie Prefecture: Ryōzō Tagawa *

Miyagi Prefecture is a prefecture of Japan located in the Tōhoku region of Honshu. Miyagi Prefecture has a population of 2,305,596 (1 June 2019) and has a geographic area of . Miyagi Prefecture borders Iwate Prefecture to the north, Akita Prefecture to the nort ...

Sōichirō Yamamoto is a Japanese manga artist. He is known for writing and illustrating ''Teasing Master Takagi-san'', ''In the Heart of Kunoichi Tsubaki'', and '' When Will Ayumu Make His Move?''. Personal life Yamamoto was born and raised in the town of Tonosh� ...

*Miyazaki Prefecture: Hiroshi Kuroki *

Nagano Prefecture is a landlocked prefecture of Japan located in the Chūbu region of Honshū. Nagano Prefecture has a population of 2,052,493 () and has a geographic area of . Nagano Prefecture borders Niigata Prefecture to the north, Gunma Prefecture to the ...

Gon'ichirō Nishizawa was a Japanese politician and essayist. He was born in Nagano Prefecture. He was a graduate of Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology The commonly known as TUAT is a Japanese national university headquartered in Fuchū, Tokyo. This univ ...

*Nagasaki Prefecture: Kan'ichi Kubo *Nara Prefecture: Ryozo Okuda *

Niigata Prefecture is a Prefectures of Japan, prefecture in the Chūbu region of Honshu of Japan. Niigata Prefecture has a population of 2,227,496 (1 July 2019) and is the List of Japanese prefectures by area, fifth-largest prefecture of Japan by geographic area ...

: Takeo Kimi *Oita Prefecture: Masaru Taki *

Okayama Prefecture is a Prefectures of Japan, prefecture of Japan located in the Chūgoku region of Honshu. Okayama Prefecture has a population of 1,906,464 (1 February 2018) and has a geographic area of 7,114 Square kilometre, km2 (2,746 sq mi). Okayama Prefectur ...

: Shiro Nagano *

Okinawa Prefecture is a prefecture of Japan. Okinawa Prefecture is the southernmost and westernmost prefecture of Japan, has a population of 1,457,162 (as of 2 February 2020) and a geographic area of 2,281 km2 (880 sq mi). Naha is the capital and largest city o ...

: ** until 23 November: Koichi Taira ** 23 November-13 December: Takemori Nijima ** starting 13 December:

Junji Nishime was a Japanese politician who served as the 4th Governor of Okinawa from 1978 until 1990 and mayor of Naha, the capital of Okinawa. He studied and graduated at the University of Tokyo.Osaka Prefecture is a Prefectures of Japan, prefecture of Japan located in the Kansai region of Honshu. Osaka Prefecture has a population of 8,778,035 () and has a geographic area of . Osaka Prefecture borders Hyōgo Prefecture to the northwest, Kyoto Prefecture ...

Ryōichi Kuroda was a Japanese jurist and politician from Suita, Osaka. Early life and academic career After graduating from Tohoku Imperial University in 1933, Kuroda was sent to Manchukuo to be an instructor at a service academy. He spent five years in a ...

Saga Prefecture is a prefecture of Japan located on the island of Kyushu. Saga Prefecture has a population of 809,248 (1 August 2020) and has a geographic area of 2,440 km2 (942 sq mi). Saga Prefecture borders Fukuoka Prefecture to the northeast and Nagasak ...

: Sunao Ikeda *

Saitama Prefecture is a landlocked prefecture of Japan located in the Kantō region of Honshu. Saitama Prefecture has a population of 7,338,536 (1 January 2020) and has a geographic area of 3,797 km2 (1,466 sq mi). Saitama Prefecture borders Tochigi Prefecture ...

Yawara Hata was a Japanese politician, who served as a member of the House of Representatives and a governor of Saitama Prefecture. In 1993 he received the highest distinction of the Scout Association of Japan, the Golden Pheasant Award The is the highest ...

Shiga Prefecture is a prefecture of Japan located in the Kansai region of Honshu. Shiga Prefecture has a population of 1,412,916 (1 October 2015) and has a geographic area of . Shiga Prefecture borders Fukui Prefecture to the north, Gifu Prefecture to the nort ...

Masayoshi Takemura was a Japanese politician. Elected as a representative of the Liberal Democratic Party, in 1993 he broke away to form New Party Sakigake, before joining the newly formed Democratic Party of Japan in 1997. He served as chief cabinet secretary and ...

*Shiname Prefecture:

Seiji Tsunematsu Seiji (written: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , or in hiragana) is a masculine Japanese given name. Notable people with the name include: *, Japanese ski jumper *, Japanese racing driver *, Japanese politician *, Japanese film directo ...

*Shizuoka Prefecture: Keizaburō Yamamoto *Tochigi Prefecture: Yuzuru Funada *Tokushima Prefecture: Yasunobu Takeichi *

Tokyo Tokyo (; ja, 東京, , ), officially the Tokyo Metropolis ( ja, 東京都, label=none, ), is the capital and largest city of Japan. Formerly known as Edo, its metropolitan area () is the most populous in the world, with an estimated 37.468 ...

: Ryōkichi Minobe *Tottori Prefecture: Kōzō Hirabayashi *Toyama Prefecture: Kokichi Nakada *Wakayama Prefecture: Shirō Kariya *Yamagata Prefecture: Seiichirō Itagaki *Yamaguchi Prefecture:

Toru Hirai TORU or Toru may refer to: *TORU, spacecraft system *Toru (given name), Japanese male given name *Toru, Pakistan, village in Mardan District of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan *Tõru Tõru is a village in Saaremaa Parish, Saare County in western Est ...

*Yamanashi Prefecture:

Kunio Tanabe Kunio (written: 邦夫, 邦男, 邦雄, 邦生, 國男, 國士, 国男, 国夫, 州男 or 久仁生) is a masculine Japanese given name. Notable people with the name include: *, Japanese businessman *, Japanese businessman *, Japanese judge *, Jap ...

Events

*January 14 - According to Japan Fire and Disaster Management Agency confirmed report, total of 25 people were dead, 211 people were wounded, a Richer Scale 6.7 earthquake and aftershocks damaged in

Izu Peninsula The is a large mountainous peninsula with a deeply indented coastline to the west of Tokyo on the Pacific coast of the island of Honshu, Japan. Formerly known as Izu Province, Izu peninsula is now a part of Shizuoka Prefecture. The peninsul ...

Shizuoka Prefecture is a prefecture of Japan located in the Chūbu region of Honshu. Shizuoka Prefecture has a population of 3,637,998 and has a geographic area of . Shizuoka Prefecture borders Kanagawa Prefecture to the east, Yamanashi Prefecture to the northea ...

. *March 26 - Protesters destroy much of equipment in the

control tower Air traffic control (ATC) is a service provided by ground-based air traffic controllers who direct aircraft on the ground and through a given section of controlled airspace, and can provide advisory services to aircraft in non-controlled airsp ...

Narita Airport Narita International Airport ( ja, 成田国際空港, Narita Kokusai Kūkō) , also known as Tokyo-Narita, formerly and originally known as , is one of two international airports serving the Greater Tokyo Area, the other one being Haneda Airport ...

with

Molotov cocktails A Molotov cocktail (among several other names – ''see other names'') is a hand thrown incendiary weapon constructed from a frangible container filled with flammable substances equipped with a fuse (typically a glass bottle filled with flammab ...

, set to open in just four days. *May 20, 1978 -

Narita International Airport Narita International Airport ( ja, 成田国際空港, Narita Kokusai Kūkō) , also known as Tokyo-Narita, formerly and originally known as , is one of two international airports serving the Greater Tokyo Area, the other one being Haneda Airport ...

opened *June 12 - A large 7.7 magnitude earthquake hits offshore

and causes 28 deaths and 1,325 injuries. *July 30, 1978 - Okinawa Prefecture changed driving on the Right-hand traffic to Left-hand traffic(

730 __NOTOC__ Year 730 ( DCCXXX) was a common year starting on Sunday (link will display the full calendar) of the Julian calendar. The denomination 730 for this year has been used since the early medieval period, when the Anno Domini calendar era ...

) *August 12 - The

Treaty of Peace and Friendship between Japan and the People's Republic of China The Treaty of Peace and Friendship between Japan and the People's Republic of China (Japanese language, Japanese: , Chinese language, Chinese: 中华人民共和国和日本国和平友好条约, pinyin: ''Zhōnghuá Rénmín Gònghéguó hé Rìb ...

is concluded. *December 16 - ''

The Mystery of Mamo ''The Mystery of Mamo'', also known as ''The Secret of Mamo'', is a 1978 Japanese animated science fiction adventure action comedy film; it is the first animated film of the ''Lupin III'' franchise created by manga author Monkey Punch. The film was ...

'' is released in cinemas.

Births

January–June

*January 2 – Toyoguchi Megumi, voice actress *January 6 – ** Reina Miyauchi, J-pop singer **

Ayano Tsuji is a J-pop singer famous in Japan for her unconventional light singing style and ukulele music. She rose to fame after performing the end-title track for the Studio Ghibli film ''The Cat Returns'' in 2002. Her other music for TV and anime includ ...

, J-pop singer *January 7 –

Asami Imajuku is a Japanese fashion model, actress, and singer. Filmography * (2003) as Meiko Nakano * (2003) *''Nine Souls'' (2003) * (2005) as Reiko Matsuhara * (2005) as Sacchin *''FLOWERS'' (2005) *''Sleeping Flower'' (2005) *''Colors'' (2006) * ''Love ...

, model, actress, and singer *January 9 –

Hassei Takano born in Chiba Prefecture is a Japanese actor. He has portrayed various superheroes in tokusatsu dramas, beginning with in ''Ultraman Gaia'' in 1998, a role he reprised in the 2008 film '' Superior Ultraman 8 Brothers''. This role was followed ...

, actor *January 10 –

Kanako Mitsuhashi is a Japanese actress and voice actress from the Hodogaya-ku ward of Yokohama. Mitsuhashi is best known for her roles as Killua Zoldyck from ''Hunter × Hunter'', Rico from ''Gunslinger Girl'', and Suzuka Asahina from '' Suzuka''. She was marri ...

, voice actress *January 11 –

Kyoko Hamaguchi is a Japanese freestyle wrestling, freestyle wrestler. She has won five FILA Wrestling World Championships and two Olympic games, Olympic Bronze medals in the 72 kg weight class. She is sponsored by Japan Beverage Inc. ...

, freestyle wrestler *January 15 –

Vanilla Yamazaki is a katsudō-benshi, voice actor, an actress, a choreographer, and a tarento born January 15, 1978, in Sendai, Miyagi Prefecture, Japan and raised in Ōta, Tokyo Tokyo (; ja, 東京, , ), officially the Tokyo Metropolis ( ja, 東� ...

, katsudō-benshi, voice actor, an actress *January 16 –

Hisanori Ōiwa (born January 16, 1978), who goes by the stage name , is a Japanese actor, stunt performer and suit actor from Yachiyo, Chiba Prefecture affiliated with Japan Action Enterprises. He has been cast in many leading roles in the ''Kamen Rider'' serie ...

, actor, stunt performer and suit actor *January 17 **

Takatoshi Kaneko Takatoshi Kaneko (金子貴俊; born 17 January 1978) is a Japanese actor. He made his debut in the popular 2001 film ''Waterboys''. Selected filmography *''Azumi'' ( 2003) *'' Pretty Woman'' (2003) *'' Kumiso'' ( 2002) *'' Jisatsu Saakuru'' ...

, actor **

Hiro Suzuhira is a female Japanese manga artist, character designer, and illustrator. She currently resides in Tokyo, Japan. Hiro Suzuhira and Aoi Nishimata have known each other from high school; their first work, ''Ritual'', was introduced in 1996. In 2 ...

manga artist A is a comic artist who writes and/or illustrates manga. As of 2006, about 3,000 professional manga artists were working in Japan. Most manga artists study at an art college or manga school or take on an apprenticeship with another artist be ...

*January 24 –

Tomokazu Myojin is a Japanese former professional footballer who played as a midfielder. He played for the Japan national team. Club career Myojin was born in Kobe on 24 January 1978. He joined J1 League club Kashiwa Reysol from youth team in 1996. He playe ...

, football midfielder *January 26 –

Atsuko Kurusu is a Japanese actress. She graduated from Private Tokiwa Girls High School. Filmography TV series References External links {{DEFAULTSORT:Kurusu, Atsuko Japanese actresses 1978 births Living people Actors from Ibaraki Prefecture

, actress *January 27 –

Akiko Hinagata is a Japanese actress and former gravure idol. Career Television She made her acting debut in 1992 in the TBS drama ''Obenkyō''. In 1994, she was chosen Fuji Television Visual Queen. Two years later, Hinagata received the Golden Arrow Graph p ...

, actress and former

gravure idol A model is a person with a role either to promote, display or advertise commercial products (notably fashion clothing in fashion shows) or to serve as a visual aid for people who are creating works of art or to pose for photography. Though mo ...

. *February 4 – Shingo Kawaguchi, actor *February 20 –

Ken Takeuchi is a Japanese voice actor who works for Arts Vision. Takeuchi learned voice acting at the Institute of Japan Narration Act. In 2000, he debuted as a main character in the video game ''Photogenic'', and in 2003, he played one of the main charac ...

, voice actor *February 21 –

Miki Sakai Miki Sakai (''Sakai Miki'', 酒井美紀), born 21 February 1978 in Aoi-ku, Shizuoka, Japan is an actress and J-pop Japanese idol, idol singer. As a teenager she made her feature film debut in the 1995 Shunji Iwai film ''Love Letter (1995 film), ...

, actress and J-pop idol singer *February 23 –

Yuka Motohashi is a Japanese actress who is affiliated with Office Matsuda. She graduated from Shakujii High School. Filmography TV series Films References External links
{{DEFAULTSORT:Motohashi, Yuka Japanese actresses 1978 births Living peopl ...

, actress *February 25 **

Yuji Nakazawa is a Japanese former professional footballer who played as a centre back for J1 League side Tokyo Verdy and Yokohama F. Marinos. He was the formerly the captain of the Japan national team. His nickname is "Bomber" because of his distinctive hai ...

, football player **

Shintarō Tokita is a member of the J-pop band, Sukima Switch. He was born February 25, 1978, in Midori-ku, Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture Japan. He has also produced Chitose Hajime's comeback single "Kataritsugu Koto", ending theme to ''Blood+''. He enjoys soccer, ju ...

, musician *February 28 –

Rei Kikukawa is a Japanese actress, model, and television presenter. Biography Kikukawa was born in Urawa (now part of Saitama), in Saitama Prefecture. She is a graduate of the University of Tokyo where she majored in architecture. She was scouted by an a ...

, actress, model, and television presenter *March 1 **

Noriyasu Agematsu is a Japanese composer, arranger and music producer, as well as founding member of the musical group Elements Garden. He composed and arranged tracks on Nana Mizuki's singles ''Massive Wonders'' and '' Eternal Blaze'', ''"Brave Phoenix"'' on ...

, composer **

Sakura Nogawa is a Japanese voice actress and singer. In August 2013, she took a break from voice acting and singing due to poor health and returned a year later. In February 2017, she announced that she had already changed the agency of Office Anemone. Filmo ...

, voice actress *March 8 –

Genki Sudo is a Japanese MMA fighter, singer, actor and politician who has been serving as a political independent in the House of Councillors since 2019. Between 1998 and 2006, Sudo was a professional athlete and then was in the entertainment industry fro ...

, mixed martial artist and a kickboxer *March 9 –

Ryosuke Sawai Ryosuke Sawai (born March 9, 1978, in Choshi, Chiba, Japan) is a Japanese former baseball infielder in Nippon Professional Baseball. He played for the Chiba Lotte Marines in 1998 and from 2000 to 2003. Prior to playing professionally, he attend ...

, baseball player *March 12 –

Arina Tanemura is a Japanese manga artist, illustrator, and character designer. She made her professional manga debut in 1996 with the one-shot ''The Style of the Second Love'' in the ''shōjo'' manga magazine ''Ribon Original'' and later published her first ...

, manga artist *March 15 –

Takeru Kobayashi , also known as Takeru "Tsunami" Kobayashi, is a Japanese competitive eater. Described as "the godfather of competitive eating", Kobayashi is a six-time champion of Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest and is widely credited with popularizing the spor ...

, competitive eater *March 18 **

Shimotori Norio Shimotori Norio (born March 18, 1978) is a former sumo wrestler from Arai, Niigata Prefecture, Japan. A former amateur champion, he made his professional debut in 2000 and first reached the top division in 2002, although due to injuries he had t ...

sumo is a form of competitive full-contact wrestling where a ''rikishi'' (wrestler) attempts to force his opponent out of a circular ring (''dohyō'') or into touching the ground with any body part other than the soles of his feet (usually by thr ...

wrestler **

Yoshie Takeshita Yoshie Takeshita (竹下佳江 ''Takeshita Yoshie'', born March 18, 1978) was a Japanese volleyball player who played for JT Marvelous. She served as Head Coach of Japanese volleyball team Victorina Himeji. and now serves as Executive Adviser. ...

, volleyball player *March 20 –

Hanako Oku is a pop singer famous in her native Japan for her piano ballads. She rose to fame after performing the end-title track for the Madhouse film ''The Girl Who Leapt Through Time'' in 2006. She was signed to a major record label the preceding year ...

, singer *March 24 ** Takeharu Kato, baseball player **

Kaori Mochida is the lead singer of Japanese pop group Every Little Thing. Biography Mochida began her career as a child actress, appearing in magazines and TV commercials. She then became a member of the second generation of idol group The Kuro Buta All ...

, singer *March 29 –

Hirotoki Onozawa is a rugby union player who plays at wing or occasionally full back for Canon Eagles. He previously played for Suntory Sungoliath and the Japan national rugby union team. Nicknamed "the eel" for his sharp sidestepping ability, Onozawa is the sec ...

, rugby union player *April 5 – Yumie Funayama, curler *April 8 –

Daigo Daigo may refer to: Buddhism *Daigo (Zen) (大悟), a Buddhist term meaning ''great enlightenment'' or ''great realization'' *Daigo (Shōbōgenzō) (大悟), or ''Great Realization'', a book in Eihei Dōgen's Shōbōgenzō *Daigo Temple (醍醐寺 ...

, e singer-songwriter, actor, talent, and voice actor *April 9 **

Kousei Amano is a Japanese actor. In 2008 he changed his name to , maintaining the kanji in his name. In 2013, he married actress Akiko Hinagata. Filmography Television Films Stage Video games Music videos Discography * ''Eikyu Hozon Ban ...

, actor **

Takashi Ōhara is a Japanese voice actor who works for Ken Production. He has a sister, Sayaka Ōhara, who is also a voice actress. Filmography Television animation ;2004 *''Sgt. Frog'' – Students *''Bleach'' – Taishi Sakura ;2005 *'' Emma: A Victorian ...

, voice actor *April 14 – Kaori Muraji, classical guitarist *April 18 – Ryōta Tsuzuki, football player *April 24 –

Kazunari Okayama or Kang Il-Sung (Korean: 강일성, Hanja: 康一成) is a former Japanese football player of Korean descent. Playing career Okayama was born in Sakai on April 24, 1978. After graduating from high school, he joined J1 League club Yokohama Marin ...

, football player *April 26 **

Hiroshi Asai (born 26 April 1978) is a Japanese arranger, musician and composer for the Giza Studio label. He is a former member of band ''The★tambourines''. Since 2012 he is a member of the instrumental band ''Sensation''.First headline news"Opened home ...

, musician and composer **

Shinnosuke Tachibana is a Japanese voice actor, singer and narrator. He is married to voice actress Ao Takahashi. Career Tachibana graduated from Aojijuku Tokyo School 18th term. In 2003, he made his voice acting debut as Kyuu in the television anime ''E's Otherwis ...

, voice actor *April 27 –

Takahiro Suzuki is a retired Japanese people, Japanese Nippon Professional Baseball player. After leaving his professional career, he worked as a baseball commentator and also was engaged in farming. References External links

1978 births Japanes ...

, baseball player *May 1 –

Sachie Hara is a Japanese actress and model under the management of the Ken-On Group. She is best known for her roles in Doramas, including films '' You're Under Arrest'', ''Omizu no Hanamichi'', and '' Shichinin no Onna Bengoshi''. Career Hara started ...

, actress and model *May 3 –

Dai Tamesue is the first Japanese sprinter to win a medal in a track event at a World Competition. Current Japanese record holder for Men’s 400 meter hurdle (as of July 2021). Bronze medalist of the 2001 World Championships in Edmonton and 2005 World Cham ...

, hurdler athlete *May 4 –

Daisuke Ono is a Japanese voice actor and singer who won the 4th and 9th Seiyu Awards for best lead actor for his role as Sebastian Michaelis in ''Black Butler'', Jotaro Kujo in '' JoJo's Bizarre Adventure'' and Shukuro Tsukishima in ''Bleach'', as well ...

, voice actor *May 8 – Atsushi Sato, long-distance runner *May 10 –

Daisuke Yamai is a former Japanese professional baseball pitcher who played his entire career with the Chunichi Dragons. He is most noted for his combined perfect game with Hitoki Iwase in the 2007 Japan Series to clinch the title for the Dragons for the firs ...

, basketball pitcher *May 11 –

Ushiomaru Motoyasu Ushiomaru Motoyasu (born Motoyasu Sano; May 11, 1978 – December 13, 2019) was a sumo wrestler from Shizuoka, Japan. He began his professional career in 1994 and first reached the top division in 2002. His highest rank was ''maegashira'' 10. H ...

, sumo wrestler (d.

2019 File:2019 collage v1.png, From top left, clockwise: Hong Kong protests turn to widespread riots and civil disobedience; House of Representatives votes to adopt articles of impeachment against Donald Trump; CRISPR gene editing first used to experim ...

) *October 2 –

Ayumi Hamasaki is a Japanese singer, songwriter, record producer, actress, model, spokesperson, and entrepreneur. By 2002, Hamasaki had earned the nickname "Empress of J-pop" due to her popularity in Japan and throughout Asia. Due to her success and relevanc ...

, singer, songwriter, actress and model *May 12 – Masahiro Abe, baseball player *May 13 –

Junji Majima is a Japanese voice actor who is contracted to I'm Enterprise. He was born in Nagoya, Aichi. Filmography Anime ;2002 *'' Midnight Horror School'' – Borocca *''Princess Tutu'' – Funeral Attendee (ep 4), Townsperson B (ep 6) ;2003 *'' BAST ...

, voice actor *May 15 **

Kōsei Inoue is a Japanese judoka. He won the gold medal in the under 100 kg class at the 2000 Summer Olympics. He is well known for his specialty throws, Uchi Mata (, inner thigh throw) and Ōuchi gari (, major inner reap). He is considered by th ...

, Judoka ** Hideki Sahara, football player *May 17 –

Norihiro Yamagishi is a Japanese football player. Playing career Yamagishi was born in Kumagaya on 17 May 1978. After graduating from Chukyo University, he joined J1 League club Urawa Reds based in his local Saitama Prefecture in 2001. He debuted in 2002 and beca ...

, football player *May 18 –

Toru Yano , is a Japanese Professional wrestling, professional wrestler, trained by and currently signed to New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW), where he is the KOPW (New Japan Pro-Wrestling), KOPW 2020 and the provisional KOPW (New Japan Pro-Wrestling), KOPW 2 ...

, wrestler *May 23 –

Hideaki Kitajima is a former Japanese football player and last play for Japan national team. He is head coach Japan Football League club of Criacao Shinjuku from 2023. Club career Kitajima was born in Narashino on May 23, 1978. After graduating from high schoo ...

, football player *June 1 –

Ayako Ikeda (born 1 June 1978) is a Japanese song writer and singer. She is signed onto Sony Music Japan. She debuted with her single on 21 February 2002, her single 'Life' became the theme song of the TV drama , and she has composed and sung the opening ...

, singer-songwriter *June 2 – Junko Yaginuma, announcer and model *June 5 **

Yuka Inokuchi is a Japanese voice actress who is affiliated with Ken Production. She is originally from Kurume, Fukuoka Prefecture. She voices Uzume in ''Ai Yori Aoshi'', Rin Kamishiro in ''Maburaho'', Anju Maaka in '' Karin'', Tabitha in ''The Familiar of Z ...

, voice actress **

Takayuki Kondō is a Japanese voice actor from Tottori Prefecture, Japan. He is affiliated with Aoni Production. Filmography Anime *''A Destructive God Sits Next to Me'' – Homeroom Teacher *'' Anohana: The Flower We Saw That Day'' – Tetsudō "Poppo" Hisak ...

, voice actor **

Taro Suruga is a Japanese musician and actor from Nishinomiya, Hyōgo Prefecture. Biography His father is rakugo performer Shōfukutei Tsurube II. He graduated from Shinko Gakuen Shinko High School and Osaka University of Arts Junior College. After studying ...

, musician *June 12 –

Yumiko Shaku is a Japanese actress, model and former gravure idol. She is represented by Tommy's Artist Company. Roles TV Dramas *2019: ''Kamen Rider Zi-O'' (Yuko Kitajima/ Another Kiva; Episode 35-36, 2019) *2014: '' Lost Days no Himitsu'' (Fuji Telev ...

, actress and model *June 13 –

Mikako Ichikawa is a Japanese actress and model from Tokyo, Japan. Her older sister is the actress and model Miwako Ichikawa. Biography Due to her older sister being in the modeling business, Ichikawa made several appearances in the fashion magazine ''Olive'' ...

, actress and model *June 17 –

Kumiko Asō , better known by her stage name , is a Japanese actress. She is also a model and has participated in several commercials. Career In 1995, Asō made her film debut in ''Bad Guy Beach''. With her role in the 1998 film ''Dr. Akagi'', she received ...

, actress *June 24 –

Shunsuke Nakamura is a Japanese former professional footballer. He is the only person to have been named J.League Most Valuable Player more than once, receiving the award in 2000 and 2013. Steve Perryman once remarked that Nakamura "could open a tin of beans w ...

, football player *June 25 –

Miki Nakao (born June 25, 1978 in Nagasaki, Nagasaki) is a former backstroke swimmer from Japan, who won the bronze medal in the 200m Backstroke at the 2000 Summer Olympics The 2000 Summer Olympics, officially the Games of the XXVII Olympiad and ...

, backstroke swimmer

July –December

*July 3 –

Mizuki Noguchi is a Japanese professional long-distance runner who specialises in the marathon event. She is an Olympic champion over the distance. Initially starting out as a track and cross country athlete, her first major success was becoming the Asian c ...

, long-distance runner *July 4 –

Yusuke Murata is a Japanese manga artist and animator, best known for illustrating One's ''One-Punch Man'', serialized in the ''Weekly Young Jump'' online version. Murata's other major work is his illustration of the American football manga ''Eyeshield 21'' ...

manga artist *July 7 **

Kayo Kitada is a retired Japanese judoka. Kitada was born in Shirahama, Wakayama and began judo at the age of 10. She graduated from Nippon Sport Science University in 2001. In 2002, she participated Asian Games held in Busan and won a gold med ...

, judoka **

Misia Misaki Itō, commonly known as and stylized as MISIA, is a Japanese singer and songwriter. Born in Nagasaki, Misia moved to Fukuoka at the age of 14 to pursue a recording career. There, she continued her secondary education and briefly attended ...

, singer, songwriter, and record producer *July 9 –

Osamu Hamanaka Osamu Hamanaka (濱中治, born July 9, 1978, in Tanabe, Wakayama) is a former Japanese professional baseball player. Drafted by the Hanshin Tigers in Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball in 1996, Hamanaka spent 11 years with the club from 1997 t ...

, baseball player *July 10 –

Kotaro Koizumi is a Japanese actor and the eldest son of the 56th Japanese Prime Minister, Junichirō Koizumi, and Kayoko Miyamoto. He studied economics at night classes of Nihon University, but dropped out. Filmography Television *''Who Wants to Be a Millio ...

, actor *July 12 – Yoshihito Ishii, baseball player *July 19 –

Atsushi Harada is a Japanese actor in the ''Tokusatsu'' genre. He is best known for being Kamen Rider Delta in ''Kamen Rider 555'', and Shou Tatsumi/Go Green in the 1999 Super Sentai Series ''Kyuukyuu Sentai GoGo-V'', and reprised his role in the Sentai Team ...

, actor *July 21 –

Kyoko Iwasaki is a Japanese swimming coach and retired Olympic swimmer from Numazu, Shizuoka. She won the gold medal in the 200 metres breaststroke at the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona, Spain Barcelona ( , , ) is a city on the coast of northeastern ...

, swimmer *July 22 –

Kyōko Hasegawa is a Japanese model and actress. She is previously married to Haruichi Shindō, one of the members of the Japanese rock band Porno Graffitti. On May 30, 2009 she gave birth to a boy. On January 25, 2012 she gave birth to a girl. Appearances TV ...

, actress and model *July 23 – Takashi Yamamoto, swimmer *July 24 –

Sayo Aizawa is a Japanese model and TV personality. Biography She was born in Hiroshima, Japan Japan ( ja, 日本, or , and formally , ''Nihonkoku'') is an island country in East Asia. It is situated in the northwest Pacific Ocean, and is border ...

, model *July 28 –

Hitomi Yaida is a Japanese pop/folk rock singer-songwriter and guitarist. She often goes by the nickname Yaiko. Her musical style is often called "heart rock" by her fans. Yaida is an established musical artist in Japan and has also had minor club hits in ...

, pop/folk rock singer-songwriter and guitarist *August 4 –

Satoshi Hino is a Japanese voice actor. He is known for his voice acting roles in anime, many of which also feature voice actress Rie Kugimiya, such ''Shakugan no Shana'', ''Zero no Tsukaima'', ''Gintama'', and ''Nabari no Ou''. Early life and career Hino wa ...

, voice actor *August 8 **

Natsuko Kuwatani is a Japanese voice actress who works for I'm Enterprise as of March 1, 2008. Her major roles are in anime shows and they include Yue Ayase in ''Negima'', Fiore in ''Chrono Crusade'', Alph in '' Nanoha'', Michiru in ''Magikano'', Suiseiseki in '' ...

, voice actress **

Miho Shiraishi is a Japanese actress from Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan. Filmography Film * ''Shiroi Fune'' (2002) * ''Swing Girls'' (2004) ''as Yayoi Itami'' * ''Densha Otoko'' (2005) ''cameo'' * ''The Harimaya Bridge'' (2009) ''as Kayo Takeuchi'' * ''Halfway' ...

, actress *August 12 **

Toru Kurihara is a Japanese rugby union player. He plays as a fullback or wing. He played for Suntory Sungoliath. Kurihara had 27 caps for Japan, from 2000 to 2003, scoring 20 tries, 71 conversions and 35 penalties, 347 points on aggregate. He played four t ...

, rugby union player **

Kakizoe Tōru (born August 12, 1978 in Usa City, Ōita Prefecture, Japan), is a former sumo wrestler. A former amateur champion, he turned professional in 2001 and reached the top division in 2003. His highest rank was ''komusubi'', which he held for just o ...

, sumo wrestler *August 24 –

Kentaro Sekimoto Kentaro Sekimoto (関本賢太郎, born August 26, 1978) is a Japanese former professional baseball infielder in Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball. He played with the Hanshin Tigers The Hanshin Tigers (Japanese: 阪神タイガース ''Hansh ...

, baseball player *September 6 **

Homare Sawa is a Japanese former professional footballer who played as a forward or a midfielder. Regarded by many as one of the greatest female footballers of all time and the greatest Asian female footballer of all time, Sawa had a professional club care ...

, football player **

Keigo Yamashita is a professional Go player. Yamashita adopted the name Honinbo Dowa after winning his first Honinbo title in 2010. Biography A student of Yasuro Kikuchi, Yamashita turned professional in 1993. He won the 19th Kisei 2 dan division in 19 ...

, Go player *September 18 –

Kaoru Mori is a Japanese manga artist from Tokyo and the creator of the manga series ''Shirley'', '' Emma'', and ''A Bride's Story''. Many of her works are centered on female characters in the 19th century, such as a maid in Victorian Britain and a bride i ...

, manga artist *October 2 –

, recording artist, actress, model, and entrepreneur *October 18 **

Kotomi Kyono is a Japanese actress and occasional J-Pop singer (making her debut on 20 November 1992). She was born in Fukuyama, Hiroshima, Japan. She has appeared in numerous TV series, including the 1999 drama '' Ring: The Final Chapter'' (''Ring: Saishû ...

, actress **

Minoru Shiraishi is a Japanese actor, voice actor, singer, songwriter and radio personality who was formerly affiliated with I'm Enterprise and Pro-Fit. He is the only "live-action" character (as he played "himself" in '' Lucky☆Star'') in the Newtype Anime magaz ...

, voice actor *October 20 –

Nora Hirano is a Japanese comedian. Her real name is . She is represented with Watanabe Entertainment is a major Japanese entertainment conglomerate and a member of the Watanabe Production Group. Its head office is in Shibuya, Tokyo and the company's prin ...

, comedian *October 21 – Mariko Ooe, newsroom announcer *October 25 –

Maria Takagi is a Japanese TV and film actress and a former adult video (AV) star. Early in her career as a model, she also used the names Yukiko Hara and Rika Inoue. Life and career Gravure model Maria Takagi was born in Chiba Prefecture, Japan on October ...

, actress *October 27 –

Manami Konishi , also known as KONI-TAN, is a Japanese actress, singer, songwriter, rapper, and record producer. Career Konishi appeared in Kiyoshi Kurosawa's 2006 film '' Retribution'', which was screened at the 63rd Venice Film Festival. She also appeared i ...

, rapper, songwriter, record producer, and actress *October 31 – Mika Sugisaki, announcer, radio personality, entertainer, and actress *November 3 –

Koshiro Take (b. November 3, 1978, in Rittō, Shiga) is a Japanese trainer and ex-jockey. He is the younger brother of Yutaka Take. Take debuted as a jockey in March 1, 1997 at the Hanshin Racecourse. The following day, he won his first race and also his fi ...

, jockey *November 4 – Akiko Abe, announcer and actress *November 7 –

Tomoya Nagase is a Japanese singer-songwriter, actor, and model. He was a member of Tokio, a Johnny & Associates musical group. He was the primary vocalist, in addition to playing the guitar alongside Tokio's leader, Shigeru Joshima. Career As an arti ...

, singer and actor *November 8 – Kensaku Kishida, actor *November 10 –

Akemi Kanda is a Japanese voice actress, originally affiliated with Aoni Production and becomes a freelancer in April 2017. Her major anime roles include: Asuna Kagurazaka in the ''Negima'' series, Kana Suouin in ''Otome wa Boku ni Koishiteru'', Kazuki Ar ...

, voice actress *November 25 **

Ayumi Ogasawara is a Japanese curler, born November 25, 1978, as . She currently skips her own team in Sapporo, Hokkaido, which represented Japan at the 2014 Winter Olympics. Also she is a curling coach. Career At the age of 12, Ogasawara began curling in her ...

, curler **

Ringo Sheena , known by her stage name , is a Japanese singer, songwriter and musician. She is also the founder and lead vocalist of the band Tokyo Jihen. She describes herself as "". She was ranked number 36 in a list of Japan's top 100 musicians compiled ...

, singer, songwriter and musician *November 26 – Fukuyama Jun voice actor *November 28 – Tomohiro Nagatsuka cyclist *December 5 – Michinao Yamamura, baseball player *December 7 –

Yasue Sato is a Japanese actress and model, and formally trained in ballet. She made her acting debut in the movie Bounce Ko Gals (1997), for which she was given a Best New Talent award at the Yokohama Film Festival. She has since appeared in other feature f ...

, actress and model *December 9 –

Chihiro Kusaka is a Japanese voice actress from Fudai, Iwate. She is affiliated with Production Baobab. Her former stage name is . Voice roles Television animation *''Ceres, The Celestial Legend'' (Shuro Tsukasa) *''Detective School Q'' (Musashi Hachiya) *'' I ...

, voice actress *December 12 –

Hiroki Konno is a Japanese comedian and actor who was a member of the comedy duo King of Comedy. Konno lives in Saitama, Saitama. Filmography Drama Variety Films Anime Advertisements Narration Stage Radio Internet series Mobile series ...

, comedian *December 23 –

Akiko Yada is a Japanese actress. She won the award for Best Supporting Actress at the 6th Nikkan Sports Drama Grand Prix for ''Boku no Ikiru Michi''. Filmography Films * ''Pyrokinesis'' (2000) * ''Tales of the Unusual'' (2000) * ''Impossibility Defense'' ...

, actress *December 25 –

Miyuki Takahashi Miyuki Takahashi (高橋みゆき ''Takahashi Miyuki'', born 25 December 1978) is a Japanese volleyball player who plays for the NEC Red Rockets. Miyuki Takahashi also plays for the All-Japan women's volleyball team and participated at the 2004 ...

, volleyball player *December 26 –

Kaoru Sugayama is a Japanese volleyball player. Although her nickname is "yuu", Ai Otomo already had that nickname on the All-Japan women's Team, so she was given the new nickname "kaoru". Her nickname in television broadcasts is "koushuni kagayaku Kaoru ...

, volleyball player *December 29 –

Noriko Aoyama is a former model and a Japanese actress. She has appeared in more than 20 films since 2002. Selected filmography References External links * 1978 births Living people People from Chiba (city) Japanese film actresses Japanese ...

, actress and former model

Deaths

*January 5 –

Shōji Hamada was a Japanese potter. He had a significant influence on studio pottery of the twentieth century, and a major figure of the ''mingei'' (folk-art) movement, establishing the town of Mashiko, Tochigi, Mashiko as a world-renowned pottery centre. I ...

, potter (b.

1894 Events January–March * January 4 – A military alliance is established between the French Third Republic and the Russian Empire. * January 7 – William Kennedy Dickson receives a patent for motion picture film in the United S ...

) *March 1 –

Kiyoshi Oka was a Japanese mathematician who did fundamental work in the theory of several complex variables. Biography Oka was born in Osaka. He went to Kyoto Imperial University in 1919, turning to mathematics in 1923 and graduating in 1924. He was in ...

, mathematician (b.

1901 Events January * January 1 – The Crown colony, British colonies of New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria (Australia), Victoria and Western Australia Federation of Australia, federate as the Australia, ...

) *March 5 –

Toshiko Higashikuni , born , was the fourteenth child and ninth daughter of Emperor Meiji of Japan, and the seventh child and fifth daughter of Sono Sachiko, the Emperor's fifth concubine. Biography Toshiko was born in Japan, the daughter of Emperor Meiji and Lady ...

, daughter of

Emperor Meiji , also called or , was the 122nd emperor of Japan according to the traditional order of succession. Reigning from 13 February 1867 to his death, he was the first monarch of the Empire of Japan and presided over the Meiji era. He was the figur ...

(b.

1896 Events January–March * January 2 – The Jameson Raid comes to an end, as Jameson surrenders to the Boers. * January 4 – Utah is admitted as the 45th U.S. state. * January 5 – An Austrian newspaper reports that Wil ...

) *April 29 – Yukihiko Yasuda, painter (b.

1884 Events January–March * January 4 – The Fabian Society is founded in London. * January 5 – Gilbert and Sullivan's ''Princess Ida'' premières at the Savoy Theatre, London. * January 18 – Dr. William Price atte ...

) *May 15 –

Kiku Amino was a Japanese writer and translator of English and Russian literature. She was a recipient of the Women's Literature Prize, the Yomiuri Prize, and Japan Academy of the Arts prize. Biography Amino was born in Azabu Mamiana-cho and raised in Aka ...

, author and translator (b.

1900 As of March 1 ( O.S. February 17), when the Julian calendar acknowledged a leap day and the Gregorian calendar did not, the Julian calendar fell one day further behind, bringing the difference to 13 days until February 28 ( O.S. February 15), 2 ...

) *May 30 –

Tetsu Katayama was a Japanese politician who was Prime Minister of Japan from 1947 to 1948. He bears the distinction of having been the first socialist to serve as Prime Minister of Japan. Early life He was born in Tanabe, Wakayama Prefecture on 28 July ...

, politician and 33rd Prime Minister of Japan (b.

1887 Events January–March * January 11 – Louis Pasteur's anti-rabies treatment is defended in the Académie Nationale de Médecine, by Dr. Joseph Grancher. * January 20 ** The United States Senate allows the Navy to lease Pearl Har ...

) *June 6 –

Katué Kitasono was a renowned Japanese poet and photographer. Tokyo Metropolitan Museum of Photography, editor. . Kyoto: Tankōsha, 2000. He was born in the city of Ise, Mie Prefecture is a prefecture of Japan located in the Kansai region of Honshu. Mie Pr ...

, poet and photographer (b.

1902 Events January * January 1 ** The Nurses Registration Act 1901 comes into effect in New Zealand, making it the first country in the world to require state registration of nurses. On January 10, Ellen Dougherty becomes the world's f ...

) *July 10 – Takashi Suzuki, politician (b.

1882 Events January–March * January 2 ** The Standard Oil Trust is secretly created in the United States to control multiple corporations set up by John D. Rockefeller and his associates. ** Irish-born author Oscar Wilde arrives in ...

) *July 25 –

Masao Koga was a Japanese composer, mandolinist, and guitarist of the Shōwa era who was dubbed "Japan's Irving Berlin" by Universal Press Syndicate. His melancholy style, based upon Nakayama Shimpei's '' yonanuki'' scale, was popularly known in Japan as ...

, composer (b.

1904 Events January * January 7 – The distress signal ''CQD'' is established, only to be replaced 2 years later by ''SOS''. * January 8 – The Blackstone Library is dedicated, marking the beginning of the Chicago Public Library system. * ...

) *August 1 –

Kōgorō Uemura was a Japanese businessman from the early Shōwa period (1920s–1970s). The chief of Nippon Keidanren in 1968, (Alumni 50 Years History) he served as President of the Sapporo Olympic Organizing Committee, and served as Chairman of the National B ...

, businessman (b.

1892 Events January–March * January 1 – Ellis Island begins accommodating immigrants to the United States. * February 1 - The historic Enterprise Bar and Grill was established in Rico, Colorado. * February 27 – Rudolf Diesel applies for ...

) *September 9 –

Kaoru Abe (May 5, 1949 – September 9, 1978) was a Japanese avant-garde alto saxophonist. Self-taught at a young age, Abe performed with notables such as Motoharu Yoshizawa, Takehisa Kosugi, Yosuke Yamashita, Derek Bailey, and Milford Graves, although ...

, saxophonist (b.

1949 Events January * January 1 – A United Nations-sponsored ceasefire brings an end to the Indo-Pakistani War of 1947. The war results in a stalemate and the division of Kashmir, which still continues as of 2022. * January 2 – Luis ...

)

References

{{Asia topic, 1978 in Years of the 20th century in Japan

Japan Japan ( ja, 日本, or , and formally , ''Nihonkoku'') is an island country in East Asia. It is situated in the northwest Pacific Ocean, and is bordered on the west by the Sea of Japan, while extending from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north ...

1970s in Japan