List of Famous people born in Japan

Haruki Murakami is a Japanese writer. His books and stories have been bestsellers in Japan as well as internationally, with his work being translated into 50 languages and selling millions of copies outside his native country. His work has received numerous awards, including the World Fantasy Award, the Frank O'Connor International Short Story Award, the Franz Kafka Prize, and the Jerusalem Prize.

Sō Takei is a Japanese tarento and former track and field athlete. He was an established athlete with multiple championships for athletics and decathlon. Takei is currently active as a tarento, frequently appearing on television. He calls himself the King of Beasts, a nickname that has become associated with Takei for his persona in the entertainment industry.

Atsuto Uchida is a Japanese former professional footballer turned coach who played as a right-back.

Chiharu Niiyama is a Japanese actress and former gravure idol.

Nao Oikawa is a Japanese actress, TV Personality and was also a former AV idol who was very popular in the early 2000s.

Toshihiko Tahara is a Japanese idol singer, a solo vocalist, affiliated with Johnny & Associates. In the 1980s he had a number of number 1 singles in Japan. He was awarded a Japan Music Award in 1983 for the song "Saraba... Natsu" (さらば・・・夏). He was part of the Tanokin Trio.

Kazumi Takayama is a Japanese idol singer, actress, television personality, and writer. She is a member of Japanese idol group Nogizaka46, co-author of the self-help book Investment Methods that Keep My Money Growing Even Though I'm An Idol, and author of the novel Trapezium.

Rika Ishikawa , is a Japanese actress and model associated with Hello! Project and best known as a former member of the pop group Morning Musume. She was the leader of the Japanese pop idol trio v-u-den until June 2008. She has performed as a solo singer, as a member of the Japanese pop idol group Ongaku Gatas, in the pop duo Hangry & Angry as Angry, and as a current member of Dream Morning Musume.

Yasuhiro Ogawa is a professional Japanese baseball player. He is a pitcher for the Tokyo Yakult Swallows.

Atsuko Maeda is a Japanese actress and singer. She is a former member of the idol girl group AKB48 and was one of its most prominent members in the group at the time, regarded as the group's "eternal center" and the "face of AKB." After graduating from AKB48 on August 27, 2012, Maeda has since then continued with a solo singing and acting career.