List of Famous people born in Kyōto Prefecture, Japan
Yasumitsu Satō
Yasumitsu Satō is a Japanese professional shogi player from Yawata City in Kyoto Prefecture, Japan. He is currently the president of the Japan Shogi Association. He became a professional in 1987 and is ranked 9-dan. He has won 13 major titles, is a former Meijin title holder, and has qualified for the Lifetime Kisei title.
Kunihiko Muroi
Kunihiko Muroi is a Japanese politician of the Initiatives from Osaka party, a member of the House of Councillors in the Diet. A native of Amagasaki and dropout of Otemon Gakuin University, he served in the city assembly of Amagasaki for one term since 1983 and in the assembly of Hyōgo Prefecture for two terms since 1991. After two unsuccessful runs in 1996 and 2000, he was elected to the House of Representatives for the first time in 2003. He lost the seat in 2005 but was elected to the House of Councillors for the first time in 2007.
Koichi Nishimura
Koichi "Nishi" Nishimura is a beach volleyball player from Japan. Nishimura began his career as an indoor volleyball player and played Libero for the Japanese National Team. In 2002 Nishimura switched to beach volleyball. He currently plays in "Winds" beach volleyball team. In 2009, Nishimura founded the environmental non-profit-organisation "Save the Beach".
Shintaro Masuda
Shintaro Masuda is a Japanese professional baseball infielder for the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles in Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball.
Takanori Kawai
Takanori Kawai is a Japanese politician of the Democratic Party of Japan, a member of the House of Councillors in the Diet. A native of Kyoto, Kyoto and graduate of Ritsumeikan University, he was elected for the first time in 2007 after working at Teijin since 1987.
Tetsuji Hashiratani
Tetsuji Hashiratani is a former Japanese football player and manager. He played for Japan national team. His elder brother Koichi Hashiratani is also a former footballer.
Yoshikazu Kura
Yoshikazu Kura is a professional Japanese baseball player. He plays catcher for the Hiroshima Toyo Carp.
Yukina Ōta
Yukina Ōta is a Japanese figure skater. She is the 2003 World Junior champion and the 2004 Four Continents champion. She announced her retirement from competitive skating in November 2008, due to injury.
Ayano Tsuji
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 includes "Tanpopo" for Tensai Terebi Kun.
Makoto Kakuda
Makoto Kakuda is a Japanese football player who plays for V-Varen Nagasaki.