25 Famous People from Japan

Female tennis player and first Asian player to hold the top ranking in singles

Film director whose famous movies are Ikiru, Seven Samurai and Yojimbo

Actor known internationally for hosting the game show Takeshi's Castle (1986–1990)

Actor recognized by global audience for his roles in The Last Samurai and Godzilla

Artist who was married to English singer-songwriter John Lennon

Baseball player who played as an outfielder in top-level professional leagues

16th-century leader of the Sengoku period known as the “Great Unifier" of Japan

First Japanese actress to be nominated for an Oscars in 50 years, for her role in Babel

Emperor of Japan since 2019

Male tennis player who was ranked inside the top 5 in singles

Asian Footballer of the Year in 1997 and 1998 who played for Roma and Parma

Two time winner of the Indianapolis 500 and former Formula One driver

Manga artist and one of the most prominent filmmakers in the history of animated films

Founder and first shogun of the Tokugawa shogunate of Japan

Famous ninja of the Sengoku era, who served the Tokugawa clan as a samurai

Actor known for his roles as Mr. Miyagi in The Karate Kid film series

Video game designer and creator of Mario, The Legend of Zelda and Donkey Kong

Emperor who abdicated the throne in 2019

Actor and producer who became widely known for starring in NBC's Heroes

Novelist and author of Norwegian Wood and Kafka on the Shore

Basketball player for the Washington Wizards

Longest-reigning emperor (1926-1989) who supported the Axis Powers during WWII

Martial artist who gained popularity as an actor during the 1980s, often playing ninjas

Marshal Admiral of the Imperial Japanese Navy during World War II

Artistic gymnast who was seven-time Olympic medalist