Here are 23 famous musicians from Japan were born in 1954:
Katsuhiro Otomo (April 14, 1954 Tome-) also known as Katsuhiro Ōtomo, 大友 克洋, Ōtomo Katsuhiro, Katsuhiro Ohtomo, Katsuhiro Ôtomo or Otomo, Katsuhiro is a Japanese film director, screenwriter, mangaka and film producer. He has one child, Shohei Otomo.
Otomo is best known for creating the influential cyberpunk manga series Akira, which he wrote and illustrated from 1982 to 1990. The series was later adapted into an animated film in 1988, which Otomo directed and co-wrote the screenplay for. The film is widely regarded as a landmark in Japanese animation and helped popularize anime in the West.
In addition to Akira, Otomo has written and illustrated numerous other manga series, including Domu: A Child's Dream and The Legend of Mother Sarah. He has also directed several live-action films, including the 2004 adaptation of Mushishi and the 1995 cyberpunk thriller film, Memories.
Otomo's work has had a significant impact on popular culture both in Japan and internationally. He has won numerous awards for his contributions to the worlds of manga and anime, including the prestigious Osamu Tezuka Cultural Prize in 1988 for Akira. Today, he is considered one of the most influential manga and anime creators of all time.
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Yumi Matsutoya (January 19, 1954 Hachioji-) a.k.a. Yumi Arai, Yuming, Yumi Matsutouya, Karuho Kureta, 呉田軽穂, Matsutoya Yumi, Arai Yumi, 荒井 由実, まつとうや ゆみ, あらい ゆみ, ユーミン, くれた かるほ or 松任谷 由実 is a Japanese composer, lyricist, radio personality, singer and pianist.
Her discography includes: , 流線形'80, Surf & Snow, Yuming Singles 1972-1976, 荒井由実ヒストリー, Haru-yo Koi, スユアの波, Neue Musik, Sweet, Bitter Sweet YUMING BALLAD BEST (disc 1) and Yuming Compositions: Faces. Genres she performed: Adult contemporary music, Pop music, Rock music, Folk rock, Jazz fusion, Kayōkyoku and Pop rock.
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Yūji Mitsuya (October 18, 1954 Toyohashi-) otherwise known as Mitsuya Yuuji, Mitsuya Yūji or Yuji Mitsuya is a Japanese actor, voice actor, director of audiography and tarento.
He is affiliated with the talent agency Aoni Production. Mitsuya began his career as a voice actor in 1978 and has since lent his voice to a number of popular anime characters, including Jiraiya in Naruto, Suneo Honekawa in Doraemon, and Hikaru Gosunkugi in Ranma ½. He has also appeared in live-action dramas, films, and variety shows. In addition to his work in entertainment, Mitsuya is known for his activism and philanthropic efforts. He has supported causes such as disaster relief and children's health and education programs.
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Shigeru Chiba (February 4, 1954 Kikuchi-) also known as Masaharu Maeda, Maeda Masaharu or Chiba, Shigeru is a Japanese actor, voice actor, director of audiography and music director.
He began his career in the entertainment industry in the late 1970s and has since become a well-known figure in Japan. Chiba has acted in numerous films, television dramas and stage productions, but is perhaps best known for his work as a voice actor. Some of his most notable voice acting roles include the characters Buggy the Clown in the anime series One Piece, Pilaf in Dragon Ball and Kazuma Kuwabara in Yu Yu Hakusho.
Aside from his work in acting and voice acting, Chiba has also lent his talents as a director of audiography and music director on various projects. He has received several awards for his contributions to the entertainment industry, including the Best Supporting Actor Award at the Japan Academy Awards in 2012. Chiba continues to work in the industry and is beloved by fans for his distinctive voice and versatile acting abilities.
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Jōji Nakata (April 22, 1954 Tokyo-) a.k.a. Hitoshi Nakata, George Nakata, Geroge Nakata, Johji Nakata, Jôji Nakata, Jyoji Nakata, Kouji Nakata, Nakata Hitoshi, Nakata Jōji, Shoji Nakata, Nakata Jouji, Nakata, Jouji, Jōji Nakata or Jouji Nakata is a Japanese actor and voice actor.
Related albums: .
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Masahiko Tanaka (October 1, 1954 Osaka Prefecture-) a.k.a. Tanaka, Masahiko is a Japanese voice actor and actor.
He is best known for voicing the character of Bunta Fujiwara in the popular anime and manga series, "Initial D". Tanaka has also lent his voice to other notable anime series such as "Sailor Moon", "JoJo's Bizarre Adventure", "Naruto", and "Dragon Ball Z". In addition to his voice acting work, Tanaka has appeared in various Japanese television dramas, movies, and stage productions. He has won multiple awards for his acting performances, including the Best Supporting Actor award at the 22nd Japan Academy Prize for his role in the film "The Sting of Death". Tanaka is also a skilled musician, playing both the guitar and the harmonica.
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Eiko Hisamura (June 13, 1954 Kanagawa-ku, Yokohama-) otherwise known as 久村 栄子, Hisamura Eiko or Eiko Yamada is a Japanese voice actor and actor.
She is recognized for voicing various popular characters in Japanese anime, including Min Min in Hakushon Daimaou, Kyoko Hayakawa in Maison Ikkoku, Fujiko Mine in Lupin III, Casper in Casper the Friendly Ghost, and Taichi Yagami in the anime film Digimon Adventure tri. In addition to her voice acting career, Hisamura has also delved into stage acting, performing in various theatrical productions such as A Streetcar Named Desire and The Little Match Girl. She has received numerous awards and accolades for her contributions to the Japanese entertainment industry, including the Best Supporting Actress Award at the 4th Seiyu Awards.
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Susumu Hirasawa (April 2, 1954 Adachi-) otherwise known as Hirasawa Susumu is a Japanese musician, record producer, social activist, film score composer, singer-songwriter, music arranger and cg artist.
His albums include Virtual Rabbit, Aurora, Siren, BERSERK-Forces-, Technique of Relief, Philosopher's Propeller, Millennium Actress, Blue Limbo, Switched-On Lotus and Paranoia Agent. Genres: Electronic music, Electronic rock, New Wave, Synthpop, Electronica, Progressive rock, Techno, World music, Symphonic rock, Experimental music, Trance music, Ambient music, Synthpunk, Art punk, New-age music, Ska punk, Experimental rock, Post-punk, Musique concrète, Psychedelic rock and Avant-garde music.
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Sumi Shimamoto (December 8, 1954 Kochi-) also known as Sumi Koshikawa, Kumi Shimamoto, Koshikawa Sumi, Shimamoto Sumi or Shimamoto, Sumi is a Japanese voice actor and actor. She has one child, Shiori Koshikawa.
Her albums include 「らき☆すた」 キャラクターソング, Volume 11: かなたとそうじろう.
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Kaneto Shiozawa (January 28, 1954 Tokyo-May 10, 2000 Shinjuku) also known as Toshikazu Shiozawa, Shiozawa Kaneto or Shiozawa Toshikazu was a Japanese voice actor.
He was best known for his roles as Rei in "Fist of the North Star," #24 in "Dragon Ball Z," and D in "Vampire Hunter D." He began his career in voice acting in the mid-70s and quickly rose to prominence due to his unique and versatile vocal range. In addition to his work in anime, he also provided the Japanese voice for several Hollywood actors, including John Travolta and Mickey Rourke. Throughout his career, he received numerous awards for his contributions to the voice acting industry, including the Best Actor Award at the 2nd Seiyu Awards in 2008. Sadly, he passed away in 2000 due to a lung infection at the young age of 46, leaving behind a legacy as one of Japan's most iconic voice actors.
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Yō Yoshimura (July 10, 1954 Kyoto Prefecture-November 27, 1991) a.k.a. Yo Yoshimura was a Japanese voice actor.
He began his career in the mid-1970s and worked prominently in the anime industry throughout the 1980s and early 1990s. Some of his most notable roles include Kamiya in "Mobile Suit Gundam," Billy Kane in "Fatal Fury: Legend of the Hungry Wolf," and Baron Ashura in "Mazinger Z." He was also a musician and provided lead vocals for the Japanese rock band "Bohemian" in the early 1980s. Sadly, Yoshimura's life was tragically cut short when he passed away at the age of 37 from a heart attack. Despite his untimely death, his contributions to the entertainment industry continue to be remembered and celebrated by fans around the world.
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Hōchū Ōtsuka (May 19, 1954 Okayama Prefecture-) also known as Hochu Otsuka, Yoshitada Ohtsuka, Yoshitada Otsuka, Houchu Ohtsuka, Otsuka Yoshitada, Yoshitada Ôtsuka or Ōtsuka Hōchū is a Japanese voice actor, narrator and actor.
He has lent his voice to numerous popular anime and video game characters, including Jiraiya in Naruto, Captain Hook in One Piece, Dr. Eggman in the Sonic the Hedgehog series, and Suigetsu Hōzuki in Naruto Shippuden. Otsuka also acted in numerous live-action dramas and films. In addition to his voice acting and acting career, he has also worked as a narrator and radio personality. He has won several awards for his voice acting performances, including the Best Supporting Actor Award at the 7th Seiyu Awards in 2013. Otsuka is considered one of the most versatile and talented voice actors in Japan, having played a wide range of characters across different genres.
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Gara Takashima (March 2, 1954 Tokyo-) also known as Takashima Gara or Yumiko Takashima is a Japanese voice actor and actor.
Her career began in the 1970s as a voice actor, starting with the role of the character Nausicaa in the film "Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind". She has since voiced several notable characters such as Suneo's mother in "Doraemon" and Megumi Yokota in the TV series "Megumi". Takashima has also done some live-action acting, appearing in TV dramas and films. Additionally, she has written and produced plays, and has published several essay collections. In 2014, Takashima was awarded the Best Supporting Actress Award at the 38th Japan Academy Prize for her role in the film "The Devil's Path".
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Sukekiyo Kameyama (November 9, 1954 Ishinomaki-January 26, 2013 Saitama Prefecture) was a Japanese voice actor and actor.
He was affiliated with the talent agency 81 Produce and was best known for his roles in popular anime series like "Kenichi: The Mightiest Disciple", "Detective Conan", and "One Piece". In addition to his voice acting career, Kameyama also appeared in a number of live-action television dramas, including "Kamen Rider Kuuga". Kameyama was highly respected in the voice acting industry and was known for his versatile range as a performer. He unfortunately passed away in 2013 at the age of 58 due to an untreated heart condition.
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Kōhei Tanaka (February 14, 1954 Chūō-ku, Osaka-) also known as Tanaka Kohei, Kouhei Tanaka, Tanaka Kouhei, Kohei Tanaka, Tanaka Koohei, Kôhei Tanaka, Monrio Erricone Jr., 田中 公平, Tanaka, Kouhei, モンリオ=エリコーネJr or けのくん is a Japanese singer, composer, film score composer and music arranger.
Discography: Gatekeepers TV Original Soundtrack, Sakura Wars The Movie Original Soundtrack, Alundra 2: The Mystery of the Machinevolution, Alundra, One Piece - 'Nejimaki to no Boken' Music File, Sakura Wars Goukakenran Hikarirokuonban (disc 2), Sakura Wars: The Movie, WOWOWアニメーション「オーバーマン キングゲイナー」 ORIGINAL SOUNDTRACK 「ハラショー!」, おたくのビデオ and Kore ga REVIEW.
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Kazuhiko Inoue (March 26, 1954 Yokohama-) also known as Inoue Kazuhiko is a Japanese voice actor, actor, director of audiography, singer and voice acting in japan. His child is called Nanami Igarashi.
His most well known albums: Long time no see.
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Hideyuki Hori (March 23, 1954 Setagaya-) a.k.a. 堀 秀行, Hori Hideyuki or Hidemitsu Hori is a Japanese voice actor.
He is affiliated with the talent agency Aoni Production. With over 40 years of experience in the voice acting industry, Hori has voiced a diverse range of characters in anime, video games, and dramas. Some of his most notable roles include: Captain America in the Japanese dub of the Marvel Cinematic Universe films, Wild Tiger in Tiger & Bunny, Joseph Joestar in JoJo's Bizarre Adventure, Hanzo Hattori in Samurai Warriors, and Togusa in Ghost in the Shell. In addition to voice acting, Hori has also worked as a narrator and radio personality, appearing on various programs throughout his career.
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Chiyoko Kawashima (June 2, 1954 Ōta, Tokyo-) is a Japanese voice actor.
She began her career in 1977, providing the voice for Princess Isutori in the anime series "Henshin Ninja Arashi". Over the years, she has voiced characters in numerous popular anime and video games, including Tamao Suzumi in "Ace wo Nerae!", Orufeus F. Ringareth in "Super Robot Wars", and Yuma Chitose in "Tokimeki Memorial". In addition to her voice acting work, Kawashima has also written and directed plays for a theater company she founded in 2000. She has received several awards for her contributions to the entertainment industry, including the Seiyu Award for Best Supporting Actress in 2009. Her skill and versatility as a voice actor have made her one of the most respected figures in the anime community.
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Masahiro Andoh (September 16, 1954 Nagoya-) otherwise known as Masahiro Ando, Masahiro Andoo or Andoh, Masahiro is a Japanese , .
His albums: Arc the Lad Piano Album and GRAN TURISMO 2 EXTENDED SCORE ~GROOVE~.
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Tsurutaro Kataoka (December 21, 1954 Arakawa, Tokyo-) a.k.a. Ogino Shigeo, おぎの しげお, Shigeo Ogino, 荻野 繁雄, Kataoka Tsurutaro, かたおか つるたろう, 片岡 鶴太郎, 鶴ちゃん or 岡鶴太郎 is a Japanese actor, comedian, professional boxer and painter.
He began his career in comedy as one half of the group The Drifters, but eventually pursued acting and appeared in numerous films and television dramas. He is well-known for his roles in the films "Tora-san's Sunrise and Sunset" and "Tora-san's Forbidden Love". In addition to his acting career, Kataoka is also a trained professional boxer and has competed in several matches in his youth. He is also an accomplished painter and has exhibited his works in several galleries. Despite his success in various fields, Kataoka has been open about his struggles with depression and has become an advocate for mental health awareness in Japan.
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Yasuaki Shimizu (August 9, 1954 Shimada-) otherwise known as Shimizu Yasuaki or 清水靖晃 is a Japanese film score composer, composer, record producer and saxophonist.
Discography: cinefil, X Original Soundtrack and One Hundred. Genres he performed include Film score, Classical music and Jazz.
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Saori Minami (July 2, 1954 Okinawa Prefecture-) also known as Minami, Saori, Cynthia Paule, Akemi Uchima or Akemi Shinoyama is a Japanese japanese idol.
Her albums include Best Collection.
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Hisayoshi Ogura (June 2, 1954-) is a Japanese , .
His albums include Beep 特別企画 ビデオゲームミュージック 第2弾 ソノシート and The Ninja Warriors (Mega-CD).
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