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List of Japanese people facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

This is a list of notable Japanese people.

To be included in this list, the person must have a Wikipedia article showing they are Japanese.

Architects

Artists

Athletes

Authors

Company founders

  • Yoshisuke Aikawa (1880–1967), founder of Nissan
  • Takeo Fujisawa (1910–1988), co-founder of the automobile manufacturer Honda
  • Hirotoshi Honda, founder of Mugen Motorsports
  • Konosuke Matsushita, founder of Panasonic
  • Hiroshi Mikitani, founder of Rakuten
  • Mitsui Takatoshi (1622–1694), founder of Mitsui
  • Mikimoto Kokichi (1858–1954), founder of Mikimoto
  • Soichiro Honda (1906–1991), co-founder of the automobile manufacturer Honda
  • Jujiro Matsuda (1875-1952), founder of Mazda automobile company
  • Michio Suzuki (1887–1982), founder of Suzuki
  • Eiji Toyoda (1913–2013), founder of luxury automobile manufacturer Lexus
  • Kiichiro Toyoda (1894–1952), founder of automobile manufacturer Toyota in 1937
  • Sakichi Toyoda (1867–1930), founder of Toyota Industries and Toyota Group

Educators

  • Mori Arinori
  • Tsunesaburō Makiguchi
  • Midori Suzuki
  • Fukuzawa Yukichi
  • Tsuda Yukio
  • Kanō Jigorō
  • Imai Yone

Emperors

No. Reign Portrait Posthumous name Personal name (imina) Notes
Legendary Emperors
1 660 BC–585 BCE Emperor Jimmu.jpg Emperor Jimmu Kan'yamato Iwarebiko   presumed legendary; claimed descent from the sun goddess, Amaterasu
2 581 BCE–549 BCE Suizei thumb 1.jpg Emperor Suizei Kamu Nunagawamimi no Mikoto   presumed legendary; 3rd son of Jimmu
3 549 BCE–511 BCE Tennō Annei thumb.jpg Emperor Annei Shikitsuhiko Tamademi no Mikoto   presumed legendary; son and heir of Suizei
4 510 BCE–476 BCE Tennō Itoku thumb.jpg Emperor Itoku Oho Yamatohiko Sukitomo no Mikoto   presumed legendary; 2nd son of Annei
5 475 BCE–393 BCE Tennō Kōshō thumb.jpg Emperor Kōshō Mimatsuhiko Kaeshine no Mikoto   presumed legendary; son and heir of Itoku
6 392 BCE–291 BCE Tennō Kōan thumb.jpg Emperor Kōan Oho Yamato Tarasihiko Kunioshi Hito no Mikoto   presumed legendary; 2nd son of Kōshō
7 290 BCE–215 BCE Tennō Kōrei thumb.jpg Emperor Kōrei Oho Yamato Nekohiko Futoni no Mikoto presumed legendary
8 214 BCE–158 BCE Tennō Kōgen thumb.gif Emperor Kōgen Oho Yamato Nekohiko Kuni Kuru no Mikoto presumed legendary
9 157 BCE–98 BCE Tennō Kaika thumb.jpg Emperor Kaika Waka Yamato Nekohiko Oho Bibino no Mikoto presumed legendary
10 97 BCE–30 BCE Emperor Sujin.jpg Emperor Sujin Mimaki Irihiko Inie no Mikoto first emperor with a direct possibility of existence
11 29 BCE–70 CE No image.png Emperor Suinin Ikume Irihiko Isachi no Mikoto
12 71–130 No image.png Emperor Keikō Oho Tarasihiko Osirowake no Mikoto
13 131–191 No image.png Emperor Seimu Waka Tarasihiko
14 192–200 Tennō Chūaii thumb.gif Emperor Chūai Tarasi Nakatsuhiko no Mikoto
201–269 Empress OKINAGA TARASI.JPG Empress Jingū Okinaga Tarashihime no Mikoto Served as regent for Emperor Ōjin; not counted among the officially numbered emperors
Kofun period
15 270–310 Emperor Ōjin.jpg Emperor Ōjin Honda no Sumera-mikoto / Ōtomowake no Mikoto / Homutawake no Mikoto Last proto-historical emperor, deified as Hachiman
16 313–399 Nintoku-tennō detail.jpg Emperor Nintoku Ō Sazaki no Mikoto Inaccurate dates
17 400–405 No image.png Emperor Richū Isaho Wake no Mikoto Inaccurate dates
18 406–410 No image.png Emperor Hanzei Tajihi Mizuha Wake no Mikoto Inaccurate dates
19 411–453 No image.png Emperor Ingyō Wo Asazuma Wakugo no Sukune Inaccurate dates.
20 453–456 No image.png Emperor Ankō Anaho no Mikoto Inaccurate dates.
21 456–479 Tennō Yūryaku detail.jpg Emperor Yūryaku Oho Hatsuse Wakatakeru no Mikoto Inaccurate dates.
22 480–484 No image.png Emperor Seinei Siraka Takehiro Kuni Osi Waka Yamato Neko no Mikoto Inaccurate dates.
23 485–487 No image.png Emperor Kenzō Ohoke no Mikoto Inaccurate dates.
24 488–498 No image.png Emperor Ninken Ohosi(Ohosu) no Mikoto/ Simano Iratsuko Inaccurate dates.
25 498–506 No image.png Emperor Buretsu Wohatsuse Wakasazaki Inaccurate dates.
26 507–531 No image.png Emperor Keitai Ōto/Hikofuto (Hikofuto no Mikoto/Ōdo no Sumera Mikoto) Genealogy from this point is considered accurate.
27 531–535 No image.png Emperor Ankan Hirokuni Oshitake Kanahi no Mikoto Inaccurate dates.
28 535–539 No image.png Emperor Senka Takeo Hirokuni Oshitate no Mikoto Inaccurate dates.
Asuka period (592–710)
29 539–571 No image.png Emperor Kinmei Amekuni Oshiharuki Hironiwa no Sumera Mikoto Traditional dates.
30 572–585 No image.png Emperor Bidatsu Osada no Nunakura no Futotamashiki no Mikoto Traditional dates.
31 585–587 Yomeitenno.jpg Emperor Yōmei Ooe/Tachibana no Toyohi no Sumera Mikoto Traditional dates.
32 587–592 No image.png Emperor Sushun Hatsusebe no (Wakasasagi) Mikoto Traditional dates.
33 592–628 Empress Suiko painting.png Empress Suiko Nukatabe/Toyomike Kashikiyahime First non-legendary female emperor (Prince Shotoku acted as her regent); traditional dates.
34 629–641 No image.png Emperor Jomei Tamura (Oki Nagatarashihi Hironuka no Sumera Mikoto) Traditional dates.
35 642–645 Empress Kogyoku-Saimei.jpg Empress Kōgyoku Takara (Ame Toyotakaraikashi Hitarashi Hime no Sumera Mikoto) Traditional dates, reigned twice
36 645–654 No image.png Emperor Kōtoku Karu (Ame Yorozu Toyohi no Sumera Mikoto) Traditional dates.
37 655–661 Empress Kogyoku-Saimei.jpg Empress Saimei Takara (Ame Toyotakaraikashi Hitarashi Hime no Sumera Mikoto) Second reign of Empress Kōgyoku (35), traditional dates.
38 661–672 Poem-by-Emperor-Tenchi-(Tenji)-by-Utagawa-Kuniyoshi.png Emperor Tenji Katsuragi/Nakano-ooe (Ame Mikoto Hirakasuwake no Mikoto/Amatsu Mikoto Sakiwake no Mikoto) Traditional dates.
39 672 No image.png Emperor Kōbun Ōtomo Posthumously named (1870), usurped by Temmu
40 672–686 Emperor Tenmu.jpg Emperor Tenmu Ōama/Ohoshiama/Ōsama (Ame no Nunahara Oki no Mahito no Sumera Mikoto) Traditional dates.
41 686–697 Empress Jito by Katsukawa Shunsho.png Empress Jitō Unonosarara (Takama no Harahiro no Hime no Sumera Mikoto) Traditional dates.
42 697–707 Emperor Monmu portrait.png Emperor Monmu Karu (Ame no Mamune Toyoohoji no Sumera Mikoto) Traditional dates.
43 707–715 No image.png Empress Genmei Ahe (Yamatoneko Amatsu Mishiro Toyokuni Narihime no Sumera Mikoto) Traditional dates.
Nara period (710–794)
43 707–715 No image.png Empress Genmei Ahe (Yamatoneko Amatsu Mishiro Toyokuni Narihime no Sumera Mikoto) Traditional dates.
44 715–724 No image.png Empress Genshō Hidaka/Niinomi (Yamatoneko Takamizu Kiyotarashi Hime no Sumera Mikoto) Traditional dates.
45 724–749 Emperor Shomu.jpg Emperor Shōmu Obito (Ameshirushi Kunioshiharuki Toyosakurahiko no Sumera Mikoto) Traditional dates.
46 749–758 No image.png Empress Kōken Abe (Yamatoneko no Sumera Mikoto) Traditional dates, reigned twice
47 758–764 No image.png Emperor Junnin Ōi Posthumously named (1870), dethroned by Shōtoku
48 764–770 No image.png Empress Shōtoku Abe (Yamatoneko no Sumera Mikoto) Second reign of Empress Kōken (46), traditional dates.
49 770–781 No image.png Emperor Kōnin Shirakabe (Amemune Takatsugi no Mikoto) Traditional dates.
50 781–806 Emperor Kammu large.jpg Emperor Kanmu Yamabe (Yamatoneko Amatsu Hitsugi Iyaderi no Mikoto) Traditional dates.
Heian period (794–1185)
50 781–806 Emperor Kammu large.jpg Emperor Kanmu Yamabe (Yamatoneko Amatsu Hitsugi Iyaderi no Mikoto) Traditional dates.
51 806–809 No image.png Emperor Heizei Ate (Yamatoneko Ameoshikuni Takahiko no Mikoto) Traditional dates.
52 809–823 Emperor Saga large.jpg Emperor Saga Kamino Traditional dates.
53 823–833 No image.png Emperor Junna Ōtomo Traditional dates.
54 833–850 No image.png Emperor Ninmyō Masara Traditional dates.
55 850–858 Emperor Montoku.jpg Emperor Montoku Michiyasu Traditional dates.
56 858–876 Emperor Seiwa.jpg Emperor Seiwa Korehito Traditional dates.
57 876–884 Hyakuninisshu 013.jpg Emperor Yōzei Sadaakira Traditional dates.
58 884–887 Tennō Kōkō.jpg Emperor Kōkō Tokiyasu Traditional dates.
59 887–897 Emperor Uda large.jpg Emperor Uda Sadami Traditional dates.
60 897–930 Emperor Daigo.jpg Emperor Daigo Atsuhito Traditional dates.
61 930–946 Emperor Suzaku Yutaakira Traditional dates.
62 946–967 Emperor Murakami.jpg Emperor Murakami Nariakira Traditional dates.
63 967–969 No image.png Emperor Reizei Norihira Traditional dates.
64 969–984 No image.png Emperor En'yū Morihira Traditional dates.
65 984–986 Tennō Kazan detail.jpg Emperor Kazan Morosada Traditional dates.
66 986–1011 Emperor Ichijō.jpg Emperor Ichijō Yasuhito/Kanehito Traditional dates.
67 1011–1016 Hyakuninisshu 068.jpg Emperor Sanjō Okisada/Iyasada Traditional dates.
68 1016–1036 No image.png Emperor Go-Ichijō Atsuhira Traditional dates.
69 1036–1045 No image.png Emperor Go-Suzaku Atsunaga/Atsuyoshi Traditional dates.
70 1045–1068 No image.png Emperor Go-Reizei Chikahito Traditional dates.
71 1068–1073 Retired-Emperor-Go-Sanjo-Ukiyo-e.png Emperor Go-Sanjō Takahito Traditional dates.
72 1073–1086 Emperor Shirakawa.jpg Emperor Shirakawa Sadahito Traditional dates.
73 1087–1107 No image.png Emperor Horikawa Taruhito Traditional dates.
74 1107–1123 Emperor Toba.jpg Emperor Toba Munehito Traditional dates.
75 1123–1142 Emperor Sutoku2.jpg Emperor Sutoku Akihito Traditional dates.
76 1142–1155 No image.png Emperor Konoe Narihito Traditional dates.
77 1155–1158 Emperor Go-Shirakawa2.jpg Emperor Go-Shirakawa Masahito Traditional dates.
78 1158–1165 Nijotenno.jpg Emperor Nijō Morihito Traditional dates.
79 1165–1168 No image.png Emperor Rokujō Yorihito Traditional dates.
80 1168–1180 Emperor Takakura.jpg Emperor Takakura Norihito Traditional dates.
81 1180–1185 Emperor Antoku.jpg Emperor Antoku Tokihito Traditional dates.
Kamakura period (1185–1333)
82 1183–1198 Emperor Go-Toba.jpg Emperor Go-Toba Takahira Traditional dates.
83 1198–1210 Emperor Tsuchimikado.jpg Emperor Tsuchimikado Tamehito Traditional dates.
84 1210–1221 Emperor Juntoku large.jpg Emperor Juntoku Morihira/Morinari Traditional dates.
85 1221 No image.png Emperor Chūkyō Kanehira/Kanenari Posthumously named (1870)
86 1221–1232 Emperor Go-Horikawa.jpg Emperor Go-Horikawa Yutahito Traditional dates.
87 1232–1242 Emperor Shijō.jpg Emperor Shijō Mitsuhito/Hidehito Traditional dates.
88 1242–1246 Emperor Go-Saga.jpg Emperor Go-Saga Kunihito Traditional dates.
89 1246–1260 Emperor Go-Fukakusa.jpg Emperor Go-Fukakusa Hisahito Traditional dates.
90 1260–1274 Emperor Kameyama.jpg Emperor Kameyama Tsunehito Traditional dates.
91 1274–1287 Emperor Go-Uda2.jpg Emperor Go-Uda Yohito Traditional dates.
92 1287–1298 Emperor Fushimi.jpg Emperor Fushimi Hirohito Traditional dates.
93 1298–1301 Emperor Go-Fushimi.jpg Emperor Go-Fushimi Tanehito Traditional dates.
94 1301–1308 Emperor Go-Nijō.jpg Emperor Go-Nijō Kuniharu Traditional dates.
95 1308–1318 Tennō Hanazono detail.jpg Emperor Hanazono Tomihito Traditional dates.
96 1318–1339 Emperor Godaigo by Monkan-bō Kōshin.jpg Emperor Go-Daigo Takaharu Traditional dates; Southern Court
Northern Court (1333–1392)
1331–1333 Emperor Kōgon.jpg Emperor Kōgon Kazuhito
1336–1348 Emperor Kōmyō.jpg Emperor Kōmyō Yutahito
1348–1351 No image.png Emperor Sukō Okihito
1351–1352 Interregnum
1352–1371 Emperor Go-Kōgon.jpg Emperor Go-Kōgon Iyahito
1371–1382 Emperor Go-En'yū detail.jpg Emperor Go-En'yū Ohito
1382–1392 Emperor Go-Komatsu.jpg Emperor Go-Komatsu Motohito Reunified courts in 1392, see 100 below
Muromachi period (1333–1573)
96 1318–1339 Emperor Godaigo by Monkan-bō Kōshin.jpg Emperor Go-Daigo Takaharu Traditional dates; Southern Court
97 1339–1368 Emperor Go-Murakami.jpg Emperor Go-Murakami Norinaga/Noriyoshi Southern Court
98 1368–1383 No image.png Emperor Chōkei Yutanari Southern Court
99 1383–1392 Emperor Go-Kameyama.jpg Emperor Go-Kameyama Hironari Southern Court
100 1392–1412 Emperor Go-Komatsu.jpg Emperor Go-Komatsu Motohito Reunified courts, see also entry in Northern Court section.
101 1412–1428 No image.png Emperor Shōkō Mihito Traditional dates.
102 1428–1464 Emperor Go-Hanazono.jpg Emperor Go-Hanazono Hikohito Traditional dates.
103 1464–1500 No image.png Emperor Go-Tsuchimikado Fusahito Traditional dates.
104 1500–1526 No image.png Emperor Go-Kashiwabara Katsuhito Traditional dates.
105 1526–1557 Emperor Go-Nara.jpg Emperor Go-Nara Tomohito Traditional dates.
106 1557–1586 Emperor Ogimachi2.jpg Emperor Ōgimachi Michihito Traditional dates.
Azuchi-Momoyama period (1573–1603)
106 1557–1586 Emperor Ogimachi2.jpg Emperor Ōgimachi Michihito Traditional dates.
107 1586–1611 Emperor Go-Yōzei2.jpg Emperor Go-Yōzei Kazuhito/Katahito Traditional dates.
Edo period (1603–1868)
107 1586–1611 Emperor Go-Yōzei2.jpg Emperor Go-Yōzei Kazuhito/Katahito Traditional dates.
108 1611–1629 Emperor Go-Mizunoo2.jpg Emperor Go-Mizunoo
(Go-Minoo)
Kotohito Traditional dates.
109 1629–1643 Meisho of Japan.jpg Empress Meishō Okiko Traditional dates.
110 1643–1654 Emperor Go-Kōmyō.jpg Emperor Go-Kōmyō Tsuguhito Traditional dates.
111 1655–1663 Emperor Go-Sai.jpg Emperor Go-Sai Nagahito Traditional dates.
112 1663–1687 Emperor Reigen.jpg Emperor Reigen Satohito Traditional dates.
113 1687–1709 Emperor Higashiyama.jpg Emperor Higashiyama Asahito Traditional dates.
114 1709–1735 Emperor Nakamikado.jpg Emperor Nakamikado Yasuhito Traditional dates.
115 1735–1747 Emperor Sakuramachi.jpg Emperor Sakuramachi Teruhito Traditional dates.
116 1747–1762 Emperor Momozono.jpg Emperor Momozono Toohito Traditional dates.
117 1762–1771 Go-Sakuramachi cropped.jpg Empress Go-Sakuramachi Toshiko Traditional dates.
118 1771–1779 Emperor Go-Momozono.jpg Emperor Go-Momozono Hidehito Traditional dates.
119 1780–1817 Emperor Kōkaku.jpg Emperor Kōkaku Tomohito Traditional dates.
120 1817–1846 Emperor Ninkō.jpg Emperor Ninkō Ayahito Traditional dates.
121 1846–1867 The Emperor Komei.jpg Emperor Kōmei Osahito
Modern Japan (Imperial and Postwar) (1867–present)
122 1867–1912 Black and white photo of emperor Meiji of Japan.jpg Emperor Meiji Mutsuhito First Emperor of the Empire of Japan.
123 1912–1926 Emperor Taishō.jpg Emperor Taishō Yoshihito Crown Prince Hirohito served as Sesshō (Prince Regent) 1921–1926.
124 1926–1989 Hirohito in dress uniform.jpg Emperor Shōwa Hirohito Served as Sesshō (Prince Regent) 1921–1926. Last Emperor of the Empire of Japan.
125 1989–2019 Emperor Akihito cropped 3 Barack Obama Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko 20140424 1.jpg Emperor Akihito Akihito Referred to as 'the Emperor Emeritus' or Daijō Tennō (i.e. His Majesty the Emperor Emeritus) in Japanese and as Emperor Akihito in English. His posthumous name is likely to be Emperor Heisei. He abdicated in 2019 in favor of his eldest son Naruhito. He was the first monarch since Emperor Kōkaku to do so.
126 2019–present Emperor Naruhito at TICAD7 (cropped).jpg Emperor "Kinjō"
(Reigning monarch)
Naruhito Referred to as 'the Present Emperor' or Tenno Heika (i.e. His Majesty the Emperor) in Japanese and as Emperor Naruhito in English. His posthumous name is likely to be Emperor Reiwa.

Historians

  • Ienaga Saburō
  • Kanda Nobuo
  • Maruyama Masao
  • Naitō Torajirō
  • Ikuhiko Hata
  • Shinichi Kitaoka
  • Kan Kimura
  • Ichirō Inaba
  • Naoki Inose

Military leaders

Samurai

A

B

C

  • Chōsokabe Morichika
  • Chōsokabe Kunichika
  • Chōsokabe Motochika
  • Chōsokabe Nobuchika
  • Collache, Eugène

D

E

  • Endō Naotsune
  • Enomoto Takeaki

F

  • Fūma Kotarō
  • Fuwa Mitsuharu
  • Fujiwara no Hidesato (Tawara no Tōda)
  • Fukushima Masanori

G

  • Gamō Katahide
  • Gamō Ujisato

H

I

K

  • Kaneko Ietada
  • Katagiri Katsumoto
  • Katō Kiyomasa
  • Kawakami Gensai
  • Kido Takayoshi
  • Kikkawa Hiroie
  • Kimotsuki Kanetsugu
  • Kobayakawa Hideaki
  • Kobayakawa Hidekane
  • Kobayakawa Takakage
  • Kojima Toyoharu
  • Kuroda Denta
  • Kuroda Kanbei Don Sim(e)on Josui Yoshitaka
  • Kuroda Kiyotaka
  • Kusunoki Masashige
  • Kumagai Naozane

M

N

  • Nagakura Shinpachi
  • Nagao Harukage
  • Nagao Masakage
  • Nagao Tamekage
  • Naoe Kanetsugu
  • Nakagawa Kiyohide
  • Naoe Kagetsuna
  • Naoe Kanetsugu
  • Nihonmatsu Yoshitsugu
  • Niimi Nishiki
  • Niiro Tadamoto
  • Niwa Nagahide
  • Niwa Nagashige

O

R

  • Rokkaku Yoshitaka
  • Rusu Masakage
  • Ryūzōji Takanobu
    • See also Ryūzōji clan

S

T

U

  • Uesugi Kagekatsu
  • Uesugi Kagetora
  • Uesugi Kenshin
  • Ukita Naoie
  • Umezawa Michiharu
  • Usami Sadamitsu

W

  • Watanabe Kazan
  • Watanabe no Tsuna

Y

  • Yagyū Jūbei Mitsuyoshi
  • Yasuke (foreign born)
  • Yamada Arinaga
  • Yamada Arinobu
  • Yamada Nagamasa
  • Yamagata Masakage
  • Yamanami Keisuke
  • Yanagisawa Yoshiyasu
  • Yonekura Shigetsugu
  • Yagyū Munenori
  • Yamauchi Kazutoyo
  • Yūki Hideyasu

Kamakura shōguns

  1. Minamoto no Yoritomo, r. 1192–1199
  2. Minamoto no Yoriie, r. 1202–1203
  3. Minamoto no Sanetomo, r. 1203–1219
  4. Kujō Yoritsune, r. 1226–1244
  5. Kujō Yoritsugu, r. 1244–1252
  6. Prince Munetaka, r. 1252–1266
  7. Prince Koreyasu, r. 1266–1289
  8. Prince Hisaakira, r. 1289–1308
  9. Prince Morikuni, r. 1308–1333
  10. Prince Morinaga, r.1333–1334
  11. Prince Norinaga, r. 1334–1338

Kamakura shikken

Hojo Takatoki Harakiri-Yagura
Site of Hōjō Takatoki's death
  1. Hōjō Tokimasa, r. 1203–1205
  2. Hōjō Yoshitoki, r. 1205–1224
  3. Hōjō Yasutoki, r. 1224–1242
  4. Hōjō Tsunetoki, r. 1242–1246
  5. Hōjō Tokiyori, r. 1246–1256
  6. Hōjō Tokimune, r. 1268–1284
  7. Hōjō Sadatoki, r. 1284–1301
  8. Hōjō Morotoki, r. 1301–1311
  9. Hōjō Takatoki, r. 1316–1326

Ashikaga shōguns

  1. Ashikaga Takauji, ruled 1338–1358
  2. Ashikaga Yoshiakira, r. 1359–1368
  3. Ashikaga Yoshimitsu, r. 1368–1394
  4. Ashikaga Yoshimochi, r. 1395–1423
  5. Ashikaga Yoshikazu, r. 1423–1425
  6. Ashikaga Yoshinori, r. 1429–1441
  7. Ashikaga Yoshikatsu, r. 1442–1443
  8. Ashikaga Yoshimasa, r. 1449–1473
  9. Ashikaga Yoshihisa, r. 1474–1489
  10. Ashikaga Yoshitane, r. 1490–1493, 1508–1521
  11. Ashikaga Yoshizumi, r. 1494–1508
  12. Ashikaga Yoshiharu, r. 1521–1546
  13. Ashikaga Yoshiteru, r. 1546–1565
  14. Ashikaga Yoshihide, r. 1568
  15. Ashikaga Yoshiaki, r. 1568–1573

Tokugawa shōguns

Number Tokugawas Took office Left office
1 Tokugawa Ieyasu2.JPG Tokugawa Ieyasu 1603 1605
2 Hidetada.jpg Tokugawa Hidetada 1605 1623
3 Iemitu.jpg Tokugawa Iemitsu 1623 1651
4 Tokugawa Ietsuna.jpg Tokugawa Ietsuna 1651 1680
5 Tsunyaoshi.jpg Tokugawa Tsunayoshi 1680 1709
6 Tokugawa Ienobu.jpg Tokugawa Ienobu 1709 1712
7 Tokugawa ietsugu.jpg Tokugawa Ietsugu 1713 1716
8 Tokugawa Yoshimune.jpg Tokugawa Yoshimune 1716 1745
9 Tokugawa Ieshige.jpg Tokugawa Ieshige 1745 1760
10 Tokugawa Ieharu.jpg Tokugawa Ieharu 1760 1786
11 Tokugawa Ienari.jpg Tokugawa Ienari 1786 1837
12 Tokugawa Ieyoshi.JPG Tokugawa Ieyoshi 1837 1853
13 Tokugawa Iesada.jpg Tokugawa Iesada 1853 August 14, 1858
14 Toku14-2.jpg Tokugawa Iemochi August 14, 1858 August 29, 1866
15 TokugawaYoshinobu.jpg Tokugawa Yoshinobu August 29, 1866 November 19, 1867

Over the course of the Edo period, influential relatives of the shōgun included:

  • Tokugawa Mitsukuni of the Mito domain
  • Tokugawa Nariaki of the Mito domain
  • Tokugawa Mochiharu of the Hitotsubashi branch
  • Tokugawa Munetake of the Tayasu branch.
  • Matsudaira Katamori of the Aizu branch.
  • Matsudaira Sadanobu, born into the Tayasu branch, adopted into the Hisamatsu-Matsudaira of Shirakawa.

Pre-modern

Emperors

Commanders from loyal family

Commanders in Thirty-Eight Years' War

Modern

Musicians

Personalities

Comedians

Idols (male)

  • Daiki Arioka
  • Goro Inagaki
  • Hikaru Yaotome
  • Hiroki Uchi
  • Jin Akanishi
  • Jun Matsumoto
  • Junnosuke Taguchi
  • Junichi Okada
  • Kanata Hongō
  • Katori Shingo
  • Kazunari Ninomiya
  • Kazuya Kamenashi
  • Kei Inoo
  • Keiichiro Koyama
  • Keita Tachibana
  • Keito Okamoto
  • Kimura Takuya
  • Koichi Domoto
  • Koike Teppei
  • Kota Yabu
  • Kusano Hironori
  • Masahiro Nakai
  • Masaki Aiba
  • Ryutaro Morimoto
  • Shingo Murakami
  • Ryo Nishikido
  • Ryohei Chiba
  • Ryuichi Ogata
  • Ryosuke Yamada
  • Satoshi Ohno
  • Shigeaki Kato
  • Shingo Murakami
  • Sho Sakurai
  • Shota Yasuda
  • Subaru Shibutani
  • Takahisa Masuda
  • Tanaka Koki
  • Tatsuya Ueda
  • Tsuyoshi Domoto
  • Tsuyoshi Kusanagi
  • Tomohisa Yamashita
  • Toma Ikuta
  • Yu Yokoyama
  • Yuichi Nakamaru
  • Yuma Nakayama
  • Yuto Nakajima
  • Yuuri Chinen
  • Yuya Tegoshi
  • Yuya Takaki

Idols (female)

  • Sayaka Akimoto
  • Rina Akiyama
  • Momoka Ariyasu
  • Mizuki Fukumura
  • Yui Hiwatashi
  • Haruna Iikubo
  • Erina Ikuta
  • Ayumi Ishida
  • Tomomi Itano
  • Tomomi Kasai
  • Yuki Kashiwagi
  • Umika Kawashima
  • Rie Kitahara
  • Eiko Koike
  • Haruna Kojima
  • Haruka Kudo
  • Koharu Kusumi
  • Atsuko Maeda
  • Erina Mano
  • Jurina Matsui
  • Rena Matsui
  • Aya Matsuura
  • Sayumi Michishige
  • Minami Minegishi
  • Kanako Momota
  • Haruka Nakagawa
  • Shoko Nakagawa
  • Chise Nakamura
  • Jun Natsukawa
  • Yuko Oshima
  • Ayaka Sasaki
  • Masaki Sato
  • Riho Sayashi
  • Rino Sashihara
  • Mariko Shinoda
  • Kanon Suzuki
  • Reni Takagi
  • Aki Takajo
  • Minami Takahashi
  • Shiori Tamai
  • Takako Uehara
  • Aya Ueto
  • Mayu Watanabe
  • Azusa Yamamoto

Models

  • Seika Furuhata
  • Kanata Hongō
  • Aki Hoshino
  • May J.
  • Meisa Kuroki
  • Riyo Mori
  • Suzuka Morita
  • Mariya Nishiuchi
  • Fujiwara Norika
  • Tao Okamoto
  • Oshikiri Moe
  • Umemiya Anna
  • Inoue Waka
  • Yamada Yu
  • Ebihara Yuri

Musicians and singers (male)

Musicians and singers (female)

Tarento

  • Aya Ueto
  • Becky
  • Kazushige Nagashima
  • Kano sisters
  • Matt Kuwata
  • Mina Fukui
  • Momoiro Clover Z
  • Naomi Watanabe
  • Roland (Japanese host)

Actors

Actresses

TV and radio personalities

  • Iijima Ai
  • Mao Inoue
  • Kano sisters
  • Sugita Kaoru
  • Mino Monta
  • Shinohara Tomoe

Others

Prime Ministers

Meiji period (1868–1912)

Prime Ministers of Emperor Meiji

No. Prime Minister Term of office Political Party Government Elected Ref
Portrait Name Took Office Left Office Days
1 Itō Hirobumi.jpg Itō Hirobumi
伊藤 博文
Itō Hirobumi
(1841–1909)
22 December 1885 30 April 1888 860 None 1. Itō I
The first Prime Minister of the Empire of Japan.
2 Kiyotaka Kuroda formal cropped.jpg Kuroda Kiyotaka
黑田 清隆
Kuroda Kiyotaka
(1840–1900)
30 April 1888 25 October 1889 543 None 2. Kuroda
Oversaw promulgation of the Meiji Constitution. Failed to secure revision of the unequal treaties; resigned.
Sanetomi Sanjo formal cropped.jpg Sanjō Sanetomi
三條 實美
Sanjō Sanetomi
(1837–1891)
25 October 1889 24 December 1889 60 None Sanjō (interim)
Upon the resignation of Kuroda’s government, the Emperor only accepted Kuroda’s resignation and invited Sanjō to head the government for two more months. Today, however, Sanjō’s government is generally regarded as a continuation of Kuroda’s. Held concurrently by the Lord Keeper of the Privy Seal.
3 Yamagata Aritomo.jpg Yamagata Aritomo
山縣 有朋
Yamagata Aritomo
(1838–1922)
24 December 1889 6 May 1891 498 None 3. Yamagata I 1890
4 Masayoshi Matsukata suit.jpg Matsukata Masayoshi
松方 正義
Matsukata Masayoshi
(1835–1924)
6 May 1891 8 August 1892 460 None 4. Matsukata I 1892
(1) Itō Hirobumi.jpg Itō Hirobumi
伊藤 博文
Itō Hirobumi
(1841–1909)
8 August 1892 31 August 1896 1484 None 5. Itō II Mar. 1894
Sept. 1894
Resigned.
During this interval, Privy Council Chairman Kuroda Kiyotaka (黑田 清隆 Kuroda Kiyotaka) was the Acting Prime Minister.
(4) Masayoshi Matsukata suit.jpg Matsukata Masayoshi
松方 正義
Matsukata Masayoshi
(1835–1924)
18 September 1896 12 January 1898 481 None 6. Matsukata II
(1) Itō Hirobumi.jpg Itō Hirobumi
伊藤 博文
Itō Hirobumi
(1841–1909)
12 January 1898 30 June 1898 169 None 7. Itō III Mar. 1898
5 Ōkuma Shigenobu.jpg Ōkuma Shigenobu
大隈 重信
Ōkuma Shigenobu
(1838–1922)
30 June 1898 8 November 1898 131 Kenseitō 8. Ōkuma I Sept. 1898
(3) Yamagata Aritomo.jpg Yamagata Aritomo
山縣 有朋
Yamagata Aritomo
(1838–1922)
8 November 1898 19 October 1900 710 None 9. Yamagata II
(1) Itō Hirobumi.jpg Itō Hirobumi
伊藤 博文
Itō Hirobumi
(1841–1909)
19 October 1900 10 May 1901 203 Rikken Seiyūkai 10. Itō IV
Resigned.
During this interval, Privy Council Chairman Saionji Kinmochi (西園寺 公望 Saionji Kinmochi) was the Acting Prime Minister.
6 Taro Katsura suit.jpg Katsura Tarō
桂 太郎
Katsura Tarō
(1848–1913)
2 June 1901 7 January 1906 1680 None (Retired General) 11. Katsura I 1902
1903
1904
7 PM Kinmochi Saionji cropped.jpg Saionji Kinmochi
西園寺 公望
Saionji Kinmochi
(1849–1940)
7 January 1906 14 July 1908 919 Rikken Seiyūkai 12. Saionji I 1908
(6) Taro Katsura suit.jpg Katsura Tarō
桂 太郎
Katsura Tarō
(1848–1913)
14 July 1908 30 August 1911 1142 None (Retired General) 13. Katsura II
(7) PM Kinmochi Saionji cropped.jpg Saionji Kinmochi
西園寺 公望
Saionji Kinmochi
(1849–1940)
30 August 1911 21 December 1912 479 Rikken Seiyūkai 14. Saionji II 1912

Taishō period (1912–1926)

Prime Ministers of Emperor Taishō

No. Prime Minister Term of office Political Party Government Elected Ref
Portrait Name Took Office Left Office Days
(6) Taro Katsura suit.jpg Katsura Tarō
桂 太郎
Katsura Tarō
(1848–1913)
21 December 1912 20 February 1913 61 None (Retired General) 15. Katsura III
8 Gonbee Yamamoto later years cropped.jpg Yamamoto Gonnohyōe
山本 權兵衛
Yamamoto Gonnohyōe
(1852–1933)
20 February 1913 16 April 1914 420 Military (Navy) 16. Yamamoto I
(5) Ōkuma Shigenobu.jpg Ōkuma Shigenobu
大隈 重信
Ōkuma Shigenobu
(1838–1922)
16 April 1914 9 October 1916 907 Rikken Dōshikai 17. Ōkuma II 1915
9 Masatake Terauchi uniform.jpg Terauchi Masatake
寺内 正毅
Terauchi Masatake
(1852–1919)
9 October 1916 29 September 1918 720 Military (Army) 18. Terauchi 1917
10 Takashi Hara posing cropped.jpg Hara Takashi
原 敬
Hara Takashi
(1856–1921)
29 September 1918 4 November 1921 1132 Rikken Seiyūkai 19. Hara 1920
Assassinated.
During this interval, Foreign Minister Uchida Kosai (内田 康哉 Uchida Kōsai) was the Acting Prime Minister.
11 Takahashi korekiyo giving an address cropped.jpg Takahashi Korekiyo
高橋 是清
Takahashi Korekiyo
(1854–1936)
13 November 1921 12 June 1922 220 Rikken Seiyūkai 20. Takahashi
12 Admiral Kato Tomosaburo cropped.jpg Katō Tomosaburō
加藤 友三郎
Katō Tomosaburō
(1861–1923)
12 June 1922 24 August 1923 438 Military (Navy) 21. Katō To.
Died in office of natural causes.
During this interval, Foreign Minister Uchida Kosai (内田 康哉 Uchida Kōsai) was the Acting Prime Minister.
(8) Gonbee Yamamoto later years cropped.jpg Yamamoto Gonnohyōe
山本 權兵衛
Yamamoto Gonnohyōe
(1852–1933)
2 September 1923 7 January 1924 125 Military (Navy) 22. Yamamoto II
13 Kiyoura Keigo.jpg Kiyoura Keigo
清浦 奎吾
Kiyoura Keigo
(1850–1942)
7 January 1924 11 June 1924 156 None 23. Kiyoura 1924
14 Takaaki Kato suit.jpg Katō Takaaki
加藤 高明
Katō Takaaki
(1860–1926)
11 June 1924 2 August 1925 596 Kenseikai 24. Katō Ta.
2 August 1925 28 January 1926
Resigned after the “Grand Coalition of the Three Pro-Constitution Parties” collapsed. Katō was then reinvited by the Prince Regent to form a new government with his own party, Kenseitō. Today, however, his second term is generally regarded as continuation of his first. Died in office of natural causes.
During this interval, Interior Minister Wakatsuki Reijirō (若槻 禮次郎 Wakatsuki Reijirō) was the Acting Prime Minister.
15 Reijiro Wakatsuki posing cropped.jpg Wakatsuki Reijirō
若槻 禮次郎
Wakatsuki Reijirō
(1866–1949)
30 January 1926 20 April 1927 445 Kenseikai 25. Wakatsuki I

Shōwa period under 1890 Constitution (1926–1947)

Prime Ministers of Emperor Shōwa under 1890 Constitution

No. Prime Minister Term of office Political Party Government Elected Ref
Portrait Name Took Office Left Office Days
16 Giichi Tanaka posing cropped.jpg Tanaka Giichi
田中 義一
Tanaka Giichi
(1864–1929)
20 April 1927 2 July 1929 804 Rikken Seiyūkai 26. Tanaka G. 1928
17 Osachi Hamaguchi posing cropped.jpg Osachi Hamaguchi
濱口 雄幸
Hamaguchi Osachi
(1870–1931)
2 July 1929 14 April 1931 651 Rikken Minseitō 27. Hamaguchi 1930
Incapacitated due to serious wound from assassination plot on 14 November 1930. Foreign Minister Shidehara Kijūrō served as Deputy Prime Minister until Hamaguchi’s return to the office on 10 March 1931.
(15) Reijiro Wakatsuki posing cropped.jpg Wakatsuki Reijirō
若槻 禮次郎
Wakatsuki Reijirō
(1866–1949)
14 April 1931 13 December 1931 243 Rikken Minseitō 28. Wakatsuki II
18 Tsuyoshi Inukai facing left cropped.jpg Inukai Tsuyoshi
犬養 毅
Inukai Tsuyoshi
(1855–1932)
13 December 1931 15 May 1932 154 Rikken Seiyūkai 29. Inukai 1932
Assassinated.
During this interval, Finance Minister Takahashi Korekiyo (高橋 是清 Takahashi Korekiyo) was the Acting Prime Minister.
19 Makoto Saito 2.jpg Saitō Makoto
齋藤 實
Saitō Makoto
(1858–1936)
26 May 1932 8 July 1934 773 Military (Navy) 30. Saitō
20 Keisuke Okada 2 cropped.jpg Keisuke Okada
岡田 啓介
Okada Keisuke
(1868–1952)
8 July 1934 9 March 1936 610 Military (Navy) 31. Okada 1936
Thought to be killed by renegade soldiers during the February 26 Incident. Interior Minister Gotō Fumio served as Deputy Prime Minister until Okada was found alive on 28 February 1936.
21 Kohki Hirota suit cropped.jpg Kōki Hirota
廣田 弘毅
Hirota Kōki
(1878–1948)
9 March 1936 2 February 1937 330 None 32. Hirota
22 Senjuro Hayashi suit.jpg Senjūrō Hayashi
林 銑十郎
Hayashi Senjūrō
(1876–1943)
2 February 1937 4 June 1937 122 Military (Army) 33. Hayashi 1937
23 Konoe Humimaro.jpg Fumimaro Konoe
近衞 文麿
Konoe Fumimaro
(1891–1945)
4 June 1937 5 January 1939 580 None 34. Konoe I
24 Kiichiro Hiranuma.jpg Hiranuma Kiichirō
平沼 騏一郎
Hiranuma Kiichirō
(1867–1952)
5 January 1939 30 August 1939 237 None 35. Hiranuma
25 Nobuyuki Abe formal.jpg Nobuyuki Abe
阿部 信行
Abe Nobuyuki
(1875–1953)
30 August 1939 16 January 1940 139 Military (Army) 36. Abe N.
26 Yonai Mitsumasa.jpg Mitsumasa Yonai
米内 光政
Yonai Mitsumasa
(1880–1948)
16 January 1940 22 July 1940 188 Military (Navy) 37. Yonai
(23) Konoe Humimaro.jpg Fumimaro Konoe
近衞 文麿
Konoe Fumimaro
(1891–1945)
22 July 1940 18 July 1941 453 Taisei Yokusankai 38. Konoe II
18 July 1941 18 October 1941 39. Konoe III
27 Hideki Tōjō.jpg Hideki Tōjō
東條 英機
Tōjō Hideki
(1884–1948)
18 October 1941 22 July 1944 1008 Taisei Yokusankai 40. Tōjō 1942
28 Kuniaki Koiso.jpg Kuniaki Koiso
小磯 國昭
Koiso Kuniaki
(1880–1950)
22 July 1944 7 April 1945 259 Military (Army) 41. Koiso
29 Kantaro Suzuki suit cropped.jpg Kantarō Suzuki
鈴木 貫太郎
Suzuki Kantarō
(1868–1948)
7 April 1945 17 August 1945 132 Taisei Yokusankai 42. Suzuki K.
30 HIH Prince Naruhiko of Higashikuni.jpg Higashikuni Naruhiko
東久邇宮 稔彦 王
Higashikuni no miya Naruhiko ō
(1887–1990)
17 August 1945 9 October 1945 53 Imperial Family 43. Higashikuni
The only member of the Imperial Family to serve as Prime Minister.
31 Prime Minister Kijūrō Shidehara.jpg Kijūrō Shidehara
幣原 喜重郎
Shidehara Kijūrō
(1872–1951)
9 October 1945 22 May 1946 225 None 44. Shidehara
32 Shigeru Yoshida smiling2.jpg Shigeru Yoshida
吉田 茂
Yoshida Shigeru
(1878–1967)
22 May 1946 24 May 1947 367 Japan Liberal 45. Yoshida I 1946

Shōwa period under 1947 Constitution (1947–1989)

Prime Ministers of Emperor Shōwa under 1947 Constitution

Prime Minister Term of office Political Party Government Elected Ref
Portrait Name
(Birth–Death)
Took Office Left Office Days Gen. Coun.
33 Tetsu Katayama.jpg Tetsu Katayama
片山 哲
Katayama Tetsu
(1887–1978)
Rep for Kanagawa 3rd
24 May 1947 10 March 1948 291 JSP
Nihon Shakaitō
46. Katayama
JSP–DP–PCP
1947 1947
Under Allied Occupation. The first Prime Minister and the first socialist to serve as Prime Minister of Japan. Member of Diet from 1930 to 1963. Formed a coalition government with the Democratic Party and the National Cooperative Party.
34 Hitoshi Ashida.jpg Hitoshi Ashida
芦田 均
Ashida Hitoshi
(1887–1959)
Rep for Kyōto 2nd
10 March 1948 15 October 1948 219 DP
Minshutō
47. Ashida
DP–JSP–PCP
Under Allied Occupation. Ashida's cabinet resigned after seven months in office, due to alleged ministerial corruption in the Showa Electric scandal.
(32) Shigeru Yoshida smiling2.jpg Shigeru Yoshida
吉田 茂
Yoshida Shigeru
(1878–1967)
Rep for Kōchi at-large
15 October 1948 16 February 1949 2247 DLP
Minshu Jiyūtō
(until 1950);
Liberal
Jiyūtō
48. Yoshida II
DLP
16 February 1949 30 October 1952 49. Yoshida III
(Reshuffle 1 · 2 · 3)
DLP/Liberal–DP
1949 1950
30 October 1952 21 May 1953 50. Yoshida IV
Liberal
1952
21 May 1953 10 December 1954 51. Yoshida V
Liberal
1953 1953
Under Allied Occupation until the Treaty of San Francisco came into force on 28 April 1952. Developed the Yoshida Doctrine, prioritising economic development and reliance on United States military protection.
35 Hatoyama Ichirō.jpg Ichirō Hatoyama
鳩山 一郎
Hatoyama Ichirō
(1883–1959)
Rep for Tokyo 1st
10 December 1954 19 March 1955 744 JDP
Nihon Minshutō
52. Hatoyama I. I
JDP
19 March 1955 22 November 1955 53. Hatoyama I. II
JDP
1955
22 November 1955 23 December 1956 LDP
Jimintō
54. Hatoyama I. III
LDP
Rebuilt diplomatic ties with the Soviet Union. Favored parole for some of the Class A war criminals who had been sentenced to life imprisonment at the Tokyo Trial.
36 Tanzan Ishibashi.jpg Tanzan Ishibashi
石橋 湛山
Ishibashi Tanzan
(1884–1973)
Rep for Shizuoka 2nd
23 December 1956 25 February 1957 64 LDP
Jimintō
55. Ishibashi
LDP
1956
Incapacitated due to minor stroke on 31 January 1957. Foreign Minister Kishi Nobusuke served as Deputy Prime Minister until 25 February 1957.
37 Nobusuke Kishi.jpg Nobusuke Kishi
岸 信介
Kishi Nobusuke
(1896–1987)
Rep for Yamaguchi 1st
25 February 1957 12 June 1958 1240 LDP
Jimintō
56. Kishi I
(Reshuffle)
LDP
12 June 1958 19 July 1960 57. Kishi II
(Reshuffle)
LDP
1958 1959
38 Hayato Ikeda.jpg Hayato Ikeda
池田 勇人
Ikeda Hayato
(1899–1965)
Rep for Hiroshima 2nd
19 July 1960 8 December 1960 1574 LDP
Jimintō
58. Ikeda I
LDP
8 December 1960 9 December 1963 59. Ikeda II
(Reshuffle 1 · 2 · 3)
LDP
1960 1962
9 December 1963 9 November 1964 60. Ikeda III
(Reshuffle)
LDP
1963
39 Eisaku Sato 19641109.jpg Eisaku Satō
佐藤 榮作
Satō Eisaku
(1901–1975)
Rep for Yamaguchi 2nd
9 November 1964 17 February 1967 2797 LDP
Jimintō
61. Satō I
(Reshuffle 1 · 2 · 3)
LDP
1965
17 February 1967 14 January 1970 62. Satō II
(Reshuffle 1 · 2)
LDP
1967 1968
14 January 1970 7 July 1972 63. Satō III
(Reshuffle)
1969 1971
40 Kakuei Tanaka 19720707.jpg Kakuei Tanaka
田中 角榮
Tanaka Kakuei
(1918–1993)
Rep for Niigata 3rd
7 July 1972 22 December 1972 885 LDP
Jimintō
64. Tanaka K. I
LDP
22 December 1972 9 December 1974 65. Tanaka K. II
(Reshuffle 1 · 2)
LDP
1972
resigned in the midst of scandal. Later, "shadow shogun".
41 Takeo Miki 19741209.jpg Takeo Miki
三木 武夫
Miki Takeo
(1907–1988)
Rep for Tokushima at-large
9 December 1974 24 December 1976 746 LDP
Jimintō
66. Miki
(Reshuffle)
LDP
1974
42 Takeo Fukuda 19761224.jpg Takeo Fukuda
福田 赳夫
Fukuda Takeo
(1905–1995)
Rep for Gunma 3rd
24 December 1976 7 December 1978 713 LDP
Jimintō
67. Fukuda T.
(Reshuffle)
LDP
1976 1977
43 Masayoshi Ohira 19781207.jpg Masayoshi Ōhira
大平 正芳
Ōhira Masayoshi
(1910–1980)
Rep for Kagawa 2nd
7 December 1978 9 November 1979 553 LDP
Jimintō
68. Ōhira I
LDP
9 November 1979 12 June 1980 69. Ōhira II
LDP
1979
Died in office of natural causes.
During this interval, Chief Cabinet Secretary Masayoshi Ito (伊東 正義 Itō Masayoshi) was the Acting Prime Minister.
44 Zenko Suzuki 19800717.jpg Zenkō Suzuki
鈴木 善幸
Suzuki Zenkō
(1911–2004)
Rep for Iwate 1st
17 July 1980 27 November 1982 863 LDP
Jimintō
70. Suzuki Z.
(Reshuffle)
LDP
1980 1980
45 Yasuhiro Nakasone 19821127.jpg Yasuhiro Nakasone
中曽根 康弘
Nakasone Yasuhiro
(1918–2019)
Rep for Gunma 3rd
27 November 1982 27 December 1983 1805 LDP
Jimintō
71. Nakasone I
LDP
27 December 1983 22 July 1986 72. Nakasone II
(Reshuffle 1 · 2)
LDP–NLC
1983 1983
22 July 1986 6 November 1987 73. Nakasone III
LDP
1986 1986
46 Noboru Takeshita 19871106.jpg Noboru Takeshita
竹下 登
Takeshita Noboru
(1924–2000)
Rep for Shimane at-large
6 November 1987 3 June 1989 575 LDP
Jimintō
74. Takeshita
(Reshuffle)
LDP
The Recruit scandal forced his resignation in 1989. Later "Shadow Shogun."

Heisei period (1989–2019)

Prime Ministers of Emperor Akihito

Prime Minister Term of office Political Party Government Elected Ref
Portrait Name
(Birth–Death)
Took Office Left Office Days Gen. Coun.
47 Sosuke Uno 19890603.jpg Sōsuke Uno
宇野 宗佑
Uno Sōsuke
(1922–1998)
Rep for Shiga at-large
3 June 1989 10 August 1989 68 LDP
Jimintō
75. Uno
LDP
1989
Soon after he was elected Prime Minister, allegations arose that he had an extramarital relationship with a geisha, which damaged his reputation and his party's bad performance in the 1989 House of Councillors election, for which he resigned. Served as Minister of Defense (1974), Chief of the Science and Technology Agency (1976–1977), Chief of the Civil Administration Agency (1979–1980), Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry (1983), and Minister for Foreign Affairs (1987–1989). Member of the Diet from 1960 to 1996.
48 Toshiki Kaifu 19890810.jpg Toshiki Kaifu
海部 俊樹
Kaifu Toshiki
(1931–)
Rep for Aichi 3rd
10 August 1989 28 February 1990 817 LDP
Jimintō
76. Kaifu I
LDP
28 February 1990 5 November 1991 77. Kaifu II
(Reshuffle)
LDP
1990
Defeated in 2009, he was the longest-serving member of the lower house of the Diet, and he was also the first former prime minister to be defeated at a re-election since 1963. Served as Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary (1974–1976), Minister of Education (1976–1977, 1985–1986). Member of the Diet from 1960 to 2009.
49 Kiichi Miyazawa cropped 1 Kiichi Miyazawa 19911105.jpg Kiichi Miyazawa
宮澤 喜一
Miyazawa Kiichi
(1919–2007)
Rep for Hiroshima 3rd
5 November 1991 9 August 1993 643 LDP
Jimintō
78. Miyazawa
(Reshuffle)
LDP
1992
Originally a bureaucrat in the Treasury Ministry, he accompanied Prime Minister Shigeru Yoshida at the Treaty of San Francisco. A firm critic of the revision of the constitution, he advocated peace throughout his political career. After his party's stunning defeat in the 1993 general election, he was forced to resign the Prime Ministership, but became Minister of Finance in the cabinet of Keizo Obuchi and Yoshiro Mori from 1998 to 2001. He died in 2007. Served as Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry (1962–1964, 1966–1968, 1970–1971, 1977–1978), Chief Cabinet Secretary (1980–1982), Minister of Finance (1986–1988), Minister of Posts and Telecommunications (1993) and Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (1993). Member of the House of Councillors (1952–1965). Member of the House of Representatives (1967–2003).
50 Morihiro Hosokawa 19930809.jpg Morihiro Hosokawa
細川 護熙
Hosokawa Morihiro
(1938–)
Rep for Kumamoto 1st
9 August 1993 28 April 1994 262 JNP
Nihon Shintō
79. Hosokawa
JNP–JSP–JRP–Komeitō–NPS–DSP–SDF
1993
He is a member of a noble family that ruled Kumamoto since Medieval times, and during Imperial Japan, his family was part of the aristocracy, his grandfather Konoe Fumimaro having served as Prime Minister (1937–1939, 1940–1941). Originally member of the Liberal Democratic Party, he left the party in 1992 to form the Japan New Party, which garnered 35 members in the 1993 general election. He served as Prime Minister in 8-party coalition government and spearheaded a reform to change the electoral system. He resigned after allegations arose that he had misused personal funds in the 1980s. Served as Governor of Kumamoto Prefecture (1983–1991). Member of the House of Councilors from 1971 to 1983 and 1992 to 1993. Member of the House of Representatives from 1993 to 1998.
51 Tsutomu Hata 19940428.jpg Tsutomu Hata
羽田 孜
Hata Tsutomu
(1935–2017)
Rep for Nagano 2nd
28 April 1994 30 June 1994 63 JRP
Shinseitō
80. Hata
JRP–JNP–JSP–SDP–SDF–Komeitō–NPS
Originally member of the Liberal Democratic Party, he left the party in 1993 with Ichirō Ozawa to establish the Japan Renewal Party, which garnered 44 seats in the 1993 general election. He served as Minister for Foreign Affairs in the cabinet of Morihiro Hosokawa, until the latter resigned after his implication in a banking scandal. Hata then assumed the Prime Ministership, but since the Socialist Party had left the coalition, his minority government was forced to resign in two months as a non-confidence motion against his cabinet was submitted to the House of Representatives. Currently a member of the Democratic Party of Japan, he is now one of the elder politicians of the party. Served as Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (1985–1986, 1988–1989), Minister of Finance (1991–1992), and Minister for Foreign Affairs. Member of the Diet from 1969 to 2012.
52 Tomiichi Murayama 19940630.jpg Tomiichi Murayama
村山 富市
Murayama Tomiichi
(1924–)
Rep for Ōita 1st
30 June 1994 11 January 1996 560 JSP
Nihon Shakaitō
81. Murayama
(Reshuffle)
JSP–LDP–NPS
1995
Presided over a coalition that consisted of the Liberal Democratic Party, the Socialist Party, and the New Party Sakigake. During his tenure, the Great Hanshin earthquake erupted and a Sarin gas attack on the Tokyo subway occurred that left 13 dead. He resigned after his party suffered defeat in the 1996 general election. Served as General Secretary of the Socialist Party. Member of the Diet from 1972 to 2000.
53 Ryutaro Hashimoto cropped 1 Ryutaro Hashimoto 19960111.jpg Ryūtarō Hashimoto
橋本 龍太郎
Hashimoto Ryūtarō
(1937–2006)
Rep for Okayama 4th
11 January 1996 7 November 1996 931 LDP
Jimintō
82. Hashimoto I
LDP–JSP–NPS
7 November 1996 30 July 1998 83. Hashimoto II
(Reshuffle)
LDP–NPS
1996 1998
He spearheaded widespread reforms during his tenure, including reforms to restructure the health, finance, and the bureaucratic system. He resigned after his party suffered massive defeat in the 1998 House of Councilors Election. He died in 2006. Served as Minister of Health (1978–1979), Minister of Transportation (1986–1987), Minister of Finance (1989–1991), Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry (1994–1996). Member of the Diet from 1963 to 2005.
54 Keizo Obuchi 19980730.jpg Keizō Obuchi
小渕 恵三
Obuchi Keizō
(1937–2000)
Rep for Gunma 5th
30 July 1998 5 April 2000 615 LDP
Jimintō
84. Obuchi
(Reshuffle 1 · 2)
LDP–(Lib.–Komeitō)
His government was credited with stimulating the economy after a depression caused by the bubble crash. After suffering from a stroke, he fell into a coma on 3 April, and died on 14 May 2000. Chief Cabinet Secretary Aoki Mikio served as Deputy Prime Minister until 5 April. Served as Chief of the Okinawa Development Agency (1979–1980), Minister of the Prime Minister's Office (1979–1980), Chief Cabinet Secretary (1987–1989), and Minister for Foreign Affairs (1997–1998). Member of the Diet from 1963 to 2000.
55 Yoshiro Mori 20000405.jpg Yoshirō Mori
森 喜朗
Mori Yoshirō
(1937–)
Rep for Ishikawa 2nd
5 April 2000 4 July 2000 386 LDP
Jimintō
85. Mori I
LDP–Komeitō–NCP
4 July 2000 26 April 2001 86. Mori II
(Reshuffle 1 · 2)
LDP–Komeitō–NCP
2000
His appointment was decided after a secret meeting by major power brokers within the Liberal Democratic Party after the unexpected death of Prime Minister Keizo Obuchi. His gaffes and his government's low legitimacy was detrimental to his government's approval ratings, for which he resigned in 2001. Served as Minister of Education (1983–1984), Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry (1992–1993), Minister of Construction (1995–1996). Member of the Diet from 1969 to 2012.
56 Junichiro Koizumi 20010426 (cropped).jpg Junichirō Koizumi
小泉 純一郎
Koizumi Jun'ichirō
(1942–)
Rep for Kanagawa 11th
26 April 2001 19 November 2003 1979 LDP
Jimintō
87. Koizumi I
(Reshuffle 1 · 2)
LDP–Komeitō–NCP
2001
19 November 2003 21 September 2005 88. Koizumi II
(Reshuffle)
LDP–Komeitō
2003 2004
21 September 2005 26 September 2006 89. Koizumi III
(Reshuffle)
LDP–Komeitō
2005
Resigned due to term limits of the Presidency of the Liberal Democratic Party. Served as Vice Minister of Finance (1979), Minister of Health and Welfare (1988–1989), Minister of Posts and Telecommunications (1992), Minister of Health and Welfare (1996–1998), and Minister of Foreign Affairs (2002). Member of Diet from 1972 to 2009.
57 Abe Shinzo.jpg Shinzō Abe
安倍 晋三
Abe Shinzō
(1954–2022)
Rep for Yamaguchi 4th
26 September 2006 26 September 2007 365 LDP
Jimintō
90. Abe S. I
(Reshuffle)
LDP–Komeitō
2007
Resigned after suffering from low approval ratings and poor health. Served as Chief Cabinet Secretary (2005–2006). Member of Diet since 1993.
58 Yasuo Fukuda 200709.jpg Yasuo Fukuda
福田 康夫
Fukuda Yasuo
(1936–)
Rep for Gunma 4th
26 September 2007 24 September 2008 364 LDP
Jimintō
91. Fukuda Y.
(Reshuffle)
LDP–Komeitō
Resigned after asserting the need to improve the flow of the political process. Served as Minister for Okinawa Development (2000), Chief Cabinet Secretary (2000–2004), and Minister of State for Gender Equality and Social Affairs (2001–2004). Member of Diet from 1990 to 2012.
59 Taro Aso 20080924.jpg Tarō Asō
麻生 太郎
Asō Tarō
(1940–)
Rep for Fukuoka 8th
24 September 2008 16 September 2009 357 LDP
Jimintō
92. Asō
LDP–Komeitō
Resigned after the 2009 general election to accept the responsibility for the worst defeat of the history of the Liberal Democratic Party. Served as Director of Economic Planning Agency (1996–1997), Minister in charge of Economic and Financial Policies (2001), Minister of Internal Affairs and Communications (2003–2005), Minister of Foreign Affairs (2005–2007), and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance (since 2012). Member of Diet since 1979.
60 Yukio Hatoyama 20090916.jpg Yukio Hatoyama
鳩山 由紀夫
Hatoyama Yukio
(1947–)
Rep for Hokkaido 9th
16 September 2009 8 June 2010 265 DPJ
Minshutō
93. Hatoyama Y.
DPJ–SDP–PNP
2009
Won a majority in the 2009 general election defeating Tarō Asō (LDP). Resigned after breaking a campaign promise to close Marine Corps Air Station Futenma in Okinawa Prefecture. Member of Diet from 1986 to 2012.
61 Kan Naoto.jpg Naoto Kan
菅 直人
Kan Naoto
(1946–)
Rep for Tokyo 18th
8 June 2010 2 September 2011 451 DPJ
Minshutō
94. Kan
(Reshuffle 1 · 2)
DPJ–PNP
2010
Resigned due to poor approval ratings after the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami and Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster. Served as Minister of Health and Welfare (1996), Deputy Prime Minister of Japan (2009–2010), Minister of State for Economic and Fiscal Policy (2009–2010), Minister of State in charge of National Strategy (2009–2010), Minister of State for Science and Technology Policy (2009–2010), and Minister of Finance (2010). Member of Diet since 1980.
62 Yoshihiko Noda 20110902 (retouched).jpg Yoshihiko Noda
野田 佳彦
Noda Yoshihiko
(1957–)
Rep for Chiba 4th
2 September 2011 26 December 2012 481 DPJ
Minshutō
95. Noda
(Reshuffle 1 · 2 · 3)
DPJ–PNP
Resigned after the 2012 general election to accept the responsibility for the defeat of the Democratic Party. Served as Senior Vice Minister of Finance (2009–2010) and Minister of Finance (2010–2011). Member of Diet since 1993.
(57) Shinzō Abe 20120501 (cropped).jpg Shinzō Abe
安倍 晋三
Abe Shinzō
(1954–2022)
Rep for Yamaguchi 4th
26 December 2012 24 December 2014 2821 LDP
Jimintō
96. Abe S. II
(Reshuffle)
LDP–Komeitō
2012 2013
24 December 2014 1 November 2017 97. Abe S. III
(Reshuffle 1 · 2 · 3)
LDP–Komeitō
2014 2016
1 November 2017 16 September 2020 98. Abe S. IV
(Reshuffle 1 · 2)
LDP–Komeitō
2017 2019
The first Prime Minister to serve non-consecutive terms since the end of the US occupation. Won a majority in the 2012 general election defeating Yoshihiko Noda (DPJ). Won the 2014 and 2017 general elections retaining a majority in the House of Representatives. Served as the 90th term Prime Minister (2006–2007), Chief Cabinet Secretary (2005–2006). Member of Diet from 1993 until his death in 2022. Resigned as Prime Minister in 2020

Reiwa period (2019–present)

Prime Ministers of Emperor Naruhito

Prime Minister Term of office Political Party Government Elected Ref
Portrait Name
(Birth–Death)
Took Office Left Office Days Gen. Coun.
63 Yoshihide Suga 20200924 (cropped).jpg Yoshihide Suga
菅 義偉
Suga Yoshihide
(1948–)
Rep for Kanagawa 2nd
16 September 2020 4 October 2021 383 LDP
Jimintō
99. Suga
LDP–Komeitō
He became Prime Minister of Japan after his selection as Leader of the LDP. He served before as the Chief Cabinet Secretary (2012–2020). Member of Diet since 1996. Resigned as Prime Miniser in 2021
64 Fumio Kishida 20211005 (cropped 2).jpg Fumio Kishida
岸田 文雄
Kishida Fumio
(1957–)
Rep for Hiroshima 1st
4 October 2021 10 November 2021 1179 LDP
Jimintō
100. Kishida I
LDP–Komeitō
10 November 2021 Incumbent 101. Kishida II
(Reshuffle)
LDP–Komeitō
2021 2022
Kishida is the current Prime Minister of Japan. Won a majority in the 2021 general election defeating Yukio Edano (CDP). He served before as the Minister for Foreign Affairs (2012–2017). Member of Diet since 1996.

Politicians

Religious leaders

  • Dogen
  • Eisai
  • Kūkai
  • Miki Nakayama
  • Nichiren
  • Nikkō
  • Ryōkan
  • Saigyo
  • Shinran
  • Asahara Shōko
  • Taisen Deshimaru
  • Peter Doi
  • Nichidatsu Fujii
  • Joseph Satoshi Fukahori
  • Keido Fukushima
  • Stephen Fumio Hamao
  • Januarius Kyunosuke Hayasaka
  • Peter Takaaki Hirayama
  • Daisaku Ikeda
  • Peter Baptist Tadamaro Ishigami
  • Kōshū Itabashi
  • Terasawa Junsei
  • Petro Kasui Kibe
  • Peter Magoshiro Matsuoka
  • Sōyū Matsuoka
  • Paulo Miki
  • Joseph Atsumi Misue
  • Francis Xavier Osamu Mizobe
  • Magdalene of Nagasaki
  • Teshima Ikurō
  • Uchimura Kanzo
  • Yoshihiko Kikuchi
  • Peter Takeo Okada
  • Joseph Asajiro Satowaki
  • Kōdō Sawaki
  • Nyogen Senzaki
  • Francis Xavier Kaname Shimamoto
  • Peter Shirayanagi
  • Takuan Sōhō
  • Shunryū Suzuki
  • Daisetz Teitaro Suzuki
  • Paul Yoshigoro Taguchi
  • Joseph Mitsuaki Takami
  • Jacobo Kyushei Tomonaga
  • Mitsumyo Tottori
  • Paul Tsuchihashi
  • Thomas Tsugi
  • Kōshō Uchiyama
  • Taitetsu Unno
  • Paul Hisao Yasuda

Scientists

Mathematicians

  • Heisuke Hironaka
  • Kenkichi Iwasawa
  • Masaki Kashiwara
  • Takahiro Kawai
  • Kunihiko Kodaira
  • Shigefumi Mori
  • Mikio Sato
  • Seki Kōwa
  • Goro Shimura
  • Teiji Takagi
  • Yutaka Taniyama
  • Nobuo Yoneda

Economists

  • Takeshi Amemiya
  • Masahiko Aoki
  • Masahisa Fujita
  • Fumio Hayashi
  • Charles Horioka
  • Nobuhiro Kiyotaki
  • Michio Morishima
  • Morito Tatsuo
  • Ōuchi Hyōei
  • Osamu Shimomura
  • Yasuma Takada
  • Heizō Takenaka
  • Takano Iwasaburo
  • Shigeto Tsuru
  • Yoshihiro Tsurumi
  • Yukihiro Torikai
  • Kazuhide Uekusa
  • Hirofumi Uzawa

Other notables

Other Japanese

See also

  • List of people by nationality
kids search engine
List of Japanese people Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.