58 Notable alumni of Rikkyo University
Updated: June 07, 2026 EliteDegrees
Rikkyo University is ranked #1,158 in the world and #68 in Japan by aggregated alumni prominence. Below is the list of 58 notable alumni from Rikkyo University sorted by their wiki pages popularity. The directory includes famous graduates and former students along with research and academic staff. Many individuals affiliated with Rikkyo University won Nobel Prizes for Peace, in Physics, Chemistry, Physiology or Medicine, and Economics.
1. Hiroshi Negami
1912-1980 (aged 68)
swimmer
Hiroshi Negami was a Japanese swimmer. He competed in the men's 400 metre freestyle at the 1936 Summer Olympics.
2. Tadashi Inuzuka
1954-. (aged 72)
politician
Tadashi Inuzuka is a Japanese politician of the Democratic Party of Japan, a former Senator in the House of Councillors of the Diet (national legislature). A native of Tokyo, he graduated from Rikkyo University and received a master's degree from the University of Dallas in the United States. He was elected for the first time in 2004 from his Nagasaki...
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3. Kaori Ito
1979-. (aged 47)
filmmaker
dancer
theatrical director
creator
choreographer
Kaori Ito (born 1979) is a Japanese dancer and choreographer who is active in France. She founded the dance company Hime.
4. Chen Shuren
1883-1948 (aged 65)
journalist
painter
Chen Shuren was a Chinese painter. Born Chen Zhe (陳哲), he was renamed Chen Shao (陳韶) and also known by the art names De'an Laoren (得安老人), Jiawai Yuzi (葭外漁子), and Ershan Shanqiao (二山山樵), among others.
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5. Masaharu Taguchi
1916-1982 (aged 66)
swimmer
Masaharu Taguchi was a Japanese freestyle swimmer. At the 1936 Olympics, he won a gold medal in the 4 × 200 m relay, setting a new world record. In the individual 100 m race, he finished almost simultaneously with Masanori Yusa and Shigeo Arai and was placed fourth, although photographs suggest he was second.
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6. Shunpei Uto
1918-. (aged 108)
swimmer
Shunpei Uto was a Japanese freestyle swimmer who won two medals at the 1936 Summer Olympics.
7. Haruka Wakasugi
1995-. (aged 31)
goalball player
Haruka Wakasugi is a Japanese goalball player who won a gold medal at the 2012 Summer Paralympics.
8. Kento Nakamura
1991-. (aged 35)
figure skater
Kento Nakamura is a Japanese former competitive figure skater. He is the 2011 NRW Trophy bronze medalist, the 2013 Bavarian Open silver medalist, a two-time medalist on the ISU Junior Grand Prix series, and the 2011 Japan junior national champion.
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9. Kōichi Saitō
1929-2009 (aged 80)
screenwriter
photographer
film director
Kōichi Saitō was a Japanese film director and photographer.
10. Masayuki Tanemo
1938-. (aged 88)
baseball player
Masayuki Tanemo is a former Japanese Nippon Professional Baseball catcher. He played for the Toei Flyers from 1961 to 1971 and the Hankyu Braves from 1972 to 1974. He and teammate Masayuki Dobashi split the Japan Series Most Valuable Player Award in 1962.
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11. Tetsuma Esaki
1943-. (aged 83)
politician
Tetsuma Esaki is a former Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), who served as a member of the House of Representatives in the Diet (national legislature).
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12. Shigeo Arai
1916-1944 (aged 28)
swimmer
Shigeo Arai was a Japanese freestyle swimmer who competed at the 1936 Olympics. He won a gold medal in 4 × 200 m freestyle relay, setting a world record. In the individual 100 m race, he finished almost simultaneously with Masanori Yusa and Masaharu Taguchi and was awarded a bronze medal. Those Games were the only international competition for Arai,...
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13. Ryosei Tanaka
1963-. (aged 63)
politician
Ryosei Tanaka is a Japanese politician serving in the House of Representatives in the Diet (national legislature) as a member of the Liberal Democratic Party. A native of Warabi, Saitama and graduate of Rikkyo University, he was elected for the first time in 2005.
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14. Yukio Takano
1937-2023 (aged 86)
politician
Yukio Takano was a Japanese businessman and politician, member of the Liberal Democratic Party.
15. Kei Takagi
1965-. (aged 61)
politician
Kei Takagi is a Japanese politician who is a member of the House of Representatives of Japan.
16. Isao Suzuki
1933-2022 (aged 89)
bandleader
cellist
composer
bassist
music arranger
Hisao Oma "Isao" Suzuki was a Japanese jazz double-bassist.
17. Osamu Uno
1947-. (aged 79)
politician
Osamu Uno is a Japanese politician belonging to the Liberal Democratic Party, and a former member of the House of Representatives in the Diet (national legislature).
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18. Jiro Akama
1968-. (aged 58)
politician
boxer
Jiro Akama is a Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic Party, a member of the House of Representatives in the Diet (national legislature). He is the Senior Vice Minister of Internal Affairs and Communications. A native of Sagamihara, Kanagawa, he graduated from Rikkyo University and received his master's degree in economic sociology from the University of Manchester. He was elected...
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19. Kenji Tomura
1987-. (aged 39)
baseball player
Kenji Tomura is a Japanese professional baseball pitcher for the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles in Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball.
20. Shinsuke Mikimoto
1931-2002 (aged 71)
actor
seiyū
Shinsuke Mikimoto was a Japanese actor. His credits include at least fifty films, as well as numerous television appearances, in a career that spanned several decades.His real name is Syuichi Suzuki.The Suzuki family on his father's side is a family that served as the palace doctor of the Kaga Maeda family for generation.
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21. Kosei Shoji
2000-. (aged 26)
baseball player
Kosei Shoji is a professional Japanese baseball player. He plays pitcher for the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles.
22. Noura bint Faisal Al-Saud
1988-. (aged 38)
Princess Noura bint Faisal Al Saud is a Saudi businesswoman and member of the royal family. She is the founder of the Saudi Fashion Week.
23. Taichi Takami
1993-. (aged 33)
professional shogi player
Taichi Takami is a Japanese professional shogi player ranked 7-dan. He is a former Eiō title holder.
24. Ichirō Tamura
1994-. (aged 32)
baseball player
Ichirō Tamura is a Japanese professional baseball pitcher for the Doosan Bears of the KBO League. He has previously played in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) for the Saitama Seibu Lions.
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25. Daisuke Hayakawa
1975-. (aged 51)
baseball player
Daisuke Hayakawa is a Japanese professional baseball player. He was the number 5 draft pick for the Orix BlueWave in 2002.
26. Katsuhiko Haida
1911-1982 (aged 71)
singer
actor
film producer
Katsuhiko Haida was a Japanese film actor and music composer. He played an important role in the 1951 film Tokyo File 212. He also appeared in The Burning Sky, and Escapade From Japan. His brother is Yukihiko Haida, and they formed the Nihon Ukulele Association together.
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27. Chiharu Igaya
1931-. (aged 95)
alpine skier
Chiharu Igaya is a former Olympic alpine ski racer and silver medalist from Japan. He competed in three Winter Olympics (1952, 1956, 1960).
28. Toshio Ogawa
1948-. (aged 78)
lawyer
judge
politician
prosecutor
Toshio Ogawa is a Japanese politician of the Constitutional Democratic Party and a member of the House of Councillors in the Diet (national legislature). Ogawa is a former Minister of Justice. A native of Nerima, Tokyo, and a graduate of Rikkyo University, he was elected to the House of Councillors for the first time in 1998 after working as a...
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29. Masaru Kageura
1915-1945 (aged 30)
baseball player
Masaru Kageura was a Japanese baseball player from Matsuyama, Ehime. An accomplished two-way player, Kaguera is one of two players (Eiji Sawamura being the other) who was inducted into the Japanese Baseball Hall of Fame after being killed in World War II.
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30. Kōjirō Hongō
1938-2013 (aged 75)
actor
film actor
Kojiro Hongo was a Japanese actor. Hongo won an Elan d'or Award for Newcomer of the Year in 1959. His notable international performances were in the Daiei Studios Gamera films.
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31. Masatoshi Sakai
1935-2021 (aged 86)
record producer
managing director
Masatoshi Sakai was a Japanese record producer who produced a large number of hit songs. He received the Person of Cultural Merit in November 2020. He achieved sales of records to the value of more than ¥870 billion. He produced songs such as Ihojin by Saki Kubota, and Ii Hi Tabidachi and Playback Part 2 by Momoe Yamaguchi.
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32. Takeo Kawamura
1942-. (aged 84)
politician
Takeo Kawamura is a professional baseball player from Yamato, Kanagawa, Japan. He is a retired pitcher for the Yokohama BayStars.
33. Akira Kubo
1936-. (aged 90)
actor
film actor
Akira Kubo is a Japanese actor who has appeared in over 70 films since 1952. He starred in the film Arashi, which was entered into the 7th Berlin International Film Festival.
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34. Zhou Zuoren
1885-1967 (aged 82)
Esperantist
writer
translator
Zhou Zuoren was a Chinese writer, primarily known as an essayist and a translator. He was the younger brother of Lu Xun (Zhou Shuren, 周树人), the second of three brothers.
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35. Shuji Sano
1912-1978 (aged 66)
actor
Shūji Sano was a Japanese actor active from 1936 to 1977. A popular star of the Shōchiku film studios, he is best known for his appearances in the films of Yasujirō Ozu, Keisuke Kinoshita, Heinosuke Gosho and Hiroshi Shimizu.
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36. Mari Kushibuchi
1967-. (aged 59)
politician
researcher
Mari Kushibuchi is a Japanese politician.
37. Dick Mine
1908-1991 (aged 83)
actor
singer
jazz musician
Dick Mine October 10, 1908 – June 10, 1991 was a Japanese singer. His recording career spanned nearly the entire Shōwa era.
38. Keisuke Sawada
1994-. (aged 32)
baseball player
Keisuke Sawada is a Japanese professional baseball pitcher for the Chiba Lotte Marines of the Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB). He has previously played in NPB for the Orix Buffaloes.
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39. Harumi Yoshida
1972-. (aged 54)
member of the House of Representatives of Japan
politician
secretary
Harumi Yoshida is a Japanese politician who served as a member of the House of Representatives for Tokyo's 8th district. She defeated Nobuteru Ishihara in the 2021 Japanese general election. She stood in the 2024 CDP leadership election, where she placed fourth.
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40. Takahiro Kumagai
1995-. (aged 31)
baseball player
Takahiro Kumagai is a Japanese professional baseball infielder for the Hanshin Tigers of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB).
41. Tatsuya Mori
1956-. (aged 70)
film director
Tatsuya Mori is a Japanese documentary filmmaker, TV director, and author.
42. Kazuki Tanaka
1994-. (aged 32)
baseball player
Kazuki Tanaka is a Japanese professional baseball outfielder for the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB).
43. Kazuki Nakashima
1959-. (aged 67)
playwright
television writer
mangaka
screenwriter
film screenwriter
Kazuki Nakashima is a Japanese playwright, novelist, contributing editor and screenwriter. In addition to working on Getter Robo, he is a fan of Ken Ishikawa.
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44. Hiroshi Sugimoto
1948-. (aged 78)
photographer
artist
Hiroshi Sugimoto is a Japanese photographer and architect. He leads the Tokyo-based architectural firm New Material Research Laboratory.
45. Tadashi Sugiura
1935-2001 (aged 66)
baseball player
Tadashi Sugiura was a Japanese Nippon Professional Baseball player with the Nankai Hawks. He debuted in the 1958 and went on to join the Japanese Baseball Hall of Fame for his skills as a pitcher. He won the Japanese Triple Crown in (1959)
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46. Ken Uehara
1909-1991 (aged 82)
actor
Ken Uehara was a Japanese actor who appeared in approximately 200 films between 1935 and 1990.
47. Yun Dong-ju
1917-1945 (aged 28)
poet
independence activist
Yun Dong-ju or Yoon Dong-ju was a Korean poet. He is known for his lyric poetries and for his poems dedicated to the Korean independence movement against the Empire of Japan.
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48. Masayuki Suo
1956-. (aged 70)
screenwriter
film director
director
film producer
Masayuki Suo is a Japanese film director. He is best known for his two Japan Academy Prize-winning films, Sumo Do, Sumo Don't (1992) and Shall We Dance? (1996).
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49. Ryō Ikebe
1918-2010 (aged 92)
actor
Ryō Ikebe was a Japanese actor. He graduated from Rikkyō University and originally wanted to be a director, but ended up debuting as an actor at Tōhō in 1941. He did not achieve popularity until starring in a series of youth films in the late 1940s. He expanded his acting range in the 1950s, while still frequently appearing in genre...
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50. Kazuo Tokumitsu
1941-. (aged 85)
announcer
tarento
Kazuo Tokumitsu is a Japanese TV presenter and announcer.
51. Yōko Nogiwa
1936-2017 (aged 81)
actor
narrator
announcer
seiyū
presenter
Yōko Nogiwa was a Japanese actress. Her acting career spanned from 1958 until 2017.
52. Haruomi Hosono
1947-. (aged 79)
actor
keyboardist
composer
singer-songwriter
record producer
Haruomi Hosono, sometimes credited as Harry Hosono, is a Japanese musician, singer, songwriter and record producer. He is considered to be one of the most influential musicians in Japanese pop music history, credited with shaping the sound of Japanese pop for decades as well as pop music outside of Japan. He also inspired genres such as city pop and Shibuya-kei,...
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53. Kiyoshi Kurosawa
1955-. (aged 71)
actor
screenwriter
television director
film critic
film director
Kiyoshi Kurosawa is a Japanese film director, screenwriter, film critic, author, actor, and a former professor at Tokyo University of the Arts (2005–2023).
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54. Mayuko Fukuda
1994-. (aged 32)
screenwriter
seiyū
actor
child actor
Mayuko Fukuda is a Japanese actress who made her debut in 1998. She was managed by the talent agency FLaMme.
55. Kazuhito Tadano
1980-. (aged 46)
baseball player
Kazuhito Tadano is a Japanese former professional baseball pitcher. He played in Major League Baseball for the Cleveland Indians, and in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) for the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters. He is currently the pitching coach for the Fighters' farm team in the Eastern League.
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56. Takurō Ōno
1988-. (aged 38)
tarento
actor
television actor
Takurō Ōno, born November 14, 1988, is a Japanese actor and talent. He has had roles in such films as The Incite Mill and Liar Game: Reborn.
57. Shigeo Nagashima
1936-2025 (aged 89)
professional baseball player
baseball coach
baseball player
Shigeo Nagashima was a Japanese professional baseball player and manager. Nagashima first began playing baseball in elementary school, before playing at his high school in Chiba Prefecture, part of Kanto Region, just before he played as a third baseman for Rikkyo University. After winning the batting title for two straight years in Tokyo Big6 Baseball League, Nagashima made his professional...
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58. Akie Abe
1962-. (aged 64)
radio DJ
disc jockey
socialite
Akie Abe is a Japanese radio DJ and the widow of Shinzo Abe, who served as Prime Minister of Japan from 2006 to 2007 and again from 2012 to 2020.