1964 in Japan
Encyclopedia
Events in the year 1964 in Japan
.
1964 is considered a seminal year in modern Japanese history. The Tokyo Olympics and first run of the bullet train
reflected a society-wide sense that post-war reconstruction was over and that Japan had rejoined the international family of nations. Diplomatic negotiations underway this year between South Korea and Japan resulted in a formal normalization of relations the following year.
Individuals born beginning around this date were often subsequently identified as "shinjinrui" (or new people) because they had not experienced the suffering older generations had during World War II or the post-war period, and on the contrary, grew up in material plenty.
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
.
1964 is considered a seminal year in modern Japanese history. The Tokyo Olympics and first run of the bullet train
Shinkansen
The , also known as THE BULLET TRAIN, is a network of high-speed railway lines in Japan operated by four Japan Railways Group companies. Starting with the Tōkaidō Shinkansen in 1964, the network has expanded to currently consist of of lines with maximum speeds of , of Mini-shinkansen with a...
reflected a society-wide sense that post-war reconstruction was over and that Japan had rejoined the international family of nations. Diplomatic negotiations underway this year between South Korea and Japan resulted in a formal normalization of relations the following year.
Individuals born beginning around this date were often subsequently identified as "shinjinrui" (or new people) because they had not experienced the suffering older generations had during World War II or the post-war period, and on the contrary, grew up in material plenty.
Incumbents
- EmperorEmperor of JapanThe Emperor of Japan is, according to the 1947 Constitution of Japan, "the symbol of the state and of the unity of the people." He is a ceremonial figurehead under a form of constitutional monarchy and is head of the Japanese Imperial Family with functions as head of state. He is also the highest...
: HirohitoHirohito, posthumously in Japan officially called Emperor Shōwa or , was the 124th Emperor of Japan according to the traditional order, reigning from December 25, 1926, until his death in 1989. Although better known outside of Japan by his personal name Hirohito, in Japan he is now referred to... - Prime MinisterPrime Minister of JapanThe is the head of government of Japan. He is appointed by the Emperor of Japan after being designated by the Diet from among its members, and must enjoy the confidence of the House of Representatives to remain in office...
: Hayato IkedaHayato Ikedaborn in Takehara, Hiroshima, was a Japanese politician and the 58th, 59th and 60th Prime Minister of Japan from July 19, 1960 to November 9, 1964....
, Eisaku SatoEisaku SatoThis article is about the Prime Minister of Japan. For the governor of Fukushima Prefecture of Japan of the same name, see Eisaku Satō .... - Chief Cabinet SecretaryChief Cabinet Secretary__notoc__The of Japan is a Minister of State who is responsible for directing the Cabinet Secretariat. The main function of Chief Cabinet Secretary is to coordinate the policies of ministries and agencies in the executive branch...
: Yasumi Kurogane, Zenko SuzukiZenko Suzukiwas a Japanese politician and the 70th Prime Minister of Japan from July 17, 1980 to November 27, 1982.Suzuki graduated from Tokyo University of Fisheries in 1935...
, Tomisaburo Hashimoto
Events
- March 18: Hayakawa Electric (the predecessor of today's SharpSharp Corporationis a Japanese multinational corporation that designs and manufactures electronic products. Headquartered in Abeno-ku, Osaka, Japan, Sharp employs more than 55,580 people worldwide as of June 2011. The company was founded in September 1912 and takes its name from one of its founder's first...
) and SonySony, commonly referred to as Sony, is a Japanese multinational conglomerate corporation headquartered in Minato, Tokyo, Japan and the world's fifth largest media conglomerate measured by revenues....
announce that they have completed a prototype electronic calculator using Japanese-manufactured diodes and transistors. - March 24: U.S. ambassador Edwin Reischauer is stabbed by a Japanese youth.
- April 1: Japanese citizens are permitted to freely travel overseas.
- April 12: Channel 12, the predecessor of TV TokyoTV Tokyois a television station headquartered in Toranomon, Minato, Tokyo, Japan. Also known as , a blend of "terebi" and "Tokyo", it is the key station of TX Network. It is one of the major Tokyo television stations, particularly specializing in anime...
, begins operations. - June 16: An earthquake1964 Niigata earthquakeThe 1964 Niigata earthquake struck at 13:01 local time on 16 June. The epicenter was on the continental shelf off the northwest coast of Honshu in Niigata Prefecture, about 50 km north of the city of Niigata...
in Niigata PrefectureNiigata Prefectureis a prefecture of Japan located on the island of Honshū on the coast of the Sea of Japan. The capital is the city of Niigata. The name "Niigata" literally means "new lagoon".- History :...
kills 12. - July 18: A heavy massible rain, following devastate flood and landslide in Shimane and Tottori PrefectureTottori Prefectureis a prefecture of Japan located in the Chūgoku region. The capital is the city of Tottori. It is the least populous prefecture in Japan.- History :Before the Meiji Restoration, Tottori encompassed the old provinces of Hōki and Inaba...
, at least 128 people lives. - September 17: The Tokyo MonorailTokyo Monorail, officially the , is a monorail system connecting Haneda Airport in Ōta, Tokyo, Japan, to Hamamatsuchō Station in Minato, Tokyo. The trains operate along an elevated line that follows the coast of Tokyo Bay. The trip from the airport to Hamamatsuchō costs ¥470 each way.-History:The line opened in...
begins operations. - October 1: The Tōkaidō Shinkansen begins operations.
- October 10–24: 1964 Summer Olympics1964 Summer OlympicsThe 1964 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XVIII Olympiad, was an international multi-sport event held in Tokyo, Japan in 1964. Tokyo had been awarded with the organization of the 1940 Summer Olympics, but this honor was subsequently passed to Helsinki because of Japan's...
held in Tokyo. - October 25: Ikeda Hayato resigns as prime minister; Eisaku SatoEisaku SatoThis article is about the Prime Minister of Japan. For the governor of Fukushima Prefecture of Japan of the same name, see Eisaku Satō ....
is elected to replace him. - November 9: Sato announces his first cabinet.
- November 17: The political party Komeito is formed.
Births
- January 1: Akemi MasudaAkemi MasudaAkemi Masuda is a retired Japanese female long-distance runner. She competed for Japan at the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, California, although she failed to finish the race...
, athlete - March 18: Mika KanaiMika Kanaiis a Japanese voice actress and singer from Tokyo. She is currently attached to Ken Production. Her pet name is . She is best known for her roles in Idol Tenshi Yōkoso Yōko , Tanoshii Mūmin Ikka , Goldfish Warning! , Soreike! Anpanman , Yadamon , After War Gundam X , Tokyo...
, voice actress and singer - March 18: Yoko KannoYoko Kannois a composer, arranger and musician best known for her work on the soundtracks for many games, anime films, TV series, live-action movies, and advertisements...
, pianist and songwriter - April 10: Hiroshi TsuburayaHiroshi Tsuburayawas a Japanese actor. 3rd son of Hajime Tsuburaya and grandchild of Eiji Tsuburaya. Became known to tokusatsu series audiences by playing the leading role in Uchuu Keiji Shaider as Dai Sawamura/Shaider.-Death:Tsuburaya died of liver cancer on July 24th, 2001 due to alcoholism developed through the...
, actor (d. 20012001 in Japan-Incumbents:* Emperor: Akihito* Prime Minister: Yoshiro Mori, Junichiro Koizumi* Chief Cabinet Secretary: Yasuo Fukuda* Governor of Tokyo: Shintaro Ishihara-Events:*January 6: Nurse Daisuke Mori was arrested for an attempted murder of 11-year-old girl....
) - April 23: Rie IshizukaRie Ishizukais a Japanese voice actress who works for Theatrical Group EN.-Anime:*Air Master *Claymore *Demon Lord Dante *Gundress *Hikaru no Go...
, voice actress - May 5: Minami TakayamaMinami Takayamais a popular Japanese singer and voice actress. She was married to manga artist Gosho Aoyama on May 5, 2005 but they divorced on December 10, 2007. Minami is also a member of the pop group Two-Mix, and a part of DoCo when it was active....
, singer and voice actress - May 31: Yukio EdanoYukio Edanois a Japanese politician of the Democratic Party of Japan and a member of the House of Representatives in the Diet. He was the Chief Cabinet Secretary in the Kan government. On September 12, 2011, he was named as Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry...
, politician - June 22: Hiroshi AbeHiroshi Abe (actor)is a Japanese model and actor.He began his career as a model, but he successfully made the transition to acting, becoming one of the most regularly visible presences in Japanese media. He is a 1988 graduate of Chuo University.-Career:...
, model and actor - July 9: Kazumi KawaiKazumi KawaiKazumi Kawai , was a late Japanese actress, she committed suicide on May 9, 1997.-External links:*（ファンサイト）*（ファンサイト）...
, actress (d. 1997) - July 19: Masahiko KondōMasahiko Kondoor Matchy is a Japanese singer, lyricist and actor represented by Johnny & Associates.Kondō is also a semi-professional racing driver and a racing team owner. He founded the racing team Kondo Racing in 2000 which competes in Formula Nippon and the Super GT.- 1980–1987: Early recording career :As a...
, solo singer of Johnny & AssociatesJohnny & Associatesis a talent agency formed by Johnny Kitagawa in 1962. Johnny & Associates trains and promotes groups of male idols, collectively known as , in Japan.-1962–1989:... - July 24: Banana YoshimotoBanana Yoshimotois the pen name of Mahoko Yoshimoto , a Japanese contemporary writer. She writes her name in hiragana.-Biography:Yoshimoto, daughter of Takaaki Yoshimoto, was born in Tokyo on July 24, 1964...
, author - July 25: Reiko TakashimaReiko TakashimaReiko Takashima is a Japanese actress.Active in television series, movies, and commercials, her roles have included ninja in jidaigeki such as Abarembō Shōgun and Abare Hasshū Goyō Tabi, the wife Oeyo of the shogun Tokugawa Hidetada, Lady Fujitsubo in a special with characters based on The Tale of...
, actress - August 10: Hiro TakahashiHiro Takahashi, born as , was a Japanese singer, lyricist, and composer.- Biography :On the music program Hey! Hey! Hey! Music Champ, he mentioned he composed two songs at the age of 11 - Heart of a Woman and Northern Town....
, singer, lyricist, and composer (d. 20052005 in JapanEvents in the year 2005 in Japan.-Incumbents:* Emperor: Akihito* Prime Minister: Junichiro Koizumi* Chief Cabinet Secretary: Hiroyuki Hosoda, Shinzo Abe* Governor of Tokyo: Shintaro Ishihara-Events:...
) - September 13: Junko MiharaJunko Miharais an Japanese politician, former singer and actress.She ran in House of Councillors election in 2010 as a proportional candidate of Liberal Democratic Party and won.- External links :*...
, politician, former singer, and actress - September 23: Koshi InabaKoshi Inabais a Japanese vocalist. His real name is . He graduated from the Faculty of Education at the Yokohama National University, and has a degree in mathematics.- Musical career :...
, singer of B'zB'zis a Japanese hard rock duo, composed of and .B'z has released 45 consecutive #1 singles, 24 #1 albums, and sold more than 79 million records in Japan alone... - October 5: Seiko HashimotoSeiko HashimotoSeiko Hashimoto is a former ice speed skater and track cycling sprinter from Japan, who represented her native country in four consecutive Winter Olympics, starting in 1984 in Sarajevo, Yugoslavia, and three consecutive Summer Olympics, starting in 1988 in Seoul, South Korea...
, ice speed skater - October 12: Masaru OgawaMasaru Ogawais a Japanese figure skater who is now a Doctor of Dental Surgery. He is a four-time Japanese national champion. He placed 14th in the 1984 Winter Olympic Games.-Results:- References :*...
, figure skater - October 15: Megumi YokotaMegumi Yokotawas one of at least 17 Japanese citizens kidnapped by North Korea in the late 1970s and early 1980s. She was abducted on November 15, 1977 at the age of thirteen and apparently forced to help train North Korean spies to pass as Japanese citizens...
, one of the North Korean abductee victims of the late 1970s - October 18: Etsuko InoueEtsuko InoueEtsuko Inoue is a retired female tennis player from Japan.Inoue twice represented her native country at the Summer Olympics: in 1984 and 1988 . In 1982 she became the first winner of the women's tennis competition at the Asian Games.-External links:...
, tennis player - November 4: Yūko MizutaniYuko Mizutaniis a Japanese voice actress working for Production Baobab.-Notable voice roles:*Alfimi, Katana & Byakuya in Super Robot Wars OG Saga: Endless Frontier EXCEED*Andrea Zuckerman in Beverly Hills, 90210*Anri in Bubblegum Crisis*Apple in Zillion...
, voice actress - December 13: hideHide (musician), better known by his stage name hide , was a popular Japanese musician. He was primarily known for his work as lead guitarist of the heavy metal band X Japan from 1987 to 1997...
, musician (d. 19981998 in Japan-Incumbents:* Emperor: Akihito* Prime Minister: Ryutaro Hashimoto, Keizo Obuchi* Chief Cabinet Secretary: Kanezo Muraoka, Hiromu Nonaka-Events:* February 7–February 22 - The 1998 Winter Olympics are held in Nagano....
) - December 23: Kazuhiro KoshiKazuhiro Koshiis a Japanese skeleton racer who has competed since 1991.Competing in three Winter Olympics, he earned his best finish of eighth in the men's skeleton event at Salt Lake City in 2002...
, skeleton racer - December 28: Kaori YamaguchiKaori Yamaguchiis a retired judoka.Yamaguchi won the All-Japan Judo Championships 10 consecutive times from 1978-1987 and won her first medal at the 1980 World Judo Championships. She went on to win 4 silver medals and one gold medal at the World Judo Championships...
, judoka
Deaths
- February 8: Boshirō HosogayaBoshiro Hosogaya, was an admiral in the Imperial Japanese Navy during World War II.-Biography:Hosogaya was born to a farming family in Nozawa, Nagano prefecture in 1888. He graduated from the 36th class of the Imperial Japanese Naval Academy in 1908. He was ranked 16th in a class of 191 cadets. As a midshipman, he...
, admiral - February 17: Chūichi HaraChuichi Hara-External links:*...
, admiral - May 8: Kichisaburo NomuraKichisaburo Nomura-External links:...
, politician and military leader - August 17: Keiji SadaKeiji Sadawas a Japanese actor. He won the award for best actor at the 7th Blue Ribbon Awards for Anata kaimasu and Taifū sōdōki. He was the father of the actor Kiichi Nakai.-Filmography:* Kane no naru oka: Dai san hen, kuro no maki...
, actor
Statistics
- YenJapanese yenThe is the official currency of Japan. It is the third most traded currency in the foreign exchange market after the United States dollar and the euro. It is also widely used as a reserve currency after the U.S. dollar, the euro and the pound sterling...
value: US$1 = ¥360 (fixed)