Japan’s history is shaped by remarkable individuals whose contributions in politics, art, science, and sports have left an enduring legacy on both national identity and global culture.
The 100 Most Famous Japanese Men of All Time
| No. | Name | Occupation / Why Famous |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Emperor Jimmu | Legendary first Emperor of Japan |
| 2 | Prince Shotoku | Politician and Buddhist reformer of the Asuka period |
| 3 | Oda Nobunaga | Powerful daimyo and first “Great Unifier” of Japan |
| 4 | Toyotomi Hideyoshi | Second “Great Unifier” who ended the Sengoku period |
| 5 | Tokugawa Ieyasu | Founder and first shogun of the Tokugawa Shogunate |
| 6 | Minamoto no Yoritomo | Founder and first shogun of the Kamakura Shogunate |
| 7 | Miyamoto Musashi | Renowned swordsman and author of The Book of Five Rings |
| 8 | Emperor Meiji | Emperor who presided over Japan’s rapid modernization |
| 9 | Saigo Takamori | Samurai known as the “Last True Samurai” |
| 10 | Sakamoto Ryoma | Leader in the movement to overthrow the Shogunate |
| 11 | Fukuzawa Yukichi | Modernizer, educator, founder of Keio University |
| 12 | Akira Kurosawa | Legendary film director (Seven Samurai) |
| 13 | Hayao Miyazaki | Co-founder of Studio Ghibli, master animator |
| 14 | Hirohito (Emperor Showa) | Emperor during WWII and post-war era |
| 15 | Shohei Ohtani | MLB superstar and elite two-way player |
| 16 | Ichiro Suzuki | MLB icon and record-breaking hitter |
| 17 | Hokusai | Ukiyo-e artist (The Great Wave) |
| 18 | Matsuo Basho | Master of haiku poetry |
| 19 | Soichiro Honda | Founder of Honda Motor Co. |
| 20 | Konosuke Matsushita | Founder of Panasonic |
| 21 | Kiichiro Toyoda | Founder of Toyota Motor Corporation |
| 22 | Akio Morita | Co-founder of Sony |
| 23 | Yukio Mishima | Influential novelist and political activist |
| 24 | Haruki Murakami | Globally acclaimed novelist |
| 25 | Natsume Soseki | Influential Meiji-era writer |
| 26 | Shinzo Abe | Longest-serving Prime Minister |
| 27 | Isoroku Yamamoto | Marshal Admiral, WWII strategist |
| 28 | Hideki Tojo | Prime Minister during WWII |
| 29 | Toshiro Mifune | Iconic actor in Kurosawa films |
| 30 | Ken Watanabe | Internationally known actor |
| 31 | Yuzuru Hanyu | Two-time Olympic gold medalist (figure skating) |
| 32 | Shigeru Miyamoto | Creator of Mario & Zelda |
| 33 | Satoshi Nakamoto | Creator of Bitcoin |
| 34 | Hideki Matsui | MLB slugger & World Series MVP |
| 35 | Hideo Kojima | Creator of Metal Gear |
| 36 | Takeshi Kitano | Director, actor, comedian |
| 37 | Ryunosuke Akutagawa | Father of the Japanese short story |
| 38 | Yasunari Kawabata | Nobel Prize-winning author |
| 39 | Kenzaburo Oe | Nobel Prize-winning novelist |
| 40 | Shintaro Ishihara | Author & former Tokyo Governor |
| 41 | Junichiro Koizumi | Former Prime Minister |
| 42 | Eisaku Sato | Prime Minister, Nobel Peace Prize |
| 43 | Shigeru Yoshida | Leader of post-war reconstruction |
| 44 | Inazo Nitobe | Author of Bushido |
| 45 | Okakura Kakuzo | Author of The Book of Tea |
| 46 | Hiroshi Yamauchi | Former Nintendo president |
| 47 | Masayoshi Son | Founder of SoftBank |
| 48 | Tadashi Yanai | Founder of Uniqlo |
| 49 | Jiro Horikoshi | Engineer of the Zero fighter |
| 50 | Hideki Yukawa | First Japanese Nobel laureate (Physics) |
| 51 | Shinya Yamanaka | Nobel Prize winner (Stem cells) |
| 52 | Yoshitaka Amano | Final Fantasy artist |
| 53 | Osamu Tezuka | “God of Manga” |
| 54 | Akira Toriyama | Creator of Dragon Ball |
| 55 | Eiichiro Oda | Creator of One Piece |
| 56 | Ryuichi Sakamoto | Oscar-winning composer |
| 57 | Joe Hisaishi | Studio Ghibli composer |
| 58 | Hiroyuki Sanada | International film actor |
| 59 | Masaharu Morimoto | Celebrity chef (Iron Chef) |
| 60 | Jiro Ono | Legendary sushi master |
| 61 | Daisuke Matsuzaka | Famous MLB pitcher |
| 62 | Hidetoshi Nakata | Football legend |
| 63 | Keisuke Honda | Footballer & manager |
| 64 | Naomi Uemura | Explorer & adventurer |
| 65 | Chiune Sugihara | Diplomat who saved Jewish lives |
| 66 | Toyo Ito | Pritzker Prize architect |
| 67 | Tadao Ando | World-renowned architect |
| 68 | Issey Miyake | Fashion innovator |
| 69 | Yohji Yamamoto | Avant-garde designer |
| 70 | Kenzo Takada | Founder of Kenzo |
| 71 | Takashi Murakami | Contemporary artist |
| 72 | Hiroshi Sugimoto | Photographer |
| 73 | Sesshu Toyo | Ink painting master |
| 74 | Utamaro | Ukiyo-e artist |
| 75 | Taira no Kiyomori | Heian-period military leader |
| 76 | Minamoto no Yoshitsune | Legendary samurai |
| 77 | Kusunoki Masashige | Symbol of loyalty |
| 78 | Date Masamune | “One-Eyed Dragon” daimyo |
| 79 | Sanada Yukimura | Legendary samurai |
| 80 | Hattori Hanzo | Famous ninja |
| 81 | Abe no Seimei | Legendary onmyoji |
| 82 | Sen no Rikyu | Tea ceremony master |
| 83 | Dogen | Founder of Soto Zen |
| 84 | Kukai | Founder of Shingon Buddhism |
| 85 | Shinran | Founder of Jodo Shinshu |
| 86 | Nichiren | Founder of Nichiren Buddhism |
| 87 | Yukichi Chiba | Manga artist |
| 88 | Masutatsu Oyama | Founder of Kyokushin Karate |
| 89 | Jigoro Kano | Founder of Judo |
| 90 | Morihei Ueshiba | Founder of Aikido |
| 91 | Gichin Funakoshi | Founder of Shotokan Karate |
| 92 | Sadaharu Oh | Home run record holder |
| 93 | Hideo Nomo | MLB pioneer pitcher |
| 94 | Kazuyoshi Miura | Oldest active footballer |
| 95 | Shinji Kagawa | European football star |
| 96 | Yusaku Maezawa | Entrepreneur & space tourist |
| 97 | D.T. Suzuki | Zen scholar |
| 98 | Saburo Sakai | WWII flying ace |
| 99 | Kitasato Shibasaburo | Bacteriology pioneer |
| 100 | Hideyo Noguchi | Yellow fever researcher |
Read more: The 100 Most Famous Japanese Women of All Time
In conclusion,
This list represents a diverse cross-section of Japanese history and culture. These men have significantly influenced the global landscape through leadership, innovation, and artistic mastery.
Hello! I’m Emma Carter, born in 1990, and a passionate child development specialist. Alongside my work, I have a deep love for helping parents discover beautiful and meaningful baby names. I believe a name is more than just a label — it’s the beginning of a child’s story. I draw inspiration from languages, cultures, traditions, and even the hidden meanings behind names to help find the perfect fit for every little one’s bright future.