Fukuda, Tsuneari b. 1912 d. 1994 Playwright and literary critic. Also known as "Koson Fukuda," he was a native of Tokyo. After the Pacific War, he became a critic of then current Japanese literature, protesting its oversimplicity. He is probably best known for translating the works of Shakespeare into Japanese. He also wrote a variety of major works, including "Kiti taifu(1950)," "Ryu o nadeta otoko(1952)" and an historical novel, "Akechi Mitsuhide(1957)." (Bio by: Warrick L. Barrett) Myodai-ji Temple Cemetery, Kanagawa, Kanagawa, Japan
Higuchi, Kiichiro b. 1888 d. 1970 Army Major General. As chief of army intelligence in Harbin, Manchukuo/Manchuria, he was responsible for saving the lives of 20,000 Jews who were fleeing the Nazi Holocaust in Germany via the Trans-Siberian Railway. In March 1938, these refugees gathered at the Soviet train station at Otpol on the border of Manchuria. Their initial destination was Shanghai by way of Manchukuo. However, the Japanese Foreign Officer of Manchukuo refused them entry and they were stranded in a blizzard there, with...[Read More] (Bio by: Warrick L. Barrett) Myodai-ji Temple Cemetery, Kanagawa, Kanagawa, Japan
Iwama, Kazuo b. 1918 d. August, 1982 Scientist, Businessman. He was a physicist at the Earthquake Research Institute of Tokyo University before he joining Akio Morita, Masaru Ibuka and Akira Higuchi in June 1946 as part of Totsuko, which would eventually develop into what is now the Sony Corporation. Iwama became Morita's brother-in-law and celebrated his wedding ceremony soon after Totsuko was established, with Ibuka acting as the "Nakodo" or intermediary. His efforts were particularly significant in Sony's commercial development...[Read More] (Bio by: Warrick L. Barrett) Kamakura Cemetery, Kanagawa, Kanagawa, Japan
Matsumoto, Jun b. 1832 d. March 12, 1907 Physician and medical pioneer. Also known as "Ryojun Matsumoto," he was born at Tokyo as was the second son of Dr. Taizen Sato, founder of the Juntendo Medical School. In 1849, he became the adopted son of Dr. Ryoho Matsumoto, who served as the official physician to the Tokugawa Shogun. In 1857, he moved to Nagasaki and began studying principles of modern Western medicine under Dutch physician Dr. Pompe van Meedervoort. In 1861, under the guidance of Dr. van Meedervoort and with financial...[Read More] (Bio by: Warrick L. Barrett) Myodai-ji Temple Cemetery, Kanagawa, Kanagawa, Japan
Sakai, Saburo b. 1916 d. September 22, 2000 Military Figure. Saburo Sakai was Japan's most famous fighter pilot. Flying the feared Zero fighter plane, he scored about 64 kills, including one example of every US plane in the Pacific Theatre of Operations. Despite suffering wounds which left him partially blinded, he returned to combat and racked up more successes. Sakai's ability to handle a warplane became legendary, but he was most proud of the fact that he never lost a wingman throughout his entire fighting career. He was sent on a...[Read More] (Bio by: Sergeant Pepper) Sagami Memorial Park, Kanagawa, Kanagawa, Japan Plot: Section C, row 25
Sugihara, Chiune b. January 1, 1900 d. July 31, 1986 Japanese Diplomat. Sometimes referred to as "The Japanese Schindler," and also known as "Sempo Sugihara." As Japan's vice-consul in Kaunas, Lithuania in 1940, he saved the lives more than 6000 Jews by disobeying orders of his superiors and providing visas to those who wanted to transit through Japan to escape Nazi persecution. He said, "I may have to disolbey my government, but if I don't, I will be disobeying God." After the war, the Sugihara family was imprisoned for about 18 months in a...[Read More] (Bio by: Warrick L. Barrett) Kamakura Cemetery, Kanagawa, Kanagawa, Japan
b. 1912 d. 1994