Famous Japanese Activists

Vote for Your Favourite Japanese Activists

Right IconThis ranking is based on an algorithm that combines various factors, including the votes of our users and search trends on the internet.

 1 
Yoko Ono
(Artist and Musician Who Was an Influential Practitioner of Conceptual & Performance Art)
Yoko Ono
8
Birthdate: February 18, 1933
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Tokyo, Japan

Yoko Ono is a Japanese multimedia artist, peace activist, and singer-songwriter. She came into prominence after marrying John Lennon of the Beatles. She is widely criticized for her unquestionable influence over John Lennon and his music. She is also often blamed for the disbandment of The Beatles. Despite all these criticisms, Yoko Ono continues to go on her merry way.

 2 
Debito Arudou
(Writer, Human rights activist)
Debito Arudou
3
Birthdate: January 13, 1965
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: California, United States
 3 
Joi Ito
(Japanese Activist, Entrepreneur and Venture capitalist)
Joi Ito
3
Birthdate: June 19, 1966
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Kyoto, Kyoto, Japan

Joi Ito is a Japanese venture capitalist and entrepreneur best known for his association with Internet and technology companies. He is credited with founding several companies like Infoseek Japan, Digital Garage, and PSINet Japan. Over the years, Joi Ito has been honored with several prestigious awards like the Golden Plate Award and the IRI Medal. 

Recommended Lists:
 4 
Itagaki Taisuke
(Soldier)
Itagaki Taisuke
2
Birthdate: May 21, 1837
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Tosa Domain, Japan
Died: July 16, 1919

Initially the commander of the Tosa troops, Itagaki Taisuke participated in the Meiji Restoration. He was the founder of the Liberal Party, which was the first Japanese political party. Itagaki was later stabbed by a right-wing militant, to whom he reacted by saying “Itagaki may die, but liberty, never.”

 5 
Toyohiko Kagawa
(Japanese Protestant Christian Pacifist, Christian Reformer, and Labour Activist)
Toyohiko Kagawa
2
Birthdate: July 10, 1888
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Kobe, Hyogo, Japan
Died: April 23, 1960

A Japanese Christian social reformer, Toyohiko Kagawa was educated at the Princeton Theological Seminary in the US and later spearheaded the Friends of Jesus band in Japan, encouraging compassion for the poor and women’s suffrage. His written work is preserved in the 24-volume Kagawa Toyohiko Zenshu.

 6 
Shidzue Katō
(Politician)
Shidzue Katō
1
Birthdate: March 2, 1897
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Tokyo, Japan
Died: December 22, 2001

A pioneer of the birth control movement in Japan, Shidzue Katō was a hardcore feminist and also one of Japan’s first female politicians. A founder-member of the Japan Family Planning Association, she advocated the use of oral contraceptive pills. She was once also arrested for opposing the Japanese government.

 7 
Oku Mumeo
(Politician)
Oku Mumeo
0
Birthdate: October 24, 1895
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Fukui, Japan
Died: July 7, 1997

Oku Mumeo was a Japanese feminist politician who played an important role in the modern Japanese suffrage movement. Renowned for her activism in the 1920s, Mumeo also played key roles in many other women's rights movements in Japan. Oku Mumeo co-founded the New Women's Association along with Ichikawa Fusae and Hiratsuka Raichō and went on to become an influential politician.

 8 
Ōmi Komaki
(Translator, Writer, University teacher)
Ōmi Komaki
0
Birthdate: May 11, 1894
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Akita
Died: October 29, 1978

Japanese translator and scholar Komaki Ōmiya was better known by his pseudonym, Ōmi Komaki. Born to a politician in Japan, he quit school to be with his father at a conference in France, and never left. Back in Japan, years later, he promoted communism and translated works of French authors.

 9 
Suzuki Bunji
(Politician)
Suzuki Bunji
0
Birthdate: September 4, 1885
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Miyagi, Japan
Died: March 12, 1946

Poverty-stricken since an early age, Suzuki Bunji later became a champion for labor rights and established the labor-oriented organization Yūaikai. He was also one of the early Christian converts of Japan. He also helped develop the Social Democratic Party and was part of the Japanese Diet.

 10 
Fuki Kushida
(Activist)
Fuki Kushida
0
Birthdate: February 17, 1899
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Yamaguchi, Japan
Died: February 5, 2001

Fuki Kushida was a Japanese women's rights activist who served as the first Secretary General of the Women's Democratic Club. She is also known for her association with the Federation of Japanese Women's Organizations where she served as the president. Also a peace activist, Kushida is remembered for leading protests against the establishment of the US military bases in Japan.