Photo: MC1 Michael Gomez / Public domain (source: Wikimedia Commons)
Public records list Shintarō Ishihara as a politician, explorer and writer. Born on September 30, 1932, Shintarō Ishihara was from Suma-ku, Hyōgo Prefecture, Japan. Death is recorded on February 1, 2022, at the age of 89. Schooling on record includes Hitotsubashi University. Listed accolades include Akutagawa Prize (1955), Bungakukai Shinjin Award (1955), Hirabayashi Taiko Prize (1988) and 1 more.
My Take
Ishihara is one of the most fascinating and divisive figures I have written about. He burst onto the scene at twenty-three with an Akutagawa Prize, igniting postwar youth culture, then spent thirteen years as Governor of Tokyo at the very center of national life. I do not agree with much of his politics, and his nationalism alienated many, but his sheer refusal to soften his voice for anyone is undeniable. Novelist, explorer, actor, politician, he committed fully to every role he took. For better and worse, he embodied the contradictions of modern Japan more vividly than almost anyone.
1. Profile
- Name (English)
- Shintarō Ishihara
- Name (Japanese)
- 石原慎太郎
- Reading
- いしはら しんたろう
- Born
- September 30, 1932 – February 1, 2022
- Zodiac / Chinese zodiac
- Libra / Monkey
- Origin
- Suma-ku, Hyōgo Prefecture, Japan
- Occupation
- politician / explorer / writer / actor / novelist
2. Background
- University
- Hitotsubashi University
Awards & achievements
- 1955 Akutagawa Prize
- 1955 Bungakukai Shinjin Award
- 1988 Hirabayashi Taiko Prize
- 2015 Grand Cordon of the Order of the Rising Sun
3. Works & records
| Category | Title | Role | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Notable work | Season of the Sun | — | |
| Notable work | The Japan That Can Say No | — |
4. Links
- Official sitehttps://www.sensenfukoku.net/
- Xhttps://x.com/i_shintaro
- Wikipedia (English)https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shintaro%20Ishihara
- Wikipedia (Japanese)https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E7%9F%B3%E5%8E%9F%E6%85%8E%E5%A4%AA%E9%83%8E
- Wikidatahttps://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q38849
5. About this entry
Tags
- Last updated
- 2026-06-23
Facts are limited to publicly available information up to 2024; non-public or unconfirmed items are omitted. English text is machine-assisted (facts translated by Sonnet, "My Take" written by Opus 4.8). The Japanese page is the source of record.
Frequently asked questions
When was Shintarō Ishihara born?
Born September 30, 1932.
When did Shintarō Ishihara die?
Died February 1, 2022, aged 89.
Where was Shintarō Ishihara from?
Shintarō Ishihara was from Suma-ku, Hyōgo Prefecture, Japan.
What did Shintarō Ishihara do?
Shintarō Ishihara worked as politician, explorer, writer, actor, novelist.
What was Shintarō Ishihara known for?
Notable works include Season of the Sun, The Japan That Can Say No.
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