Here’s a concise list of the most notable and influential Japanese figures who were at their peak or highly prominent during the 1980–1987 period (the height of the Bubble Era). Grouped by category:
Yasuhiro Nakasone (Prime Minister 1982–1987) – The face of 1980s Japan; pushed privatization, strong US alliance, and “Settling the Postwar” rhetoric.
Noboru Takeshita (LDP kingmaker, PM from Nov 1987) – Already the most powerful faction boss in the mid-80s; essentially ran the party behind the scenes.
Kakuei Tanaka (former PM, still “shadow shogun” until his stroke in 1985) – Even after resigning in 1974, he controlled the largest LDP faction through the early/mid-80s.
Yellow Magic Orchestra (Ryuichi Sakamoto, Haruomi Hosono, Yukihiro Takahashi) – Global electronic pioneers; still hugely influential 1980–1987.
Tatsuro Yamashita – The king of City Pop; albums like For You (1982), Big Wave (1984), Pocket Music (1986).
Mariya Takeuchi – Queen of City Pop; “Plastic Love” (1984) became a global phenomenon decades later but she was massive in the 80s.
Seiko Matsuda – The ultimate 80s idol; dominated the charts every year with multiple #1 singles.
Akina Nakamori – The “rival” idol to Seiko; darker, more dramatic image; huge 1982–1987 run.
YMO-related solo peaks: Ryuichi Sakamoto’s Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence soundtrack (1983), solo albums.
Southern All Stars (Keisuke Kuwata) – Japan’s biggest rock band of the era.
Boøwy – The visual-kei/hard-rock band that defined cool for late-80s youth (especially 1985–1987).
Kyoko Koizumi – “Kyons” blended idol and new-wave/rock credibility.
“Beat” Takeshi Kitano – Exploded as half of the manzai duo Two Beat (1980–1986), then transitioned into film.
Akashiya Sanma – Already one of the top Kansai comedians/talk-show hosts by mid-80s.
Tamori – Hosted the legendary late-night show Warau Inu / Tamori Club; ultimate cool intellectual comedian.
The Drifters (especially Ken Shimura & Cha Kato) – Still huge in the early 80s with Hachiji da yo! Zen’in shūgō.
Tetsuko Kuroyanagi – Not a comedian but the most famous TV host (Tetsuko no Heya since 1976, peak influence in 80s).
Haruki Murakami – Published Norwegian Wood in 1987; instantly made him a literary superstar.
Kenzaburō Ōe – Already Nobel-level respected; very active and vocal in the 80s.
Banana Yoshimoto – Debuted with Kitchen in 1988 (written ~1987), so right on the cusp.
Shintaro Ishihara – Controversial nationalist writer/politician; The Japan That Can Say No (co-written with Akio Morita) came in 1989 but he was already a major provocateur.
Akira Toriyama – Dr. Slump (1980–1984) → Dragon Ball started serialization 1984.
Hayao Miyazaki – Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind manga (1982–1994) and film (1984); founded Studio Ghibli in 1985 with Laputa: Castle in the Sky (1986).
Katsuhiro Otomo – Akira manga serialization began 1982; defined cyberpunk worldwide.
Akio Morita (Sony chairman) – Global face of Japanese tech success.
Kenichi Ohmae – McKinsey guru, “Japan’s management guru” in the 80s.