About Takashi Yanase
Takashi Yanase (やなせ たかし, Yanase Takashi, February 6, 1919 – October 13, 2013) was a Japanese manga artist and writer, poet, illustrator and lyricist. He is known as the creator of the picture book and animated series Anpanman. Yanase was chairman of the Japan Cartoonists Association from May 2000 to 2012. == Early life, military service == After graduating from the Tokyo School of Arts and Crafts in 1939, Yanase was hired by Tokyo Tanabe Pharmaceuticals where he worked in the marketing department. In 1941, he was drafted into the army under the 6th Field Heavy Artillery Reserve Company stationed in China. As an educated non-commissioned officer, he was assigned to senbu (psychological warfare) operations, presenting kamishibai (street theatre and storytelling) to Chinese civilians. His younger brother was killed in action during the Pacific Campaign of World War II. Post-war, alongside other veterans, Yanase made a living collecting garbage. To pursue his artistic career, he joined Kōchi Shimbun newspaper as an editor in 1946. Once he learned that his co-worker, Nobu Komatsu, was quitting and relocating to Tokyo, Yanase did the same. They got married in 1947.
Biography source: Wikipedia. The profile adds birthday-specific historical context from the Celebs Birthday Today editorial database.