Machiko Hasegawa  

Machiko Hasegawa was a pioneering female manga artist who created her own comic strip, Sazae-san, in 1946. The series gained national attention and circulation through the Asahi Shimbun newspaper in 1949. It ran daily until Hasegawa retired in February 1974. Her work was later adapted into a radio series in 1955 and an animated television series in 1969, which is still ongoing as of 2016. In recognition of her contributions to Japanese culture, she received the People's Honor Award in 1992. Tragically, Hasegawa passed away from heart failure at the age of 72 on May 27, 1992.