Former Iron Chef Japanese; his post was taken over by Koumei Nakamura, who was himself succeeded by the more-familiar-to-Americans Masaharu Morimoto. Michiba retired in January 1996. He's seen here and there on later episodes of the show; I recall the time he brought in his top assistant to challenge Morimoto, and he worked with and advised Morimoto before his battle with Bobby Flay.
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