What's the best way to reconnect with someone who lives in Japan?

So, back in the early 80's to early 90's my best friend was from Japan. His name is Yuki (I don't want to post his whole name for obvious reasons). I think I remember his mother told me it was because it was snowing the day she gave birth to him (Yuki=snow?). She was so sweet. His dad was an overseas salaryman, hardworking and nice. Eventually in the 90's they returned to Japan. It was very sudden and unexpected. I lost my best friend and never even got the chance to say goodbye. (That was about 35 years ago.)

I've long wanted to reconnect with him, even tried a few times to look him up, in all the usual places. Only old email addresses and social media accounts which aren't touched. I know he is still alive and doing well, apparently. He's some kind of businessman and works obscenely long hours, from what I've been told. I'd at least like to send him an email or something. Then he can decide if he wants to contact me back or not. I'll leave that up to him.
I have his birth year, but not the date. I have the full name and age, as well as his parent's names. I have an old, long abandoned e-mail address as well.

He came to the states looking to reconnect and I never saw him. He went back to the neighborhood looking for me but the only person he found was a neighbor lady who was a busybody. She decided to tell him she didn't know, when she had my address and cell number, she lied about it for God only knows what reason. Busybody was a gossip though and it eventually got around (3 years too late). I found this out along with an e-mail, which was, at some point, active. (That was 15 years ago.)

First problem is that public listings seem to be almost nonexistent, or just not complete maybe. 2nd problem, his name is the same as a young lady who is or was some kind of pop idol. (Again, I'd rather not share the whole name in either case).
Anyone have any ideas, or should I just give up?
Any advice would be welcome. Sorry, this was such a long-winded story. I appreciate you taking the time to read it and look forward to any suggestions you all may have. Thank you.

Would he be able to find YOU online? Apparently, he tried to get in touch with you some 15 years ago.

Do you know where he lives or works? Do you have his name in Chinese characters?

He did try to find me, and we were literally within a few blocks of each other. I know he used to live and work in Tokyo around 2012, I forgot to mention that. But there are 40,000,000 people living in greater Tokyo (that's about the total population size of Australia or Canada). I still struggle with kanji, no idea how he would write his name in Chinese or even in kanji. I was thinking if maybe it would be possible to try to arrange that. (him find me).

When he showed up in our old neighborhood most of the neighbors from back then were gone. All the kids were in their 30s or so by 2012. The only neighbor that was still around from those days, was the local gossip. You know the one, every neighborhood has one. Anyway, my mother still talks to that woman. It's how I got the email (3 years later, in 2015). He showed up out of the blue one day, with a fishing pole, in the neighborhood we grew up in. He did ask about me specifically. Back then it was rural and we went fishing together every day. I really would have liked to go fishing with him again. We still have that in common. Or at least put him on my Christmas card list.

(#1) If I know what kind of social media sites are popular in Japan, he or one of his relatives might see my name and tell him.
(#2) I think, if I start with Tokyo, there may be some kind of record of his residence. He may still live there. He did, apparently around 2012. I never tried though, when I looked up the population of Tokyo.
I can narrow that down. The family name is a less common one (I looked up a list of 'common surnames' in Japan.)

So, 30,000 people in Japan with the same surname, check off the females, check off the ones without the name Yuki, check off the ones outside Tokyo? That sound right? Also, any tips on social media sites common in Japan?

Update
I started a new profile on a few platforms. Using my middle and last name, the same I went by as a kid. Old photos from where I grew up, 10-year-old me, with my friends. Photos of local landmarks. As well as a current photo of myself, side by side with a childhood photo. All are pictures carefully chosen to jar old memories open. He wouldn't recognize a current photo of me, this is the first time using old photos. It may work. That's about all I can do for now. Hopefully he, or someone who knows him will spot it. From there, it's up to him.
I just thought anyone who read or responded, would like to know how this turned out. (Thank you)