Noriko Arai is a paralympic athlete from Japan competing mainly in category T34 sprint events. Noriko competed in the 100m and 200m at three consecutive Paralympics. In her first two games in 1996 and 2000 she won gold in the 100m and silver in the 200m on both occasions. She could not continue this and in 2008 had to be content with a bronze in the 200m.
Noriko Ashida is the name of a young mutant who first appeared in Marvel Comics "New X-Men: Academy X" series. Her codename was "Surge" and she was capable of electrical manipulation. Noriko was a prominent member of the team until the title's cancellation. She has appeared in other X-Related since then.