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Akiko Ikuina

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Akiko Ikuina
生稲 晃子
Background information
Born (1968-04-28) 28 April 1968 (age 56)
Tokyo, Japan
GenresJ-pop
Occupation(s)Singer, actor, tarento, politician
Years active1987–present
LabelsProduction Ogi
Websiteogipro.com/talent/ikuina/
Akiko Ikuina
生稲晃子
Member of the House of Councillors
Incumbent
Assumed office
July 26, 2022
ConstituencyTokyo at-large district
Personal details
Political partyLiberal Democratic Party
SpouseTomohiro Sayama
CommitteesCommittee on Economy and Industry, Committee on Rules and Administration, Special Committee on Consumer Affairs, Research Committee on Foreign Affairs and National Security

Akiko Ikuina (生稲 晃子, Ikuina Akiko, born April 28, 1968 in Tokyo) is a Japanese singer, actress, tarento, and politician.[1][2] She joined the Japanese pop idol group Onyanko Club in 1986.[3][4]

Biography

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She was born in Setagaya, Tokyo, but moved to Koganei when she was a little girl.[5][6] She has an elder sister and an elder brother.[5] She was considered an honor student in elementary school.[5][6] Additionally, she was a member of a local soccer club.[5][7][8] After enrolling at Koganei Municipal Midori Junior High School (緑中学), she took up volleyball.[5][6][7] She also became the central figure in her class, and her group was known as the Ikuina Corps (生稲軍団, Ikuina Gundan).[6] She was nicknamed full moon (満月, Mangetsu) because of her round face.[5][7] At the time, she was courted by many boys.[9]

In April 1984, she enrolled at Kichijō Girls' High School (吉祥女子高校), and at the urging of her elder brother, an enthusiastic idol fan, she applied for the Horipro Talent Scout Caravan (ホリプロタレントスカウトキャラバン), a nationwide idol audition, but was not accepted.[5][8][10] This, however, led her to join an entertainment agency affiliated with Horipro, and she became active as a model.[5][8][11] In 1986, it was decided that the popular manga Touch would be made into a movie, and she auditioned for the role of the heroine of the movie.[5][8][10] She was told in advance by the audition officials that you would be selected, nevertheless, she was subsequently rejected in the final round because of her affiliation with an entertainment agency.[8] She cried at this treatment and developed an intense distrust of the entertainment industry.[8]

However, in June 1986, she auditioned for a variety show called Yūyake Nyan Nyan("Sunset Meow Meow") (夕やけニャンニャン) featuring the then very popular idol group Onyanko Club, and she was accepted.[5][8][7] After joining Onyanko Club, she was called Oinarisan (おいなりさん, Oinarisan), but eventually became known as Akko (あっこ, Akko).[12] In November 1986, Onyanko Club released a song called Koi wa Question, and she was selected as one of the lead vocalists for the first time.[13] This song is considered one of Onyanko Club's most accomplished works.[14] In December 1986, comedian Makoto Tokonamegawa (常滑川まこと) got into trouble when he pressed his crotch against her face during Yūyake Nyan Nyan.[15]

In February 1987, she took the entrance exams for Rikkyo University, Seikei University, and Otsuma Women's University, in addition to Waseda University where her elder brother was enrolled, but was not accepted, partly because her entertainment activities did not allow her enough time to study.[16][17] In April 1987, she had no choice but to attend English literature department at Keisen Women's Junior College.[5][18] However, She was selected, along with Shizuka Kudō and Makiko Saitō, to be a member of the sub-group Ushirogami Hikaretai , replacing Ushiroyubi Sasaregumi, which was disbanded after the graduation of Mamiko Takai.[6][19] At the time of its formation, she was considered the main figure.[11] In addition, she became a DJ on a radio show called Onyanko no Abunai Yorudayo (おニャン子のアブない夜だよ), along with popular member Marina Watanabe.[20][21] In May 1987, their debut song, Toki no Kawa wo Koete (時の河を超えて), was released.[19][22] This song was the theme song for the anime High School! Kimengumi and ranked number one on the Oricon charts.[19][22] In July 1987, they hosted a radio show, Tokyo Best Hit (TOKYOベストヒット), along with TV personality Tsutomu Sekine.[20][21] She also became a topic of conversation when she appeared in Lawson's Karaage commercial.[21] Although Onyanko Club disbanded in September 1987, Ushirogami Hikaretai continued its activities, and they held concerts, but their activities were suspended in May 1988.[23] Shortly thereafter, she made her solo debut with the song Mugiwara de Dance (麦わらでダンス), the theme song of the anime Tsuide ni Tonchinkan.[18][20]

Since then, she has been active in TV dramas and variety shows in addition to singing.[18][24] From 1999 to 2003, she played the role of a mother who used to be a yankee (the term "yankee" here means "delinquent girl") in a well-received drama series called Kids War (キッズ・ウォー).[18][24] She also appeared in a popular Jidaigeki called The Unfettered Shogun.[24] In 2010, she studied psychology at the Heartful Life Counselor Academy (ハートフルライフカウンセラー学院, Hārtofuru Raifukaunserā Gakuin) and became a certified cognitive behavioral therapist.[24][25] In 2022, she became an outside director of TAYA Co., Ltd (田谷), a nationwide chain of beauty salons.[26]

Personal life

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In 2003, she married Tomohiro Sayama (佐山智洋, Sayama Tomohiro), a producer for a commercial production company.[18][27] They then opened a teppanyaki restaurant.[27] In 2006, She gave birth to a baby girl.[18][27]

In November 2015, Ikuina announced that she had received treatment for breast cancer. She was first diagnosed in April 2011 on her 43rd birthday, and had undergone five different surgical procedures in the time between her diagnosis and her announcement, the most recent of which had resulted in a total mastectomy of her right breast.[28] In 2016, she released a book entitled "To my Right Breast: Thank You and Farewell" (右胸にありがとう そしてさようなら) documenting the four-year, eight-month long battle from her diagnosis to her fifth surgery.[29]

Political career

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In September 2016, she became an expert member of the Council for the realization of work style reform (働き方改革実現会議), a consultative committee established by the government.[30]

On April 4, 2022, Ikuina announced her bid for parliament under the Liberal Democratic Party. 2 days later she stated "I'd like to not dirty the Onyanko Club name and do my best." Her opposition to same-sex marriage on an NHK questionnaire attracted controversy, with 14 out of 26 questions left unanswered.[31] It was later revealed that Ikuina's response on a question about Coronavirus policy was identical to LDP opponent Kentaro Asahi's, only changed to be grammatically feminine.[32]

In July 2022, she was elected fifth in the six-member House of Councillors' Tokyo constituency.[18][33][34]

On 15 August 2022, Kyodo News erroneously reported that Ikuina attended Yasukuni Shrine, which honours Japan's war dead, including convicted Class-A war criminals. This report led to criticism in South Korea, as the shrine is viewed by many as a symbol of Japan's wartime militarism. The controversy was further amplified when it was announced that Ikuina would represent the government at a ceremony honouring Koreans who had died while being forced to labour at the Sado mines, prompting South Korea to protest her attendance.[35]

Ikuina denied the Kyodo report regarding her visit to Yasukuni Shrine. On 25 November 2024, Kyodo News issued an apology for the erroneous report and acknowledged that the misinformation had adversely affected Japan–South Korea relations.[36][37]

Discography

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Singles

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Year Title Details Peak chart
position (Oricon)
1988 "Mugiwara de Dance" (麦わらでダンス)
  • Release date: May 21, 1988
  • B-side: "Yume ni Aitai" (夢に逢いたい)
#8
"Virgin Shounen ni Kuchizuke wo" (Virgin少年に接吻くちづけを)
  • Release date: September 21, 1988
  • B-side: "Shadow of Palm Tree"
#9
1989 "Fanfare ga Kikoeru" (ファンファーレが聴こえる)
  • Release date: January 25, 1989
  • B-side: "Watashi dake no Liberty" (わたしだけのリバティー)
#15
"Japanese Girl"
  • Release date: May 24, 1989
  • B-side: "Yūbae no Hashi" (夕映えの橋)
#23
"Wasuretai no ni" (忘れたいのに)
  • Release date: September 27, 1989
  • B-side: "Asatsuyu no Hitomi" (朝露の瞳)
#39
1990 "Nichiyōbi wa Iranai" (日曜日はいらない)
  • Release date: March 7, 1990
  • B-side: "Umi ni Naritai" (海になりたい)
#48
1991 "Luna GREAT"
#93
1995 "Funky Lullaby" (ファンキーララバイ)
  • Release date: June 10, 1995
  • Image song of the Shiroki F.C. Serena football team
  • B-side: "Funky Lullaby (Long Version)" (ファンキーララバイ -Long Version-)
—
2008 "Oh! Sanpo Biyori" (Oh!散歩日和)
  • Release date: October 8, 2008
  • Duet with Takeo Chii
  • B-side: "Mukashi dattara" (昔だったら)
—

Special singles

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  • Akko no X'mas Calendar (あっこのX'mas Calendar) (1989)

Albums

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Studio albums

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  • "Ikuina" De-Dance (「生稲」De-Dance) (1988)
  • Nihon "Ikuina" Kikō (日本「生稲」紀行) (1989)

Compilation albums

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  • My Kore! (Myこれ!) series
    • My Kore! Ction: Ikuina Akiko BEST (Myこれ!クション 生稲晃子BEST) (2002)
    • My Kore! Choice 20: Nihon "Ikuina" Kikō + Singles Collection (Myこれ!チョイス 20 日本「生稲」紀行+シングルコレクション) (2008)
    • My Kore! Lite: Ikuina Akiko (Myこれ!Lite 生稲晃子) (2010)
  • Ikuina Akiko SINGLES Complete (生稲晃子 SINGLESコンプリート) (2007)

Films

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  • Gatsby Bokura wa Kono Natsu Necktie o Suru (1990)[38]
  • Okuman Chōja ni Natta Otoko (1994), Kazumi Kasai[39]
  • Te no Hira no Shiawase (2010), Ikuko Takebayashi[40]
  • Live (2014), Yōko Tamura[41]

TV programs

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References

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  1. ^ 生稲晃子 (in Japanese). Yahoo Japan Corporation. Retrieved 2015-11-10.
  2. ^ 生稲晃子のプロフィール (in Japanese). oricon ME inc. Retrieved 2015-11-10.
  3. ^ 乳がん公表の生稲晃子に応援の声 「前向きに生きる姿に尊敬します」 (in Japanese). oricon ME inc. Retrieved 2015-11-10.
  4. ^ 根城泰 図解入門業界研究最新コンビニ業界の動向とカラクリがよーくわかる本: 2008 "1987 年に放映した「からあげクン」の 0 ^に、当時アイドルだった生稲晃子さんを起用して話題をさらいました。 90 年代になると、口一ソンはテレビ 01 ^を大幅に増やしました。 1989 年にサンチェ一ンを^井したため、口一ソンという店名を広く認知してもらう必要が ..."
  5. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Komukai, Shōji, ed. (1988-01-01). "巻頭大特集 うしろ髪ひかれ隊" [Cover Story Ushirogami Hikaretai]. BOMB (BOMB) (in Japanese). No. January 1988. Tokyo, Japan: Gakken. pp. 29–31.
  6. ^ a b c d e Akasaka, Shigeru, ed. (1986-08-01). "うしろ髪ひかれ隊 徹底比較・生い立ちストーリー" [In-depth Comparison and Life Stories]. DUNK (DUNK) (in Japanese). No. August 1986. Tokyo, Japan: Shūeisha. pp. 105–108.
  7. ^ a b c d Komukai 1988, p. 25
  8. ^ a b c d e f g "生稲晃子を"芸能界は嘘の世界だ！"と号泣させたミスコンでの事件" [The Miss Contest incident made Akiko Ikuina cry. It made her think that the entertainment industry is a world of lies] (in Japanese). Tokyo, Japan: Kobunsha. 2020-07-01. Retrieved 2022-07-22.
  9. ^ Komukai 1988, p. 39
  10. ^ a b Komukai 1988, p. 32
  11. ^ a b Ino 2003, p. 46
  12. ^ Komukai 1988, p. 28
  13. ^ Iwakiri 1987, p. 72
  14. ^ Ino 2003, p. 39
  15. ^ Yasui, Makoto, ed. (1987-10-01). "おニャン子クラブパーフェクトbook" [Onyanko Club Perfect Book]. BOMB (magazine) [ja] (in Japanese). No. October 1987. Tokyo, Japan: Gakken. p. 135.
  16. ^ Komukai 1988, p. 29
  17. ^ Akasaka, Shigeru, ed. (1987-05-01). "受験終了あたふた日記" [Examinations completed. helter-skelter diary]. DUNK (DUNK) (in Japanese). No. May 1987. Tokyo, Japan: Shūeisha. pp. 42–43.
  18. ^ a b c d e f g "生稲晃子氏、こんな人 86年、おニャン子クラブ会員番号40番としてデビュー" [Ms. Akiko Ikuina's Personality: In 1986, she debuted as Onyanko Club membership number 40] (in Japanese). Tokyo, Japan: Sankei Sports. 2022-07-11. Retrieved 2022-07-22.
  19. ^ a b c Ino 2003, p. 78
  20. ^ a b c Komukai 1988, p. 35
  21. ^ a b c Iwakiri 1987, p. 176
  22. ^ a b Iwakiri 1987, p. 76
  23. ^ Ino 2003, pp. 56–57
  24. ^ a b c d "生稲晃子のブレイクタイム" [Akiko Ikuina's Break Time] (PDF) (in Japanese). Tokyo, Japan: Japan Soft Drink Association (全国清涼飲料連合会). 2013-01-16. Retrieved 2022-07-22.
  25. ^ "トレーナーも？ 女優だけじゃない「元AKB」のその後" [What happened to the former AKB members, did they become trainers as well as actresses?] (in Japanese). Tokyo, Japan: Shinchosha. 2018-11-28. Retrieved 2022-07-22.
  26. ^ "生稲晃子氏、美容室経営大手・田谷の社外取締役内定 「出会いに胸を躍らせています」" [Ms. Akiko Ikuina has been informally offered a position as an outside director of Taya, a major beauty salon management company. She stated, I' m so excited about this offer.] (in Japanese). Tokyo, Japan: Sankei Sports. 2022-04-21. Retrieved 2022-07-22.
  27. ^ a b c "生稲晃子と夫の関係とは。自宅の豪邸がテレビ公開！子供(娘)はお嬢様学校！" [Akiko Ikuina and her husband's relationship. They showed their luxurious house on TV. Their daughter is enrolled in a young lady's school.] (in Japanese). Tokyo, Japan: Byron-bay. 2021-09-11. Retrieved 2022-07-22.
  28. ^ "生稲晃子、がんが2度再発し「何か悪いことのしたのか…」 右胸再建手術も公表". ORICON NEWS. Retrieved 2020-12-22.
  29. ^ "乳がん公表の生稲晃子、副作用に悩み「汗で突然起こされる」". ORICON NEWS. 17 May 2016. Retrieved 2020-12-23.
  30. ^ "生稲晃子「働き方改革実現会議」の民間議員に正式決定" [Akiko Ikuina was officially appointed as a private member of the Council for the realization of work style reform] (in Japanese). Tokyo, Japan: Sports Nippon. 2016-09-16. Retrieved 2022-07-22.
  31. ^ 生稲晃子氏が「同性婚反対」で再び炎上…「自分らしく生きられる国へ」の主張に矛盾 (in Japanese). Yahoo News. Retrieved 2022-07-05.
  32. ^ 生稲晃子氏に今度は"パクリ疑惑"が！ 候補者アンケートの回答が朝日健太郎氏と丸かぶり (in Japanese). Nikkan Gendai. 5 July 2022. Retrieved 2022-07-05.
  33. ^ "参議院選挙 東京選挙区 生稲晃子氏 初当選" [Ms. Akiko Ikuina was elected for the first time to the House of Councillors, Tokyo election district] (in Japanese). Tokyo, Japan: NHK. 2022-07-11. Retrieved 2022-07-22.
  34. ^ "生稲晃子 参議院選挙・開票結果2022 東京選挙区" [House of Councillors Election, Results 2022 Tokyo Electoral District] (in Japanese). Tokyo, Japan: Yomiuri Shimbun. 22 June 2022. Retrieved 2022-07-22.
  35. ^ Kim, Seung-yeon (2024-11-23). "(2nd LD) S. Korea not to attend Sado memorial amid controversy over Japan's pick for gov't representative". Yonhap News Agency. Retrieved 2024-11-23.
  36. ^ 産経新聞 (2024-11-25). "共同通信「生稲氏の靖国参拝報道は誤り」 見間違え、本人に確認せず「深くおわび」". 産経新聞：産経ニュース (in Japanese). Retrieved 2024-11-25.
  37. ^ "生稲晃子氏の靖国参拝報道は誤り 共同通信「外交に影響の可能性」". 日本経済新聞 (in Japanese). 2024-11-25. Retrieved 2024-11-25.
  38. ^ 映画 ギャッツビー ぼくらはこの夏ネクタイをする！. allcinema (in Japanese). Stingray. Retrieved 2015-11-11.
  39. ^ 映画 億万長者になった男. allcinema (in Japanese). Stingray. Retrieved 2015-11-11.
  40. ^ 映画 手のひらの幸せ. allcinema (in Japanese). Stingray. Retrieved 2015-11-11.
  41. ^ 映画 ライヴ. allcinema (in Japanese). Stingray. Retrieved 2015-11-11.
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