Akina Nakamori facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Akina Nakamori
Nakamori in 1985
Background information
Native name	中森明菜
Born	(1965-07-13) 13 July 1965 (age 60) Ōta, Tokyo, Japan
Genres	J-pop kayōkyoku
Occupation(s)	Singer actress producer
Years active	1982–present
Labels	Warner Pioneer (1982–1991) MCA Victor (1993–1997) This One/Gauss (1998–1999) @ease (music@nifty) (2001) Universal Sigma (2002–present) Utahime Records (2004–present)

Akina Nakamori (中森 明菜, Nakamori Akina, born 13 July 1965) is a famous Japanese singer and actress. She is known as one of Japan's most popular and best-selling music artists. Akina became famous after winning the 1981 TV talent show Star Tanjō!.

Her first song, "Slow Motion", was a moderate success. Her next song, "Shōjo A", made her even more popular. It sold over 390,000 copies. Her second album, Variation, was her first album to reach number one on the music charts. Akina also started acting in 1985 in the Japanese romance movie 'Ai, Tabidachi [ja]. After taking a break from 2010 to 2014, Akina released two successful albums, All Time Best: Original and All Time Best: Utahime Cover.

Early Life

Akina Nakamori was born on July 13, 1965, in Ōta, Tokyo. She was the fifth of six children in her family. Her father, Akio Nakamori, owned a meat shop. All the children in her family had the Japanese character for "bright" (明) in their names, just like their father. Akina's mother named her "Akina," which means "a bright nanohana flower."

When Akina was very young, her family moved to Kiyose, Tokyo, where she grew up. Her mother loved the singer Hibari Misora and taught Akina how to sing. This made Akina dream of becoming a singer herself.

Music Career

Early Success (1982–1984)

After winning Star Tanjō!, Akina Nakamori started her music career in 1982. Her first song, "Slow Motion", was recorded in Los Angeles. It sold 174,000 copies and reached number 30 on the Oricon charts. Her second song, "Shōjo A", was very popular, selling 396,000 copies and reaching number 5.

Akina's song "Second Love" became her best-selling single. It stayed at number one for nine weeks and sold almost one million copies. In 1982, she also released two albums, Prologue and Variation, which sold many copies.

In 1983, Akina released three more hit songs: "½ no Shinwa", "Twilight (Yūgure Dayori)", and "Kinku". All three of her albums that year, Fantasy, New Akina Etranger, and Best Akina Memoires, also reached number one. On December 31, 1983, Akina performed for the first time on the famous Japanese TV show Kōhaku Uta Gassen.

In 1984, Akina released "Kita Wing", which sold over 600,000 copies. Her next song, "Southern Wind", reached number one. "Jukkai (1984)" also became a number one hit. Her ninth single, "Kazari ja Nai no yo Namida wa", was a big moment in her career. Many people in Japan still think this song, along with her 1986 song "Desire (Jōnetsu)", is her most famous. Her albums Anniversary and Possibility both reached number one.

Continued Hits (1985–1986)

Akina started 1985 with "Meu amor é...", which sold over 630,000 copies and won her the Grand Prix award at the 27th Japan Record Awards. She was the youngest person at 20 years old to win this award. Another version of the song, "Akaitori Nigeta", was also released and reached number one. She then released "Sand Beige (Sabaku e)" and "Solitude", both of which debuted at number one.

Her albums in 1985, Bitter and Sweet and D404ME, also reached number one on the charts.

In 1986, Akina's song "Desire (Jōnetsu)" showed a more grown-up style. It won the Grand Prix at the 28th Japan Record Awards, making her the youngest person to win for two years in a row. It sold over 500,000 copies and reached number one. Her next songs, "Gypsy Queen" and "Fin", also reached number one.

To celebrate her first four years in music, Akina released her first "BEST" album, which sold 766,000 copies and reached number one. She also released Fushigi, a unique album with a special sound, and Crimson, an album made entirely by women. Both albums reached number one.

New Challenges (1987–1989)

In 1987, Akina released "Tango Noir", which sold 348,000 copies and reached number one. Her next song, "Blonde", also became a number one hit. Her song "Nanpasen" was a very emotional ballad and sold 431,000 copies, reaching number one.

She released an English album called Cross My Palm, which was popular in Japan. In 1988, Akina released the album Stock and three singles: "Al-Mauj", "Tattoo", and "I Missed the Shock". The first two singles reached number one.

In 1989, Akina released only one song, "Liar", which became her 20th number one single.

Changes and New Directions (1990–1997)

Akina returned to music in 1990 with the song "Dear Friend", which reached number one. She said this was one of her only happy songs. Her next song, "Mizu ni Sashita Hana", became her 21st number one hit. After this, she left her record label, Warner Pioneer.

In 1991 and 1992, Akina focused on acting. She played a main role in the TV drama Sugao no Mamade. The theme song for this drama, Kimi ga Iru Dake de, sold over 2.89 million copies.

In 1993, Akina joined a new record company, MCA Victor. She released her 27th single, "Everlasting Love", which reached number 10. In 1994, she released her first cover song, "Kataomoi", and her first cover album, Utahime. The album reached number 5.

Akina also appeared in the TV series Furuhata Ninzaburō in 1994. She released "Yoru no Doko ka de (Night Shift)", which was used as a TV news theme song. Her 15th album, Unbalance+Balance, was released in 1993 and reached number 4. In 1994, she released "Gekka", which reached number 8.

In December 1994, Akina held a special live show called Utahime Parco Theatre Live, her first in two years. In 1995, she released "Genshi, Onna wa Taiyō Datta", a summer-themed song. Her 16th album, La Alteración, was released in July 1995 and reached number 7. She also released "Tokyo Rose", her first rockabilly song.

In December 1995, Akina released a collection of her best songs called True Album Akina 95 Best. She also held a concert tour called Nakamori Akina True Live. In 1996, she celebrated her 15th anniversary as a singer. She appeared on the TV show SMAP×SMAP and performed with the band Smap. She also held her first Dinner Show Tour.

In 1996, Akina released "Moonlight Shadow: Tsuki ni Hoero", which reached number 14. In December 1996, she released a mini-album called Vamp. In 1997, she released "Appetite" and her 17th album, Shaker, which reached number 14. She also went on a live tour called Felicidad. After this tour, she left MCA Victor.

New Labels and Challenges (1998–1999)

In 1998, Akina joined a new record label, Gauss Entertainment. She starred in the TV drama Tsumetai Tsuki and sang its theme song, "Kisei (Never Forget)", which reached number 19. She also released "Kon'ya, Nagareboshi" and her 18th album, Spoon. She went on a national tour called Spoon Tour.

In September 1998, she released "Tomadoi", which was a theme song for a TV drama. In January 1999, Akina starred in the TV drama Border Hanzai Shinri Sōsa File and sang its theme song, "Ophelia". This song was inspired by Shakespeare's play Hamlet.

Akina's final song with Gauss Entertainment was "Trust Me" and her 19th album, Will, both released in December 1999.

Return to Music (2000–2010)

In 2000, Akina started her own office called Faith. She held a national tour called Akina Nakamori 2000: 21 Seiki he. In 2001, she released the song "It's Brand New Day", her first R&B song. She also went on a national tour called All About Akina 20th Anniversary It's Brand New Day.

In 2002, Akina celebrated 20 years since her debut. She joined Universal Music and released a cover album called Zero Album: Utahime 2, which reached number 10. She also released "The Heat (Musica Fiesta)" and her 20th album, Resonancia. She went on the Musica Fiesta Tour 2002. In December 2002, she released a collection of her own songs with new arrangements called Akina Nakamori: Utahime Double Decade. She performed "Kazari ja Nai no yo Namida wa" on Kōhaku Uta Gassen again after 14 years.

In 2003, Akina released "Days" and her 21st album, I Hope So. She also held a live tour called Akina Nakamori Live Tour 2003 - I hope so -. In 2004, she released two songs, "Akai Hana" and "Hajimete Deatta Hi no Yōni", which were Japanese versions of Korean songs. She also went on the Akina Nakamori A-1 tour 2004. In December 2004, she released her third cover album, Utahime 3: Finale.

In 2005, Akina held a special live tour called Akina Nakamori Special Live 2005 Empress at Club Ex. She released "Rakka Ryūsui", which was a theme song for a TV drama.

In 2006, Akina celebrated her 25th anniversary. She released a self-cover album, Best Finger 25th Anniversary Selection. She also acted in the TV drama Primadame and sang its theme song, "Hana yo Odore". Her 22nd album, Destination, was released in June 2006. She went on the Akina Nakamori Live Tour 2006: The Last Destination.

In 2007, Akina released a cover album called Utahime Best: 25th Anniversary and a ballad album called Ballad Best: 25th Anniversary Selection. She also released her first enka cover album, Enka, which was chosen by her fans. This album reached number 10 and won awards.

In 2008, Akina released Utahime Densetsu: 90s Best, a collection of her songs from the 1990s. She also sang a duet with Junichi Inagaki called Dramatic Airport. In December 2008, she released a new cover album, Folk Song: Utahime Jojouka, featuring folk songs from the 1970s.

In 2009, Akina released another cover album, Mood Kayō: Utahime Shōwa Meikyoku Shū, and a second folk song album, Folk Song 2: Utahime Aishouka. She held a special live tour called Akina Nakamori Special Live 2009 "Empress at Yokohama". Her 23rd album, Diva, was released in August 2009. She also released a special single version of "Diva Single Version".

In July 2010, Akina released a digital song, "Crazy Love". In October 2010, her team announced that she would take a break from music due to health reasons.

Comeback and Recent Activities (2014–Present)

In August 2014, Akina's record label released two best-of albums: All Time Best: Original and All Time Best: Utahime Cover. All Time Best: Original included her biggest hits and a new song, Sweet Rain. Both albums were very successful.

On December 31, 2014, Akina appeared on Kōhaku Uta Gassen again, performing her new song "Rojo (Tierra)" from her studio in New York. She announced her full return to music.

In January 2015, Akina released a new cover album, Utahime 4: My Eggs Benedict, and her 49th single, Rojo-Tierra, which reached number 8. In September 2015, she released her 50th single, "Unfixable", which was her first original English song in 28 years.

In December 2015, Akina released her 24th album, Fixer, which reached number 7. The album version of Fixer: While the Women are Sleeping was used as a movie theme song. In February 2016, she released the single "Fixer (While the Women Are Sleeping)".

In November 2016, Akina released a jazz cover album called Belie, which reached number 8. A special version, Belie+Vampire, was released in December 2016.

In November 2017, Akina released a eurobeat cover album, Cage, and her 25th album, Akina. Both albums reached the top 10.

After a five-year break, Akina Nakamori opened new social media accounts in August 2022. She announced that she had changed her management and was working on her health.

In April 2023, a special 4K version of her live show "East Live Index" was shown in Japanese cinemas. At the end, Akina shared a voice message, which was the first time her voice had been heard publicly in several years. In November 2023, she re-recorded her 1984 song "Kita Wing" for a tribute album. This was her first new music in six years. In December 2023, Akina sent a message to listeners for a radio special, her first public media appearance in nine years. Her official YouTube channel was launched in December 2023, and the music video for Kita Wing-Classic quickly gained over a million views.

In March 2024, her unreleased song, "Hello Mary-Lou", was finally released. Between April and May 2024, she uploaded jazz versions of some of her popular songs. As of June 2024, parts of her songs "Desire" and "Second Love" are used as train melodies at Kiyose Station. Akina celebrated her 59th birthday with a fan club event, which was her first public appearance since 2017.

Humanitarian Work

In 1998, Akina Nakamori took part in the Food Aid Concert charity event. The money raised from the concert helped feed children in North Korea.

In December 2023, Akina participated in a charity auction. She auctioned off a hat from her 2023 photoshoot. The money from the auction went to an organization called PLAS, which helps children in Africa who are affected by AIDS.

Personal Life

In 1984, Akina Nakamori's relationship with singer and actor Masahiko Kondō became known. In 1989, Akina was hospitalized.

In 2023, Akina Nakamori shared in a radio message that she is currently single.

Musical Style and Impact

Influences and Inspiration

Many young artists, including Instagram influencers, idols, and musicians, say Akina Nakamori has influenced their music and fashion. Singer-songwriter Leo Ieiri said in 2012 that she loved Akina's songs since elementary school because of their mature lyrics and melodies. She also gets inspiration from Akina's performances on the TV show The Best Ten.

In 2023, singer and actress Yoko Minamino said she got fashion ideas from Akina when she first started her career. Voice actress and singer Sora Amamiya was inspired by Akina's songs when writing her own music. Singer Kawai Fujii loves Akina's songs "Shōjo A" and "Nanpasen". Musician Miya from the band Mucc said Akina is the only pop artist he listens to.

Legacy and Achievements

Japanese music critics have called Akina Nakamori the 5th best voice in Japan's music history. She is one of the few singers who had albums in the Top 10 in the 1980s, 1990s, 2000s, and 2010s. HMV Japan ranked her as the 55th Top Japanese Artist of All Time.

As of 2011, Akina Nakamori has sold over 25.3 million records. She is the third best-selling female Japanese idol singer of all time. In a survey in 2022-2023 about the 100 Best 80s Showa Idols, Akina Nakamori was ranked number 1.

Discography

Studio albums

Tours

• Akina Milkyway '83: Haru no Kaze wo Kanjite
• Rainbow Shower (1983)
• Aitai Na Aeruka Na: Akina Nakamori Ongaku Kanshō Kai (1984)
• Bitter and Sweet (1985)
• Light and Shade (1986)
• A Hundred Days (1987)
• Femme Fatale (1988)
• True Live (1995)
• Felicidad (1997)
• Spoon (1998)
• Akina Nakamori 2000: 21 Seiki e no Tabidachi
• All About Akina 20th Anniversary: It's Brand New Day (2001)
• Musica Fiesta Tour (2002)
• Akina Nakamori Live Tour 2003: I Hope So
• Akina Nakamori A-1 Tour (2004)
• Akina Nakamori Live Tour 2006: The Last Destination

Filmography

Movies

Television Shows

Kōhaku Uta Gassen Performances

See also

In Spanish: Akina Nakamori para niños

• List of best-selling music artists in Japan