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 59) 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 (2001) Universal Music Japan (2002–present) Utahime Records (2004–present)

Akina Nakamori (中森 明菜, 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 mild success. Her next song, "Shōjo A", became very popular, selling many copies. Her second album, Variation, was her first album to reach number one on the music charts.

She started acting in 1985 in the Japanese romance movie Ai, Tabidachi. After taking a break from 2010 to 2014, Akina released two successful collection 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. Her father owned a meat shop. Akina and her siblings all had the Japanese character 明 (aki) in their names, like their father, Akio. Her mother named her "Akina," which means "a bright nanohana flower." Her younger sister, Akiho Nakamori, also became an actress. Soon after Akina was born, her family moved to Kiyose, Tokyo, where she grew up.

Akina's mother loved the singer Hibari Misora. She taught Akina how to sing and encouraged her to listen to Hibari's songs. This made Akina dream of becoming a singer herself.

Music Career

Becoming a Star (1982–1984)

After winning Star Tanjō! on her third try, Akina Nakamori started her music career in 1982. Her first song, "Slow Motion", was recorded in Los Angeles. It sold well and reached number 30 on the Oricon music charts. Her second song, "Shōjo A", was almost not allowed because of its bold lyrics, but it became a big hit, reaching number 5.

Her song "Second Love" became her best-selling single. It stayed at number one for nine weeks and sold almost a million copies. In 1982, she also released two albums, Prologue and Variation, which were very popular.

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. She performed for the first time on the famous NHK Kōhaku Uta Gassen TV show in December 1983.

In 1984, Akina released "Kita Wing", which was very popular. Her next song, "Southern Wind", brought her back to the number one spot. "Jukkai (1984)" was another number one hit. Her ninth song, "Kazari ja Nai no yo Namida wa", was a big moment in her career. It was a challenging song to sing with fast lyrics. Many people in Japan think this song, along with her 1986 song "Desire (Jōnetsu)", is her signature song. Her albums Anniversary and Possibility also reached number one.

Continued Success (1985–1986)

Akina started 1985 with "Meu amor é...", which hit number one 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 released as a longer single and also 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 her the Grand Prix at the 28th Japan Record Awards again, making her the youngest person to win two years in a row. This song was also a number one hit. 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 was a huge success. She then released Fushigi, an album with a unique, echoing sound, which was a surprise to many. Her album Crimson, made entirely by women, was also very popular. Both albums reached number one.

New Styles and Challenges (1987–1989)

In 1987, Akina released "Tango Noir", which was a number one hit. Her next song was "Blonde", a Japanese version of a song from her English album Cross My Palm. This also reached number one. Her song "Nanpasen" was a very emotional ballad and became a number one hit.

She released an English album called Cross My Palm in 1987. It was popular in Japan but not as much in the U.S., partly because of her strong accent.

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 hit.

Changes and New Labels (1990–1997)

Akina returned to music in 1990 with the song "Dear Friend", which reached number one. 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 tried acting more. She starred in the Japanese TV drama Sugao no Mamade, and the theme song for the show, Kimi ga Iru Dake de, became a huge hit for another band.

In 1993, she joined a new record company, MCA Records. She released her 27th single, "Everlasting Love", which was written by Ryuichi Sakamoto. This song showed a more modern style for Akina.

In 1994, Akina released her first cover song, "Kataomoi", and her first cover album, Utahime. She was the main producer for the Utahime album. She also played a role in the TV series Furuhata Ninzaburō. Later that year, she released "Yoru no Doko ka de (Night Shift)", which was used as a theme song for TV shows.

Her 15th studio album, Unbalance+Balance, was released in 1993. Akina helped write two songs on this album. In December 1994, she held a special live show called Utahime Parco Theatre Live, her first live show in two years.

In 1995, she released "Genshi, Onna wa Taiyō Datta", an upbeat summer song. Her 16th studio album, La Alteración, was released in July 1995. The album's title means "change" in Spanish, and Akina was the main producer. She also released "Tokyo Rose", her first rockabilly song. In December 1995, she released a collection album called True Album Akina 95 Best, which included re-arranged versions of her hits.

In 1996, Akina celebrated 15 years since her debut. She appeared on the TV show SMAP×SMAP and performed with the band Smap. She also held her first Dinner Show Tour. In August 1996, she released "Moonlight Shadow: Tsuki ni Hoero", a collaboration with Tetsuya Komuro. In December, she released a mini-album called Vamp.

In 1997, she released "Appetite" and her 17th studio album, Shaker. Akina was the producer for Shaker, which mixed digital and acoustic sounds. She also held a live tour called Felicidad, her first in almost nine years. After this tour, she left MCA Records.

New Labels and Hiatus (1998–2010)

In 1998, Akina joined the Gauss Entertainment record label. She starred in the TV drama Tsumetai Tsuki and sang its theme song, "Kisei (Never Forget)". She released two more singles, "Kon'ya, Nagareboshi" and "Tomadoi", and her 18th studio album, Spoon. She also took part in the Food Aid Concert to help children in North Korea.

In 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. Later that year, she released her final song with Gauss Entertainment, "Trust Me", and her 19th studio album, Will.

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

In 2002, Akina celebrated 20 years since her debut. She joined Universal Music and released a cover album, Zero Album: Utahime 2, which was her first album in the top 10 in years. She also released the single "The Heat (Musica Fiesta)" and her 20th studio album, Resonancia, which had an R&B and Latin sound. She went on the Musica Fiesta Tour 2002. In December 2002, she released a collection of her own songs with new arrangements and performed on the Kōhaku Uta Gassen again after 14 years.

In 2003, Akina released the single Days and her 21st studio album, I Hope So. She held a live tour for the album. In 2004, she worked with Korean producer Kim Hyung Seok on two singles, "Akai Hana" and "Hajimete Deatta Hi no Yōni". She also went on the Akina Nakamori A-1 tour 2004 and 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, performing both cover songs and her original hits. She released the single "Rakka Ryūsui".

In 2006, Akina celebrated her 25th debut 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 studio album, Destination, brought her back to an R&B style. She went on the Akina Nakamori Live Tour 2006: The Last destination.

In 2007, Akina released a compilation of her cover songs, Utahime Best: 25th Anniversary, and a collection of her ballads, Ballad Best: 25th Anniversary Selection. She also released her first enka cover album, Enka, which was based on a fan survey.

In 2008, Akina released Utahime Densetsu: 90s Best, a collection of her songs from the 1990s. She also sang a duet with Junichi Inagaki and 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 cover album, Folk Song 2: Utahime Aishouka. She held a special live tour called Akina Nakamori Special Live 2009 "Empress at Yokohama". She also released her 23rd studio album, Diva, which included collaborations with international producers.

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

Return to Music (2014–Present)

After a break, Akina returned in 2014. Universal Music released two "best of" albums: All Time Best: Original, which included her biggest hits and a new song, "Sweet Rain", and All Time Best: Utahime Cover, which featured her cover songs. Both albums were very successful.

On December 31, 2014, Akina appeared on the Kōhaku Uta Gassen TV show from her studio in New York, performing her new song "Rojo (Tierra)". With this performance, she announced her full return to music.

In 2015, Akina released a new cover album, Utahime 4: My Eggs Benedict, which featured J-pop songs from the 1990s and 2000s. She also released her 49th single, Rojo-Tierra, which was her first single in five years and won an award. In September 2015, she released her 50th single, "Unfixable", her first original English song in 28 years. In December, she released her 24th studio album, Fixer, which included her recent singles.

In 2016, Akina released the single "Fixer (While the Women Are Sleeping)", which she wrote for a movie. She also released a jazz cover album called Belie.

In 2017, Akina released a eurobeat cover album, Cage, and her 25th original studio album, Akina.

After another five-year break, Akina opened new social media accounts in August 2022, announcing her return to music even though her health was not yet perfect.

In April 2023, a remastered version of her live show "East Live Index" was shown in Japanese cinemas. At the end, Akina shared a voice message, her first time speaking publicly in years. She also re-recorded her 1984 song "Kita Wing" for a tribute album, marking her first new music release in six years. In December 2023, Akina gave a message during a radio special, her first public media appearance in nine years. Her official YouTube channel was launched, 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. She also uploaded jazz versions of some of her classic 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 event, her first in-person public appearance since 2017.

Humanitarian Efforts

In 1998, Akina Nakamori joined other artists like José Carreras and Andy Lau in the Food Aid Concert. The money raised from this concert helped feed children in North Korea.

In December 2023, Akina took part in a charity auction. She auctioned off a hat from her photoshoot, and the money went to an organization called PLAS (Positive Living through AIDS Orphan Support) to help children in Africa who have AIDS.

Personal Life

In 1984, while filming the movie Ai Tabidachi, Akina Nakamori's relationship with singer-actor Masahiko Kondō became known.

Akina's mother, Chieko, became ill in 1988 and passed away in 1995.

In 1989, singer Kyoko Koizumi shared how Akina helped her after a difficult incident at a music festival. Kyoko described Akina as "a very kind and considerate person," which led to their friendship.

In 2023, during a radio special, Akina Nakamori mentioned that she is currently single.

Artistry

Influences

Many young artists, including Instagram influencers, idols, and musicians, have said that Akina Nakamori influenced their music and fashion. In 2023, singer and actress Yoko Minamino said she got fashion ideas from Akina when she started her career. Voice actress and singer Sora Amamiya was inspired by Akina's songs when writing for her albums. Contemporary kayokyoku singer Kawai Fujii loves Akina's songs "Shōjo A" and "Nanpasen". Musician Miya from the bands Mucc and Petit Brabancon said Akina is the only pop artist he listens to.

Legacy

Japanese music critics have called Akina Nakamori the 5th best voice in Japan's recording history. She is one of the few singers to have 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, making her the third best-selling female Japanese idol singer ever.

In a survey in late 2022 and early 2023 about the best 100 80s Showa Idols, Akina Nakamori was ranked number one.

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

Film

Television

Kōhaku Uta Gassen appearances

See Also

In Spanish: Akina Nakamori para niños

• List of best-selling music artists in Japan