(born November 22, 1974, in Akita, Akita, Japan) is a former J-pop idol, singer-songwriter and actress. Throughout her career, she released three albums and nine singles.
Biography Early life Junko Kawada graduated from Meguro Nihon University Junior High and High School and the Junior College of Kagawa Nutrition University.
Idol career During her first year in junior high school, Kawada entered an audition hosted by CBS Sony, Fuji TV, and Shueisha. In her second year of junior high school, she left her parents' home and moved to a dormitory that was run by CBS Sony to focus on her singing and dancing lessons until she made her debut at the age of 13.
Kawada finished runner-up on the 2nd Tohato All Raisin Princess Contest in 1987, losing to Hanako Asada. Two years later, she formed the idol unit with Shinobu Nakayama and Mamiko Tayama. In 1990, Rakutenshi became part of the idol group , which included Rumi Shishido and Lip's. During her career as an idol, Kawada appeared in numerous commercials and recorded anime theme songs.
Retirement and post-career Kawada retired in 1995 at the age of 20 without any formal announcements and became an office lady for 10 years until she became a middle manager. In 2005, she returned to the entertainment scene as a member of the idol duo Lenpha, under the pseudonym . The duo lasted a year before Kawada finally announced her retirement.
In 2009, Kawada moved to the health and beauty business by opening under the name . In addition, she expanded her business in Kenya to help create jobs for underprivileged neighborhoods.
In 2013, Kawada recorded the songs "Egao" and "Aitakute" for lyricist Miju, who was fighting a rare illness.
Personal life Kawada married MMA fighter Shungo Oyama on September 20, 2010. She stood by him at ringside until his retirement in 2014.
Discography Studio albums YearInformationOricon weeklypeak positionSalesRIAJ certification1989Ashita Genki Nina are Released: August 21, 1989 Label: CBS Sony Formats: LP, CD, cassette46 1990Jun Mind Released: June 21, 1990 Label: CBS Sony Formats: CD, cassette251991Prologue Released: March 1, 1991 Label: Sony Records Formats: CD, cassette55
Compilation albums TitleAlbum detailsGolden Best Limited: Complete Singles CollectionReleased: March 21, 2011 Label: Sony Music Direct/GT Music Formats: CD, digital
Singles + List of singles, with selected chart positions Title Date Peak chart positions Sales (JPN) RIAJcertification AlbumJPNOricon"Kagayaki no Sketch" March 1, 1989 52 Ashita Genki Nina are "Kimi no Yume no Tame ni" May 12, 1989 44 "Suteki ni Wa-ga-ma-ma" July 21, 1989 51 "Hero Girl" November 22, 1989 61 "Kakū no Koibitotachi" March 21, 1990 38 Jun Mind "Shi-n-yu-u" August 1, 1990 39 "Never Mind" November 1, 1990 40 Prologue "Owaranai Toki" February 1, 1991 64 "Shiroi Iro wa Koibito no Iro" October 25, 1991 80 "Egao" / "Aitakute" April 17, 2013 — "—" denotes a release that did not chart.
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