Topics 2010
TOKYO FM "Holiday Special" Public Recording Event
Kuraray "Mirabakesso" Presents "Sending School Bags Across the Sea"
with Appearances by Ai Kawashima, Hitomi Yoshizawa, Riko Narumi, and "Kuraray-chan" the Alpaca
Jan 6, 2010
Kuraray Co., Ltd.
Performer Profile
- Ai Kawashima
- Born on February 21, 1986 (with "A " blood type) in Fukuoka Prefecture, Ms. Kawashima made her debut in 2003 as part of the duo I WiSH with Door to Tomorrow, the title song of the TV drama, Ainori. The song topped the Oricon chart for two weeks in a row and sold 900,000 copies, catapulting her to fame.
Her solo career as Ai Kawashima began in 2005. With such major musical tie-ins as My Love, the second Ainori title song, and Compass, the title song for the movie One Piece, Ms. Kawashima enjoys wide popularity among young girls of high school age. Her live concerts performed every year on August 20 at C.C. Lemon Hall (formerly the Shibuya Public Hall), sell out on the day they are announced and are considered legendary by her fans.
In June 2009, Ms. Kawashima released Simple Treasure, her first album in two years. She then performed concerts in 14 cities nationwide, beginning with Nagoya.
Having been invited to perform at the Sakura Matsuri in Washington D.C. and Japan Day at Central Park in New York City, the number of her overseas performances has increased. Consequently, she has gained high critical acclaim among Americans and in the media.
In December 2009, Ms. Kawashima released her 18th single, Daisuki da yo. Much attention has been drawn to the fact that all of her songs have had commercial tie-ins. These include the soundtracks for video games such as Tokimeki Memorial 4 for the Sony PSP and theme songs for Japanese TV shows such as The Sunday Next. What's your Simple Treasure? SPECIAL, a DVD recorded live at Shibuya's C.C. Lemon Hall and the final performance of her 2009 tour, will be released on January 13, 2010.
- Hitomi Yoshizawa
- Born on April 12, 1985 (with "O" blood type) in Saitama Prefecture, Ms. Yoshizawa performed with the J-pop group Morning Musume for seven years. After leaving the group she has worked in a wide range of fields, including music, theater, TV variety shows and sports.
Aspiring to be friends to all, she would like to communicate the magnificence of music and sports to a wide range of people, from children to adults, through her membership in Ongaku Gatas, a musical group that debuted in 2007, and her participation in futsal indoor soccer.
- Riko Narumi
- Born on August 18, 1992 (with "O" blood type) in Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture, Ms. Narumi first appeared in the TV drama Ruri no Shima in 2005. She starred in the movie Shindo in 2007.
Ms. Narumi next appeared in the successively released movies Ashita no Watashi no Tsukurikata and Kimi ni Shika Kikoenai (Calling You). In 2008, she appeared in the role of Hagumi Hanamoto in the TV drama Honey and Clover. In 2009, she starred in the movies Crime or Punishment!?!, directed by Keralino Sandrovich, and Naoto Takenaka's Yamagata Scream.
From January 2010, Ms. Narumi will appear as the first female lead in the NHK Saturday Historical Drama series Saku Yako no Hana.
