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Junko Kawada

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Junko Kawada
河田 純子
Born (1974-11-22) November 22, 1974 (age 49)
Akita, Akita, Japan
Other names
    • Junko Oyama (大山 純子)
    • Junko Ōka (桜華 純子)
    • Jurika (樹凛花)
Occupations
  • Singer-songwriter
  • actress
Spouse
​
(m. 2010)​
Musical career
Genres
InstrumentVocals
Years active
    • 1983–1995
    • 2005–2006
LabelsCBS Sony
Japanese name
Kanji河田 純子
Hiraganaかわだ じゅんこ
Katakanaカワダ ジュンコ
Transcriptions
RomanizationKawada Junko
Websitewww.kawadajunko.com

Junko Kawada (河田 純子, Kawada Junko) (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.[1]

Biography

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Early life

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Junko Kawada graduated from Meguro Nihon University Junior High and High School and the Junior College of Kagawa Nutrition University.[1]

Idol career

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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.[2]

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 Rakutenshi (楽天使) with Shinobu Nakayama and Mamiko Tayama. In 1990, Rakutenshi became part of the idol group Nanatsuboshi (七つ星, lit. Seven Stars), which included Rumi Shishido and Lip's.[1] During her career as an idol, Kawada appeared in numerous commercials and recorded anime theme songs.[2]

Retirement and post-career

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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 "Jurika" (樹凛花). The duo lasted a year before Kawada finally announced her retirement.[2]

In 2009, Kawada moved to the health and beauty business by opening Salon de Angel Angel (サロン・ド・エンジェル・エンジェル, Saron do Enjeru Enjeru) under the name Junko Ōka (桜華 純子, Ōka Junko). In addition, she expanded her business in Kenya to help create jobs for underprivileged neighborhoods.[3][2]

In 2013, Kawada recorded the songs "Egao" and "Aitakute" for lyricist Miju, who was fighting a rare illness.[4]

Personal life

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Kawada married MMA fighter Shungo Oyama on September 20, 2010. She stood by him at ringside until his retirement in 2014.[3]

Discography

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Studio albums

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Year Information Oricon weekly
peak position[5] 		Sales
 RIAJ certification[6]
1989 Ashita Genki Nina are 46
1990 Jun Mind
  • Released: June 21, 1990
  • Label: CBS Sony
  • Formats: CD, cassette
 25
1991 Prologue
  • Released: March 1, 1991
  • Label: Sony Records
  • Formats: CD, cassette
 55

Compilation albums

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Title Album details
Golden Best Limited: Complete Singles Collection

Singles

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List of singles, with selected chart positions
Title Date Peak chart positions Sales (JPN) RIAJ
certification[6] 		Album
JPN
Oricon
[5]
"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 Non-album single
"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 Non-album single
"Egao" / "Aitakute" April 17, 2013 — Non-album single
"—" denotes a release that did not chart.

References

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  1. ^ a b c "河田純子". idol.ne.jp. 26 December 2018. Retrieved 2022-01-06.
  2. ^ a b c d "女子アナ日下千帆の「美女は友達」元アイドルがケニアでビジネスを". Livedoor. 2020-08-20. Retrieved 2022-01-06.
  3. ^ a b "桜華 純子". Spo-Sta. Retrieved 2022-01-06.
  4. ^ "「笑顔」と「あいたくて」". Kawada Junko Blog. 2013-06-12. Retrieved 2022-01-06.
  5. ^ a b "河田純子" (in Japanese). Oricon. July 2014. Retrieved 2022-01-06.
  6. ^ a b "ゴールドディスク認定" (in Japanese). Recording Industry Association of Japan. Retrieved 2022-01-06.
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