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Akiko Echigo[1] (Japanese: 越後 亜紀子, Hepburn: Echigo Akiko, 10 August 1953 – 30 March 2021), known by the stage names Junko Asahina (朝比奈 順子, Asahina Junko), Jun Kobayakawa (小早川 純, Kobayakawa Jun), and Yuki Kobayakawa (小早川 有希, Kobayakawa Yuki) was a Japanese actress and singer. Originally a musumeyaku at the Takarazuka Revue, she had a struggling career as a television actress and idol singer, and after spending a few years acting in Nikkatsu's Roman Porno pink films, became popular in supporting roles.
Junko Asahina | |
|---|---|
| 越後 亜紀子 | |
| Born | 10 August 1953 Shibuya, Tokyo, Japan |
| Died | 30 March 2021 (aged 67) Tokyo, Japan |
| Alma mater | Takarazuka Music School |
| Occupations |
|
| Years active | 1971–2000s |
Akiko Echigo was born on 10 August 1953 in Shibuya.[1] Her father and mother were natives of Akita Prefecture and Chiba Prefecture (respectively), and her grandfather was Russian.[2] She was educated at Takarazuka Music School,[3] entering the school in 1969.[4]
In 1971, she joined the Takarazuka Revue; her stage name at Takarazuka was Yuki Kobayakawa and she was a musumeyaku.[3] At the time she joined the Revue, she was ranked 52nd out of 55 members of the 57th class.[5] In 1972, she made her debut in the Flower Troupe production "Hana wa Chiruchiru/Joy!".[5] On 30 October 1972,[5] she left the Takarazuka Revue at the age of 19,[6] and made her debut as an actress the same year under the alias Jun Kobayakawa.[3] Although her career started struggling afterwards, she appeared in television series like Mirrorman, Playgirl, Ultraman Ace, Akai Kutsu , and Tokubetsu Kidō Sōsatai .[3] Outside of acting, she spent time working at a lingerie store in Aoyama, Tokyo.[1]
She also had a short-lived idol career where she released three singles under the name Junko Asahina, with her debut being "Ren'ai Gakkō" (1974), and made some appearances in Japanese music shows.[3] Film critic Naofumi Higuchi said that the reason her career failed was because "pop music [was] lively [at the time] and there were tons of beautiful idols, so she didn't stand out at all".[3] In 1986, she returned to music with another single from Polydor Records, "Futari no Ai/Hitorijime", performing with Takashi Shinjō and F.M.G.[7]
From 1981 to 1984, she had a brief career in Nikkatsu's Roman Porno pink films, appearing in films like Female Teacher's Awakening, I Like It From Behind, Female New Employee: Five To Nine, and Pleasure In the Mirror, and having her own catchphrase "Porno Hatsudenjo" (ポルノ発電所, lt. "Porno Power Plant");[3] she also received praise for "her beauty and courage".[8] She later returned to acting in television series, including Seibu Keisatsu, Tokusō Saizensen, Mito Kōmon, Edo o Kiru, Meibugyō: Tōyama no Kinsan , Kasuga no Tsubone , as well as in the films Kōshoku Ichidai Otoko (1982), Natsufuku no Eve (1984), and Nidaime no Christian (1985).[8][1] Sports Hochi described her as a "unique supporting actress",[8] with Higuchi saying that "while she mostly played supporting roles that added a touch of glamour, it is easy to understand why they wanted to invite such a bright, beautiful and dignified actress to the set.[3] However, in the 2000s, her career became less frequent due to ill health.[3]
Asahina was a close friend of fellow Roman Porno actress Yuki Kazamatsuri, remaining so until Asahina's death.[3]
Asahina died of multiple organ failure at a hospital in Tokyo on 30 March 2021.[8][4] She was 67 years old.[8] She never married.[8] Despite her relatively minor acting career, news about her death appeared on "a surprisingly large number of media outlets".[3] Higuchi said in a 2021 retrospective that "looking back at her in later years, Asahina was a very beautiful girl and acted with bravery, but she left a rather plain impression", and that she "once had a vivid image of lively and sexy".[3]
Singles
| Title | Year | Details | Peak chart positions | Sales | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| JPN | |||||
| "Ren'ai Gakkō/Yukidoke Michi" (恋愛学校/雪どけ道) | 1974 |
|
— | — | [9] |
| "Tabi no Ehagaki/Tokimeku Jiki" (旅の絵葉書/ときめく時期) | 1974 |
|
— | — | [10] |
| "Koibito no Gogo/Haru no Himegoto" ("恋人の午後/春のひめごと") | 1975 |
|
— | — | [11] |
| "Futari no Ai/Hitorijime" (ふたりの愛/ひとり占め) (as Junko Asahina, Takashi Shinjō & F.M.G.) |
1986 |
|
— | — | [7] |
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