# Naoko Kawai

Naoko Kawai (河合奈保子) (born 24 July 1963) is a former pop idol, singer-songwriter, and composer in the 1980s decade. Kawai was from the same generation as Seiko Matsuda, Yoshimi Iwasaki, Junko Mihara and Yoshie Kashiwabara who all debuted on the same year. After the marriage in 1996, she changed her maiden surname to Naoko Kanehara (金原奈保子) and has completely suspended music activities. Since then, Kawai has residence in Australia.

## Early life

Naoko was born in Sumiyoshi-ku in Osaka. She is the eldest daughter of her family and has 3 years younger sister. In elementary school, she started to play the piano and in high school was part of the folk-song club as the part of her after-school activities. In 1979, Naoko applied to compete in the "Hideki Younger Brother/Sister Recruitment Audition" contest held by talent agency Geiei in the name of the singer Hideki Saijo. In the audition application tape, she sang Anri's 'Olivia wo Kikinagara'. She won the final tournament held at Nakano Sunplaza and was performing Mako Ishino's ``Haru La! La! La!.

## Career
### 1980-1984

In June 1980, she debuted with the single Ookina Mori no Chiisana Ouchi under Nippon Columbia. She had nickname during the debut times as "the little Hideki's sister". Two months later in August 1980, her second single "Young Boy" has been one of the first career hits for the Naoko. The single not only debut at number 13 on the Oricon Weekly charts and remained in Yearly Charts at number 80, but has also won multiple awards: New Artist Award at the 22nd Japan Record Awards, Judge's Encouragement Award at the 7th ABC Kayo Shinnin Grand Prix, Newcomer Award at the 7th Yokohama Music Festival, Excellent Newcomer Award at the 8th FNS Music Festival and 6th Zen Nihon Kayō ongakusai, Enthusiastic performance award at the 10th Ginza Music Festival and silver award at the Shinjuku Music Festival. In October 1980, she released her first original album Love, which includes 2 singles with its b-side tracks and 6 newly written songs. The album debut at number 7 on the Oricon Weekly charts. In December, she released her third single Aishitemasu. The single debut at number 14 on the Oricon Weekly chart and in 1981 yearly Oricon Charts stayed at number 83. On the same month was released her first live album "Live", which includes recording from her first concert held on October at Mielparque Tokyo.
In January 1981, Naoko has launched concert tour "1981 Shin Haru Tour" which lasted the whole month. In March 1981, she released her fourth single 17sai ("Seventeen"), the single debut at number 11 on the Oricon Weekly charts and in 1981 yearly Oricon Charts stayed at number 75. On the same month, she launched her second concert tour "1981 Spring tour" which lates until May. In May 1991, she released her second album Twilight Dream, fully arranged by Motoki Funayama. It includes 2 previously released singles with its b-side tracks and 6 newly written tracks. The album debut at number 2 on the Oricon Weekly charts. In June 1981, her fifth single Smile for me has been marked as the second hit and as one of the most recognizable song of her career. The single debut at number 4 and in 1981 yearly Oricon Charts stayed at number 59. It has been rewarded with golden dove award at the 7th Nippon Television Music Festival and Golden Idol prize at the 23rd Japan Record Awards. In July 1981, she launched her third concert tour "Kawai Naoko: Natsu" which lasted until August. In August 1981, she released her third original album Diary, the album debut at number 3 on the Oricon Weekly Charts. Soon after finishing the summer tour, Naoko has launched in September her fourth "Kawai Naoko Concert" which lasted the whole month. During the same month, she released her sixth single Moonlight Kiss, the single debut at number 11 on the Oricon Weekly charts and on the 1981 yearly charts remained at number 95. It has received Golden Award at the 7th Zen Nihon Kayō ongakusai. In November 1981, the recording label has released her first compilation album Angel, which debut at number 6 on the Oricon Weekly charts. In December 1981, she released her seventh single Love Letter, the single debut at number 11 on the Oricon Weekly Charts and on the 1982 yearly charts remained at number 61. On the same month, she made appearance on the new-year television program Kōhaku Uta Gassen for the first time.

### 1985-1990

One of her representative singles is 'Half Moon Serenade'.
Her 1985 single 'Debut/Manhattan Joke' reached first place in the Oricon Weekly Singles Chart.
In 1987, Kawai took the pop-music contest "Intertalent 87" held in the Prague, Czechoslovakia and has been rewarded with "Prize of the Deputy Prime Minister 87", Supraphon Award and prize for 3rd place in the contest. Special single "Looking for the love" bundled Izayoi Monogatari has been released in the country under recording label Suprahon. "Looking for love" has been composed by the Czeslovakia's composer Karel Svoboda.
She also notably appeared on two Jackie Chan songs in his 1988 studio album, 'Jackie Chan'.

### 1991-1996
## Personal life

In 1996, she married hair and makeup artist Takayasu Kanehara after a 100-day courtship. She has an only-child her daughter Kaho, who debuted in 2013 as a singer, however soon after suspended activities in order to focus on school.

## Discography
### Albums

List of albums, with selected chart positions :
| Title | Album details | Peak positions |
| Title | Album details | JPN Oricon |
| Love | Released: October 10, 1980 Label: Nippon Columbia Formats: CD, LP, Cassette tape, digital download, streaming | 7 |
| Twilight Dream | Released: May 10, 1981 Label: Nippon Columbia Formats: CD, LP, Cassette tape, digital download, streaming | 2 |
| Diary | Released: August 10, 1981 Label: Nippon Columbia Formats: CD, LP, Cassette tape, digital download, streaming | 3 |
| Summer Heroine | Released: July 21, 1982 Label: Nippon Columbia Formats: CD, LP, Cassette tape, digital download, streaming | 6 |
| Album | Released: January 21, 1983 Label: Nippon Columbia Formats: CD, LP, Cassette tape, digital download, streaming | 1 |
| Sky Park | Released: June 1, 1983 Label: Nippon Columbia Formats: CD, LP, Cassette tape, digital download, streaming | 2 |
| Half Shadow | Released: October 2, 1983 Label: Nippon Columbia Formats: CD, LP, Cassette tape, digital download, streaming | 4 |
| Summer Delicacy | Released: June 1, 1984 Label: Nippon Columbia Formats: CD, LP, Cassette tape, digital download, streaming | 6 |
| Daydream Coast | Released: August 28, 1984 Label: Nippon Columbia Formats: CD, LP, Cassette tape, digital download, streaming | 3 |
| Sayonara Monogatari: THE LAST SCENE and AFTER | Released: December 5, 1984 Label: Nippon Columbia Formats: CD, LP, Cassette tape, digital download, streaming | 11 |
| Stardust Garden | Released: March 5, 1985 Label: Nippon Columbia Formats: CD, LP, Cassette tape, digital download, streaming | 4 |
| 9 1/2 Half | Released: December 12, 1985 Label: Nippon Columbia Formats: CD, LP, Cassette tape, digital download, streaming | 10 |
| Scarlet | Released: October 21, 1986 Label: Nippon Columbia Formats: CD, LP, Cassette tape, digital download, streaming | 4 |
| JAPAN as waterscapes | Released: June 24, 1987 Label: Nippon Columbia Formats: CD, LP, Cassette tape, digital download, streaming | 7 |
| Members Only | Released: April 1, 1988 Label: Nippon Columbia Formats: CD, LP, Cassette tape, digital download, streaming | 15 |
| Calling You | Released: November 21, 1989 Label: Nippon Columbia Formats: CD, Cassette tape, digital download, streaming | 66 |
| Bookend | Released: June 1, 1990 Label: Nippon Columbia Formats: CD, Cassette tape, digital download, streaming | 71 |
| Engagement | Released: November 21, 1993 Label: Nippon Columbia Formats: CD, digital download, streaming | - |
| nahoko Oto: blue/orange (released as Nahoko) | Released: April 26, 2006 Label: TBA Formats: digital download | - |
| nahoko Oto (released as Nahoko) | Released: November 2, 2006 Label: TBA Formats: digital download | - |
| "—" denotes items which did not chart |||

### Eps

List of EPs, with selected chart positions :
| Title | Album details | Peak positions |
| Title | Album details | JPN Oricon |
| Beautiful Day | Released: July 24, 1983 Label: Nippon Columbia Formats: CD, LP, Cassette tape, digital download, streaming | 7 |
| Bara Ado | Released: September 21, 1987 Label: Nippon Columbia Formats: CD, LP, Cassette tape, digital download, streaming | 42 |
| Timeless: Naoko special mix | Released: October 10, 1987 Label: Nippon Columbia Formats: CD, LP, Cassette tape, digital download, streaming | 39 |
| Fabric Voices | Released: September 21, 1987 Label: Nippon Columbia Formats: CD, LP, Cassette tape, digital download, streaming | 56 |

### Live albums

List of live albums, with selected chart positions :
| Title | Album details | Peak positions |
| Title | Album details | JPN Oricon |
| LIVE | Released: December 10, 1980 Label: Nippon Columbia Formats: CD, LP, Cassette tape | 10 |
| Naoko in concert | Released: February 25, 1982 Label: Nippon Columbia Formats: CD, LP, Cassette tape | 9 |
| Brilliant | Released: November 21, 1982 Label: Nippon Columbia Formats: CD, LP, Cassette tape | 12 |
| NAOKO THANKSGIVING PARTY | Released: October 21, 1988 Label: Nippon Columbia Formats: CD, LP, Cassette tape | 47 |
| "—" denotes items which did not chart |||

### Compilation albums

List of compilation albums, with selected chart positions :
| Title | Album details | Peak positions |
| Title | Album details | JPN Oricon |
| Angel | Released: November 25, 1981 Label: Nippon Columbia Formats: CD, LP, Cassette tape | 5 |
| Kawai Naoko Zenkyokushuu | Released: September 21, 1982 Label: Nippon Columbia Formats: CD, LP, Cassette tape | 25 |
| Prism (Angel II)/Collection | Released: December 21, 1983 Label: Nippon Columbia Formats: CD, LP, Cassette tape | 7 |
| Ai Naoko no Wakakusairo no Tabi | Released: March 21, 1984 Label: Nippon Columbia Formats: CD, LP, Cassette tape | 7 |
| Naoko22/Collection II | Released: July 24, 1985 Label: Nippon Columbia Formats: CD, LP, Cassette tape | 7 |
| Zenkyokushuu Namida no Hollywood | Released: May 21, 1986 Label: Nippon Columbia Formats: CD, LP, Cassette tape | 37 |
| Pure Gold | Released: March 21, 1989 Label: Nippon Columbia Formats: CD, LP, Cassette tape | 99 |
| Kawai Naoko Sakuhinshuu Masterpieces | Released: May 1, 1989 Label: Nippon Columbia Formats: CD, LP, Cassette tape | 88 |
| NAOKO KAWAI Super Twin DX | Released: December 1, 1990 Label: Nippon Columbia Formats: CD, Cassette tape | - |
| Kawai Naoko Best Selection I/Kawai Naoko Best Selection II | Released: September 21, 1993 Label: Nippon Columbia Formats: CD | - |
| Kawai Naoko Single Collection | Released: December 6, 2006 Label: Nippon Columbia Formats: CD | - |
| Kawai Naoko Golden Best | Released: March 3, 2010 Label: Nippon Columbia Formats: CD | - |
| Kawai Naoko Golden Best A-side/B-side collection | Released: January 23, 2013 Label: Nippon Columbia Formats: CD | - |
| Golden Idol Naoko Kawai | Released: July 30, 2014 Label: Nippon Columbia Formats: CD | - |
| Watashi ga Sukina Naoko Kawai | Released: August 26, 2015 Label: Nippon Columbia Formats: CD, digital download, streaming | - |
| Masaaki Omura Works: Masaaki Omura Sakushin Shuu | Released: September 21, 2022 Label: Nippon Columbia Formats: CD, digital download, streaming | - |
| Kawai Naoko COLLECTION Vol.1 1980-1984/COLLECTION Vol.2 1985-1993 | Released: December 3, 2022 Label: Nippon Columbia Formats: LP | - |
| Masao Urino Works: Masao Urino Sakushin Shuu | Released: July 12, 2023 Label: Nippon Columbia Formats: CD, digital download, streaming | - |
| "—" denotes items which did not chart |||

### Box set

List of compilation albums, with selected chart positions :
| Title | Album details | Peak positions |
| Title | Album details | JPN Oricon |
| Jewel Box | Released: September 29, 2001 Label: Nippon Columbia Formats: CD+DVD set | - |
| Jewel Box 2 | Released: February 1, 2003 Label: Nippon Columbia Formats: CD+DVD set | 286 |
| NAOKO PREMIUM | Released: December 19, 2007 Label: Nippon Columbia Formats: CD+DVD set | 250 |
| NAOKO LIVE PREMIUM | Released: February 18, 2009 Label: Nippon Columbia Formats: CD+DVD set | 189 |
| "—" denotes items which did not chart |||

### Singles

List of singles, with selected chart positions :
| Year | Single | Peak chart positions | Formats |
| Year | Single | JPN Physical | Formats |
| 1980 | "Ooki na Mori no Chiisai no Ouchi" （大きな森の小さなお家） | 36 | CD, LP, Cassette |
| 1980 | "Young Boy" （ヤング・ボーイ） | 13 | CD, LP, Cassette |
| 1980 | "Aishitemasu" （愛してます） | 14 | CD, LP, Cassette |
| 1981 | "17-sai" （17才） | 11 | CD, LP, Cassette |
| 1981 | "Smile for me " （スマイル・フォー・ミー） | 4 | CD, LP, Cassette |
| 1981 | "Moonlight Kiss" （ムーンライト・キッス） | 11 | CD, LP, Cassette |
| 1981 | "Love Letter" (ラブレター) | 11 | CD, LP, Cassette |
| 1982 | "Ai wo Kudasai" (愛をください) | 7 | CD, LP, Cassette |
| 1982 | "Natsu no Heroine" （夏のヒロイン） | 7 | CD, LP, Cassette |
| 1982 | "Kenka wo Yamete" （けんかをやめて） | 5 | CD, LP, Cassette |
| 1982 | "Invitation" （インビテーション） | 8 | CD, LP, Cassette |
| 1983 | "Straw Touch no Koi" （ストロー・タッチの恋） | 9 | CD, LP, Cassette |
| 1983 | "Escalation" （エスカレーション） | 3 | CD, LP, Cassette |
| 1983 | "Unbalance" （UNバランス） | 4 | CD, LP, Cassette |
| 1983 | "Gimonfu" （疑問符） | 4 | CD, LP, Cassette |
| 1984 | "Soyokaze no Melody" （微風のメロディー） | 7 | CD, LP, Cassette |
| 1984 | "Control" （コントロール） | 7 | CD, LP, Cassette |
| 1984 | "Kuchibiru no Privacy" （唇のプライバシー） | 4 | CD, LP, Cassette |
| 1984 | "KKita Eki no Solitude" （北駅のソリチュード） | 6 | CD, LP, Cassette |
| 1985 | "Jealous Train" （ジェラス・トレイン） | 6 | CD, LP, Cassette |
| 1985 | "Debut/Manhattan Joke" （デビュー／マンハッタン・ジョーク） | 1 | CD, LP, Cassette |
| 1985 | "Lavender Lips" （ラヴェンダー・リップス） | 5 | CD, LP, Cassette |
| 1985 | "Through The Window" | 7 | CD, LP, Cassette |
| 1986 | "Namida no Hollywood" （涙のハリウッド） | 7 | CD, LP, Cassette |
| 1986 | "Setsuna no Natsu" （刹那の夏） | 10 | CD, LP, Cassette |
| 1986 | "Halfmoon Serenade" （ハーフムーン・セレナーデ） | 6 | CD, LP, Cassette |
| 1987 | "Omoide no Coney's Island" （想い出のコニーズ・アイランド） | - | CD, LP, Cassette |
| 1987 | "Izayoi Monogatari" （十六夜物語） | 10 | CD, LP, Cassette |
| 1988 | "Kanashii Hito" （悲しい人） | 21 | CD, LP, Cassette |
| 1988 | "Harbour Light Memories" （ハーバー・ライト・メモリズ） | 18 | CD, LP, Cassette |
| 1989 | "Kanashimi no Anniversar" （悲しみのアニバァサリー） | 74 | CD, Cassette |
| 1990 | "Mi Rai" （美・来） | 74 | CD, Cassette |
| 1990 | "Nemuru, Nemuru, Nemuri" （眠る・眠る・眠る） | 97 | CD, Cassette |
| 1994 | "Yume no Ato Kara" （夢の跡から） | 60 | CD |

### Home-video

List of compilation albums, with selected chart positions :
| Title | Album details | Peak positions |
| Title | Album details | JPN Oricon |
| Brilliant: Lady Naoko in Concert | Released: November 21, 1982 Label: Nippon Columbia Formats: VHS, LD, DVD | - |
| Beautiful Days in Gōkan | Released: September 1, 1983 Label: Nippon Columbia Formats: VHS, LD, DVD | - |
| Kawai Naoko Ai no Concert | Released: December 1, 1983 Label: Nippon Columbia Formats: VHS, LD, DVD | - |
| Daydream Coast | Released: August 28, 1984 Label: Nippon Columbia Formats: VHS, LD | - |
| SUMMER SPECIAL in EAST'84 | Released: December 1, 1984 Label: Nippon Columbia Formats: VHS, LD, DVD | - |
| STARDUST GARDEN | Released: March 21, 1985 Label: Nippon Columbia Formats: VHS, LD | - |
| Kanden suruzo Atsui Natsu NAOKO EAST'85 | Released: September 21, 1985 Label: Nippon Columbia Formats: VHS, LD, DVD | - |
| Fantastic Journey 91/2 | Released: December 12, 1985 Label: Nippon Columbia Formats: VHS, LD | - |
| NAOKO '86 Stardust Paradise in EAST | Released: September 1, 1986 Label: Nippon Columbia Formats: VHS, LD, DVD | - |
| Scarlet | Released: December 10, 1986 Label: Nippon Columbia Formats: VHS, LD | - |
| Earth Arc Geiei Festival Budokan ga Moeta | Released: January 25, 1987 Label: Nippon Columbia Formats: VHS, LD | - |
| Tsukiyo Kyūden My Song For You | Released: September 10, 1987 Label: Nippon Columbia Formats: VHS, LD, DVD | - |
| NAOKO THANKSGIVING PARTY | Released: November 21, 1989 Label: Nippon Columbia Formats: LD, DVD | - |
| THE LOVER in ME: ALONE AGAIN | Released: February 21, 1990 Label: Nippon Columbia Formats: VHS | - |
| Pure Moments: NAOKO KAWAI DVD COLLECTION | Released: March 30, 2002 Label: Nippon Columbia Formats: VHS | - |
| Kawai Naoko Live Best: Kenka wo Yamete | Released: August 31, 2016 Label: Nippon Columbia Formats: VHS | 17 |
| Kawai Naoko Premium Collection: NHK Kōhaku Uta Gassen and Let's Go Young etc. | Released: August 30, 2017 Label: Nippon Columbia Formats: VHS | 13 |
| NAOKO ETERNAL SONGS | Released: December 23, 2020 Label: Nippon Columbia Formats: VHS | - |
| "—" denotes items which did not chart |||

## Books

* [1981.01.15] Hessatsu Kindai Eiga Kawai Naoko Tokushuugou (別冊近代映画 河合奈保子特集号)
* [1981.03.01] Yume 17sai Ai Kokoro wo Komete Naoko Yori (夢・17歳・愛 心をこめて奈保子より)
* [1981.06.26] Soyokaze no Message (そよ風のメッセージ)
* [1981.08.05] KAWAI Naoko Photo Message (KAWAI奈保子フォトメッセージ)
* [1981.10.15] Tokimeki no Message (ときめきのメッセージ)
* [1982.03.27] Hohoemi Step (ほほえみステップ)
* [1982.07.01] Hessatsu Kindai Eiga Kawai Naoko PART 3 (別冊近代映画 河合奈保子スペシャルPART3)
* [1982.08.01] Summer Heroine (さまーひろいん)
* [1982.12.20] Idol Byakka 3 Kawai Sonoko (アイドル百科3 河合奈保子)
* [1983.02.23] Cherry Pink no Petit Heart (チェリーピンクのプチハート)
* [1983.04.05] NAOKO IN BANGKOK Kawai Naoko Shashinshuu PART 4 (NAOKO IN BANGKOK 河合奈保子写真集PART4)
* [1983.05.20] Wataboushi Tonda Naoko no Toubyou Sketch (わたぼうし翔んだ 奈保子の闘病スケッチ)
* [1983.10.20] Suteki na Jikan (素敵な時間)
* [1984.01.20] Last Prelude (らすと・ぷれりゅうど)
* [1984.04.15] NAOKO IN AUSTRALIA Kawai Naoko Shashinshuu PART 5 (NAOKO IN AUSTRALIA 河合奈保子写真集PART5)
* [1984.06.10] Otona no Shibatsueki Sugisaru Ai wo Kotoba ni (大人の始発駅 過ぎ去る愛を言葉に)
* [1984.10.25] NAOKO 5TH ANNIVERSARY
* [1985.07.06] LOVELY SUMMER
* [1985.07.15] Naoko Kawai Naoko Shashinshuu PART 6 (奈保子 河合奈保子写真集PART6)
* [1986.01.15] NAOKO TRANS AMERICA Kawai Naoko Sashinshuu PART 7 (NAOKO TRANS AMERICA 河合奈保子写真集PART)
* [1986.03.25] Sunshine Venus
* [1986.06.25] Kawai Naoko Shashinshuu (河合奈保子写真集)
* [1986.12.25] Bessatsu Scola (36) Kawai Sonoko Shashinshuu Scarlet (別冊スコラ（36）河合奈保子写真集 スカーレット)
* [1987.12.25] Treffen