Fans often follow, dress and act like their idols, often giving the celebrities superstar status.
The Daily Yomiuri takes a look at the surging popularity of Harumi Kurihara to find out just what makes her tick. When Harumi Kurihara showed up at the makeshift stage set up in a small corner of a department store for a book-signing session, the place was filled with sighs, gasps and camera flashes. A woman even gazed at Kurihara with tears in her eyes after finally catching a glimpse of her idol. The crowd of mostly women, swayed back and forth behind a rope as security staff held the euphoric throng back. She is only a self-taught cooking expert.