Yui Asaka

{{short description|Japanese singer, idol and actress (born 1969)}} {{Infobox musical artist | name = Yui Asaka | image =  | alt = | caption = | native_name = 浅香唯 | native_name_lang = ja | birth_name = Aki Kawasaki (川崎亜紀) | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1969|12|04}} | birth_place = Miyazaki, Miyazaki, Japan | death_date =  | death_place = | alias = Yui | occupation = Singer, idol, actresses | genre = Idol pop, Pop-rock, Kayōkyoku, | years_active = 1984– | credits = | agent = | spouse = Takahiro Nishikawa | label = Warner Music Japan (1985–1993, 2020–) Merdack (1997–1998) | website = http://www.yui-asaka.com/index2.html }} {{Nihongo|'''Yui Asaka'''|浅香唯|Asaka Yui|born December 4, 1969}}<ref name="oricon">{{Cite web|url=http://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/229498/|title=浅香唯|date=April 26, 2023|access-date=February 29, 2016|archive-date=November 30, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191130035006/https://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/229498/|url-status=live}}</ref> is a Japanese singer, idol and actress.<ref name="Galbraith2008">{{cite book|last=Galbraith|first=Stuart|title=The Toho Studios story: a history and complete filmography|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=62UcAQAAIAAJ|access-date=July 15, 2011|date=May 2008|publisher=Scarecrow Press|isbn=978-0-8108-6004-9|page=364}}</ref> She debuted with the single "Natsu Shojo" in 1985 under Warner Music Japan, and made her acting debut with main role in the third series of ''Sukeban Deka'' in 1987.<ref name=yuiinterview/>

== Biography == Yui was born in Miyazaki, Miyazaki, Japan, and later attended Nakano High School. In 1984, she was the Grand Prix Winner for a Young Girls Comics Magazine. Yui was featured as the main character of the comic "Shooting Star". A year later, she debuted as a singer with the single ''Natsu Shoujo''.<ref name=yuiinterview>{{cite web|title=浅香唯独白芸能活動の休止理由…心身ボロボロだった窮地を救った母親のひと言|url=https://encount.press/archives/92239/|website=encount.press|access-date=July 28, 2018|archive-date=October 27, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201027231723/https://encount.press/archives/92239/|url-status=live}}</ref> Up until the end of 1986, Asaka enjoyed a moderately successful career as a singer and an idol.

Her fame grew when she starred in the third series of cult TV Show ''Sukeban Deka'' in 1987.<ref name=yuiinterview/> In 1989, she starred as the heroine of popular manga ''Yawara! A Fashionable Judo Girl'' in its 1989 live movie adaptation. Capitalising on this exposure, Asaka started to write her own songs, starting with the single "Self Control".

In 1993, problems arose when her management began limiting her rights concerning her stage name (Yui Asaka).<ref>{{cite web|title=「芸名を使えない」前事務所とトラブルの浅香唯が本名で出した写真集/壮絶「芸能スキャンダル会見」秘史|url=https://www.asagei.com/excerpt/282117|website=asagei.com|access-date=July 28, 2018}}</ref> Asaka decided to temporarily withdraw from the limelight and took a break from show business.<ref name=yuiinterview/> Her former label Hummingbird was acquired by Warner Music Japan the following year. She returned to the music scene in 1997 as '''Yui''' (not to be confused with another Japanese singer called Yui). Soon after, Asaka reconciled with her agency and was allowed to perform under the name "Yui Asaka" once more. Asaka decided to focus on her acting career, frequently appearing in Japanese TV dramas and variety shows (see full discography below).

In 2020, she released her first digital single ''Light a Shine''. Coinciding with its release, it would be the first time in fifteen years that she released new music.<ref>{{cite web|title=浅香唯、35周年記念の新曲「LIGHT A SHINE～月はずっと見ている」MVショートver.公開|url=https://www.barks.jp/news/?id=1000186793|website=barks|access-date=July 28, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=浅香唯、35周年記念の新曲「LIGHT A SHINE～月はずっと見ている」が、本日 9月9日(水) より先行配信！|url=https://musicguide.jp/information/17048/|website=barks|access-date=July 28, 2018|archive-date=September 9, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200909160255/https://musicguide.jp/information/17048/|url-status=dead}}</ref> In 2022, music from her idol years has been added to the music streaming services.<ref>{{cite web|title=浅香唯の全楽曲をサブスク解禁|url=https://natalie.mu/music/news/482366|website=natalie music|access-date=July 28, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=浅香唯、全157曲サブスク解禁「80年代を知らない世代の方々にも聞いてもらえたら」|url=https://www.billboard-japan.com/d_news/detail/113509/2|website=billboard Japan music|access-date=July 28, 2018}}</ref>

== Discography == As of 2023, Asaka released 14 original albums, 5 compilation albums, 25 physical singles, 1 digital single and 6 home-video releases.<ref>{{cite web|title=Warner Music Japan 浅香唯Discography|url=https://natalie.mu/music/news/482366|work=UMJ|access-date=July 28, 2018}}</ref>

===Studio albums=== {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" |+ List of albums, with selected chart positions |- ! style="width:15em;" rowspan="2"| Title ! style="width:18em;" rowspan="2"| Album details ! colspan="1"| Peak positions |- !style="width:3em;font-size:85%"|JPN Oricon <ref name="OriconPositions">{{cite web|title=浅香唯のCD・DVDリリース一覧|url=https://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/229498/products/|work=Oricon|access-date=July 28, 2018}}</ref> |- ! scope="row" | ''Crystal Eyes'' | *Released: February 21, 1986 *Label: {{hlist|Humming Bird|Warner}} *Formats: CD, LP, Cassette tape, digital download, streaming | - |- ! scope="row" | ''Star Lights'' | *Released: February 28, 1987 *Label: {{hlist|Humming Bird|Warner}} *Formats: CD, LP, cassette, digital download, streaming | 8 |- ! scope="row" | ''Candid Girl'' | *Released: June 1, 1988 *Label: {{hlist|Humming Bird|Warner}} *Formats: CD, LP, cassette, digital download, streaming | 3 |- ! scope="row" | ''Herstory'' | *Released: December 1, 1988 *Label: {{hlist|Humming Bird|Warner}} *Formats: CD, LP, cassette, digital download, streaming | 3 |- ! scope="row" | ''Melody Fair'' | *Released: March 1, 1989 *Label: {{hlist|Humming Bird|Warner}} *Formats: CD, LP, cassette, digital download | 2 |- ! scope="row" | ''Pride'' | *Released: November 11, 1989 *Label: {{hlist|Humming Bird|Warner}} *Formats: CD, cassette, digital download, streaming | 7 |- ! scope="row" | ''Nude Songs'' | *Released: February 28, 1990 *Label: {{hlist|Humming Bird|Warner}} *Formats: CD, cassette, digital download, streaming | 4 |- ! scope="row" | ''Open Your Eyes: Nude Songs Vol.2'' | *Released: July 4, 1990 *Label: {{hlist|Humming Bird|Warner}} *Formats: CD, cassette, digital download, streaming | 10 |- ! scope="row" | ''No Lookin' Back'' | *Released: December 5, 1990 *Label: {{hlist|Humming Bird|Warner}} *Formats: CD, cassette, digital download, streaming | 10 |- ! scope="row" | ''Glass no Miyako'' | *Released: August 21, 1991 *Label: {{hlist|Humming Bird|Warner}} *Formats: CD, cassette, digital download | 23 |- ! scope="row" | ''Stay'' | *Released: February 26, 1992 *Label: {{hlist|Humming Bird|Warner}} *Formats: CD, cassette, digital download, streaming | 28 |- ! scope="row" | ''Joker'' | *Released: August 21, 1992 *Label: {{hlist|Humming Bird|Warner}} *Formats: CD, cassette, digital download, streaming | 47 |- ! scope="row" | ''Contrast'' | *Released: February 24, 1993 *Label: {{hlist|Humming Bird|Warner}} *Formats: CD, digital download, streaming | 63 |- | colspan="11" align="center" style="font-size:90%;"| "—" denotes items which did not chart. |}

===Compilation albums=== {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" |+ List of albums, with selected chart positions |- ! style="width:15em;" rowspan="2"| Title ! style="width:18em;" rowspan="2"| Album details ! colspan="1"| Peak positions |- !style="width:3em;font-size:85%"|JPN Oricon <ref name="OriconPositions"/> |- ! scope="row" | ''Present'' | *Released: December 1, 1987 *Label: {{hlist|Humming Bird|Warner}} *Formats: CD, LP, Cassette tape, digital download, streaming | 4 |- ! scope="row" | ''Thanks a lot'' | *Released: February 27, 1991 *Label: {{hlist|Humming Bird|Warner}} *Formats: CD, Cassette tape, digital download, streaming | 18 |- ! scope="row" | ''Single Collection'' | *Released: November 25, 1992 *Label: {{hlist|Humming Bird|Warner}} *Formats: CD, digital download, streaming | 69 |- ! scope="row" | ''Asaka Yui Daizenshou'' | *Released: November 25, 1992 *Label: {{hlist|Warner}} *Formats: CD, digital download, streaming | - |- ! scope="row" | ''Crystals: 25th Anniversary Best'' | *Released: November 25, 1992 *Label: {{hlist|Warner}} *Formats: CD, digital download, streaming | 236 |- | colspan="11" align="center" style="font-size:90%;"| "—" denotes items which did not chart. |}

===Live albums=== {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" |+ List of albums, with selected chart positions |- ! style="width:15em;" rowspan="2"| Title ! style="width:18em;" rowspan="2"| Album details ! colspan="1"| Peak positions |- !style="width:3em;font-size:85%"|JPN Oricon <ref name="OriconPositions"/> |- ! scope="row" | ''Anniversary 2824'' | *Released: December 1, 1993 *Label: {{hlist|Humming Bird|Warner}} *Formats: CD, LP, Cassette tape, digital download, streaming | - |- ! scope="row" | ''1989.8.23 Yui Asaka Special Live in Osaka'' | *Released: June 21, 2022 *Label: Warner *Formats: digital download, streaming | - |- | colspan="11" align="center" style="font-size:90%;"| "—" denotes items which did not chart. |}

=== Singles === {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" |+ List of singles, with selected chart positions |- ! scope="col" rowspan="2"| Year ! scope="col" rowspan="2"| Single ! scope="col" rowspan="1"| Peak chart positions ! scope="col" rowspan="2"| Formats |- ! scope="col" style="width:2.5em;font-size:85%;"| JPN Physical <ref name="OriconPositions"/> |- |rowspan="2"|1985 |style="text-align:left;"|"Natsu Shoujo" （夏少女） | 120 | CD, LP, Cassette, digital download, streaming |- |style="text-align:left;"|"Futari no Moon River" （ふたりのMoon River） | 105 | CD, LP, Cassette, digital download, streaming |- |rowspan="3"|1986 |style="text-align:left;"|"Yappashi...H!" （ヤッパシ…H!） | 111 | CD, LP, Cassette, digital download, streaming |- |style="text-align:left;"|"Complex Banzai!!" （コンプレックスBanzai!!） | 121 | CD, LP, Cassette, digital download, streaming |- |style="text-align:left;"|"10gatsu no Christmas" （10月のクリスマス） | 88 | CD, LP, Cassette, digital download, streaming |- |rowspan="4"|1987 |style="text-align:left;"|"Star" | 9 | CD, LP, Cassette, digital download, streaming |- |style="text-align:left;"|"Hitomi ni Storm" （瞳にStorm） | 4 | CD, LP, Cassette, digital download, streaming |- |style="text-align:left;"|"Niji no Dreamer" （虹のDreamer） | '''1''' | CD, LP, Cassette, digital download, streaming |- |style="text-align:left;"|"Remember" （with Onishi Yuka and Nakamura Yuma) | '''1''' | CD, LP, Cassette, digital download, streaming |- |rowspan="4"|1988 |style="text-align:left;"|"Believe Again" | 2 | CD, LP, Cassette, digital download, streaming |- |style="text-align:left;"|"C-Girl" | '''1''' | CD, LP, Cassette, digital download, streaming |- |style="text-align:left;"|"Cecile" （セシル） | '''1''' | CD, LP, Cassette, digital download, streaming |- |style="text-align:left;"|"Melody" | 2 | CD, LP, Cassette, digital download, streaming |- |rowspan="4"|1989 |style="text-align:left;"|"True Love" | '''1''' | CD, LP, Cassette, digital download, streaming |- |style="text-align:left;"|"Neverland ~ Yawara! Main Theme" （Neverland～Yawara!メインテーマ～） | 2 | CD, Cassette, digital download, streaming |- |style="text-align:left;"|"Koi no Rock n' Roll Circus" （恋のロックンロール・サーカス） | 4 | CD, Cassette, digital download, streaming |- |style="text-align:left;"|"Dream Power" | 3 | CD, Cassette, digital download, streaming |- |rowspan="3"|1990 |style="text-align:left;"|"Chance!" | 7 | CD, Cassette, digital download, streaming |- |style="text-align:left;"|"Boyfriend wo Tsukurou" （ボーイフレンドをつくろう） | 10 | CD, Cassette, digital download, streaming |- |style="text-align:left;"|"Self Control" | 13 | CD, Cassette, digital download, streaming |- |rowspan="1"|1991 |style="text-align:left;"|"Koi no Upside-Dow" （恋のUpside-Down） | 32 | CD, Cassette, digital download, streaming |- |rowspan="1"|1992 |style="text-align:left;"|"Itoshii Hito to Nemuritai" （愛しい人と眠りたい） | 42 | CD, digital download, streaming |- |rowspan="1"|1993 |style="text-align:left;"|"Hitori" （ひとり） | - | CD, digital download, streaming |- |rowspan="1"|1997 |style="text-align:left;"|"Ring Ring Ring" | 129 | CD |- |rowspan="1"|1998 |style="text-align:left;"|"Bukiyou na Tenshi" （器用な天使） | - | CD |- |rowspan="1"|2005 |style="text-align:left;"|"Egao no Watashi" （笑顔の私） | 196 | CD |- | colspan="11" align="center" style="font-size:90%;"| "—" denotes items which did not chart |}

===Digital single=== {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" |- ! scope="col"| Year ! scope="col"| Single ! scope="col"| Reference |- |rowspan="4"|2021 |style="text-align:left;"|"Light a Shine: Tsuki Wa Zutto Miteiru" |<ref name="NHMR">{{cite web|url=https://mora.jp/artist/1298678/|title=浅香唯の作品|publisher=Mora|language=ja|accessdate=6 December 2023}}</ref> |- |}

===Home video=== {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" |+ List of home-video releases, with selected chart positions |- ! style="width:15em;" rowspan="2"| Title ! style="width:18em;" rowspan="2"| Album details ! colspan="1"| Peak positions |- !style="width:3em;font-size:85%"|JPN Oricon <ref name="OriconPositions"/> |- ! scope="row" | ''Only Yui'' | *Released: July 3, 1987 *Label: Warner *Formats: VHS, LD, DVD | - |- ! scope="row" | ''Candid Girl'' | *Released: July 1, 1988 *Label: Warner *Formats: VHS, LD, DVD | - |- ! scope="row" | ''Fun!Fan!Fun! Yui Graffiti'' | *Released: January 1, 1989 *Label: Warner *Formats: VHS, LD | - |- ! scope="row" | ''Rock n' Roll Circus'89 Asaka Yui Sparkling Live'' | *Released: December 16, 1989 *Label: Warner *Formats: VHS, LD, DVD | - |- ! scope="row" | ''Self Control'' | *Released: November 18, 1990 *Label: Warner *Formats: VHS, LD | - |- ! scope="row" | ''Yui Asaka Live 2020: Happy Birthday 35th Anniversary'' | *Released: November 18, 1990 *Label: Warner *Formats: Blu-ray | - |- | colspan="11" align="center" style="font-size:90%;"| "—" denotes items which did not chart |}

== Filmography ==

=== Dramas === {{columns-list|colwidth=20em| * 1985 : ''Ikkyuusan'' * 1987 : ''Sukeban Deka III: Shoujo Ninpou Chou Denki'' * 1988 : ''Kanou Juuban Shoubu!'' * 1990 : ''AD Boogie'' * 1991 : ''Yo ni mo Kimyou na Monogatari'' * 1992 : ''Saimon Selection'' * 1992 : ''Nani mo Ienakute'' * 1999 : ''Yo ni mo Kimyou na Monogatari '99 Aki no Tokubetsuhen "Wafuku no Shoujo"'' * 2000 : ''Tadaima Manshitsu'' * 2000 : ''Quiz'' * 2000 : ''Kyoto Gion Irimuko Keijijikenbo 6'' * 2001 : ''Handoc!!!'' * 2002 : ''Kamaitachi no Yoru'' * 2003 : ''Satsujin Roke'' * 2004 : ''Rikon Yoteibi'' * 2005 : ''Mama! I Love You'' * 2006 : ''Virus Panic 2006 Natsu -Machi wa Kansenshita-'' * 2011 : ''Taira no Kiyomori'' }} === Films === {{columns-list|colwidth=20em| * 1987: ''Sukeban Deka: The Movie'' * 1988: ''Sukeban Deka: Kazama San Shimai no Gyakushū'' * 1989: ''YAWARA!'' * 2001: ''Dosaken Mahjong Jigoku'' * 2010: ''Kurosawa Eiga'' }}

==References== {{Reflist}}

== External links == * {{official website|http://www.yui-asaka.com}} * [http://www.idollica.com/asaka/AsakaYui.html Yui Asaka] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080922065413/http://www.idollica.com/asaka/AsakaYui.html |date=2008-09-22 }} on Idollica * [http://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/229498/ Yui Asaka] on Oricon {{in lang|ja}} * {{IMDb name|0038322}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Asaka, Yui}} Category:1969 births Category:Living people Category:Japanese idols Category:Japanese women pop singers Category:Singers from Miyazaki Prefecture Category:Warner Music Japan artists Category:20th-century Japanese actresses Category:21st-century Japanese actresses Category:20th-century Japanese women singers Category:20th-century Japanese singers Category:21st-century Japanese women singers Category:21st-century Japanese singers Category:People of the Shōwa era Category:People from Miyazaki (city)