Naoko Kawai (河合奈保子) (born 24 July 1963) is a former pop idol, singer-songwriter, and composer in the 1980s decade.^[1] Kawai was from the same generation as Seiko Matsuda, Yoshimi Iwasaki, Junko Mihara and Yoshie Kashiwabara who all debuted on the same year.^[2] 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.^[3] 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.^[4] 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'.^[5]

Her 1985 single 'Debut/Manhattan Joke' reached first place in the Oricon Weekly Singles Chart.^[6]

In 1987, Kawai took the pop-music contest "Intertalent 87" held in the Prague, Czechslovakia 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.^[7] She has only-child, daughter Kaho, who debuted in 2013 as a singer, however soon after suspended activities in order to focus on the school.

Discography

Albums

Eps

Live albums

Compilation albums

Box set

Singles

Home-video

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