Yui Asaka, who took the world by storm with her role in "Sukeban Deka" and was known as one of the "Four Heavenly Kings of Idols" along with Miho Nakayama, is celebrating her 40th year in the entertainment industry. At her commemorative concert, she created an emotional night of tears and laughter, but her companion during stage rehearsals and recordings is the incredibly practical pure white "Baby-G." The "girl" who came to Tokyo from Miyazaki continues to shine even today.
Text by Yukaco Numamoto
Edited by Takashi Tsuchida
Edited by Takashi Tsuchida
[Article published on January 6, 2025]
A commemorative concert will be held to celebrate 40 years of history
Since her debut in 1985, Asaka Yui has been in the entertainment industry for 40 years, and this year marks the year 2025. To commemorate this memorable anniversary, a concert was held at Zepp Shinjuku on June 21st, the same day as 40 years ago. The venue was filled with her longtime fans, who gave her a huge round of applause for her energetic performance, which made it hard to believe that 40 years had passed.
The concert also featured Asaka Yui's first attempt at drumming, and was packed with laughter, tears, and plenty more. Asaka Yui herself wrote in an Instagram post after the concert, "I was really surprised by the surprise gift of singing from everyone. I couldn't help but cry. Ah, I was so happy! I was so happy!"
The Golden Age that began with "Sukeban Deka"
Speaking of Asaka Yui, she is best known for her role as the third Asamiya Saki and Kazama Yui in the 1986 TV drama series "Sukeban Deka." Her role was that of the third daughter of the Kazama sisters. "Sukeban Deka III," which was originally scheduled to air for six months, proved so popular that it was extended to a year due to strong ratings.
Another story that illustrates Asaka Yui's high profile is when she was chosen as Kanebo Cosmetics' summer campaign girl. At the time, swimsuit campaign girls for cosmetics companies were known as the "Queen of CFs (Commercial Films)," and the appointment of an idol singer as a campaign girl was a groundbreaking development that broke the conventional wisdom of the industry.
It was around this time that she was dubbed one of the "Four Heavenly Kings of Idols" along with Nakayama Miho, Kudo Shizuka, and Minamino Yoko. It is a touching story that she also performed songs by Nakayama Miho, who was active during the same period and passed away at the end of last year, at her 40th anniversary concert.
She also appeared on many of the most iconic variety shows of the Showa era, including "The First Japone! Women's Swimming Meet" and "Star Surprise (Secret) Report," and gained a wide fan base. As a singer, she also had many hit songs, and her signature song, "Cecil," remains beloved to this day. One line in the song, "People get weaker as they grow older," conveys a universal message that resonates even more deeply with her many fans now that they've grown older. This song, which explores the complex emotions that arise as one gains life experience, continues to resonate with people today.
The trajectory of "The Girl from Phoenix"
Asaka Yui's debut came when she won the "Asakawa Yui Award," named after the heroine of a manga serialized in Shogakukan's Shojo Comic magazine, at "The Scout Audition '84." She later said that she applied because she wanted the red stereo that came as a bonus prize, but the win led to a flood of calls from numerous talent agencies looking for scouts.
Upon graduating from junior high school, she moved to Tokyo from her hometown of Miyazaki and made her debut as a singer with the catchphrase "The Girl from Phoenix," quickly rising to stardom. After announcing a temporary hiatus in 1993 and returning to show business after a three-year hiatus, she has continued to work energetically as an actress and TV personality, and continues to show her energetic side to her fans through live performances to this day.
Asaka Yui's official Instagram, which she opened in August 2020, is filled with posts that give a glimpse into her daily life and personality, such as practicing for concerts and traveling. One thing that stands out among them is her favorite watch. Looking at the many photos she posts, we can see that she frequently wears the Casio "Baby-G" Ref. BG-6900.
This watch first appeared on Instagram in November 2020, in a behind-the-scenes shot of a stage rehearsal at the New National Theatre Opera Palace amid the COVID-11 pandemic. Incidentally, the play in question, for which she practiced wearing rubber gloves and masks, was "MOTHER," in which she played Torihama Tome, known as the mother of kamikaze pilots during the final stages of the Greater East Asia War.
Another post also features a watch with a white band from the American casual brand GUESS, showing her penchant for white watches.
The multi-function watch "Baby-G" Ref. BG-6900, a perfect companion for stage performers
Quartz movement. Resin case (49.1mm long, 45mm wide, 13.5mm thick). Water resistant to 20 bar. 14,300 yen (tax included). Discontinued model.
The BG-6900 series, which Asaka Yui wears, retains the three-eye indicator feature of the popular G-SHOCK model Ref. DW-6900, but is smaller and thinner to fit supple women's wrists. The dial features a gold and silver plated mirror finish that gives off a strong mirror-like shine, creating a cool impression.
In addition to the multi-functionality typical of G-SHOCK, including time display for 48 cities around the world, daylight saving time setting, timer and alert functions, stopwatch, alarm function, snooze function, and full auto-calendar, the watch is also highly practical, being shock-resistant and water resistant to 20 atmospheres. It will surely be a reliable companion for her during stage rehearsals and recording sessions, where she is likely to sweat, come into contact with the stage set, and occasionally be subjected to impacts.
An additional performance has been announced for the 40th anniversary concert on Saturday, July 19th at CLUB CITTA'. This additional performance, which was hastily decided after the impressive performance at Zepp Shinjuku in June, is a testament to her enduring popularity and appeal. She also has a solo concert, "Billboard Live 40th Anniversary Premium 2025," scheduled for September in Osaka and Yokohama.
Yui Asaka left her hometown of Miyazaki at the age of 15, captivated viewers as Saki Asamiya in the drama Sukeban Deka, and ran through the 80s as one of the four great idols. The eras have changed from Showa to Heisei and now Reiwa, but her brilliance has not faded in the slightest. In fact, her expressiveness has deepened with age, and her unchanging energetic attitude continues to inspire and inspire many fans.
The additional performance in Kawasaki is sure to bring new excitement.
