is a Japanese singer, idol and actress. She debuted with the single "Natsu Shojo" in 1985 under Warner Music Japan, and made her acting debut with the main role in the third series of Sukeban Deka in 1987.
Biography Yui was born in Miyazaki, Miyazaki, Japan, and 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. 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. In 1989, she starred as the heroine in the live movie adaptation of the popular manga Yawara! A Fashionable Judo Girl. 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). Asaka decided to temporarily withdraw from the limelight and took a break from show business. 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 which was her first new music release in fifteen years. In 2022, music from her idol years was added to the music streaming services.
Discography As of 2023, Asaka has released 14 original albums, 5 compilation albums, 25 physical singles, 1 digital single and 6 home-video releases.
Studio albums + List of albums, with selected chart positions Title Album details Peak positionsJPNOricon Crystal EyesReleased: February 21, 1986 Label: Formats: CD, LP, Cassette tape, digital download, streaming - Star LightsReleased: February 28, 1987 Label: Formats: CD, LP, cassette, digital download, streaming 8 Candid GirlReleased: June 1, 1988 Label: Formats: CD, LP, cassette, digital download, streaming 3 HerstoryReleased: December 1, 1988 Label: Formats: CD, LP, cassette, digital download, streaming 3 Melody FairReleased: March 1, 1989 Label: Formats: CD, LP, cassette, digital download 2 PrideReleased: November 11, 1989 Label: Formats: CD, cassette, digital download, streaming 7 Nude SongsReleased: February 28, 1990 Label: Formats: CD, cassette, digital download, streaming 4 Open Your Eyes: Nude Songs Vol.2Released: July 4, 1990 Label: Formats: CD, cassette, digital download, streaming 10 No Lookin' BackReleased: December 5, 1990 Label: Formats: CD, cassette, digital download, streaming 10 Glass no MiyakoReleased: August 21, 1991 Label: Formats: CD, cassette, digital download 23 StayReleased: February 26, 1992 Label: Formats: CD, cassette, digital download, streaming 28 JokerReleased: August 21, 1992 Label: Formats: CD, cassette, digital download, streaming 47 ContrastReleased: February 24, 1993 Label: Formats: CD, digital download, streaming 63 "—" denotes items which did not chart.
Compilation albums + List of albums, with selected chart positions Title Album details Peak positionsJPNOricon PresentReleased: December 1, 1987 Label: Formats: CD, LP, Cassette tape, digital download, streaming 4 Thanks a lotReleased: February 27, 1991 Label: Formats: CD, Cassette tape, digital download, streaming 18 Single CollectionReleased: November 25, 1992 Label: Formats: CD, digital download, streaming 69 Asaka Yui DaizenshouReleased: November 25, 1992 Label: Formats: CD, digital download, streaming - Crystals: 25th Anniversary BestReleased: November 25, 1992 Label: Formats: CD, digital download, streaming 236 "—" denotes items which did not chart.
Live albums + List of albums, with selected chart positions Title Album details Peak positionsJPNOricon Anniversary 2824Released: December 1, 1993 Label: Formats: CD, LP, Cassette tape, digital download, streaming - 1989.8.23 Yui Asaka Special Live in OsakaReleased: June 21, 2022 Label: Warner Formats: digital download, streaming - "—" denotes items which did not chart.
Singles + List of singles, with selected chart positions Year Single Peak chart positions Formats JPNPhysical1985"Natsu Shoujo"（夏少女） 120 CD, LP, Cassette, digital download, streaming"Futari no Moon River"（ふたりのMoon River） 105 CD, LP, Cassette, digital download, streaming1986"Yappashi...H!"（ヤッパシ...H!） 111 CD, LP, Cassette, digital download, streaming"Complex Banzai!!"（コンプレックスBanzai!!） 121 CD, LP, Cassette, digital download, streaming"10gatsu no Christmas"（10月のクリスマス） 88 CD, LP, Cassette, digital download, streaming1987"Star" 9 CD, LP, Cassette, digital download, streaming"Hitomi ni Storm" （瞳にStorm） 4 CD, LP, Cassette, digital download, streaming"Niji no Dreamer" （虹のDreamer） 1 CD, LP, Cassette, digital download, streaming"Remember" （with Onishi Yuka and Nakamura Yuma) 1 CD, LP, Cassette, digital download, streaming1988"Believe Again" 2 CD, LP, Cassette, digital download, streaming"C-Girl" 1 CD, LP, Cassette, digital download, streaming"Cecile"（セシル） 1 CD, LP, Cassette, digital download, streaming"Melody" 2 CD, LP, Cassette, digital download, streaming1989"True Love" 1 CD, LP, Cassette, digital download, streaming"Neverland ~ Yawara! Main Theme"（Neverland～Yawara!メインテーマ～） 2 CD, Cassette, digital download, streaming"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"Dream Power" 3 CD, Cassette, digital download, streaming1990"Chance!" 7 CD, Cassette, digital download, streaming"Boyfriend wo Tsukurou"（ボーイフレンドをつくろう） 10 CD, Cassette, digital download, streaming"Self Control" 13 CD, Cassette, digital download, streaming1991"Koi no Upside-Dow"（恋のUpside-Down） 32 CD, Cassette, digital download, streaming1992"Itoshii Hito to Nemuritai"（愛しい人と眠りたい） 42 CD, digital download, streaming1993"Hitori"（ひとり） - CD, digital download, streaming1997"Ring Ring Ring" 129 CD1998"Bukiyou na Tenshi"（器用な天使） - CD2005"Egao no Watashi"（笑顔の私） 196 CD "—" denotes items which did not chart
Digital single Year Single Reference2021"Light a Shine: Tsuki Wa Zutto Miteiru"
Home video + List of home-video releases, with selected chart positions Title Album details Peak positionsJPNOricon Only YuiReleased: July 3, 1987 Label: Warner Formats: VHS, LD, DVD - Candid GirlReleased: July 1, 1988 Label: Warner Formats: VHS, LD, DVD - Fun!Fan!Fun! Yui GraffitiReleased: January 1, 1989 Label: Warner Formats: VHS, LD - Rock n' Roll Circus'89 Asaka Yui Sparkling LiveReleased: December 16, 1989 Label: Warner Formats: VHS, LD, DVD - Self ControlReleased: November 18, 1990 Label: Warner Formats: VHS, LD - Yui Asaka Live 2020: Happy Birthday 35th AnniversaryReleased: November 18, 1990 Label: Warner Formats: Blu-ray - "—" denotes items which did not chart
Filmography
Dramas
Films
References
External links
Yui Asaka on Idollica Yui Asaka on Oricon