A Japanese idol (アイドル, aidoru^?) is a celebrity who achieves widespread popularity and fame in Japan largely by virtue of her looks. The term usually refers to female performers in their late teens and early twenties who are considered "kawaii" (pretty, cute) and achieve fame through publicity in the mass media. Male performers such as Masahiro Nakai (aka "Nakai-kun") from the singing group SMAP are also commonly referred to (and refer to themselves as) "idols." Japanese idols are predominantly singers and actors, as well as models (in the case of females) for weekly men's magazines such as "Friday" and "Shūkan Gendai". Some of them may also appear as TV personalities (tarento). Example of several Japan Post mascot characters on official postage stamps. ... This article or section does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... Masahiro Nakai (中居 正広, Nakai Masahiro, aka Nakai-kun) is a member of the Japanese pop idol group SMAP. He was born on August 18th, 1972 in Fujisawa, Kanagawa Prefecture. ... This article or section is not written in the formal tone expected of an encyclopedia article. ... Tarento (タレント) is a Japanese rendering of the Portuguese word talento (talent in English) and is used as a catch-all term for major media personalities who regularly appear on television, radio and other forms of entertainment. ...

History

The idol phenomenon began during the early seventies, reflecting increasingly materialistic and richer Japanese youths^{[citation needed]}. Teenage girls, mostly between 14 and 16, began rising to stardom. One in particular, Momoe Yamaguchi, was a huge star until her marriage and retirement in 1980. Idols dominated the pop music scene in the 80s; and this period is known as the "Golden Age of Idols in Japan". In a single year, as many as 40 or 50 new idols could appear, only to disappear from the public spotlight shortly afterwards. A few idols from that era, such as Seiko Matsuda, are still popular. In the 90s, the power of Japanese idols began to wane, as the music industry shifted towards rock musicians and singers for whom music was a more important sales point than looks or wholesomeness, as well as towards genres such as rap that were harder to square with conventional prettiness. The Japanese idol phenomenon has had a large impact on popular culture in Hong Kong and Taiwan. Momoe Yamaguchi (山口百恵 Yamaguchi Momoe) is a Japanese pop singer, actress and idol whose career lasted from 1972 to 1980. ... Seiko Matsuda is a Japanese pop singer-songwriter. ...

It is commonly said female Japanese idols represent the perfect female form in Japanese society. They are symbols of female sexuality and are often dressed erotically. For this reason they are often idolized by both males and females. Male audiences' infatuations with an idol's good looks are fed with detailed information about the idol's measurements, favorite colors, food, hobbies, blood type etc. Female audiences are interested in imitating their style, hair color, fashion etc. Good examples of fashion-leader idols are Ogura Yuko, Ayumi Hamasaki, hitomi, Noriko Sakai, Ryoko Hirosue and Namie Amuro. It is popularly believed in Japan that a persons ABO blood type or ketsu eki gata is predictive of their personality, character, and compatibility with others, similar to the Western worlds Astrology. ... Yuko Ogura (小倉優子) (born November 1, 1983 in Mobara, Chiba prefecture) is one of the most popular Japanese idols and models who typically aims for the cute schoolgirl look. ... This article or section does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... This articles trivia section should be integrated into the article. ... Noriko Sakai (酒井法子, Sakai Noriko. ... Image:Hirosue. ... Namie Amuro , born September 20, 1977) is a Japanese pop singer of Ryukyuan ancestry. ...

Namie Amuro was the most popular idol in the late 1990s, although marketed as more sexy and mature than other idols. She began her career in 1992 as a vocalist for the pop group Super Monkeys, but the group flopped very quickly. Producers liked Amuro, and in 1995, she went solo, enjoying massive success. One of her recent CDs, "Sweet 19 Blues", sold three million copies in advance sales, and went on to become the best-selling album in the history of Japan. This number has since been eclipsed by Hikaru Utada who is known as one of Japan's current divas. Utada (宇多田ヒカル Utada Hikaru, born January 19, 1983) is a J-Pop star. ...

A diversification occurred in the 1990s and instead of few idols vying for popularity, a number of idols with specific characteristics divided the market. In the mid 1990s, idols became much younger than before, and groups of idols like Speed and Morning Musume became prominent. A new genre of idols called Net Idols became known in the late 1990s, only appearing on websites. In 1997, there appeared Kyoko Date, the first "cyber idol" or "virtual idol". Kyoko Date has a fabricated history and statistics and her own songs. Meanwhile, gurabia aidoru (グラビアアイドル, i.e. "[photo]gravure idols") such as Yoko Matsugane, Rio Natsume and Eiko Koike have largely appeared skimpily clad in "cheesecake" photographs. SPEED was a J-pop band formed up by Japanese girls: Takako Uehara, Hiroko Shimabukuro, Eriko Imai, and Hitoe Arakaki. ... Morning Musume ) is a popular all-girl J-pop group from Japan that often changes its members. ... Yoko Matsugane (松金 洋子, Matsugane Yōko) (born May 26, 1982) is a Japanese gravure (or bikini) idol from Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan. ... Rio Natsume (夏目理緒) (born 20 February 1985) is a Japanese gravure idol. ... Eiko Koike on the cover of G-taste DVD Eiko Koike (小池栄子 Koike Eiko, born November 20, 1980 in Tokyo) is a Japanese idol. ... This image of Betty Grable became the archetype of pin-ups during World War II A pin-up girl or pin-up model is a model whose mass-produced pictures see wide appeal as pop culture. ...

Whereas in previous years an idol kept up her idol image until she chose to retire or was simply too old to continue being a credible idol, in recent years several ex-idols have successfully matured from being an idol to becoming full-fledged actresses, singers or musicians who are respected for their craft instead of (or in addition to) being admired for their looks and image. A good example of an ex-idol who is now a respected singer, songwriter and musician is Hitomi, who is known for writing her own lyrics, being heavily involved in the composition and production of her own music, and playing her own guitar, though she does from time to time tease her fans by modeling sexy outfits ordinarily worn by younger women. In addition, Hitomi is well-known for maintaining a successful pop career after marriage and motherhood. This articles trivia section should be integrated into the article. ...

Culture

The culture of Japanese idols has changed over the years and it is questionable whether past idols would have the same amount of success if given the same opportunity today. Most of those called idols have sung songs that would fit J-Pop and they are generally pretty, cute, or fresh-faced, if not beautiful. However, there are exceptions to the norm. J-pop (or Jpop) is an abbreviation of Japanese pop. ...

In the 1970s, idols had an aura of mystique that left much of their lifestyles secret. Their public and "private" lives were carefully orchestrated—they always appeared perfect in all situations and seemed to enjoy a lavish lifestyle that most Japanese could only dream about. In reality, however, they were placed under continuous surveillance by their promoters and were unable to enjoy the private lives invented for them. Their pay was surprisingly low. They were often overworked and even if their songs sold well most of the money went to the musicians and writers. Fans had few opportunities to see them beyond a few minutes on TV or radio and it was difficult to share their interests. Magazines were the best source for information and many idols had an official fan club that periodically mailed what little information could be released.

In the 1980s, idols became much closer to average Japanese people; this is likely because the average lifestyle of the Japanese improved. While still tightly controlled, idols were allowed to show more of their actual personalities and were permitted to let out some carefully scripted outbursts. The media often fabricated "competitions" between two or more idols, based on things like the number of records sold, the number of fans in the official fan club, etc. In the late 1980s, instead of relying on magazines and TV, some started experimenting with new media and technologies like video games, with mixed results. The working conditions of idols improved and even those with limited success could live modestly and more of the money made was paid to idols themselves, though they still only received a small portion.

In the 1990s, instead of being marketed as people who lived better and were better than average, idols became people who just happened to have a little something to become popular. Where the tastes of past idols had to be saccharine, it was now acceptable for an idol to simply love eating ramen or to display something other than a smile, to lament having got a little out of shape or to admit to shopping around for lower prices. Idols also became a fixture in countless anime by singing opening or ending songs that have little relevance to the anime itself. Some experimented with being seiyu, and seiyu themselves became somewhat like idols, becoming increasingly popular. Even today, some are still involved with the video game industry, though they are not always entirely successful. Fresh ramen noodles Ramen , IPA: ,  ) is a Japanese dish of noodles served in broth originating in China. ... Voice Animage, a magazine about all things seiyÅ«. A seiyÅ«, seiyuu or seiyu ) is a Japanese voice actor. ...

See also

• List of Japanese idols
• Gravure idol
• List of Japanese celebrities
• Tarento
• Perfect Blue

This is a list of Japanese idols; a type of celebrity in Japan who achieves popularity and fame in Japan largely by virtue of her looks. ... Gravure idol ) is a special category of Japanese bikini model, and many of them are famous for having large breasts. ... This is a list of Japanese celebrities (geinōjin, 芸能人). Individuals YOSHIKI Matsumoto Hideto Sanma Akashiya (Sanma) Norika Fujiwara Hiromi Go Kano sisters Eiko Koike Takeshi Kitano (Beat Takeshi) Ai Iijima Waka Inoue Misaki Ito Masami Hisamoto (Machami) Masashi Tashiro (Marcy) Minomonta Hideki Saijo Kaoru Sugita Masaki Sumitani (Razor Ramon) Papaya... Tarento (タレント) is a Japanese rendering of the Portuguese word talento (talent in English) and is used as a catch-all term for major media personalities who regularly appear on television, radio and other forms of entertainment. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ...

External links

• Japanese AV Model Galleria
• Japanese Junior Idols (English)