Is the debut of a leading Japanese actress an idol?

Did Yoshino Kimura sing?

Most people who know Ms. Yoshino Kimura at present in 2025 have the impression that she is an actress and the wife of Mr. Noriyuki Higashiyama, a former member of the Boy’s Club of Japan.

The actress’ representative works include
TV Asahi’s “Partners

NHK’s TV series “Hiyokko” and “Tenka

Fuji Television’s “Detective Stewardess,” among others.

However, there is no doubt that her debut started as an actress, but she actually had a period as an idol singer.
She has released 6 single CDs, 2 albums, and 1 best album.
The period when she was releasing CDs was an “idol ice age,” when idols were not as prominent as they are today, and songs by artists and songs from regions such as Hokkaido and Okinawa became hits.
Here are some of the songs that were released during that time.

1st single “Dolphin Summer

Released on June 17, 1998
A refreshing song for summer on a nostalgic 8cm CD composed and arranged by Cozy Kubo, whose songs were performed by many people at the time.
This song was used in the commercial “Soup Spaghetti” in which he appeared. She was about 20 years old at the time and looked cute, young, and fresh.
The song was also performed on a music program, and although the lyrics say “dolphin” in the title, the word “dolphin” is not used in the song at all.
I want to be in love with the main character who swims and moves forward like a dolphin! I don’t want to regret! I think it is a song of support for me.
Please give it a listen!

2nd single “LOVEandLIFE

Released on September 18, 1998
The second single, composed and arranged by Koji Kubo, is rockier than the previous one, with stronger drum sounds and a chorus.
The CD jacket is a shot of a car full of sunflowers. I think it is meant to include memories of summer, since it will be released in September. I think it’s meant to include memories of summer.
Did the love in the previous song come true? The person I love is nearby in the lyrics.

3rd single “Hello Myself”

Released on January 20, 1999
It was the third single and a perfect song for the new spring season. I liked the music video and the song so much that I bought the CD.
The lyrics are about a main character who has just moved to a new place, and has had a hard time in the past. He is in a new environment, so he is trying to become a new person! That’s what the song conveys.
The CD jacket also shows a sunny scene and a cheerful figure, conveying the sense of a person who is going to do his best. Her English pronunciation is good, probably due to her study abroad experience. Please pay attention to her English pronunciation.

1st album “ONE and ONLY

Released on March 3, 1999
The first original album and contains 10 songs from the first single “Dolphin Summer” to the latest single at that time “Hello Myself”.
The first limited edition came with a book case and a jacket stand.
The single jacket was in color, but this album is in monotone.

4th single “Ame no Hi Futari De”

Released on December 1, 1999
This single became a maxi single 12cm single from this single. It had been 11 months since the last single, but it was the first single release in a long time, as an album was also released in the spring.
The song has a relaxed tone, and the lyrics tell a story.
From this song, the mature atmosphere of the songs increased.

5th single “Koisuru Sunday

Released on March 17, 2000
While the previous album had a wet finish because rain was in the title, this album is full of sunny Sunday feeling!
This song has a nice balance with the chorus, and since it was released in spring, it is a refreshing and uplifting song.
The CD jacket is also interesting in that it is a shot through glass, so the words on the glass are reversed.

2nd album “GIRL

Released on April 20, 2000
Album released in April, early from March when the single was released.
The album includes “Ame no hi no ha Futari de”, “Koisuru Sunday”, and another version of “Lullaby for Grandmother M” to be released later.
This song was also the theme song for Fuji Television’s morning information program “Mezamashi TV” at the time.

6th single “Lullaby for Grandmother M

Released September 6, 2000
This is the last of the singles. This is the theme song for Fuji Television’s “Mezamashi TV”.
It is also a recut single of the album, but unlike the songs on the album, it has a prelude and is more of a ballad.
It is a lullaby sung by my mother. It is a single song that has never been sung by a singer with a very gentle voice.

Best album “Lady -The Best of Yoshino Kimura-”

Released on September 19, 2001
With this CD, she stopped releasing CDs as a singer.
Since it is a best album, it mainly contains single songs, and “Koisuru Sunday” is not included, but the coupling song of the single, “15 minutes away” is included instead.
The limited first edition of the album came with a calendar from that time.
How about the songs from Yoshino Kimura’s career as an idol singer?
There are various kinds of songs from bright and cheerful songs to gentle songs and rock songs. Please give them a listen.