Ikuina Akiko

Sayama Akiko (佐山晃子) née Ikuina (生稲) is a Japanese politician, an actress, a former idol, and a former member of Onyanko Club and the first leader of its sub-unit Ushirogami Hikaretai.

She joined Onyanko Club on June 13, 1986, and graduated on September 20, 1987, where the group disbanded.

She graduated from Ushirogami Hikaretai on May 2, 1988, where the group disbanded.

Profile

 * Member Number: 40
 * Hobbies: Watching sports, saving money, traveling, kimono, and golf
 * Special Skills: Getting drunk, even when not drinking

Albums

 * 1) [1988.11.21] "Ikuina" De-Dance (「生稲」 De-Dance)
 * 2) [1989.08.02] Nihon "Ikuina" Kiko (日本 「生稲」 紀行; Japan "Ikusei" Travelogue)

Best Albums

 * 1) [2002.07.17] MY COLLE!CTION IKUINA AKIKO BEST (Myこれ！ クション生稲晃子BEST)
 * 2) [2007.08.17] IKUINA AKIKO SINGLES COMPLETE (生稲晃子 SINGLESコンプリート)
 * 3) [2008.07.16] Nihon "Ikuina" Kiko + Single Collection (日本 「生稲」 紀行 + シングル・コレクション)
 * 4) [2010.04.21] My Kore! Lite Ikuina Akiko (Myこれ！ Lite生稲晃子; My This! Lite Ikuina Akiko)

Cover Albums

 * 1) [1989.11.21] Akko no X'mas Calendar (あっこのX'mas Calendar; Akko's X'mas Calendar)

Singles

 * 1) [1988.05.21] Mugiwara De-Dance (麦わらでダンス;  A Dance by the Wheat Straw)
 * 2) [1988.09.21] Virgin Shounen ni Kuchizuke wo (Virgin少年に接吻を; A Kiss to a Virgin Boy)
 * 3) [1989.01.25] Fanfare ga Kikoeru (ファンファーレが聴こえる; I Can Hear the Fanfare)
 * 4) [1989.05.24] Japanese Girl
 * 5) [1989.09.27] Wasuretai no ni (忘れたいのに; I Want to Forget)
 * 6) [1990.03.07] Nichiyobi wa Iranai (日曜日はいらない; Unwanted Sunday)
 * 7) [1995.06.10] FUNKY LULLABY (ファンキーララバイ)

Collaboration Singles

 * 1) [1991.02.21] LUNA Great (w/ Tomizawa Michie)
 * 2) [2008.10.08] Oh! Sanpo Byori (Oh! 散歩日和; Oh! Ideal Weather for a Walk) (w/ Chii Taeko)

Video Releases

 * 1) [1989.02.01] 1917-AKKO♥REVOLUTION
 * 2) [1989.09.21] Imagination File ~NORTHSHORE no Natsu~ (Imagination File ~NORTHSHOREの夏~; Imagination File ~NORTHSHORE Summer~)

Trivia
-Her maiden name is very unusual, both characters translating to "Raw Rice," so there are references to rice products like mochi and onigiri or rice fields in some of her lyrics. -She auditioned for Onyanko Club as part of a bet with her older brother, who was a fan of the group. She also entered the entertainment world on recommendation of her brother. -She is a breast cancer survivor. She had several surgeries, including a full masectomy. -She owns a teppanyaki restaurant with her husband called "Sakichi" in Roppongi, Tokyo -In April 2022, she announced she would be running for the Japanese House of Councillors representing the Liberal Democratic Party. In July of the same year, she was elected as one of six representatives of Tokyo. She will serve in this role until 2028.