Iwai Yukiko

Iwai Yukiko岩(いわ)井(い)由(ゆ)紀(き)子(こ)
Profile
Kanji	岩(いわ)井(い)由(ゆ)紀(き)子(こ)
Stage Name	Yuuyu (ゆうゆ) (1987-1994)
Nicknames	Yuuyu (ゆうゆ)
Born	May 26, 1968 (age 56)
Birth Place	Hodogaya-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan (Birthplace) Funabashi, Chiba, Japan (Hometown)
Blood Type	O
Zodiac Sign	Gemini
Height	151 cm (4 ft 11.4 in)?
Professional Information
Genre	Kayokyoku, J-Pop
Occupation	Idol, Talento, Actress
Years Active	1985-1997
Label	Pony Canyon
Former Group	Onyanko Club Ushiroyubi Sasaregumi
Join Date	June 21, 1985 (Onyanko Club) Founding Member (Ushiroyubi Sasaregumi)
Graduated	September 20, 1987 (Onyanko Club) April 5, 1987 (Ushiroyubi Sasaregumi)

Onyanko Club Member Card Front

Onyanko Club Member Card Back

Iwai Yukiko (岩井由紀子) is a former Japanese idol, a former actress, a former talento, a former member of Onyanko Club, and the sub-unit Ushiroyubi Sasaregumi. Her official stage name was Yuuyu (ゆうゆ) as a soloist.

History

From a young age, Iwai dreamed of being an idol. She started as a magazine model in 1984, thanks to her sister's recommendation, and joined Onyanko Club on June 19th, 1985 as member #19. Her childhood nickname "Yuuyu" became her popular moniker among fans. Later that year, she joined the sub-unit Ushiroyubi Sasaregumi, boosting her popularity.

As other Onyanko Club members graduated or made solo debuts within the group, Iwai eventually became a lead vocalist, first with Osaki ni Shitsurei. After Ushiroyubi Sasaregumi disbanded in April 1987, Iwai began her own solo career in May, but continued with Onyanko Club until it disbanded on September 20th, 1987.

Known for her distinctive voice and eclectic style, she became a particularly popular idol with both children and otaku. After a brief image change in 1988, she returned to her original style but retired from singing in 1989, moving into acting and hosting. She left the entertainment industry in 1997 after marriage to a family friend but returned briefly for Onyanko Club’s 2002 reunion single Shomikigen.

Discography

Albums

1. [1987.07.29] Yuuyu Kosen (ゆうゆ光線)
2. [1987.12.16] Iyaa! (いやッ！)
3. [1988.07.21] Summer Tasty
4. [1988.12.14] KOTTERU NE! (KOTTERUネ！)

Best Albums

1. [1989.03.21] Best da Mon ne! (ベストだもんね！)
2. [2002.02.20] MY COLLE!CTION YUUYU BEST (Myこれ！ クションゆうゆBEST)
3. [2004.05.19] Ushiroyubi Sasaregumi Uta no Daihyakka Sono 3 Yuuyu (うしろゆびさされ組 うたの大百科 その3 ゆうゆ)
4. [2007.08.17] YUUYU SINGLES COMPLETE (ゆうゆ SINGLES コンプリート)
5. [2010.04.21] My Kore! Lite Yuuyu (Myこれ！ Lite ゆうゆ)

Singles

1. [1987.03.25] Tenshi no Bodyguard (天使のボディーガード)
2. [1987.07.22] -3℃
3. [1987.10.28] 25 Cent no Mangetsu (25セントの満月)
4. [1988.01.21] Tsuite Ikenai -Ganbare Boyfriend- (ついて行けない-がんばれボーイフレンド-)
5. [1988.04.21] Hidari Mune Atari (左胸あたり)
6. [1988.07.27] Sayonara Shigan (サヨナラ志願)
7. [1988.11.30] Hoshizora no Gangster (星空のギャングスター)
8. [1989.02.08] Mou Ichido Peter Pan (もう一度ピーターパン)

Video Releases

1. [1987.09.21] Buongiorno! Yuuyu Italia Pack Tour (ボンジョールノ！ ゆうゆ イタリア・パック・ツアー)
2. [1988.03.01] Yuuyu First Concert Bokura wa Genki na Yuuyu In (ゆうゆファーストコンサート ボクらは元気なゆうゆ印)

Video Games

1. [1992.07.10] Yuuyu no Quiz GO!GO! (ゆうゆのクイズでGO!GO!)

Publications

Photobooks

1. [1987.06.25] Yuuyu - Iwai Yukiko Shashin-shuu (ゆうゆ - 岩井由紀子写真集)
2. [1988.03.01] Hidari Mune Atari - Iwai Yukiko Shashin-shuu (左胸あたり - 岩井由紀子写真集)
3. [1991.10.01] Yukiko Ama Iro no Toki - Yuuyu Shashin-shuu (由紀子 亜麻色のとき - ゆうゆ写真集)

Gallery

• November 1988
• July 1988
• Yuuyu with Takai Mamiko and Tahara Toshihiko in July 1986.
• April 1988

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Trivia

• She has three children.
• She was the shortest member of Onyanko Club.
• She has a twin sister named Akiko, and another elder sister nicknamed "Neene."
• Her stage name "Yuuyu" was a childhood nickname that her family used more often than her real name.
• Her best friend in Onyanko Club was initially Takai Mamiko, but after a while they drifted apart. Iwai then became close friends with Watanabe Minayo, even attending her wedding ceremony a decade later.
• Iwai was a huge Matsuda Seiko fan, and cried when she met her in person for the first time on the live music TV show THE BEST TEN.
• Amuro Namie was a self-proclaimed huge fan of Iwai as a child, and even sang one of her songs live on a televised children's talent show before her official debut.
• She dated actor and former idol singer Nakayama Hideyuki for seven years, starting sometime while she was still in Onyanko Club. They broke up in the mid-1990s.