A.D. 1967(Showa Era 42)

She was born on the 23rd June in Itami city of Hyogo prefecture.

Yoko (means sunny child) was named after 'Yoko Shimada' who was a movie actress. Her father wished she would be brought up to be bright like the sun.

A.D. 1973(Showa Era 48)

She started school in Amagasaki-city municipal Tsukaguchi Kindergarten.

She took lessons in classic ballet and piano.

*Ballet lessons for because she yearned for the ballet costume.

*Piano lessons in order to wear a dress in concert

A.D. 1974(Showa Era 49)

She started Amagasaki-city municipal Tsukaguchi Elementary School.

A.D. 1976(Showa era 51)

She moved to Itami-city municipal Itami Elementary School from Amagasaki city.

She was interested in picture books and comic books, so in her heart, she wanted to become a comic book writer.

She went to English school on the advise of her parents. But she also thought studying the Chinese language would eventually be practical, therefore she wanted to become a Chinese interpreter too.

A.D. 1980(Showa Era 55)

She enrolled in Shoin High School (junior and senior years) in Kobe city. ( Shoin High School is a Christian school ).

She was a fan of "Pink Lady" ( famous Japanese singer/dancer duo ), so she joined a modern dancing club in school.

A.D. 1981(Showa Era 56)

She joined the C.F.S. ( Welfare work volunteer club ) in school.

She was worried about her weight, so she dieted fanatically.

A.D. 1982(Showa Era 57)

She joined a folksong singing club in school.

She interested in fashion magazines, so she purchased them every month.

A.D. 1984(Showa Era 59)

She sent her portraits to artist production agencies with a slight eagerness. An artist production agency scout looked at her application form and photo, and she was picked up by an artist production agency in Tokyo.

She moved to Horikoshi Gakuen Senior High School in her 2nd year. She began to live in Tokyo

A.D. 1985(Showa Era 60)

Mar. She made her photographic model debut in "DELUXE Magazine" No.13. Her pictures coverd of first 36 pages, titled "We found a great girl !".

Jun. 23 She made her singing debut on June 23, which was also her eighteenth birthday.

Oct. She was nominated the Best Newcomer Singer Award for the song named "Hazukashisugite ( Too shy to say )" in the 18th Shinjuku Music Festival.

In the TV program named "The Interesting Human, Wanted" (NTV-net), she was an assistant for the host, Mr. Ubukata.

A.D. 1986(Showa Era 61)

Mar. 3 She graduated from Horikoshi Gakuen High School.

A.D. 1988(Showa Era 63)

Jan. In Elan D'or '87 she received "The Newcomer Actress Award".

In Mainichi Film Competition '87 she received "The Newcomer Actress Award".

Feb. In the Japan Academy Awards she received "The Newcomer Actress Award".

Mar. In the 25th Golden Arrow Awards she received "The Graf Award".

Jun. She received "The First Readers' Selected Prize" from A.T.P. by the magazine ' The Television'.

Dec. Her portraits became stamps issued by the Grenada government.

A.D. 1989(Heisei Era 1)

Jan. In the '88 Japan Music Records Sales Grand Prize, she was Second Prize at "Single CD Sales Artist".

Mar. She visited Cambodia, Vietnam and Thailand as a goodwill envoy of '24 hours TV' for NTV.

Apr. When she came back home to Kobe on her off, she got experience working part time in a coffee shop for four days.

May. She got her cherished desire - her driver's license.

Aug. She was the charity personality of "24 hours TV, ( subtitle : Love Saves the Earth )" which is a welfare TV program once a year.

Sep. She wanted to resign from her former management office "S-ONE Company", and she finally formed her own management agency " Southern Field " (means 'Minami No' ) in " S-ONE Company ".

A.D. 1990(Heisei Era 2)

Feb. She received "The Third Readers' Selected Prize" from A.T.P. by the magazine 'The Television'.

She attended Oban(?) Ball in Austria as a Japanese debutante.

A.D. 1991(Heisei Era 3)

Oct. She started her own independent management office retaining the same name "Southern Field ".(unconfirmed news)

A.D. 1992(Heisei Era 4)

Dec. In the Yokohama Film Festival she received "The Leading Actress Award".

A.D. 1993(Heisei Era 5)

Jan. In the Japan Blue Ribbon Awards she was nominated for  "The Leading Actress Award".

Mar. In the 16th Japanese Academy Awards she received "The Leading Actress Awards" and was nominated for "The Best Leading Actress Award" for her role in "Kantsubaki" ( The Winter Camellia ) and " Watashi wo daite soshite kiss shite " ( Hug me and kiss me ).

A.D. 1995(Heisei Era 7)

Jan. In the Osaka Film Festival she received the "Supporting Actress Award" for her portrayal of Teruka, a vamp role, in " Shinonomero Onna no Ran" ( Female's war in Shinonomero geisha house ).

A.D. 1996(Heisei Era 8)

Apr. She acquired the services of the "Sweet Basil" managing office. (unconfirmed news )

A.D. 1999(Heisei Era 11)

Jan. She acquired the services of the "K-dashl" managing office. (unconfirmed news )

Copyright ©1998 Picture Goddess