Hikaru Nishida (西田 ひかる, Nishida Hikaru, born August 16, 1972) is a Japanese pop singer and actress. She was born in Fujisawa, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan, and made her singing debut on April 6, 1988 with the release of the single "Fifteen", named after her age at the time. Nishida is affiliated with Manase Productions.[1]

Hikaru Nishida
西田 ひかる
Born
Hikaru Nishida

(1972-08-16) August 16, 1972 (age 52)
Occupations
  • Singer
  • actress
AgentManase Productions
Height164 cm (5 ft 5 in)
Spouse
Shigeki Ebi
(m. 2002)
Children2
Musical career
Genres
InstrumentVocals
Years active1988–present
LabelsPony Canyon
Japanese name
Kanji西田 ひかる
Hiraganaにしだ ひかる
Katakanaニシダ ヒカル
Transcriptions
RomanizationNishida Hikaru
Websitewww.manasepro.co.jp/hikaru/

Biography

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Early life and education

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Hikaru Nishida moved to Los Angeles, California with her family in 1973 when her father was transferred there by his electrical equipment firm. There, she attended Clairbourn School in San Gabriel. Nishida visited Fujisawa during her summer and winter vacations. In 1979, she participated in a chorus with other children in Stevie Wonder's song "Ai no, Sono" on his album Stevie Wonder's Journey Through "The Secret Life of Plants".[1]

In 1985, Nishida's family moved back to Japan, where she attended the American School in Japan until her graduation in 1990. She then attended Sophia University and graduated in 1994, with a major in comparative history of Japan and China.[1]

Because of her residency in the U.S., Nishida is fluent in English. She has some trouble understanding Japanese poetry due to her time away from Japan. Nishida enjoys writing poetry, basket weaving, learning Spanish and the flute.[1]

Entertainment career

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In 1988, Nishida made her entertainment debut when she was appointed as a campaign girl for Japan Air System. She also starred in the stage musical production of Little Lord Fauntleroy that year and recorded the opening theme of the anime TV adaptation Little Prince Cedie. On April 6, Nishida released her debut single "Fifteen".[1]

In 1991, Nishida made her debut on NHK's Kōhaku Uta Gassen, performing her single "Tokimeite".[1]

Nishida hosted the 2002 FIFA World Cup Preliminary Draw gala on at the Tokyo International Forum[2] and served as an ambassador in the Nagano Olympic Peace Appeal program.[1]

Personal life

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In May 2002, Nishida married Shigeki Ebi, director of Fuji Electronic Industries. She gave birth to her first son in California in 2006 and her second son in 2009. Since 2006, Nishida has lived in Nishinomiya, Hyōgo.[3] She was the first tourism ambassador for Nishinomiya from August 2011 to the end of March 2013.[4][1]

Discography

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  • Clear (1989)
  • Silhouette (1989)
  • Tokimeki no Prologue (1990)
  • Esprit (1991)
  • 19 Dreams (1992)
  • Sun Dance (1993)
  • Love Always (1994)
  • A File of Life (1995)
  • 24 Two-Four (1996)
  • You'll Never Know (1996)
  • Shiawase no Katachi (1998)
  • Love for All Seasons (2002)

Filmography

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Year / Broadcast Appearance Song Appearance order Opponent Notes
1991 (Heisei 3) / 42nd[5] Debut "Tokimeite" 1/28 Bubblegum Brothers
1992 (Heisei 4) / 43rd[6] 2 "Ikiterutte Subarashī" 14/28 Masayuki Suzuki Also performed a cover of "Candy Candy" with Chisato Moritaka and Miho Nakayama.
1993 (Heisei 5) / 44th[7] 3 "Namida Tomaranai" 2/26 SMAP Also performed a cover of "Moonlight Densetsu" with Fuyumi Sakamoto and Hiroko Moriguchi in a special segment.
1998 (Heisei 10) / 49th[8] 4 "That's Disney Fantasy" (Medley) 5/25 Yutaka Yamakawa

Bibliography

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Books

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  1. 5 December 1992: HUG
  2. 20 September 1993: HUG II

Picture books

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  1. 20 September 1988: P-Can Island
  2. 25 February 1990: Hi-Tide (ISBN 4-8470-2131-2) ¥1550
  3. 1 April 1991: In Your Dreams (ISBN 4-8470-2183-5) ¥1950
  4. 26 October 1992: 19 Dreams (ISBN 4-06-325401-1) ¥2800
  5. 16 August 1994: Making of H.N. (ISBN 4-8470-2369-2) ¥4800. Mini-Photobook/Postcard/Video Set

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g h "西田ひかる(にしだひかる)ディスコグラフィ". Idol.ne.jp. Retrieved 4 February 2022.
  2. ^ "Celebrities to assist with World Cup Preliminary Draw". FIFA. 7 December 1999. Archived from the original on 5 December 2009. Retrieved 16 May 2010.
  3. ^ "輝く女性II Vol.1 歌手・女優 西田ひかるさん". Kobecco. Retrieved 2022-02-04.
  4. ^ "観光大使・西田ひかるさんと市長のまちたび対談 まだ知らない西宮の魅力を感じて". Nishinomiya News. 2011-09-10. Retrieved 2022-02-04.
  5. ^ "42nd Kōhaku Uta Gassen History". NHK. Retrieved 2022-02-05.
  6. ^ "43rd Kōhaku Uta Gassen History". NHK. Retrieved 2022-02-05.
  7. ^ "44th Kōhaku Uta Gassen History". NHK. Retrieved 2022-02-05.
  8. ^ "49th Kōhaku Uta Gassen History". NHK. Retrieved 2022-02-05.
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