Akina Nakamori, the “Legendary Diva,” will appear live on “Kohaku Uta Gassen” as the next step toward her “complete revival” after the success of the event.

Legendary diva Akina Nakamori has taken a new step toward a “full revival.

From July 12 to 14, she held an event for members of her official fan club at Tokyo’s Cotton Club, and despite the high price of 71,300 yen per show (not including tax), about 900 fans flocked to all five performances.

At this concert, the band performed 11 “jazz versions” of hit songs from the past and medleys from old albums. He successfully completed the event.

Starting with “TATTO-JAZZ-” on April 3, Akina sang jazz versions of hit songs from the past every Wednesday for five weeks in a row on her official YouTube channel, including the latest video. On July 15, she will distribute her new videos to the entire world, and there is no doubt that she has made great strides toward a “full recovery.

Akina Nakamori made her debut in 1982 with “Slow Motion. From “Southern Wind” in 1984 to “Tattoo” in 1988, she set a milestone with 16 consecutive No. 1 singles that debuted at No. 1 on the singles chart. However, her fate was about to be sealed.

She discovered that she was dating Masahiko Kondo, a.k.a. “Match,” with whom she co-starred in the movie “Ai Tabidachi” (Departure). However, in 1989, a report of a secret meeting between Match and Seiko Matsuda in New York was scooped, and Akina attempted suicide.

Moreover, their “golden screen press conference” held on New Year’s Eve ended up being merely a comeback press conference, disappointing fans. Looking back, Akina’s downfall began at that time.

In the 1990s, Akina Nakamori was embroiled in numerous troubles, including record company transfer issues, and lost her luster as a diva. The sight of her is sadly reminiscent of Japan after the bursting of the bubble economy.

The man who offered her a helping hand was Akira Terabayashi, who was said to be her “nurturing parent.

Mr. Terabayashi had high expectations for Akina Nakamori since she appeared on the audition program “Star Birth! (Nippon Television Network Corporation), and when she signed a contract with her company Warner Pioneer, he oversaw Akina’s production and publicity. He was in charge of production and publicity for Akina when he signed a contract with Warner Pioneer, the company he belonged to.

After many twists and turns, in 2002, Terabayashi invited Akina, who was on the verge of retirement, to join Universal Music, where he was an executive officer, and gave her a helping hand.

Under Terabayashi’s direction, Akina released a variety of cover albums, including enka, mood songs, and folk songs, and showed her ability as a singer. However, if one asks whether she has regained her sparkle as a diva, one has to say “no.” In 2010, due to her poor health, she was unable to sing.

In 2010, due to health problems, Akina announced an indefinite hiatus from performing. In 2002, she appeared on NHK’s “Kohaku Uta Gassen” as a surprise guest. Although she performed an original song, it was broadcast live from New York and did not give the impression of a “full recovery.

However, Mr. Terabayashi did not give up.

It seems that Mr. Terabayashi was working behind the scenes to have Akina perform in Kohaku in 2010, the 40th anniversary of her debut. However, in August of that year, Mr. Terabayashi fell ill and passed away in November, and his surprise appearance in the Kohaku that year disappeared as a mirage.

In the midst of all this, there are high expectations for a “live” appearance in this year’s Kohaku.

NHK cannot deny the risk involved in such a live broadcast. However, there is no doubt that the artist is one that NHK would like to see appear in the Kohaku, even if it means taking such a risk. Akina’s side must think that appearing in the Kohaku is an appropriate stage for her to restart her career.

If it is appropriate for Akina to make a “full comeback,” she should not sing a jazz version, but her original songs such as “Mi Amore” and “Desire,” which she performed in the 80s, and which have her own unique world view. I think it can be called “Akina’s resurrection.

Can the legendary Akina Nakamori come back to life after 30 years of “lost time”?