Former Hikaru GENJI Members Reflect: Osawa × Akasaka in Honest Reunion

Mickey completely ignored me

Debuting in 1987, the legendary super idol group Hikaru GENJI sold about 12 million CDs over roughly eight active years, and on Valentine’s Day, they even received enough chocolates to fill 45 four-ton trucks. After their disbandment in 1995, rumors of discord and conflict among the members circulated. However, after 30 years, former members Mikio Osawa (56) and Akira Akasaka (52) have reunited. Starting April 20 this year, they launched a new program called Mezase! 7NOTES Itsuka Kitto on a local FM radio station, RADIO LUSH, in Yaizu City, Shizuoka Prefecture. The two, who rarely spoke due to their age difference during their group days, have now come together to host. Why did they decide to stand in front of the microphone together?

Osawa: “In February this year, I visited Akira’s home in Miyakojima, and that was the trigger for us starting the radio together. It was our first meeting in seven years, but it didn’t feel like it had been that long.”

Akasaka: “At that time, we talked about doing something together. We ended up doing it in Yaizu simply because of a connection we happened to have. I thought being away from the big city would give us freedom and make it easier. When we actually met, there was no awkwardness, but when I heard Mikio was coming, I wondered, ‘What are we going to talk about?’ and I was a bit tense (laughs).”

Osawa: “I was just as usual.”

Akasaka: “You were a bit nervous, right? Because back in the group days, we never had deep private conversations. A few years ago, I was surprised when I saw online that Mikio was running for office (in the Tokyo Kita Ward mayoral election) (laughs).”

Osawa: “Nowadays, I call him ‘Akira,’ but back then, I always called him ‘Akasaka.’ At first, I was a little shy to call him ‘Akira,’ but I’ve finally gotten used to it.”

Akasaka: “I couldn’t call him ‘Mikio’ back then either, so I said ‘Osawa-kun.’ Mikio is four years older than me, and when we were teenagers, he looked scary. It was hard to talk to him, and I was scared he might punch me if I said something wrong. But now he’s much gentler. Recently, he’s been worried because his 11-year-old daughter ignores him (laughs).”

Osawa: “Lately, my daughter has been cold to me, and it’s made me cry.”

Akasaka: “Back then, I never would have imagined that, but you’ve become a good dad. When we were in the group, Mikio completely ignored me (laughs).”

Osawa: “Well, a four-year age gap is a big deal when you’re teenagers.”

Akasaka: “When we debuted, I was 14 and Mikio was 18. Even when Mikio was 20, I was 16 and couldn’t drink alcohol. There were rumors of conflicts among members, but it’s true we hardly talked.”

Osawa: “I don’t have any memories at all (laughs).”

Akasaka: “You must have at least one. In 1992, we co-starred in the musical SANADA, about the Sanada Ten Braves, and I was very nervous then. But Mikio spoke to me in the dressing room on opening day, and I was able to relax. I thought, ‘He’s a reliable older brother.’ I don’t remember what he said though (laughs). By the way, didn’t Mikio get along better with Ucchi (Koji Utsumi, 57), who is closer in age?”

Osawa: “I hardly remember talking to Utsumi either (laughs).”

Akasaka: “You didn’t talk to him either! But young Mikio had a part of him that wanted to protect the ‘Mikio Osawa’ image the fans had, so he was kind of acting. In that sense, maybe he was a true professional.”

Osawa: “Well, I couldn’t keep up the act and left the group in ’94 (laughs).”

Akasaka: “I’m glad we can now be ourselves and talk normally.”

Osawa: “Now that we’re both over 50, we don’t hold back anymore.”

Morohoshi promoted me

Akasaka: “It was unimaginable before, but now on this show, if Mickey (Osawa) messes up, I’m the one who scolds him (laughs). Maybe because of this unusual relationship, the radio show seems to be popular. I don’t know if the other members are listening or not. But when I told Morohoshi-kun (Kazumi, 54) that Mikio and I were doing a radio show, he apparently promoted it during his live MC. I’ve performed with him a few times and occasionally keep in touch. Mikio also did dinner shows and made movies with Morohoshi, right?”

Osawa: “Yeah, but it didn’t last.”

Akasaka: “Are you really on bad terms?”

Osawa: “No, not bad, but we don’t quite click (laughs). When we meet, we talk normally though.”

While Osawa and Akasaka started their radio show, WOWOW aired a program titled “7 S.T.A.R.S. 7 Answers: Atsuhiro Sato Connecting Hikaru GENJI’s Present”, featuring another former member, Atsuhiro Sato (51), along with appearances by other former members. Will Hikaru GENJI reunite?

Osawa: “Actually, Atsuhiro helped us think up the radio program’s title. Due to agency matters, a collaboration like this would have been impossible in the past. But I’m grateful that Atsuhiro has worked hard to connect us all.”

Akasaka: “My stance is: if everyone wants to do it, then a reunion is possible; if not, then it’s okay not to. It’s all about timing. But realistically, we’re all getting older, and there’s a time limit. After 60, it’s probably impossible. We wouldn’t be able to roller skate anymore — maybe we’d be in wheelchairs (laughs).”

Osawa: “If we actually try to do it, some members will say, ‘No, not like that, do it this way.’ It’s difficult. There were seven very stubborn members (laughs).”

Akasaka: “It’s true that everyone had their pride back then. But as the younger guy, I have to say, ‘How long are you going to keep holding onto that?’”

Osawa: “Exactly. Everyone does want to stand on the same stage again, at least to some extent. If we’re going to do it, it should be fun for all seven members, without any business distractions.”

Akasaka: “It’s not about wanting to be on TV or anything like that. It’s more like giving back to our fans and enjoying memories with people from our generation. We’re not saying we have to keep doing it forever. Even if it’s just for one night, that’s fine. When you think about groups like Otokogumi or SHOW-YA that reunited after long breaks or disbandments, maybe they’re either really close or have come to terms with everything.”

Osawa: “They’ve probably had honest talks.”

Akasaka: “There used to be a Hikaru GENJI group chat on LINE, right? It was created when all of us gathered for the 30th anniversary eight years ago.”

Osawa: “But due to adult circumstances, nothing really happened, and before we knew it, only Akira and I were left in the LINE group.”

Akasaka: “So we might as well just use regular LINE chat (laughs).”

Osawa: “If I remember right, Utsumi wasn’t in the LINE group.”

Akasaka: “In this day and age, it’s hard to believe he’s not using LINE, but he said, ‘I have a flip phone,’ which makes no sense (laughs). He’s really secretive. Well, all of this is part of the memories now. Through Hikaru GENJI, I’ve experienced the bitter and sweet of life. To me, it’s my entire youth.”

Next Part: Special Talk Part 2: Mikio Osawa × Akira Akasaka — Hikaru GENJI Once Again: “Back on Stage, the Seven of Us!”

Mikio Osawa. Born in Tokyo in 1969. Known as the “Eye Killer” for his striking looks and intense gaze. After leaving Hikaru GENJI in 1994, he has worked widely as an actor and TV personality. He has also taken on martial arts challenges.

Akira Akasaka. Born in Tokyo in 1973. Debuted at age 14 with Hikaru GENJI in 1987. After the group disbanded, he pursued acting and managing restaurants. Since 2014, he has relocated his base to Miyakojima.

Unpublished photos from this magazine: Mikio Osawa × Akira Akasaka — Hikaru GENJI Once Again: “Back on Stage, the Seven of Us!” [Special Talk]

From the combined July 18 & 25, 2025 issue of “FRIDAY.”