Hikaru Nishida on 40 Years of Staying True to Herself and Embracing Her Journey

“I think I’ve always been the kind of person who’s good at living by the motto, ‘I am myself.’ I try taking on any job first—and by continuing to move forward like that, I’m about to celebrate my 40th anniversary since debut. Now I feel that this was the right path for me.”

Talent Hikaru Nishida (53) wore a gentle smile that still carries the image of her debut days. In 1988, at the age of 15, she began her entertainment career as a campaign girl for Japan Air System (now Japan Airlines), and made her debut as a singer that same year with the single “Fifteen.” The following year, she drew attention when she appeared in a bold white swimsuit in a House Foods “Fruiche” commercial that featured the same song as its theme. Her healthy and lively character won fans’ support, and she gradually expanded her activities into acting and variety shows. Having spent her childhood in the United States, she became a huge breakout star as a returnee talent.

“My father’s job transfer led us to live in America from shortly after I was born until I was 13. I grew up in California, surrounded by the ocean, so I’ve always loved swimming. I had absolutely no resistance to wearing a swimsuit for work—in fact, it felt almost like an extension of play (laughs).”

At the time, America was in the golden age of MTV, when Madonna (67) and Cyndi Lauper (72) were active. Nishida recalls herself as a teenager who loved dancing.

“Back then, I was just an ordinary girl who admired Michael J. Fox (64) from the popular American drama ‘Family Ties.’ After returning to Japan, I attended an American school in Tokyo, and while looking for a dance studio at the same time, an acquaintance introduced me to the president of my current agency.”

After deciding to join the talent agency and continuing to take singing and dancing auditions, she finally received the good news that she had been selected as a Japan Air System campaign girl. She entered the entertainment world under the promise with her parents that academics would always come first.

“I never imagined I would debut, so when I heard I had passed the audition, my reaction was more like, ‘Really…? Maybe I’ll give it a try’ (laughs). I started without much knowledge of Japan’s entertainment industry or even a clear idea of what kind of work I wanted to do.”

For Nishida, who had been exposed to English more than Japanese up until then, the language barrier became a real challenge.

“While living in California, as an only child, the only times I used Japanese were in conversations with my parents and at Saturday Japanese supplementary school. Even after returning to Japan and attending an American school, I still used Japanese only with my parents or teachers. But thankfully, I was receiving many job offers. I asked for furigana to be added to all my drama and program scripts (laughs).”

At first, she struggled with Japanese particles like ‘te, ni, wo, ha,’ but by continuing to complete one job after another, she eventually found herself on the road to popularity.

In the January 28 issue of “FRIDAY” (February 13 issue) and the paid edition “FRIDAY GOLD,” she speaks candidly about meeting “two great actors” who became turning points in her life, as well as her future outlook.

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