Gakki, Nikaido, Mitsushima… 50 years after their return to Okinawa, the appeal of “Okinawan actresses

May 15, 1972 – an unforgettable day for Okinawa.

After the end of the Pacific War in August 1945, Okinawa was ruled by the U.S. military for 27 years until June 1971, when the U.S. and Japan signed an agreement to return Okinawa to Japan. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the U.S. return of Okinawa to Japan. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the reversion.

A number of dramas and plays based on Okinawa are being planned. A representative example would be the NHK morning drama “Chimudo-don” currently being broadcast. The story is about a heroine from the northern region of Yanbaru who struggles to spread the charm and deliciousness of Okinawan cuisine to as many people as possible. Many actors from Okinawa are also in the cast, including Yuna Kuroshima (25) as the main character Nobuko Higa and Yukie Nakama (42) as her mother,” said an NHK staffer.

In addition to Kuroshima and Nakama, many actresses from Okinawa are unique talents. Yui Aragaki (33), Fumi Nikaido (27), Hikari Mitsushima (36), and Meisa Kuroki (33). …… We would like to introduce their charms along with their treasured photos.

Okinawan dialect in the title of their photo book

Performers from Okinawa have one thing in common: a strong love for their homeland. Nikaido’s friends find time to return to their hometowns with their children. Many of the celebrities got their start as actresses in their hometowns.

Gakki made her debut at the age of 14 while attending junior high school in Okinawa. She entered a model audition for the fashion magazine “NICOLA” and won the grand prize.

Gakki holds Okinawa very dear to her heart. The title of her first photo book is “Chura Chura,” which means “beautiful” in the Okinawan language. She is good friends with Aimi Higa (35), who is also from Okinawa, and they frequently have dinner together and go to Disneyland for fun,” said an entertainment production official.

Fumi Nikaido and Hikari Mitsushima also debuted in Okinawa.

Fumi Nikaido made her debut when she was 12 years old. She tried her hand at gravure for the free paper “Okinawa Bishojo Zukan” (Okinawa Bishojo Zukan). The magazine also produced Ms. Kuroshima of “Chimu Doton.

Ms. Mitsushima was born in Kagoshima Prefecture, but grew up in Okinawa City, Okinawa Prefecture. She entered and won the “Aim for Namie Amuro! NEW SUPER MONKEY’S” contest sponsored by Okinawa Actors School, and became a member of the seven-member unit “Folder” and was active as an idol. Later, she appeared in movies as a child actress and began her career as an actress in earnest.

It has been 50 years since she returned to Japan. Actresses from Okinawa are shining brightly in this commemorative year.