English translation

Kawai Kazumi (born: July 9, 1964), real name: Kuga Tomoko was a gravure idol and actress who also had brief singing career in mid 1980s.

She originally had no interest in entertainment and planned to become a haridresser but when in high school she was scouted by a modelling agency. When she was 18, she was offered a job to model for Nikkatsu - a once one of major movie production companies later rebranded themselves as "Nikatsu Roman Porno" and switched to producing "pink films" (*tamer than soft porn) since 1971 due to the decline on Japanese movie industry in 1960s. She didn't know the job required her to take off her clothes and refused at first but eventually accepted it. She even made her acting debut playing the lead role in their pink film: "Sailor fuku Sikhijo Shiiku" (1982) and started to attracted attention for her cute appearance (and even given the stage name Kawai Kazumi because she was cute). 

Although that was her only appeareance in porn in her lifetime, she was branded as porn actress and looked down upon, which she disliked but didn't regret it since that was her stepping stone. In 1983, she received a major offer to play a support role in the movie "Headphone Lullaby" starring Shibugakitai - the very popular male idol trio at that time, she was so happy that she even went to sleep hugging the script. She said her friends who used to criticize her for her past role also began to support her. She started to appear in many dramas and variety shows. 

http://speed-red.power.ne.jp/kksaku/bmp/headphon02.JPG

^ Kawai Kazumi in "Headphone Lullaby" with Shibugakitai, 1983

Kawai Kazumi made her singing debut on May 1, 1984. Although she was quite good at singing, the staff told her to sing in amateurish idol-like voice because they didn't see her as a singer,  which she wasn't happy about. Later, according to Wada Akiko, a popular singer at that time, Kazumi actually sang better than most idols who took singing lessons, and if she was given serious lessons she could do well as professional singer. 

About this song

Released on May 1, 1984 as her debut song, this song reached #74 on Oricon chart and sold 11,000 copies which is her highest selling song. 

Her live performances:

In her brief singing career, she has released a total of 4 singles and 2 albums. Out of all her singles, only one managed to reach top 100 on Oricon chart. There's no information about her total sales. She was more popular as actress which she has starred in a total of 85 dramas (1983-1997) and 10 movies (1982-1995). She was also active in variety shows and was once a very popular gravure idol. 

From 1983-1984, she was also known for impersonating Nakamori Akina in a comedy show:

Kawai Kazumi as presenter:

In "Shukan Pop Magazine", 1985

^ the show seems to continue at least until 1987 since (13:10) she mentioned "Morikawa Miho, Onna ni Nare" 

in other show:

^ the guest was Tahara Toshihiko

Kawai Kazumi in her dramas:

:"Triangle Blue" (1985-1986)

"Tsūkai! OL Dōri" (1986)

^ (1:01) Kawai Kazumi, co-starring with (0:01) Sawaguchi Yasuko 

"Kisetsu Hazure no Kaigan Monogatari" (1988-1994)

^ Kawai Kazumi played the female lead role in all seasons

Miscellaneous videos:

In 1990s

1992:

1995:

May 9, 1997, Kawai Kazumi committed suicide, jumped from the 7th floor of her apartement building and died at the age of 33. Although she did leave note to her father, there seems to be no mentioning of her motive. She was about to get married 2 months later so her coffin was draped with the wedding dress she had planned to wear.