Nakazawa Yuko

Nakazawa Yuko (中澤裕子) is a Japanese pop singer, actress, and TV-personality, best known as one of the original members of the all-female Japanese idol group Morning Musume. She is currently a solo artist under. She was also a part of the reunion group Dream Morning Musume.

Early Life
Nakazawa Yuko was born on June 19, 1973 in Kyoto, Japan.

Before she took part in the Sharam Q Josei Vocalist Audition, Nakazawa was working as office lady in Osaka. Her decision to audition was to seek adventure as escape from her current life.

1997
In 1997, Nakazawa became one of ten runners-up in the Sharam Q Josei Vocalist Audition, which was held on the talent show ASAYAN by the rock band in search of a female vocalist.

After the audition, Sharam Q's frontman Tsunku formed a new group on September 7 with Nakazawa and four other runners-up (Abe Natsumi, Iida Kaori, Ishiguro Aya, and Fukuda Asuka) as members. On September 14, their group name was announced as Morning Musume, and Nakazawa became the group's first leader as the oldest member at 24 years of age. However, they could only debut under one condition: they must sell 50,000 CDs of the song "Ai no Tane" within five days. They accomplished that task in four days, securing Morning Musume's major debut.

1998
Shortly after Morning Musume's major debut with the single "Morning Musume", it was announced that Nakazawa would start a solo career as an enka singer. On August 5, she released her debut single "Karasu no Nyoubou".

On December 2, she released a collaborative single with fellow enka singer, titled "Odaiba Moonlight Serenade".

Over a week later, on December 12, she released her first solo album, Nakazawa Yuko Dai Isshou.

1999
On June 9, Nakazawa released her second solo single, "Junjou Koushinkyoku", which was the first to credit Nakazawa with her given name Yuko written in hiragana.

2000
Nakazawa was a regular featured singer in Hello! Project's "Folk Songs" series alongside Ichii Sayaka.

In February, Nakazawa was placed in Akagumi 4, one of three Hello! Project shuffle units that Tsunku started as a project. All three units released singles on the same day, March 8, as a sales competition. Akagumi 4's single "Akai Nikkichou" was decided as the winner, ranking #2 on the Oricon singles chart with 27,164 copies in the first week.

On July 12, she released her third solo single, "Shanghai no Kaze".

2001
On February 21, she released her fourth solo single, "Kuyashi Namida Porori".

On March 7, Nakazawa announced that she would graduate from Morning Musume on April 15 at the end of their spring concert tour. om Morning Musume, at nearly 28 years old. She passed her role as the group's leader to Iida Kaori. She has cited her reasons for leaving as being her age and her desire to pursue other things by the time she was 30.

On April 15, Nakazawa graduated from Morning Musume with the Live Revolution 21 Haru ~Osaka Jou Hall Saishuu Bi~.

On August 1, she released her fifth single, "Futari Gurashi". The B-side "Koi no Kioku" is Nakazawa's first attempt at lyrics, which she co-wrote with Tsunku. This was also the last single credited with her given name Yuko written hiragana as she began using her real name written in kanji for all following releases.

On August 21, she released her first solo photobook, titled Feather.

2002
On July 30, she released her first essay book, Kaishin.

On August 25, she released her sixth single, "Tokyo Bijin".

On November 25, Nakazawa released her second solo photobook, titled Watashi ga Omou, Konna Onna.

2003
On May 21, Nakazawa released her seventh single, "GET ALONG WITH YOU".

On November 23, she released her second essay book, Zutto Ushiro Kara Mite Kita.

2004
On February 11, she released her eighth single, as well as her first double A-side, titled "Genki no Nai Hi no Komoriuta / Nagaragawa no Hare".

On May 26, she released her ninth single, "DO MY BEST".

On July 22, she released her second album, Dai Nishou ~Tsuyogari~.

In late 2004, Nakazawa joined the super suffle unit H.P. All Stars along with most of Hello! Project.

2005
For Hello! Project's 2005 summer shuffles units she was placed in Puripuri Pink.

On April 11, she became a performer on Cchu~nen!, a TV music program broadcast on the Mainichi Broadcasting System on Mondays, until the program's end on March 3, 2006.

2006
On September 27, Nakazawa released her 10th single, and her first in over a year, titled "Urara".

2007
On October 10, Nakazawa released her 11th single, "Danna-sama".

2008
It was announced on October 19 that the Elder Club, including Nakazawa, would graduate from Hello! Project on March 31, 2009.

2009
On February 1, Nakazawa passed her role as Hello! Project's leader to Takahashi Ai during the Elder Club's mass graduation concert, the Hello! Project 2009 Winter Kettei! Hello☆Pro Award '09 ~Elder Club Sotsugyou Kinen Special~, which was held at Yokohama Arena.

2010
On July 2, Nakazawa appeared as a special guest during Morning Musume's first performance in Paris, France at the Japan Expo 2010.

In September, Nakazawa formed the unit Afternoon Musume with other Morning Musume OG members (Iida Kaori, Abe Natsumi, Yasuda Kei, Yaguchi Mari, Ogawa Makoto, Fujimoto Miki) to promote Georgia Coffee drinks.

2011
On January 28, it was announced that Nakazawa would join the OG member group Dream Morning Musume, and that they would be releasing their first album titled Dorimusu ① on April 20.

In August, it was announced that Nakazawa would star in the film TWILIGHT FILE VIII: Fighting Okan, which premiered in theaters in November.

On December 6, it was reported that Nakazawa would move to Fukuoka to be with her husband after getting married. Although Nakazawa would continue her career, her activities would be reduced since she would be traveling back and forth between Tokyo and Fukuoka. However, she would continue to participate in special concerts and events as much as she could.

2013
In May, it was announced that Nakazawa would release an essay book titled Musume Kara Haha e on June 19.

On October 1, Nakazawa, along with many other UP-FRONT PROMOTION members were transferred to.

On December 31, Nakazawa participated as an MC in the Hello! Project COUNTDOWN PARTY 2013 ~GOOD BYE & HELLO!~ and also performed with other OG members.

2014
On April 3, Nakazawa made her first appearance as a regular Thursday commentator on Fukuoka Broadcasting Corporation's Mentai Wide and announced that she moved to Fukuoka that spring because it was convenient for her husband's job and caring for her daughter.

2017
On November 1, it was announced that the first generation members of Morning Musume and the current members of Morning Musume '17 would form a collaborative unit named Morning Musume 20th.

2018
On March 31, Nakazawa performed with several other Morning Musume OG members in the Hello! Project 20th Anniversary!! and Morning Musume 20th Anniversary!! Premiums of the Hello! Project 20th Anniversary!! Hello! Project Hina Fes 2018 at Pacifico Yokohama.

On July 28 and 29, Nakazawa performed as an OG guest in the Hello! Project 20th Anniversary!! Hello! Project 2018 SUMMER concerts in Fukuoka.

Personal Life
Family= Nakazawa has one sister (as well as a niece). She also has two chihuahuas: Taro (male) and Hana (female).

On December 6, 2011, Nakazawa announced she would be getting married in the following spring. It was also reported that after getting married, she would move to Fukuoka to live with her husband. They officially registered their marriage on April 1, 2012.
 * -|Relationships=

On June 19, 2012, she announced during her birthday live that she was 5 months pregnant with her first child, and afterwards released an official statement on her blog. On November 25, Nakazawa gave birth to a baby girl.

On December 7, 2014, Nakazawa announced that she was five months pregnant with her second child. On May 7, 2015, Nakazawa gave birth to a boy.

Profile
Stats=
 * Birth Name: Nakazawa Yuko (中澤裕子)
 * Stage Name: Nakazawa Yuko (中澤ゆうこ) (1998-2001, for enka releases)
 * Nickname: Yuu-chan (ゆうーちゃん)
 * Birthdate:
 * Birthplace: Fukuchiyama, Kyoto, Japan
 * Blood Type: O
 * Height: 159 cm (5’2.6″)
 * Hello! Project Status:
 * 1997-09-07: Joined Morning Musume
 * 2001-04-15: Graduated from Morning Musume
 * 2009-03-31: Graduated from Hello! Project
 * UP-FRONT GROUP Status:
 * 1997-09-07: Joined
 * 2012-10-01: Transferred to
 * 2013-10-01: Transferred to
 * Years in Morning Musume: 4 Years
 * Morning Musume Color: Purple
 * Hobbies: Map driving
 * Western Zodiac: Gemini
 * Eastern Zodiac: Ox
 * Groups: 
 * Morning Musume (1997–2001)
 * Dream Morning Musume (2011–2012)
 * One-Shot Units:
 * Afternoon Musume (2010)
 * Ganbarou Nippon Ai wa Katsu Singers (2011)
 * Shuffle Units:
 * Akagumi 4 (2000)
 * H.P. All Stars (2004)
 * Puripuri Pink (2005)
 * -|Q&A=
 * Charm point: Nose
 * Habits: Bites tongue when asleep, Stretching top lip, touching bangs
 * Fears: Natural disasters, live broadcasts
 * Something she can't handle: Seeing people cry
 * Most used emoticon: :heartbeat:
 * Strengths: "I'm easily impassioned"
 * Weaknesses: Short temper, easily
 * Favorite movies: "Phenomenon", "Legally Blonde", "City of Angels", "Shuri"
 * Favorite book: "Angel's Egg"
 * Favorite phrase: “Survival of the fittest…”
 * Favorite color: Purple
 * Favorite flowers: Cherry blossoms
 * Favorite season: Summer
 * Favorite food: Squid, boiled fresh white rice
 * Disliked food: Bananas, tomatoes, miso soup with bean curd and onions
 * Favorite clothes: Mini skirts
 * Favorite song: "Tokyo Bijin"

Discography

 * See also: List:Nakazawa Yuko Discography Featured In

Albums=
 * Studio Albums
 * 1) [1998.12.12] Nakazawa Yuko Dai Isshou (中澤ゆうこ 第一章)
 * 2) [2004.07.22] Dai Nishou ~Tsuyogari~ (第二章～強がり～)


 * Best Albums
 * [2008.12.10] Legend


 * -|Singles=
 * Major Singles
 * 1) [1998.08.05] Karasu no Nyoubou (カラスの女房)
 * 2) [1998.12.02] Odaiba Moonlight Serenade (with Takayama Gen) (お台場ムーンライトセレナー*デ)
 * 3) [1999.06.09] Junjou Koushinkyoku (純情行進曲)
 * 4) [2000.07.12] Shanghai no Kaze (上海の風)
 * 5) [2001.02.15] Kuyashi Namida Porori (悔し涙ぽろり)
 * 6) [2001.08.01] Futari Gurashi (二人暮し)
 * 7) [2002.08.28] Tokyo Bijin (東京美人)
 * 8) [2003.05.21] GET ALONG WITH YOU
 * 9) [2004.02.11] Genki no Nai Hi no Komoriuta / Nagaragawa no Hare (元気のない子守唄／長良川の晴れ)
 * 10) [2004.05.26] DO MY BEST
 * 11) [2006.09.27] Urara (うらら)
 * 12) [2007.10.10] Danna-sama (だんな様)


 * -|Songs=
 * Solo Songs
 * Watashi wa Kono Yo de Ichiban Bijin (from Minimoni the Movie Okashi na Daibouken!)


 * -|Compilations/Other=
 * [2000.04.26] Hello! Project - Petit Best ~Ki Ao Aka~ (プッチベスト～黄青あか～) (#11 Junjou Koushinkyoku)
 * [2001] Yu.u.wa.ku (ゆ・う・わ・く) (fanclub CD)
 * [2001.04.18] Various - Together! -Tanpopo, Petit, Mini, Yuko- (Together! -タンポポ・プッチ・ミニ・ゆうこ-) (#4 Kuyashi Namida Porori, #9 Shanghai no Kaze, #12 Akai Nikkichou (by Nakazawa Version))
 * [2001.12.19] Hello! Project - Petit Best 2 ~3, 7, 10~ (プッチベスト2～三・7・10～) (#11 Futari Gurashi)
 * [2002.12.18] Hello! Project - Petit Best 3 (プッチベスト3) (#9 Tokyo Bijin)
 * [2003.02.19] Minimoni - Minimoni the Movie Okashi na Daibouken! Original Soundtrack (ミニモニ. じゃムービーお菓子な大冒険！オリジナルサウンドトラック) (#3 Watashi wa Kono Yo de Ichiban Bijin)
 * [2003.12.17] Hello! Project - Petit Best 4 (プッチベスト4) (#14 GET ALONG WITH YOU)
 * [2004.12.22] Hello! Project - Petit Best 5 (プッチベスト5) (#10 DO MY BEST)
 * [2006.12.20] Hello! Project - Petit Best 7 (プッチベスト7) (#12 Urara)


 * -|DVDs=
 * [2002.11.27] Nakazawa Yuko Single M Clips ① (中澤裕子シングルMクリップス①)
 * [2003.01.22] Shinshi wa Mini ga Osuki! at studio DREAM MAKER
 * [2006.xx.xx] Nakazawa Yuko FC Tour In Hokkaido
 * [2007.10.10] Type-Y 2007 BIRTHDAY LIVE Mahou no Pressure! Kotoshi mo Yarimasu Special ~Live Ato, Yotei wo Irenaide Kudasai~
 * [2008.??.??] Nakazawa Yuko Songs & Monologues ~Aki no Yonaga no Hitori goto~
 * [2008.??.??] Nakazawa Yuko Special Christmas Live 2007 ~Blanche~

Solo Photobooks

 * 1) [2001.08.24] Feather
 * 2) [2002.11.25] Watashi ga Omou, Konna Onna (私が思う、こんな女)

Essay Books

 * [2002.07.30] Kaishin (改心)
 * [2003.11.17] Zutto Ushiro Kara Mite Kita (ずっと後ろから見てきた)
 * [2013.06.19] Musume Kara Haha e (娘. から母へ; From a Musume to a Mother)

TV Programs

 * [1999, 2001–2002] Idol wo Sagase! (アイドルをさがせ!) (as a MC)
 * [2000] Morning Musume no Heso (モーニング娘. のへそ)
 * [2000] Friday Night wa Onegai! Morning (フライデーナイトはお願い!モーニング)
 * [2000–2007] Hello! Morning (ハロー!モーニング. )
 * [2001–2004] M no Mokushiroku (Mの黙示録) (as MC)
 * [2001–2005] Osaka Hatsu Genki Dash!DOYAH (大阪発元気ダッシュ!DOYAH) (as MC)
 * [2002–2003] Hello Land (ハローランド)
 * [2003] NHK Junior Special (NHKジュニアスペシャル)
 * [2004] Futarigoto (二人ゴト)
 * [2005–2006] Cchu~nen! (っちゅ〜ねん!)
 * [2006] Chichin Puipui (ちちんぷいぷい)
 * [2001–2003, 2005–2006] Morita Kazuyoshi Hour: Waratte Ii to mo! (森田一義アワー 笑っていいとも!)
 * [2010] Iki da ne! Watashi no Tokyo Jikan (イキだね!わたしの東京時間)
 * [2010–2011] Geki ☆ Otoboke plus (激☆音ボケ plus)
 * [2010–2011] Tsuuhan Bijin Trend Collection (通販美人 Trend Collection)
 * [2011] Daredemo Dekiru Hajimete no Kirie (誰でもできる はじめての切り絵)
 * [2014–] Mentai Wide (めんたいワイド) (guest commentator on Thursdays)

TV Dramas

 * [1998] Taiyo Musume to Umi (太陽娘と海)
 * [2001] Beauty 7 (ビューティ7)
 * [2001] Mukai Arata no Doubutsu Nikki ~Aiken Rossinante no Sainan~ (向井荒太の動物日記～愛犬ロシナンテの災難～)
 * [2002] Ginza no Koi (ギンザの恋)
 * [2002] Gokusen (ごくせん)
 * [2003] Densetsu no Madame (伝説のマダム)
 * [2004] Kochira Hon Ikegami Sho 3, 4 & 5(こちら本池上署)
 * [2004] Home Maker (ほーむめーかー)
 * [2007] Getsuyou Golden (月曜ゴールデン)
 * [2009] Tokumei Kakarichou Tadano Hitoshi SP (特命係長 只野仁 シーズン4突入スペシャル)
 * [2009] Doyou Wide Gekijou (土曜ワイド劇場「火災調査官・紅蓮次郎」) (as Tanashi Kozue)
 * [2010] Matsumoto Seichou Drama Special: Kiri no Hata (松本清張ドラマスペシャル・霧の旗) (as Otsuka Yoshiko)
 * [2011] Sakura Shinjuu (さくら心中) (as Takakura Akemi)
 * [2012] Counter no Futari (カウンターのふたり) (as Okano Ayako)

Theater

 * [2001] Footloose (フットルース)
 * [2003] Edo no Hanayome (江戸の花嫁)
 * [2005-2006] Kasagi Shizuko Monogatari Wagauta Boogie Woogie (笠置シズ子物語 わが歌ブギウギ)
 * [2006, 2008] Apache Toride no Koubou "Tomadoi no Nichiyoubi" (アパッチ砦の攻防「戸惑いの日曜日」)
 * [2007] Blue Blue Birthday (ぶるー・ブルー・バースディ)
 * [2007; 2008; 2010; 2011] Saka no Gabai Baachan (佐賀のがばいばあちゃん)
 * [2009] Kagayake! Shufu Band FOUR RIVERS Smoke on the Water 2009 (輝け! 主婦バンド FOUR RIVERS スモーク・オン・ザ・ウォーター2009)
 * [2010] Haha no Sakura ga Chitta Yoru (母の桜が散った夜)
 * [2010, 2012] Genji Monogatari x Ohguro Maki songs ~Boku wa, Juunihitoe ni Koi wo Suru~ (源氏物語×大黒摩季songs 〜ボクは、十二単に恋をする〜)

Movies

 * [2001] Pinch Runner
 * [2003] Minimoni the Movie Okashi na Daibouken! (voice)
 * [2005] Tetsujin 28 Gou
 * [2011] TWILIGHT File VIII: Fighting Okan (ファイティング　オカン TWILIGHT FILE VIII)
 * [2011] Koitani Bashi ~Vallée de l'amour~
 * [2012] Atsuhime Number 1 (篤姫ナンバー1) (as Tae)

Radio

 * [2000–2001] Nakazawa Yuko no All Night Nippon SUPER! (中澤裕子のallnightnippon SUPER!)
 * [2002–2004] Young Town Douyoubi (ヤングタウン土曜日)
 * [2004–2006] Ki mama ni Classic (気ままにクラシック)
 * [2005–2008] Majiasa! (マジアサ!)
 * [2008–2009] JAM PUNCH (ジャム パンチ!)
 * [2011–2012] BAY LINE GO GO!! (ベイライン・ゴー!・ゴー!) (DJ on Wednesdays)
 * [2014–2015] Entame Variety THE☆Hit Jouhou (エンタメバラエティ THE☆ヒット情報) (on Tuesdays)

Commercials

 * [2000] Glico Mousse Pocky
 * [2001] Elleseine (エルセーヌ)
 * [2001–2002] Oriko Card (オリコカード)
 * [2001] Nihon Chouou Keiba (日本中央競馬会) (voice)
 * [2002] Shiseido Cty Veil (資生堂シティベール)
 * [2008] Gen hin fugu (玄品ふぐ)
 * [2009] House hokuhin kare nabe tsuyu (ハウス食品カレー鍋つゆ)
 * [2011] DHC Protein Diet (DHCプロティンダイエット)

Music Videos

 * [2014] Koisuru Baila Baila - KYOKO

Rankings

 * She ranked #1 in music goo's 2011 "The best former leaders of Morning Musume" poll.

Trivia

 * She was known as an older sister figure within Hello! Project but was also famous for her aggressive, yankee-like personality as well.
 * She has grown accustomed to usually speaking with a Tokyo dialect, and has usually suggested fellow members from Kansai (Heike Michiyo, Kago Ai, and more recently Mitsui Aika) speak in a Tokyo dialect while in Hello! Project. Ironically, she is known for bursting out in her native Kansai dialect whenever she is annoyed, usually “scaring” younger members.
 * She was particularly close to Ichii Sayaka before her graduation from Morning Musume and Hello! Project, and still remains a fairly close friend to her and her new family.
 * She used to be a big fan of punk music.
 * She has stated that her reason for graduating from Morning Musume was that she began to feel physically limited from keeping up with the group’s activities due to her age.
 * At one point, she hated bananas so much that she felt repulsed just being in the same room with them. However, when asked by Tsuji Nozomi what had changed about her since she had graduated from Morning Musume, Nakazawa said that she could now be in the same room with someone eating a banana and is fine with it.
 * She is not a big fan of using phones and is known for not answering the phone (so much so that Yasuda Kei has said it is a “miracle” if Nakazawa answers the phone).
 * She was one of the oldest members of Hello! Project.
 * She is the seventh former Morning Musume member to get married, the first being Ishiguro Aya, second being Ichii Sayaka, third being Iida Kaori, fourth being Tsuji Nozomi, fifth being Fujimoto Miki, and sixth being Yaguchi Mari
 * She is the first former Morning Musume member to only graduate from Morning Musume and not Hello! Project.
 * When Morning Musume appeared on Music Fighter in 2009 to promote "Naichau Kamo" and they were asked to think of a new nickname for her, Junjun answered "Nakazawa-chan", and Linlin answered "Blonde Fat Ass" after being given the suggestion by one of the hosts.
 * When Tsunku appeared on the variety show Shabekuri 007 in April 2009, he described Nakazawa as "harsh" and a "sadist".