is said that when she and Minayo Watanabe were the backing vocalists for Sayuri Kokushō's Valentine Kiss released in February 1986, she was approached by CBS Sony Records about making her solo debut, but she allegedly declined the offer. According to Yasushi Akimoto, at first she vehemently refused to join Nyangilas. In front of Rika Tatsumi and staff members of the program, she cried and complained that she did not want to join such an unorthodox comedy subgroup. However, she was persuaded by Kasai and others that even such a subgroup needed a cute girl like you, and she agreed to join reluctantly. On the other hand, she herself flatly denied the story. Although she could not make her solo debut as a result, she did serve as the lead vocalist on several Onyanko Club songs. She remained with the group instead of graduating until September 1987, when Onyanko Club disbanded. She is described as the epitome of the bright, cute, normal girl and played a prominent supporting role in Onyanko Club. She had four children after she got married in 1992. Entering the 2010s, she returned to the front of the stage and appeared in several television commercials. She also became a therapist for infants and a yoga instructor. Discography Singles Watashi wa Rika-chan (April 1, 1986) Jibun de Yūnomo Nan Desukeredo (June 21, 1986) Albums Saisho de Saigo ~First & Last~ (August 25, 1986) References Musical groups established in 1986 Japanese pop music groups Japanese girl groups Japanese idol groups Onyanko Club 1986 establishments in Japan Musical groups from Tokyo