, professionally known by her stage name, and formerly known as R, is a Japanese singer, songwriter, businesswoman, fashion model, and YouTuber. Born in Higashiōsaka, Japan, she won the first season of the audition Super Starlight Contest, winning a recording contract with Giza Studio. Her eurobeat-sounding debut album, Be Happy (2001) was certified gold in Japan and spawned a top-five single, "Koi wa Thrill, Shock, Suspense", which served as the theme song to the Japanese anime television series Case Closed. Aiuchi's second album Power of Words became her best-selling album, selling over 419,000 copies nationwide and certificated platinum in Japan. In 2010, Kakiuchi announced her retirement from the music industry and founded a dog clothing brand Bon Bon Copine in September 2012. She later resumed her musical activities, appearing on several television shows in 2015 and releasing a single "Warm Prayer" in 2018 under the new stage name, R. Early life Kakiuchi was born on 31 July 1980, in Higashiōsaka, Osaka. She attended Tezukayama High School. In her high school years, Kakiuchi began working as a model, appearing on Cawaii! and participated in several music auditions, following advice from her friends. In 1998, Kakiuchi attended Doshisha Women's College of Liberal Arts. Career 1998–1999: Pre-debut period In July 1998, Kakiuchi's cover of "Desperado" was released as a part of the euro-beat compilation album Eurobeat Flash Vol.19, via Cutting Edge. In the spring of 1999, she won the first season of the audition show Super Starlight Contest and received a recording contract with Giza Studio. 2000–2002: Be Happy and Power of Words In March 2000, Kakiuchi made her debut as Rina Aiuchi with her first single "Close to Your Heart", the theme song to the Japanese animated television series Monster Rancher. The single was a moderate success, selling approximately 64,000 copies and peaking at number nineteen on the Oricon Weekly Singles Chart. The second and third singles from her debut album; "It's Crazy for You" and "Ohh! Paradise Taste!!" were released to moderate success, peaking in Japan at number sixteen and twenty-three, respectively. Her fourth single "Koi wa Thrill, Shock, Suspense" achieved nationwide success, reaching number five, selling over 100,000 copies. The song attracted considerable attention for serving as the theme song to the Japanese animated television series Case Closed. On 24 January 2001, Kakiuchi's debut album Be Happy was released to a commercial success. The eurobeat-influenced J-pop album peaked at number