Rina Aiuchi

Biography

Rikako Kakiuchi (垣内 里佳子, Kakiuchi Rikako; born 31 July 1980), professionally known by her stage name Rina Aiuchi (愛内 里菜) and formerly known as R, is a Japanese singer, songwriter, businesswoman, fashion model, and YouTube content creator. Born in Higashiōsaka, Japan, she won the first season of the audition Super Starlight Contest, winning a recording contract with Giza Studio. Her Eurobeat-influenced debut album, Be Happy×Be Happy24 January 2001 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 11 tracks1be happy?4:222Close To Your Heart5:013恋はスリル、ショック、サスペンス4:554snow drop4:245Her Lament ～誰にも聞こえない彼女の叫び～4:026It's crazy for you4:217Can you feel my…?4:278Ohh! Paradise Taste!!4:259kimi e no sayonara4:2410Dear…。From…。5:0311be happy.4:26 (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 anime series Case Closed. Aiuchi's second album Power of Words×POWER OF WORDS15 May 2002 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 14 tracks1POWER OF WORDS4:562I can’t stop my love for you♥4:163NAVY BLUE4:204Forever You 〜永遠に君と〜5:065pink baby’s breath -album mix-5:016be distant4:157WISH4:118Painted Black4:089FAITH4:4210SPARK4:0711crystal pearl4:0112precious pain4:5613Run up5:2414Can you feel the POWER OF WORDS?4:01 became her best-selling album. It sold over 419,000 copies nationwide and was certified Platinum in Japan.
In 2010, Kakiuchi announced her retirement from music, founding a dog clothing brand named Bon Bon Copine in September 2012. She later resumed her musical activities, appearing on several television shows in 2015 and releasing the 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!. In 1998, Kakiuchi attended Doshisha Women's College of Liberal Arts.

1998–1999: Pre-debut period

In July 1998, Kakiuchi's cover of "Desperado" by Nathalie Aarts was released as a part of the Eurobeat compilation album Eurobeat Flash Vol.19, via Cutting Edge. In the spring of 1999, she won the first season of the talent search 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×Close To Your Heart23 March 2000 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 4 tracks1Close To Your Heart4:592Black eyes,Blue tears4:413Close To Your Heart ~VIVA RINA Q MIX~5:024Close To Your Heart ~instrumental~4:59," the theme song to the Japanese animated television series Monster Rancher. The single sold approximately 64,000 copies and peaked at number nineteen on the Oricon Weekly Singles Chart. Her second and third singles, "It's Crazy for You×It's crazy for you31 May 2000 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 5 tracks1It's crazy for you4:252golden moonlight4:173It's crazy for you ~VIVA RINA THE WEST "☆" REMIX~4:134Black eyes,Blue tears ~The Spy Who Came In From The Cold In Montparnasse Mix~4:495It's crazy for you ~instrumental~4:23" and "Ohh! Paradise Taste!!×Ohh! Paradise Taste!!26 July 2000 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 5 tracks1Ohh! Paradise Taste!!4:232purple haze4:523Ohh! Paradise Taste!! ～“真夏の夜のにっぽんの夏”なmix…なんちゃって～4:264golden moonlight ～Grandale Euro Mix～4:125Ohh! Paradise Taste!! <instrumental>4:23" peaked in Japan at number sixteen and twenty-three, respectively. Her fourth single "Koi wa Thrill, Shock, Suspense" reached number five and sold over 100,000 copies. The song served as a theme song to the Japanese animated television series Case Closed. On 24 January 2001, Kakiuchi's debut album Be Happy×Be Happy24 January 2001 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 11 tracks1be happy?4:222Close To Your Heart5:013恋はスリル、ショック、サスペンス4:554snow drop4:245Her Lament ～誰にも聞こえない彼女の叫び～4:026It's crazy for you4:217Can you feel my…?4:278Ohh! Paradise Taste!!4:259kimi e no sayonara4:2410Dear…。From…。5:0311be happy.4:26 was released. The Eurobeat-influenced J-pop album peaked at number three and was certified Gold in Japan. In support of the album, Aiuchi embarked on her first concert tour, Rina Aiuchi Club Circuit 2001 "Be Happy". In March 2001, Kakiuchi earned a Japan Gold Disc Award for New Artist of the Year.
In April 2001, "Faith×FAITH11 April 2001 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 4 tracks1FAITH4:422green way4:353FAITH -KCP Mix-4:494FAITH -Instrumental-4:41" was released as the lead single from her second album, Power of Words×POWER OF WORDS15 May 2002 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 14 tracks1POWER OF WORDS4:562I can’t stop my love for you♥4:163NAVY BLUE4:204Forever You 〜永遠に君と〜5:065pink baby’s breath -album mix-5:016be distant4:157WISH4:118Painted Black4:089FAITH4:4210SPARK4:0711crystal pearl4:0112precious pain4:5613Run up5:2414Can you feel the POWER OF WORDS?4:01 . To promote the song, Kakiuchi appeared on several television music shows, including CDTV. The song reached number eight on the Oricon chart. Power of Words was released in May 2002. The album has spawned three top-five singles: "Forever You ~Eien ni Kimi to~," "I Can't Stop My Love for You×I can't stop my love for you10 April 2002 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 4 tracks1I can't stop my love for you ♥4:192pink baby's breath5:063I can't stop my love for you ♥ "KENNY'S SUBLIMITY MIX"6:504I can't stop my love for you ♥ -Instrumental-4:17," and "Navy Blue×NAVY BLUE3 October 2001 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 5 tracks1NAVY BLUE4:202Broken Heart4:423NAVY BLUE MAX MAZIK MIX6:514NAVY BLUE d'une source mix5:325NAVY BLUE -instrumental-4:17," which was released as the third single from the album in October 2001. The J-pop ballad peaked at number two in Japan and sold over 127,000 copies. As of November 2020, "Navy Blue" has remained Kakiuchi's best-selling song. Power of Words topped the Oricon chart and became certified Platinum by RIAJ. The album was her best-selling album as of September 2018, with sales of over 419,000 copies. On 16 June 2002, Kakiuchi begain the Rina Aiuchi Live Tour 2002 "Power of Words" in support of the album.

2003–2004: A.I.R. and Playgirl

The double A-side single, "Sincerely Yours"/"Can You Feel the Power of Words?" was released in August 2002. The former was the lead single from Aiuchi's third album, AIR, while the latter was the sixth single from her second album, Power of Words×POWER OF WORDS15 May 2002 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 14 tracks1POWER OF WORDS4:562I can’t stop my love for you♥4:163NAVY BLUE4:204Forever You 〜永遠に君と〜5:065pink baby’s breath -album mix-5:016be distant4:157WISH4:118Painted Black4:089FAITH4:4210SPARK4:0711crystal pearl4:0112precious pain4:5613Run up5:2414Can you feel the POWER OF WORDS?4:01. The single sold approximately 82,000 copies in Japan and was certified Gold by RIAJ, peaking at number four on the Oricon chart.
Aiuchi released her first remix album, Rina Aiuchi Remixes Cool City Production Vol.5×RINA AIUCHI REMIXES Cool City Production vol.530 July 2003 · Album · RemixSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 11 tracks1恋はスリル、ショック、サスペンス (M-oZ club mix)7:482POWER OF WORDS (raze mix)4:033風のない海で抱きしめて (lightin' grooves breakin' dawn mix)6:404Deep Freeze (night clubbers mix)5:005Sincerely Yours (keen refrain)4:226Forever You 〜永遠に君と〜 (lightin' grooves reprise mix)6:047Close To Your Heart (2 Bitches mix radio edit)5:158FULL JUMP (All That Jazz mix)5:049NAVY BLUE (DJ Keisuke club mix)4:4910FAITH (lightin' grooves Super model walk mix)4:4011pink baby's breath (night clubbers mix)4:03, in July 2003. The album sold over 70,000 copies and reached number four on the Oricon chart. Aiuchi's third studio album, AIR was released on 15 October 2003, along with the single "Kūki". The album became Aiuchi's second number-one hit in Japan and was certified Gold by RIAJ. "Deep Freeze×Deep Freeze20 November 2002 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 4 tracks1Deep Freeze5:412White X-mas Song4:143Deep Freeze -instrumental-5:434White X-mas Song -instrumental-4:10" was released in November 2002 as the second single from the album. The third single, "Kaze no nai Umi de Dakishimete," was also the theme song to the Japanese drama Tsuribaka Nisshi. The fourth single, "Full Jump×FULL JUMP14 May 2003 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 4 tracks1FULL JUMP4:182HIMAWARI4:353FULL JUMP “Full throttle mix”4:464FULL JUMP -instrumental-4:15," was a success, peaking at number three on the Oricon chart and becoming certified Gold by RIAJ.
Aiuchi began the concert tour Rina Aiuchi Live Tour 2003 "A.I.R×A.I.R15 October 2003 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 14 tracks1∞ INFINITY5:032FULL JUMP4:173空気 -Album version-4:464Sincerely Yours4:385風のない海で抱きしめて5:036Over Shine4:207NO NEEDS5:218Deep Freeze5:419double hearted5:0710our sound4:1111CODE CRUSH4:5512profuse love5:2113Fortune5:0614Happy Luppy4:16." in November 2003, however, she struggled with aphonia during the show at Nakano Sun Plaza in Nakano Tokyo. In December 2003, Aiuchi's first compilation album Single Collection×Single Collection17 December 2003 · Album · CompilationSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 12 tracks1FULL JUMP4:172I can't stop my love for you❤4:163恋はスリル、ショック、サスペンス4:544Sincerely Yours4:395Forever You ～永遠に君と～5:066NAVY BLUE4:197風のない海で抱きしめて5:048Close To Your Heart4:599It's crazy for you4:2310Run up5:2311Deep Freeze5:4312空気5:01 was released. The album reached number eight in Japan and was later certified Gold by RIAJ. On 31 December 2003, Aiuchi made her first appearance on Kōhaku Uta Gassen with "Full Jump".
The lead single from her fourth album, "Dream×Dream" was released in April 2004. The song was also the theme song to the Japanese animated movie Detective Conan: Magician of the Silver Sky and peaked at number sixth on the Oricon chart. Her fourth album, Playgirl×PLAYGIRL14 December 2004 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 13 tracks1PLAYGIRL3:152START4:003Boom-Boom-Boom4:214STEP UP!4:095CONTROL ME, RESCUE ME4:406wonderful danger4:097LOVE-FORMATION4:218NEVERENDING WINTER3:379Dream × Dream5:1510MISS YOU4:3311Seductive Medicine4:2312V.I.P4:0113GIRLS PLAY3:53, was released in December 2004. The R&B-influenced J-pop album peaked at number seven and sold 100,000 copies in Japan. The album has yielded three singles: "Dream×Dream," "Start×START26 May 2004 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 4 tracks1START4:032Lavender Rain4:293キラキラ4:504START -instrumental-4:00," and "Boom-Boom-Boom×Boom-Boom-Boom20 October 2004 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 4 tracks1Boom-Boom-Boom4:232ALRIGHT4:113ROCK STEADY4:004Boom-Boom-Boom -instrumental-4:20."

2005–2008: Delight and Trip

In May 2005, "Akaku Atsui Kodō" was released as the lead single from Aiuchi's fifth studio album. The song served as the theme song to the Japanese Tokusatsu series Ultraman Nexus and reached number seven on the Oricon chart. The double-A side single "Glorious"/"Precious Place" was released in March 2006 as the third single from the album. Both songs served the theme song to the PlayStation role-playing video game Another Century's Episode 2. The single peaked at number five and sold over 26,000 copies in Japan. Her fifth album Delight×DELIGHT31 May 2006 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 14 tracks1DELIGHT5:512GLORIOUS4:113PRECIOUS PLACE4:164Believe your Bravery4:055LOVE OR BE LOVED5:076赤く熱い鼓動3:217MIRACLE4:108REASON4:399しるし5:3510WE♥SUMMER4:2811モーニングエール3:2512ORANGE★NIGHT -La La La Lovin' you Mix-3:4613SET YOU FREE5:2714I'll be delighted5:22 was released in May 2006. The dance music-tasted J-pop album was received well by her fans and reached number four in Japan. In support of the album, Aiuchi embarked on the concert tour Rina Aiuchi Live Tour 2006 "Delight" from 8 June 2006. In June 2006, Aiuchi released a collaboration single with U-ka Saegusa, "100 mono Tobira", under the name of Rina Aiuchi and U-ka Saegusa. The song was written for the Japanese television animated series Case Closed and sold approximately 30,000 copies in Japan. In addition to her work for Delight, Aiuchi appeared on the track "Ai Epilogue" on Tsunku's album Type 2.
In April 2007, the second single as Rina Aiuchi and U-ka Saegusa, "Nanatsu no Umi wo Wataru Kaze no yō ni" was released and sold over 36,500 copies in Japan. The song was written for the Japanese animated movie Detective Conan: Jolly Roger in the Deep Azure. Aiuchi's sixth studio album Trip was released in May 2008. The album yielded one top-ten single: "Nemurenu Yo ni"/"Party Time Party Up" and managed to enter top-ten in Japan.

2009: Thanx and All Singles Best: Thanx 10th Anniversary

In March 2009, Aiuchi's seventh studio album Thanx×THANX25 March 2009 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 12 tracks1THANX4:022素顔のまま4:553Friend5:224Mother4:505アイノコトバ4:556夏の幻3:487君との出逢い ~good bye my days~4:408Melodies3:589little star3:3910Change4:5211Feel you3:0312thankful for the birthday4:31 was released. The album failed to enter top-ten in Japan and sold approximately 22,000 copies nationwide. The album has yielded one top-ten single: "Friend"/"Sugao no mama".
That July, Aiuchi released the double-A side single "Story"/"Summer Light". The single peaked at number nine on the Oricon chart and sold approximately 6,700 copies in Japan. The follow-up single, "Magic×MAGIC21 October 2009 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 6 tracks · 2 discsDisc 11MAGIC4:002hands3:273MAGIC -instrumental-4:014hands -instrumental-3:26Disc 21MAGIC -music clip-4:292MAGIC -making shot-2:00" was released in October of the same year. Although the song failed to enter the top-ten in Japan, the sales surpassed her last single, with total sales of 8,600 copies. Aiuchi's second compilation album All Singles Best: Thanx 10th Anniversary was released in December 2009. The album reached number seven on the Oricon chart and sold over 38,000 copies in Japan.

2010–2011: Last Scene and retirement

In March 2010, Aiuchi released her first B-side tracks compilation album Colors×COLORS24 March 2010 · Album · CompilationSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 17 tracks1Black eyes, Blue tears4:442Painted Black4:103little grey mermaid4:134Silver hide and seek3:525Rainbow4:186marble4:297pink baby's breath5:058さくら色5:159Lavender Rain4:3010purple haze4:5311green way4:3712キラキラ4:4913yellow carpet4:4014golden moonlight4:1815光色のかけら5:0516Ruby stars4:5317Red Bonds3:48. The album sold only 4,500 copies in Japan. On 30 July 2010, Aiuchi announced that she would retire from the music industry at the end of the year because of a thyroid deficiency. Her eighth and last studio album Last Scene×LAST SCENE15 September 2010 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 30 tracks1Prologue2:462GOOD DAYS3:593Sing a song3:374MERRY-GO-ROUND3:485Love me4:076TIME3:357Priority4:528HANABI3:349IN MY SHOES5:081037℃4:2111LAST SCENE4:5112C・LOVE・R4:5213[silence]0:2714[silence]0:2715[silence]0:2716[silence]0:2717[silence]0:2718[silence]0:2719[silence]0:2720[silence]0:2721[silence]0:2722[silence]0:2723[silence]0:2724[silence]0:2725[silence]0:2726[silence]0:2727[silence]0:2728[silence]0:2729[silence]0:1930[unknown]3:55 was released in September 2010. The album debuted at number eight on the Oricon chart and sold approximately 20,600 copies in Japan. The album has yielded four singles: "Good Days×GOOD DAYS14 April 2010 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 1 track1GOOD DAYS3:58", "Sing a Song×Sing a Song26 May 2010 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 1 track1Sing a Song3:37", "C Love R", and "Hanabi×HANABI28 July 2010 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 5 tracks · 2 discsDisc 11HANABI3:342Garden5:133HANABI -instrumental-3:344Garden -instrumental-5:13Disc 21HANABI –music clip–". On 31 December 2010, Aiuchi's first box set Rina Aiuchi Premier Box 2000–2010 was released exclusively on her fan club and the web store of her label, Giza Studio. In September 2011, her second remix album Forever Songs: Brand New Remixes was released.

2012–2018: Post-retirement and comeback

In September 2012, Aiuchi announced that she had founded a dog clothing company, Bon Bon Copine. Soon, she led the company to 50 million yen of yearly turnover.
In September 2015, Aiuchi appeared on the Japanese television music show, The Karaoke Battle and covered "Hello, Again (Mukashi Kara Aru Basho)" by My Little Lover and "Love Story" by Namie Amuro. In April 2018, Aiuchi released her first song since 2010, "Warm Prayer" under the name of R.

2020-present: Legal disputes

In March 2021, Aiuchi accused her former producer of sexual harassment and filed a lawsuit against her former talent agent, Giza Artist, seeking 10 million yen, alleging that they did not protect her from the harassments.
Also in 2021, Aiuchi announced that she would resume the musical activities under her former stage name, Rina Aiuchi. "Rina Ai" was the stage name she adopted at the start of her career, and her contract with Giza had included the agency’s rights to this stage name in perpetuity. Aiuchi was served with an injunction from her former agency, blocking her from using the stage name. In December 2022, a judge At Tokyo District Court ruled in Aiuchi’s favour, allowing her to use the stage name.
On 13 October 2022, Osaka District Court dismissed Aiuchi's lawsuit, ruled that the harassment is not recognized; her appeal at Osaka High Court rejected on 21 April 2023, ruled that her sexual harassment claim is not credible.