Yasuyuki Okamura

Quick Facts: Who was Yasuyuki Okamura?

Subject:

Yasuyuki Okamura

Known for:

Japanese singer-songwriter known for hits like "Super Girl" and "Viva Namida".

Born:

1965-08-14

Century / Era:

1965s Historical Era Archive

Verified Source:

2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

Yasuyuki Okamura (Japanese: 岡村靖幸, Hepburn: Okamura Yasuyuki; born 14 August 1965) is a Japanese singer-songwriter and music producer. He has also used the name Eitarō Isono (磯野栄太郎, Isono Eitarō). He started his professional career in 1985, and is known internationally for the City Hunter 2 ending theme "Super Girl", and the Space Dandy opening theme "Viva Namida". In December 2023, he formed the duo Okamura Kazuyoshi (岡村和義) with Kazuyoshi Saito. Yasuyuki Okamura was born in Kobe, Japan in 1965, the oldest of two children.

Career & Major Achievements

His father worked for Air France, and as a result, his family moved frequently throughout Japan, resulting in rotating through seven elementary and junior high schools. He attended Niigata Higashi High School and formed his first band there, but dropped out in 11th grade to pursue a musical career while working part-time at the nightclub Hacoban. After sending out numerous demo tapes and doing composing work for other artists, he was signed by Epic Sony in 1986. He was highly successful in the late 1980s and early 1990s, first promoted as a teen idol. Okamura also claimed during this time that he was most inspired by the singers Seiko Matsuda and Prince.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

He starred in the film Peach: I'll Do Anything For You (Peach-どんなことをしてほしいのぼくに, Peach: Donna koto o shite hoshii no boku ni) with Kahori Fujii and Kazuhiko Kanayama. In 1996, he retreated from the media and performing, and started to focus more on producing other artists, including Meg and Chara. Okamura was arrested in 2003 for possession of stimulant drugs, but released after pleading that they were necessary as a medicine. His record contract with Epic Sony was terminated by the company, and he was later signed by Universal. In April 2005, he was arrested for attempting to use cocaine in a Shibuya record store bathroom, and sentenced to two years in prison.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1965 (1965-08-14): Birth of Yasuyuki Okamura — Japanese singer-songwriter known for hits like "Super Girl" and "Viva Namida".
2. 1985: 1985 Milestone — He started his professional career in 1985, and is known internationally for the City Hunter 2 ending theme "Super Girl", and the Space Dandy opening theme "Viva Namida".
3. 1986: 1986 Milestone — After sending out numerous demo tapes and doing composing work for other artists, he was signed by Epic Sony in 1986.
4. 1996: 1996 Milestone — In 1996, he retreated from the media and performing, and started to focus more on producing other artists, including Meg and Chara.
5. 2003: 2003 Milestone — Okamura was arrested in 2003 for possession of stimulant drugs, but released after pleading that they were necessary as a medicine.
6. 2005: 2005 Milestone — In April 2005, he was arrested for attempting to use cocaine in a Shibuya record store bathroom, and sentenced to two years in prison.
7. 2023: 2023 Milestone — In December 2023, he formed the duo Okamura Kazuyoshi (岡村和義) with Kazuyoshi Saito.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Yasuyuki Okamura

True or False: “Yasuyuki Okamura's initial professional breakthrough came after dropping out of high school to pursue music.”

Answer (TRUE ⭕): He dropped out of 11th grade from Niigata Higashi High School specifically to focus on his musical career while working part-time at the nightclub Hacoban.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

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• Alfred Harmsworth, 1st Viscount Northcliffe — Shared historical date (08-14 · Died) (1922): Pioneering British publishing magnate, owner of the Daily Mail and Daily Mirror.
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• Akina Nakamori — Historical peer (Born in 1965) (1965): Iconic Japanese singer and actress, celebrated for her powerful vocals and enduring artistry.
• Alan Freed — Historical peer (Died in 1965) (1965): Pioneering disc jockey who popularized rock and roll music across North America.
• Aiko Kayō — Historical peer (Born in 1985) (1985): Japanese singer and actress known for her work on the Avex Trax label.
• Alex Honnold — Historical peer (Born in 1985) (1985): Pioneering free solo climber, famous for conquering El Capitan.
• A. S. Byatt — Historical peer (Died in 2023) (2023): Acclaimed English novelist, poet, and critic known for complex literary works.
• 1965 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1965
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Frequently Asked Questions about Yasuyuki Okamura