Kochi, an island situated in Shikoku, was a target of aerial bombing by the United States in 1945, resulting in its complete destruction. However, Kochi Castle remarkably survived the devastation and now serves as a historical landmark of significant interest.
Born in Kochi, Hirosue Ryoko is a renowned Japanese singer and actress, known for her distinctive short hair and tomboyish appearance. She began her career at the tender age of 14, when she participated in a model contest held by Clearasil/P&G cosmetics. Her television debut followed shortly, as she appeared on the popular TK Music Camp program in 1995.
As a teenager, Hirosue relocated to Kanagawa, where she lived with her aunt. Her early success in television led to her nomination and subsequent win of the Best Supporting Actress prize at the 14th Television Drama Academy Awards in 1997. She continued to garner numerous awards for her work in both television and film throughout the following decade.
In addition to her acting career, Hirosue also pursued a music career, releasing multiple singles and full-length albums of pop music. She enrolled in Waseda University in 1999, but did not complete her studies.
In 2001, Hirosue appeared in the French film Wasabi, where she recited her French lines without understanding their meaning. She married model Okazawa Takahiro in 2004 and gave birth to their son three months later. The marriage, however, was marked by infidelity and ultimately lasted only four years.
During her marriage and pregnancy, Hirosue's work slowed down, but she did appear in the 2004 film Hana & Alice alongside Yu Aoi. She worked with Yu again in Flowers in 2010. In 2008, she played a complex role as a wife in the film Departures, which won the 81st Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film.
Hirosue married Izutsu Jun, a candle artist and shop owner, in late 2010. The couple has two children together. Prior to her marriage, she had been rumored to be dating Nagai Masaru, with whom she met while participating in earthquake relief efforts in Haiti in March 2010.
Despite her busy career, Hirosue enjoys leisure activities such as karaoke and watching movies. Like many celebrities, she has been involved in promoting various corporate and material goods, including NTT, Shiseido, and Coca Cola.
