Written by Jack Herbert

Eighties independent woman

Seiko Matsuda (real name Noriko Kamachi) found equally excessive amounts of popularity and scandal in the 1980s.

In that decade, she racked up 24 consecutive number one singles and filled more column inches than anyone else in Japan.

She perfected an alluring sexy/demure image that won her many male fans and influenced a generation young Japanese women.

In 1987, she decided to return to the music industry after her marriage to actor Masaki Kanda, despite having a young child. This shocked conservative Japan, but made her an icon for ambitious young women.