Junko Ōhashi

was a Japanese singer best known for her songs "Silhouette Romance" and "Tasogare My Love" (1978). She was known for her "overwhelming singing ability" and was mainly successful between late 1970s and early 1980s. Her discography consists of more than 20 albums. After a brief hiatus due to battling esophageal and breast cancers, she returned to music in 2019. On November 9, 2023, Ohashi died in Tokyo at the age of 73.

Early life and education Ohashi was born in Yūbari, Hokkaido, Japan on April 26, 1950, the oldest of four children from a family that ran a restaurant. She graduated from Hokkaido Yubari High School, later attending and graduating from Fuji Women's Junior College. While at college, she joined a band.

Career Ohashi made her debut as a singer with the album Feeling Now (1974). During her initial stages of her career, she was known to sing hard rock, but switched to soul after being inspired by artists Sérgio Mendes and Janis Joplin. She accompanied Kiyohiko Ozaki on a live tour, and later served as a supporting act.

In 1976, she released the song "Paper Moon", which became a hit. With the success of the album of the same name, she formed the band Junko Ohashi & Minoya Central Station. In 1978, she released the song "Tasogare My Love", which won her a Gold Award during the 20th Japan Record Awards. In 1981, she released the song "Silhouette Romance", which ranked at number 7 on the Oricon Singles Chart, was awarded best song at the 24th Japan Record Awards and sold over 500,000 copies. She also participated in several editions of the Kōhaku Uta Gassen competition, starting from 1979.

Personal life Ohashi met composer Ken Sato while he was working at Yamaha, marrying him in 1979.

Health problems and death In 2018, Ohashi revealed that she was diagnosed with early-stage esophageal cancer, cancelling tour dates in order to focus on her treatment, but was able to resume touring afterwards. However, in March 2019, Ohashi revealed that she was also suffering from breast cancer.

On March 22, 2023, it was reported that Ohashi had relapsed and stopped touring again due to focusing on treating her esophageal cancer. Her funeral was held at Zōjō-ji temple on November 15 after she was cremated.

Discography Albums Studio albums + List of studio albums Title Album detailsFeeling NowReleased: June 1974 Label: Philips Records Format: LP, CDPaper MoonReleased: May 1976 Label: Philips Records Format: LP, CDRainbowReleased: April 1977 Label: Philips Records Format: LP, CDCrystal CityReleased: November 1977 Label: Philips Records Format: LP, CDReleased: June 1978 Label: Philips Records Format: LP, CDFlushReleased: December 1, 1978 Label: Philips Records Format: LP, CDFull HouseReleased: June 1, 1979 Label: Philips Records Format: LP, CDHot LifeReleased: April 1980 Label: Philips Records Format: LP, CD, cassetteTea For TearsReleased: May 1981 Label: Philips Records Format: LP, CD, cassetteReleased: August 1982 Label: Philips Records Format: LP, CD, cassettePoint ZeroReleased: September 21, 1983 Label: Philips Records Format: LP, CD, cassetteDefReleased: January 21, 1988 Label: Epic Records Japan Format: LP, CD, cassetteQuestionReleased: November 21, 1988 Label: Epic Records Japan Format: CDPagodaReleased: April 21, 1990 Label: Epic Records Japan Format: CDMiscellaneousReleased: February 1, 1993 Label: VAP Format: CDBlue DesertReleased: March 1, 1994 Label: VAP Format: CDFor TomorrowReleased: October 1, 1995 Label: VAP Format: CDReleased: September 1, 1996 Label: VAP Format: CDTime FliesReleased: August 21, 1999 Label: VAP Format: CDQuarterReleased: August 22, 2001 Label: VAP Format: CDJuneReleased: June 4, 2003 Label: VAP Format: CDTrintaReleased: April 21, 2004 Label: VAP Format: CD

Cover albums + List of cover albums Title Album detailsJ'selection Vol.1Released: November 2, 1994 Label: VAP Format: CDJ'selection Vol.2Released: December 1, 1995 Label: VAP Format: CDJ'selection Vol.3Released: December 1, 1996 Label: VAP Format: CDTerraReleased: July 19, 2007 Label: VAP Format: CDTerra 2Released: June 10, 2009 Label: VAP Format: CDReleased: May 22, 2019 Label: VAP Format: CD

Self-cover albums + List of cover albums Title Album detailsNeo HistoryReleased: September 21, 1993 Label: VAP Format: CDLive LifeReleased: June 18, 2014 Label: VAP Format: CD

Compilation albums + List of compilation albums Title Album detailsSpecial Friend AlbumReleased: June 1978 Label: Philips Format: LPTasogare My LoveReleased: November 1978 Label: Philips Format: LPMotion & EmotionsReleased: November 1978 Label: Philips Format: LPMindsReleased: June 1982 Label: Philips Format: LPMagicalReleased: July 1984 Label: Philips Format: LPReleased: 25 January 1986 Label: Philips Format: CDReleased: 15 August 1989 Label: Philips Format: CDReleased: 26 May 1993 Label: Philips Format: CDReleased: 21 November 1996 Label: Mercury Music Format: CDThe Best Songs of Junko OhashiReleased: 5 December 1998 Label: VAP Format: CDReleased: 30 June 1998 Label: Mercury Music Format: CDReleased: 19 December 2001 Label: Kitty Mme Format: CDReleased: 26 November 2003 Label: Universal Music Japan Format: CDReleased: 18 January 2006 Label: Universal Music Japan Format: CDReleased: 30 August 2006 Label: Universal Music Japan Format: CDReleased: 17 January 2007 Label: Universal Music Japan Format: CDReleased: 19 December 2007 Label: Universal Music Japan Format: CDReleased: 18 March 2009 Label: Universal Music Japan Format: CDComplete Single BestReleased: 10 June 2009 Label: Universal Music Japan Format: CDReleased: 10 June 2009 Label: Sony Music Direct Format: CDReleased: 6 August 2014 Label: Universal Music Japan Format: CDReleased: 21 March 2018 Label: Universal Music Japan Format: CD

Singles