Draft:RIKACO

  • Comment: Reads like a promotional résumé, why mention the representation agency? ChrysGalley (talk) 11:24, 1 March 2026 (UTC)
  • Comment: "Books Written" section is unsourced. Namita Tudu (talk) 17:20, 25 February 2026 (UTC)
RIKACO
Born
Rikako Yoshikawa (吉川 莉加子)

(1966-03-30) 30 March 1966 (age 60)
Yokohama, Japan
Other namesRikako Murakami (村上 里佳子, 村上 理佳子); Rikako Watabe (渡部 里佳子, former married name)
OccupationsTV personality, actress, influencer, YouTuber
Years active1981-Present
AgentLDH Japan
Height169 cm (5 ft 7 in)
Spouse
​
​
(m. 1993; div. 2005)​
Children2
YouTube information
Channel
Years active2019–present
Subscribers226 thousand
Views99.6 million
Last updated: January 11, 2026
Websiterikaco.co.jp

Rikako Yoshikawa (吉川 莉加子, Yoshikawa Rikako; born March 30, 1966), known as RIKACO (stylized in all caps), is a Japanese television personality (talento), actress, lifestyle influencer and YouTuber. She is also a former fashion model and former idol singer. Her former stage names were two different spellings of the name Rikako Murakami (村上 里佳子 and 村上 理佳子, both pronounced Murakami Rikako). She is represented by LDH JAPAN.[1]

Biography

Early Life and Career

RIKACO was born Rikako Yoshikawa (吉川 莉加子, Yoshikawa Rikako) on March 30, 1966 in Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan. She grew up in Tsurumi Ward, Yokohama. Her father ran a bakery. She has an older sister, 4 years her senior.

RIKACO debuted as a model at the age of 13. In 1981 at the age of 15, RIKACO was selected as one of seven members of Shower (シャワー), a limited-time female idol group formed to promote Shiseido’s Shower Cologne, a brand of after-shower perfume. RIKACO, then billed as Rikako Murakami (村上 理佳子) was the group's center. Shower made its debut on February 21, 1982 with the single "Do Up LOVE-ing" (DO UP・愛・ing（ラヴィング）, Do Up Loving) under the Victor Entertainment label.[2] Shower released a total of two singles and one album before disbanding in late 1982.[3]

The following year at the age of 17, RIKACO transitioned into a career as an actress, however with a different spelling of the name Rikako Murakami (村上 里佳子). She appeared in television dramas and variety programs. She also later began co-hosting various programs, such as TV Asahi's Mint Time from 1984 to 1986. She was also featured as a cover girl on NTV's nightly Wide Show 11PM from 1985 to 1987. In 1986, she released a solo single titled "JIN JIN JIN" marking her only release as a solo recording artist.[4]

After her marriage in 1993, RIKACO continued acting and appearing on television. Contrary to most women at the time, she insisted on maintaining a career while also being outspoken on gender roles and parenting, becoming a controversial figure.[5] She consistently criticized what she views as male-centered or outdated attitudes, arguing that men should take equal responsibility for housework, childcare, and emotional consideration within relationships. She had publicly rejected the idea that maintaining a household or personal appearance is solely a woman’s obligation, emphasizing mutual accountability between partners.[6]

In the late 1990s, she adopted the mononym RIKACO as her stage name.

Later Career

In the late 2010s, RIKACO launched the YouTube channel “RIKACO LIFE.”[7] The channel focuses on skincare, health, fitness, travel, home life, and mental well-being, often emphasizing the theme of aging naturally and confidently. In addition to lifestyle topics, she discusses a broad range of subjects aimed at women of all ages, including her personal experiences with menopause and advice on relationships and child-rearing for younger viewers.[8][9]

Her relaxed delivery and emphasis on self-acceptance have attracted both longtime fans and a younger audience discovering her through digital media. The channel has also gained attention for featuring various guest appearances. Notable recurring guests include genderfluid entertainer Shinnosuke "Peter" Ikehata and singer Miyuki Kōsaka.[10][11][12]

In addition to her media activities, RIKACO produces and co-owns a wellness brand, LOVE GIVES LOVE.[13]

Personal Life

RIKACO married actor Atsurō Watabe in 1993. The couple had two sons, Mikiya and Ren, before divorcing in 2005.[14]

Her hobbies include golf, cooking, and aromatherapy.[1]

Both of RIKACO’s parents are deceased; her mother and father died when she was 49 and 52 years old, respectively.[15]

Discography

As part of the unit Shower[3]

  • Singles
    • "Do Up LOVE-ing" (DO UP・愛・ing（ラヴィング）, Do Up Loving), Released February 21, 1982
    • "Aa! To Iu Ma ni BEACH LOVE" (あっ!という間にビーチ・ラブ, Beach Love in an Instant), Released May 21, 1982
  • Albums
    • "SING SINGLE SINGLES", Released July 21, 1982

Solo Releases (as Rikako Murakami)[4]

  • Singles
    • "JIN JIN JIN" , Released February 21, 1988

Filmography

This list is incomplete

TV Dramas

Film

  • V Madonna Daisenso (1985, as Junko Kashima)
  • Roppongi Banana Boys (1989, as Kyoko)
  • Runaway☆Beat (2011, as Emi Tachibana)

Books Written

  • Kawaii Tsuki (かわいい月, Beautiful Moon 1994)
  • Rikako's Selection Style Book (1995)
  • RIKACO PLUS LOVE (1995)
  • Life health，beauty and family (2004)
  • HOME (2011)
  • RIKACO'S ALOHA STORY Hawaii Perfect Guide (2012)
  • RIKACO'S ALOHA STORY 2 Hawaii Perfect Guide (2015)

RIKACO - AMEBA Blog

RIKACO - Instagram

RIKACO - NHK Archives Profile

References

  1. ^ a b "RIKACO | ARTIST | LDH - LOVE + DREAM + HAPPINESS TO THE WORLD -". LDH - LOVE + DREAM + HAPPINESS TO THE WORLD - (in Japanese). Retrieved 2026-01-11.
  2. ^ シャワー - Do Up・愛ing = ドゥ・アップ・ラヴィング (in Japanese), 1982-02-21, retrieved 2026-01-11
  3. ^ a b "Shower (7)". Discogs. Retrieved 2026-01-11.
  4. ^ a b "JIN JIN JIN | 村上里佳子". オリコンニュース（ORICON NEWS） (in Japanese). Retrieved 2026-01-11.
  5. ^ "RIKACO、毒舌への批判コメントで反省……「結構悩んでいるんだよ～これでもね～」". RBB TODAY (in Japanese). 2013-07-05. Retrieved 2026-01-11.
  6. ^ "ＲＩＫＡＣＯ、５０歳までに貯めた驚きの貯金額を初告白". スポーツ報知 (in Japanese). 2017-07-26. Archived from the original on 2017-07-28. Retrieved 2026-01-11.
  7. ^ "RIKACO LIFE". YouTube. Retrieved 2026-01-11.
  8. ^ "『女医・友利新さん×RIKACOさん』女性から圧倒的な支持を得るYouTubeチャンネルのコラボ企画が実現！！「【ぶっちゃけトーク】RIKACOさんの今までの話」1/29(金)18時公開". プレスリリース・ニュースリリース配信シェアNo.1｜PR TIMES (in Japanese). 2021-01-29. Retrieved 2026-01-11.
  9. ^ 日本放送協会 (2023-05-22). 私のリカバリー 更年期、もっと“シェア”しよう RIKACO | ハートネットTV (in Japanese). Retrieved 2026-01-11 – via www.web.nhk.
  10. ^ "RIKACO「20代から」の大親友歌手と「ぽかぽか」登場「本当の仲良しですよ」YouTubeでも共演 - スポニチ Sponichi Annex 芸能". スポニチ Sponichi Annex (in Japanese). Retrieved 2026-01-11.
  11. ^ "RIKACOさんと香坂みゆきさんが語る息子たちの「反抗期」。「子離れできない」母の悩みには……". マイナビ子育て｜夫婦一緒に子育て (in Japanese). Retrieved 2026-01-11.
  12. ^ 松岡愛莉. "RIKACO、田中律子＆香坂みゆきとの女子会ショット公開に「３人とも美し過ぎる」反響の声 - 芸能 : 日刊スポーツ". nikkansports.com (in Japanese). Retrieved 2026-01-11.
  13. ^ "Love Gives Love". Love Gives Love (in Japanese). 2025-04-05. Retrieved 2026-01-11.
  14. ^ "RIKACO、"17年前"の家族写真を公開 LA＆ハワイでの夏休み「トレンディドラマに出てくるようなお写真」「本当にかっこいい家族」 元夫は渡部篤郎". オリコンニュース（ORICON NEWS）. Retrieved 2026-01-11.
  15. ^ "ＲＩＫＡＣＯ５７歳 更年期障害を吐露「５１歳でうつに 起きられなくなった」現在も「汗止まらず イライラしたら爆発」/デイリースポーツ online". デイリースポーツ online (in Japanese). 2026-01-11. Retrieved 2026-01-11.

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