Yoko Yamaguchi

Yoko Yamaguchi (May 10, 1937 – September 6, 2014) was a Japanese lyricist and novelist. In 1985, Yamaguchi won the Naoki Prize for her novels, Enka no Mushi ("Japanese Ballad Lover") and Robai ("Old Japanese Plum").^[1]

Yamaguchi was a native of Nagoya.^[1] She began her career by opening an upscale bar in the Ginza district of Tokyo.^[1] Yamaguchi wrote song lyrics during the slow times while managing her bar, leading to a series of successful songs during the 1970s.^[1] In 1971, Yamaguchi's song "Yokohama Tasogare" ("Yokohama Twilight Time"), performed by Hiroshi Itsuki, became a major hit within the enka genre.^[1] Yamaguchi penned another hit with "Brandy Glass," performed by actor and singer, Yujiro Ishihara.^[1] She began writing novels during the 1980s.^[1]

Yamaguchi died from respiratory failure on September 6, 2014, at the age of 77.^[1]

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