Shinohara Ryoko was asked about Amuro Namie's retirement at the “SUNNY tsuyoi kimochi

Actress Shinohara Ryoko (45) attended the “SUNNY tsuyoi kimochi – tsuyoi ai” press event at the TOHO Cinemas in Hibiya.

When Amuro Namie was transitioning from a singer coming out of a an all-girl group to a solo career produced by Komuro Tetsuya (TK), Shinohara Ryoko had transitioned as a singer from the idol group, Tokyo Performance Doll and both were among the faces of what would become the TK Family, joining pop groups trf and globe.

As one of the first solo artists to become part of the TK family alongside Amuro Namie, then hitomi and Kahala Tomomi, Shinohara would churn out hit after hit in 1994-1995 with songs produced by TK such as “Itoshisa to Setsunasa to Kokoro Tsuyosa to” (theme from the “Street Fighter II animated film”), “Motto Motto…” and “Lady Generation”.

While her last single was back in 2003, since focusing on acting, Shinohara has done very well. Winning the Television Drama Academy Award for “Best Actress” five times and for “Best Supporting Actress” twice.

When asked about Amuro Namie’s retirement, Shinohara said:

“When I started focusing on my career as an actress, I saw Amuro at the Supermarket”. Amuro said, “Ryoko-san, Ryoko-san, I support you.”.

“I felt that I wanted to try and do my best after we communicated.”

“I hope that one day, she will make songs again at some opportunity in time.”

When asked if she wants to sing again, Shinohara said, “I think that I would want to sing again but when that would happen, I don’t know”.