Singer Kenichi Mikawa (78) appeared on Tetsuko Kuroyanagi's long-running talk show "Tetsuko's Room" (TV Asahi) broadcast on May 12. Mikawa, who celebrated his 60th year as a singer in June last year, talked about what led him to become a singer and his private life.
When she was two years old, her biological mother got tuberculosis, and she was raised by her mother's older sister and her husband. When she was in the early grades of elementary school, her stepfather died of a cerebral hemorrhage, and she witnessed the hardships of her stepmother working desperately to repay the debt. She became a celebrity because she wanted to make life easier for her adoptive parents.
"I got into the entertainment industry for the money. It may be insensitive, but I just thought money, money, money. That's how I was able to work hard. I had to take care of my two mothers. It was difficult to have a lot to carry," she recalled.
On this day, Mikawa appeared in a sparkling blue outfit. When Tetsuko asked her about her private life, she revealed, "I don't exercise, but I do stretch. Like tapping my feet. What I do to stay healthy is my diet. I like vegetables, so I eat them first. I eat fish every day. I have breakfast (made by the staff) brought to my bed and eat it."
She says there's no need to be depressed, saying firmly, "There's no point in feeling depressed. Live positively and cut out the things that don't bother you."
Finally, Mikawa said, "I want to sing if I can sing until I'm 100 years old. Of course..." Tetsuko responded to her, "Why don't you sing? Sing," to which Mikawa replied, "Of course I want to sing. I'll try my best." She and Tetsuko vowed to each other, "Let's live tenaciously. Let's try our best."
