【佐良直美・キャッシー】「1人いけにえに出せば、ほかは助かる」――紅白の顔が、テレビから26年消えた理由

Naomi Sara, the singer of "The World is for Two" and "It's Okay If You're Happy," was a renowned vocalist. She appeared in the Kohaku Uta Gassen (NHK's annual New Year's Eve music show) for 13 consecutive years and held the Red Team hosting duties five times, the most in the show's history. On May 19, 1980, her name was called on daytime television, and that year, her name disappeared from Kohaku. In 2010, she released a new song after a 27-year hiatus. Now, at 80 years old, she feeds stray dogs in the mountains of Tochigi Prefecture. She never intended to become a singer. She wanted to work behind the scenes in television. In 1969, at the age of 24, she won the Japan Record Award. On the night of the award, her face, holding back tears, was shown on television. On May 19, 1980, Cathy, appearing on the "Afternoon Show," tearfully mentioned Sara's name, saying they were husband and wife. Sara's response, through her agency, was just one word: "It's a complete fabrication." That December, her name, which had been on the list of performers for 13 years, was gone from the Kohaku Uta Gassen (Red and White Song Contest). However, for the next three years, Ms. Sara continued to appear in dramas. She truly disappeared after those three years. In 1987, she underwent surgery for vocal cord polyps. She began helping out at the company founded by her grandfather, buying a commuter pass and going there Monday through Friday. For 18 years. In 1993, she moved to Nasushiobara, Tochigi Prefecture. She opened a dog training school and took in abandoned dogs and cats. In 2010, urged by an acquaintance, she released a new song for the first time in 27 years. She intended to use the name of her pet dog. Fukuko Ishii told her, "Release it under the name Naomi Sara." In the same year, Ms. Sara spoke for the first time in her own words about what happened 30 years ago. "Sacrifice," "If you sacrifice one person, the others will be saved." And now, in 2023, at the age of 78. Every morning at 8 AM and every afternoon at 2 PM, she drives into the mountains, leaves food for the stray dogs that never come near her, and returns home. "This is the last big job of my life." [Contents of this video] January 10, 1945, Tokyo – Naoko Kawada. Her parents divorced, and she was adopted by her grandparents. Three Names Horse riding in elementary school — "When a bigger animal shows its strength, smaller and weaker ones cower." "Am I doing the same thing to animals smaller than myself?" A child who couldn't even take normal photographs without animals. At age 16, studied under jazz singer Sanae Mizushima — but still had no intention of becoming a singer. Aspired to work behind the scenes in television — but Fuji Television didn't hire female directors. 1967: "The World is for Two" sold 1.2 million copies — appeared on Kohaku Uta Gassen in her debut year. 1969: "Isn't It Okay If You're Happy" won the 11th Japan Record Award, age 24. The night of the award — "Her expression, holding back tears, was a stark contrast to her usual boyish and cool image." 13 consecutive years on Kohaku Uta Gassen, hosting the Red Team 5 times — tied with Tetsuko Kuroyanagi for the most in history. 1971: Became independent at age 26. Established a company under her own name. In the fall of 1979, a woman began living alone in a house in Setagaya. May 19, 1980, the afternoon show "Afternoon Show"—Cathy's tears. "We were husband and wife," "I was bullied by my parents who hated foreigners." Sara's response— "It's a complete fabrication." The letter was a fake, too. • Another story told by a friend: "If you don't pay 30 million yen, I'll expose you." • December 1980, Kohaku Uta Gassen participant list: A name that had been there for 13 years was gone. • After the storm: A story from when Cathy was staying at Ishii Fukuko's house. • "Sara wasn't angry," "She came to visit." • "She would get into a cardboard box": To avoid being seen by reporters. • Daily phone calls even after moving to Hawaii: It was Cathy who announced the end. • Three years during which she was said to have disappeared: 1981 "Deai," 1982 "Ohayo 24-jikan," 1983 "Deai Meguriai." • September 21, 1983 "YASUKO no Baai": The last record of the Showa era. • 1978, the death of her mentor, Mizushima Sanae: "A compass for singing jazz." • 1986 "The World of Pastel Jazz": A cassette tape, just for my teacher. 1987, vocal cord polyps — "I can't sing at night working 9 to 5." Bought a commuter pass, Monday to Friday. 18 years. 1992, the day my cat wouldn't move from my stomach — early detection of ovarian cancer. "They keep me alive." 1993, to Nasushiobara — Animal Fancyers Club. 30 stray dogs in one year 2003, NHK Radio - "That's enough" 2010, first new song in 27 years, "Shade of Life" - Lyrics by Keisuke Yamakawa "I was going to release it under the dog's name" - "Release it under Naomi Sara's name" (Fukuko Ishii) In the same year, she spoke for the first time abou...