Mega-producer Haruki Kadokawa is working on the debut of a new singer, a 25-year-old going by the name of ASUKA. She made her public debut on Monday, when it was announced that her first single, "Shirotsubaki Benitsubaki," will be released November 14.

Kadokawa has recruited some top talent for ASUKA's first song. While he will be producing the music video, famous photographer Kishin Shinoyama is in charge of the CD jacket, and the music is being created by lyricist Takashi Matsumoto and composers Tatsuro Mashiko and Satoshi Takebe.

The producer met the woman last year when she attended his guest lectures at Onomichi University. He happened to hear her sing at an event after the lectures, and he was immediately impressed.

Kadokawa was responsible for building up popular idols such as Hiroko Yakushimaru and Tomoyo Harada, but ASUKA is his first new artist of the 21st century.