Akiko Wada's singing career turns 40 this year, and to commemorate the occasion, Fuji TV has announced a drama special titled "Wada Akiko Monogatari" that will illustrate her life. The role of Wada is being played by 26-year-old Akiko Chubachi, who was the second runner-up in the 2007 Miss Universe Japan competition.

The drama is adapted from Wada's 1993 autobiography "5-nenme no High Heels." The script is being handled by Masaki Fukasawa, who has had writing credits on popular dramas such as "Aibou" and "Kindaichi Shonen no Jikenbo." It will cover Wada's life from her youth up until her winning of the Japan Record Award with the 1972 single "Ano Kane wo Narasu no wa Anata."

Chubachi was chosen for the role partly because of her height, as she is just as tall as Wada at 173cm. Sankei Sports has a picture of her here, along with an imitation of the original "Ano Kane wo Narasu no wa Anata" cover.

Filming is scheduled to begin soon and is projected to finish in time for broadcast sometime next month. Other cast members include Pinko Izumi and Masachika Ichimura.

Earlier this month, it was announced that Wada will perform her first overseas concert at the Apollo Theater in New York this September.