Onyanko Club’s Kokusho, Nitta plan new unit

Sayuri Kokusho (43) and Eri Nitta (42) made a surprise appearance at a club in Yurakucho on Friday night. The two took the stage to perform a duet together, and they also announced their intention to form a new group.

Kokusho and Nitta were both original members of the idol group Onyanko Club during the mid-’80s. They were considered two of the top members, though at the time there seemed to be discord between them as fans (and even other group members) were divided into a “Kokusho group” and a “Nitta group.” However, when 11 of the Onyanko Club members got together this past January for a coffee commercial, Kokusho and Nitta apparently resolved their differences, roughly 25 years after their time together in Onyanko Club. Reporters asked Nitta why their relationship had been so bad before, but Nitta clarified, “It wasn’t bad. It just wasn’t good.”

Finally on good terms, the two performed a duet of the Onyanko Club classic “Sailor Fuku wo Nugasanaide” at the club on Friday, in front of a surprised but enthusiastic crowd. Kokusho and Nitta then revealed that they are planning to create a new group together. Nitta said that they want to launch it around this fall and are looking for members. However, details such as the group’s name or the intended record label are still unknown.

Kokusho acknowledged that they are riding the wave of AKB48′s popularity, but reminded everyone that Onyanko Club pioneered the large idol group formula. In fact, AKB48 producer Yasushi Akimoto (54) was one of the producers involved with Onyanko Club. (He also married member Mamiko Takai in 1988.)

Kokusho’s boyfriend, consulting company president Eiji Koda (36), was also present on Friday. Kokusho has previously denied talk of the two getting married this year. However, at the event, Koda openly declared that he is ready for marriage anytime, but he has tentatively decided on Valentine’s Day 2011 for their wedding date.

Source:
Sankei Sports