Rimi Natsukawa was born in Ishigaki City in Okinawa Prefecture, Japan. Rimi debuted in 1999 with her single Yuubaeni Yurete. In 2001, her third single Nada Sou Sou became a tr endous success: the song remained on Japanese music charts for 116 consecutive weeks. In 2002, Rimi performed for the first of five consecutive years on Kohaku Uta Gassen, the acclaimed New Year’s Eve television special that features the year’s best-loved musicians. 2002 was an exciting year for Rimi overall as she also claimed The Japan Record Awards prize for Best Singer. In 2006, Rimi sang a duet in Spanish with Andrea Bocelli for his album Amore. The song is titled "Somos Novios" (It’s Impossible). Through 2008, Rimi performed on tour in Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Shanghai. Her popularity grew in other Asian countries as well. Rimi welcomed her first child, a baby boy, in 2010. A year later, she released a new album entitled Nuchinugui Mimigusui, the concept behind which is to dedicate her love of music to all children and those yet to be born. Also in 2011, Rimi released the single Asu To Iu Higa and appeared on Kohaku Uta Gassen for her sixth time. In 2012, Rimi released a best-of album entitled Best Songs and in 2013 she featured as a guest vocalist to Sergio Mendez on his new album Rendez-Vouz. Rimi’s voice is popular with both men and women and attracts enthusiastic listeners across all age groups.