- Source: Emiko Kaminuma
Emiko Kaminuma (上沼 恵美子, Kaminuma Emiko, born 13 April 1955, in Fukura (now Minamiawaji), Mihara District, Hyōgo) is a Japanese comedian, singer, television presenter, YouTuber, and radio personality. Her maiden name is Hashimoto (橋本). Kaminuma is one of the leading broadcast personalities in the Kansai region. She has often appeared in Kansai local programs, and has garnered high ratings since the late 1990s.
She is married with two children. Kaminuma's husband is Shinpei Kaminuma, a Kansai Telecasting Corporation (KTV) television director, producer, executive director, and production director, as well as Media Pulpo (KTV's subsidiary) representative director and chairman. Kaminuma is represented by her agency, Kaminuma Jimusho. She dropped out of Empire Girls High School Owada School (now Osaka International Waseda High School).
Early Career as Senri Unabara
Kaminuma, then Emiko Hashimoto, debuted with her sister Momoko in 1971 as the manzai duo Unabara Senri・Mari. As disciples of the popular manzai duo Unabara Ohama Kohama, Emiko was named Senri Unabara and the boke of the duo, while her sister Momoko was given the name Mari Unabara and had the role of tsukkomi. The duo made many appearances on television, with regular appearances on Star Manzai Championship (スター漫才選手権, MBS).
The duo also had a successful music career. In 1973, they released their debut single Osananajimi de Onaidoshi (幼なじみでおないどし) under Teichiku Records, written by the poet Yoko Shimada. However, after a move to Victor in 1976, the duo released the single Osaka Rhapsody (大阪ラプソディー), ranking #24 on the Oricon Singles Chart.
In May 1977, Senri/Emiko announced she was marrying Shinpei Kaminuma and retiring from show business, effectively ending the duo with her sister.
However, in 1978, after the birth of her first son, she re-entered show business under her married name: Emiko Kaminuma.
Current appearances
From the end of September 2013 Kaminuma made regular appearances in her own television programs.