Rikako Kakiuchi, born on July 31, 1980, in Higashiōsaka, Osaka, Japan, is a
Japanese singer and songwriter. After spending her high school years working as
a model, she won the first season of the Super Starlight Contest, in 1999,
securing a recording contract with Giza Studio. In March 2000, Kakiuchi debuted
as Rina Aiuchi with her first single "Close to Your Heart," the theme song for
the Japanese animated TV series Monster Rancher. The single saw moderate
success, reaching number 19 on the Oricon charts. Her eurobeat-inspired debut
album, Be Happyt (2001), was certified gold i...