VOGUE JAPAN Women of the Year 2013: Nine Women Honored as This Year's Most Brilliant

Nine women were selected as recipients of the "VOGUE JAPAN Women of the Year 2013" award (Special Sponsor: LEXUS, Sponsor: NESPRESSO), honoring the most outstanding women across various fields this year: Kayoko Okubo, Kirin Kiki, Mami Sato, Suputniko!, Mitsu Dan, CHIHARU, Rira Fukushima, Hikari Mitsushima, and Kaoru Yachigusa.

Now in its ninth year, "VOGUE JAPAN Women of the Year" is selected by the fashion magazine VOGUE JAPAN (published by Condé Nast Japan) to honor "VOGUE women" who inspire readers through their style, way of life, and beauty, and who have achieved outstanding success in various fields.

At the awards ceremony held on November 26 at the Palace Hotel Tokyo in Chiyoda Ward, Editor-in-Chief Mitsuko Watanabe stated, "A common thread among the winners seems to be that they are 'women who possess a natural grace and a resilient strength,'" before presenting the trophies to the recipients.

The January issue of the magazine, released on the 28th, features interviews with the nine award winners alongside portraits photographed by Kishin Shinoyama.

"VOGUE JAPAN Women of the Year 2013" Winners
(From left) Sato, Suputniko!, Fukushima, Mitsushima, Yachigusa, Dan Mitsu, Okubo, CHIHARU, Kiki

Award Winner Profiles

■Kayoko Okubo (Talent)
With a 21-year career, she achieved a comeback in 2013 with her "meat-loving mature woman" persona and is now a popular talent with numerous regular TV shows. She continues to expand her activities through stage performances and TV dramas.

■Ms. Kirin Kiki (Actress)
Won the Best Actress Award at the 36th Japan Academy Film Prize in March 2013. Also starred in the film "Like Father, Like Son," which won the Jury Prize at the 66th Cannes Film Festival, earning high acclaim both domestically and internationally.

■Satō Manami (Athlete)
She won a bronze medal at the International Paralympic Committee World Championships in Athletics held in July 2013. In September, she contributed to the bid by delivering a speech as a presenter for the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Bid Committee.

■Sputniko! (Artist)
Based in London and Tokyo, she creates music and video works, gaining attention for her art pieces centered on technology. In the fall of 2013, she was appointed Assistant Professor at the prestigious Massachusetts Institute of Technology Media Lab.

■Dan Mitsu (Talent)
Active as a gravure idol, she has appeared on numerous TV programs, drawing attention for her alluring appearance and unique conversational style. She also appeared in several TV dramas and films in 2013, generating significant buzz.

■Chiharu (Model)
After debuting as a model at age 17, she rose to prominence in 2012 when she was selected as an exclusive model for Balenciaga. During the Spring/Summer 2014 collections, she appeared in shows for 45 fashion houses, establishing herself as the most globally recognized Japanese model.

■Rira Fukushima (Model, Actress)
She has made her presence felt in the fashion and art scenes both domestically and internationally, primarily active in magazines and advertisements. In the summer of 2013, she made her acting debut playing a main cast member who left a vivid impression in the Hollywood film "The Wolverine".

■Hikari Mitsushima (Actress)
Her performances in numerous films have been highly acclaimed, earning her many awards. In 2013, she portrayed various "women" and "mothers" in the drama "Women," the film "The End of Summer," and the stage play "The Cat Who Lived a Million Times."

■Kaoru Yachigusa (Actress)
After shining as a top star in Takarazuka, she has appeared in numerous films, dramas, and stage productions, winning many awards as a truly representative Japanese actress. In 2013, she starred in a popular drama and the currently showing film "Don't Give Up."