Marriages are always surrounded by many baseless and stereotypical beliefs. A very prevalent one is age. While it is widely accepted to marry a man older than a woman, it is despised when a woman is older than their husband. Here are some strong women who broke this stereotype:
1. Rinko Kikuchi
She is known for being the first actress ever to be nominated for an Academy Award in 50 years for her work in Babel. She has starred in many hit films like Pacific Rim, Pacific Rim: Uprising, Norwegian Wood, as well as the American crime series Tokyo Vice. The 41-year-old actress married 29-year-old Japanese actor Shōta Sometani in 2014, and they have two children.
2. Ayumi Hamasaki
This legendary singer is also an actress, songwriter, record producer, model, spokesperson, and entrepreneur. The 48-year-old started her career in 1978. She debuted with Poker Face in 1995. Often dubbed the "Empress of pop," she married 38-year-old Tyson Hodkin in 2012 and divorced in 2016. The two had an age gap of 10 years.
3. Koyuki
Katō Koyuki is a Japanese actress and model. She rose to fame with the drama Kimi wa petto and hit films The Last Samurai, Pulse, Kamui Gaiden, and Blood: The last vampire. She was a nominee for the Japanese Academy Prize for Best Actress. The 45-year-old married 37-year-old Kenichi Matsuya, whom she co-starred with in Kamui Gaiden. The two got married in 2011 and have three children.
4. Minako Tanaka
Minako Tanaka is a 55-year-old Japanese actress, model, and animal activist. She acted in numerous series like “Peaceful Death,” “I’ll never love anyone,” and “Nemuranai Machi: Shinjuku Same” and has released several albums, namely, Gimmick, Roll On, and I don’t love you anymore. She married Taro Okada, a 48-year-old actor, and they have a 7-year age gap.
5. Chara
Miwa Watabaki is a Japanese singer, video jockey, and actress who debuted in 1991. The musical genius started learning instruments at the age of four and song composing in her elementary school. She received the name “Chara” as a nickname from her school teacher and is known for her song Swallowtail Butterfly. The 54-year-old married Tadabuno Asano, a 48-year-old Japanese actor, in 1995. The two have a 6-year age gap.
6. Rie Miyazawa
Rie Miyazawa, recognized as one of the top actresses in Japan, is an actress and former teen idol. She debuted as a child actress in a Kit Kat advertisement. She has won six Japan Academy Film Prizes and three Kinema Junpo Awards. The 49-year-old actress married her ex-husband, Go Morita, in 2016.
7. Kurara Chibana
Kurara Chibana, the 2006 Miss Universe Japan and first runner-up of Miss Universe 2006 is a Japanese model, actor, and humanitarian. She received the 2006 title of "Sexiest Woman Alive." In 2017, the 40-year-old diva wed Ryuji Kamiyama, who was her longtime love. The 35-year-old vocalist was a member of the Run&Gun boy band.
8. Sayo Aizawa
She is a Japanese model and TV personality. Sayo became a model at 19, after graduating from high school. Since then, she has appeared in numerous dramas and advertisements. She married baseball player Hiroyuki Nakajima in 2015. Sayo, born in 1978, has a 4-year-old age gap wither her husband.
9. Kyôko Koizumi
Kyōko Koizumi is one of the most famous idols in Japan. She is a singer and actress. The singer released her first single in 1982 and sold millions of copies. She also acted in many iconic Japanese movies, like Bayside Shakedown: The Movie and Onmyoji. She married Japanese actor Masatoshi Nagase in 1995. They got divorced in 2004.
10. Sayuri Yoshinaga
Known as “One of the most foremost in the postwar world of films,” Sayuri Yoshinaga is a Japanese actress and activist. She has won four Japanese Academy best actress awards and has been one of the very popular actresses in Japan since the 1960s. The 77-year-old married Taro Okada in 1973.
