entertainment

Mao Asada reclaims top spot in image survey

31 Comments

Figure skater Mao Asada holds the No. 1 spot in terms of popularity, recognition and image, according to Video Research Ltd, which has published the findings of its Celebrity Image Survey.

The company, which specializes in TV audience ratings research, published a similar survey in August of last year in which Asada came second. This year she climbs to the No. 1 spot for the first time in two years. Yuki Amami dropped a spot to No. 2 on the list. Dreams Come True, otherwise known as Miwa Yoshida, holds on to the No. 3 spot, which she now shares with Becky who has climbed one place after coming fourth last year.

Here are the top 10.

  1. Mao Asada
  2. Yuki Amami
  3. Becky
  4. Dreams Come True
  5. Miho Kanno
  6. Haruka Ayase
  7. Nanako Matsushima
  8. Aya Ueto
  9. Sayuri Yoshinaga
  10. Yukie Nakama
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31 Comments
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And who the hell cares is light of the last two weeks. Odd Mao gets higher ratings after losing, Go figure Japan.

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Is it me, or does she have some kind of squint? Her eyes always seem to be ever-so-slightly off-kilter.

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Someone actually calls themselves "Dreams Come True" jeez there are some strange o twits about !!!

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Where's Masami Nagasawa!

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Ivan, I think she does have a squint too. I would have rather seen Miki in that spot, she didn't even make the Top 1o. I wonder why?

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"Dreams Come True, otherwise known as Miwa Yoshida"

This is dumb, Yoshida is the lead singer of this band. It's like saying "The Rolling Stones, otherwise known as Mick Jagger."

I can't believe Erika Sawajiri didn't make the list.

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exportexpert, it's a name of a band, not "someone." You should listen to their music sometime. Miwa is an amazing singer.

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Ivan, Foxie,

I don't think it's a squint. I actually think she's slightly cross-eyed.

And why are they all women?

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Mao Chan is the best!. Why don't you negative people out there try to be a little positive and see that Mao brings hope to all people of Japan. She is a hard worker, kind, honest, never says anything negative about other skaters and never gives up in her skating. The people of Japan and especially those hit hard by the last two weeks of events need a role model like MAO CHAN!!! :)))

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How did Haruka and Aya made the list? And why is Satomi Ishihara missing? Japanese finest. but just another not worth mentioning poll

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I agree OsakaT, Mao-chan's strong positiveness explains her popularity.

One of my HS classmate had a slight cross-eye like Mao-chan. And when you're talking to her, you can't quite tell if she's looking at you or somewhere else, but I think it adds to their charm.

Some famous people with eyes like that off the top of my head -- Nao Matsushita who stars in the CSI-type J-drama "Control", and Ayaka Hirahara who is famous for the song "Jupiter" (The song has been playing on radio lately).

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I still think her eyes make her very kawaii, never mind her skating skill.

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There is a Japanese word, 'ronpari' (meaning 'London-Paris') used to describe the slightly skewed focal point described by Ivan et al.

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A positive role model for youths. Love ya, Mao-chan.

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i agree with most of the list. i really like becky as well, i remember her when she first debuted and her personality hasnt changed a bit since all those years ago. for some reason, foreigners dont seem to like her, but i doubt she cares. lol

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Her first name is Mao. It is more Chinese than Japanese. Is she 100% Japanese?

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She is a pretty woman, but definitely cross eyed. The brain has a way of dealing with that so she can skate beautifully.

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I'll nominate arashi for worst on my list. Those guys are on every single ad and every TV show I see on TV. Johnny doesn't seem to care about overexposure.

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how did one of the kanno sisters make it on the ?!?! :)

Moderator: Wrong Kanno.

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this "image survey" is really a "pressure is on list"

Mao is the position to perform at her best and not make excuses. =pressure is on! Of course that would mean Miki Ando should be on this list also. But sometimes life is unfair and you must take full responsibility for everyone involved.

People should not be giving out excuses to Mao now (eyes-crossed etc). They should be saying you are gonna win -right? I got money on you Mao -don't let me down.

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She is definitely cross eyed. A better choice would have been actress Koyuki known for her low key transparency beauty, be it in cosmetic or a TV commercial with her sense of presence and charm. She has beauty embodying the modesty of standard Japanese beauty.

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This list is absolutely awful, and if it were a genuine display of the talent of the nation than this nation should be ashamed.

Foxie: "I would have rather seen Miki in that spot, she didn't even make the Top 1o. I wonder why?"

Because the J-media chooses a hero beforehand and regardless of how poor the performance ends up being they do not stray from said person, and people who actually do a lot better (like Ando) seem like footnotes in comparison. Look at Ishikawa, who failed yet again to make the cut, or look at Fukuhara, who ALWAYS fails to make the cut. Or even at Honda, who one MVP in the Asian Cup for doing absolutely nothing but consistently missing the net.

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@smithinjapan: Thanks for your explanation, I truly learned a lot today. I think that was my failure too, not being a failure.

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During the Olympics in Vancouver, Mao-chan was simply the only face you ever saw on TV in Japan. @smithinjapan absolutely has it nailed. She has been courted since she was a kid. It is truly unfortunate that Mao also gets all the ink, all the visuals and all the space at the expense of all of the others in the public eye. All we can do is change the channel, wait five minutes, and change it again. I'm not hating on her at all. Facts are facts.

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The earthquake has been devastating for Becky and Toyota Boy.

They have not been on every TV show and commercial for more than a week.

The public may have forgotten them already. Thats fame for you.

As for recognisablity - Haruka Ayase is the only one I could recognise in the dark.

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Again, why all women? Or is there a separate list for men?

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Thank god this info came out. I can now resume my life normally. Becky? Come on folks geez....

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This is dumb, Yoshida is the lead singer of this band. It's like saying "The Rolling Stones, otherwise known as Mick Jagger."

LOL! Sarge, you kill me! I still cant stop laughing!!

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smithinjapan has nailed it perfectly.

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Yowza... I can't believe I wrote 'one' instead of 'won'. Horrible mistake. That aside, I stick by what I said... the media chooses a 'golden boy' (or girl) and sticks by them, or conveniently forgets them later. Look at Murakami the figure skater; is she complimented on her performance? No... she's called 'mini-Mao' despite Asada not being half as good or having half the confidence or grace Murakami does.

Seriously, never have I had to hit mute on my TV so many times as I have in this nation.

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Smith, you're probably right in saying these audience ratings are more biased because fame and newsworthiness all decided by the media. A survey by a newspaper publisher might give a more accurate picture of public opinion.

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