Tetsuko Kuroyanagi---The Reflection of Television and Women of Our Time--1974

Tetsuko Kuroyanagi---The Reflection of Television and Women of Our Time--1974

Tetsuko Kuroyanagi became a symbol of television culture in Japan in the 1970s with her diverse activities as an actress and TV personality. She has become a familiar face in the TV industry with her solid acting skills as a stage actress and her light-hearted talk. In particular, "Tetsuko's Room" (started in 1976), which she hosted, is a long-running program that continues to this day and can be considered the "face" of television culture.

The 1970s was a time of rapid economic growth and the spread of color televisions in households. Television became not only entertainment, but also the largest medium for sharing information, and entertainers became connected to the entire nation through the living room of the home. Kuroyanagi most vividly embodied this new role of "TV celebrity," attracting attention with his ability to move freely between drama, hosting, talk show, and variety.

Kuroyanagi was also recognized early on for her international activities, beginning as a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador in the late 1970s, and later traveling to countries in Asia and Africa to convey the importance of education and medical aid. Her appearance transcended the boundaries of the entertainment industry and strongly impressed society with her aspects as a cultural figure and social activist. While opportunities for women to speak out publicly were limited in postwar Japan, Kuroyanagi was a pioneer in paving the way for women to connect with society through the entertainment industry.

In the same era, many of the pioneering stars of television appeared one after another, but Tetsuko Kuroyanagi was not merely a popular figure among them; she became a symbol of women's independence and international cooperation. Her diverse activities left a symbolic mark in the cultural history of the 1970s, reflecting the "era of television and women.