Namihira Akio was a Japanese singer known for his wartime songs. His real name was Namihira Yoshihiro (波平惠弘).

He was born in Hirara, Okinawa, Japan. He attended the Kanto State Dai-Ren Second Junior High School but transferred to Miyako Junior High School to prepare for entrance exams to a music school, graduating in 1933. He then enrolled in the Vocal Music Department of the Tokyo Music School and graduated in 1938, further advancing to the graduate school of the same institution.

In 1941, while still in graduate school, he debuted with his real name under Polydor Records. After graduating from graduate school in the same year, he signed an exclusive contract with Columbia Records in August 1942.

His contract with Columbia Records was terminated at the end of the war. Due to the criticism of those involved in wartime songs as war collaborators, he did not actively engage in music for about six years. He struggled financially, even running a bar, and eventually divorced his first wife. Around 1951, he started to become more active, and in 1953, he participated in the movie "Himeyuri no Tou" as an arranger. After the war, he focused on Okinawan songs. He joined NHK and was involved in business in Okinawa, serving as the director of the Miyako Broadcasting Station at the Okinawa Broadcasting Association for a short period before resigning.

After remarrying in 1970, he lived with his second wife on weekends and opened a music school to train future generations and research Okinawan old songs.

In 1983, while singing at a relative's wedding reception, he collapsed due to a myocardial infarction and passed away at the age of 67.

(Source: Japanese = Wikipedia || Translation = kisskh) Edit Biography