Singer, Television, Personality, Author and Professor

Agnes Chan was born in Hong Kong and started her singing career when she was fourteen years old. Her single “The Circle Game” was a smash hit and she became a household name not only in Hong Kong but in South East Asia over night. She debuted in Japan in 1972, and her first Japanese single “Hinageshi no Hana” also became a big hit and brought her to teen pop idol status with numerous musical awards. Since then, Agnes had released more than 100 records and CDs in Asia and Japan. After studying at Sophia University in Japan, she entered the University of Toronto and graduated with a degree in developmental psychology. In 1984, deemed the International Year of the Youth, she received the IYY award for an essay written about world peace.

1985 was a very memorable year for Agnes. Both her first charity concert in Beijing and then her volunteer work with the children in Ethiopia changed her life. After these experiences, even though her work as an entertainer was demanding, Agnes dedicated herself to charity and cultural activities. Agnes married her manager and producer, Tsutomu in 1986. In 1986 aside from her concerts, and regular guest appearances on TV and radio, Agnes began lecturing at universities. Agnes continued to work right up until her son’s birth. When Agnes brought her son to work , one of the biggest controversies in Japanese feminism history erupted. It was known a the “Agnes Controversy”. People argued about whether mothers should work. This controversy raised the public’s awareness to the plight of working mothers. It later hastened the implementation of legislation for equal gender rights in the work place and maternal leave. In the same year, the name “Agnes” was chosen as one of the Most Popular Names of the year award.

In 1989, Agnes entered the doctoral program in the School of Education at Stanford University. While studying for her Ph.D. in Education, Agnes launched her own line of children and women clothing called “Dear Agnes” . In 1990, she released a one hundred song collection of children’s songs. In 1991, her book “Shiawase nanoni, naze namida ga deruno? (Even though I’m happy, why am I crying)” became a best seller. In 1994, she received her doctoral degree of a Ph.D. in Education from Stanford University.

In 1997, Agnes witnessed the returning of Hong Kong to China and sang her hit song “Hong Kong, Hong Kong” at the memorial ceremony. Her live broadcast of this historical event, as well as other special programs, won high ratings and contributed to a better cultural understanding between the two countries.

Over the years, Agnes has released more than one hundred albums and CDs in several different languages. Agnes has more than 60 books published. The number of gold and platinum disks that she has received over the years shows that her thoughts and music have touched the hearts of many people throughout Asia.

In 1998, she was appointed to be the first ambassador for the committee of UNICEF Japan. She first mission to Thailand taught her about the situation of commercial and sexual exploitation of children. In 1999, she helped to lobby the law against child prostitution and pornography and won its passage in the diet. At the same year, Agnes went to Sudan, and studied about the situation of child soldiers. In 2000, she visited Timor in the mist of civil war. Agnes’ documentary programs on TV and radios helped raised funds and awareness to these problems. Since then Agnes had visited Cambodia, Moldova, Philippines, Iraq and Darfur for UNICEF. The committee for UNICEF in Japan becomes the number one fund raiser committee for UNICEF since 1999.

After her marriage, Agnes has concentrated on singing children’s songs and songs with a message. In 2000, Agnes was urged to sing love songs for the Japanese audience. Her single “Loving you is Killing me” sold more than 200 thousand copies and once again Agnes is on full swing as an entertainer with a new image. She won old and new fans, and is causing a new sensation with her sentimental love song. Agnes now releases one to two CDs per year in Japan.

Agnes’ genuine feeling that she must share her good fortunes with others made her special and endeared her to Asian fans. Agnes is not only a singer, but an author, a professor, an advocator for child’s rights, an opinion leader and a great TV personality. She is truly a multi-faceted women of the 21st century.