Ai Otsuka (大塚愛), nicknamed LOVE (愛) or Ai-Chan, is a Japanese singer born in Osaka, Osaka Prefecture, Japan on September 9, 1982. She was part of the group HimawaRi from 2000 to 2003. Her debut solo album LOVE PUNCH was released in March 2004. Her second album, LOVE JAM, was released only 8 months after her first in November 2004. Her first tour, JAM PUNCH Tour 2005, began on April 24, 2005 and ended in June 2005. LOVE COOK, her 3rd album was released on December 14, 2005. On June 25th, 2010, it was announced on her official site that she got married to SU of the band RIP SLYME. On March 24, 2011, Otsuka gave birth to a healthy baby girl. She came back in 2012 while announcing a [LOVE IS BORN] ~9th Anniversary 2012~ concert in September. Then, she announced a new musical project, a band named Rabbit (バンド). Their debut album Rabito was released December 12, 2012.
In other works, Otsuka has acted in the Tokyo Friends drama. She also has a radio show called "Otsuka Ai ai-r Jack" and has appeared in various CMs. Furthermore, Otsuka pens column in two Japanese magazines; "Love Column" in Zipper and "Love World ~ Eye Love Pictures" in B-Pass. "Kimi Iro Omoi", Otsuka's first photobook, was released on March 1st, 2005. A talented graphic artist as well, the first pressings of her albums and some singles have included a limited edition picture book illustrated by Otsuka herself.
