Kazuko Hosoki

Hosoki began managing Tokyo clubs and coffee shops while still a teenager, eventually running up debts to Japanese organized crime members.^[6] In 1983, she married influential Japanese power broker Masahiro Yasuoka, who died that same year.^[6]

Hosoki appeared frequently on the original Iron Chef, where she served as one of the four celebrity judges that would determine the outcome of each match.^[7] She was often seen stating her opinions very strongly on Japanese TV shows.^[8][9] Some of her views may be taken as conservative.^[10] She had repeatedly made very traditionalist statements on women in the family, stating that a woman's main function should be to support her husband's career.^[10] She also endorsed the controversial visits made by Japan’s Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi to Yasukuni Shrine.^{[citation needed]}

Hosoki's celebrity fans include sumo wrestling yokozuna (grand champion) Asashōryū.^[10] They appeared together on TV specials and Asashōryū once rented her white Rolls-Royce.^{[citation needed]} She maintained a residence in Arashiyama, Kyoto City.^{[citation needed]}