Akiko Echigo^[1] (Japanese: 越後 亜紀子, Hepburn: Echigo Akiko, 10 August 1953 – 30 March 2021), known by the stage names Junko Asahina (朝比奈 順子, Asahina Junko), Jun Kobayakawa (小早川 純, Kobayakawa Jun), and Yuki Kobayakawa (小早川 有希, Kobayakawa Yuki) was a Japanese actress and singer. Originally a musumeyaku at the Takarazuka Revue, she had a struggling career as a television actress and idol singer, and after spending a few years acting in Nikkatsu's Roman Porno pink films, became popular in supporting roles.

Akiko Echigo was born on 10 August 1953 in Shibuya.^[1] Her father and mother were natives of Akita Prefecture and Chiba Prefecture (respectively), and her grandfather was Russian.^[2] She was educated at Takarazuka Music School,^[3] entering the school in 1969.^[4]

In 1971, she joined the Takarazuka Revue; her stage name at Takarazuka was Yuki Kobayakawa and she was a musumeyaku.^[3] At the time she joined the Revue, she was ranked 52nd out of 55 members of the 57th class.^[5] In 1972, she made her debut in the Flower Troupe [ja] production "Hana wa Chiruchiru/Joy!".^[5] On 30 October 1972,^[5] she left the Takarazuka Revue at the age of 19,^[6] and made her debut as an actress the same year under the alias Jun Kobayakawa.^[3] Although her career started struggling afterwards, she appeared in television series like Mirrorman, Playgirl, Ultraman Ace, Akai Kutsu  [ja], and Tokubetsu Kidō Sōsatai  [ja].^[3] Outside of acting, she spent time working at a lingerie store in Aoyama, Tokyo.^[1]

She also had a short-lived idol career where she released three singles under the name Junko Asahina, with her debut being "Ren'ai Gakkō" (1974), and made some appearances in Japanese music shows.^[3] Film critic Naofumi Higuchi [ja] said that the reason her career failed was because "pop music [was] lively [at the time] and there were tons of beautiful idols, so she didn't stand out at all".^[3] In 1986, she returned to music with another single from Polydor Records, "Futari no Ai/Hitorijime", performing with Takashi Shinjō and F.M.G.^[7]

From 1981 to 1984, she had a brief career in Nikkatsu's Roman Porno pink films, appearing in films like Female Teacher's Awakening, I Like It From Behind, Female New Employee: Five To Nine, and Pleasure In the Mirror, and having her own catchphrase "Porno Hatsudenjo" (ポルノ発電所, lt. "Porno Power Plant");^[3] she also received praise for "her beauty and courage".^[8] She later returned to acting in television series, including Seibu Keisatsu, Tokusō Saizensen, Mito Kōmon, Edo o Kiru, Meibugyō: Tōyama no Kinsan  [ja], Kasuga no Tsubone  [ja], as well as in the films Kōshoku Ichidai Otoko  [ja] (1982), Natsufuku no Eve  [ja] (1984), and Nidaime no Christian  [ja] (1985).^[8][1] Sports Hochi described her as a "unique supporting actress",^[8] with Higuchi saying that "while she mostly played supporting roles that added a touch of glamour, it is easy to understand why they wanted to invite such a bright, beautiful and dignified actress to the set.^[3] However, in the 2000s, her career became less frequent due to ill health.^[3]

Asahina was a close friend of fellow Roman Porno actress Yuki Kazamatsuri [ja], remaining so until Asahina's death.^[3]

Asahina died of multiple organ failure at a hospital in Tokyo on 30 March 2021.^[8][4] She was 67 years old.^[8] She never married.^[8] Despite her relatively minor acting career, news about her death appeared on "a surprisingly large number of media outlets".^[3] Higuchi said in a 2021 retrospective that "looking back at her in later years, Asahina was a very beautiful girl and acted with bravery, but she left a rather plain impression", and that she "once had a vivid image of lively and sexy".^[3]

As of 2002, Asahina lived in Yotsuya, Shinjuku.^[1]