Seven Songstresses in the Bund of Shanghai

Japanese actress and singer Yoshiko Otaka, also known as Li Xianglan (Feb 12, 1920 – Sept 7, 2014). File photo

5. Li Xianglan (Feb 12, 1920 – Sept 7, 2014)

Yoshiko Otaka was born Yoshiko Yamaguchi to Japanese parents who were settlers in Northeast China. At an early age, she was given the Chinese name Li Xianglan by a Chinese godfather who had become a family friend. She also took singing lessons from a Russian expatriate. When a local radio show called for a Chinese girl who could read music and speak Japanese, she was about the only one who fit the description－except that she was a Japanese girl who could speak authentic Chinese.

Her film career was launched at Manchuria Film Production as it made propaganda films that promoted Japan's national policy. She rose to stardom and was named "Japan-Manchuria Goodwill Ambassadress". The 1940 film China Nights, or Shanghai Nights, was highly controversial: Li portrayed a Chinese girl who was mistreated by a Japanese man, but nonetheless fell in love with him and reacted with kindness. She was criticized by Chinese audiences for debasing Chinese women.

Songstress Li Xianglan dies at 94	Actress stuck in nations' conflict