Born in Osaka, Hayashi Asuca aspired to be a singer from a young age. Shortly before her 12th birthday, her piano teacher recorded her singing on tape during a lesson. Within a year, this demo would make her dream come true: only thirteen years old, she signed a major contract with Toshiba EMI.
The simultaneous release of her first single ake-kaze in Japan and Taiwan was so successful that her following album, Koe, released just two months later, found its way to stores in Japan, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and China. Perhaps the internationally best-known song from the album is Chiisaki Mono; it was used as opening theme for the sixth Pokemon movie "Nanayo no Negai Boshi." The English version, which was recorded in cooperation with Cindy Mizelle, an American singer who has collaborated with many famous contemporary artists, was only slightly modified.
She remained busy throughout 2003, with the release of three singles including Tsubame ni naritai, which debuted in December 2003. The single was recorded with the help of Chinese musician Chen Min, who plays the erhu, a Chinese violin. Asuca finished out the year with several events throughout Japan and a solo concert in the Roppongi Hills Arena.
In 2004, Asuca started out strong after winning the "New Artist of the Year Award" at the 18th Japan Gold Disc Awards in March. She released three singles over the course of the year and toured steadily from February onwards. On May 30, she performed at Pokemon Space Party Event Flow in Houston, Texas. Returning to Japan soon thereafter, Asuca hit the road again and toured through the summer.
Asuca kicked off 2005 with the event Dream Live 2005, and played about twice a month through the rest of the year. By December, she released her next album, Chou, which was self produced. On January 15, 2006, Asuca performed at the event The Dream Magic, one of seven events she performed at that spring. Her last show was on April 15 at Shitennoji venue in Osaka.
Shortly after the release of her 2007 single Kokoro no Mama ni on March 21, Asuca announced her intentions to take a small break from music, and in 2008 began to study abroad in Taiwan. She intends to return to Japan in May 2009.
