| Haruo Oka | |
|---|---|
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Tatsuo Sasaki |
| Born | January 12, 1916 Chiba Prefecture, Japan |
| Died | May 19, 1970 (aged 54) |
| Genres | Ryūkōka |
| Occupations | Singer |
| Years active | 1939–1970 |
| Labels | King Records |
Haruo Oka (岡晴夫 Oka Haruo, January 12, 1916 in Kisarazu, Chiba prefecture – May 19, 1970) born as Tatsuo Sasaki was a Japanese popular music (ryūkōka) singer.
He studied music as enka-shi or a street musician. At that time, he was encouraged by Taro Shoji in Ginza. He signed with King Records in 1938. He debuted with song "Kokkyō no Haru" (国境の春, lit. "Spring at the Border") in 1939. He married with Kiyoko Okuda in 1940. In 1944 during the Pacific War, he was dispatched to Ambon Island, but soon returned due to sickness.[1]
After the war, his popularity grew up and was starred at the movie "Akogare no Hawaii kōro", in which Hibari Misora also appeared. However, he had never attended the Kohaku Uta Gassen partly because he attached importance to live performances.[2]