Naoko's early life was marked by a series of international moves, commencing with her birth in Nagoya, Japan, before her family relocated to New York when she was just four years old. This transatlantic experience was followed by a return to Japan, only for Naoko to make another significant move at the age of 12, this time to London.
As a teenager, Naoko discovered her passion for singing and began taking lessons. Her talent was soon recognized, and at 17, she was cast in the lead role of Kim in the West End musical "Miss Saigon". This marked the beginning of her career in the entertainment industry, with Naoko going on to share the stage with renowned actor John Barrowman. The two would later collaborate again in the popular TV science-fiction series "Torchwood".
Naoko's television career has been equally impressive, with notable roles in "Absolutely Fabulous" as Julia Sawalha's studious friend Sarah, the hospital reception in "Casualty", and Yoko Ono in "Lennon Naked". In 2006, she returned to the London musical stage to play the role of Christmas Eve in "Avenue Q". This was followed by a big-screen appearance in 2015, as ill-fated mountaineer Yasuko Namba, in the ensemble cast of the disaster film "Everest".
