19 Facts About Ai Iijima

Ai Iijima was a Japanese media personality, writer, activist and actress who was an AV idol early in her career, starring in more than 100 films.

Ai Iijima later became the hostess on the nighttime television program, Gilgamesh Night, and transitioned away from AV work.

Ai Iijima quickly became the top AV actress of the time, appearing in over 100 films.

Ai Iijima entered mainstream media as a hostess on the nighttime television program, Gilgamesh Night, where she became known as the "T-Back Queen", for her practice of turning her rear to the camera, lifting her skirt and flashing her G-string, known in Japan as a "T-Back".

Ai Iijima even provided the story for her own manga series, Time Traveler Ai, in which she was featured as the main character.

Publicly, Ai Iijima became known for her outspokenness and ability to speak frankly about her past and her personal life.

Ai Iijima visited Taiwan where her book was a best-seller on a promotional tour in February 2001 and was "besieged by journalists" at the airport.

Ai Iijima had been popular in Taiwan since the early 1990s when her adult videos began to be imported and she remained a celebrity there for her entire career.

Ai Iijima's novel became the basis for a toned down three-hour television series starring Mari Hoshino which was broadcast by Fuji Television in two parts in September 2001.

Ai Iijima continued her activities for this cause in public forums and in her blog for the rest of her life.

In November 2004, Ai Iijima was invited to speak about her past at the Foreign Correspondents' Club of Japan.

Ai Iijima made cameo appearances in the 2005 horror film The Curse and the September 2006 police show parody, The Rug Cop.

Ai Iijima later revealed in her blog that she was suffering from health problems, causing rumors of her possible retirement from show business to circulate in the press.

Ai Iijima was found lying face-down on the floor when medics forced their way into her place.

Ai Iijima had been dead for about seven days, police said.

On March 3,2007, Sports Nippon had reported that Ai Iijima was suffering from hay fever, pyelitis, cystitis, and acute backache.

Ai Iijima had written in her blog that she had kidney problems and inflammation of the urinary tract and bladder.

On March 1,2009, a memorial service for Ai Iijima was held at the Tokyo Prince Hotel with 700 friends and relatives attending.

Ai Iijima was given a posthumous Special Award at the 9th Takeshi Kitano Entertainment Awards for 2009.