Actress stuck in nations' conflict

Star in China and Japan criticized by both peoples for being close to other side

Yoshiko Otaka, who died on Sept 7 at the age of 94, was one of the biggest Chinese stars - a popular singer and film actress - when China was invaded by Japanese forces.

There was a secret though: She was Japanese passing herself off as Chinese until her real identity was exposed in the aftermath of the war, an identity that saved her life but almost derailed her career. However, she bounced back with more vigor and a clearer realization of Sino-Japanese relations.