Kaori Shima (嶋歌織, born March 11, 1972), know by her stage name, UA, which is Swahili for both "flower" and "kill", is a Japanese singer and occasional actress. Born and raised in Suita, Osaka, Japan, she worked as a lounge singer in her hometown after graduating from Saga University of Arts. She was scouted at her workplace by producer 藤原ヒロシ. In 1995, she debuted with the Fujiwara-produced "HORIZON" under the Victor Entertainment sub-label, Speedstar Records. Her fourth single, "情熱", became a smash hit and UA was recognized all over Japan as one of the premiere Japanese "jitsuryoku-ha" (実力派) artists.
