Career
Yamaguchi was born in Kōchi, Kōchi, Japan. She attended Joshibi University of Art and Design where she studied industrial design. Yamaguchi joined Sanrio in 1978.
In 1980 she became the third Hello Kitty designer.
She has been the main Hello Kitty designer for much of the character"s history. Aside from Hello Kitty, Yamaguchi has been designing Jewelpet since 2008.
She also did the illustration for television Asahi"s official mascot, Go-Chan.