Born in Suzuka, Mie, Japan, Kato Noriko graduated from Tokyo Metropolitan Yoyogi High School.

Kato's career began in 1991 as a member of Sakurakko Club, together with Anza Oyama, Miki Nakatani, Miho Kanno, and Hiroko Kurumizawa. On July 25, 1992, she released her first single, a cover of Chisato Moritaka's "Kondo Watashi Doko ka Tsurete itte Kudasai yo". The single peaked at No. 69 on Oricon's singles chart and earned her a New Artist Award nomination at the 34th Japan Record Awards.
In 2000, Kato moved to France to study the French language. She resumed her entertainment career when she returned to Japan two years later.