Ayaka's Profile
- Full Name: Arai Ayaka
- Native Name: 新井彩花
- Nicknames: N/A
- Birthday: Jun 20, 2003 (22 years old)
- Blood type: A
- Height/Weight: 167 cm (5’6") / 47 kg (104 lbs)
- Gender: Female
- Zodiac Sign: Gemini
- Debut: December 2, 2020
- Position: Visual, Vocalist
- MBTI: ESFP
- Birthplace: Tokyo, Japan
-
Nationality:
Japanese
- Profession: Singer, Idol
- Languages: Japanese, Korean
- Group: NiziU
- Current Agency: JYP Entertainment
Ayaka (full name: Arai Ayaka), born on June 20, 2003, is a Japanese idol singer and a member of the J-POP girl group NiziU, which debuted on December 2, 2020, under JYP Entertainment. She serves as a vocalist and is the official visual (face of the group), primarily promoting in both Japan and South Korea.
Early Life
Ayaka grew up in Tokyo, Japan, in a warm and loving family. She is the youngest child and has an older sister named Yuika Arai. She attended Akatsuka First Junior High School, later transferred schools, but eventually left Kokugakuin High School to pursue her dream of becoming an idol through the survival program Nizi Project.
Before joining JYP Entertainment, Ayaka had stage experience and was well-known for her impressive swimming skills, especially in the breaststroke. She also enjoys eating and once shared that she can fall asleep anywhere.
Career
In 2019, at the age of 16, Ayaka participated in the survival audition program “Nizi Project,” a joint project between JYP Entertainment and Sony Music Japan. From her very first audition, she caught the attention of Park Jin-young (JYP founder), who nicknamed her “Tokyo Girl,” positioning her as the elegant Tokyo-style beauty amidst a diverse lineup of contestants from various regions. Although she initially received low evaluations for her vocal and dance skills, Ayaka consistently drew attention for her rapid improvement and persistent attitude. She was officially selected as one of the nine debut members of NiziU in June 2020, emerging as a winning contestant of the project.
From 2020 to 2024, Ayaka actively promoted with NiziU, releasing singles such as “Make you happy,” “Step and a Step,” “Take a Picture,” and their first full-length album “U” (2021). During promotional activities, Ayaka often took the center position in visual key point segments, most notably in the MV “Chopstick” (2021), where she was featured as both the opening and closing visual — a prominent media focus position assigned by the company.
In 2023, NiziU embarked on their first dome tour in Japan, “NiziU Live with U 2023.” At Tokyo Dome, Ayaka delivered her first-ever solo performance with a cover of “I Love…” by Official HIGE DANDism, marking a significant milestone in showcasing her individual stage presence after three years of group activities.
Challenges
During the Nizi Project, Ayaka was at the center of controversies regarding her skill level. Her performance segments were often shortened or edited out of broadcasts, leading to public criticism suggesting that she was only retained in the competition due to her visuals.
At the end of 2021, during an online fansign event, Ayaka became involved in a controversy over an “insensitive comment” when she inadvertently repeated the phrase “yamerarenai tomaranai” (“can’t stop, won’t stop”) — a slogan from Calbee’s potato chip commercials — while a fan was sharing their weight-loss struggles. Following the incident, the management released an official apology, and Ayaka personally issued a handwritten letter to clarify the misunderstanding.
Strengths
Ayaka holds the position of sub-vocalist and is NiziU’s official visual, frequently appearing in highlight visual segments in MVs and live stages. She is recognized as one of the group’s most stable members in terms of stage expression and body language. A notable example is her ending fairy moment during the “Take a Picture” stage at Music Station Super Live 2021, where she was given a 10-second close-up — a rare privilege reserved for members with exceptional visual impact.
In online interactions (V LIVE, NiziU TV), Ayaka often takes on the role of a “reaction booster” — the member responsible for providing immediate responses and keeping the conversation flowing smoothly. The group’s management has acknowledged Ayaka as the “atmosphere balancer” who helps maintain team dynamics, especially during high-pressure practice sessions.
Fun Facts
- Ayaka’s nickname is “Sloth”, because of her slow reactions and calm personality.
- Another popular nickname for Ayaka is “Healing Beauty”, reflecting her gentle and soothing appearance.
- Ayaka played tennis for 3 years and even won a small local tournament.
- Ayaka’s special skills include breaststroke swimming and the ability to sleep anywhere.
- Ayaka loves eating while chatting with people, enjoying mealtime as a social moment.
- Although born and raised in Tokyo, Ayaka can mimic different regional accents.
- Ayaka is obsessed with hand creams, especially during winter.
- Ayaka once made the worst tofu hamburger steak ever with Miihi.
- Ayaka has a unique way of walking and smiling, making her easily recognizable in videos.
- Ayaka has a habit of tying her hair in a ponytail whenever practicing choreography.
- Ayaka owns two pairs of personal slippers — one for indoor use and one for the bathroom.
- Ayaka makes it a routine to call her parents every single day.
- Fans often describe Ayaka’s vibe as “fuwafuwa”, meaning soft, fluffy, and adorably absent-minded.
- Ayaka can fall asleep anytime, even while waiting during makeup sessions.
Photo Gallery
