Introduction
Ayaka Kimura (木村 絢香,) (born October 30, 1981 in Kobe, Hyōgo Prefecture, Japan), currently known by her stage name as Ayaka Nagate (長手 絢香), is an actress currently signed to Tristone Entertainment. Before her debut as an actress, she was the sole remaining member of Japanese pop idol girl group Coconuts Musume within Hello! Project.
History
Ayaka joined Hello! Project in 1999 after being discovered by Makoto, fellow Sharan Q bandmate of Tsunku, with four other girls, forming Coconuts Musume. Having lived most of her teenage years in Hawaiʻi and attending English schools in Japan, Ayaka is fluent in both Japanese and English. She is best known by foreign fans for her "Ayaka no Totsugeki Eikaiwa (Ayaka's Surprise English Lessons)" TV segment, where she would test the English skills of Morning Musume members.
On April 30, 2008, Ayaka graduated from Coconuts Musume and Hello! Project to pursue her dream of being an actress. The following day, it was revealed that she had signed with Tristone Entertainment, going under the stage name of Ayaka Nagate.
Personal life
On July 14, 2008 it was announced that she and professional golfer Hideto Tanihara (谷原秀人) had married.
Photobooks
- September 5, 2003 – Ayaka – Ayaka Shashinshū (Ayaka – アヤカ写真集)