Yui Imaizumi

Yui Imaizumi is a Japanese actress, singer, and former idol, best known as a founding member of the idol group Keyakizaka46, which later rebranded as Sakurazaka46. Since going solo in 2018, she has built a career in television and stage acting, with leading roles in series like Million Joe and acclaimed stage productions such as Azumi and Lady Snowblood. She also worked as a regular model for the fashion magazine Ar, showing a style that goes beyond her idol origins. After a health-related hiatus in 2022, she returned to the industry in 2025 and continues to take on acting and singing projects.[edit]

Yui Imaizumi was born in Kanagawa Prefecture on September 30, 1998. Growing up in the Tokyo metropolitan area, she developed an early interest in performing arts, though specific details about her childhood and schooling remain private. In August 2015, at age 16, she successfully auditioned for the first generation of Keyakizaka46, a newly formed idol group under the Sakamichi Series. The audition process was rigorous, selecting only a handful of girls from thousands of applicants. Imaizumi was among the 22 founding members announced on August 21, 2015. Before joining the group, she had no professional training or prior entertainment experience, making her selection a testament to her natural presence and potential. Her early months with Keyakizaka46 involved intensive training in dance, vocals, and media etiquette, preparing for the group's debut.[edit]

Imaizumi debuted as a Keyakizaka46 member with the single Silent Majority in April 2016, which became a massive hit, topping the Oricon charts. She was a regular participant in all subsequent singles and concerts, building a strong fanbase. Beyond music, she expanded into fashion, becoming an exclusive model for the magazine Ar in 2017. In June 2018, she announced her graduation from the group to pursue acting. She quickly landed her first leading role in the TV drama Million Joe (2019), playing the character Miki. Her stage debut came in 2020 with the lead role in the play Azumi, a martial arts action drama. In 2021, she starred in Lady Snowblood, a stage adaptation of the classic manga. After a hiatus in 2022 for health reasons, she returned in 2025, signing with a new agency and announcing upcoming projects. She also maintains an active social media presence, connecting with fans on Instagram and X.[edit]

Imaizumi is widely regarded as one of the more reserved and thoughtful members of Keyakizaka46's first generation. Fans often describe her as having a cool, elegant aura, which contrasts with her warm interactions on social media. Her fashion sense, honed through her modeling work, is frequently praised; she favors minimalist, sophisticated looks. Her acting roles have shown a range from action-oriented characters in Azumi to dramatic roles in Lady Snowblood, earning respect for her versatility. She maintains a close but not overly intimate relationship with fans, sharing glimpses of her daily life on Instagram but keeping her private life largely guarded. Her return after a hiatus was met with enthusiastic support from her fanbase, who admire her resilience.[edit]

Yui Imaizumi remains a distinct figure in Japanese pop culture, recognized for her tenure as the "Songstress" of Keyakizaka46 and her subsequent solo acting career. While she commands respect among those who followed her from her early days in BABYMETAL through her graduation in 2018, iFANN's Global Fame Engine has evaluated this person, but they do not currently hold a placement in the published rankings (Global Top 1,000 or a Top-100 scope list). This absence from the current global charts reflects her withdrawal from the industry following severe harassment rather than a lack of historical impact. The narrative surrounding her fame is defined by professional capability and the tragic circumstances of her departure rather than viral fan-driven legends or chart-topping campaigns. Her audience, while dedicated, does not operate under a formal collective name; the fanbase has no formal name. Unlike idols with organized chart pushes or birthday billboards, the community that rallied around her was largely shaped by admiration for her vocal prowess and her calm demeanor before the group's abrupt dissolution. There are no documented active fan campaigns or specific rituals tied solely to her post-graduation life, as her exit from the spotlight precluded the sustained public engagement typical of top-ranked celebrities. The story fans retell is less about extraordinary crowd reactions and more about her resilience as an artist navigating a complex media landscape, a chapter that ended with her forced retirement due to stalking.[edit]

Her official nickname is Ima-chan, a moniker used affectionately by both fans and fellow members throughout her career. A devoted fan of horror cinema, she has frequently cited The Ring as her all-time favorite film. She is left-handed and enjoys sushi, particularly salmon rolls. Her personal life includes a younger sister and a pet cat named Mugi. During her time as an idol, she was celebrated for her mature, stabilizing presence within the group. In 2017, she lent her voice to a commercial for the mobile game Fate/Grand Order. Actress Yui Aragaki serves as her primary inspiration for pursuing a career in acting. A defining moment in her biography involves her graduation from Keyakizaka46 in late 2018, which marked the end of her idol activities. The most persistent story regarding her legacy is her decision to retire from the entertainment industry entirely due to relentless stalking and media intrusion, a situation that silenced her public presence for several years until her recent comeback attempts.[edit]

Yui Imaizumi was born to parents who have stayed out of the public eye. She has a younger sister, whose name has not been disclosed. In 2023, she married Mahoto Watanabe, a non-celebrity, in a private ceremony. The couple lives together in Tokyo with their pet cat, Mugi. Imaizumi has mentioned in interviews that her family has always been supportive of her career, especially during her transition from idol to actress.[edit]

As a founding member of Keyakizaka46, Imaizumi was closely associated with fellow first-generation members such as Yurina Hirate, Rika Watanabe, and Mizuho Habu. In her acting career, she worked with director and choreographer for the stage play Azumi. She has not frequently collaborated with the same actors repeatedly, but her roles have placed her alongside established Japanese performers in both TV and theater.[edit]

Yui Imaizumi has kept her romantic life very private. She married Mahoto Watanabe, a non-public figure, in 2023. The couple has not disclosed how they met, but they have been together since at least 2022. As of 2026, they remain married and live together in Tokyo. No other public relationships have been reported.[edit]

As of 2026, Yui Imaizumi's net worth is estimated at $1 Million per iFANN's editorial analysis. Her financial standing stems primarily from her work as a television and stage actress, including leading roles in productions like Million Joe, Azumi, and Lady Snowblood. Modeling contracts with the fashion magazine Ar have also contributed significantly to her earnings, showcasing her style beyond her idol origins. During her active years with Keyakizaka46, she accumulated wealth through album sales, concert tours, and merchandise revenue. Following her transition to a solo career, brand endorsements and various appearances provided additional income streams. Since returning to the industry after a health-related hiatus, her net worth has grown steadily as she continues to accept new acting and singing projects. She maintains a modest lifestyle in Tokyo alongside her husband.[edit]