Renowned for its boundary-pushing ethos, Japanese fashion has been making waves on the international stage for years. This includes Japanese models who are catching the world’s attention.
As more fashion brands have embraced diversity by showcasing models of all shapes, sizes and ethnicities, Japanese women have become runway regulars at international fashion weeks and are representing some of the biggest brands in global campaigns.
Paving the way for Japanese models, are the likes of Sayoko Yamaguchi, Ai Tominaga and Tao Okamoto.
Sayoko Yamaguchi was one of the first Japanese models to walk on European runways in the 1970s. About two decades later, Ai Tominaga’s career started with New York Fashion Week when she was 17, which was followed European runways in the early 2000s. She’s appeared for John Galliano, Vivienne Tam, Anna Sui, Christian Dior, Karl Lagerfeld, Gucci, Michael Kors and has continued to work as a top model through her 30s and into her early 40s.
Starting just a few years later was, Tao Okamoto, who was one of the faces of Ralph Lauren in 2009. She’s modeled for the likes of Alexander McQueen, Burberry, Armani, Givenchy, Ralph Lauren and Yves Saint Laurent (among others) and has also worked as an actress, including her leading role in The Wolverine (2013).
These models opened the way for an exciting wave of Japanese modelling talent which now appears to be going from strength to strength.
Here, our list of the 12 Japanese models who continue to make their mark on the industry.
1. Kozue Akimoto
More than a model, Akimoto is also an actress, DJ and street style icon. As the daughter of champion sumo wrestler Chiyonofuji Mitsugu, the Tokyo-based model has been in the public eye from an early age but she made a name for herself in the MTV Japan show Shibuhara Girls which premiered in 2011. Since then, she has walked runways around the world and appeared in campaigns for Givenchy, Kenzo, Adidas and, more recently, Toyota.
2. Kiko Mizuhara
Kiko Mizuhara was actually born in the United States (as Audrie Kiko Daniel) and has Japanese-Korean-American heritage. She relocated to Japan with her family as a child and has been modelling since the age of 12. She’s also been involved in acting, particularly Japanese film and TV.
3. Rila Fukushima
Tokyo-born model Rila Fukushima began her career in fashion, appearing in a number of publications and advertising campaigns before turning her attention to acting. Fukushima has appeared in movies including The Wolverine and in cult TV show Game of Thrones as well as a number of high profile Japanese productions.
4. Yuka Mannami
Although she began her career as a nurse, Mannami was discovered on Instagram at the age of 23. Like many of the Japanese models featured here, she has worked with fashion powerhouses including Fendi, Shiseido, Givenchy and Bottega Veneta.
5. Rina Fukushi
With a Japanese-American father and a Filipina mother, Fukushi is described in Japan as a “hafu” model and has helped to challenge Japanese stereotypes of people of mixed origin. By the age of 19, she had already appeared in campaigns for Revlon and H&M and walked for Alexander Wang, Marc Jacobs and Zimmermann. Her 2024 modelling work and appearances have included the likes of Miu Miu, Ralph Lauren, Vivienne Westwood and Gucci.
6. Nairu Yamamoto
Tokyo-based Nairu Yamamoto is a Japanese model known for her playful Instagram account @nairuuuu – a great place to brush up on the latest Japanese fashion trends. Like many other Japanese models, Nairu has added other strings to her bow, with history as a singer and a handful of acting credits on IMDb, including the 2023 film Push Pause.
7. Safil Kawamura
During a trip to London, Kawamura popped into the IMG offices and ended up signing a contract. This led to him joining the growing list of Japanese models working around the world.
By the age of 21, he had walked for J.W.Anderson, Ann Demeulemeester and Craig Green and had editorial modelling in his sights. He’s gone on to work with an impressive list of clients, from Luis Vuitton and Cartier to Urban Outfitters and Vogue Japan.
8. Chiharu Okunugi
The 27-year-old was named one of Vogue Japan’s woman of the year in 2013. She has walked for Versace, Altuzarra, Isabel Marant, Oscar de la Renta, Chanel, and Christian Dior as well as fast fashion labels like Uniqlo and H&M.
9. Manami Kinoshita
From Japan’s Fukui Prefecture, Kinoshita got into modelling straight out of school. She’s gone on to work with fashion houses including Balenciaga, Harley Weir, Alessair McKimm and Daniel Jackson. She’s also done plenty of editorial work, including for Vogue London, Vogue Italia and Dew.
10. Kiko Arai
A former Miss Japan, Arai’s modelling career started strong with the Osaka-born beauty walking for Balmain, Prada, Calvin Klein and Givenchy and appearing in a high profile Zara campaign in her first season. More recently, she’s been a face for Chanel’s fragrance and beauty division.
11. Kohei Takabatake
Scouted by a stylist in 2017, Takabatake has since appeared on the catwalks of some of the world’s biggest fashion houses such as Versace, Louis Vuitton and Prada. He walked 25 shows for Fall/Winter 2018-2019 making him the male model who walked the most shows of the season. Since then, he’s continued to model for high fashion brands, including Hermès and Dior Sauvage.
12. Miki Ehara
Japanese model Miki Ehara was discovered by a photographer when she was working in a sporting goods store. She quickly caught the attention of Louis Vuitton creative director Nicolas Ghesquière and made her runway debut for the brand in autumn 2017. She has gone on to model for Dior, Nina Ricci, Michael Kors, Lanvin and Gucci, among others.
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