Haruka Ayase

Born Tademaru Aya in Asaminami Ward, Hiroshima City, Hiroshima Prefecture in March 1985, Ayase Haruka is a former gravure idol who went on to become a mainstream model, singer and actress. She was athletic during her school days and participated in several sports. She began acting with an appearance in TBS TV's Kindaichi Shonen No Jikembo in 2001, the short film Justice in 2002, the feature-length Jam Films of 2002 and finally the Amemasu No Kawa movie of 2004. Her debut single, called Piriodo, appeared in 2006 and entered the Japanese charts' top 10. She has subsequently appeared in diverse roles such as a teacher in Oppai Volleyball, as a cyborg in My Girlfriend Is A Cyborg, a blind masseuse in the historical action film Ichi and as a nurse in the Edo period drama, Jin. Given the roles and her physical appearance Ayase Haruka has become a much beloved and popular figure in Japan and the subject of photo books, a corporate spokesperson and hostess of many TV shows. She has won several, and been nominated for more, Best Actress Awards in Japan and Asia. She is signed to the Horipro Talent Agency where she obtained her start after competing in the 25th Horipro Talent Scout Caravan upon moving to Tokyo. She cites karaoke as one of her favourite pastimes.