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Himeka Nakamoto
中元 日芽香
Born (1996-04-13) April 13, 1996 (age 28)
NationalityJapanese
EducationFaculty of Human Sciences, Waseda University
Occupations
Years active2009–2017; 2018–present
AgentNogizaka46, LLC
Spouse
Unknown
(m. 2024)
RelativesSuzuka Nakamoto (sister)
Musical career
Also known asHimetan (ひめたん)
Genres
Instrument(s)Vocals
Years active2009–2017
LabelsN46Div.
Formerly of
Websitenakamotohimeka.com

Himeka Nakamoto (中元 日芽香, Nakamoto Himeka, born April 13, 1996)[1] is a Japanese mental health counselor, radio personality, author, and former idol. She was a first-generation member of the idol group Nogizaka46.

Career[edit]

In 2006, Nakamoto enrolled in Actor's School Hiroshima as part of the sixteenth batch, joining her sister Suzuka who enrolled in the previous batch the same year. As students, they performed in a duet called Tween.[2] She was also a member of the idol group SPL∞ASH [ja], which was founded by the school.[3]

Nakamoto passed the auditions for Nogizaka46 on August 21, 2011, and joined as a first generation member. Her audition song was "Aitakatta" by AKB48.[4] In the group, she was known for her cheerful "Himetan" persona and signature pose, the "Himetan Beam" (ひめたんびーむ).[5][6][7] She was also the lead vocalist of Nogidan, the rock subunit of Nogizaka46.[8] In the sixth season of NogiBingo!, she served as assistant MC. She was also an assistant MC on the NHK Radio 1 program Radirer! Sunday.

In 2017, Nakamoto went on hiatus from January to early April, citing poor health (later revealed to be a form of adjustment disorder and eating disorder, which she began to experience a few days after joining Nogizaka46).[9][10][11][12][7] On August 6, she announced in a live broadcast of Radirer! Sunday that she would graduate from Nogizaka46.[13] Her final performance as a Nogizaka46 member took place at the Tokyo Dome on November 7–8, 2017.[14] On November 8, "Last Number", a collaboration single between her and Radio Fish, the boy band formed by Radirer! Sunday hosts Oriental Radio, was released.[15] Her final blog post on the official Nogizaka46 blog was published on December 22, 2017.[16]

Post-Nogizaka46[edit]

Nakamoto became interested in pursuing a mental health care career after she attended psychological counseling sessions while in Nogizaka46.[17] She has completed training as a hand reflexology counselor[18] and in cognitive behavioral therapy,[7] and enrolled into the Faculty of Human Sciences e-School of Waseda University in April 2018.[17] She graduated from Waseda in March 2023.[19]

On November 20, Nakamoto's official website was launched.[20] She has obtained mental health counselor certification from the Japan Promotion Counselor Association and works as a counselor and trainer while continuing her studies. She provides counseling through her own Skype-based service, the "Monica and Me Counseling Salon" (カウンセリングサロン モニカと私), to accommodate those who cannot leave their homes or are concerned about the stigma around mental health issues.[17][21] Like several other former Nogizaka46 members, she is still signed to the Nogizaka46 management and has made public appearances related to her current occupation.[22]

Nakamoto had her own consultation segment on the NHK Hiroshima radio program Hiroshima Koiraji (ひろしまコイらじ) from March 2021,[23][7] and hosts the podcast Himeka Nakamoto's 'Na' on Nippon Cultural Broadcasting starting June. Her autobiography, Thank You, Me: Graduating from Nogizaka46 and Becoming a Psychological Counselor, was released on June 22.[11]

Personal life[edit]

Nakamoto is the older sister of Babymetal lead singer and former Sakura Gakuin member Suzuka Nakamoto and the middle child of three sisters.[24] She owns a Yorkshire Terrier named Monica (モニカ).[25]

In February 2024, Nakamoto announced her marriage to a non-celebrity man.[26]

Appearances[edit]

Radio[edit]

Year Title Network Notes Ref.
2021 Hiroshima Koiraji NHK Hiroshima [7][27]
2021–present Himeka Nakamoto's 'Na' PodcastQR (Nippon Cultural Broadcasting podcast station) [28][29]

Bibliography[edit]

Title Release Date Publisher Notes ISBN
Thank You, Me: Graduating from Nogizaka46 and Becoming a Psychological Counselor (ありがとう、わたし~乃木坂46を卒業して、心理カウンセラーになるまで, Arigatō, watashi ~ Nogizaka46 o sotsugyō shite, shinri kaunserā ni naru made) June 22, 2021 Bungeishunjū Autobiography ISBN 978-4163913919

References[edit]

  1. ^ "PROFILE". 中元日芽香オフィシャルサイト. Archived from the original on 2021-05-08. Retrieved 2022-05-24.
  2. ^ "アクターズスクール広島発表会 2009 AUTUMN ACT[スクランブルエッグon the Web]". www.scramble-egg.com. Archived from the original on 2020-10-02. Retrieved 2020-04-02.
  3. ^ "乃木坂46のメンバーに芸能関係者が多数加入! 秋元康のライバル発言の本気度は高い!? - メンズサイゾー". メンズサイゾー (in Japanese). 22 August 2011. Archived from the original on 2013-02-06. Retrieved 2018-09-10.
  4. ^ "「乃木坂46」最終オーディション取材レポート(3)【合格者一覧(後半)~会見】 [スクランブルエッグon the Web]". www.scramble-egg.com (in Japanese). Archived from the original on 2013-07-08. Retrieved 2018-09-10.
  5. ^ Himetan Beam, 2015-12-30, archived from the original on 2022-06-24, retrieved 2017-11-09
  6. ^ "乃木坂46・中元日芽香の「ひめたんびーむ」はアイドルの証 | エンタメNEXT - アイドル情報総合ニュースサイト" [Nogizaka46 Himeka Nakamoto's "Himetan Beam" is the sign of an idol]. Entame Next (in Japanese). June 17, 2014. Archived from the original on 2018-09-22.
  7. ^ a b c d e Mizuno, Azusa (2021-06-25). "芸能界にもメンタルケアを…カウンセラーの夢かなえた元乃木坂46" [Mental healthcare in the entertainment industry... Former Nogizaka46 member fulfills her dream of becoming a counselor]. withnews.jp (Interview) (in Japanese). The Asahi Shimbun Company. Archived from the original on 2021-06-29. Retrieved 2022-05-16.
  8. ^ "乃木坂46&"乃木團"が本家・氣志團と初コラボ 綾小路翔も太鼓判" (in Japanese). oricon ME inc. 2015-03-24. Archived from the original on 2021-04-16. Retrieved 2018-08-20.
  9. ^ "乃木坂46の中元日芽香、体調不良のため活動休止「少しだけ立ち止まる時間を」". 音楽ナタリー (in Japanese). Natasha, Inc. Archived from the original on 2020-11-11. Retrieved 2021-02-02.
  10. ^ "乃木坂46中元日芽香が活動再開「自分の意思で答えを導き出せた」". 音楽ナタリー (in Japanese). Natasha, Inc. Archived from the original on 2021-08-30. Retrieved 2021-02-02.
  11. ^ a b "元乃木坂の心理カウンセラー中元日芽香 適応障がいの実体験など赤裸々に - 芸能 : 日刊スポーツ". nikkansports.com (in Japanese). Archived from the original on 2021-04-29. Retrieved 2021-04-30.
  12. ^ Hasegawa, Masako (2021-06-22). "「乃木坂46」からカウンセラーへ…適応障害を乗り越えた中元日芽香の今(長谷川まさ子) - Yahoo!ニュース". Yahoo!ニュース 個人 (in Japanese). Archived from the original on 2021-06-27. Retrieved 2021-06-30.
  13. ^ "Nogizaka46's Himeka Nakamoto Announces Her Graduation from The Group". Japanese kawaii idol music culture news | Tokyo Girls Update. Archived from the original on 2017-09-24. Retrieved 2017-11-09.
  14. ^ "A Dream Come True: Nogizaka46 1st Tokyo Dome Concert Report!". Japanese kawaii idol music culture news | Tokyo Girls Update. Archived from the original on 2017-12-01. Retrieved 2017-11-19.
  15. ^ "RADIO FISH×乃木坂46・中元日芽香の新曲「LAST NUMBER」11/8に配信リリース | Daily News". Billboard JAPAN (in Japanese). Archived from the original on 2019-05-15. Retrieved 2019-06-27.
  16. ^ Nakamoto, Himeka (2017-12-22). "ひめたん-0o0-その731". Nogizaka46 Himeka Nakamoto Official Blog. Archived from the original on 2017-12-22. Translation
  17. ^ a b c "元乃木坂・中元日芽香、アイドル挫折を乗り越えてたどり着いた大学での学び". 早稲田ウィークリー (Interview) (in Japanese). Archived from the original on 2019-11-26. Retrieved 2019-11-29.
  18. ^ "ハンドリフレカウンセラー養成講座 開催報告 5/17(木) | ハートフルライフ カウンセラー学院". www.heartfullife.jp (in Japanese). Archived from the original on 2018-10-23. Retrieved 2018-09-10.
  19. ^ "元乃木坂46中元日芽香さん、5年かけて早稲田大を卒業 現在は心理カウンセラーとして活動". ENCOUNT (in Japanese). Retrieved 2023-03-27.
  20. ^ "中元日芽香 オフィシャルWEBサイトがOPEN! | NEW | 中元日芽香オフィシャルサイト". 中元日芽香オフィシャルサイト. Archived from the original on 2018-11-22. Retrieved 2018-11-22.
  21. ^ "元乃木坂46・中元日芽香さんが公式サイト開設「これから心理カウンセラーとして活動します」" [Former Nogizaka46 member, Himeka Nakamoto, opened official website 'I will act as a psychological counselor from now on']. SANSPO.COM(サンスポ) (in Japanese). Archived from the original on 2018-11-22. Retrieved 2018-11-22.
  22. ^ "心理学部が中元日芽香さん(元乃木坂46)のイベントを行いました! - 甲子園大学" [School of Psychology held an event for Himeka Nakamoto (ex-Nogizaka46)] (in Japanese). Koshien University. 2019-08-24. Archived from the original on 2020-11-12. Retrieved 2020-12-24.
  23. ^ "2021年度 NHK広島放送局 番組資料" [2021 NHK Hiroshima Broadcasting Station Program List] (PDF) (Press release). Archived (PDF) from the original on March 8, 2021. Retrieved March 11, 2021.
  24. ^ "Hello Me: Nakamoto Three Sisters Story". Street Jack. October 2016.
  25. ^ "Who is Monica ?". カウンセリングサロンモニカと私 (in Japanese). Archived from the original on 2019-11-26. Retrieved 2019-11-30.
  26. ^ Nakamoto, Himeka (2024-02-28). "結婚しました。". 中元日芽香 Official Site. Archived from the original on 2024-03-15. Retrieved 2024-03-15.
  27. ^ "ココロふわっと | BLOG". 中元日芽香オフィシャルサイト. Archived from the original on 2022-06-24. Retrieved 2022-05-16.
  28. ^ "中元日芽香、文化放送で生ラジオ 『乃木坂46の「の」』スタッフ集結に喜び【コメントあり】". ORICON NEWS. Archived from the original on 2022-05-16. Retrieved 2022-05-16.
  29. ^ "元乃木坂46・中元日芽香のPodcast配信決定「ヒーリングミュージックのような番組を目指します!」". 音楽ナタリー (in Japanese). Natasha, Inc. Archived from the original on 2022-05-16. Retrieved 2022-05-16.

External links[edit]

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