More Than a Game — Kana Nakada on Finding Meaning in Every Mahjong Match

“I can do gravure thanks to all my fans.”

—This time, I heard the shoot took place at a house studio in Tokyo. How was it?

“It was so much fun! It felt like a mature gravure shoot, and the outfits they prepared were gorgeous, which really got me excited! The scene where I gradually loosened my yukata matched the atmosphere of who I am now in my 30s, and I was really happy about that. I love FRIDAY shoots because I feel like they always capture my natural self. The studio was an antique mansion, and every spot looked amazing on camera. I also tried a gravure shoot in a Japanese-style room — I don’t have much experience with that, so it felt fresh.”

—What made you decide to try gravure?

“I always knew I wanted to do gravure work after graduating from Nogizaka46. So I talked to my agency right away. The fact that I’m able to do it now is truly thanks to all my fans who have supported me. I’m just so grateful!”

—So you’ve wanted to do gravure for a long time.

“Yes, that’s right. Before joining Nogizaka46, I was actually a fan of AKB48, and when I saw their gravure photos in magazines, I thought, ‘That’s so cool!’ Since I started gravure work, more people have come to know me, and my overseas social media followers have increased a lot. I really feel how powerful gravure can be. That’s why I want to keep challenging myself with new things. Thanks to my fans, I’ve found new goals — and I want to keep going for a long time.”

—What do you think is the appeal of gravure?

“The best part is that I get to do the work I’ve always admired. I’ve always loved looking at gravure, and creating something together with everyone and expressing myself through it is so much fun! I get excited every time to see how the final photos turn out.”

—Have you gotten used to shooting now?

“I’ve always enjoyed photo book shoots since my Nogizaka46 days, and I never felt uncomfortable. But learning how to pose to make your body lines look beautiful is really deep. Lately, I think I’m starting to understand little by little how to look good in photos. I feel like I’ve grown a bit.”

—What’s your favorite shot from this session?

“My favorite is the nude-colored leotard! We shot it on a red-carpeted staircase, and it matched the atmosphere of the building perfectly. It’s not too revealing, but that’s what makes the body line stand out and look sexy. I’d be happy if I was able to express that. Also, please check out the shots where I slowly take off the yukata — I really like those! And the staff complimented my shoulder blades (laughs). I don’t really notice it myself, but please pay attention to that part too. Actually, I’ve been doing muscle training at home.”

—Do you pay special attention to body shaping?

“Before a shoot, I pay a little attention to what I eat, but basically, I eat normally. What I do every day is arm workouts. I love clothes and want to look good in sleeveless outfits, so I pay attention to that.”

“When I need a break, I play poker.”

—You’re active not only in gravure, but also as a TV personality, professional mahjong player, owner and manager of a mahjong café, and an investor. If you had to pick just one as your main profession, which would it be?

“I do invest a little every day, but mahjong is definitely number one. Of course, I also make time to be at my mahjong café in person. Meeting customers and playing mahjong together are really important moments for me.”

—Tell us about your activities as a professional mahjong player.

“The M-League is currently in its off-season, but there are still a lot of other matches. I still have a lot to learn and practice. I’m doing my best!”

—What got you started with mahjong in the first place?

“In 2015, I was in a stage play about rakugo (comic storytelling), and there were mahjong terms in my lines. When I looked them up, I realized I couldn’t understand them without knowing the rules. So I learned the rules — and once I did, I got completely hooked.”

—What do you find appealing about mahjong?

“I think it’s fascinating because you have to keep learning forever — there’s no real end to it.”

—You seem very busy. How do you spend your private time?

“My way to unwind is poker. I guess I just like mind games. Since mahjong is my job now, it always feels like study — I can’t really play it casually for fun. So I play poker to relax and refresh myself.”

—What are your goals going forward?

“My biggest goal is to achieve good results in mahjong. Especially in the M-League, since it attracts so much attention, I’ve been practicing a lot to make sure I can perform well this year. I’m also really happy to have had another chance to do a gravure shoot, so I’ll keep working on my body and strive to evolve even more!”

Kana Nakada, 31 years old
A talent and professional mahjong player from Saitama Prefecture. She passed the first-generation audition for Nogizaka46 in 2011 and was active with the group until 2020.
In 2021, she passed the professional mahjong qualification exam.
Her second photo book, Kakitateru (Kodansha), is now on sale to great acclaim!

My recent best relaxation time: Poker

I participate in major tournaments and sometimes hold study sessions with friends beforehand. Many mahjong lovers also enjoy poker. I started playing about four years ago. After becoming an M-Leaguer, I tried to refrain from doing anything outside of mahjong, but lately, I’ve been getting more poker-related work, so I now enjoy it as a way to take a break from studying mahjong.

— From “FRIDAY”, September 26, 2025 issue