The tagline is a little embarrassing, but… Ai Yamada: “I Want to Bare It All! Look at Everything!” [This Week’s Cover Girl]

The Reiwa Era’s Rising Star

——This marks your seventh appearance in *Friday*’s photo spread.

“Back when I first started, just being featured in *Friday* felt like, ‘Wow, this is amazing!’ When I found out I’d be on the cover this time, I was truly surprised. I’m in the most radiant phase of my life right now, so I wanted people to see a slightly more mature side of me—that’s why I really went all out!
Actually, when I look at the photos, they’re really great! They’re powerful—and I know it sounds boastful, but I think I’ve got a great look on my face. Up until now, most of my photos have been on the cool side, but I think my expressions are more expressive this time.”

——What do you think of the catchphrase “Reiwa’s Supernova: I-Cup Gravure Idol”?

“When I first heard it, I thought, ‘Is it okay to say something like that? Honestly, it’s kind of embarrassing’… I mean, I’m carrying the weight of ‘Reiwa,’ right? But at the same time, I also thought it was an opportunity (laughs).”

——It’s been two years since your debut. Has your lifestyle changed?

“Shoot days start early—like at 5 a.m. Before, I’d sometimes pull an all-nighter and go straight to the shoot without sleeping, but now I make sure to go to bed by 8 p.m. the night before so I’m properly prepared. Over the past two years, I’ve really come to see myself as a gravure idol.
When I look at photos of other gravure idols, I’ve started noticing things like, ‘Oh, she’s standing on her tiptoes,’ or ‘Oh, this is something everyone’s doing,’ and I’m always thinking, ‘What do I need to do to go above and beyond?’ and ‘How can I keep the fans who know me from getting bored?’”

——Ms. Yamada, you’ve shared in various media outlets the story of how you ran away from home after dropping out of high school and lived on the streets for about a year. You said you got by day to day by gathering food from the ocean and receiving help from people you met while living on the streets… Do those experiences still serve you today?

“I’m actually incredibly shy by nature, but after living on the streets, I became able to talk to people I’d just met. I used to be the type to just follow the path laid out for me, but now I’ve learned to think for myself and take bold action.
That said, I’m not just recklessly doing whatever I please. I don’t do anything illegal or dangerous, and I haven’t done anything that strays from the path of decency. To survive, I worked hard at whatever I could do with passion and sincerity.
I think I’ve always had a strong sense of independence. My mother is from the Philippines, and I watched my parents struggle desperately to make a living in a foreign land. That’s why I’ve always wanted to stand on my own two feet. Joining my current agency has also helped me develop a sense of balance. If I’d been on my own the whole time, I don’t think I would have been able to make it this far in the entertainment industry.”

Fan Club Launched!

——I currently have about 400,000 followers on Instagram. My official website and fan club launched on August 3.

“Now that I’m closer to my fans, I can really feel your warmth up close. That makes me so happy. I love drinking, so sometimes I let loose a little too much. Like sleeping outdoors—there are so many things I need to be careful about… But I’m working on turning over a new leaf right now! (laughs)
But all of that is the real me. I’m the type who wants to “lay it all out there,” so I’d be happy if people could see me just as I am, flaws and all. I don’t like it when there’s a gap between my true self and my public image, so I want to keep showing more and more of who I really am.”

——Aside from gravure modeling, are there any other fields or types of work you’d like to try?

“I’m actually thinking about that right now… I used to think being a YouTuber or an influencer would suit me, but lately I’ve been thinking I’d like to try acting, too… The same goes for variety shows—I want to try everything at least once before deciding.”

——What kind of woman are you in your private life, Yamada?

“I’m actually pretty serious! (laughs) I look the way I do, and I have a strong way of speaking—I say exactly what I’m thinking and tend to get too worked up. My emotional triggers are pretty sensitive, so my feelings are like a roller coaster. But lately, I’ve been trying to think things through calmly, and I’ve been able to broaden my range of interests. I think I’ve calmed down a bit.Right now, I’m on a journey of self-discovery.”

——Please share a few words for readers who are looking forward to your future work.

“I’ll deliver gravure photos that spark everyone’s imagination! I’d be happy if you could see a side of me that’s not just sexy, but also heart-fluttering and sharp.”

Ai Yamada, 23
Born in Tokyo in 2003. She’s taking the gravure world by storm with her stunning I-cup figure. Her popularity is skyrocketing thanks to her cute, petite face and her incredibly cheerful personality. Her official fan club and website launched on August 3. Her hobbies include saunas and traveling

My Recent Favorite “PLACE”
“A friend’s parents’ house”

My friend’s parents’ house is such a warm and wonderful place. I tend to get really stressed out. I visited for a two-night, three-day stay just the other day, and I completely detoxed—I went almost completely makeup-free and didn’t touch my phone at all. I think I need periods like that. I’ll work hard at my job and plan to visit again when I have another break

From the November 6, 2026 issue of *FRIDAY*