From idol center to pro mahjong player: the evolution of Kana Nakada
In short: In 2011, Kana Nakada debuted as a founding member of the idol group Nogizaka46. Today, she is a professional mahjong player and entrepreneur. Her journey from the spotlight of Japanese pop music to the high-stakes tables of the M.League highlights a rare, multi-hyphenate career path.
Nakada spent nine years as a prominent idol, serving as the center for several tracks including "Haru no Melody" in 2012 and "Sankaku no Akichi" in 2018. Her popularity was cemented by fan-made chants like "Nakada Kana shika" during live performances. In 2018, she even took to the stage as Sailor Venus in a production of Sailor Moon. She officially concluded her idol activities in late 2020, marking a pivot toward diverse creative and professional interests.
Her transition into the world of mahjong began during her idol years. After passing the Japan Professional Mahjong League exam in 2021, she joined the M.League team Beast X. Her early professional career was marked by significant struggle; she finished her rookie season at the bottom of the individual standings with -261.3 points. However, she experienced a major breakout in the 2025–26 season, securing a top-10 ranking with +228.4 points and setting a team record with a massive 65,100-point game.
Beyond the gaming table, Nakada has established herself as a versatile author and entrepreneur. She co-authored a business book on Warren Buffett's investment strategies in 2020 and published a successful photobook in 2020 that sold 32,000 copies in its opening week. She also manages her own mahjong café, Chun, and continues to release photo essays and introductory guides to the game, blending her celebrity status with tangible business and sporting achievements.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Kana Nakada
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