A career spanning nearly three decades began in Saitama Prefecture. Kojima Haruna entered the spotlight as a child performer. She learned the ropes early in the demanding idol world.
Her path was not a straight line. After an early group disbanded, she faced uncertainty. A shift in agencies led her to a pivotal audition.
She joined the now-famous group AKB48 in 2005. Her face became a constant presence during their peak years. For twelve years, she was a core member of the team.
After graduating, she channeled her experience into a new venture. She founded her own lifestyle brand, building a business from her personal vision. This move from performer to entrepreneur shows a remarkable evolution.
The journey from Saitama Prefecture to Tokyo fashion mogul reflects more than personal ambition. It charts the changing possibilities for careers in Japanese entertainment.
Early Life and the Spark of Stardom
In Urawa-ku, Saitama, a future star’s journey began not on a grand stage, but within a local idol group. This early chapter provided a crucial foundation in performance and discipline.
Background and Early Influences
At just ten years old, Kojima Haruna joined Angel Eyes. This group operated during the late 1990s idol boom.
She absorbed essential skills like choreography and fan interaction while still in elementary school. The experience was an intense introduction to the industry’s pace.
When Angel Eyes disbanded in 2001, her path became uncertain. She stayed with Stardust Promotion before moving to a smaller agency, Ogi Production.
Entry into the Idol World
By 2005, she was working part-time jobs. The first AKB48 audition offered a radical concept: daily theater shows.
The application was simple—a mobile phone photo. She sent one in, half-expecting no result.
She passed but remained deeply skeptical. Prioritizing her job, she nearly skipped the first dance lesson.
Manager Tomonobu Togasaki saw her potential and persuaded her to attend. That single rehearsal became the turning point, leading her to commit to the new group.
Rising Through AKB48 and Musical Milestones
Her voice first joined the chorus on “Sakura no Hanabiratachi,” the indie single that launched a pop phenomenon from a small Akihabara theater. As an original Team A member, she witnessed the group’s rocky start and its eventual chart domination. Her journey through twelve years with the group is a record of relentless presence and musical evolution.
Auditioning and Debuting with AKB48
Assignment to the initial 20-member Team A placed her at the heart of the experiment. The roster soon tightened to 16, but she remained. This early commitment paid off as the group gained traction.
A major milestone arrived on December 31, 2007. The group’s first performance on Kohaku Uta Gassen signaled national acceptance. For the member, it was validation after years of uncertainty.
Chart-Topping Singles and Memorable Performances
She earned center positions on singles like “Yūhi o Miteiru ka?” as AKB48’s sound solidified. Early hits such as “Seifuku ga Jama o Suru” defined their iconic style. Her consistency was remarkable; she appeared on nearly every A-side, a feat unmatched in the group.
As the catalog grew, so did her involvement in defining tracks:
- “Heavy Rotation” and “Flying Get” became cultural anthems.
- “Manatsu no Sounds Good!” dominated summer charts.
- “Koi Suru Fortune Cookie” showcased her enduring popularity.
A 2012 transfer to Team B demonstrated her adaptability. She later anchored “Green Flash” as a dual center, honoring her veteran status. Her first solo center on “Heart Electric” proved she could command a track alone. The graduation single “Shoot Sign” brought her unparalleled run to a close, having contributed to 46 of 47 singles.
The Dynamic World of Television, Drama, and Film
In 2007, a new stage opened beyond the music charts. The actress began exploring character roles, using AKB48’s growing fame as a springboard into television and film.
Her first lead role arrived quickly. She starred as Miki Hayama in the early 2008 drama “Coin Locker Monogatari.” This part required her to carry emotional scenes, proving her range beyond simple idol cameos.
That same period included her film debut. She played Kiriko in the horror movie “Densen Uta,” appearing alongside fellow group members.
Signature TV Appearances and Drama Roles
Television offered wider audiences. Roles in popular series like “Gokusen 3” and “Mei-chan no Shitsuji” placed her in front of established fanbases.
The “Majisuka Gakuen” franchise became a defining project. Cast as Torigoya across multiple seasons, she played a tougher, physical character. This role was a departure from typical idol fare.
Her consistent work paid off in 2011. She won Best Supporting Actress at the Nikkan Sports Drama Grand Prix for her role in “Ikemen desu ne.” This award marked serious industry recognition.
Later appearances saw her playing versions of herself. These meta-roles acknowledged her veteran status and blurred the line between persona and performer.
| Year | Drama Title | Role | Significance |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | Coin Locker Monogatari | Miki Hayama | First leading role |
| 2010-2011, 2015 | Majisuka Gakuen (Seasons 1, 2, 5) | Torigoya | Recurring, physical role |
| 2011 | Ikemen desu ne | Nana | Award-winning supporting role |
| 2015 | Majisuka Gakuen 4 | Kojiharu | Self-referential character |
Transition into Acting and Entrepreneurship
A playful, masked persona marked a turning point in her final years with the group. The veteran member adopted the alias “Nyan Nyan Kamen” for the 2016 general election. This cat-themed character signaled a shift in her approach.
It blended humor with a subtle statement about her evolving identity within the AKB48 team structure. As Nyan Nyan Kamen, she secured a respectable 16th place. The result reflected her loyal fanbase.
From On-Screen Roles to the Silver Screen
During the election results event, she announced her graduation. She explained the decision was two years in the making. External events, like the 2014 handshake incident, had delayed her plans.
At 28, she expressed a clear desire to “become an adult woman.” This language acknowledged the idol system’s limits. It showed her readiness for a new chapter beyond music.
Embracing New Ventures Beyond Music
The group honored her legacy with a final center position. She led the 47th single, “Shoot Sign,” released in March 2017. This was her first center role in two years.
Her graduation was a grand celebration. The “Kojimatsuri” concert spanned two days at the Tokyo Dome and other venues. It focused entirely on her contributions.
The journey concluded on her 29th birthday. She performed for the last time at the AKB48 Theatre. This closed a twelve-year chapter that began with a simple photo audition.
Inside the World of Her lip to and Modern Branding
The philosophy “her life is her art” became the foundation of a direct-to-consumer fashion brand. Launched in 2018 by Kojima Haruna, Her lip to started as an extension of her personal style. It represented a clear move from performer to entrepreneur.
The Evolution of a Lifestyle Brand
Her lip to began with elegant dresses and expanded rapidly. By 2022, it included ROSIER lingerie and Her lip to BEAUTY, a line focused on clean self-care.
The brand opened its Omotesando concept store, House of Herme. This space combined shopping with a cafe and dessert parlor. Later expansions included standalone stores in Osaka and Nagoya.
Digital Engagement and Direct-to-Consumer Success
The brand built its success on a smart digital strategy. It used Shopify from the start for a direct customer connection.
This approach delivered impressive results.
- Gross merchandise value increased by 120%.
- Repeat purchases jumped 149%.
Weekly Instagram Live sessions created excitement. These “micro drops” let the team showcase new items and talk directly to fans.
A 2024 alliance with fashion company yutori provided scale. The founder remains the creative leader, ensuring the brand’s heart stays true. Her lip to BEAUTY reflects a belief that elegance belongs in everyday life.
Haruna Kojima’s Influence on Fashion and Lifestyle
A camera and authentic voice built a bridge to fans in the post-idol chapter. Her YouTube channel “Haruna Kojima’s Cat Nap” launched in 2019, focusing on beauty and lifestyle content.
The channel gained 632 thousand subscribers and 98.3 million views by September 2024. This success shows how former idols can maintain relevance through personal digital platforms.
Impact on Modern Japanese Fashion Trends
Kojima Haruna’s fashion evolution became a reference point for many Japanese women. Her transition from idol costumes to sophisticated style mirrored her audience’s journey.
Her lip to brand reflects this aesthetic shift. The romantic, feminine designs channel her public fashion evolution.
Lasting Legacy Through Iconic Performances
Her consistency within the AKB48 group remains unmatched. She appeared on 46 of 47 singles during her twelve-year tenure.
This record shows remarkable dedication. Her work with subunit no3b also demonstrated versatility beyond the main group.
Innovating Beyond Entertainment
The skills learned in idol training transferred directly to entrepreneurship. Discipline and fan service became business assets.
Her multichannel approach combines YouTube, Instagram, and physical stores. This modern blueprint values direct customer relationships.
| Platform | Focus Area | Audience Reach | Launch Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| YouTube Channel | Beauty & Lifestyle Vlogs | 632K subscribers | 2019 |
| Her lip to Brand | Fashion & Beauty Retail | National stores | 2018 |
| Instagram Engagement | Direct fan interaction | Weekly Live sessions | Ongoing |
Final Reflections on a Multifaceted Japanese Icon
What distinguishes this journey is not just its duration but its purposeful direction at every turn. Kojima Haruna’s career resists simple labels, moving seamlessly from idol to actress to entrepreneur.
Her success stems from reliability and smart timing rather than raw talent alone. She understood when to stay within a system and when to build something new.
The growth of her lifestyle brand proves that idol fame can transform into sustainable business. Kojima remains the creative force behind her vision, maintaining the customer connection she cultivated for years.
Her legacy accumulates through small, consistent decisions across decades. It shows how relevance comes from understanding your strengths and building thoughtfully when opportunities arise.
