Yamaki Risa (山木梨沙) is a former Japanese idol under Hello! Project as a member of Country Girls[2][3] and a former member of College Cosmos.[4] She first joined Hello! Project as a Hello Pro Kenshuusei member in September 2013.[5] On October 31, 2019, Yamaki graduated from College Cosmos.[6] She later retired from entertainment following Country Girls' suspension of activities on December 26, 2019.[7]
Contents
Biography[edit | edit source]

Yamaki Risa, October 2019

Yamaki Risa, March 2019

Yamaki Risa, October 2018

Yamaki Risa, August 2018

Yamaki Risa, February 2017

Yamaki Risa, September 2016

Yamaki Risa, March 2016

Yamaki Risa, December 2015

Yamaki Risa, August 2015

Yamaki Risa, March 2015

Yamaki Risa, January 2015

Yamaki Risa, February 2014

Yamaki Risa, November 2013
Early Life[edit | edit source]
Yamaki Risa was born on October 14, 1997 in Tokyo, Japan.
2013[edit | edit source]
In 2013, Yamaki participated in the Morning Musume 12ki Member "Mirai Shoujo" Audition for an opportunity to join Morning Musume. She made it up to the final round, but on August 24, it was announced that she failed to joined the group in the end along with the 6 other finalists.[8]
In September, Yamaki joined Hello Pro Kenshuusei along with the other Mirai Shoujo finalists, becoming the 20th generation.[5] On September 22, an introduction of Yamaki was uploaded to the Hello Pro Kenshuusei YouTube channel.[9]
On December 7, Yamaki was officially introduced as a Hello Pro Kenshuusei at the Hello Pro Kenshuusei Happyoukai 2013 ~12gatsu no Nama Tamago Show!~, alongside Yokogawa Yumei, Niinuma Kisora, Oura Hirona, Dambara Ruru, Haga Akane and Funaki Musubu. All seven girls did a dance performance of Juice=Juice's debut single "Watashi ga Iu Mae ni Dakishimenakya ne".
2014[edit | edit source]
From March 14 to March 23, Yamaki participated in the musical Bokutachi Karen na Shounen Gasshoudan along with Yasuda Kei, Ogawa Makoto and 7 other trainees. On opening day, the Hello Pro Kenshuusei single "Karen na Gasshoudan" was released to promote the musical.
On November 5, it was announced that Yamaki was added to Country Musume, now called Country Girls, alongside Inaba Manaka, Morito Chisaki, Shimamura Uta and Ozeki Mai.[2][3] She concluded her trainee activities following the Hello Pro Kenshuusei Happyoukai 2014 ~11gatsu・12gatsu no Nama Tamago Show!~.
From December 3 to December 11, Yamaki participated in the stage play Kurukuru to Shi to Shitto, along with Niigaki Risa, Kikkawa Yuu, Hello Pro Kenshuusei member Yamagishi Riko and S/mileage 3rd generation member Aikawa Maho.
2015[edit | edit source]
On October 15, Yamaki celebrated her 18th birthday at a fanclub event was titled Country Girls Yamaki Risa Birthday Event 2015, featuring two shows at TOKYO FM HALL.
On December 11, Yamaki released her first solo e-Hello! Blu-ray, Greeting ~Yamaki Risa~.
2016[edit | edit source]
On February 20, Yamaki appeared in Shizuoka Asahi TV's annual music documentary program ch223 music pinkiss ~Ponyo Trio Nihon Ichi no Sotsugyou Ryokou!?~ with Hakoiri♡Musume member Wagatsuma Momomi.[10]
On October 14, Yamaki celebrated her 19th birthday at a fanclub event titled Country Girls Yamaki Risa Birthday Event 2016, featuring two shows at TOKYO FM HALL.
On October 29, Country Girls released original "Dou Datte Ii no" figure stand keyholders that were hand-illustrated by Yamaki.[11]
2017[edit | edit source]
On October 16, Yamaki celebrated her 20th birthday at a fanclub event titled Country Girls Yamaki Risa Birthday Event 2017, featuring two shows at Mt.RAINER HALL.
On December 5, Yamaki held the Yamaki Risa to Tanoshimu! Real Dasshutsu Game in collaboration with SCRAP, the creators of the REAL ESCAPE GAME. The theme was "Escape from JoJo's Bizarre Mansion", based on the JoJo's Bizarre Adventure series.
2018[edit | edit source]
On February 14, Yamaki released her first visual photobook, titled sketch me.[12]
On August 31, Yamaki held her second escape room event with SCRAP, titled the Yamaki Risa to Tanoshimu! Real Dasshutsu Game Dai 2 Dan. The theme was "Escape from Shin Godzilla".
On October 3, it was announced that Yamaki had joined College Cosmos, an idol group made up of female university students which was created as a joint project between Space Craft Group and UP-FRONT GROUP.[4] Because the group was formed on the basis of balancing idol activities and university studies, Yamaki decided to join since she would not be overwhelmed by the amount of work.[13] At the press conference it was also revealed that she would be double centers with Matsui Mari.[14]
On September 25, Yamaki announced that from October forwards, she would be a Tuesday regular MC on the Radio Nippon program 60TRYbu, alternating with ANGERME member Takeuchi Akari who has been the regular MC since late 2015.[15]
On October 15, she celebrated her 21st birthday at a fanclub event titled Country Girls Yamaki Risa Birthday Event 2018, featuring two shows at TOKYO FM HALL.
On November 30, former Morning Musume member Takahashi Ai published the Ai Takahashi MAKE-UP BOOK in which Yamaki and five other active Hello! Project members appear as models.[16]
2019[edit | edit source]
On February 20, Yamaki held her third escape room event with SCRAP, Yamaki Risa to Tanoshimu! Real Dasshutsu Game Dai 3 Dan. The theme was a SCRAP-original production titled "Sayounara, Bokura no Magic Hour".[17]
On June 12, she opened an official Instagram account.[18][19]
On August 17, orders opened for fanclub-exclusive inkan seals of Hello! Project members that were hand-illustrated by Yamaki Risa herself, starting with Juice=Juice and Country Girls.[20] The second round of inkan seals of the Morning Musume '19 and Kobushi Factory members opened for orders on September 20.[21] The third round of inkan seals of the ANGERME and Tsubaki Factory members opened for orders on November 25.[22]
On September 28, she held her fourth escape room event with SCRAP, Yamaki Risa to Tanoshimu! Real Dasshutsu Game Dai 4 Dan, which participants had to escape from a Detective Conan collaboration room, titled "Real Escape Game×Detective Conan 'Escape from the Prussian Blue Art Museum'".[23]
On October 15, she celebrated her 22nd birthday at a fanclub event titled Country Girls Yamaki Risa Birthday Event 2019 at Yamano Hall.
On October 31, Yamaki graduated from College Cosmos during their mini live at LaQua Garden Stage commemorating the release of their second single, "Shiawase no Arika wa Dochira Desu ka / Watashi Kakumei".[6][24]
On November 15, she and Ishida Ayumi held a joint fanclub event titled Morning Musume '19 Ishida Ayumi & Country Girls Yamaki Risa FC Event ~#Tsui ni Yamaki to Ishida ga Event Suru tte yo~, featuring two shows at Mynavi BLITZ Akasaka.
On December 11, she released her last solo visual photobook, Last Picture.
On December 26, Country Girls suspended all activities after their concert at LINE CUBE SHIBUYA, and Yamaki Risa subsequently graduated from Country Girls and Hello! Project. Afterwards, she retired from the entertainment industry in favor of getting a job and living an ordinary life.[7]
2021[edit | edit source]
In February, Yamaki Risa appeared as one of the hiring management staff at Sony Corporation in an introduction video aimed to recruit and hire recent college graduates.[25]
Personal Life[edit | edit source]
Yamaki has an older brother and owns 2 pet cats.
When Yamaki joined Hello Pro Kenshuusei in September 2013, she was a first year student at Keio Girls Senior High School.[26] When she joined Country Girls, she was a second year high school student. She graduated from high school in March 2016 and entered Keio University's Faculty of Business and Commerce.[27][13] Yamaki has also taken Spanish courses.[28][29] As of 2020, she has graduated from Keio University and entered the work force.
The following list are notable friendships Yamaki Risa has acquired:
- Makino Maria: She is close friends with Morning Musume member Makino Maria since their trainee days.
- Aikawa Maho: She is good friends with ANGERME member Aikawa Maho since Hello Pro Kenshuusei.
- Niinuma Kisora: Yamaki is good friends with Tsubaki Factory member Niinuma Kisora.
- Fukumura Mizuki: She is close friends with Morning Musume member Fukumura Mizuki.
- Ishida Ayumi: She is good friends with Morning Musume member Ishida Ayumi.
Yamaki's given name, Risa, means "Japanese pear" (梨; ri) combined with "sand" (沙; sa). Her parents wanted a name that was easy to understand and easy to remember if she traveled abroad, and her mother also likes Japanese pear fruit.[30]
Here is a list of nicknames that was used to refer to Yamaki Risa:
- Yamakki (やまっき): Official nickname, given to her in Hello Pro Kenshuusei.
- Risa-chan (りさちゃん): Second official nickname, given to her in Country Girls.
Profile[edit | edit source]
- Name: Yamaki Risa (山木梨沙)
- Nicknames: Yamakki (やまっき),[5] Risa-chan (りさちゃん)
- Birthdate: October 14, 1997[5]
- Birthplace: Tokyo, Japan[5]
- Blood Type: B[5]
- Height: 155 cm (5 ft 1 in)?[1]
- Western Zodiac:
Libra
- Eastern Zodiac:
Ox
- Hello! Project Status:
- 2013-09-22: Hello Pro Kenshuusei member[5]
- 2014-11-05: Country Girls member[2]
- 2019-12-26: Graduated
- UP-FRONT PROMOTION Status:
- 2013-09-22: Member
- 2019-12-26: Retired
- Years in Country Girls: 5 Years
- Country Girls Color:
Lime
- Hello! Project Groups:
- Hello Pro Kenshuusei (2013–2014)
- Country Girls (2014-2019)
- Other Groups:
- College Cosmos (2018-2019)
- See Also: List:Yamaki Risa Other Q&As
- Specialty: Horseback riding,[5] Drawing[5], Piano, Painting
- Hobbies: Piano,[5] Hello! Project appreciation[5], Visiting cafes, Reading manga
- Motto: "Stay Hungry, Stay Foolish" (ハングリーであれ、愚か者であれ)[5]
- Favorite Colors: Pink,[5] red x black[5]
- Favorite Sport: Swimming[5]
- Favorite Hello! Project songs: "ROCK Erotic", "Kimagure Princess", "C\C (Cinderella\Complex)", "Ame no Furanai Hoshi de wa Aisenai Darou?", "Lalala no Pipipi", "Fantasy ga Hajimaru", "HOW DO YOU LIKE JAPAN? ~Nihon wa Donna Kanji Dekka?~"
- Looks Up To: Michishige Sayumi
Discography[edit | edit source]
- See also: List:Yamaki Risa Discography Featured In
Solo Blu-rays[edit | edit source]

- [2015.12.11] Greeting ~Yamaki Risa~
Solo Fanclub DVDs[edit | edit source]
- [2020.02.xx] Country Girls Yamaki Risa Birthday Event 2019
Publications[edit | edit source]
Solo Photobooks[edit | edit source]
- [2017.03.25] Yamaki Risa Mini Photobook "Greeting -Photobook-"
- [2018.02.14] sketch me
- [2019.12.11] Last Picture
Works[edit | edit source]
Theater[edit | edit source]
- [2014] Bokutachi Karen na Shounen Gasshoudan
- [2014] Kurukuru to Shi to Shitto
- [2016] Kizetsu Suru Hodo Aishiteru!
- [2019] Harukanaru Toki no Naka de 6 Gaiden ~Tasogare no Kamen~ (daily guest role)
TV Programs[edit | edit source]
- [2014.04.05~09.20] ~Onedari Entame!~ Hapi★Pure
- [2016.02.20] ch223 music pinkiss ~Ponyo Trio Nihon Ichi no Sotsugyou Ryokou!?~ (ch223 music pinkiss 2016 ~ポニョトリオ 日本一の卒業旅行!?~)
- [2015–2019] The Girls Live
- [2019] AI・DOL PROJECT (AI・DOL プロジェクト)
Internet[edit | edit source]
- [2015–2019] Hello! Project Station
- [2015–2016] MUSIC+
- [2015–2016] GREEN ROOM
- [2016–2019] Upcoming
- [2016–2017] Girls Night Out
- [2017–2019] tiny tiny
- [2018–2019] OMAKE CHANNEL
- [2019] Hello Pro no Oshigoto Challenge
- [2019] Hello Pro Kouhaku Taiko THE☆BATTLE 2019
Radio[edit | edit source]
- [2015] Country Girls no Tadaima Radio Kenshuuchuu!! (カントリー・ガールズの只今ラジオ研修中!!)
- [2015-2019] Country Girls no Tadaima Radio Housouchuu!! (カントリー・ガールズの只今ラジオ放送中!!)
- [2018-2019] 60TRYbu (60TRY部) (Tuesday regular MC)
Music Videos[edit | edit source]
- [2014] Wonderful Hachikun (as a back-up dancer)
- [2017] ℃-ute - To Tomorrow (as a back-up dancer)
- [2019] ANGERME - Koi wa Accha Accha ("Koushiki Accha Accha Ouentai" PV)
Trivia[edit | edit source]
|
See Also[edit | edit source]
- Gallery:Yamaki Risa
- List:Yamaki Risa Discography Featured In
- List:Yamaki Risa Concert & Event Appearances
- List:Yamaki Risa Pocket Morning Weekly Q&A
- List:Yamaki Risa Publications Featured In
- List:Yamaki Risa Other Q&As
Honorary Titles[edit | edit source]
Honorary titles | ||
---|---|---|
Preceded by |
Oldest Member of Hello Pro Kenshuusei |
Succeeded by |
Preceded by |
Oldest Member of Country Girls |
Succeeded by |
References[edit | edit source]
|
External Links[edit | edit source]
- Country Girls Profile (archived)
- Hello Pro Kenshuusei Profile (archived)
- Country Girls Official Blog (inactive)
- Instagram (inactive)
- Hello Pro Kenshuusei Blogs: December 2013, 2014 Test, September 2014 (archived), November/December 2014, Bokutachi Karen na Shounen Gasshoudan / Other
College Cosmos | |
---|---|
Members | |
Former Members | Yamaki Risa | Matsui Mari | Akizuki Kana | Suga Marin | Hashimoto Sana | Wakita Rina | Ito Mai | Tsushima Haruka | Ito Ayaka | Yukishima Momoha | Gunji Nao | Aya | Hiraga Sakino | Sakamoto Misaki | Watanabe Marin | Fukusawa Kyoka | Matsuoka Motoka | Niinomi Rina | Wakita Mana | Okamoto Mayuko | Aono Natsuki | Funada Miko | Natsuki | Nakajima Nana | Nitadori Megumi |
Discography | |
Major Singles | 1. Yume wa Ijiwaru / Kotoba no Mizu wo Roka Shitai / Kigou Nanka ja nai Watashitachi wa | 2. Shiawase no Arika wa Dochira Desu ka / Watashi Kakumei |
Units & Other Acts | |
Associated Acts | Hello Pro Kenshuusei, Country Girls |
Hello Pro Kenshuusei | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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- 1997 Births
- October Births
- Members from Tokyo
- Libra
- Ox
- Blood Type B
- 2013 Additions
- Members who failed a Morning Musume audition
- Members born in Heisei Period
- Members born before Hello! Project's formation
- Hello Pro Kenshuusei
- 20th Generation Hello Pro Kenshuusei
- Yamaki Risa
- Members featured in Hello! Project Station
- Debuted Eggs
- Country Girls
- Yellow-Green Member Color
- College Cosmos
- 2019 Departures
- Retired
- Hello! Project Graduates
- Members who formerly attended university