TOKYO (TR) – Kana Nakada, a former member of the popular idol group Nogizaka46 who has since reinvented herself as a television personality and professional mahjong player, will be the subject of her third photo book next month, reports Flash (July 11).
The August 25 release features shots taken in the Vietnamese coastal city of Da Nang and the historic town of Hoi An.
“I had the shoot done while feeling like I was genuinely sightseeing in Vietnam, so I think they were able to draw out a lot of ‘cuteness’ from my natural self,” Nakada said.
The ex-idol revealed that the overseas shoot was squeezed in on a rare day off during the grueling M.League professional mahjong season.
“I floated a lantern and prayed, ‘May we win the championship,'” she said. “Unfortunately, that wish didn’t come true, but the scenery was the best and very healing!”
While they failed to capture the championship, Nakada’s team, “BEAST X,” made a massive leap this season to finish in fourth place. Observers noted that Nakada herself made significant contributions to the team’s success at the table.
Transitioning from the pop stage to the highly competitive professional mahjong circuit, Nakada reflected on her evolving, calculating gameplay.
“There were parts where I was saved by luck, but this season I was more conscious of my finishing position than ever before,” she explained. “For example, figuring out what I need to do to aim for the top spot with three hands left, or if first place is difficult, whether I should aim for second. I’ve become able to think of the best choices for each moment.”
“I still have many issues to work on, so I will do my best to play mahjong that I can be more satisfied with,” she added.
