Sayaka Yamamoto


Sayaka Yamamoto is Japanese singer and songwriter most widely known for her work as a former member of the Japanese idol girl group NMB48, where she served as the leader of the group and as the captain of Team N. She is also a former member of AKB48's Team K.

Career

2011–2012: Debut with NMB48

Yamamoto participated in auditions for the first generation of NMB48, and was selected to debut in the group along with 25 other girls. On March 10, 2011 Yamamoto was selected as one of 16 members which would debut as Team N, of which she was selected to serve as captain. Team N made their debut at the NMB48 theater on March 21, 2011. In May of the same year, Yamamoto and fellow Team N member Miyuki Watanabe were the first NMB48 members to be selected for an A-side senbatsu with the release of AKB48's 21st single "Everyday, Katyusha". On June 9, Yamamoto was the only member of NMB48 to rank in AKB48's 3rd general election. She placed 28th with 8,697 votes and as a result sang on the B-side "Dakishimecha Ikenai", on AKB48's 22nd single "Flying Get". On July 20, NMB48 made their major single debut with "Zetsumetsu Kurokami Shoujo", for which Yamamoto was selected as a senbatsu member. Despite not being the center for the A-side, Yamamoto served as the center for both B-sides "Seishun no Lap Time" and "Boku ga Maketa Natsu". On October 19, NMB48 released their second single entitled "Oh My God!", for which Yamamoto served as center with fellow Team N member Nana Yamada. This marked the first time Yamamoto had been chosen as a center for an A-side senbatsu. She also served as a center on the B-sides "Boku wa Matteru", "Kesshou" and "Uso no Tenbin" on the same single. On October 26, Yamamoto participated in her second A-side senbatsu with AKB48 on their 23rd single "Kaze wa Fuiteiru".
Yamamoto was given her first solo A-side center on NMB48's third single "Junjou U-19", which was released on March 8, 2012. This was also the first NMB48 single to include a solo song, entitled "Jungle Gym", which was sang entirely by Yamamoto. On March 15, Yamamoto was a part of the lineup for AKB48's 25th single "GIVE ME FIVE!", in which the senbatsu members played as a band called "Baby Blossom", for which Yamamoto sang as part of the chorus. On May 9, NMB48 released fourth single "Nagiichi" for which Yamamoto served as center with Miyuki Watanabe. On May 23, Yamamoto, with fellow NMB48 members Miyuki Watanabe and Eriko Jo, was included as a part of the media senbatsu for AKB48's 26th single "Manatsu no Sounds Good!". On June 6, Yamamoto ranked 18th in AKB48's 4th general election with a total of 23,020 votes and as a result sang on the B-side "Nante Bohemian" as a member of "Undergirls" on AKB48's 27th single "Gingham Check". On August 8, NMB48 released their fifth single "Virginity" for which Yamamoto once again served as the sole center. She also served as the center for B-side "Bokura no Regatta" on the same single. On October 31, Yamamoto participated as a senbatsu member for AKB48's 28th single "UZA". On November 7, NMB48 released their 6th single "Kitagawa Kenji", for which Yamamoto served as center with Miyuki Watanabe. On November 21, Yamamoto released her first photobook entitled "Sayagami", which sold over 55,000 units. The photobook was released on the same day as Miyuki Watanabe's photobook, and was marketed as a battle between the two members, which was ultimately "won" by Watanabe. On December 5, AKB48 released their 29th single "Eien Pressure", for which Yamamoto sang on the B-side "HA!" and served as center for along with Miyuki Watanabe. This marked the first time Yamamoto had served as a center for a B-side on an AKB48 single.

2013–2015: Rise in popularity and concurrency with AKB48

On February 20, 2013 Yamamoto participated in AKB48's 30th single "So long!" as a senbatsu member. On May 22, Yamamoto participated in AKB48's 31st single "Sayonara Crawl" as a media senbatsu member. On June 8, Yamamoto ranked 14th in AKB48's 5th general election with 51,793 votes. The release of AKB48's 32nd single "Koisuru Fortune Cookie" on August 21 marked the first time Yamamoto entered an AKB48 senbatsu through the election. On June 19th, NMB48 released their 7th single "Bokura no Eureka" for which Yamamoto served as the sole center for. On October 2, NMB48 released their 7th single "Kamonegix" for which Yamamoto served as center for alongside Miyuki Watanabe. On October 30, Yamamoto participated in AKB48's 33rd single "Heart Ereki". The senbatsu members for this single performed as a band called "THE G.FINGERS" and were given English aliases. Yamamoto once again acted as a member of the chorus and assumed the English name "Rosanna". On December 11, Yamamoto participated on the B-sides on "Mosh & Dive" and "Kimi to Deatte Boku wa Kawatta" on AKB48's 34th single "Kimi no Hohoemi wo Yume ni Miru".
On February 24, 2014, it was announced that Yamamoto would hold a concurrent position in AKB48's Team K. On February 26, Yamamoto participated in AKB48's 35th single "Mae Shika Mukanee" as a senbatsu member. On March 26, NMB48 released their 8th single "Takane no Ringo" for which Yamamoto served as the sole center. On May 21, Yamamoto participated as a media senbatsu member for AKB48's 36th single "Labrador Retriever" and also served as the center for B-side "Itoshiki Rival" with Jurina Matsui as a member of Team K. This marked Yamamoto's first participation in an AKB48 single as an AKB48 member. On June 7, Yamamoto ranked 6th in AKB48's 6th general election with 67,916 votes, marking her first entry into the "Kami 7". As a result, Yamamoto participated as a senbatsu member on AKB48's 37th single "Kokoro no Placard". Yamamoto was also the only NMB48 member to rank in senbatsu for this year. On November 5, NMB48 released their 9th single entitled "Rashikunai", for which Yamamoto participated in as a senbatsu member. This was the first single since "Zetsumetsu Kurokami Shoujo" to not be centered by Yamamoto. However, she centered the B-side "Kyusen Kyotei" with Yuki Kashiwagi, and also sang on the duet "Tomodachi" with fellow first generation member Nana Yamada. On November 26, AKB48 released their 38th single "Kibouteki Refrain" on which Yamamoto participated as a media senbatsu member. She also served as center for Team K's "Hajimete no Drive", with Jurina Matsui on the same single.
On February 10, 2015, Sayaka Yamamoto released her second photobook titled "SY" which sold 42,779 in its first week of sales according to Oricon and topped the Oricon sales charts. The high sales volume prompted a second-printing of the gravure photobook.

2016–2017: Solo debut

On April 13, 2016, she graduated from her concurrent position in AKB48's Team K and returned as a full-time member of NMB48.
On October 26, 2016, Sayaka Yamamoto released her first solo album "Rainbow". It debuted at number 3 on the weekly Oricon singles chart.
On October 4, 2017, Sayaka Yamamoto released her second solo album "identity".

2018–present: Graduation from NMB48 and continued solo success

On July 30, 2018, Sayaka Yamamoto announced in NMB48 LIVE TOUR 2018 in Summer that she would be graduating from NMB48. On October 27, 2018, her graduation concert titled "SAYAKA SONIC~Sayaka, Sasayaka, Sayonara, Sayaka~" was held at Expo’70 Commemorative Park.
On April 17, 2019, Sayaka Yamamoto released her first solo single "Ichirinsou". On September 4, 2019, Yamamoto released her second single "Thorn". On September 17, 2019, Yamamoto announced on her YouTube channel that her third single "Tsuioku no Hikari" would be released on November 20, 2019, with her third album α following on December 25, 2019.

AKB48 general elections

Solo albums

YearNo.TitleRoleNotes
20111"Zetsumetsu Kurokami Shōjo"A-side, ShirogumiDebut with NMB48 Team N. Sang on "Seishun no Lap Time" and "Mikazuki no Senaka". Sang on "Boku ga Maketa Natsu" with Shirogumi
20112"Oh My God!"A-side, Shirogumi, NMB SevenSang on "Boku wa Matteru". Sang on "Kesshou" with Shirogumi. Sang on "Uso no Tenbin" with NMB Seven.
20123"Junjō U-19"A-side, Shirogumi, NMB Seven, SoloSang on "Doryoku no Shizuku" with Shirogumi. Sang on "Reni no Speed" with NMB Seven. Solo track "Jungle Gym"
20124"Nagiichi"A-side, Shirogumi, NMB SevenSang on "Saigo no Catharsis" with Shirogumi. Sang on "Hatsukoi no Yukue to Play Ball" with NMB Seven.
20125"Virginity"A-side, ShirogumiSang on "Mōsō Girlfriend". Sang on "Bokura no Regatta" with Shirogumi.
20126"Kitagawa Kenji"A-side, ShirogumiSang on "In-Goal". Sang on "Hoshizora no Caravan" with Shirogumi.
20137"Bokura no Eureka"A-side, ShirogumiSang on "Todokekana Soude Todoku Mono". Sang on "Okuba" as Shirogumi. She is the subject of the song "Sayanee" on the single.
20138"Kamonegix"A-side, ShirogumiSang on "Doshaburi no Seishun no Naka de" as Shirogumi.
20149"Takane no Ringo"A-side, ShirogumiSang on "Prom no Koibito" as Shirogumi.
201410"Rashikunai"A-side, Team NSang on "Tomodachi". Sang on "Kyusen Kyotei" as Team N.
201511"Don't look back!"A-side, Team NSang on "Renai Petenshi" as Team N. Sang on "Sotsugyō Ryokō" as NMB48's 1st generation.
201512"Durian Shōnen"A-side, Team NSang on "Inochi no Heso" as Team N.
201513"Must be now"A-side, Team NSang on "Yume ni Iro ga nai riyū" as Team N and "Orera to wa".
201614"Amagami Hime"A-side, Team NAlso sang on "365 Nichi no Kamihikōki" as solo version, "Hakanai Monogatari" as Team N and "Dōtonbori yo, Naka Sete Kure!".
201615"Boku wa Inai"A-side, Team NAlso sang on "Ima Naraba" as Saya Milky and "Sora Kara Ai ga Futte Kuru" as Team N.
201616"Boku Igai no Dareka"A-side, Team NAlso sang on "Kodoku Guitar" as Team N.
201717"Warota People"A-side, Team NAlso sang on "Doko ka de Kiss wo" as Team N.
201818"Yokubomono"A-side, Team NAlso sang on "Hankyū Densha" as Team N.
201819"Boku Datte naichau yo"A-side, Team NLast single to participate. Also sang on "Usotsuki Machine" as Team N and "Wasurete Hoshii" which is her graduation song.
2018----

Albums with NMB48

; Teppen Tottande!
; Sekai no Chuushin wa Osaka ya ~Namba Jichiku~
YearNo.TitleRoleNotes
201121"Everyday, Katyusha"A-sideFirst AKB48 single, representing NMB48 Team N.
201122"Flying Get"Under GirlsRanked 28th in 2011 General Election. Did not sing on title track. Sang on "Dakishimecha Ikenai"
201123"Kaze wa Fuiteiru"A-side
201124"Ue kara Mariko"B-sideDid not sing on title track; lineup was determined by rock-paper-scissors tournament; She sang on "Noël no Yoru".
201225"Give Me Five!"A-side Sang in chorus with Baby Blossom.
201226"Manatsu no Sounds Good!"A-sideShe also sang on "Gugutasu no Sora".
201227"Gingham Check"Under GirlsRanked 18th in 2012 General Election. Did not sing on title track. She sang on "Nante Bohemian".
201228"Uza"A-side
201229"Eien Pressure"B-sideDid not sing on title track; lineup was determined by rock-paper-scissors tournament. Sang on "Ha!" as part of NMB48.
201330"So Long!"A-side
201331"Sayonara Crawl"A-side
201332"Koi Suru Fortune Cookie"A-sideRanked 14th in 2013 General Election. Sang on title track.
201333"Heart Electric"A-sideSang on title track with English name "Rosanna"
201334"Suzukake no Ki no Michi de "Kimi no Hohoemi o Yume ni Miru" to Itte Shimattara Bokutachi no Kankei wa Dō Kawatte Shimau no ka, Bokunari ni Nan-nichi ka Kangaeta Ue de no Yaya Kihazukashii Ketsuron no Yō na Mono"B-sideDid not sing on title track; lineup was determined by rock-paper-scissors tournament. Sang on "Mosh & Dive".
201435"Mae Shika Mukanee"A-side
201436"Labrador Retriever"A-side
201437"Kokoro no Placard"A-sideRanked 6th in 2014 General Election.
201438"Kibouteki Refrain"A-sideAlso sang on "Hajimete no Drive"
201539"Green Flash"A-sideRaps in this song with Minami Takahashi. Also sang "Punkish" as part of NMB48.
201540"Bokutachi wa Tatakawanai"A-sideAlso sang "Kimi no Dai Ni Sho"
201541"Halloween Night"A-sideRanked 6th in 2015 General Election. Also sang on "Yankee Machine Gun" and "Gunzou".
201542"Kuchibiru ni Be My Baby"A-sideAlso sang on "365 Nichi no Kamihikōki" which she is the Center, "Madonna no Sentaku" and "Senaka Kotoba".
201643"Kimi wa Melody"A-sideMarked as the 10th Anniversary Single. Also sang on "Shigamitsuita Seishun" as part of NMB48.
201644"Tsubasa wa Iranai"A-sideLast single as AKB48 concurrent member. Also sang on "Aishū no Trumpeter".
201645"LOVE TRIP / Shiawase wo Wakenasai"A-sideAlso sang on "Hikari to Kage no Hibi" which she is Double Center with Yui Yokoyama.
201646"High Tension"A-side
201747"Shoot Sign"A-sideAlso sang on "Mayonaka no Tsuyogari" as part of NMB48.
201748"Negaigoto no Mochigusare"A-side
201750"11gatsu no Anklet"A-sideAlso sang on "Yaban na Kyūai" which she is the Center, and "Yosōgai no Story".
201851"Jabaja"A-sideAlso sang on "Hetawōtsu" as part of NMB48.
201852"Teacher Teacher"A-sideLast single to participate.
2018----
2018----

Albums with AKB48

; Koko ni Ita Koto
; 1830m
; Tsugi no Ashiato
; Koko ga Rhodes da, Koko de Tobe!
; 0 to 1 no Aida
; Thumbnail
; Bokutachi wa, Ano Hi no Yoake wo Shitteiru
;NMB48 Team N 1st Stage "Dareka no Tame ni"
;NMB48 Team N 2nd Stage "Seishun Girls"
;NMB48 Team N 3rd Stage "Koko ni Datte Tenshi wa Iru"
;NMB48 Team N 3rd Stage Revival "Koko ni Datte Tenshi wa Iru"
;AKB48 Team K 6th Stage Revival "RESET"
;AKB48 Team K 4th Stage Revival "Saishū Bell ga Naru"

Television