Yūka Sugai
Yūka Sugai is a Japanese idol who is the captain of idol group Keyakizaka46. She is represented by Sony Music Records.
Career
On August 21, 2015, Sugai along with 22 other members were announced for the newly created idol group, Toriizaka46. Her nicknames include Yukka and Sugai-sama, the latter referring to her alleged upper class background.Sugai made her musical debut with Keyakizaka46's first single, Silent Majority. As of February 2019, she has participated in all eight of Keyakizaka46's singles. She is also part of the subgroup Aozora to Marry along with Risa Watanabe, Akane Moriya, Manaka Shida, and Rika Watanabe. As part of the subunit, Sugai made center appearances in three songs: "Aozora Chigau" in "Sekai ni wa Ai Shika Nai", "Wareta Sumaho" in "Fukyōwaon, and "Namiuchigiwa o Hashiranai ka?" in "Kaze ni Fukarete mo". Additionally, Sugai made two song appearances as part of Sakamichi AKB, a group made of various AKB48 and Sakamichi members. She will also be included in Sakamichi AKB's next song.
During a handshake event on January 21, 2017, Sugai was named the captain of Keyakizaka46. Akane Moriya was named co-captain on the same day.
On April 11, 2018, Kodansha announced that they will be publishing a photo-book featuring Sugai that was photographed in Paris. She became the fourth member in Keyakizaka46 to have a photobook, behind Neru Nagahama, Yui Imaizumi, and Rika Watanabe. The photo-book, titled Fiancé, was the bestselling photo-book in Japan for three weeks in a row.
Personal life
Sugai was born on November 29, 1995, in Tokyo, Japan. As a child, she had 11 years of ballet experience.Sugai is also an avid horseback rider. She started in 5th grade and won numerous awards in various national competitions. On June 7, 2017, Sugai was named a "special ambassador" by the Japan Equestrian Federation.
As of March 2018, Sugai has graduated from university. She was a member and then manager of the equestrian club.
Equestrian competition results
The table below lists Sugai's top three finishes in equestrian competitions recognized by the Japan Equestrian Federation.| Year | Event | Competition | Place | Horse name |
| 2011 | 28th Tokyo Horse Show | Children rider | 1st | Wolphram |
| 2011 | 28th Japan Junior Dressage Equestrian Tournament | Children rider | 2nd | Wolphram |
| 2013 | 40th Tokyo Metropolitan Equestrian Competition | M1 Section | 1st | Wolphram |