Career
Ayaka joined Hello! Project in 1999 after being discovered by Makoto, fellow Sharan Q bandmate of Tsunku, with four other girls, forming Coconuts Musume. Having lived most of her teenage years in Hawaiʻi and attending English schools in Japan, Ayaka is fluent in both Japanese and English. She is best known by foreign fans for her "Ayaka no Totsugeki Eikaiwa (Ayaka"s Surprise English Lessons)" television segment, where she would test the English skills of Morning Musume members.
On April 30, 2008, Ayaka graduated from Coconuts Musume and Hello! Project to pursue her dream of being an actress.
The following day, it was revealed that she had signed with Tristone Entertainment, going under the stage name of Ayaka Nagate.