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| Former AKB48 Star Miyazato Rira Reveals Marriage, Motherhood and New Idol Company (Photo: NikkanSports) |
Former AKB48 member Miyazato Rira has officially stepped into a brand-new chapter of her life, revealing that she is now married and has already welcomed her first child. The 23-year-old announced that she married a non-celebrity man three years her senior, with the couple quietly tying the knot last year after learning about the pregnancy.
Adding to the joyful update, Miyazato Rira also confirmed that she gave birth to a healthy baby boy in June last year.
The announcement came as a New Year surprise, catching many fans off guard, especially as she had kept both her marriage and pregnancy largely out of the public eye.
While balancing motherhood, Miyazato Rira has continued her entertainment career and even taken a bold step into business.
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Earlier this year, she established her own company, through which she is set to debut a self-produced idol group later this month. Speaking confidently about the year ahead, she described 2025 as a year she hopes will bring “five times more growth” than before.
Having debuted at just 12 years old, Miyazato Rira was once affectionately nicknamed “the baby” during her AKB48 days due to her youthful looks.
Now, she finds herself embracing real motherhood with surprising calm.
She shared that her baby is easy-going, sleeps well, and responds warmly to her presence, making daily life feel peaceful rather than overwhelming.
Her relationship with her husband began after her graduation from the group, introduced through a mutual friend.
According to Miyazato Rira, marriage has not dramatically changed her lifestyle, but it has given her steady support. She highlighted how her husband actively helps with childcare, allowing her to continue working without stress. The family currently lives together in Tokyo with their two cats, enjoying what she describes as a simple and harmonious routine.
Miyazato also spoke candidly about her husband’s personality, describing him as quick-witted, humorous, and refreshingly different from herself.
She admitted that his sharp sense of humour often keeps her grounded, while also playfully pointing out her habit of speaking without clear context, something she now laughs about.
One of the biggest milestones following the birth of her child was the launch of her own company, named with a blend of her name and a French word symbolising charm and attraction.
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The decision to start her own business was encouraged by her husband, who pushed her to fully pursue her creative vision rather than compromise. Through crowdfunding and personal investment, she moved forward with auditions and preparations for a six-member idol group scheduled to debut with a live performance in Tokyo on 28 January.
Miyazato Rira explained that her goal is to create a group that genuinely resonates with younger audiences, particularly Gen Z, while still appealing broadly.
【いつも応援してくださる皆様へ】 pic.twitter.com/JiNEVsrlX3
— 宮里莉羅 (@Riraranri0330) December 31, 2025
She hopes to build a space where talent can shine naturally, and where idols can inspire through authenticity rather than image alone.
Behind the scenes, her husband also lends a hand with social media operations, making the project a true team effort.
Interestingly, many fans never noticed her pregnancy, as she carefully shared photos that avoided revealing her baby bump. She only informed her former AKB48 colleagues more formally during the group’s 20th anniversary event in December, leading to shocked and emotional reactions.
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Despite the jokes about her being “a baby raising a baby”, Miyazato openly admitted she is still learning and relies heavily on family support as she grows into her new roles.
Looking ahead, Miyazato Rira reflected on predictions she had heard years ago about her mid-twenties being a turning point. With her family settled and her creative ambitions taking shape, she believes the timing feels right.
Even with new responsibilities as a wife, mother, company founder, and producer, she insists that at heart, she hasn’t changed.
To her fans, Miyazato Rira sent a gentle message, asking them not to see her differently just because her life has expanded.
She hopes supporters will continue watching her journey with the same warmth as before, while cheering on this next stage. And for readers following her idol story, what do you think about idols stepping into business and family life so early?