Japan has always been the powerhouse of innovation in technology. Similar is the case with the Fashion industry. With a lot of Japanese models and influencers in fashion, there's real potential for you to enhance your fashion business to a new audience. 

In this guide, we'll discuss the top Japanese fashion models, renowned for their runway prowess and brand collaborations. Additionally, we'll provide insights into each model's past collaboration and engagement rate. 

NOTE - If you are short on time or want to explore options from a list of thousands of influencers, then sign up to impulze.ai. With simple, but advanced, filter options you can narrow down the fashion models and influencers you want to collaborate with. Try it for free! 

With that being said, let's have a look at the top 15 Japanese models.

1. Ayaka Miyoshi - 三吉 彩花

Image source: VOUGE Hong Kong

Past Collaborations: Prada, Tiffany, Gucci, and Louis Vuitton

Insta Profile: @miyoshi.aa

Followers: 2.1M+

Engagement Rate: 2.61%

Ayaka Miyoshi is a prominent Japanese model and actress known for her versatile career in both fashion and entertainment. She was the top model for Seventeen magazine, and has also appeared in "25ans" and "ELLE JAPON". She has ventured into acting, starring in numerous TV dramas and movies, earning acclaim for her performances.

Ayaka's social media reflects her glamorous life, featuring fashion shows, luxury brands, and travel adventures. This is why she is considered one of the top Japanese models on Instagram.

2. Kiko Mizuhara - 水原 希子

Image source: VOGUE

Past Collaborations - Opening Ceremony and Dior.

Insta Profile: @i_am_kiko

Followers: 7.8M+

Engagement Rate: 0.49%

Kiko Mizuhara is an American-born figure prominent in the Japanese modeling and entertainment industry. She has modeled for top magazines like Vogue and Harper's Bazaar and walked runways for high-profile designers at international fashion weeks.

In addition to her modeling success, Mizuhara has made significant strides in acting. She debuted in "Norwegian Wood" (2010) and participated in various Japanese dramas and films. 

As a designer, she has created pieces worn by international stars like Rihanna and Beyoncé. marking her influence beyond Japanese models. Mizuhara has also ventured into music, featuring in tracks by Towa Tei and M-Flo.

Recognized globally, she was listed in the Business of Fashion 500 and became the first Asian ambassador for Dior.

3. Yuri Ebihara - 蛯原 友里

Image source: aosora

Past Collaborations - Theory luxe and Jill Stuart

Insta Profile: @yuri_ebihara

Followers: 900K+

Engagement Rate: 1.49%

Yuri Ebihara is a celebrated Japanese female model and actress. With a fine arts degree from Kyushu Sangyo University, Ebihara first gained significant attention as an exclusive model for CanCam magazine. Her career has since expanded to include acting, with roles in TV dramas such as "Tokumei Kakarichō Tadano Hitoshi" (2007).

Since 2009, she has served as an exclusive model for AneCan, a magazine aimed at women in their twenties. Also, she began modeling exclusively for Domani, a fashion magazine for women in their thirties, starting July 2015.

In 2014, she won the Asian Fashion Icon of the Year, making her one of the top Japanese fashion models.

4. Daisuke Ueda - 上田 太輔

Image source: Pinterest

Past Collaborations: Dolce & Gabbana

Insta Profile: @uedaisuke

Followers: 8K+

Engagement Rate: 9.79%

Daisuke Ueda is one of the leading Japanese male models in the fashion industry. Ueda made history as the first-ever Asian model to grace the cover of Vogue Hommes Japan. Apart from this, he is also the spokesperson for Gap, an international clothing brand.

5. Tao Okamoto - 岡本 多緒

Image source: The Wall Street Journal

Past Collaborations - Dolce & Gabbana, Emporio Armani, Kenzo, and Tommy Hilfiger

Insta Profile: @taookamoto

Followers: 150K+

Engagement Rate: 0.40%

Tao Okamoto is a distinguished Japanese actress and model. As one of the top Japanese female models, she has made significant strides in modeling and acting. In 2009, Tao became a face for Ralph Lauren, marking a key moment in her modeling career.

She ventured into acting with her film debut as Mariko Yashida in "The Wolverine" (2013) and later appeared in "Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice" (2016) as Mercy Graves. Tao has also featured in television series such as "Hannibal," "The Man in the High Castle," and "Westworld."

She has appeared in magazines including i-D Magazine, V Magazine, W Magazine, and various editions of Harper's Bazaar and Vogue. The November 2009 issue of Vogue Nippon was dedicated to her, further solidifying her status in the fashion industry.

6. Rila Fukushima - 福島 リラ

Image source: IMDB

Past Collaborations - Calvin Klein, Sephora and PUMA

Insta Profile: @rila_fukushima

Followers: 100K+

Engagement Rate: 0.31%

Rila Fukushima is one of the renowned Japanese fashion models and actresses. She is notable for her roles in comic book adaptations across film and television. She has modeled for various international labels and brands, showcasing her versatility in the fashion industry.

But we all know her from her portrayal of Yukio in "The Wolverine" (2013), Tatsu Yamashiro in the TV series "Arrow," and a guest appearance in "Game of Thrones" (2015) as a Red Priestess.

Recognized for her contributions to both fashion and acting, Fukushima was named one of the women of 2013 by Vogue Japan.

7. Rina Fukushi - 福士リナ

Image source: Mixed Race Studies

Past Collaborations: Alexander Wang, Marc Jacobs, and Louis Vuitton

Insta Profile: @rinao127

Followers: 72K+

Engagement Rate: 0.30%

Rina Fukushi is a Japanese-Filipina fashion model and one of the prominent figures among female Japanese models. She experienced a swift ascent in the fashion world after being discovered at 14 in Tokyo’s Harajuku district.

Throughout her career, she has worked with leading fashion houses such as Miu Miu, Louis Vuitton, Bottega Veneta, and more. A pivotal moment in her career was debuting as an exclusive for Louis Vuitton at Paris Fashion Week.

8. Dean Fujioka - 藤岡 竜雄

Image source: Viki

Past Collaborations: COACH

Insta Profile: @tfjok

Followers: 1M+

Engagement Rate: 2.01%

Dean Fujioka is a Japanese male model, actor, singer-songwriter, musician, and film director/producer. He is fluent in Japanese, English, Cantonese, Mandarin, and Indonesian.

He launched his career as a model in Hong Kong in 2004, appearing in fashion shows and magazines. His career in Japan took off with significant roles in TV series like Detective versus Detectives and historical drama Here Comes Asa!, along with music releases like "History Maker," the opening theme for the anime Yuri!!! on Ice, which catapulted him to global fame.

He's also a prolific musician. He writes, composes, and produces music, showcasing his versatility by playing guitar, drums, piano, and beatboxing. He started his musical career in Indonesia but is now based in Tokyo.

9. Chiharu Okunugi - 치하루 오쿠누키

Image source: blog.naver

Past Collaborations: Louis Vuitton, Aritzia, and Zara

Insta Profile: @chiharuokunugi

Followers: 49K+

Engagement Rate: 0.41%

Chiharu Okunugi is one of the emerging Japanese fashion models in the global fashion industry. She's known for sharing captivating snapshots of her fashion-centric lifestyle on Instagram, to engage with her followers.

She has been a main attraction in the fashion industry since 2011 and is still among the top fashion models.

10. Kentaro Sakaguchi - 坂口 健太郎

Image source: Onitsuka Tiger

Past Collaborations: Onitsuka Tiger

Insta Profile: @sakaguchikentaro 

Followers: 1.2M+

Engagement Rate: 10.25%

Kentaro Sakaguchi is a versatile Japanese model and actor. He's celebrated for his contributions to both fashion and entertainment. He's widely known for his modeling for Men's No-no for seven years. Sakaguchi has been hailed as the epitome of "shio-gao" - meaning salt face.

In 2014, Sakaguchi made his debut as an actor under Tristone Entertainment. He has since garnered attention for his roles in television series such as "Tokyo Tarareba Musume" (2017) and "Signal" (2018).

11. Jun Hasegawa - 長谷川 潤

Image source: Viki

Past Collaborations: Louis Vuitton, Aritzia, and Zara

Insta Profile: @liveglenwood

Followers: 1.7M+

Engagement Rate: 1.34%

Jun Hasegawa is a Japanese-American model and one of the top Japanese fashion models. Her career saw a steep climb in 2005 after she modeled for the fashion magazine Vivi.

She has also appeared in Glamorous magazine and has extended her influence into the tarento (talent) industry. Her enduring presence in Japanese modeling highlights her enduring appeal and success.

Don’t mix her with Jun Hasegawa, a Singaporean, and a businessman.

12. Emi Suzuki - 鈴木えみ

Image source: Twitter (X)

Past Collaborations: Shiseido, Suntory, Meiji, and OPC

Insta Profile: @emisuzuki_official

Followers: 1.2M+

Engagement Rate: 1.14%

Suzuki is yet another prominent Japanese actor, model, and singer. Her modeling debut was with Seventeen in 1999, and she still is a prominent figure in the fashion industry. Emi has expanded her repertoire to include acting and singing. She has a strong passion for art, which is reflected in her work and interests.

Emi's Instagram account offers a glimpse into her lifestyle, featuring fashion, perfumes, and her beloved cat. She has a good and engaged following, making her a top Instagram model.

13. Takizawa Makiko - 滝沢真希子

Image source: PR Times

Past Collaborations: Banana Republic

Insta Profile: @makikotakizawa

Followers: 970K+ 

Engagement Rate: 1.12%

Takizawa Makiko is a fashion model and Mom influencer. She rose to prominence in her early 30s after being scouted by the popular magazine "VERY".

Since her debut, she has been on the covers of magazines and captivating readers with her impeccable fashion sense and lifestyle. Her appeal transcends generations, earning support from people of all ages.

Takizawa has a son and two daughters and takes motherhood seriously. In fact, she received the 9th Best Mother Award in the culture category in 2016. This is one of the reasons why she is also a well-known mom influencer.

14. Ai Tominaga - 冨永 愛

Image source: The WOW Magazine

Past Collaborations - Yves Saint Laurent and Gucci.

Insta Profile: @ai_tominaga_official 

Followers: 1M+

Engagement Rate: 0.21%

Ai Tominaga, born on August 1, 1982, is a significant Japanese model and actress. Known for breaking into European catwalks, she has appeared on the covers of major fashion magazines like Vogue and Harper's Bazaar across various countries.

Tominaga has walked for elite designers including John Galliano, Christian Dior, and Gucci. Beyond modeling, she's pursued TV, radio, and event appearances. She remains a prominent figure in the fashion industry, residing in Tokyo.

15. Ayami Nakajo - 中条 あやみ

Image source: aitoda.blogspot

Past Collaborations: Chanel

Insta Profile: @nakajo_ayami

Followers: 2.4M+

Engagement Rate: 0.5%

Ayami Nakajo is a talented Japanese actress and model affiliated with Ten Carat.

She was one of the winners of the Grand Prix alongside models like Yua Shinkawa. Her modeling journey continued to flourish as she debuted in the Tokyo Girls Collection during the 2012 S/S season. In the same year, she made her Television debut in the drama - "Miss Double Faced Teacher".

She later transitioned to the big screen with her first starring role in the 2014 film "Fatal Frame: The Movie". In September 2017, Nakajo was appointed as an exclusive model for CanCam, becoming a prominent figure in the fashion industry.