In 2006, Nakamoto enrolled in Actor's School Hiroshima as part of the sixteenth batch, joining her sister Suzuka who enrolled in the previous batch the same year. As students, they performed in a duet called Tween.[2] She was also a member of the idol group SPL∞ASH [ja], which was founded by the school.[3]
Nakamoto passed the auditions for Nogizaka46 on August 21, 2011, and joined as a first generation member. Her audition song was "Aitakatta" by AKB48.[4] In the group, she was known for her cheerful "Himetan" persona and signature pose, the "Himetan Beam" (ひめたんびーむ).[5][6][7] She was also the lead vocalist of Nogidan, the rock subunit of Nogizaka46.[8] In the sixth season of NogiBingo!, she served as assistant MC. She was also an assistant MC on the NHK Radio 1 program Radirer! Sunday.
In 2017, Nakamoto went on hiatus from January to early April, citing poor health (later revealed to be a form of adjustment disorder and eating disorder, which she began to experience a few days after joining Nogizaka46).[9][10][11][12][7] On August 6, she announced in a live broadcast of Radirer! Sunday that she would graduate from Nogizaka46.[13] Her final performance as a Nogizaka46 member took place at the Tokyo Dome on November 7–8, 2017.[14] On November 8, "Last Number", a collaboration single between her and Radio Fish, the boy band formed by Radirer! Sunday hosts Oriental Radio, was released.[15] Her final blog post on the official Nogizaka46 blog was published on December 22, 2017.[16]
Post-Nogizaka46
Nakamoto became interested in pursuing a mental health care career after she attended psychological counseling sessions while in Nogizaka46.[17] She has completed training as a hand reflexology counselor[18] and in cognitive behavioral therapy,[7] and enrolled into the Faculty of Human Sciences e-School of Waseda University in April 2018.[17] She graduated from Waseda in March 2023.[19]
On November 20, Nakamoto's official website was launched.[20] She has obtained mental health counselor certification from the Japan Promotion Counselor Association and works as a counselor and trainer while continuing her studies. She provides counseling through her own Skype-based service, the "Monica and Me Counseling Salon" (カウンセリングサロン モニカと私), to accommodate those who cannot leave their homes or are concerned about the stigma around mental health issues.[17][21] Like several other former Nogizaka46 members, she is still signed to the Nogizaka46 management and has made public appearances related to her current occupation.[22]
Nakamoto had her own consultation segment on the NHK Hiroshima radio program Hiroshima Koiraji (ひろしまコイらじ) from March 2021,[23][7] and hosts the podcast Himeka Nakamoto's 'Na' on Nippon Cultural Broadcasting starting June. Her autobiography, Thank You, Me: Graduating from Nogizaka46 and Becoming a Psychological Counselor, was released on June 22.[11]
^ abcdeMizuno, Azusa (2021-06-25). "芸能界にもメンタルケアを…カウンセラーの夢かなえた元乃木坂46" [Mental healthcare in the entertainment industry... Former Nogizaka46 member fulfills her dream of becoming a counselor]. withnews.jp (Interview) (in Japanese). The Asahi Shimbun Company. Archived from the original on 2021-06-29. Retrieved 2022-05-16.
^"元乃木坂46・中元日芽香さんが公式サイト開設「これから心理カウンセラーとして活動します」" [Former Nogizaka46 member, Himeka Nakamoto, opened official website 'I will act as a psychological counselor from now on']. SANSPO.COM(サンスポ) (in Japanese). Archived from the original on 2018-11-22. Retrieved 2018-11-22.
^"2021年度 NHK広島放送局 番組資料" [2021 NHK Hiroshima Broadcasting Station Program List] (PDF) (Press release). Archived(PDF) from the original on March 8, 2021. Retrieved March 11, 2021.
^"Hello Me: Nakamoto Three Sisters Story". Street Jack. October 2016.
^"Who is Monica ?". カウンセリングサロンモニカと私 (in Japanese). Archived from the original on 2019-11-26. Retrieved 2019-11-30.
^Nakamoto, Himeka (2024-02-28). "結婚しました。". 中元日芽香 Official Site. Archived from the original on 2024-03-15. Retrieved 2024-03-15.