NiziU’s youngest member, Nina, has recently become the center of dating rumors involving Hiroto Wakai, the guitarist of Japanese band Mrs. GREEN APPLE.
On November 4, Japanese media outlets Shukan Bunshun and FRIDAY reported that Nina was seen visiting Wakai’s home in Tokyo. According to the reports, Wakai returned to his residence around 3:30 PM after finishing a tour stop at Sapporo Dome. Later that night, around 8:30 PM, Nina was said to have arrived at his home after completing her official NiziU schedule for the day.
Photos released by the outlets showed a woman believed to be the 20-year-old singer, dressed casually with a mask and hat covering most of her face. The reports quickly spread online and caught the attention of fans from both sides.
The two artists are not strangers to each other. NiziU and Mrs. GREEN APPLE have shared joint stages, which could explain their friendship. The report also mentioned that Wakai has been a fan of Nina since her days on “Nizi Project”, the JYP Entertainment survival show that formed NiziU in 2020.
The magazines also pointed out the nine-year age gap between the two. Nina, born in 2005, is 20 years old (as of 2025), while Wakai, born in 1996, is 29.
Following the reports, JYP Entertainment quickly stepped in to clarify the situation. In a statement to Korean media outlet Herald POP, a representative said, “They are just close senior and junior, not dating.” The agency emphasized that the two have a professional and friendly relationship.
Hiroto Wakai debuted in 2013 as a founding member of Mrs. GREEN APPLE, one of Japan’s most successful acts. They are known for hit songs like “Inferno”, “Ao to Natsu (Blue and Summer)”, and “Lilac.” The group’s energetic sound and poetic lyrics have earned them a large following in Japan.
Meanwhile, Nina, born in Washington, DC, debuted in December 2020 as a member of NiziU, the girl group formed through JYP Entertainment and Sony Music Japan’s joint project. NiziU has produced several hit songs, including “Make You Happy,” “Take a Picture,” and “Paradise.”
