Kokoa Kai's second photobook, due July 1, is titled Okaeri Taiyo and was photographed in Bangkok and Phuket, Thailand.
The cover and title of Kokoa Kai’s second photobook, due out Wednesday, July 1, have finally been revealed. Kai is known as the cheerful face of Setouchi.
Its title is simply Okaeri Taiyo (Welcome Back, Sun). Having finished roughly a year and a half of activities with KLP48 in February and only recently returned to her original group, STU48, in March, the title is fitting for welcoming her back. The cover selected is an image that conveys her sun-like radiance and smile to the fullest.
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The locations for this shoot were Bangkok, the capital of Thailand, the Land of Smiles, and Phuket, one of Thailand’s foremost resort destinations. The book includes her boldest, most heart-stirring cuts yet, unlike anything she has shown in her first photobook or previous gravure work. From her characteristically energetic smile to her more grown-up side, the completed book is filled with photographs that capture Kokoa Kai as she is now.
The four days of shooting in Thailand were blessed with sunshine throughout, and the photo we took in front of a Bangkok station on the sunniest day was chosen for the cover. I think it is a very Kokoa-like photo!
Since it is being released at the time I returned to STU48 from Malaysia, where I was with KLP48, Akimoto-sensei gave it a wonderful title that is perfect for me now. I have said “I’m home” dozens of times before, but I want to say it hundreds of times more. And I want to be everyone’s sun!
Just before checking the contents of the photobook for the first time, I looked through my first photobook. Comparing them, they really are completely different. I have grown up over these past two years, and because the location was overseas, my reactions were more natural than usual and the range of changes in my expressions was wider. In fact, the shoot team was the same staff as for my first photobook, and because they knew that shoot, I think this became a second photobook that shows change. Every page turn is exciting and draws you in, and I am sure everyone will take a long time looking through it too!
Friday, July 3, 7:00 p.m.
Details and applications are available through the wi2win website on a first-come, first-served basis.
Saturday, July 4: Part 1, 1:00 p.m. / Part 2, 3:00 p.m.
Details and applications are available on the official website on a first-come, first-served basis.
Sunday, July 5: Part 1, 1:00 p.m. / Part 2, 3:00 p.m.
Details and applications are available on the official website on a first-come, first-served basis.
Saturday, July 11: Part 1, 1:00 p.m. / Part 2, 3:00 p.m.
Details and applications are available on the official website on a first-come, first-served basis.
Kokoa Kai (甲斐心愛)
Born November 28, 2003, in Hiroshima Prefecture.
She began activities as a first-generation member of STU48 in March 2017. She transferred to KLP48 in June 2024 and was active there through February 2026. She then returned to STU48 in March 2026 and resumed activities.
STU48 is scheduled to hold its ninth-anniversary concert at Kanadevia Hall in Tokyo on Saturday, May 30.
STU48’s 13th single, Suki Sugite Naku, is now on sale.
Official X: @k_cocoa1128
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Official TikTok: @k_cocoa1128
Akita Shoten Sales Department
Tel: 03-3264-7248 / Fax: 03-3265-9076
Source: PR TIMES
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