Aya Matsuura

Aya Matsuura (Matsuura Aya) born June 25, 1986, is a female Japanese popular music artist and actress who was born in Himeji, Hyogo Prefecture.

Aya auditioned in 2000, and became the 4th member selected to be a part of the "little sister" portion of artists that worked alongside Morning Musume, which was later to became known as Hello! Project. Another H!P group, Sheki Dol also came out of the 4th audition. It is a common misconception that Aya originally auditioned to be a part of Morning Musume, which she didn't. After being chosen from that audition, Aya Matsuura began her solo career. In time she would become one of H!P's biggest acts.

Aside from a successful solo career, Aya Matsuura (nicknamed Ayaya), has also done numerous collaborations with other members of Hello! Project, including special, usually short lived groups Gomattou with Maki Goto and Miki Fujimoto; Nochiura Natsumi with Maki Goto and Natsumi Abe; and DEF.DIVA with Maki Goto, Natsumi Abe, and Ishikawa Rika. She's also done the "Folk Song" series which feature Yuko Nakazawa and other H!P artists, as well as Hello! Project's shuffle groups (Ayaya was placed in 3-nin Matsuri for 2001, Odoru 11 in 2002, Salt 5 in 2003, and the larger H!P All Stars in 2004).

Matsuura has appeared in many commercials for various companies; notably Pretz snack foods, Epson color printers, and Kirin beverages. Currently she also takes part and co-hosts the television show Utawara with other names in Japanese entertainment such as Johnny Jimusho's Matsumoto Jun.