Sayaka Yamamoto

The youngest of four and influenced by her family's love for music, Sayaka Yamamoto started taking dance and singing classes in 2nd grade. In 5th grade, inspired by Avril Lavigne, she started learning guitar.{{Cite book|last=Yamamoto|first=Sayaka|title=Subete no Riyuu|trans-title=All the reasons|publisher=Gentosha|year=2017|isbn=9784344030879|location=Japan|language=Japanese}} Yamamoto initially debuted in the band MAD CATZ{{Cite web|title=Independent Columbia : MAD CATZ|url=https://columbia.jp/i-columbia/artist/mad_catz.html|access-date=2022-01-19|website=columbia.jp}} in 2008 as their lead guitarist. The bassist of the band left in 2009, and the band disbanded altogether by the end of the year.{{Cite web|script-title=ja:「巨乳ちゃんを探せ！」第20回〜NMB48・山本彩|trans-title="Find the big-boobed girl!" 20th edition ~ NMB48 Yamamoto Sayaka|url=https://npn.co.jp/article/detail/83994171/|access-date=2022-01-19|website=npn.co.jp|language=ja}}

{{Main article|NMB48|AKB48}}

In September 2010, Sayaka Yamamoto passed auditions for the first generation of NMB48 and was selected to debut in the group along with 25 other girls. They were announced as a group on October 9, 2010,{{Cite web|author=|script-title=ja:NMB48第1期生26名、AKB48秋祭りでサプライズ披露|trans-title=26 members of the first generation of NMB48 make a surprise appearance at the AKB48 Autumn Festival|url=https://natalie.mu/music/news/38903|access-date=2022-01-19|website=Natalie|language=ja}} and officially began performing at the NMB48 Theater on January 1, 2011. Yamamoto was also officially announced as captain of NMB48 on this day.{{Cite web|script-title=ja:目指すは城ホール！NMB48初公演が本日スタート|trans-title=Aiming for Shiro Hall! NMB48's first performance starts today|url=https://natalie.mu/music/news/42881|access-date=2022-01-19|website=Natalie|language=ja}}

On March 10, 2011, Yamamoto was selected as one of 16 members who would form Team N, of which she was selected to serve as captain alongside her captaincy of the entire group. Team N made their debut at the NMB48 Theater on March 21.{{Cite web|script-title=ja:NMB48に"teamN"が誕生！|trans-title="Team N" is born in NMB48!|url=https://www.oricon.co.jp/news/85650/full/|access-date=2022-01-19|website=Oricon News|date=March 4, 2015 }} In May, Yamamoto and Miyuki Watanabe were the first NMB48 members to be selected as recording and performing members (hereafter referred to as “senbatsu”) for an A-side with the release of AKB48's 21st single "Everyday, Katyusha." Over the next 7 years, she participated in AKB48 A-sides as a senbatsu member for almost her whole tenure as an idol, through their 52nd single "Teacher Teacher."

Also in May, NMB48 revealed their first original song "Seishun no Lap Time" during a theater performance. It was centered by Yamamoto, and was released later as a B-side on the group's first single. On June 9, Yamamoto was the only member of NMB48 to rank in AKB48's 3rd general election, placing 28th with 8,697 votes. On July 20, NMB48 made their major CD debut with their first single "Zetsumetsu Kurokami Shoujo," for which Yamamoto was selected as a senbatsu member. She would go on to be a senbatsu member in all 19 NMB48 A-sides released during her time in the group, and the center for 13 of those singles. On October 19, NMB48 released their second single titled "Oh My God!", for which Yamamoto served as center for the first time with fellow Team N member Nana Yamada.

Yamamoto was given her first solo A-side center on NMB48's third single "Junjou U-19," which was released on February 8, 2012. This was also the first NMB48 single to include a solo song, "Jungle Gym," sung by Yamamoto. On May 9, NMB48 released their fourth single "Nagiichi," centered by Yamamoto and Miyuki Watanabe. On June 6, Yamamoto ranked 18th in AKB48's 4th general election with a total of 23,020 votes and as a result, sang on B-side "Nante Bohemian" as a member of "Undergirls" on AKB48's 27th single "Gingham Check." On August 8, NMB48 released their fifth single "Virginity," featuring Yamamoto as the sole center. On November 7, NMB48 released their 6th single "Kitagawa Kenji," for which Yamamoto served as center with Miyuki Watanabe. On November 21, Yamamoto released her first photobook entitled "Sayagami," which sold over 55,000 units.

On June 8, Yamamoto ranked 14th in AKB48's 5th general election with 51,793 votes. The release of AKB48's 32nd single "Koisuru Fortune Cookie" on August 21 marked the first time Yamamoto entered an AKB48 senbatsu through the election. On June 19, NMB48 released their 7th single "Bokura no Eureka," and on October 2, their 8th single ""Kamonegix." Yamamoto was the sole center for both singles.

On February 24, 2014, it was announced that Yamamoto would hold a concurrent position in AKB48's Team K, coming into effect in May. On March 26, NMB48 released their 8th single "Takane no Ringo," for which Yamamoto again served as a solo center. On June 7, Yamamoto ranked 6th in AKB48's 6th general election with 67,916 votes, marking her first entry into the "Kami 7". As a result, Yamamoto participated as a senbatsu member on AKB48's 37th single "Kokoro no Placard." Yamamoto was also the only NMB48 member to rank in senbatsu that year.

On July 4, a JT-sponsored commercial of Sayaka Yamamoto singing "Hitoiki Tsukinagara" a cappella began airing.{{Cite web|script-title=ja:山本彩のCM出演情報 2ページ目|trans-title=Yamamoto Sayaka's commercial appearance information page 2|url=https://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/585691/cm/p/2/|access-date=2022-01-19|website=Oricon News|date=July 2015|language=ja}} Several different arrangements of the song featuring Yamamoto have been made since for subsequent commercials, and it was also later recorded on her first solo album in 2016. In 2014, she also began collaborating with other artists as both a guitarist and a singer on music programs like "FNS Music Festival" and "UTAGE!". In October, her radio program "NMB48 Yamamoto Sayaka no Regular Toretemouta!" started airing.

On February 10, 2015, Yamamoto released her second photobook titled "SY," which sold 42,779 in its first week of sales according to Oricon and topped the Oricon sales charts.{{Cite web|url = http://nihongogo.com/2015/02/sayaka-yamamotos-newest-photobook-sy-sizzles/|title = Sayaka Yamamoto's Newest Photobook "SY" Top Sales Charts|date = February 23, 2015|access-date = February 23, 2015|website = Nihongogo|last = Suskin|first = Jeremy}} The high sales volume prompted a second printing of the gravure photobook.{{Cite web|url = http://nihongogo.com/2015/02/sayaka-yamamotos-photobook-sy-to-see-second-printing/|title = Sayaka Yamamoto's Photobook "SY" To See Second Printing|date = February 25, 2015|access-date = February 25, 2015|website = Nihongogo|last = Suskin|first = Jeremy}} On June 6, Yamamoto ranked 6th in AKB48's 7th general election with 97,866 votes, and participated as a senbatsu member on AKB48's 41st single "Halloween Night," as a result.

On August 18, it was announced that Sayaka Yamamoto would be the center of AKB48's "365nichi no Kamihikouki," which was the theme song for the NHK drama “Asa ga Kita” and was later released as a B-side on AKB48's 42nd single "Kuchibiru ni Be My Baby."{{Cite web|script-title=ja:AKB48、次期朝ドラ『あさが来た』主題歌に決定 山本彩が初センター|trans-title=AKB48 to perform theme song for next morning drama "Asaka Kita" with Yamamoto Sayaka as center for the first time|url=https://www.oricon.co.jp/news/2057738/full/|access-date=2022-01-19|website=Oricon News|language=ja|date=August 7, 2019 }} This marked the first time she served as a solo center on a full-senbatsu AKB48 track, not including those recorded as NMB48. On October 7, NMB48 released their 13th single "Must be now," with Yamamoto returning as center for a NMB48 A-side.

On January 8, 2016, Yamamoto released her third photobook "Minna no Yamamoto Sayaka." On April 18, she began co-hosting the radio show “Appare Yattemasu” on Mondays, a position she would hold for four years. On April 27, NMB48 released their 14th single "Amagami Hime," centered by Yamamoto. This single also included a solo version of the aforementioned "365nichi no Kamihikouki" by Yamamoto. On May 26, she graduated from her concurrent position in AKB48's Team K and returned to solely being a member of NMB48. On June 18, Yamamoto ranked 4th, her highest rank, in AKB48's 8th general election with 110,411 votes, and participated as a senbatsu member on AKB48's 45th's single “LOVE TRIP / Shiawase wo Wakenasai" as a result. Prior to the election, she stated that 2016 would be the last year she participated in the event. On August 3, NMB48 released their 15th single "Boku wa Inai," which included a B-side track Yamamoto composed, "Ima Naraba."

On August 24, Sayaka Yamamoto announced she would be releasing her first solo album. It would be produced by Seiji Kameda and include tracks written and composed by her. On October 26, she released her album "Rainbow" and it debuted at 3rd place on the weekly Oricon albums chart. She also embarked on her first solo tour, eponymously named "Rainbow," with five performances in four venues. On December 28, NMB48 released their 16th single "Boku Igai no Dareka," featuring Yamamoto as center. It also included another B-side composed by her, "Kodoku Guitar." On December 31, she ranked 1st place at AKB48's special election during the 67th NHK Kouhaku Uta Gassen with 41,990 votes.{{Cite web|script-title=ja:【紅白】AKB48紅白選抜センターは山本彩 一般投票1位に「震えが止まらない」|trans-title=[Kouhaku] AKB48 Kouhaku center Sayaka Yamamoto receives first place in the public vote: "I can't stop trembling"|url=https://www.oricon.co.jp/news/2083986/full/|access-date=2022-01-19|website=Oricon News|language=ja|date=January 2017 }}

On March 29, 2017, Yamamoto released her essay book, "Subete no Riyuu."{{Cite web|author=|date=2017-02-17|script-title=ja:仲間、選挙、卒業…さや姉が初エッセーで本音！オフショットも満載|trans-title=Friends, elections, graduation...Sayane shares her thoughts in her first essay! Also packed with behind-the-scenes shots|url=https://www.sanspo.com/article/20170217-7BO7S6ONZRIW5JJ6J6SAWK6WQY/|access-date=2022-01-19|website=Sanspo|language=ja}} In May, she was one of two artists to record and have their version of the Hanshin Tigers' song "Rokko Oroshi" air at the team's home stadium before matches as well as after winning games.{{Cite web|script-title=ja:みんなで六甲おろし2017』に～NMB48山本彩さんが新登場！～|trans-title=NMB48's Sayaka Yamamoto will be making her debut at "Let's All Enjoy Rokko Oroshi 2017"!|url=https://hanshintigers.jp/news/topics/info_4985.html|website=Hanshin Tigers Official Site|date=2017}} On July 7, she was one of the featured artists on "The best covers of DREAMS COME TRUE DoriUta Vol. 1" with her cover of "Nando Demo," which was also later re-released as a B-side on her second solo album. The following day on July 8, she also appeared in her first music festival as a solo artist at DoriUta Fes, hosted by DREAMS COME TRUE.{{Cite web|script-title=ja:ドリカム公認『ドリウタ』参加第1弾 山本彩・D-LITE・三浦大知・リトグリら|trans-title=The first wave of Dreams Come True's "Doriuta" participants: Sayaka Yamamoto, D-LITE, Daichi Miura, Little Glee Monster, and others|url=https://www.oricon.co.jp/news/2091195/full/|access-date=2022-01-19|website=Oricon News|language=ja}}{{Cite web|author=|title=「何度でも」カバーの山本彩、ドリウタフェスに出演|trans-title=Sayaka Yamamoto, who covered "Nandodemo", will appear at Dream Uta Fes|url=https://natalie.mu/music/news/236044|access-date=2022-01-19|website=Natalie|language=ja}}

On October 4, Sayaka Yamamoto released her second solo album "identity,"{{Cite web|url = https://kimikame.com/2017/09/05/yamamoto-sayaka-2nd-album-details/|title = YAMAMOTO SAYAKA 2ND ALBUM DETAILED, TITLED "IDENTITY"|date = September 5, 2017|access-date = September 12, 2017|website = Kimi.Kame|language = en}} which debuted at 2nd place on the weekly Oricon album charts. It was again produced by Seiji Kameda and seven of the tracks included were written and composed by her. She also held her second tour with 8 performances in 7 venues.

On April 4, 2018, NMB48 released their 18th single "Yokubomono," for which Yamamoto served as center. In May, Yamamoto appeared in her first official rock festival, METROCK. On July 30, Sayaka Yamamoto announced during NMB48 LIVE TOUR 2018 in Summer that she would be graduating from NMB48.{{Cite web|url = https://headlines.yahoo.co.jp/hl?a=20180730-00000334-oric-ent|script-title = ja:さや姉、NMB48卒業発表で涙…会場騒然「何年も卒業の2文字と向き合ってきた」|trans-title=Sayanee sheds tears at NMB48 graduation announcement...the venue is in uproar "I've been facing the word 'graduation' for years"|date = July 30, 2018|access-date = July 30, 2018|website=headlines.yahoo.co.jp/|publisher = Yahoo Japan|language = ja}} On October 17, NMB48 released their 19th single "Boku Datte Naichau yo," Yamamoto's final single with the group. In addition to her graduation solo song and the two tracks centered by her, the single also includes her composition "Yume wa Nigenai" as another B-side. On October 27, 2018, her graduation concert titled "SAYAKA SONIC~Sayaka, Sasayaka, Sayonara, Sayaka~" was held at Expo '70 Commemorative Park, marking NMB48's first outdoor concert and their largest concert to date with over 30,000 people in attendance.{{Cite web|url = https://jshowbiz.com/english/component/k2/item/3594-ex-nmb48-girls-return-for-yamamoto-sayaka-graduation-concert.html|title = Ex-NMB48 Girls Return for Yamamoto Sayaka Graduation Concert |date = October 27, 2018|access-date = October 27, 2018|website=jshowbiz.com|publisher = jshowbiz|language = en}}{{Cite web|script-title=ja:NMB48山本彩、10・27万博記念公園で卒コン「寂しさよりも楽しさを前面に」|trans-title=NMB48's Yamamoto Sayaka to hold graduation concert on October 27th at Expo Memorial Park, "Focus on fun rather than loneliness"|url=https://www.oricon.co.jp/news/2116987/full/|access-date=2022-01-19|website=ORICON NEWS|date=August 6, 2018 }} She officially graduated from NMB48 on November 4, 2018, with graduation performances on November 3 and 4 at the NMB48 Theater.{{Cite web|script-title=ja:山本彩、アイドル活動の評価は「1億点ぐらい」 卒業で恋愛解禁も「期待しないで」|trans-title=Yamamoto Sayaka's idol career is rated "about 100 million points" and she's "not expecting much" from romance after graduation|url=https://www.oricon.co.jp/news/2122823/full/|access-date=2022-01-19|website=Oricon News|date=November 5, 2018 }}

On January 1, 2019, Sayaka Yamamoto announced her third tour “I’m ready,” consisting of 27 performances in 24 venues, and the opening of her fan clubs SYC and SYC Mobile on January 7. On February 17, she announced her transfer to Universal Music Japan as her record company, with Universal Sigma as her label. In 2019, she appeared in more rock festivals, including METROCK, ROCK IN JAPAN, and MONSTER BaSH.

On April 17, Sayaka Yamamoto released her first solo single "Ichirinsou."{{Cite web|url = https://rollingstonejapan.com/articles/detail/30060|script-title = ja:山本彩、1stソロシングル｢イチリンソウ｣のビジュアルを公開|trans-title=Sayaka Yamamoto releases visual for her first solo single "Ichirinsou"|date = February 22, 2019|access-date = February 22, 2019|website = Rolling Stone Japan|language = ja}}{{cite web|url=https://english.shukanbunshun.com/2019/02/yamamoto-sayaka-ichirinsou.html|title=Yamamoto Sayaka Ichirinsou Single Debut|date=2019-02-06|access-date=2017-02-07|publisher=Shukan Bunshun|language=en}} In August, her radio show "Yamamoto Sayaka Kakeru" began airing. On September 4, Yamamoto released her second single "Toge."{{cite web|url=https://jshowbiz.com/english/news/graduated/item/6217-yamamoto-sayaka-2nd-single.html|title=Yamamoto Sayaka to release 2nd single in September|date=2019-06-22|access-date=2019-08-05|publisher=jshowbiz|language=en}} On September 17, Yamamoto announced via her YouTube channel that her third single "Tsuioku no Hikari" would be released on November 20, with her third album α (Alpha) following on December 25.{{cite web|url=https://www.jshowbiz.com/english/news/keyakizaka46/item/7189-yamamoto-sayaka-new-single-album.html|title=Yamamoto Sayaka Announces New Single & Album|date=2019-09-17|access-date=2019-09-17|publisher=jshowbiz|language=en}}

In February 2020, she embarked on her fourth tour and held 3 performances before ultimately canceling the rest of the tour due to the COVID-19 pandemic. She held a final no-audience performance via livestream on August 28. On September 17, Yamamoto pre-released “Ai Nante Iranai,” which served as a CM song for a MOS Burger commercial, in which she also starred.{{Cite web |script-title=ja:エンディングテーマが、山本彩の「ゼロ ユニバース」に決定！／ドラマ24 第60弾特別企画『あのコの夢を見たんです。』|trans-title=The ending theme will be "Zero Universe" by Sayaka Yamamoto! / Drama 24 60th special project "I had a dream about that girl." |url=https://www.tv-tokyo.co.jp/information/2020/10/02/222155.html |access-date=2022-01-19 |website=TV Tokyo|language=ja}} On October 28, Yamamoto released her fourth solo single "Zero Universe," the ending song for TV Tokyo's Anoko no Yume wo Mitan desu.{{Cite web|script-title=ja:全曲話題のタイアップ。山本彩が4thシングル「ゼロ ユニバース」に込めた想い|trans-title=All songs are tie-ups that are hot topics. Sayaka Yamamoto's thoughts on her 4th single "Zero Universe"|url=https://smartmag.jp/archives/5442/|access-date=2022-01-24|website=Smart|publisher=Takarajimasha|date=October 23, 2020 |language=ja}} Also in October, she started hosting the radio show "SPARK" on Mondays. In December, her song "Boku wa Omocha" for NHK's Minna no Uta began airing on the program.

On February 24, 2021, Sayaka Yamamoto released her fifth single "Dramatic ni Kanpai," which was the theme song for Tokai TV/Fuji TV's "Sono Onna, Jiruba."{{Cite web|url = https://www.universal-music.co.jp/yamamotosayaka/news/2020-12-25/|script-title = ja:5th SG「ドラマチックに乾杯」2021/2/24(水)発売決定！|trans-title=5th single "Dramatic Cheers" to be released on Wednesday, February 24th, 2021!|date = December 25, 2020|access-date = January 12, 2021|website = Universal Music Japan|language = ja}} In May, her radio show "HEART STUDIO" began airing. On July 14, Sayaka Yamamoto released her first digital single "yonder," which was the CM song for Yamagata Nissan Group's 60th Anniversary commercial.{{Cite web|script-title=ja:【公式】山形日産グループ 60周年記念特設サイト「山形が好き。クルマが好き。」|trans-title=[Official] Yamagata Nissan Group 60th Anniversary Special Site "I love Yamagata. I love cars."|url=https://lp.yn-g.jp/|access-date=2022-01-19|website=Yamagata Nissan Group}}{{nonspecific|date=October 2024}} On August 25, Yamamoto surprise released her second digital single "Don't hold me back." In September, she embarked on her fifth nationwide tour, titled "re," with 12 performances scheduled in 11 venues. On October 27, Yamamoto released her third digital single "Aimatte." On November 26, it was announced she would be going on hiatus, retroactively since November 19, due to issues with her thyroid and underwent treatment.{{Cite web |script-title=ja:山本彩 今後のライブ公演について|trans-title=Yamamoto Sayaka's upcoming live performances |url=http://yamamotosayaka.jp/news/?id=345 |access-date=2022-05-10 |website=Yamamoto Sayaka Official Site}}{{Cite web |script-title=ja:山本彩についてのお知らせ|trans-title=Announcement about Sayaka Yamamoto|url=http://yamamotosayaka.jp/news/?id=351 |access-date=2022-05-10 |website=Yamamoto Sayaka Official Site}} On December 1, she was a featured artist on Night Tempo's "I Don't Wanna" from his major debut album “Ladies in the City.”

On April 1, 2022, Sayaka Yamamoto was announced as one of the singers featured on the soundtrack for the 2022-released AFKRPG “Memento Mori." A full version of her song “Lament” was released on the mobile game's associated YouTube channel on April 18.{{Cite web |author= |script-title=ja:あたらよ、Daoko、Hakubi、山本彩が新作RPG"メメントモリ"に歌唱参加決定|trans-title=Ataraya, Daoko, Hakubi, and Sayaka Yamamoto to sing in new RPG "Memento Mori" |url=https://skream.jp/news/2022/04/memento_mori_lament.php |access-date=2022-09-13 |website=Skream!|language=ja}}{{Cite web |script-title=ja:新作RPG『メメントモリ』Song.山本彩、CV.上坂すみれの新キャラ「ロザリー」MV公開 |trans-title=New RPG "Memento Mori" releases music video for new character "Rosalie" sung by Sayaka Yamamoto and voiced by Sumire Uesaka|url=https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000000006.000013530.html |access-date=2022-09-13 |website=PR Times|date=April 15, 2022|language=ja}}

On July 14, Yamamoto announced her return from hiatus, with her condition in remission.{{Cite web |script-title=ja:休養中の山本彩、活動再開＆9ヶ月ぶり歌唱へ 甲状腺の病気が寛解状態に（オリコン）|trans-title=Yamamoto Sayaka, who has been on hiatus, will resume activities and sing for the first time in nine months as her thyroid disease is in remission (Oricon) |url=https://news.yahoo.co.jp/articles/5e9cd25d377a4674eb64acb833a0d44b1b5c7fe1 |access-date=2022-09-13 |website=Yahoo Japan |language=ja}} On August 15, she held a special livestreamed performance to mark her return, and on October 16, she performed at the music festival Chillin' Vibes, her first in-person live event since ending her hiatus.{{Cite web |script-title=ja:山本彩、9ヶ月ぶりライブ復帰「ただいまです」 休養明けで6曲熱唱（オリコン）|trans-title=Yamamoto Sayaka returns to live performance after 9 months, "I'm back" after a break, singing 6 songs (Oricon) |url=https://news.yahoo.co.jp/articles/65edc4171bb813356d65c8786730725e2cb50373 |access-date=2022-09-13 |website=Yahoo Japan |language=ja}}{{Cite web |script-title=ja:『Chillin' Vibes 2022』に山本彩が出演決定！（チケットぴあ）|trans-title=Sayaka Yamamoto to appear at "Chillin' Vibes 2022" (Ticket Pia) |url=https://news.yahoo.co.jp/articles/a2e375db2b0fee756416055365753ee5de0ab2e9 |access-date=2022-09-13 |website=Yahoo Japan |language=ja}}

On November 11, the digital album ELLEGARDEN TRIBUTE was released, with Yamamoto as one of the featuring artists with her rendition of "Kaze no Hi."{{Cite web |title=ELLEGARDEN |url=https://www.amazon.co.jp/-/en/b?ie=UTF8&node=14593516051 |access-date=2022-12-15 |website=Amazon|language=ja}}{{better source needed|date=October 2024}} She wrapped up 2022 with solo concerts in Tokyo and Osaka on December 27 and 29 respectively.

On February 13, 2023, Yamamoto announced the establishment of her own private office, SYCompany, following the end of her management contract with her previous agency Showtitle at the end of 2022.{{Cite web |script-title=ja:山本彩、個人事務所「株式会社SYCompany」設立を報告 |trans-title=Sayaka Yamamoto announces establishment of her own company, SYCompany Co., Ltd.|url=https://mdpr.jp/news/detail/3601410 |access-date=2023-02-23 |website=Model Press |date=December 30, 2022 |language=ja}} Also in February, she held a fan club-exclusive Billboard Live tour, and participated in tribute concerts for Miyuki Nakajima. From the three songs she covered, her rendition of "Takaga Ai" was later released as a part of the live album "Utaenishi -Nakajima Miyuki RESPECT LIVE 2023-."

Yamamoto released her fourth studio album “&” on May 17 and embarked on another eponymous nationwide tour in June and July 2023.{{Cite web |script-title=ja:山本彩、4thアルバム『＆』5・17発売＆ツアー決定 3年ぶりの新作は「共鳴出来るようなアルバムに」|trans-title=Sayaka Yamamoto, 4th album "&" to be released on May 17th & tour confirmed, first new album in 3 years "is an album that resonates with people" |url=https://www.oricon.co.jp/news/2268679/full/ |access-date=2023-02-23 |website=Oricon News}} A well-known avid Hanshin Tigers fan, the singer notably performed the Japanese national anthem before Game 3 of the 2023 Japan Series on October 31 at Koshien Stadium.

2024 kicked off with another fan club-exclusive Billboard live tour, 3 months of consecutive releases—beginning with electro-swing track “Nocturnal” on February 28—, and her hall tour "RGB."{{Cite web |script-title=ja:山本彩、3か月連続配信リリースが決定＆最新アーティスト写真公開 |trans-title=Yamamoto Sayaka to release digital albums consecutively for three months & latest artist photo revealed|url=https://www.billboard-japan.com/d_news/detail/134201/2 |access-date=2024-04-04 |website=Billboard Japan |language=ja}}

On March 27, Yamamoto notably released "Tweedia (Blue Star)," the ending song for the anime "An Archdemon's Dilemma: How to Love Your Elf Bride."{{Cite web |author= |script-title=ja:アニメ「まどめ」4月4日放送開始、ザガン＆ネフィの過去を収めたPV第2弾（動画あり / コメントあり）|trans-title=The anime "Madome" will start airing on April 4th, and the second PV will feature Zagan and Nefi's past (with video / comments)|url=https://natalie.mu/comic/news/564883 |access-date=2024-04-04 |website=Natalie |language=ja}} On April 24, the singer released her third digital single of the year, “Lingering Traces,” a second track for AFKRPG “Memento Mori." She held her first tour outside Japan in May and June. Beginning September 4, the singer embarked on her first nationwide acoustic tour “Organic.”

On October 30, Yamamoto digitally released “Seagull,” the third ending song for the anime "Shinkalion: Change the World."{{Cite web |script-title=ja:BOI、『メメントモリ』で新たな姿となった大魔女「ロザリー」を2024年4月下旬に実装！山本彩さんの書き下ろし楽曲も実装！|trans-title=BOI will be releasing a new version of the great witch "Rosalie" from "Memento Mori" in late April 2024! A new song written by Sayaka Yamamoto will also be released! |url=https://gamebiz.jp/news/383293 |access-date=2024-04-04 |website=Game Biz |language=ja}}{{Cite web |script-title=ja:TVアニメ『シンカリオン チェンジ ザ ワールド』ED主題歌をmeiyo、THE ALFEE、山本彩が担当！OP主題歌はGRe4N BOYZ「閃光ハヤブサ」 |trans-title=Meiyo, THE ALFEE, and Sayaka Yamamoto will be in charge of the ending theme song for the TV anime "Shinkalion Change the World"! The opening theme song will be "Senkou Hayabusa" by GRe4N BOYZ|url=https://www.thefirsttimes.jp/news/0000401028/ |access-date=2024-04-04 |website=The First Times |language=ja}} In November, she held her first "Battle of the Bands"-style tour, with each stop featuring a different co-headling artist: Abe Mao, ACIDMAN, and Scandal. On December 25, Yamamoto released her first EP "U TA CARTE."

Beginning January 2025, the singer will hold two more tours back to back, one nationwide and another her now annual Billboard live tour.

Since going solo, Sayaka Yamamoto composes and writes all her releases. The majority of her first two albums, released whilst she was still active in NMB48, consist of self-compositions as well. In addition to her own music, she also has composed for her former group, and provided background vocals for songs she participated in while in NMB48 and AKB48.{{Cite web|date=June 25, 2013|title=Sayaka Yamamoto's Google+|url=https://plus.google.com/101423472932208115437|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190310205735/https://plus.google.com/101423472932208115437|archive-date=March 10, 2019|website=Google+|access-date=January 19, 2022}} While her roots are in rock music, Yamamoto's own work encompasses a wide spectrum and is not limited to a specific genre nor defined by a particular label, as noted by columnists.{{Cite web|script-title=ja:山本彩、ダンスミュージックで告げる新章の幕開け 海外クリエイターによる配信リミックス＆新曲「Donʼt hold me back」の意図を読む|trans-title=Sayaka Yamamoto announces the beginning of a new chapter with dance music: Understanding the intention behind the digital remixes and new song "Don't hold me back" by overseas creators|url=https://realsound.jp/2021/08/post-843480.html|access-date=2022-01-20|website=Real Sound|date=August 25, 2021 |language=ja}}{{Cite web|script-title=ja:＜コラム＞新しい山本彩に話題騒然、予想を裏切り続ける彼女の今後に期待|trans-title= The new Yamamoto Sayaka is the talk of the town, and expectations are high for her future as she continues to defy expectations|url=https://billboard-japan.com/special/detail/3311|website=Billboard Japan|language=ja}} In her own words, she wants her music “to go beyond genres…so [she doesn’t] think about making a particular type of music” and creates what she wants to at the time.{{Cite web|author=|title=vol.8 Sayaka Yamamoto #1|url=https://www.kate-global.net/sg/zine/008_01/|access-date=2022-01-24|website=www.kate-global.net|language=en-sg}} Yamamoto often credits Takeshi Hosomi,{{Cite journal|title=April 2017 edition|journal=Smart Magazine}}{{incomplete citation|date=October 2024}}{{Cite web|author=|title=vol.8 Sayaka Yamamoto #2|url=https://www.kate-global.net/my/zine/008_02/|access-date=2022-01-19|website=www.kate-global.net|language=en-my}} Avril Lavigne, and yui{{Cite web|script-title=ja:ミュージシャン・山本 彩に影響を与えた音楽たち|trans-title=Music that influenced musician Sayaka Yamamoto|url=https://selection.music.dmkt-sp.jp/feed/10000569|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220119222244/https://selection.music.dmkt-sp.jp/feed/10000569|url-status=dead|archive-date=January 19, 2022|access-date=2022-01-19|website=dmkt-sp.jp|language=ja}} as her biggest musical inspirations and people she admires, among others. Yamamoto also frequently collaborates with Takahiro Konagawa, who serves as bandleader of her backing band Team SY in addition to producing and arranging many of her songs. Other main collaborators and backing band members include Koji Kusakari, Shota Okuno, SATOKO, asami, and Ayasa. As a guitarist, Yamamoto currently uses a Gibson Custom True Historic '59 Les Paul and a Fender American Professional II Stratocaster as her main electric guitars, and a Martin D-28, a Gibson Custom Shop 1957 SJ-200, and a Martin D-15 Streetmaster as her main acoustic guitars.{{Cite journal|title=Feb 2020 Issue|journal=GiGS Magazine|volume=497|pages=24–25}}{{Cite web|date=2022-01-04|script-title=ja:【山本彩＆チームSY機材紹介】2021.11.18＠TOKYO DOME CITY HALL "SAYAKA YAMAMOTO TOUR 2021 ～ re ～ "ライブレポート |trans-title=[Sayaka Yamamoto & Team SY Equipment Introduction] 2021.11.18＠TOKYO DOME CITY HALL "SAYAKA YAMAMOTO TOUR 2021 ~ re ~" Live Report|url=https://stagegear.jp/20211118sayaka-yamamoto|access-date=2022-01-19|website=stagegear.jp|language=ja}}

• "yonder" (2021)
• "Don't hold me back" (2021)
• "Aimatte." ({{lang|ja|あいまって。}}) (2021)
• "Nocturnal" (2024)
• "Tweedia (Blue Star)" ({{lang|ja|ブルースター}}) (2024)
• "Seagull" (2024)

• "Nando Demo," Various Artists (2017, The best covers of DREAMS COME TRUE DoriUta Vol. 1)
• "Ayamachi," Junichi Inagaki (2017, HARVEST)
• "I Don't Wanna," Night Tempo (2021, Ladies in the City)
• "Kaze no Hi," Various Artists (2022, ELLEGARDEN TRIBUTE)
• "Takaga Ai," Various Artists (2024, Utaenishi -Nakajima Miyuki RESPECT LIVE 2023-)

Singles with NMB48

Albums with NMB48

; Teppen Tottande!

• "Teppen Tottande!" (Center)
• "12/31" (Center)
• "Lily" / Team N (Center)
• "Dazai Osamu wo Yonda Ka?" (Center)

; Sekai no Chuushin wa Osaka ya ~Namba Jichiku~

• "Ibiza Girl" (Center)
• ""Seito Techo no Shashin wa Ki ni Haittenai" no Hoshoku" (Center)
• "Densha wo Oriru" / Team N (Center)
• "Dakishimetai Kedo" / Solo

Namba Ai ~Ima Omou Koto~

• "Masaka Singapore"
• "Namba Ai"

Singles with AKB48

Albums with AKB48

; Koko ni Ita Koto

• "Koko ni Ita Koto"

; 1830m

• "Aozora yo Sabishikunai Ka?"

; Tsugi no Ashiato

• "10 Krone to Pan" (Center)

; Koko ga Rhodes da, Koko de Tobe!

• "Ai no Sonzai"
• "Conveyor" / Team K
• "Ai to Kanashimi no Jisa" / Solo

; 0 to 1 no Aida

• "Ai no Shisha" / Team K
• "LOVE ASH" / Duet with Minami Takahashi

; Thumbnail

• "Ayamachi" / Duet with Junichi Inagaki

; Bokutachi wa, Ano Hi no Yoake wo Shitteiru

• "Kutsuhimo no Musubikata"
• "Kusaimono Darake" (Center)

Stage Units with NMB48 and AKB48

;NMB48 Team N 1st Stage {{nihongo|"Dareka no Tame ni"|誰かのために}}

• "Bird"
• {{nihongo|"Seifuku ga Jama wo Suru"|制服が邪魔をする}}

;NMB48 Team N 2nd Stage {{nihongo|"Seishun Girls"|青春ガールズ}}

• "Blue rose"
• {{nihongo|"Fushidara na Natsu"|ふしだらな夏}}

;NMB48 Team N 3rd Stage {{nihongo|"Koko ni Datte Tenshi wa Iru"|ここにだって天使はいる}}

• {{nihongo|"Yume no Dead Body"|夢のdead body}} / Solo
• {{nihongo|"Hajimete no Hoshi"|初めての星}}
• {{nihongo|"100nen Saki Demo"|100年先でも}}

;NMB48 Team N 3rd Stage Revival {{nihongo|"Koko ni Datte Tenshi wa Iru"|ここにだって天使はいる}}

• {{nihongo|"Yume no Dead Body"|夢のdead body}} / Solo
• {{nihongo|"Hajimete no Hoshi"|初めての星}}
• {{nihongo|"100nen Saki Demo"|100年先でも}}

;AKB48 Team K 6th Stage Revival "RESET"

• {{nihongo|"Seifuku Resistance"|制服レジスタンス}}

;AKB48 Team K 4th Stage Revival {{nihongo|"Saishū Bell ga Naru"|最終ベルが鳴る}}

• {{nihongo|"Return Match"|リターンマッチ}}

NMB48 Team N 4th Stage "Mokugekisha" (目撃者)

• {{Nihongo|10 Krone to Pan|10クローネとパン}}

• Yamamoto Sayaka LIVE TOUR 2016 ~Rainbow~
• Yamamoto Sayaka LIVE TOUR 2017 ~identity~
• Yamamoto Sayaka LIVE TOUR 2019 ~I'm ready~{{Cite web |script-title=ja:2019年ソロツアー「I'm ready」|trans-title=2019 solo tour "I'm ready" |url=http://yamamotosayaka.jp/2019tour/ |access-date=2022-01-19 |website=Yamamoto Sayaka Official Site|language=ja}}
• Yamamoto Sayaka LIVE TOUR 2020 ~α~{{Cite web|title=山本彩 2020-TOUR|trans-title=Sayaka Yamamoto 2020-TOUR|url=http://yamamotosayaka.jp/2020tour/|access-date=2022-01-19|website=Yamamoto Sayaka Official Site|language=ja}}
• SAYAKA YAMAMOTO LIVE TOUR 2021 ~re~{{Cite web |title=「SAYAKA YAMAMOTO TOUR 2021 ～ re ～」 |url=http://yamamotosayaka.jp/2021tour/ |access-date=2022-01-19 |website=Yamamoto Sayaka Official Site|language=ja}}
• SAYAKA YAMAMOTO LIVE TOUR 2023 -&-{{Cite web |script-title=ja:「SAYAKA YAMAMOTO LIVE TOUR 2023 -&-」開催決定＆W会員先行チケット受付スタート！ |trans-title="SAYAKA YAMAMOTO LIVE TOUR 2023 -&-" confirmed to be held & advance ticket sales for W members now open!|url=https://yamamotosayaka.jp/news/?id=389|language=ja}}
• Sayaka Yamamoto Hall Tour 2024 -RGB-{{Cite web |title=Sayaka Yamamoto Hall Tour 2024 -RGB-｜ |url=https://yamamotosayaka.jp/feature/2024_halltour_rgb |access-date=2024-04-04 |website=Yamamoto Sayaka Official Site|language=ja}}
• Sayaka Yamamoto Acoustic Tour 2024 "Organic"
• Yamamoto Sayaka x Live Natalie Zepp TOUR "SYnergy"
• SAYAKA YAMAMOTO NO MAKE TOUR 2025

• AbemaTV 1st ANNIVERSARY LIVE (2017)
• MTV LIVE PREMIUM: SAYAKA YAMAMOTO (2019)
• SAYAKA YAMAMOTO LIVE 2022 "now" (2 performances){{Cite web |script-title=ja:SAYAKA YAMAMOTO LIVE 2022 "now" 開催決定！|trans-title=SAYAKA YAMAMOTO LIVE 2022 "now" is scheduled to be held!|url=https://yamamotosayaka.jp/news/?id=373 |access-date=2022-12-15 |website=Yamamoto Sayaka Official Site|language=ja}}
• Nakajima Miyuki RESPECT LIVE 2023 Utaenishi (2 performances)

• Sayaka Yamamoto Celebration 2019
• Congregation 2019
• Sayaka Yamamoto Celebration 2020 (livestream only)
• CUE 2021
• Sayaka Yamamoto Celebration 2021 in Tokyo and Osaka
• Sayaka Yamamoto Cure 2023 -Billboard Live Tour-
• Sayaka Yamamoto Cure 2024 -Billboard Live Tour-
• Sayaka Yamamoto Cure 2025 -Billboard Live Tour-

• Sayaka Yamamoto Asia Tour 2024 - 彩 -

• NMB48 Gakuen (April 9, 2011 – September 28, 2013, ABC Radio)
• NMB48 Yamamoto Sayaka no Regular Toretemouta! (October 2, 2014 – March 27, 2016, Nippon Cultural Broadcasting)
• Appare Yattemasu!, Monday (April 18, 2016 – April 6, 2020, MBS Radio)
• Yamamoto Sayaka Kakeru (August 10, 2019 – March 27, 2021, CROSS FM){{Cite web|title=Yamamoto Sayaka Gets New Radio Show - 48/46 J-POP & Showbiz News|url=https://jshowbiz.com/english/news/nogizaka46/item/6549-yamamoto-sayaka-kakeru.html|access-date=2022-01-19|website=jshowbiz.com}}
• SPARK (October 6, 2020 – December 27, 2021, J-WAVE){{Cite web|title=Yamamoto Sayaka becomes J-WAVE SPARK Host - 48/46 J-POP & Showbiz News|url=https://jshowbiz.com/english/news/nogizaka46/item/10296-yamamoto-sayaka-jwave-spark-host.html|access-date=2022-01-19|website=jshowbiz.com}}
• HEART STUDIO (May 2, 2021 – December 26, 2021, FM802){{Cite web|title=Yamamoto Sayaka new radio show on FM802 - 48/46 J-POP & Showbiz News|url=https://jshowbiz.com/english/news/nogizaka46/item/12205-mos-burger-heart-studio.html|access-date=2022-01-19|website=jshowbiz.com}}

• Wakeari! Red Zone (October 4, 2013 – 2017, Yomiuri TV)
• NMB48 Yamamoto Sayaka's M-Nee ~Music Onee-San~ (November 30, 2013 – 2015, Space Shower TV Plus){{Cite web|author=|script-title=ja:ケンコバ×山本彩「ミュージックお姉さん」再び、椿鬼奴も|trans-title=Kenkoba x Sayaka Yamamoto "Music Sister" is back, and Tsubaki Oniyatsu is here too|url=https://natalie.mu/owarai/news/113216|access-date=2022-01-19|website=Natalie|language=ja}}
• Viking (April 4, 2014 – March 31, 2017, Fuji TV)
• UTAGE! (May 19, 2014 – August 22, 2019, TBS)
• Chichin Puipui (June 7, 2018 – February 14, 2019, MBS TV)
• Toraban (March 2016 – 2018, Asahi Broadcasting)
• Mint! (April 2019 – March 2020, MBS TV)
• AK Variety (January 2024 – present)

• Majisuka Gakuen 4 (2015, Nippon TV) as Antonio
• Majisuka Gakuen 5 (2015, Nippon TV) as Antonio
• AKB Horror Night: Adrenaline's Night Ep.3 - Product Storage (2015, TV Asahi) as Anna
• Rekishi Hiwa Historia Ep. 250 - An Inner Palace Tale of Love and Sadness (2016, NHK) as Hiroko Konoe
• AKB Love Night: Love Factory Ep.11 - Love Letters of the Past (2016, TV Asahi) as Mizuki Kyōno
• Hibana (2016, Netflix)
• Cabasuka Gakuen (2016, Nippon TV) as Antonio
• Ueki Hitoshi to Nobosemon Ep. 5 (2017, NHK) as Mari Sono

• NMB48 Geinin! The Movie Owarai Seishun Girls! (2013){{cite web|url=http://movie.walkerplus.com/mv53417/|script-title=ja:NMB48 げいにん! THE MOVIE お笑い青春ガールズ!|trans-title=NMB48 Geinin! THE MOVIE Comedy Youth Girls!|access-date=June 6, 2015|publisher=Kadokawa Corporation|language=ja}}
• NMB48 Geinin! The Movie Returns Sotsugyō! Owarai Seishun Girls!! Aratanaru Tabidachi (2014){{Cite web |script-title=ja:NMB48 げいにん！ THE MOVIE リターンズ 卒業！お笑い青春ガールズ!! 新たなる旅立ち |trans-title=NMB48 Geinin! THE MOVIE Returns Graduation! Comedy Youth Girls!! A New Journey|url=https://moviewalker.jp/mv56221/ |access-date=2022-09-13 |website=MOVIE WALKER PRESS |language=ja}}

• To Everest for the 5th Time ~Kuriki Nobukazu's Challenge From Rock Bottom~ (2016, NHK), Narrator
• Ikimonogakari Yoshiki Mizuno's Dialogue on Aku Yū (2017, NHK BS Premium)
• Yamamoto Sayaka Graduation Special ~8 Years with NMB48~ (2018, BS SKY PerfecTV!)
• ZARD Forever: How Sakai Izumi's Songs Came to Life (2019, NHK BS Premium), Narrator
• Yamamoto Sayaka Time Triangle (2019, Fuji TV TWO)

• Smart, Takarajimasha 1995-, (October 2012 – present)
• Tarzan, MAGAZINE HOUSE 1986-, (August 20, 2015 – July 6, 2017)
• Skream!, GEKI-ROCK ENTERTAINMENT, (September 2018 – November 2019)

• Subete no Riyuu (March 29, 2017, Gentosha) ISBN 9784344030879{{Cite book |author=Sayaka Yamamoto|url=https://iss.ndl.go.jp/books/R100000002-I028025934-00 |title=すべての理由|trans-title=All the reasons |date=2017 |publisher=Gentosha |location=Tokyo, Japan}}

• Saya Gami (November 21, 2012, Shueisha) {{ISBN|9784087806656}}{{cite web|url=http://iss.ndl.go.jp/books/R100000002-I024050775-00|script-title=ja:さや神:山本彩ファースト写真集|trans-title=Sayakami: Sayaka Yamamoto's first photo book|access-date=June 6, 2015|publisher=National Diet Library|language=ja}}
• SY (February 10, 2015, Yoshimoto Books) {{ISBN|9784847047275}}{{cite web|url=http://iss.ndl.go.jp/books/R100000002-I026064490-00|title=SY: Sayaka Yamamoto|access-date=June 6, 2015|publisher=National Diet Library|language=ja}}
• Minna no Yamamoto Sayaka (January 8, 2016, Yoshimoto Books) {{ISBN|9784847048159}}{{Cite book |url=https://iss.ndl.go.jp/books/R100000002-I026993166-00 |script-title=ja:みんなの山本彩|trans-title=Everyone's Yamamoto Sayaka |date=2016 |publisher=Yoshimoto Books |location=Tokyo, Japan}}

{{Reflist}}

{{commons category|Sayaka Yamamoto}}

• {{Official website|http://yamamotosayaka.jp/}} {{in lang|ja}}
• {{IMDb name|3178871}}

{{NMB48}}

{{AKB48}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Yamamoto, Sayaka}}

Category:1993 births

Category:Living people

Category:21st-century Japanese women singers

Category:21st-century Japanese singer-songwriters

Category:Japanese women singer-songwriters

Category:Japanese women pop singers

Category:Japanese women rock singers

Category:Japanese women guitarists

Category:Universal Music Japan artists

Category:Japanese idols

Category:NMB48 members

Category:AKB48 members

Category:People from Ibaraki, Osaka

Category:Singers from Osaka Prefecture