She pursued higher education at the Osaka University of Arts Junior College, focusing on graphic design. Her creative inclinations extended beyond academia, including ventures such as contributing written content to Xbox Magazine and producing graphic design work for the Nintendo DS platform.

Entrepreneurial Ventures

In addition to her wrestling career, Asuka has established herself as a businesswoman. She owns a hair salon called Another Heaven, situated in Yokohama, Japan. Her ability to balance entrepreneurship with an intense pro wrestling career highlights her versatility and ambition.

Professional Wrestling Career

Asuka began her wrestling career in June 2004 with the AtoZ promotion. Over the next several years, she worked as a freelance wrestler, appearing for various promotions across Japan. Her dynamic in-ring style and charisma soon earned international attention.

In August 2015, she signed a developmental contract with WWE, marking the beginning of her U.S.-based wrestling career. Adopting the ring name "Asuka" in WWE, she quickly rose through the ranks of its developmental brand, NXT.

Success in WWE and NXT

During her time in NXT, Asuka captured the NXT Women’s Championship and held the title for an unprecedented 510 days—the longest reign for that title and one of the longest of any championship in WWE's modern era. Her dominant presence in NXT helped redefine the women’s division.

In 2018, she was part of a critically acclaimed match against Becky Lynch and Charlotte Flair at WWE’s TLC: Tables, Ladders & Chairs pay-per-view. This match won CBS Sports' WWE Match of the Year award, further cementing Asuka’s reputation as one of the top wrestlers in the world.