imai

Imai is a Japanese surname and place name. It is typically written with the kanji 今井, which combines the characters for "now" or "present" and "well." Historically, the name originated from toponymic roots—families living near a notable well or in a location named Imai—and later spread across Japan, becoming a common surname.

As a place name, Imai appears in various locales throughout Japan, used for municipalities, districts, or geographic features. In addition to its use in Japan, the name can be found among Japanese communities abroad, often reflecting ancestral origins in specific Imai locations.

In contemporary contexts, Imai is borne by many individuals across diverse fields such as politics, academia, arts, and sports. Because it is a common surname with long-standing usage, it encompasses a wide range of people and experiences rather than a single defining figure or group. The standard romanization of the surname is Imai, though historical records or personal preference may yield minor variations in spelling for individual families.

See also: Imai (disambiguation) for additional uses of the term, including other locations or topics that share the same name.