Arakawa is so far the only skater in Japan who has won three consecutive junior national titles. She landed her first triple jumps when she was still in elementary school. Arakawa switched coaches in November 2005. She is the third Lady from Japan to become World Champion after Midori Ito won in 1989 and Yuka Sato in 1994. She also competed in the 1998 Olympic Games, finishing 13th.