She has won nine senior international medals and competed at three Four Continents Championships, placing as high as fourth.

She won her JGP event in Belarus and went on to win the Japanese Junior title.

In 2010, Imai won gold at the Ondrej Nepela Memorial and debuted on the senior Grand Prix series, placing 5th at the 2010 Skate Canada International and 6th at the 2010 Trophee Eric Bompard.

In summer 2011, Imai sustained a stress fracture in her foot, keeping her off the ice for about two months.

[3] In September 2011, she moved to Detroit to be coached by Yuka Sato and Jason Dungjen.