Arai (written: 新井 or 荒井) is a Japanese surname. Notable people with the surname include:
Akino Arai (born 1959), Japanese singer and lyricist
Alberto Arai (1915–1955), Mexican architect and writer
Etsuji Arai (born 1957), Japanese politician
Hakuseki Arai (1657–1725), Japanese scholar and politician
Haruhiko Arai (born 1947), Japanese screenwriter
Hideki Arai (born 1963), Japanese manga artist
Hirofumi Arai (born 1979), Japanese actor
Hiroyuki Arai (born 1958), Japanese politician
Iemitsu Arai (born 1955), Japanese politician
Ikunosuke Arai (1836–1909), Japanese samurai
Izumi Arai (born 1964), birthname of Japanese singer and actress Minami Takayama
Kenichiro Arai (born 1972), Japanese male professional wrestler
Kenji Arai (born 1978), Japanese male soccer player
Kikuo Arai (born 1943), Japanese male golfer
Kiyoko Arai, Japanese manga artist
Kozo Arai (born 1950), Japanese retired soccer player
Maki Arai (born 1982), Japanese women's tennis player
Marie Arai (born 1981), Japanese female pair skater
Masaru Arai (born 1952), Japanese astronomer
Masao Arai (born 1949), Japanese male wrestler
Motoko Arai (born 1960), Japanese science fiction writer
Nobuo Arai (1909–1990), Japanese male freestyle swimmer
Noriko Arai (born ), Japanese female wheelchair racer
Ryohei Arai (director) (1901–1980), Japanese film director
Ryohei Arai (footballer) (born 1990), Japanese male soccer player
Ryōji Arai (born 1956), Japanese illustrator
Ryota Arai (born 1983), Japanese baseball player
Sasagu Arai (born 1930), Japanese Biblical scholar
Satomi Arai (born 1980), Japanese voice actress
Shigeo Arai (1916–1944), Japanese male freestyle swimmer
Shōgo Arai (born 1945), Japanese politician
Shota Arai (born 1985), Japanese male soccer player
Shota Arai (born 1988), Japanese male soccer player
Shoichi Arai (1965–2002), Japanese professional wrestler promoter
Takahiro Arai (born 1977), Japanese baseball player
Takako Arai (born 1990), Japanese beauty pageant contestant
Tatsunori Arai (born 1983), Japanese male soccer player
Tatsuya Arai (born 1988), Japanese male soccer player
Toshi Arai (born 1966), Japanese rally driver and team owner
Yuko Arai (born 1973), Japanese female fencer
Yumi Arai (born 1954), birthname of Japanese musician Yumi Matsutoya
Zack Arai, Japanese adult video director
