Kawai (written: 川井 ,川合 ,川相 ,河井 ,河合 ,河相 or 可愛) is both Japanese surname and feminine Japanese given name. Notable people with the name include:
Surname
Ami Kawai (born 1967), Japanese television and theater actress
Aya Kawai (born 1975), Japanese ice dancer
Chiharu Kawai (born 1973), Japanese actress and voice actress
Eri Kawai (1965–2008), Japanese singer
Hayao Kawai (1928–2007), Japanese Jungian psychologist
Hiroo Kawai (born 1971), Japanese professional golfer
Ikuko Kawai (born 1968), Japanese violinist and composer
Junichi Kawai, Japanese paralympic swimmer
Kawai Gyokudō or Kawai Yoshisaburō (1873–1957), Japanese painter in the nihonga school, active from Meiji through Shōwa period Japan
Kawai Kanjirō (1890–1966), Japanese potter
Kawai Michi (1877–1953), Japanese educator, Christian activist, and proponent of Japanese-Western ties before, during, and after World War II
Kazumi Kawai (1964–1997), Japanese actress
Kenji Kawai (born 1957), Japanese music composer
Kenta Kawai (born 1981), former Japanese football player
Masahiro Kawai (born 1964), former Japanese Nippon Professional Baseball infielder
Masao Kawai (born 1924), Japanese primatologist
Misaki Kawai (born 1978), Japanese artist
Reishin Kawai (1931–2010), 8th dan aikido practitioner and acupuncturist
Ritsuko Kawai (born 1964), the creator of the anime television show Hamtaro
Ryuji Kawai (born 1978), Japanese football player
Shunichi Kawai (born 1963), Japanese former volleyball player
Takashi Kawai (born 1976), Japanese Nippon Professional Baseball pitcher
Takuma Kawai (born 1988), Japanese professional ice hockey left wing
Takanori Kawai (born 1964), Japanese politician
Tatsuo Kawai (1889–1965), Japanese diplomat and author
Toru Kawai (died 1996), Japanese stunt man and actor
Toshinobu Kawai (born 1967), Japanese short track speed skater
Tsunenori Kawai (born 1937), Japanese politician
Yoshio Kawai (born 1954), Japanese voice actor
Yosuke Kawai (born 1989), Japanese football player
Yudai Kawai (born 1980), Japanese baseball player
Yumi Morio or Yumi Kawai (born 1966), Japanese voice actress
Given name
Kawai Okada (born 1948), Japanese former actress and businesswoman
