A diploma-course graduate of Shobi Conservatory (Tokyo), Arai has earned numerous honors and distinctions including the Akamatsu Award; First Prize in the Shobi Wind & Percussion Instrument Competition; Second Prize in the Fourth Japan Wind & Percussion Competition (Saxophone); the Encouragement Award in the Tokyo International Music Competition for Chamber Ensemble (Trouvère Quartet); Second Place in the Tokyo International Music Competition for Chamber Ensemble (Trouvère Quartet); and the Fifth Japan Band Music Academy Award (Performance Division) (Trouvère Quartet).

Arai released his solo debut CD, "Fantasia" (Meister-music), in 2000. His "A Homage to Marcel Mule" (Toshiba EMI) won Grand Prize at the 2001 National Arts Festival sponsored by the Agency for Cultural Affairs. Additionally, he performs on "Six Caprices for Two Saxophones" (Meister-music), a popular duo recording with Shinichiro Hikosaka. Arai's latest solo album, "Yuube no uta" (Florestan) has opened new frontiers for the saxophone and netted strong acclaim.

A longstanding Trouvère Quartet member, Arai has studied saxophone under Kenichiro Muto, Keiji Shimoji, and Yuichiro Omuro.