In January 2009, Ueto launched her first wedding dress collection, in collaboration with bridal shop Joyful Eli, entitled "U Aya Ueto Dresses". While she has designed her own tour merchandise in the past, namely the T-shirt line "Buddy" in 2005, "U" marks Ueto's first official foray into fashion design. A second collection was announced in July 2009. In April 2009, she starred alongside SMAP leader Masahiro Nakai in her first Getsuku drama, "Konkatsu!". Ueto next co-starred with Hayato Ichihara in the Shunji Iwai-produced CG animation film, "Baton", created in commemoration of the Port of Yokohama's 150th anniversary. The film, reunited her with "Azumi" director Ryuhei Kitamura. In June 2009, after a two-year hiatus, Ueto resumed her singing career by releasing the Kohmi Hirose-produced single "Smile for...," followed by her fifth studio album, "". In November 2009, Ueto co-starred with Tetsuya Watari in the Sugako Hashida-written and Fukuko Ishii-produced TV movie, "Kekkon".