別に何でもない

TV Japan

2009-12-16T04:57:38Z

Based on scans from jamerei.

Arashi’s Promises in 2010 (The theme is adapted from their upcoming drama together: The Last Promise)

NINOMIYA KAZUNARI

What kind of year was 2009?

Seriously, it was so fulfilling that it’s possibly one of the best years of my life. I was very happy to be given the privilege to appear in the Mario Brothers CM. I honestly think that there’s no job which felt so honourable or made me feel so blessed.

My promises in 2010

To Sho-chan: I’ll be supporting you on Tokujou Kabachi!

To Jun-kun: Let’s watch the SP drama on time!

To Aiba-kun: It’s about time we played baseball together!

To Riida: We so need to go for a meal with just the two of us.

To myself: Maintain the balance between Arashi and my solo activities!

To the fans: I hope to bring to you an Arashi that is fun!

MATSUMOTO JUN

What kind of year was 2009?

It was a year where we delivered many projects as the five of us. I can also think that there was a significance in appearing in “Smile”. A grave incident? The only one I could think of was when I was carrying a bag from our make-up artist and I walked into a pillar. (laughs)

My promises in 2010

To Sho-kun: I’ll be watching Tokujou Kabachi!

To Nino: Let’s play the new Mario game together!

To Aiba-chan: Let’s go golfing together!

To Riida: If you invited me I’ll go fishing with you!

To myself: To hold on to all my commitments!

To the fans: I won’t make you regret the things which you like about us!

OHNO SATOSHI

What kind of year was 2009?

Although 2008 was a really busy year, I really relaxed in 2009. I could take things slowly after “Uta no Oniisan”. In the latter half of the year there were plenty of celebrations for our 10^th year anniversary, so I kind felt that it was an amazing year.

My promises in 2010

To Sho-kun: Let’s go on a 10-hour fishing course!

To Nino: Let’s realise our first meal with just the two of us! [Translator’s note: Riida, it’s been 10 years and you haven’t had a single date with Nino??]

To Aiba-chan: Let’s go drinking again! I’m paying this time! [Translator’s note: Ohno mentioned on Hanamaru Café once that when he last went drinking with Aiba, he got up to go to the toilet and left the pub, leaving Aiba to foot the bill. Oh, Riida!]

To Jun-kun: I’m telling you, bring me to the restaurant that you recommended!

To myself: I’ll be fishing, but the main focus is Art! [Translator’s note: YAY.]

To the fans: I’ll be extremely careful about getting sunburnt!!

SAKURAI SHO

What kind of year was 2009?

We had the tour, and had precious experiences like the Challenge Week and the movie with director Miike, so it was a blessed 10^th year anniversary. It was a great learning experience by being able to talk to various athletes on ZERO.

My promises in 2010

To Riida: When it becomes warmer, let’s go fishing!

To Nino: Let’s battle each other on Mario!

To Aiba-kun: Let’s go shopping together.

To Matsujun: Let’s talk about various things again over a meal.

To myself: From being nocturnal to diurnal. A change in lifestyle!

To the fans: We’ll be touring in our 11^th year!

AIBA MASAKI

What kind of year was 2009?

There was the stageplay, “My Girl” and lastly Arashi’s Drama SP. It was a great flow of events. We can see what’s lined up next, so more than anything I feel happy. I’m grateful to the people who have supported us thus far.

My promises in 2010

To Riida: I’ll follow you fishing. Just for once. (laughs)

To Nino: It’s been 10 years, so let’s have a grass-lot baseball competition!

To Sho-chan: Let’s go on a trip. Leave the planning to me!

To Matsujun: Let’s go golfing.

To myself: It’s been 10 years so I’m aiming to be punctual every single time!

To the fans: Let’s enjoy ourselves during our live performances!

MORE Sept 2009 - The Scenery as Seen by Arashi - Conclusion (2/2)

2009-12-13T18:09:57Z

Okay, this is part 2 of the amazing interview. The last line is filled with absolute win.

Edited to add: The author of this interview is Yoshi Rei, who also interviewed Sho, Riida and Jun. I'm pretty sure Yoshi Rei is an Arashi fan.

The five of them somehow resemble each other despite being different people. In the accumulated amount of time they have spent together, they have come to understand and support each other quite naturally.

Nino: We’re a reserved bunch. (laughs) Because we’re not people who will shove others aside in order to get into the limelight, you could say that we’re not a very pushy group. Therefore, although it took time before we were understood by the people around us, in that way, we were able to have various experiences and that increased our exposure.

“We think that if Arashi were to cause a miracle, it would be these five people.”

Sho: I think we’re a group that took quite a detour to get to where we are today. However, we’re now proud to say that we didn’t take any shortcuts.

The five of them have starred together in movies, late night variety programs, 24 hour TV , concerts, etc. As you observe these scenes one by one, you’ll see that they’ve been fostering the bonds of Arashi.

Sho: There have been many unforgettable moments, but I vividly remember the scene we saw when the curtains first opened for our premiere Asia tour. Each of us was lined up in a row on stage. Although we didn’t exchange glances, in our hearts we had engaged in a scrum*. At that time, everyone felt like we had overcome the first obstacle.

* Translator’s note: a scrum, in typical rugby terms, is a play in Rugby in which the two sets of forwards mass together around the ball and, with their heads down, struggle to gain possession of the ball. Oh Sho, you just can’t forget your rugby experience, can you.

Jun: I share the same sentiments with Sho-kun. After that Asia Tour in 2006, we started to gather a momentum which culminated to what we have today.

Aiba: It was also amazing when we managed to stand on my dream stage, the Tokyo Dome. It was a special feeling to see it packed with audience members from the top to the very bottom of the place. I said, “This was as amazing as I thought it would be,” and was so moved that I cried.

Arashi now has a primetime program and each member has come to star in their own dramas. Be it in the office, train or café, everyone seems to be talking about Arashi happily. As the members welcome their tenth year anniversary, they have thoughts which they want to voice out anew. That would be that Arashi has helped make them into who they are now, and more than anything, the feeling of wanting to cherish Arashi.

Nino: If there was a miracle that Arashi has caused, that would be the five of us here. There were many Juniors who were of the same age as us, so there were countless choices in terms of the group formation. And in spite of that, it came down to the five of us. That was a momentous event for us, and it will still remain an important milestone within the group.

So the miracle was some special drama, but something that had been by their side all along – it was something which had unknowingly begun along the way.

Jun: We say it’s because our horizons have been broadened that we stay the same. We want to be able to stay at the same level with the people who have supported or helped us all this while. We don’t want to aim for records or numbers, but to just appreciate the things we have now.

Sho: The year before last, we had a live performance at the Tokyo Dome – a dream I didn’t think would come to pass so soon. Last year, when [we performed] at the Kokuritsu Yoyogi Stadium, we came to realise that this was just the beginning of an awesome dream come true. We were ecstatic. This year’s live performances and even those in our 11^th year will take us into uncharted waters. Although there’s this uncertainty of not knowing what will happen next, we’re all in this together, so we’ve got no choice but to enjoy the ride.

We carried out the photoshoot in front of oleander trees where flowers were in bloom. The flowers symbolise “beautiful kindness, a friendship for life”. We only came to know about it way after the interview was over. Even on that day, the miracle of Arashi bloomed with a nonchalant air.

Next project: H ARASHI December 2009. Do let me know if you've seen translations of this series of articles on the internet already. To help you remember, the scans look something like this:

MORE Sept 2009 - The Scenery as Seen by Arashi - Conclusion (1/2)

2009-12-13T18:02:53Z

Please allow me a few lines of fangirling before going to my favorite interview out of all the interviews that I've ever translated.

First of all, I LOVED this interview. The interviewer was able to succinctly and poignantly express what makes Arashi tick, with interesting snippets in between. Granted, it's mostly members talk, but unlike other talks which I've seen so far, it's rather serious and filled with memorable quotes by each of the members. The author's conclusion to the interview ties in the unintended symbolism of the photoshoot with the journey Arashi has embarked on so far.

The photoshoot takes place in a meadow. As you cast your eye in the distance, you can see oleander trees. Everyone strolls towards the trees where the peach-coloured flowers are in full bloom. Nino whispers something into Ohno’s ear, making him chuckle. Matsumoto smiles as he takes in the sight of the two of them. Sakurai walks slightly ahead of the others and Aiba falls in step next to him. The guys walk at a natural pace and at a comfortable distance between each of them. There’s a great atmosphere which encompasses the five members. That same atmosphere is seen in their concerts and variety programs, which makes their audiences and the people who come into contact with them come away with a happy feeling.

Nino: Even when I’m asked, “What do you think is the secret to Arashi’s popularity?” I totally have no idea. We neither planned nor analysed [why our fans like us]. Nonetheless, the only thing I can say is that whenever [we do our concerts or shows], it’s a great deal of fun.

Aiba: People always say that we’re really close, but that’s really the norm. It’s a bond that is neither classified as friendship nor kinship, but a new genre that can only be called “Arashi”.

Of course, life for them wasn’t without its hardships. When they first debuted ten years ago, they didn’t know each other well. On top of them, three out of the five members were ready to quit the entertainment industry.

Ohno: Although I already told the office that I wanted to quit, the president said, “Go to Hawaii!” I thought it was a final reward of sorts and went, but somehow along the way I ended up on a boat and we had our debut conference! (laughs)

Aiba: We were a group which was put together for the sake of a debut, so our initial conversations were very hesitant and probing.

Nonetheless, slowly but surely, you’ve grown close to each other.

Ohno: After we debuted, there were many months where we only had 30 minutes or 1 hour of sleep each night. I thought that it was absolute craziness if we had to keep up at that frantic pace, so Nino and I devised an escape plan! (laughs) However, somehow or other, Arashi just became a way of life… Now that I think about it, it’s because of Arashi that we made it this far. Everyone’s really kind!

Jun: We all have very different personalities, so if you actually put us in the same class, we wouldn’t be in the same clique. However, everyone demonstrated care and concern whilst looking out for each other. We truly cooperated.

Sho: It seems like we’re your normal everyday person. Even when we’re on the streets, we hear stuff like “Oh, Sho-chan!” and “Ah, Nino,” rather than girls going “Kya~” over us. People call out to us like they see us every day, so that makes us really happy.

Click HERE to go to part 2.

MORE Oct 2009 - The Scenery as Seen by Arashi - Matsumoto Jun

2009-12-12T17:43:20Z

With a beautiful appearance and a penetrating gaze, Matsujun has left several indelible impressions in the dramas he’s appeared in. It could be the fault of the characters he’s cast in, he has the image of a cool guy. However, the other members say that he’s really gentle and serious. In addition, he enthusiastically plays a hands on role in the production of Arashi’s concerts and displays love and passion. A man with a surprising number of different faces!

Matsumoto-kun conceptualises Arashi’s live performances right? The moving stage was born from Matsumoto-kun’s idea as well.

I started taking a genuine interest in the conceptualisation of our live performances in 2001. It was our only chance of directly interacting with the fans, and I really liked to entertain the crowds. However, I’m only responsible for the brainstorming. To bring something like the moving stage to life needs the participation and design of the staff team after I told them about the idea. It’s something that we came up with together, which makes it enjoyable.

Your career as an actor has been memorable to. Many people have come to know you through the characters you play, such as Sawada Shin from Gokusen, Momo from Kimi wa Petto, and Domyoji Tsukasa from Hana Yori Dango.

Recently, I put up a poll in my radio show, asking listeners how they came to know me or like me from the dramas I acted in. It made me happy. Hanadan played a really big part. Ever since that came about, I felt that the atmosphere around me start to change bit by bit.

So what part of yourself has changed or grown?

I wonder… I think I was really driven when I was younger. I had desires to do this or try that, so if I look at it now from a third person’s perspective, I looked displeased. Furthermore, I lacked the competence to [manage my time], so when I simultaneously did dramas, variety programs and live performances I ended up being really confused. It was very painful and I felt so terribly sorry for the people around me. Recently, however, I felt that on many levels I had been liberated. Even if I took on just one live performance, I was able to express myself freely as a performer.

By the way, whilst the idol Matsujun is extremely popular, how does the regular Matsumoto Jun fare?

Eh? I don’t know at all! (laughs) I mean, I don’t live day to day thinking about whether I’m popular or not. That applies to my relationships, marriage and my work. Anyway I don’t particularly aim at being popular and try to work at it every day. If you treasure each and every thing before you, it’s something that you come across inadvertently… right?’

Ohno-kun talks about Matsumoto-kun’s 10 years

This guy has been serious and methodical from the very start! His blood type is A, after all! He’s an honest person and frankly, what you see is what you get with him. I mean, it’s really not in my position to talk about his growth for the past ten years. (laughs) [Translator’s note: Oh Riida… Have some confidence in yourself!] He’s become increasingly diligent, yeah? He voices out his concerns honestly and tries his best to solve any problems. On the other hand, I’m definitely not someone who acts right after being told, “Please do it like this,” or “Just go with the flow”. I think it’s amazing for someone to have done that for ten years.

MORE Oct 2009 - The Scenery as Seen by Arashi - Aiba Masaki

2009-12-12T17:39:44Z

Aiba Masaki is a person who “lives in the now.” Without worrying about what’s happening around him, he fully drinks in the moment and expresses his feelings of gratitude with all his strength. In any case, the important thing is to enjoy life with a smile. In fact, that scintillating smile of his has become his greatest message.

It’s already predetermined that you shed tears at every concert opening, right, Aiba-san?

I just get so moved every time the moment we get on the stage. I always go, “No no no, this isn’t the time or place to be moved!” It feels like my thoughts always run in that direction whilst the concert starts.

What’s on your mind when you first step onto the stage?

I tend to take on the performance with the feeling of, “Alright, let’s do it!” When we appear on the stage, suddenly the view of thousands of audience members just floods your eyes and it’s totally different from rehearsals. At that point, the feeling of gratitude just wells up within me.

Does that feeling of being moved remain even as the number of performances increase and the size of the stage becomes bigger?

Yup, it’s a refreshing feeling each and every time.

What does a concert mean to you?

I’ve experienced it many times, if you include my days as a Junior. I kind of treat it as my starting point. It’s not a televised broadcast, and it’s limited to that particular theatre. However, it’s precisely because of that fact that I feel so alive just by experiencing the emotions during that performance. For example, in a variety program or in a drama, you can place yourself in the shoes of the audience and think about what you’re gonna say and stuff. However, in a concert you just tend to go with your emotions, so you won’t be able to look at yourself from the audience’s perspective. Because of that, even when I watch the concert DVDs afterwards, I keep thinking stuff like, “Wow, Arashi looks like they’re having fun!” (laughs)

Chuckles. Aiba-san, it seems like your smile as you’re putting in your heart and soul in whatever you do has become your trademark.

I was always smiling ever since I was an elementary school student. I would be smiling in every single photo you can find. I think there are people who look at certain situations and say, there’s not a situation you should be smiling at and take a stoic attitude towards it. However, when I’m done and out and even when it feels impossible, I still think that if you face life with a smile, somehow something good will happen. Of course, there are times when you definitely shouldn’t be laughing, but I still want to smile despite it.

Nino talks about Aiba’s 10 years

Firstly, Aiba-kun has really grown! Why, during our Junior days I was taller than he was! He’s grown bigger, that boy. (laughs) In addition to that, recently he’s been able to properly say when he’s feeling tired or feeling sleepy. Previously, he used to keep it all within himself and it ends up with him catching a high fever or damaging his health. Well, he probably only has a hundredth of the wilfulness which I have, but for him to even reach that stage can be considered growth, I guess.

MORE Oct 2009 - The Scenery as Seen by Arashi - Ninomiya Kazunari

2009-12-12T15:20:08Z

While his acting skills have been highly rated by world famous producers and directors, Nino claims that everything [his projects] was derived from the work that Arashi received. “It wasn’t like I had a particular interest in acting.” A self-proclaimed “Arashi’s No. 1 fan”, he freely demonstrates the love for Arashi as though he’s been married to the group.

Has your love for Arashi changed over the past ten years?

Not at all. That’s because I have very little friends. (laughs) I’m bad at working at things by myself, so it’s been a really great help to have the other four members around.

What kind of existence are the Arashi members to Nino?

They’re a mysterious bunch. If things went the way they normally were, they would exist as friends. But they’re friends, family and also workmates. Sometimes we communicate like a married couple… So they really play all sorts of roles in my life.

How do you see Arashi as a group?

I think above anything else, we’re a group that tries to live up to the expectations placed on us. However, we’re really just a bunch of regular older brothers who decided to come together. A few ordinary older brothers who happen to take really good looking pictures. [translator’s note: Oh, Nino you rascal.]

Don’t you think that Arashi is the nation’s idol right now?

We’ve had various work opportunities as Arashi. I do stage plays, Sho-chan reads the news, so on and so forth. On top of that, we’re not status-conscious people so it’s been easy for us to try all sorts of different things.

Well, it shows that you guys aren’t idle idols.

We couldn’t afford to be idle idols at the beginning. We were really reserved,, so even when we made an appearance in Live Countdown programs, it felt as though we almost weren’t featured on TV at all. Actually, in the year 2000 before I turned 18, I watched Aiba-kun, Sho-chan and Riida perform A.RA.SHI. on TV. I kept cheering them on, saying, “Go for it! Stand out among the crowd!”

Ahahahaha.

But you know, that’s precisely our strength. We seem to fit in no matter what situation we’re in. There are big brothers like us on the streets, so even when we appear in dramas, it seems like we’re family. Somehow our inability to step into the spotlight became the plus point to work hard. So I guess we can afford to be idle idols now?

Matsumoto-kun talks about Ninomiya-kun’s ten years

He’s a reliable person who has his own views and does things at his own pace. However, he doesn’t show that at all on the surface. He doesn’t play the leading role in Arashi, but looks at things objectively from a different angle. He’s been like that since the beginning. However, I came to hear from a common acquaintance that Nino has totally changed on the set of Ryusei no Kizuna. He has become more aware of his acting and a dependable presence on set. Oh, so he’s different when he’s [not with Arashi]. That kind of made me happy.

PINKY Jan 2010 - Yamashita Tomohisa and Ikuta Toma (1/2)

2009-12-11T15:49:57Z

I made a boo-boo and translated the second part of the interview first. This is the REAL part one. Read it before moving on to the next part!

They’re childhood friends, buddies, workmates and confidantes.

Wow, having the two of you come together for a rare duo shot is so radiant that we can’t stop our hearts from fluttering. <3

Yamashita: It’s been a long time since we last met.

Toma: When did we last see each other? About three months ago?

Yamashita: You must be super busy now.

Toma: Well, that’s true. I’ve been going to different locales for the filming of the movie. It’s like I’m a father who’s posted overseas for work purposes.

Yamashita: You’re totally not in Tokyo at all.

Toma: I’ve been to Kyoto, Guam, Hokkaido…

Yamashita: Where are you headed to next? (laughs) But it’s a good thing for a guy to be busy. And to be unable to meet friends because of [work], that’s pretty cool.

Toma: And Yamashita also plunged into preparations for his solo concert after filming for his drama had ended. We’re both busy. Although it would have ended by the time this article is published, I’m really looking forward to Yamashita’s solo concert.

How do you view each other when you’re working?

Yamashita: Toma is dead serious. It’s kinda like he gives off a different vibe. I respect him because of that.

Toma: Ooh~

Yamashita: Really, it’s true. Toma has egged me on, recently, I’ve changed as well.

It seems that Ikuta-san, Yamshita-san and other fellow actors gather together for passionate discussions on several nights.

Toma: I’ve received a positive stimulus because of that. But for Yamashita, it seems as though he’ll act on what we talked about the very next day. Yamashita has been like that since a long time ago. He’s serious, works really hard and hates losing. Now that he’s become more popular, there are more things which he needs to protect. Although I think it’s really tough, in the midst of that, Yamashita said, “I’m gonna go for it!”

Yamashita: After seeing Toma work in places I haven’t been or talk about things which I don’t know about, I think his experience level has really increased. When I see Toma like that, I think to myself, wow, he’s really grown up! I’m gonna have to work hard, too!

Toma: Iya~ That just makes me so happy. To have a friend who’s watching over me makes me glad. I’ve been working on projects by myself, so every working location has been a once in a lifetime opportunity. So to have a confidante who’s been a childhood friend and workmate is something huge to me.

Yamashita: It’s a treasured relationship. It’s not usual to be in the same school and then work in the same field.

Toma: Still, it’s not a relationship where we say, let’s work hard together! It can be better described as, “I’m gonna give my best, so you do it too.”

Yamashita-san – 24 years old. Ikuta-san – 25 years old. Is this the age where you passionately discuss your future and work?

Yamashita: If you’re talking about my age, it’s probably the time where people graduate from university and come out to work in society. We’ve worked for about 10 years now, so we’ve come to understand quite a number of things and put some fighting spirit in our work. However, we’ve been working since our teens, yes?

Toma: It feels like just about 10 years have passed, yes?

Yamashita: That’s right. On that note we’ve witnessed many things, so it’s time to put in some fighting spirit, right?

Toma: The thing that has changed since last time would be the sense of responsibility. Although I’m one out of many, I’ve been entrusted with various tasks and have become more aware of my own position.

You’ve been blessed by great comrades around you, right?

Toma: Everyone has been awesome. It seems like the people that I worked with from the time I did the programme “8-Ji Da J” and “Gakibara Teikoku” as a Junior are still around.

In short, the juniors which did the programs from long ago are able to display their talents in the various groups such as Tackey and Tsubasa, Arashi, NEWS and Kanjani 8.

Toma: It kind of makes one happy.

Yamashita: Although we were busy during our Junior days, we thought that to work hard was a given.

Could you share with us some of your weaknesses?

Yamashita: Even if I had them I’m not gonna tell ya!

Toma: Ahahaha. (laughs)

Yamashita: I want to hide my weaknesses as much as I can. (laughs) I wanna show off as a guy. With that in mind, I’m gonna keep quiet about Toma’s weaknesses as well.

With guys nowadays giving up their macho image and becoming Soushokukei Danshi, this looks promising.

Soushokukei Danshi: Literally, Herbivorous men. This alludes to young men who are not competitive as in tradition male stereotypes, including in the avid pursuit of money and sex, and who may also be kind, co-operative and family-oriented.

Yamashita: Really? It’ll be alright. We’re here.

Toma: Yamashita just says whatever is on his mind, so it feels good. From time to time, I try to imagine that I’m Yamashita Tomohisa. (laughs)

Yamashita: Ahahaha.

Toma: I’m jealous of that. I can’t do it. I tend to think through things first before I say anything. Even when it comes to relationships, I’m the type that can’t bring myself to express much.

Ikuta-kun, are you a newbie?

Toma: No, I am not. (laughs) I just tend to overthink matters.

Yamashita: Well, you tend to think about many things with regards to the person you like right?

Toma: To begin with, as fellow guys we’re not… really interested in each other’s romantic interests.

Yamashita: He’s practically running through the words which he can use right now. He’s trying to find a euphemism for “not having an interest”, but he ended up using the phrase verbatim.

Toma: You got that right! (laughs)

Yamashita: Nonetheless, in Toma’s perspective, if this relationship is going to end up as a handicap, he’ll probably say something about it.

Toma: Well~ If I said something that’ll probably be it. But even if you said that to a woman who’s fallen madly in love, [the relationship] can’t be ended that easily right?

Yamashita: Well it depends on the person. It might make them upset, but for Toma, she might be open to discussion. If Toma said so, then I’ll take some time to think over what he said.

Toma: That’s true. It’s the same for me. It’s only because Yamashita seldom says such things that I’ll stop to listen if he says it.

PINKY Jan 2010 - Yamashita Tomohisa and Ikuta Toma (2/2)

2009-12-11T08:21:12Z

The people at PINKY magazine sit down for an interview with Ikuta Toma and Yamashita Tomohisa.

In the future, let’s talk about our sons as fellow stubborn fathers.

Has there been a time when you said, “I hope this aspect of him never changes”?

Yamashita: For me, I hope Toma’s attitude towards his work doesn’t change.

Toma: For Yamashita, I think it’s the way he cherishes his fans. And there’s also the thoughtfulness towards his family. Although he’s had his fair share of being rebellious. (laughs) His mother came to talk to me at that time.

Yamashita: Uhahahahaha. (laughs)

Toma: You know, Yamashita’s mother has an incredible amount of trust in me.

Yamashita: He totally broke through the 200% trust level. There’s this feeling that if Toma is there, somehow things will be okay.

Toma: Having been through that rebellious period, (laughs) I think the way Yamashita cherishes his family now is great.

You two seem like you want to be fathers which look after the family in the future.

Yamashita: However, we’re gonna be strict towards our sons.

But on the other hand, you’ll be indulgent towards your daughters?

Yamashita: I don’t want daughters! The moment I think of the fact that she’ll become someone else’s bride, argh, I can’t stand it!

Toma: I get what you mean! When she becomes twenty, she’ll spend the rest of her life with another guy. When I think about it, it’s impossible.

Yamashita: That’s true. I don’t get it at all.

Toma: Isn’t that so? I’m definitely in the camp where I want sons.

Yamashita: Toma looks like he’ll be a strict daddy~

Toma: I will, without a doubt. In the future, let’s talk about our sons as fellow stubborn fathers.

Yamashita: Yes, we probably will.

You’ve become men who can talk to each other as adults, yes?

Toma: Should we have been talking to each other about fashion? Oh yes, it would be nice if girls wear scarves and such in winter.

Yamashita: I like clothes which has a nice texture to it. Like knitwear which has a comfortable touch.

Toma: Kinda, this conversation is reeaaally out of place here. (laughs)

Yamashita: That’s so true! (laughs)

MORE Oct 2009 - The Scenery as Seen by Arashi - Ohno Satoshi

2009-12-11T05:30:31Z

OHNO SATOSHI

He is wholehearted when it comes to his favorite things like art, fishing and dance. Rather than an idol, the air which Ohno-kun exudes resembles more of an artist. Whilst he can calm and soothe the environment around him by just being there, he wows the crowd with his spectacular dances. With a profound personality like his, once you’ve gotten to know him you won’t be able to forget.

How did you feel when you first debuted?

At 18 years...? I had planned to quit the entertainment world to become an illustrator. But for some reason I was arrowed for a debut and I said, that’s absolutely impossible! I could sort of remember how busy we were at the time, but what definitely remained in my memory was how uncertain I felt. The other four members appeared on television since their junior days, and they were able to get used to many things. Their names and faces were known [to the fans], but it was totally [different] for me. I was doing stage plays all the time and I had no idea on how to present myself, so I was always in a mess. Well, I think that hasn’t changed much. (laughs)

So why do you think you were able to carry on [with Arashi] for ten years?

It’s because of Arashi, I guess. I think it was for a purpose that Arashi was formed. If I had entered another group my life would probably be completely different. That, and the significant fact that when I debuted, I didn’t do it all by myself. The other members have helped me countless times, and to an extent, I have some responsibility too. In my first year, I overslept and was very late for a live broadcast. I caused trouble for the other members and the staff and regretted it immensely. I can’t act anyway I want now that I’m in a group.

And now you help to choreograph Arashi’s dances and also released a solo single. You’ve become quite forward looking in your activities!

Well, it’s not like I volunteered for all these things! (laughs) I do like Arashi, but I have no desire to say, “I want to do this.” It could be because I have a stronger desire for stuff like drawing and fishing.

Ohno-kun is really wholehearted when it comes to his favourite things.

I live to satisfy myself. (laughs) Although when people said that they wanted to see my works, I held an exhibition last year. Basically, I just have the feeling of wanting to become better [at drawing]. However, for fishing it’s slightly different. There really isn’t any goal [I want to attain] in fishing. All I think about is, “Will I get something? Let’s fish!” I like that state of nothingness. [lit: 無 “mu”]

What does Ohno-kun think he’ll be like in ten years?

I hope to do more of my favourite things. However, if I increase the number of hobbies I have, I’d surely have to go somewhere. (laughs) It’d be nice to be a traveller too.

Sakurai-kun talks about Ohno’s 10 years

Rather than Ohno himself changing, I think the people around him see him with different eyes. It’s like everyone has discovered Riida? (laughs) His experience in stage plays came through in his first drama, and his exhibition was merely a physical manifestation of his hobby. While he kept saying, “I wanted to run away during our debut,” if you compare it to how he is now, he’s become quite forward looking right? In addition, another change would be his ever darkening skin colour, I guess. (laughs)

MORE Sept 2009 - The Scenery as Seen by Arashi - Sakurai Sho

2009-12-09T18:49:33Z

The miracle that is right by your side – the scene as seen by the five members

Arashi welcomes their tenth anniversary this year. They are featured prominently in dramas, commercials, variety shows and performances. There are many who have said that they admire or feel comforted by the trust and friendship displayed by the five members. The older they become, the greater the popularity and attention they gather. “It’s definitely not a group which took short cuts. However, we’re proud to say that we took a detour in order to become who we are today.” Whilst every member has a charming personality, when the five of them come together they weld, with exquisite balance, an irresistible power. [lit: to split a bamboo all the way] The miracle which they chanced upon on the path which they travelled together and the scenery which they gazed upon is…?

As always, jesychan provides the most wonderful HQ scans.

SAKURAI SHO

Sakurai-kun – the mediator whose speech exudes intellect and whose eyes hold no doubt. On his own volition, he took on the role of a newscaster and a rapper, and it can be said that he is a “hard worker” [lit: a person who tries his best] who has opened up the path to a new idol. Could he be the “ideal boyfriend” for the readers of MORE?

Do you feel the growth that you and Arashi have experienced in the past ten years?

I think that the members and myself are too close such that I can’t realistically see how much we’ve changed. However, the growth we’ve experienced as a group will probably be equivalent to our growth as a person. For me, it was [the transition] from 17 to 27 years. As a kid who has turned into an adult, there were more things which I could do.

You’ve certainly taken on various challenges, especially in news casting and writing lyrics for your raps. That’s unlike anything we’ve seen from other idols so far. Was it very tough in the beginning?

It was something I wanted to do. When we first debuted it was because I wanted to do something which wasn’t typical of a Johnny, but now I’m able to ignore that and just do it for the sake of enjoyment. It’s precisely because we’re doing various projects like acting and singing that we can’t afford to cut corners in our work. There’s a strong desire to excel in what we do. We hope to not disappoint or lose out to the professionals in those fields.

Continuing from your role as a caster for the Beijing Olympics, it was interesting how you went into interviewing athletes!

Although the Olympics served as the impetus, I’m a person who hates doing something for the sake of doing it. So without being restricted by the situation, even if my schedule is really packed, I wanted to hear from them as best as I could. When I meet the athletes, I receive a stimulus in a positive way. They battle in an unforgiving field where victory and defeat are clearly defined, so even though they are of the same age they feel more grown up to me.

Although you have the image of being level-headed, you’re unexpectedly punished a great deal in variety programmes. (laughs)

That’s a side of me too! (laughs) I’m one of the older members, so I had to pull myself together. For now it’s alright, so I can afford to be natural and let that side of me come out. (laughs)

Well, to change the topic, do you have any thoughts of marriage now that you’re 27?

Of course. Recently my classmates have been getting married every month. However, more than marriage, I hope to have a family. As a man, I want to have the responsibility of looking after my wife and child. Although the time isn’t right now, I hope to do it someday.

Well, Sakurai-kun is the ideal boyfriend to our readers!

Really? But why doesn’t this [popularity] translate back to my personal life? (laughs)

Aiba-kun talks about Sakurai’s 10 years

It’s really presumptuous of me (since I’m younger) to talk about Sho-chan’s growth… (laughs) If I may say so, I really think it’s amazing of Sho-chan to affix his eyes on his goal with an unwavering attitude. He’s achieved his dream of being a news caster with an incredible spirit. I always think that it’s great how he shows a different face from the Sakurai Sho of Arashi in his news programmes.

Translator's note: Someone please tell me if this translation has been done by someone else already, if it hasn't I'll go on to translate the interviews for all the other members.

MORE January 2010 - Nino's IT interview

2009-11-30T10:04:38Z

MORE magazine sits down with Ninomiya Kazunari for an interview in their January 2010 issue.

The Ninomiya Kazunari that you see today didn’t arrive at where he is due solely due to the choices he made. That, Nino wholeheartedly believes, is due to the paths paved for him by people and events.

A day in October. Nino goes to buy a cake in the shops on the street. It was a cake generously garnished with fruits of various colours and a plate printed with the words “Happy Birthday” in the centre. “It’s my mother’s birthday today so I thought I’d buy a cake for the family to eat. However, even without disguising myself I get found out. When the shopkeeper asked me, “What name shall I print on the plate?” And I replied without thinking, “It’s alright if you don’t put in the name.” You know, I couldn’t say my mother’s name in a situation like this, right? (laughs) And I suddenly became embarrassed so I left the shop without even getting candles. Despite that, when I brought the cake home [my mother] was really pleased. “It’s the first time you’ve done something like that!” she enthuses. It’s really strange, although I remembered that I said that I had intended to celebrate her birthday every year, undeniably I was there. You only get one birthday a year after all.

It was rather unexpected for [Nino] to talk about treasuring anniversaries. This was coming from a person who said, “Arashi’s 10^th year anniversary was, to me, just a checkpoint.”

It’s fine with me if you wish to place anniversaries in work or in relationships. An anniversary to celebrate our 100^th date together can be paralleled to a television program’s compilation and highlights episode, right? Together, we [as a couple] look back at our history and look forward to the future and stuff like that. It’s the ongoing regular broadcasts which truly matter. However, things like birthdays are still special. It’s once a year so I do want to celebrate it. Although I hate to celebrate mine. If someone were to throw me a huge birthday party I’d be rather troubled! I would be awkward and have some sense of guilt. At that time, more than “thank you”, I would be thinking along the lines of “I’m sorry…” I don’t really have a strong desire to be the centre of attraction.

I’m someone who likes to bless people than to be blessed by others.

“However, that’s not because I’m a “good guy”. I don’t intentionally want to become one, I just want to be perceived as one. (laughs) So when I meet people outside, I generally treat them well and I endeavour to be kind. Just the other day, I had a meal with 4 friends and I happened to pick up a cell phone. Everyone was like, “Let’s just leave it at the police post,” but I said, “The person [who dropped it] will probably call soon, so why don’t we wait for a while and then pass it back to him directly.” In actual fact, when the event occurred that way, everyone was really pleased and said that it was great. But that’s not gentleness. I just like that side of me which demonstrates this detail of thoughtfulness. (laughs) In other words, I’m really a false Good Samaritan. You see, on the outside I’m nice and all, but on the inside I really have no compassion; cause I’m a bad guy! (laughs)”

That phenomenon probably isn’t just restricted to Nino. For many in the world, altruism can be used for selfish purposes. That in itself is a form of hypocrisy.

“Being eco-friendly can be [a self-centred act] too. Although we say that we want to save the environment, ultimately, it’s for the sake of our own egos. I’m a cheapskate, so before being eco-friendly became popular, I was already doing environmentally friendly stuff. I use the same thing over and over again until it can’t be used anymore, and I don’t switch on the lights in my home and just live by the illumination provided by the street lamps. (laughs) [Translator’s note: Oh, Nino.] And I’ve used eco-friendly bags since a long time ago. For such an obvious matter to be described as something that’s truly wonderful, I wonder how…”

Until the day I die, I would like to live like I’ve not arrived yet.

“I lose interest when I do something for my own sake. In comparison, when I do something for “someone else”, it becomes a source of motivation. There are times when you feel like you want to do something for this person but don’t necessarily feel like you have to do it for yourself right?”

That being said, Nino didn’t choose his own job. “I didn’t set out thinking, I’m going to do this.” That was because he knew that it was necessary in order to express his gratitude to the people around him.

“Actually, I feel like I’ve received the strength from others to continue living. I can probably attribute 20 percent of who I am today to my attributes and talents. The other 80 percent comes from the people who’ve helped me along the way. I’m good at reacting to the different personalities of people and their expectations, so I basically have the genes for witty ripostes (lit: tsukkomi!). Since I move in response to my surroundings, the possibilities are very varied and it brings myself to life. More than for my own sake, it’s more natural for me to [do something] for someone else. There were many times when my encounters with others led them to think that way. So far my favour with the staff and co-stars has been extraordinarily great. If I had the talent, I wouldn’t think of it as favour when meeting people. I also think that it’s partly due to covetousness that I don’t give 100 percent of myself. I have yet to want to see what I’m like when I give of myself a full 100 percent. Even if I receive a gold medal for going at full throttle, I’m still not satisfied. Until the day I die, I would like to live like I’ve not arrived yet. That’s why I live for the sake of others, though it might look like I rely on others. Oh yes, that too, is a manifestation of my own ego…? (laughs)”

The serialisations have welcomed their first year anniversary and is moving on to its second. “I’m pretty sure I’m doing this serialisation for someone’s sake.” Nino gets embarrassed just a wee bit as he laughs while saying that.

“The year has gone by in a flash! But for it to continue is a good thing, right?”

CAM CAM 2009 - Arashi's perspectives on romance

2009-11-26T14:35:19Z

The members of Arashi under a gruelling ten-bout of Q & A by Cam Cam magazine.

Q1: If you were a girl, which Arashi member would you date?

Ohno: Aiba-chan. I wanna go on a golf date with him!

Jun: I don’t want to date any one of them!

Sho: Nino. That guy does magic tricks, so it seems like he’ll pull out one or two when the conversation runs dry.

Nino: Everyone’s good looking so I’d go out with any one of them. (laughs)

Aiba: Nino, I guess… We like the same physical activities.

Q2: Conversely, which member wouldn’t you want to go out with?

Ohno: Myself. I think we’ll be fishing all the time and it’ll be boring.

Jun: Nino. He seems aloof and will immerse himself in games.

Sho: Ohno-kun. He has a lot of hobbies like drawing and fishing which he does all by himself!

Nino: No one, I think.

Aiba: No one! In fact, I think I could go out with all five of them! Ah, that would include myself, so I actually mean 4 of them. (laugh)

Q3: State 3 qualities about your type of girl.

Ohno: She must be gentle! I don’t really have 3 qualities. It’d be good if she’s gentle.

Jun: Someone who’s smart, is well-balanced and has an attractive personality.

Sho: She’ll be able to laugh, cry and be angered by the same things as myself.

Nino: A considerate girl who speaks Japanese and likes me.

Aiba: A girl with common sense, isn’t overbearing and is hardworking. I think my type of girl hasn’t changed from back then, basically.

Q4: What fashion would your type of girl sport?

Ohno: Casual and simple. Normalcy is the best way to go. When we’re together, just wear anything that’s easy-going without being over the top.

Jun: Something casual? That’s because I’m dressed in jeans and beach sandals today. (laughs)

Sho: Anything, as long as it suits her. But I do hope she considers the time, place and occasion!

Nino: I’m pretty much good with anything. As long as she wears it!

Aiba: I like people who enjoy a wide variety of fashion.

Q5: And the kind of gesture from your favourite girl would be?

Ohno: When she’s throwing something. When girls throw stuff, don’t their wrists become limp? It’s like there’s no snap to it at all. I like that!

Jun: Her attempt to hold onto her hair for dear life so that it doesn’t fall into her ramen? (laughs)

Sho: A cute sneeze that almost looks like it’s fake. (laughs)

Nino: Her smile. It’s not really considered a gesture, but nothing beats a heartfelt smile.

Aiba: I seriously have no idea!

Q6: During this period, where would you go on a date?

Ohno: The ocean! The sea at Shikoku sounds nice, though I’ve only been there for work.

Jun: I guess it’s either fireworks or the festival.

Sho: Barbeque. I just wanna get together with everyone and make lots of noise!

Nino: Kamakura! The ocean! They seem like the standard places to go. [translator’s note: Doesn’t Nino hate the ocean?!]

Aiba: An island. I wanna see the dolphins!

Q7: What kind of praise, when received from the girl you like, would make you happy?

Ohno: “You’re so silly.” (laughs)

Jun: It can be anything as long as she’s genuine about it.

Sho: “I saw you on XX.” Something like that? She doesn’t need to praise me specifically, the fact that she watched the show makes me happy.

Nino: I’m a person who likes to be praised so she can say anything and it’ll make me happy. Like, “Wow, that was great.” I hope to be respected by the girl I like.

Aiba: I’m someone who thrives on praises so I basically welcome any type of praise!

Q8: Which part of a woman would you look at when you meet her for the very first time?

Ohno: Her eyes. This isn’t any particular reason to it, my eyes would just meet hers naturally.

Jun: Her eyes. When we greet each other somehow our eyes would meet.

Sho: Her expression. That’s because their temperament will be reflected in their expression.

Nino: Her fingers. I’m mesmerised by hands which are fair, pretty and slender.

Aiba: Her eyes. I think there are unexpectedly very little people who look straight in the eye of the people they are talking to.

Q9: Do the members of Arashi discuss their love lives?

Ohno: I talked to Sho-kun before in the past. But I hardly talk to anyone about it now! Basically, I solve [all my issues] by myself.

Jun: We virtually don’t do it at all, though we might just discuss it with the person we’re with at that point in time?!

Sho: Although we’re really good pals, we just don’t talk about it since we’re all guys after all. (laughs)

Nino: Nope! We don’t do stuff like discuss our love lives or borrow money. (laughs)

Aiba: We don’t do it in particular, but I’d like to think that we could do it with any other member. It’d feel something like, “Hey, listen…”

Q10: What is love to you?

Ohno: Cooperation.

Jun: One of the three things I need in life. I feel that the big three are nature, work and love.

Sho: Probably comfort and stimulation. Although I would hate for it to be overly stimulating.

Nino: Something that’s good if you have it. I don’t really have a strong desire for love.

Aiba: Frankly speaking, it’s tough?!

Monthly TV - Oguri Shun and Matsumoto Jun interview (2/2)

2009-11-20T17:35:35Z

Second part of the interview in a separate entry because my computer turns weird when the post is too long.

Having experienced all these things, they’ve become friends who mingle together in private.

Jun: On the set of “Smile”, we don’t have the consciousness of having starred in Handan. I just have the pure pleasure of working together with him again, as an actor.

Shun: That’s right. We don’t want the audience to see this as Hana Yori Dango, version 2.1. However, if there’s any scripts and role where I can work with Jun and the Hanadan team, I would love to take part in something like that. Not surprisingly, there’s a sense of camaraderie between us. Even if I were to be relegated to a supporting role [lit: the radish that accompanies the sashimi (you gotta love Shun for his analogies)], I’m fine with it.

Jun: I don’t think you’ll become the radish accompaniment by playing the ultimate villain on this show. (laughs)

Shun: When my involvement in the drama was initially determined, it was something like, “I’m sorry for causing you some inconvenience~” Moreover, it was because of me that the drama schedule turned into a big mess.

Jun: It’s not your fault. It can’t be helped as you had a stage play going on at the same time. However, we managed to collaborate in a drama each year for the past 3 years. I didn’t think that we’d come together for another project so quickly. Like what Shun and our producer said, it’s not because we acted previously in Hanadan that we’re able to act together in the drama this time round. As individual actors holding our jobs, this was just another collaboration which incidentally came to past.

Shun: We’ve said as much before, the two of us for a long time have wanted to put all our heart and soul into our acting. We have scenes like that which involve the two of us, so that makes us very happy.

Jun: Eh, aren’t you only appearing in the flashback scenes? (laughs)

Shun: Well, if I only appeared in the flashbacks that would be rather interesting! (laughs)

Jun: I can’t believe that Oguri Shun was cast in this drama [only to be playing a role in a flashback]! (laughs)

Shun: Well, it’s a character that comes in to stir the pot, and does just that. This may seem a bit rude to Jun who’s playing the lead character, but there were times when I thoroughly enjoyed doing that.

TV monthly: With regards to the relationship between the two characters, is it tough for Vito who’s confronting Hayashi?

Jun: No, no, I trust Shun [not to ruin the tension of the relationship]. When Shun plays this character, it’s like I would [be seeing] where his character will lead mine to.

Shun: It’s a challenging role that Jun, as a top idol, would like to take on. With that in mind, this project promises to be interesting. Jun gets to increase his appeal to the audience in this drama, again. He’s dazzling [with heroism], somehow.

Jun: That’s how the character is.

Shun: Although he doesn’t show his smiling face when it comes to Hayashi.

Jun: Hayashi is the worst person ever! Most actors wouldn’t want to take on this role, right? It’s not someone you can or would want to portray. In that sense, Shun’s management company is rather liberal.

Shun: Actually, I think I might have failed at that role! I was told by the director that Hayashi is someone who needs a brain surgery before he can act like a human being. For a character like him, it’s rather easy to overact. I was looking for a way to portray [Hayashi] realistically.

Jun: As for me, I had this preconception that Shun would portray [Hayashi] in a certain way, and it was a pleasant surprise when he didn’t interpret the character the way I thought he would.

Shun: Oh, someone’s turning up the pressure here. I wonder… In any case it’s been a pleasure to have had this opportunity to do this.

Jun: [uses a baseball analogy here] It’s been a different ball to pitch as a drama. But it’s precisely because it’s a difficult pitch that we’d like to go at it with all our might.

Shun: Even with a role like Hayashi, I’m gonna go at it with all I’ve got! In any case I’ve got to discard any concerns about my appeal or image. However, there’s no doubt that Jun’s popularity will just go up with this drama.

Jun: I wasn’t targeting that! (laughs)

Monthly TV - Oguri Shun and Matsumoto Jun interview (1/2)

2009-11-20T17:31:40Z

I love it when actors talk about their jobs, so here I am with more translations between Oguri Shun and Matsumoto Jun on their latest collaboration - Smile.

Finally, the Golden Pair that we’ve been waiting for has been resurrected! We can’t help but be excited as the two-shot [of Jun and Shun] is materialised. Playing the ultimate badass villain, Oguri Shun adds colour to Smile, which stars Matsumoto Jun. We bring you the talk between the two passionate actors who mutually recognise each other’s talent!

Oguri Shun appears in the up and coming TBS drama, “Smile”! This is his first collaboration with Matsumoto Jun since they last acted together in Hana Yori Dango, so the precious two-shot is materialised.

Jun, Shun: It’s precious~!

Jun: We don’t know when we can do something like this in the future. It feels kinda strange. It’s so fresh that without thinking, we start taking pictures of ourselves with our handphone cameras! (laughs)

Shun: I came to the photo shoot today with the purpose of becoming a member of Arashi.

Jun: Which member? (laugh)

Shun: Nah, I don’t wish to replace anyone, I just want to be the 6^th member.

Jun: We haven’t had a photo shoot where it was just the two of us right?

Shun: Nope.

Jun: When we were doing Hanadan it was the four of us (F4). This is probably the first and last time. Oh, I just remembered, I’ve yet to receive an Oguri Shun T-shirt.

Shun: Ah, the I LOVE OGURI T-shirts? [the anniversary item which they gave out during the 100^th broadcast of Oguri Shun’s All Night Nippon show] I still hear that we have those. (laughs)

Even as we go into the private talk, we want to rapidly move on to talk about the drama…

Shun: But honestly speaking, there’s not much we can say at this point in time. Cause that’s the way my character is. [meaning to say that he’s afraid of giving away spoilers.]

Jun: That’s true, in April, we’ve yet to see clearly what your character brings to the plate.

Shun: That’s because I haven’t appeared [in the show] yet.

Monthly TV: Oguri Shun’s character, Hayashi Seiji appears only in the forth episode. [Hayashi] is a key person linked to Vito’s past who causes chills down people’s spines. How does it feel like to finally act opposite each other after so long?

Jun: It’s the worst feeling ever! (laughs) This time, Shun’s character is really villainous.

Shun: I never thought that I’d be covering such a role for a drama. (laughs)

Their first collaboration came in the 2002 hit drama series Gokusen. Have your impressions of each other changed since then?

Shun: What about it, Matsumoto-san?

Jun: Hmm, we were still acquaintances of sorts when we met in Gokusen. I had the feeling that we had distinctly different personalities.

Shun: For me, I didn’t have the sense of professionalism [that I do now] during the filming of Gokusen. I did like acting, however. Compared to me, Jun impressed me as someone who was really passionate about his work. I was really full of myself then.

Jun: Fufu [chuckles].

Shun: My whole countenance was one of impertinence. (laughs) The turning point in our relationship came during Hana Yori Dango, not surprisingly. During Hanadan, I guess my impertinence kinda diminished?

Jun: You’ve toned down, possibly…

Shun: I guess…

Jun: We had a strong sense of teamwork in Hanadan.

DUET December 2009 - Round table Arashi (5/5)

2009-11-20T09:24:08Z

FINALLY.

Enjoy the last installation of Round Table Arashi, presented by DUET magazine.

Previous installations:

Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4

Aiba: And we’re enjoying the concert tours now. As we welcome our 11^th year, we released our 28^th single “My Girl”. However, this is the theme song for Aiba-san’s drama. Everyone, have you watched the drama?

Nino: I did!

Sho: I received the DVD [containing the first episode].

Aiba: And if I didn’t do that [give Sho the DVD] he wouldn’t want it, yeah? So I thought I’d prepare him.

Jun: It was the first time we ever received something like that.

Everyone: (Laughs)

Nino: Eh, where [in the show] did you appear?

Aiba: I was in the show all the time!

Nino: [As a] tree?

Aiba: This isn’t a school carnival, so I’m not acting as a tree.

Jun: Acting as a tree… (laughs)

Sho: [goes with the flow] Wow, the make-up must have been really amazing.

Nino: Yeah it was.

Sho: I couldn’t tell the difference between you [and a real tree].

Aiba: Eh? What type of DVD have I passed you?

Nino: It was truly awesome, and the storyline was great, though Aiba-kun probably doesn’t know what it’s about.

Sho: In that sense, isn’t the role perfect for him?

Aiba: Seriously?

Nino: You were perfect as a tree.

Aiba: Eh? That’s spells trouble. The tree doesn’t appear after the first episode…

Nino: How should I put it… Hina-chan (Murakami Shingo)…

Jun: He’s a policeman on a bicycle yeah.

Aiba: He’s trying his best at a Tokyo accent; did you sense any discomfort from him?

Nino: I thought his first appearance was really strange.

Ohno: It was his expression.

Aiba: Hina-chan was amazing, cause he was trying to act cool. (laughs)

Nino: He probably thought he looked handsome. (laughs) Still, it’s a great drama.

Jun: If you think about it, it’s pretty awesome. That we get to release our single on 11^th November, in our 11^th year [as Arashi].

Nino: I see.

Jun: Although I think it’s a complete coincidence, the fact that the single was ranked first (No. 1) made me really excited. As a song, rather than just a melody which resounds in your head, it serves to advance the plot of the drama.

Aiba: That’s true.

Ohno: You’ll get addicted to the drama.

Nino: Did you watch it?

Ohno: Yeah I did. Bits of it on TV.

Sho: As for me, I would like to enjoy [the song] together with the drama.

Aiba: Thank you very much.

Nino: And that’s pretty much the case.

Jun: That’s true. We’d like people to enjoy it along with the drama.

Nino: It’s kind of like we appear [in the drama] too.

Sho: The performance put on by the voices.

The B-side single, Clockwork Umbrella, is the theme song for Ohno’s drama, The Customer of Room 0. According to our research, it’s a bewitching yet aggressive dance number. At least according to the data we have.

Sho: It’s pretty bewitching. (laughs)

Jun: How should I put it… Although we haven’t danced to it, it’s already been cast as a dance number. (laughs)

Nino: It’s bewitching, yeah.

Ohno: The intro is charming.

Everyone: [starts singing the song]

Sho: When this issue of DUET comes out, it would have just started airing. [turns to Ohno] Are you addicted to the drama?

Jun: Have you seen it?

Ohno: I did.

Jun: How was it?

Ohno: I was hooked.

Sho: At which parts of the show?

Ohno: A little at the beginning, and towards the end.

Sho: Ah, that’s plenty. Thank you very much!

Jun: It’s kinda like a bewitching mansion.

Ohno: It’s a high-class antique hotel.

Jun: Oh, that’s why it gives the vibe of a bewitching mansion, right?

Ohno: That’s probably the case, although I’m not very sure why. (laughs)

Jun: You know, when I hear that song, Professor Layton springs to mind.

Nino: It sure is bewitching, that’s why.

Sho: We’d love for you to enjoy the song together with the drama!

Nino: Right, Sho-chan, you’ve got to put it forward. (laughs)

Jun: The B-side on the normal version [of the single] is good too!

Sho: Super Fresh!!!

Jun: Yeah that’s great. Even though it’s our 11^th year, [we put out a song called] “Super Fresh”. (laughs)

Everyone: YAY!

Jun: Even though we’re into our 11^th year, we want to show that we hope to do our thing with a sense of novelty and freshness.

Sho: Although we completed the title with the phrase “Super”, I would go to the extent of saying that we were “Hyper” too.

Ohno: And it’s a song with a new feel to it.

Jun: I like “Super Fresh”. Too bad you can only get it on the Normal Version.

DUET: Are there any plans to play it on TV?

Jun: Not at the moment.

Nino: Nope.

Sho: Alright, now accepting applications for tie-ups with any TV programs! (laughs)

Jun: It probably represents a new style of music amongst all the songs we’ve done so far? We haven’t done anything like it before, and to incorporate it into a single at this point in time in our 11^th year, it’s pretty great. In that sense, I really like the song.

Ohno: Please do listen to it!

Aiba: Onegaishimasu! [lit: we ask of your favour!]

Nino: And watch the drama too!

Sho: We’d love for you to enjoy it along with the drama!

If anyone out there has an interview or magazine scans which they'd like me to translate, just send me a PM. I'm currently working on a Nino interview in Pia (which will probably take ages since the Kanji is killing me) but I'm looking for other interesting, lighthearted articles as well.

DUET December 2009 - Round table Arashi (4/5)

2009-11-20T09:16:46Z

Okay, LJ doesn't allow posts which are too huge so I've had to cut it up into smaller parts... Once again, presenting Round Table Arashi.

Previous installations:

Part 1, Part 2, Part 3

Sho: Well, ever since our debut, it’s just been the five of us anyway. Now that we have regular programs (and we’re grateful for it), the time which the five of us can come together weekly has changed in some ways, yet remained the same in others.

Jun: That’s true. Even though we say that we’re so busy and we can’t meet up, somehow we’ll see each other once a week.

[Note that though the boys have weekly programs, such shows have several episodes filmed at one go, to maximise the use of time and resources.]

Sho: And even though we’ve only not seen each other for about a week or so, it would feel like we just met after a long while. It’s a mystery, isn’t it? And when we meet we get so hyped up.

Nino: Yeah we become more talkative.

Ohno: We say stuff like, “How’ve you been?”

Nino: And stuff like “What have you been up to?” Even though it’s only been one week.

Jun: Fufu [snigger] that’s true. Even between friends, seeing each other weekly is considered rather frequent.

Aiba: Yup.

Sho: That’s true.

Nino: Recently, when we held our concert in Fukuoka, everyone (the staff and performers) went for a meal. During the meal, one of the staff members went up to Riida and said, “You see that sea in front of you, you can fish there!” Riida immediately went berserk and said, “I wanna go fishing! I wanna go fishing!” And everyone was like, “No you can’t do it! Stop it!” And when they prevented him from going, he became really irate.

Sho: Haha.

Nino: He kept saying stuff like, “If I disguised myself no one would recognise me.” And “I’m gonna wear a hat so I won’t be spotted.”

Ohno: Fufu.

Sho: He really looked like he wanted to go.

Ohno: I could see the ocean from the hotel.

Sho: So it’s really the case that if you saw the ocean, you’d want to go fishing?

Ohno: I would start having the urge to go (fishing).

Sho: What’s up with that?

Aiba: It’s painful for you, isn’t it.

Ohno: That’s because he said that fishing is done there~

Sho: It would have been less painful if he said that you couldn’t fish there, right?

Aiba: Have you been fishing lately?

Ohno: No, I haven’t.

Sho: Do you want to?

Ohno: [Nods dozily]

Aiba: Aww, how cute.

Sho, Nino, Jun: (laughs)

Sho: If we’re in a district, we tend to go out together and eat.

Jun: We went [for a meal] the day before our first concert in Fukuoka, and after rehearsals had finished, we had dinner together. Just the five of us in our hotel rooms. We all gathered in Riida’s room, ordered room service and ate our food. From 12 midnight till 4am in the morning. (laughs)

Sho: And we ordered what each of us wanted to eat. We had people who wanted steak and people who wanted hamburger. It’s pretty cramped to have the five of us squeezed into one room.

Jun: And we didn’t have enough chairs so we brought them from our own rooms. (laughs)

Aiba: Furthermore, there were five trolleys which brought our food to us.

Jun: The five of us were huddled together.

Nino: We came together, ate and drank.

Aiba: We enjoyed ourselves thoroughly.

Nino: It’s been such a long time since we did something like that.

Jun: And Sho-san spilt his drink… (laughs)

Nino: He accidentally toppled it when he returned from the toilet.

Aiba: And without knowing why, suddenly [Sho-chan] was dressed in nothing but his underwear. (laughs)

Sho: It was hot in there! Ah, but I was wearing a T-shirt as a top.

Nino: It sure was hot.

Jun: We had meals with the juniors and the band members too.

Sho: We went to different restaurants when we were in Osaka, but we also visited shops that we had been to before. We’d say, “It’s been some time since we met!”

DUET December 2009 - Round table Arashi (3/4)

2009-11-20T09:11:16Z

I'm back to finish up the last few installations of Round Table Arashi in DUET, December issue!

Previous installations of Round Table Arashi:

Part 1, Part 2

Nino: I wonder what about Aiba-san has changed…

Aiba: That’s because I haven’t changed at all.

Jun: [looks at the reference photos] Your face hasn’t changed all that much…

Sho: That’s true, you haven’t changed much! Did you like animals when you were younger? You kept lots of pets right?

Aiba: I used to keep dogs and the like at home. That’s right, when I was much younger, I reared a peacock at my grandma’s house.

Sho: [explodes in laughter]

Jun: A peacock…

Nino: You mean you can rear a peacock just like that?

Sho: Weren’t you living on the edge? Did it turn out okay?

Aiba: It was alright, things went fine.

Nino: So you kept birds too.

Aiba: Yes I did rear birds as well. I kept a chicken too.

Nino: When I opened the door to the pen, a bird flew out…

Aiba: Oh, that was the parrot.

Sho: Seriously, you kept all sorts of pets.

Aiba: My dad, grandma and grandpa liked pets.

Nino: That’s a family that likes animals. It’s all in the blood.

Aiba: That hasn’t changed. Till today, I still love animals.

Nino: What’s probably changed was the fact that you started to open up and talk more, isn’t it?

Sho: That’s true, if you think about it.

Nino: You were so docile and quiet before. How about the areas in which Jun has changed?

Sho: I think he’s still the “Comedy Leader”. That hasn’t changed.

Ohno: Fufu. (sniggers)

Sho: Give us a recent…

Aiba: One-shot gag?

Nino: It’s trendy to have [a one-shot gag] every year. (laughs)

Aiba: As expected of our Comedy Leader.

Nino: Because of that, your worth [expectations of Jun] goes up too.

Jun: Yeah, I’ve not done any gags so far this year.

Nino: Isn’t it time something came from you soon?

Jun: That’s true, there’s only 2 months left till the year is over. I gotta hurry! (laughs)

Sho: Well, jokes aside (laughs), MatsuJun, your figure has changed right? You used to be pretty slender.

Jun: [Looks at the reference photographs] 5 years after we debuted, I had put on 10 kg.

Sho: That’s amazing.

Jun: I was originally 48 kg.

Nino: It was virtually your growing stage.

Sho: Yup, that’s something that happens after you turn 16.

Nino: Your figure has definitely changed.

Sho: You’ve grown to possess a great body! (laughs shyly)

Jun: “Great body” indeed… You just grossed me out with your comment! (laughs) But you know, if you look at us as Arashi, hasn’t our group dynamics changed? You would think that after experiencing the things that we have for the past ten years, we would have changed in one way or another.

Nino: True, true. What do you think, Riida?

Ohno: Have we changed? I don’t know.

Jun: So what do you think are the areas where we’ve remained the same?

Ohno: The five of us.

Aiba: Yeah, we haven’t had any member changes.

Nino: But to our observers, they would be able to notice the change. We’ve been doing this with just the five of us anyway.

BRUTUS December 2009 - Nino Interview

2009-11-18T12:13:07Z

Ninomiya discusses the profound influence Clint Eastwood had on his life as an actor, and which movies he has shed tears at.

Tear Jerker Films

For the cover photo shoot, Nino shed tears in front of the camera. For an actor who’s capable of bringing the audience to the verge of tears, what kind of movies would he cry at?

“Considering the feelings of the people watching the movie, I would act in such a way so as to not awaken them from their illusion.” Thus said Ninomiya Kazunari, who also claims in order to achieve that, an actor need not necessarily experience those emotions in reality. Whilst being sincere in his performance, he has never cried while watching a movie. He speaks of a change in perspective after an encounter with the director Clint Eastwood.

Ninomiya Kazunari starred in Clint Eastwood’s movie, “Letters from Iwo Jima”, which was a heart rending depiction of soldiers in the island of Iwo Jima during second World War. Although the movie had already premiered three years ago, Ninomiya’s encounter with Eastwood’s works had a profound influence on his life as an actor.

“When the script for the movie first came to me, I virtually had no information on the director Clint Eastwood. Although I vaguely remembered hearing of his name, I had no idea who he was or even what he looked like. For the first four days when I was in Los Angeles, I couldn’t recognise him properly and I said something like, “Was the person whom we said Good Morning to on the first day our director?” (laughs)

However, before I had met him, I watched “Mystic River” and was deeply impacted by the movie. To get to know Eastwood the director better, I thought I had better watch a film where he thoroughly permeated the movie, so I chose this film. And I was touched by Sean Penn’s acting in the film; I thought to myself, “How could this guy be so awesome!” It was the first time I had experienced such emotions while watching a movie.

Sean Penn fully grasped and portrayed the audience’s image of an American foreigner, and presented it clearly onscreen. If [the people/events portrayed in] the movie deviated from what we imagine them to be, we wouldn’t be able to empathise with them. We won’t laugh at the movie nor cry because of it. In a positive sense, we will stay true [to our feelings]. I’ve never thought of it this way before, so it’s something which I learnt after I watched Eastwood’s films.

“When an actor is performing a crying scene, real tears can actually sometimes be a hindrance,” thinks Ninomiya.

Eastwood makes use of the actor himself, rather than the words or feelings transmitted in the script, to compose the show. He enlightened us on the economics of acting. I followed his words to the letter, and devoted myself to bringing a fresh breath of air to my acting. When I hear comments like, “I was brought to tears by Ninomiya’s acting,” I feel really accomplished and this makes me very happy. Upon hearing that, I had felt that adding real tears or sorrow to my performance were actually unnecessary. If I were overly immersed in my role, I could end up overcommitting in a crying scene and cause the audience to awaken from their illusion.

Although he doesn’t overreact in front of famous directors and appears to be exceedingly cool and detached as an actor, Ninomiya is normally easily moved to tears. “If I watch programs like a live sports telecast or a documentary the tears just flow freely. Take the Olympics for example, even though I wasn’t the one who had worked so hard for the past four years I get emotionally involved straight away. Although I almost never cry when watching live-action films, if I’m watching anime I start bawling without hesitation. I cried when I saw the heroism demonstrated in Wall-E. When I saw the episode of “Doraemon – The Memories of Grandma” on DVD, I was also moved. It was a story about how Nobita rode on the Time Machine and visited his already dead grandmother in the past. My tears couldn’t stop flowing when the two of them met. I also like Ghibli’s works. My biggest impression of Spirited Away was this scene where Chihiro was crying as she ate her onigiri. Chihiro cried an insane amount of tears. Although it felt like [the animators were] overdoing it, for the audience which had something impressed upon their hearts, the amount of tears was just right. I, too, hope to become an actor where I can transmit my feelings to the audience so that they can cry while watching my movies. Even just once.

DUET December 2009 - Round table Arashi (2/?)

2009-11-16T14:14:07Z

I'm back with part 2 of the Arashi Round Table interview in DUET magazine!

Part 1 can be found here.

For those of you curious about how they looked like in their debut cover on DUET magazine, here it is!

Nino: He lied that fishing was his habit!

Ohno: The phrasing was way too severe… (laughs)

Nino: If you had really gone fishing, you would have become much darker back then! (laughs) If I had to say what about you has changed, it’s the fact that you started fishing.

Jun: In that sense, Riida is something who is true to his word.

Ohno: It really became my hobby! (beams proudly)

Nino: That’s great, seriously.

Aiba: [in an idle manner as he looks at a reference photograph] Riida, your hair was long in 2002…

Nino: So what hasn’t changed is his clothing. Basically, he just wears whatever is being bought for him. Even till today, you don’t buy your own clothes right?

Ohno: Yup.

Sho: Wow, [Riida] is unflappable. [translator’s note: Sho describes Riida as “burenai”, in which a person does his own thing despite what other people say of him. I couldn’t think of an equivalent English phrase.]

Jun: That’s amazing.

Aiba: However, you only buy shoes via online shopping right?

Ohno: I’ve stopped making purchases online recently.

Jun: And the T-shirt which you’re wearing today?

Ohno: It’s a T-shirt from FM Yokohama (where he hosts a radio program).

Jun: And your underwear?

Ohno: My underwear is a present too.

Jun: And your shoes?

Ohno: The shoes? Oh, I bought them.

Jun: And your socks?

Ohno: The socks were a present.

Aiba: And the underwear?

Ohno: Virtually all the underwear I have are gifts. (sweet smile)

Aiba: Fuhyahyahya [cackles]

Sho: And they’re all branded. (laughs)

Jun: Grey ones at that, yeah? (laughs)

Nino: Fufu [sniggers], and there are black ones too.

Sho: You know, when I went underwear shopping, I tried to avoid that brand as much as possible!

Aiba: It’s Riida’s! That’s what you’d think, right?

Nino: No matter what we do we’ll clash.

Aiba: That’s why at the very least, we’ll avoid wearing the same underwear. (laughs)

Nino: Next up, let’s see how Sho-chan has changed.

Aiba: Previously, I had this sense that his forehead used to really protrude. Recently, I’ve not seen anything like that anymore. (laughs)

Sho: That’s because I grew out my bangs.

Nino: For me, I had the impression that his hair was brown.

Ohno: It’s inappropriate for a newscaster to sport brown hair right?

Jun: As expected, it’s banned right?

Sho: I don’t really think that’s the case, but…

Aiba: How about piercings? [referring to Sho’s ears]

Sho: Nah, that’s banned.

Jun: And blond hair? That’s banned too?

Sho: When I was filming Yatterman I sported a blond wig.

Jun: Oh really.

Nino: You know, I really have this image of Sho-chan with brown hair.

Sho: Even now, if the occasion calls for it I would [dye my hair].

Ohno: I wanna see that.

Aiba: But you really can’t read the news with blond hair.

Sho: I would have to change my reading style too. I would go “Presentin’ to y’all today’s news ze!” (laughs)

[The term “ze” is affixed to the end of a sentence when a male is speaking in a casual manner.]

Nino: You can’t help but add the “ze” right. (laughs)

Aiba: That’s what you get when you observe Sho on the outside. But on the inside, he’s still someone who gets angered easily over matters concerning food. That hasn’t changed at all. (laughs)

Jun: He’s always been very severe when it comes to food. (laughs)

Sho: That’s because my love for food hasn’t changed. But I don’t get angry over food all that easily…

Jun: Aiba-chan, when did you get your piercing? [translator’s note: I’m guessing earring]

Aiba: About 6-7 years ago? When I was 20 or 21.

Nino: Now you look fashionable.

Sho: That was my suggestion. I said, why don’t you think about getting your ear pierced?

Nino: And he really pierced it?

Sho: Yup yup yup. I said, “I think that look suits you.”

Aiba: Fufufu. (sniggers)

Sho: I wonder if the younger fans would take this seriously [and do it] if I actually said this to them…

Aiba: Listen, all you good kids out there, what Sho-chan said here was a joke, alright? (laughs)

Nino: I wonder what about Aiba-san has changed…

DUET December 2009 - Round table Arashi

2009-11-15T13:44:22Z

The people at DUET magazine sit down with all the members of Arashi for a round-table interview.

After we had finished with the day’s photo shoot, we requested that the members of Arashi gather for a round-table discussion to commemorate their 10^th year anniversary. (The interview was held in the middle of October.) Around the square table [where we held our interview], sat the members in a clockwise manner – Ohno, Sakurai, Aiba, Matsumoto, Ninomiya. Arashi was gracing the cover of DUET magazine for the 23^rd time. Since we were looking at origins, the photo shoot had a similar composition to their first debut photo shoot.

DUET: Thanks for all your hard work on the photo shoot. We had the members donning white clothes on a pink background, and tried to simulate facial expressions which they had in 1999…

Jun: You know, that’s the interesting thing about appearing in a magazine which you had been featured in ten years ago.

Sho: It’s a rare thing to be able to compare this photo [to the one we shot ten years ago].

Nino: That’s right!

Jun: We could just determine at one glance just how much we have changed after ten years! (laughs)

Sho: Everyone had parts of themselves which changed and remained the same. For example, Nino…

Nino: Don’t say it! Don’t spill the beans ~

Sho: You know, it used to be trunks, but he’s evolved to wear boxer briefs. (laughs)

Aiba: That’s right…

Jun: Previously, he used to wear trunks~ (laughs)

Aiba: With Doraemon prints.

Nino: I still have those though.

Aiba: Really?

Ohno: You still have them? That’s amazing.

Nino: My waistline hasn’t changed, so the rubber used in the waistband didn’t stretch and become loose. (grins) [translator’s note: *jealous*]

Sho: You’ve been wearing really fashionable underwear lately right? (laughs)

Nino: I received tonnes [of underwear] for my birthday from the members of the staff. Since they’re there [to give me presents], I’ve become more fashionable.

Sho: Where it remains unseen.

Nino: That’s real fashion, isn’t it?

Jun: As expected of our Fashion Leader! (laughs)

Aiba: Only in terms of the gifts that he receives! (laughs) The thing that has remained the same is… your love for games. Always.

Sho: You’ve always been sold out when it comes to games.

Nino: It’s really all about sincerity. Towards games, that is.

Sho: It’s repayment, right?

Jun: What’s this thing about repayment? (laughs)

Nino: Playing games is my way of repayment. For having been born. (grins) Let’s move on to the ways Riida has changed, shall we?

Sho: You mean Ohno-san?

Nino: His hairstyle, maybe?

Aiba: Fufufu. [Aiba giggles.]

Jun: It’s the cut of his hair and the colour, isn’t it?

Nino: I’m sure he’s changed right? If you were to compare [Ohno] to ten years ago…

Jun: Well it was at its longest [referring to Ohno’s hair] ten years ago.

Ohno: Yes it was.

Jun: Yup, that’s right! (laughs)

Sho: When we watched the clips from “5x10 All the Best! CLIPS 1999-2009” I thought [his hair] was really long, even though it was just for that period of time.

Jun: It was still long up to the time when we shot “Sunrise Nippon”, right?

Ohno: My hair was already cut short then.

Sho: But it wasn’t as short as it is now right? Back then, I had the impression that you were really fair-skinned.

Aiba: That’s right~

Nino: You lied about your fishing habits too. (Back then, whenever Ohno was asked what his hobby was, he would claim that it was fishing, though he almost never did it.)

DUET December 2009 - Aiba Masaki Interview

2009-11-15T12:30:47Z

The people at DUET magazine sat down with the members of Arashi as they welcome their 10th year anniversary together. Here, the future and current activites of Arashi are discussed.

A portrait of Aiba Masaki- Now and 10 years later.

Myself, 5 years later:

I’ll be about 31? Physically speaking, I’ll still be able to burn the midnight oil (laughs). For me, I don’t really have ambitious goals… Well, I’ll still be pursuing my hobbies like golf and baseball, without change. I have a feeling that’s gonna happen. With regards to work, I think [I am] moving into a new era. Every little thing that I’ve done right up till now is preparing me for the stuff I’m going to do in the future. I can’t wish for anything more.

Myself, 10 years later:

I hope to still perform in concerts. The materialisation of our performances wouldn’t be possible if the audience weren’t here to support us. We get to hold our concerts every year, but you know, that’s just an amazing thing to have. I just want to perform in concerts ten years later, no matter what form [the concerts come in]. Personally, I don’t know if I’d be able to pull an all-nighter then. And I also hope to treat my juniors to yakiniku (barbeque meat). (laughs) I’d say, “Alright, eat anything you want!” Well, I do get to do that once in a while with the juniors who are closer to me. For example, people like Fuuma and Matsuzaki. It’ll be that way ten years later! (laughs)

Myself, 20 years later:

Well, I don’t know about that… (laughs) It’s so far ahead that I can’t imagine what will happen. The world is changing bit by bit as we speak, isn’t it? The world around us has become so digitalised in the past few years. And I’ll be 46. That’s so far away that I don’t know what can happen.

Arashi, 10 years later:

I think we’ll remain the same but… Hmm, I hope Matsujun doesn’t age! (laughs) I hope he stays the way he is right now. Although I think he probably won’t change. Work-wise, I think he’ll direct the performances for other groups. For Nino, he’s gonna stay the same. (laughs) I want him to continue gaming even on set. Don’t you think Sho-kun is going to be reading more newspapers than ever? Even though he’s already reading a lot of papers now. It seems like he’ll be looking into local newspapers and other reading material along the lines of English NEWSPAPERS too. You know, for Riida, don’t you think he’d be hosting a fishing program in a carefree manner? (laughs)

Recent stuff:

I rewatched Engimono – Kuruu ga Mama, in which I co-starred with Murakami (Shingo). And I’m collaborating with him again on My Girl, so I thought I would get my hands on the DVD. However, even when I asked the management company they couldn’t give me a reference copy of the DVD. I was searching for it using all the methods I could employ but I couldn’t get my hands on a copy. In the end, I bought it from an online shop. In that show, the storyline was really interesting and Murakami’s hair was so long that it was funny. (laughs) My hair was kinda blond, and I looked totally different from the way I look now. Even Momoka-chan (the girl who acts as his daughter, Koharu) said to me, “You looked kinda scary!” (laughs)

DUET December 2009 - Sakurai Sho Interview

2009-11-14T16:35:33Z

Myself, 5 years later:

VS Arashi just entered into the golden time slot, and I’d like for us to continue great programs like that. 5 years is really a short term goal, so I hope that we can properly host the programs we have now. This may sound rather difficult, but it would be nice for the five of us to film on the same [outdoor] location together. We haven’t had the time for that lately. I don’t think my private life will change much. Well, it’ll be weird if I say that everything’s going to stay the same, since the number of juniors is going to increase right? In a bad sense, without slowing down, I would like to seriously face the future and progress from there. I wish to be a fresh 30-something. (laughs)

Myself, 10 years later:

Of course, I would like to be married in 10 year’s time. And have at least a kid or two. (laughs) The five of us would often say things like, let’s get our families together and have a barbeque, that’ll be awesome! Nino’s kid would make a riposte to Aiba’s kid and stuff like that, it promises to be interesting. If ever that day comes, it’ll be enjoyable. Most certainly, if we could be in the same place as our supporters in our concerts ten years down the road, I think that’s a great position to be in. We can still dance, totally. (laughs)

Myself, 20 years later:

I look forward to it. It’ll probably be when my life as an adult is in full swing. I’ll be starting to do things like paying the school fees for my kids and savings. (laughs) At 47, I’ll still brazenly do [programs] Aiba-Sugoroku and Pika’nchi. Though I don’t know who will be watching it then. (laughs)

Arashi, 10 years later:

I want for Ohno to host his own program on fishing. Something like, “Ohno’s fishing corner”. (laughs) I wish for Aiba-kun to run his own ranch. He’ll go, (adopts Aiba’s tone) “You know, my cow the other day…” Even when he’s 37-38, I hope that he’ll still be the Aiba-kun who’s being chased after by tigers. Nino would produce games. Stuff like NINOMIYA QUEST. Don’t you think he could do it? I want Matsujun to produce our juniors’ concerts. I want to see that happen. I’m also interested in Matsujun’s sense of fashion at 35-36 years. (laughs) I often talk to the members about this, but I think the basic foundation is that we’ll still enjoy doing what we do now. Whilst growth must be accompanied by change, the basics still remain the same. I hope what can be described as “Arashi-ish” now will still be labelled as “Arashi-ish” ten years later.

Recent stuff:

My friends planned a 10 year anniversary celebration for me. This started about 5 years ago? We jokingly said, “When Arashi turns ten, let’s celebrate on a cruise!” And they actually remembered. When I heard about the plan I was on the verge of tears. That made me so happy. I’m just living in the moment right now and loving it.

DUET December 2009 - Ohno Interview

2009-11-13T08:34:19Z

Myself, 5 years later:

I’ll be fishing! (laughs) I’ll probably be fishing for the rest of my life. I think it’s time an offer for a fishing program came my way, don’t you think? For fishing to become my job… (laughs) If I could hold an exhibition that would be great. I could showcase what I’m drawing now. In my personal time, I would like to travel overseas. I wonder if I could do it without having to wait for another 5 years… (laughs) If I could go, it would be somewhere down south. I don’t think I would find Europe interesting. I would like to take a week off. I’ll definitely go somewhere in 5 years’ time. (laughs)

Myself, 10 years later:

I want to become a man who can carry off a beard. And I would like for people to accept my sunburnt look. (laughs) The past 2 to 3 years has gone by in a blur, and I think the next 10 years would probably go by in a flash too. I think the next 10 years would definitely flow by more much quickly than the past decade. I don’t think anything will change.

[translator’s note: it’s interesting that Riida takes a totally different stance from MatsuJun. I do think it’s their work ethic at play here. Riida seems to go with the flow while Jun seems to want to capture every moment.]

Somehow, I want to build a house. It may look like it’ll topple over any moment but it won’t, a house that has a ambivalent sense of balance. (laughs) I like to live on the edge! And stuff like that. I would love to play around like that.

Myself, 20 years later:

I’ll be 48…? I’ll be wondering the world. (laughs) I won’t be doing any work! If I could carry tonnes of fishing rods and wander around the fish fishing, I’ll be satisfied.

Arashi, 10 years later:

I think Nino wouldn’t change one bit. Wouldn’t he grow to suit a beard? I want him to be able to pass off the look. (laughs) He’ll probably host a late night show too. For Aiba-chan, I hope that he’ll be able to talk with animals like it’s a natural thing to do. As he carries on doing his experiments, I wish that he’ll chance upon the discovery of the century. As for Sho-kun, I hope his drawing would improve somehow. Just once, I would like to see him draw Totoro properly! (laughs) I would love to see Matsujun direct an overseas production, something along the lines of an illusionist show or a world class production. If it were Matsujun, he could do it! And I would like for him to be blond. Hasn’t he always sported black hair? Although I think he really suits black hair, I would like to see him in blond for once. And I would like for his face to become thinner. (laughs) Ten years later, Arashi will still be working with a great vibe like it is now, right?

Recent stuff:

It’s mostly along the lines of drawing. I start off from something small and quietly progress from there. Although I can’t possibly make time to draw everyday, somehow the artwork just progresses bit by bit. And I’m enjoying it as I go along. With regards to the tour, didn’t we get a great deal of refreshments in Osaka? Stuff like okonomiyaki and takoyaki. I have the memory of constantly feeding on those things! We had a great time. It was our second dome tour, so we knew our way around the concert hall. Each time we entered the stadium, it felt rather nostalgic. I was able to savour properly this time round what I missed out on last year when we performed at the dome.

DUET December 2009 - Matsujun Interview

2009-11-12T17:08:40Z

Myself, 5 years later:

I’ll be 31 right? I think work will still be voluminous. Amidst the things which I’m already doing, perhaps some new projects will come up… In (Arashi’s) 11^th year, something new will probably commence. It would be good if I could further grow as a person compared to who I am now. That applies not only to myself, but also to the people who have supported us all these years. The members (of Arashi) have 5 years right? It would be great if we could all grow together.

Myself, 10 years later:

It’ll be our 20^th anniversary then, right? If Arashi could continue the way it is now, I think by then it’s something that’s worth celebrating freely. (laughs) Well, it does apply to our 10^th anniversary now, but I don’t think it’s all that easy to go on the way we are. So I don’t take it for granted that we’ll definitely have a 20^th anniversary. It was a long 10 years that took us to where we are now, and 10 years from now is definitely a long time.

Myself, 20 years later:

I’m actually quite interested in what I would be thinking about 20 years down the road. I would probably remember what actors in their 40’s, like Nakai Kiichi and Satou Kouichi, used to say to me. And that’s something which I wouldn’t experience until I reach that age. Whilst I would like to experience it as soon as possible, I still think it’s a long 20 years before I finally get there. Nonetheless, I’m looking forward to when I become 46! (laughs)

Arashi, 10 years later:

No matter what happens, I think it’ll still be interesting. Twenty years later, we’ll probably have our own kids, right? When we have our own families, let’s get together for barbeques and stuff! I would love for Sho-kun to be actively involved in NEWS ZERO in ten years’ time. I want Riida to create an exhibition of his works or an art studio, named Satoshi’s Forest/World or something. Nino will be in Vegas performing his own magic shows. With a white tiger and stuff. And it would be great if Aiba could create his own zoo. I think it’ll be really fun.

Recent stuff:

The set of “Wagaya no Rekishi” (Jun’s latest drama to be broadcast in Spring, 2010) is really interesting! Each and every thing is really luxurious. It’s an intricately created world in terms of the costumes and props because it’s from the Showa era. The fact that I can be immersed in that world just makes me happy. The cast is really magnificent too; I look to my left and think, “Wow, [this person] is just awesome!” And when I look to my right I go, “Whoa, [this person] is such a great actor.” All day round I’m just surrounded by people whom I think it’s such an honour to work with, it’s almost like I’m in a dream. [appears to be really happy as he says that] It’s not often that you get to assemble a cast like that. Just recently [the cast] had a meal at a locale where we were filming, and it was so entertaining. I keep learning new things everyday.

DUET December 2009 - Ninomiya Interview

2009-11-12T15:44:40Z

Myself, in 5 years:

I’ll be thirty one, yes? And with lots of juniors after me too. I’m just in the middle now [a situation where I have just about the same number of seniors and juniors], so I’ll be entering a period where I’m finally seeing more juniors than seniors. Regardless, I’m still going to give my work everything I’ve got. Nothing much is going to change. And Riida is 33 right? He’ll probably be doing concerts and the like too. My personal life isn’t going to change, I’ll still be playing games and learning magic tricks. (laughs)

Myself, in 10 years:

… 36. Man of the Year?* That’s the year where Sakamoto-kun (V6 member) was in Inoshishi-seven, so that means I’ll still be working hard! Nonetheless, concerts and acoustic segments will become longer, yes? If I’m 36 years old, I’ll probably be married with kids? According to Miura Tomokazu-san (co-star on Ryusei no Kizuna), by the time the kids grow up into adults and I get to spend some alone time with the missus, it’ll be when I reach my 50’s or 60’s. So I thought it would be good to have kids whilst I’m still young…

Myself, in 20 years:

I’ll be (Takahashi) Katsumi-san’s age, won’t I? Just like Katsumi-san, I would like to drink with the youngsters and stuff like that. If I’m still into acting, I’ll bring the young actors out drinking and talk about the heroics I did when I was young. I want to bask in my past glory! (laughs) “I’ve been to Hollywood! That just brings back memories…” Things like that. (laughs) The kids would be all grown up and say to me, “Dad, please pull yourself together in your work!”When I watch Music Station, I would reminiscence and say, “Your dad appeared on that program too!” When the top 100 hits come out and our debut song “A.Ra.Shi” appears at the 60^th position, I’ll go, “Look, look there!” If I get married, I would like to create a season where we’ll all be together. Just let us create the second generation of Arashi! When the kids behave exactly like us, we’d go, “There, no doubt those are our sons!” (laughs)

The future of Arashi (10 years later):

Sho-kun will (still be) a newscaster. I think he’ll still be reporting on the news in 10 years. You know for Riida, though he’s so affixed onto fishing right now, I have a feeling he’ll eventually return to drawing. It seems to suit his personality so much more, don’t you think? Jun-kun will probably act in the capacity of a concert producer or director and travel the world. Aiba-kun will speak to animals like it’s a natural thing to do. Don’t you think that could actually happen? (laughs)

Recent stuff:

We finally announced the commencement of the movie Gantz. I simply look forward to it. I get to appear in a movie of which I'm a fan, and that's great. I look forward to collaborating with Matsuyama Ken’ichi-kun too. It’s been a long time since I worked with someone who wasn’t a junior from the company (Johnny’s). I think there are many Gantz fans out there (me being one of them too), so I’ll give it all I’ve got! That includes the action scenes! (pumps fist in air)