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All posts for the month January, 2019

Morning Musume 20th Anniversary Official Book Interviews: Nonaka Miki

Posted by Henkka on January 25, 2019
Posted in: Other. Tags: . 12 comments

Nonaka Miki
October 7, 1999 — Shizuoka
2014/09/30 ~

Nonaka: When I joined the group, I got to read a message from Tsunku♂. It said: “please become the bridge between Morning Musume and the overseas.” I believe that is the reason for me now being in Morning Musume.

The Global Representative
Broadcasting to the World

— Previous members in Morning Musume’s 20-year history include Junjun and Linlin, the two exchange students from China. However, you’re the first member who is also a “returnee” to Japan, and you have been appointed the role of the group’s “global representative.”

Nonaka: Morning Musume performs concerts overseas as well, and I believe that whenever we do, that’s when I have to step in. First of all, it’s important for us to communicate with the overseas fans and accurately convey to them what it is we want to say. If I can’t do that properly, then there was no meaning behind me joining the group.

— You were very busy at the group’s 2016 events in Houston, USA.

Nonaka: It was my first time visiting America after moving back to Japan at the age of 10, so I was glad about that and I had a lot of fun. I did interpreting for the members during handshake events, and I could communicate directly with the reporters when we did press interviews. I was proud that I could make use of my ability.

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Uemura Akari: “I’m quite often approached by foreigners for directions.”

Posted by Henkka on January 20, 2019
Posted in: 2ch, Juice=Juice. Tags: . 19 comments

1: 名無し募集中。。。 2019/01/05(土) 12:12:10.32 0

Changing subjects: I’ve blogged about this before, but I’m quite often asked for directions by foreigners. I have no clue why they ask me of all people… Anyway, the other day when another foreigner asked me for directions, after I’d finished telling them they said: “You’re so beautiful. Thank you!” (laughs)

And before that, the person sitting next to me on the train said “excuse me.” They were speaking to me in English, but I managed to understand that they were asking me how many more stops it was until a certain station. After I told them, they told me “beautiful people” while pointing at the words on my bag. (laughs) They were talking about my bag.

While I can’t speak English, it’s still fun talking with people from abroad!

As for me, if I’m ever lost and I want to ask someone for directions, I always ask someone who’s looking up, not down. I’ll take care not to look down as I walk, too!

https://ameblo.jp/juicejuice-official/entry-12430675040.html

3: 名無し募集中。。。 2019/01/05(土) 12:18:12.85 0
“So beautiful.”

5: 名無し募集中。。。 2019/01/05(土) 12:20:07.39 0
This is just her bragging!

6: 名無し募集中。。。 2019/01/05(土) 12:20:41.00 0
He was hitting on you!

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Morning Musume 20th Anniversary Official Book Interviews: Tanaka Reina

Posted by Henkka on January 18, 2019
Posted in: Other. Tags: . 17 comments

Tanaka Reina
November 11, 1989 — Fukuoka
2003/01/19 ~ 2013/05/21

Tanaka: “Oh, you’re that girl from last time!” It gave me so much courage when Tsunku♂ said those words to me.

— It’s a well-known story: you first took part in the 5th generation auditions while misrepresenting your age.

Tanaka: I completely ignored the age limit and applied, thinking only about how I wanted to be in Morning Musume. If only I’d gotten into the group at that time, I could’ve stood on-stage with Goto Maki. That’s the one thing I never got to accomplish as a member of Morning Musume.

— So you were aiming for this path because of your admiration for Goto Maki. From what I understand, however, you were quite the “bad girl” back in your hometown.

Tanaka: I didn’t even know what that was supposed to mean. Although I did attend my junior high entrance ceremony with my hair dyed blonde… But still, my hometown was very peaceful. My teachers were helpful and my parents raised me very well. I was rather well-respected, you know.

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Morning Musume 20th Anniversary Official Book Interviews: Sato Masaki

Posted by Henkka on January 5, 2019
Posted in: Other. Tags: . 15 comments

Sato Masaki
May 7, 1999 — Hokkaido
2011/09/29 ~

Sato: Even on the very day I was accepted into the group, they were angry with me. My mom and dad had never gotten angry with me as they raised me, and yet, when I was at the training camp or when I was accepted as a member… the staff were constantly angry with me. I didn’t even understand why — I just thought, “I guess adults all just hate me.“

The Airheaded Girl from Hokkaido

— When you first applied for the auditions, you weren’t even particularly a fan of Morning Musume, were you?

Sato: I didn’t know much about them. There was a leaflet about the audition at my ballet school, so I looked them up and watched “Maji desu ka Ska!” Sayashi Riho’s dancing was incredible, Tanaka Reina’s singing was so pretty, and my parents suggested I give it a shot and see what this world is all about. So I just applied without much thought behind it.

— What with everyone else around you being so serious about it, I would imagine you felt a little out-of-place…

Sato: The auditions lasted for around half a year, and I was just thinking about how long it was taking. They got unbelievably angry with me at the training camp. My mom had sent me off there, telling me to go and have fun. And so even though I was only trying to have some fun, they wouldn’t let me at all.

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