10,000 Character Interview 2018 - KOTAKI NOZOMU
More beautiful than anything I’d seen before
- It’s been 3 and a half years since the last interview
That long?! But really so much has happened in the past 3 and a half years. Both as a group and individually, these past four years have been fascinating. We’ve been given the chance to do so many things. Of course there have been both periods of ‘’Oh I was really busy here’’ as well as ‘’Oh I had a lot of free time here’’, but when told it’s been three and a half years since the last year it really just makes me think “It’s already been that long?!”
- In the last interview when you were talking about what you want to do as a debuted group of 7, you said “The dream of singing at a dome is surely not just mine, not just four of us, but shared but by all seven of us”. Do you remember that?
I remember. That dream came true when we stood at Kyocera Dome during Christmas 2016. When it was decided I thought “It’s finally come!” but to be honest, I was scared. I wondered if anyone would really come. For the opening each one of the members faces appear on the big screen and we all scream ‘’Waaa!” but actually the night before I had a dream where I was sucked in by those big mouths. I woke up suddenly and realised ‘Oh, I’m scared’. I had stood at the Dome before, back-dancing for Kanjani8, so I thought I’d be okay. But I realised the pressure was so much different when you are there as the main performers.
- How was the view, standing as the main performers at a Dome for the first time?
While I was on standby, I could faintly see the colours of all the penlights through the screen, and when the veil dropped the colours of the penlights that had been blurry suddenly became so clear. It was more beautiful than anything I had ever seen. And I saw it all because I was able to stand at the Dome. I can never thank the fans enough for allowing me to see such a view. I’d always been dreaming of standing at the Dome as seven, and that vision matched perfectly with reality to the point where I was shaking.
- Starring in the movie ‘Principal ~ Koi suru watashi wa Heroine desu ka?~’ and co-starring with Yamada Ryosuke in ‘Momikeshite Fuyu~ Wagaya no mondai wo nakatta koto ni~’ Individually too, these past four years have been smooth sailing for you haven’t they?
It’s strange isn’t it. I was happy to star in a movie, and I’d always had a goal of co-starring with Yamada-kun. It’s as if everything came true too fast. I wondered if my prayers had crossed time (lol).
- Yamada-kun was the reason you joined Johnny’s wasn’t it?
Yes. At the time when I was all about soccer, my mum and others kept on asking ‘’are you not interested in the entertainment world?’ and I always answered “Nope.” But then I saw a boy on TV who grabbed my attention in an instant and thought “I want to be like that person.” So I had my mum send in my resume and since then I was always chasing after Yamada-kun. I watched all the shows he starred in and went to the hairdressers with Myojo in my hand and asked them to please make my hair look like his. I’d never been so consumed by something, or so inspired by someone so I was surprised at my own changes.
- Co-starring with someone you looked up to. How was it seeing Yamada-kun up close?
I wonder. I know he’s just a ‘human’ but he’s really a ‘perfect human’. He lacking in anything. As an actor, as a senpai, as a Johnny’s, as a person, he’s perfect in just everything isn’t he?
(T/N: I AGREE NON-CHAN! RYOSUKE IS PERFECT!! But you are also perfect!)
- Last year you had a meal with Yamada-kun and (Nakayama) Yuma-kun didn’t you?
Before our drama had been announced, yeah. I gathered my courage and asked him out to eat, and he replied with ‘’I haven’t seen Yuma recently so can I invite him?” I got to the restaurant first, and then Yamada-kun. Yuma didn’t arrive for a while so I was really nervous. I was constantly fidgeting and thinking ‘Oi Yuma, hurry up!’ (lol) Yamada-kun was kind of like ‘’Eat up, eat up’’ like he was taking on the older role, and I thought ‘he’s so manly and the type of person that can pull others along’.
- So if you could sum up your relationship with Yamada-kun in one word, what would it be? Rival? Senpai?
I’ve been looking up to him for ten years already so. I wonder what it would be. In one word I guess it would be ‘superstar’. I think Yamada-kun is really supporting lots of people and giving them strength, and one of those people is myself. I guess he’s everyone’s hero?
(T/N: How much do you like him Nonsuke?! xD So cute I just want to talk with you about how perfect Yamada-kun is for hours!)
- Do you think you want to surpass him one day?
It might not be a matter of surpassing or not surpassing. Yeah. Rather than a rival, it’s like I’ll always be admiring him. I want to always chase after his back but of course he’ll also always keep running forward so if I take my eyes off him for even a moment I’ll surely lose sight of him.
- You asked Yamada-kun for advice regarding the group didn’t you?
Yes. I asked him “what was Hey! Say! JUMP like in their fourth year?”
- Is that because you have your worries about how Johnny’s WEST is now?
I wouldn’t call them worries. It’s just that I was asked ‘’what kind of group do you want to be?” by a producer I work closely with and I couldn’t answer straight away. I just vaguely answered ‘’continuing to have fun doing stupid things, making everyone laugh, but sometimes showing our cool side.’’ A nationally recognised group that feels close and always makes people think ‘’these guys are ridiculous’’ is a vision for the future of WEST that is not only mine, but is shared by all seven members. But when I was asked ‘’what do you want to become?” I suddenly started wondering if we could really get there. I thought maybe I needed to communicate with the members and search for a clear way of reaching that goal…
- And what did Yamada-kun say?
“We didn’t have any clear plans in our fourth year either.’’ Now that I think about it, I might have just been scared of putting my and the groups goals into words.
- What happened?
When I first entered Johnny’s, I wasn’t scared of anything. I just walked the path I believed in. But after debuting, entering the world and work… I started learning how different aspects of life work. What the group and I had to hold up. I started overly thinking about the things I said and how I presented myself and what the group would think of it all. I guess that was what made me feel like somehow I wasn’t really living life fully.
- At what point did you start thinking that?
I think it was probably around when I stared in the stage play MORSE and the drama Sekaii Ichi Muzukashii Koi - when I started getting a lot more individual work. Like, in the past I was much more fearless. Now I feel like I want to take that fearlessness back. Now I am hesitating during moments where I used to dive right in without thinking of the consequences.
- Are you okay? (T/N: I think the interviewer has the mother-feels for Non… We all do)
Hmm… I guess this is just what’s called becoming an adult?! In the middle of last years ‘Nawest’ tour we had a meal all together. Inviting the concert staff and everyone. I guess there were about 100 people. We ate all together. As a group we went to greet each table, and there were some staff that were crying and saying that they didn’t want the tour to end. I felt that we were being supported by people who really cared about us. And you can say that about the fans too. There was a lot of frustration around our debut but now we can laugh like this as seven and hold our heads up high while doing stupid things with all our might. There’s nothing to look back on now and we just need to move forward. But of course there are some memories that we can’t forget even if we want to. Now that I’m supporting a lot of things, I think that if I talk about my dreams and goals and they don’t come true… Now that I am able to see and understand a lot more, I’ve gotten a little bit cowardly.
- You’re troubled huh?
If I just do it I know I’ll become stronger though. And if I do, I feel like another part of my shell will break.
- I’m sure it will
I’m sometimes told ‘’You should just say that you are the Ace”. But I don’t have the decisiveness to do that. I guess you could say that’s one of Yamada-kun’s good points. When we first met for ‘Little Tokyo Life’ there was a corner where we had to come up with our own catchphrases and Yamada-kun wrote ‘Super Star’. About himself. He has the amazing ability to make a statement like that while knowing it’ll mean that he has a lot to carry on his shoulders. But at the same time, Johnny’s WEST doesn’t need the presence of an Ace. In Rugby there’s a play called ‘Mole’, where everyone squishes into a group and pushes forward together step by step through the mud. I think it’s best for us to move forward like that.
We all struggled in our own ways to continue these 4 years
- The youngest member of the group is thinking like that
It has nothing to do with age, and I’m not the only one thinking like that. I think all the members have spent these four years thinking about how they can contribute to the group and used their own methods to struggle to continue.
- What do you mean?
After all, everyone has their own changes and growth. Just after debut, everyone was more like “me, me!’’ and to be honest, when another member had their own individual work decided I was like “Damn it!” But it’s different now. (Fujii) Ryusei said so in last month’s interview too but now I say “Go give it your best” and push them forward with everything I have. Speaking of that (Kiriyama) Akito really, really hates to lose so still around three years ago when someone got individual work he’d say something like “Aww that sounds so good! Isn’t there anything for me?!” I was the same. But now, he pushes us forward and when we return to the group he gives us a warm welcome. It feels like Akito has become more wholesome.
- About Kiriyama-kun, Ryusei-kun said ‘’he’s gets lonely easily as usual’’
He gets lonely really easily! His love for the members is way too strong. He’ll say things like “Let’s go to the World Of Dreams all together!” Even if we say “Won’t it be embarrassing if we go all together?!” He’d reply with “It’s fine, let’s go! I’m free tomorrow!” Just how much do you love the members?! (lol)
(T/N: World of Dreams is Disneyland and also where Akito and Junta will one day get married)
- Hahahaha
I want to give a 10,000 character interview to the other members actually. I want to ask them “what did you think at that time?” I think the one who has changed the most is Kami-chan (Kamiyama Tomohiro). It’s been about five years now since he became more rounded. Before debut, when we were still 7 WEST, we became a group of four and had no bullied-character. Shige (Shigeoka Daiki) was the orthodox idol. Even though he’s as he is now (lol). Ryusei was the type to want to act cool. And I was the one who got ahead of himself and was the type to do the teasing. And then Kami-chan, who was the furthest from the teased-type of character, changed his image into one. From then on Kami-chan kept on getting more and more well-rounded. At one point I casually asked him “what’s up?” and his answer was “thinking about the four of us, I abandoned my pride”. That’s not something you can do easily. I mean, really it should have been me. I was the most kouhai and the youngest. So Kami-chan who had the longest history as a Junior changing his character was such a shock. I want to ask him “how were you able to go that far back then?”
(T/N: Shige and Kami-chan talked about this on Bayjyanaika too. Shige used to be so scared of Kami-chan because he was kind of mean and prideful and would bite Shige’s head off if he spoke to casually… AND NOW WE HAVE FLUFFY BEAR KAMI-CHAN TT_TT Such a beautiful boy)
- And that Kamiyama-kun who thought about the group more than anyone, wasn’t one of the original debut members
I think he would have been more hurt than anyone. Because he was the one who thought more about the group than anyone else. Even when it was decided that we’d debut as seven, I’m sure he must have had complicated feelings. But even so, it must have been just after debut, he started composing music. And that is Evoke that is in our WESTIVAL album. There was still a gap between the ‘four’ and the ‘three’ but instead of just throwing everything a way, Kami-chan was the one who thought the most about wanted to contribute to the group and took action. Even though he was the most conceited in our Junior days. I want to tell the me of ten years ago “Kami-chan is going to really change from now.”
- Did Shigeoka-kun change too?
He had no mould to begin with (lol). I have no idea what happened to him. In our Junior days he used to say “I* can make a dimple on just this side” and things like that. The Shige of that time was like an angel. When I first met him I thought ‘this guys is the Johnny’s’. He was so bright and his smile was so cute and refreshing. And now he’s like that. How should I put it? His jokes are very unique (lol). I’m impressed that he can be like that without fear. When we do skits and stuff, he continues on even if the audience isn’t following along. It’s amazing how he do such dangerous jokes - I’m always freaking out when he does. He probably thinks up new jokes in the bath every night.
(T/N: *He used ‘boku’ here, which is a more boyish and formal way of saying ‘I’)
(T/N: I love how everyone refers to the Shige of today as ‘like that’ xD There is no way to put Shige’s personality into words)
- You never know how someone will change huh?
It’s interesting isn’t it. But I could kind of see it (with Shige). After our debut, it seemed as if Shigeoka Daiki’s colour started to pale. Normally the Centre is in the spotlight right? But I think Shige though that if it was like that, we’d just be fitting into the same frame as any other normal group. I think he threw that part away because he knew we weren’t the type of group to fit into that tiny frame. Well there’s still the strong possibility that he’s just a weirdo. This group is just a bunch of weirdos gathered together after all. There’s no normal person (lol).
- What about Hamada (Takahiro)-kun?
Completely the opposite. He hasn’t changed at all (lol). He’s loved by everyone because he doesn’t change. If the day comes when Hama-chan gets full of himself, it’ll be the end of our group. Hama-chan is like ‘The Last Samurai’.
- Hahahaha
I’m grateful to be in a relationship with someone eight years older than me and six years my senpai where I can still say “Hama-chan, this is not the time to be laughing.” And he comes to me, his kouhai, to seriously ask “Nozomu. What should I do?” too. When I told him he doesn’t need to try to be funny or interesting because if he just gives his 100% as usual, it’ll definitely end up funny anyway - he just grinned at me and said “I see!” (lol)
- Kotaki-kun likes to make fun of Hamada-kun during MC’s at concerts, but is there anything you’re particular about during MC’s?
It’s probably nothing to do with technique or skill. It’s love isn’t it? Love. I really love* Hama-chan. To begin with, it’s not because we’re in the MC that I tease him. On stage, in the green room, whether there is a camera on or not, it’s no different. The things we talk about and do, really we’re always together.
(T/N: *Non uses ‘ai 愛’ here - pushing the fact that he doesn’t just LIKE Hama-chan, he LOVES Hama-chan)
- How about Nakama (Junta)-kun?
Hm. It feels like he keeps getting younger. In a cute way. We watched the making of ‘Principal no Kimi He’ all together but everyone was infatuated with Junta. “Junta is so cute this time!” He was using big movements and was really quite adorable. On top of that, nowadays even if I ask for something unreasonable*, he’s completely fine with it. Like he’s becoming more and more tolerant. I think that’s not something that’s easily accomplished.
- You cried when you watched Nakama-kun running the Osaka marathon didn’t you?
Looking back on it now… Yeah. I was in Tokyo practicing for MORSE but I knew from our group chat that he was training hard. When we were at the start line I told him to do his best and he smiled back and said “Yeah, I’ll be off!” When we were holding the handwritten finish line, waiting for Junta - even though he had been smiling so much when he started, he appeared with his face scrunched up in pain, dragging his feet along in a walk. But even then, when he saw the finish line he started running while crying. When I saw that expression I couldn’t hold it back and I cried. If it was me I’d understand, coz I cry straight away. But Junta, our eldest member Junta, who had never shown us his weaknesses, saw the finish line that those younger than him made and he started to cry. It must have been seriously tough. The next day he was so sore he couldn’t even walk after all! But even so he started running when he saw the members. My heart sprung at that and I thought ‘this guy, no matter how roughed up he gets, if it’s for the group, if it’s for the members, he’d run anywhere’.
- Last is Ryusei-kun
I guess where not together that much in private anymore. We see each other so much for work that it’d be gross if we saw each other in private too right (lol).
- Ryusei-kun said the same thing. Did you know that hearing your MC at Kyocera Dome is what made him cry?
Those felt like a man’s tears. I don’t know if I can explain it well, but my relationship with Ryusei is special. Because we were always in the same group since I joined the Juniors.
- You were weren’t you?
I first found out about Ryusei from a photo in a pamphlet. When I saw his picture I seriously thought ‘Wah, this guy definitely has a bad personality. I might get bullied’ (lol). I was 12 and Ryusei was 15. I was suddenly called to an audition and that was at KAT-TUN’s live. And then a few days after that Johnny-san called me to Tokyo and listened to me sing and then gave me the opportunity to appear in SUMMARY as a guest. And without knowing anything, suddenly I was a member of 7WEST.
- You got in at an unusual speed, huh?
Though I didn’t even realise that at the time. Just when I got to rehearsals, I was looked at like ‘Who are you?’, ‘What’s with this guy?’ It was understandable though. Being suddenly given a mic to hold, of course the Junior’s that had been there long before me and their fans as well must have felt put off. But Ryusei was the one who looked out for me during all that. He always stayed with me. After that, Yuma went to Tokyo and 7WEST became 6… and then 4. Then Kami-chan was called to Tokyo with Shige. I don’t think anyone but Ryusei and I know how it felt to be so emotionally confused with the pain while at the same time sending Kami-chan and Shige off with a ‘’good luck”. The happiness when Ryusei and I were finally called to Tokyo too. The happiness, the frustration, the loneliness - we shared all our feelings together. But even then we were torn apart for debut, and now we stand on the stage together as members of the same group. I get really emotional about it too.
- You should invite him more in private too
Embarrassing (lol). But last Summer I threw away that embarrassment and asked a lot of my friends over for a barbeque. At that time, I invited Ryusei too. Then the next day I heard from my friends that Ryusei had said “It’d been a while since Nozomu had invited me, so I had no choice but to come.” Apparently he was acting like he didn’t really want to be there but couldn’t really hide his happiness at all (lol). Hearing that kind of thing from friends is embarrassing too. Well, I was happy too though.
- It’s not just you two. Really all seven of you are close.
Yeah (lol). We had an End-Of-Year gathering with the members last year. Without our manager or staff. Really a gathering with just the seven of us. I get chills just remembering that scene. Like ‘just how close are we?!’ An End of year gathering with just seven guys, all gathered at Kami-chan’s place - laughing together and having fun. While talking about our dreams. Knowing I was one of those people is embarrassing and at the same time makes me so happy.
- It was a good End-of-Year gathering huh?
During it I just randomly thought that we have a really good balance. We have all the different blood types within the group after all*. We have the punctual A-type, and the B-type that messes with that. We have the AB who naturally supports those two, and the O type we watches over all of that. It’s a miraculous balance.
(T/N: Japan has an obsession with basing personality according to blood types - Google it if you’re interested, lol)
It’s tradition to want to take them out to eat
- Next, are there any senpai’s that treat you well in private?
Thanks to getting the chance to co-star with him in ‘Sekai Ichii Muzukashi Koi’, I often get invited to eat with Oh-chan (Ohno Satoshi). I used to go out with Maruyama (Ryuhei)-kun a lot, but now it’s mostly either Yamada-kun or Oh-chan. I’m more often with people who joined the agency at the same time as me. After coming to Tokyo, I’m often with Yasui (Kentarou)-kun, Morita (Miyuto)-kun and Moro (Morohoshi Shouki).
- Aren’t there a lot of Johnny’s that like saunas? Do you as well?
I don’t go. Coz I’m the type that prefers to sit in the bath at home.*
(T/N: 半身浴 Hanshinyoku is sitting with only your lower half in the bath so that you sweat as if you’re in a sauna)
- Then who do you consider your rival?
I wonder who… Ummm, I guess three members from Sexy Zone - (Kikuchi) Fuma, (Nakajima) Kento and (Satou) Shouri who is the same age as me.
- What did you think in regards to King & Prince’s debut?
It’s been since Sexy Zone right? A group with only young people debuting. I want them to do their best with their freshness. Two of them used to be in Kansai Juniors after all. (Hirano) Sho is the same age as me and he always comes up to me so we’re friends. And of course (Nagase) Ren too. To be honest there’s a lot more that I think about in regards to this topic though… Yeah.
- Do you have something that you want to tell the Kansai Juniors?
I wonder what. Well first of all, there’s no doubt that it’s much more inconvenient to be in Kansai Juniors than Tokyo Juniors. In general there’s just the Spring, Summer, Winter concerts, and a photo shoot once a year. But it’s because of that, they give their all to appeal to Johnny-san when he comes down, and get so serious during the annual Shokura filming that they end up running around in circles. As a Kansai Junior, I learned how to treasure each and every job. I think that’s Kansai Juniors style. I was also blessed with great staff and friends. So that’s why, if I could turn back time and was given the choice between Kansai Juniors or Tokyo Juniors, I’d pick Kansai. I’ve never experienced Tokyo Juniors so I can’t really compare them. But I am proud to have been a Kansai Junior. I want to convey that to today’s Kansai Juniors.
- I see.
Also, what I really want to say, I will tell them directly. I’m thinking of returning to Osaka on my next day off. I often go to eat with the main four (Mukai) Kouji, Onishi (Ryusei), Nishihata (Daigo) and Muro (Ryuta), but I want to take them all of the Kansai Juniors out next time. Because lately I haven’t been able to see them at all.
- All of them would be a lot.
We had the same done to us by Kanjani∞ when we were juniors. We were told by the staff that we’ve been with since way back then that when we get precious Kouhai of our own, we have to do the same. At the time I thought ‘that sounds tough’, but now I think I kind of understand how Kanjani∞ felt. There are a lot of traditions in Kansai Juniors, but I think always looking forward and giving it your all, and senpai’s wanting to take you out to eat are the biggest traditions. So I quickly want to go back to Osaka, yep.
Is Hokkaido cold? Far?
- Then what do you think about the fans?
We really, really made a lot of the fans feel completely hopeless around the time of our debut. I really don’t want to look back on that time again, and what them to feel much more happiness now - I want them to smile. We really think a lot about concerts set lists because we want the fans to have fun. ‘What would make them the happiest…’ ‘I want to show them this’, ‘I want them to hear this song’. When the set list is finally decided it’s always like ‘will this really be okay?!’
- What do you mean?
Being a refreshing idol, being idiots during the MC, having the Junior corner too, having the ParaPara corner, having skits, having seriously cool songs too. It’s like ‘won’t this make the audience get emotionally unstable?’ (lol) But even like that, the fans always come and it makes me happy. I have a absolute trust in the fans. There’s a saying that ’fans are similar to their idols’ right? I feel that our fans have grown to share with us when we feel happy, what makes us have fun, what makes us laugh. Seeing them start to be bathed in our colours makes me happier than anything. The fans share the miracle that we managed to debut as seven with us. Each not just the bonds with the members - I can really feel the strong bonds we have with the fans as well.
- I see. Well then, I would like you to tell me your dreams for the future
First of all, I said that I was scared to talk about my dreams but really that is too cowardly. To start with I think talking about your dreams just means you are telling yourself to do your best to make them come true. So I will say it. Personally, I want to star in my own drama. Coz I think if I could it’d be huge. As for my dream for the group, I think we are ready to do Tokyo Dome any time. Then a 3-dome tour. Then a 5-dome tour would be in our sights. Even though we haven’t even done Tokyo Dome yet there are already members that are getting ahead of themselves saying “an Asia-tour” (lol). But I think if it’s us, I don’t know when, but I feel we will be able to do all that within no time. Because the things we wished for, the things we believed in, we’ve made them all come true so far. (T/N: This is a beautiful sentence Non TT_TT)
- What are the members to you?
Uhmmm… that’s difficult but I guess they’re partners. Partners that I work together with to create something great. I always respect them and also am sometimes am jealous of them. Ahh but more than partners - Johnny’s WEST feels more like a family, or a home.
- Your home?
Yep. Leaving home and going into the world on your own has a kind of comfort to it doesn’t it? Working on a movie or a drama, solo interviews like this one - they’re comfortable because you’re on your own. But when you start to feel that things are getting troublesome or complicated, when you go back home you have the comfort that can only come from home. It’s where I was born and grew up and the place that made me mature as a person.
- That’s right
This is something I’ve talked about a lot but when filming for ‘Principal’ finished, I met up with the group for the first time in a while and while I was zoning out in the green room Hama-chan came up to me and said “How was Hokkaido?! Cold? Far?” with that kind of high spirit. And just as I was thinking ‘cold is one thing, but far? This guy is an idiot as usual’, Akito said “what do you mean ‘is it far’?!” and Junta said “Eh? Are you interested in the distance?” with his usual straight-man act. Then Ryusei had this ‘I’m kind of interested in the distance’ kind of face. Then Shige suddenly changed the topic, chatting away in a loud voice and the conversation went off track. And Kami-chan was watching it all laughing. And I felt like ‘yes this. This is it.’ Now we’re in our fourth year, but surely no matter how many years pass, I’ll think the same thing over and over. ‘This is the place I can return to no matter what happens’. I felt like someone might even might start talking to the heavens like ‘’thank you for having these seven meet.’’
_________________________________________________________
Done! Goodness Nonsuke is so much better at expressing himself than Ryusei! Thank you Non it really helps LOL
But at the same time he expresses himself so well I teared up a few times. Non-chan's love for the members and Kanjyuu is amazing. I love him so much.
Next is HamaHama!
- It’s been 3 and a half years since the last interview
That long?! But really so much has happened in the past 3 and a half years. Both as a group and individually, these past four years have been fascinating. We’ve been given the chance to do so many things. Of course there have been both periods of ‘’Oh I was really busy here’’ as well as ‘’Oh I had a lot of free time here’’, but when told it’s been three and a half years since the last year it really just makes me think “It’s already been that long?!”
- In the last interview when you were talking about what you want to do as a debuted group of 7, you said “The dream of singing at a dome is surely not just mine, not just four of us, but shared but by all seven of us”. Do you remember that?
I remember. That dream came true when we stood at Kyocera Dome during Christmas 2016. When it was decided I thought “It’s finally come!” but to be honest, I was scared. I wondered if anyone would really come. For the opening each one of the members faces appear on the big screen and we all scream ‘’Waaa!” but actually the night before I had a dream where I was sucked in by those big mouths. I woke up suddenly and realised ‘Oh, I’m scared’. I had stood at the Dome before, back-dancing for Kanjani8, so I thought I’d be okay. But I realised the pressure was so much different when you are there as the main performers.
- How was the view, standing as the main performers at a Dome for the first time?
While I was on standby, I could faintly see the colours of all the penlights through the screen, and when the veil dropped the colours of the penlights that had been blurry suddenly became so clear. It was more beautiful than anything I had ever seen. And I saw it all because I was able to stand at the Dome. I can never thank the fans enough for allowing me to see such a view. I’d always been dreaming of standing at the Dome as seven, and that vision matched perfectly with reality to the point where I was shaking.
- Starring in the movie ‘Principal ~ Koi suru watashi wa Heroine desu ka?~’ and co-starring with Yamada Ryosuke in ‘Momikeshite Fuyu~ Wagaya no mondai wo nakatta koto ni~’ Individually too, these past four years have been smooth sailing for you haven’t they?
It’s strange isn’t it. I was happy to star in a movie, and I’d always had a goal of co-starring with Yamada-kun. It’s as if everything came true too fast. I wondered if my prayers had crossed time (lol).
- Yamada-kun was the reason you joined Johnny’s wasn’t it?
Yes. At the time when I was all about soccer, my mum and others kept on asking ‘’are you not interested in the entertainment world?’ and I always answered “Nope.” But then I saw a boy on TV who grabbed my attention in an instant and thought “I want to be like that person.” So I had my mum send in my resume and since then I was always chasing after Yamada-kun. I watched all the shows he starred in and went to the hairdressers with Myojo in my hand and asked them to please make my hair look like his. I’d never been so consumed by something, or so inspired by someone so I was surprised at my own changes.
- Co-starring with someone you looked up to. How was it seeing Yamada-kun up close?
I wonder. I know he’s just a ‘human’ but he’s really a ‘perfect human’. He lacking in anything. As an actor, as a senpai, as a Johnny’s, as a person, he’s perfect in just everything isn’t he?
(T/N: I AGREE NON-CHAN! RYOSUKE IS PERFECT!! But you are also perfect!)
- Last year you had a meal with Yamada-kun and (Nakayama) Yuma-kun didn’t you?
Before our drama had been announced, yeah. I gathered my courage and asked him out to eat, and he replied with ‘’I haven’t seen Yuma recently so can I invite him?” I got to the restaurant first, and then Yamada-kun. Yuma didn’t arrive for a while so I was really nervous. I was constantly fidgeting and thinking ‘Oi Yuma, hurry up!’ (lol) Yamada-kun was kind of like ‘’Eat up, eat up’’ like he was taking on the older role, and I thought ‘he’s so manly and the type of person that can pull others along’.
- So if you could sum up your relationship with Yamada-kun in one word, what would it be? Rival? Senpai?
I’ve been looking up to him for ten years already so. I wonder what it would be. In one word I guess it would be ‘superstar’. I think Yamada-kun is really supporting lots of people and giving them strength, and one of those people is myself. I guess he’s everyone’s hero?
(T/N: How much do you like him Nonsuke?! xD So cute I just want to talk with you about how perfect Yamada-kun is for hours!)
- Do you think you want to surpass him one day?
It might not be a matter of surpassing or not surpassing. Yeah. Rather than a rival, it’s like I’ll always be admiring him. I want to always chase after his back but of course he’ll also always keep running forward so if I take my eyes off him for even a moment I’ll surely lose sight of him.
- You asked Yamada-kun for advice regarding the group didn’t you?
Yes. I asked him “what was Hey! Say! JUMP like in their fourth year?”
- Is that because you have your worries about how Johnny’s WEST is now?
I wouldn’t call them worries. It’s just that I was asked ‘’what kind of group do you want to be?” by a producer I work closely with and I couldn’t answer straight away. I just vaguely answered ‘’continuing to have fun doing stupid things, making everyone laugh, but sometimes showing our cool side.’’ A nationally recognised group that feels close and always makes people think ‘’these guys are ridiculous’’ is a vision for the future of WEST that is not only mine, but is shared by all seven members. But when I was asked ‘’what do you want to become?” I suddenly started wondering if we could really get there. I thought maybe I needed to communicate with the members and search for a clear way of reaching that goal…
- And what did Yamada-kun say?
“We didn’t have any clear plans in our fourth year either.’’ Now that I think about it, I might have just been scared of putting my and the groups goals into words.
- What happened?
When I first entered Johnny’s, I wasn’t scared of anything. I just walked the path I believed in. But after debuting, entering the world and work… I started learning how different aspects of life work. What the group and I had to hold up. I started overly thinking about the things I said and how I presented myself and what the group would think of it all. I guess that was what made me feel like somehow I wasn’t really living life fully.
- At what point did you start thinking that?
I think it was probably around when I stared in the stage play MORSE and the drama Sekaii Ichi Muzukashii Koi - when I started getting a lot more individual work. Like, in the past I was much more fearless. Now I feel like I want to take that fearlessness back. Now I am hesitating during moments where I used to dive right in without thinking of the consequences.
- Are you okay? (T/N: I think the interviewer has the mother-feels for Non… We all do)
Hmm… I guess this is just what’s called becoming an adult?! In the middle of last years ‘Nawest’ tour we had a meal all together. Inviting the concert staff and everyone. I guess there were about 100 people. We ate all together. As a group we went to greet each table, and there were some staff that were crying and saying that they didn’t want the tour to end. I felt that we were being supported by people who really cared about us. And you can say that about the fans too. There was a lot of frustration around our debut but now we can laugh like this as seven and hold our heads up high while doing stupid things with all our might. There’s nothing to look back on now and we just need to move forward. But of course there are some memories that we can’t forget even if we want to. Now that I’m supporting a lot of things, I think that if I talk about my dreams and goals and they don’t come true… Now that I am able to see and understand a lot more, I’ve gotten a little bit cowardly.
- You’re troubled huh?
If I just do it I know I’ll become stronger though. And if I do, I feel like another part of my shell will break.
- I’m sure it will
I’m sometimes told ‘’You should just say that you are the Ace”. But I don’t have the decisiveness to do that. I guess you could say that’s one of Yamada-kun’s good points. When we first met for ‘Little Tokyo Life’ there was a corner where we had to come up with our own catchphrases and Yamada-kun wrote ‘Super Star’. About himself. He has the amazing ability to make a statement like that while knowing it’ll mean that he has a lot to carry on his shoulders. But at the same time, Johnny’s WEST doesn’t need the presence of an Ace. In Rugby there’s a play called ‘Mole’, where everyone squishes into a group and pushes forward together step by step through the mud. I think it’s best for us to move forward like that.
We all struggled in our own ways to continue these 4 years
- The youngest member of the group is thinking like that
It has nothing to do with age, and I’m not the only one thinking like that. I think all the members have spent these four years thinking about how they can contribute to the group and used their own methods to struggle to continue.
- What do you mean?
After all, everyone has their own changes and growth. Just after debut, everyone was more like “me, me!’’ and to be honest, when another member had their own individual work decided I was like “Damn it!” But it’s different now. (Fujii) Ryusei said so in last month’s interview too but now I say “Go give it your best” and push them forward with everything I have. Speaking of that (Kiriyama) Akito really, really hates to lose so still around three years ago when someone got individual work he’d say something like “Aww that sounds so good! Isn’t there anything for me?!” I was the same. But now, he pushes us forward and when we return to the group he gives us a warm welcome. It feels like Akito has become more wholesome.
- About Kiriyama-kun, Ryusei-kun said ‘’he’s gets lonely easily as usual’’
He gets lonely really easily! His love for the members is way too strong. He’ll say things like “Let’s go to the World Of Dreams all together!” Even if we say “Won’t it be embarrassing if we go all together?!” He’d reply with “It’s fine, let’s go! I’m free tomorrow!” Just how much do you love the members?! (lol)
(T/N: World of Dreams is Disneyland and also where Akito and Junta will one day get married)
- Hahahaha
I want to give a 10,000 character interview to the other members actually. I want to ask them “what did you think at that time?” I think the one who has changed the most is Kami-chan (Kamiyama Tomohiro). It’s been about five years now since he became more rounded. Before debut, when we were still 7 WEST, we became a group of four and had no bullied-character. Shige (Shigeoka Daiki) was the orthodox idol. Even though he’s as he is now (lol). Ryusei was the type to want to act cool. And I was the one who got ahead of himself and was the type to do the teasing. And then Kami-chan, who was the furthest from the teased-type of character, changed his image into one. From then on Kami-chan kept on getting more and more well-rounded. At one point I casually asked him “what’s up?” and his answer was “thinking about the four of us, I abandoned my pride”. That’s not something you can do easily. I mean, really it should have been me. I was the most kouhai and the youngest. So Kami-chan who had the longest history as a Junior changing his character was such a shock. I want to ask him “how were you able to go that far back then?”
(T/N: Shige and Kami-chan talked about this on Bayjyanaika too. Shige used to be so scared of Kami-chan because he was kind of mean and prideful and would bite Shige’s head off if he spoke to casually… AND NOW WE HAVE FLUFFY BEAR KAMI-CHAN TT_TT Such a beautiful boy)
- And that Kamiyama-kun who thought about the group more than anyone, wasn’t one of the original debut members
I think he would have been more hurt than anyone. Because he was the one who thought more about the group than anyone else. Even when it was decided that we’d debut as seven, I’m sure he must have had complicated feelings. But even so, it must have been just after debut, he started composing music. And that is Evoke that is in our WESTIVAL album. There was still a gap between the ‘four’ and the ‘three’ but instead of just throwing everything a way, Kami-chan was the one who thought the most about wanted to contribute to the group and took action. Even though he was the most conceited in our Junior days. I want to tell the me of ten years ago “Kami-chan is going to really change from now.”
- Did Shigeoka-kun change too?
He had no mould to begin with (lol). I have no idea what happened to him. In our Junior days he used to say “I* can make a dimple on just this side” and things like that. The Shige of that time was like an angel. When I first met him I thought ‘this guys is the Johnny’s’. He was so bright and his smile was so cute and refreshing. And now he’s like that. How should I put it? His jokes are very unique (lol). I’m impressed that he can be like that without fear. When we do skits and stuff, he continues on even if the audience isn’t following along. It’s amazing how he do such dangerous jokes - I’m always freaking out when he does. He probably thinks up new jokes in the bath every night.
(T/N: *He used ‘boku’ here, which is a more boyish and formal way of saying ‘I’)
(T/N: I love how everyone refers to the Shige of today as ‘like that’ xD There is no way to put Shige’s personality into words)
- You never know how someone will change huh?
It’s interesting isn’t it. But I could kind of see it (with Shige). After our debut, it seemed as if Shigeoka Daiki’s colour started to pale. Normally the Centre is in the spotlight right? But I think Shige though that if it was like that, we’d just be fitting into the same frame as any other normal group. I think he threw that part away because he knew we weren’t the type of group to fit into that tiny frame. Well there’s still the strong possibility that he’s just a weirdo. This group is just a bunch of weirdos gathered together after all. There’s no normal person (lol).
- What about Hamada (Takahiro)-kun?
Completely the opposite. He hasn’t changed at all (lol). He’s loved by everyone because he doesn’t change. If the day comes when Hama-chan gets full of himself, it’ll be the end of our group. Hama-chan is like ‘The Last Samurai’.
- Hahahaha
I’m grateful to be in a relationship with someone eight years older than me and six years my senpai where I can still say “Hama-chan, this is not the time to be laughing.” And he comes to me, his kouhai, to seriously ask “Nozomu. What should I do?” too. When I told him he doesn’t need to try to be funny or interesting because if he just gives his 100% as usual, it’ll definitely end up funny anyway - he just grinned at me and said “I see!” (lol)
- Kotaki-kun likes to make fun of Hamada-kun during MC’s at concerts, but is there anything you’re particular about during MC’s?
It’s probably nothing to do with technique or skill. It’s love isn’t it? Love. I really love* Hama-chan. To begin with, it’s not because we’re in the MC that I tease him. On stage, in the green room, whether there is a camera on or not, it’s no different. The things we talk about and do, really we’re always together.
(T/N: *Non uses ‘ai 愛’ here - pushing the fact that he doesn’t just LIKE Hama-chan, he LOVES Hama-chan)
- How about Nakama (Junta)-kun?
Hm. It feels like he keeps getting younger. In a cute way. We watched the making of ‘Principal no Kimi He’ all together but everyone was infatuated with Junta. “Junta is so cute this time!” He was using big movements and was really quite adorable. On top of that, nowadays even if I ask for something unreasonable*, he’s completely fine with it. Like he’s becoming more and more tolerant. I think that’s not something that’s easily accomplished.
- You cried when you watched Nakama-kun running the Osaka marathon didn’t you?
Looking back on it now… Yeah. I was in Tokyo practicing for MORSE but I knew from our group chat that he was training hard. When we were at the start line I told him to do his best and he smiled back and said “Yeah, I’ll be off!” When we were holding the handwritten finish line, waiting for Junta - even though he had been smiling so much when he started, he appeared with his face scrunched up in pain, dragging his feet along in a walk. But even then, when he saw the finish line he started running while crying. When I saw that expression I couldn’t hold it back and I cried. If it was me I’d understand, coz I cry straight away. But Junta, our eldest member Junta, who had never shown us his weaknesses, saw the finish line that those younger than him made and he started to cry. It must have been seriously tough. The next day he was so sore he couldn’t even walk after all! But even so he started running when he saw the members. My heart sprung at that and I thought ‘this guy, no matter how roughed up he gets, if it’s for the group, if it’s for the members, he’d run anywhere’.
- Last is Ryusei-kun
I guess where not together that much in private anymore. We see each other so much for work that it’d be gross if we saw each other in private too right (lol).
- Ryusei-kun said the same thing. Did you know that hearing your MC at Kyocera Dome is what made him cry?
Those felt like a man’s tears. I don’t know if I can explain it well, but my relationship with Ryusei is special. Because we were always in the same group since I joined the Juniors.
- You were weren’t you?
I first found out about Ryusei from a photo in a pamphlet. When I saw his picture I seriously thought ‘Wah, this guy definitely has a bad personality. I might get bullied’ (lol). I was 12 and Ryusei was 15. I was suddenly called to an audition and that was at KAT-TUN’s live. And then a few days after that Johnny-san called me to Tokyo and listened to me sing and then gave me the opportunity to appear in SUMMARY as a guest. And without knowing anything, suddenly I was a member of 7WEST.
- You got in at an unusual speed, huh?
Though I didn’t even realise that at the time. Just when I got to rehearsals, I was looked at like ‘Who are you?’, ‘What’s with this guy?’ It was understandable though. Being suddenly given a mic to hold, of course the Junior’s that had been there long before me and their fans as well must have felt put off. But Ryusei was the one who looked out for me during all that. He always stayed with me. After that, Yuma went to Tokyo and 7WEST became 6… and then 4. Then Kami-chan was called to Tokyo with Shige. I don’t think anyone but Ryusei and I know how it felt to be so emotionally confused with the pain while at the same time sending Kami-chan and Shige off with a ‘’good luck”. The happiness when Ryusei and I were finally called to Tokyo too. The happiness, the frustration, the loneliness - we shared all our feelings together. But even then we were torn apart for debut, and now we stand on the stage together as members of the same group. I get really emotional about it too.
- You should invite him more in private too
Embarrassing (lol). But last Summer I threw away that embarrassment and asked a lot of my friends over for a barbeque. At that time, I invited Ryusei too. Then the next day I heard from my friends that Ryusei had said “It’d been a while since Nozomu had invited me, so I had no choice but to come.” Apparently he was acting like he didn’t really want to be there but couldn’t really hide his happiness at all (lol). Hearing that kind of thing from friends is embarrassing too. Well, I was happy too though.
- It’s not just you two. Really all seven of you are close.
Yeah (lol). We had an End-Of-Year gathering with the members last year. Without our manager or staff. Really a gathering with just the seven of us. I get chills just remembering that scene. Like ‘just how close are we?!’ An End of year gathering with just seven guys, all gathered at Kami-chan’s place - laughing together and having fun. While talking about our dreams. Knowing I was one of those people is embarrassing and at the same time makes me so happy.
- It was a good End-of-Year gathering huh?
During it I just randomly thought that we have a really good balance. We have all the different blood types within the group after all*. We have the punctual A-type, and the B-type that messes with that. We have the AB who naturally supports those two, and the O type we watches over all of that. It’s a miraculous balance.
(T/N: Japan has an obsession with basing personality according to blood types - Google it if you’re interested, lol)
It’s tradition to want to take them out to eat
- Next, are there any senpai’s that treat you well in private?
Thanks to getting the chance to co-star with him in ‘Sekai Ichii Muzukashi Koi’, I often get invited to eat with Oh-chan (Ohno Satoshi). I used to go out with Maruyama (Ryuhei)-kun a lot, but now it’s mostly either Yamada-kun or Oh-chan. I’m more often with people who joined the agency at the same time as me. After coming to Tokyo, I’m often with Yasui (Kentarou)-kun, Morita (Miyuto)-kun and Moro (Morohoshi Shouki).
- Aren’t there a lot of Johnny’s that like saunas? Do you as well?
I don’t go. Coz I’m the type that prefers to sit in the bath at home.*
(T/N: 半身浴 Hanshinyoku is sitting with only your lower half in the bath so that you sweat as if you’re in a sauna)
- Then who do you consider your rival?
I wonder who… Ummm, I guess three members from Sexy Zone - (Kikuchi) Fuma, (Nakajima) Kento and (Satou) Shouri who is the same age as me.
- What did you think in regards to King & Prince’s debut?
It’s been since Sexy Zone right? A group with only young people debuting. I want them to do their best with their freshness. Two of them used to be in Kansai Juniors after all. (Hirano) Sho is the same age as me and he always comes up to me so we’re friends. And of course (Nagase) Ren too. To be honest there’s a lot more that I think about in regards to this topic though… Yeah.
- Do you have something that you want to tell the Kansai Juniors?
I wonder what. Well first of all, there’s no doubt that it’s much more inconvenient to be in Kansai Juniors than Tokyo Juniors. In general there’s just the Spring, Summer, Winter concerts, and a photo shoot once a year. But it’s because of that, they give their all to appeal to Johnny-san when he comes down, and get so serious during the annual Shokura filming that they end up running around in circles. As a Kansai Junior, I learned how to treasure each and every job. I think that’s Kansai Juniors style. I was also blessed with great staff and friends. So that’s why, if I could turn back time and was given the choice between Kansai Juniors or Tokyo Juniors, I’d pick Kansai. I’ve never experienced Tokyo Juniors so I can’t really compare them. But I am proud to have been a Kansai Junior. I want to convey that to today’s Kansai Juniors.
- I see.
Also, what I really want to say, I will tell them directly. I’m thinking of returning to Osaka on my next day off. I often go to eat with the main four (Mukai) Kouji, Onishi (Ryusei), Nishihata (Daigo) and Muro (Ryuta), but I want to take them all of the Kansai Juniors out next time. Because lately I haven’t been able to see them at all.
- All of them would be a lot.
We had the same done to us by Kanjani∞ when we were juniors. We were told by the staff that we’ve been with since way back then that when we get precious Kouhai of our own, we have to do the same. At the time I thought ‘that sounds tough’, but now I think I kind of understand how Kanjani∞ felt. There are a lot of traditions in Kansai Juniors, but I think always looking forward and giving it your all, and senpai’s wanting to take you out to eat are the biggest traditions. So I quickly want to go back to Osaka, yep.
Is Hokkaido cold? Far?
- Then what do you think about the fans?
We really, really made a lot of the fans feel completely hopeless around the time of our debut. I really don’t want to look back on that time again, and what them to feel much more happiness now - I want them to smile. We really think a lot about concerts set lists because we want the fans to have fun. ‘What would make them the happiest…’ ‘I want to show them this’, ‘I want them to hear this song’. When the set list is finally decided it’s always like ‘will this really be okay?!’
- What do you mean?
Being a refreshing idol, being idiots during the MC, having the Junior corner too, having the ParaPara corner, having skits, having seriously cool songs too. It’s like ‘won’t this make the audience get emotionally unstable?’ (lol) But even like that, the fans always come and it makes me happy. I have a absolute trust in the fans. There’s a saying that ’fans are similar to their idols’ right? I feel that our fans have grown to share with us when we feel happy, what makes us have fun, what makes us laugh. Seeing them start to be bathed in our colours makes me happier than anything. The fans share the miracle that we managed to debut as seven with us. Each not just the bonds with the members - I can really feel the strong bonds we have with the fans as well.
- I see. Well then, I would like you to tell me your dreams for the future
First of all, I said that I was scared to talk about my dreams but really that is too cowardly. To start with I think talking about your dreams just means you are telling yourself to do your best to make them come true. So I will say it. Personally, I want to star in my own drama. Coz I think if I could it’d be huge. As for my dream for the group, I think we are ready to do Tokyo Dome any time. Then a 3-dome tour. Then a 5-dome tour would be in our sights. Even though we haven’t even done Tokyo Dome yet there are already members that are getting ahead of themselves saying “an Asia-tour” (lol). But I think if it’s us, I don’t know when, but I feel we will be able to do all that within no time. Because the things we wished for, the things we believed in, we’ve made them all come true so far. (T/N: This is a beautiful sentence Non TT_TT)
- What are the members to you?
Uhmmm… that’s difficult but I guess they’re partners. Partners that I work together with to create something great. I always respect them and also am sometimes am jealous of them. Ahh but more than partners - Johnny’s WEST feels more like a family, or a home.
- Your home?
Yep. Leaving home and going into the world on your own has a kind of comfort to it doesn’t it? Working on a movie or a drama, solo interviews like this one - they’re comfortable because you’re on your own. But when you start to feel that things are getting troublesome or complicated, when you go back home you have the comfort that can only come from home. It’s where I was born and grew up and the place that made me mature as a person.
- That’s right
This is something I’ve talked about a lot but when filming for ‘Principal’ finished, I met up with the group for the first time in a while and while I was zoning out in the green room Hama-chan came up to me and said “How was Hokkaido?! Cold? Far?” with that kind of high spirit. And just as I was thinking ‘cold is one thing, but far? This guy is an idiot as usual’, Akito said “what do you mean ‘is it far’?!” and Junta said “Eh? Are you interested in the distance?” with his usual straight-man act. Then Ryusei had this ‘I’m kind of interested in the distance’ kind of face. Then Shige suddenly changed the topic, chatting away in a loud voice and the conversation went off track. And Kami-chan was watching it all laughing. And I felt like ‘yes this. This is it.’ Now we’re in our fourth year, but surely no matter how many years pass, I’ll think the same thing over and over. ‘This is the place I can return to no matter what happens’. I felt like someone might even might start talking to the heavens like ‘’thank you for having these seven meet.’’
_________________________________________________________
Done! Goodness Nonsuke is so much better at expressing himself than Ryusei! Thank you Non it really helps LOL
But at the same time he expresses himself so well I teared up a few times. Non-chan's love for the members and Kanjyuu is amazing. I love him so much.
Next is HamaHama!