Glittering 2019 Memories
The glittering heart, the first star.
Only a few days remain in 2019.
We asked JUMP members, who had great work with jobs and private experiences to look back on their shining memories of the past year.
Additionally, we also deliver a Christmas talk.
Yamada Ryosuke
[“Moeyo Ken” shooting days]
It was simply fun to film. Every day, I had a good sense of tension and I was able to feel reassurance with Okada-kun (Junichi). Okada-kun really taught me a lot. From historical dramas, to sword fighting, and also groups and personal stories. All of it was valuable content for me to connect to the work. But the contents of the story is a secret (laughs). The thing that left an impression on me when shooting was the sword fighting. I’ve had a sword fighting in stage plays, but a movie is another thing completely. What I was doing in the stage play was “sword fighting”, but in “Moeyo Ken” I feel like I was “killing people”. Basically, if there was a body that was fine even if it was struck with a sword, you would strike it. Because it’s more realistic if you strike it. But it’s scary to strike people with swords. I had some dietary restrictions and there was a lot of work, but because I worked hard I had a sense of accomplishment. Oh, and I lived in Kyoto for the whole shoot so I thought I would have some fun, so I bought some high grade chocolate to put in the refrigerator of the hotel we were staying in. And at night, it was a reward for working hard and I would eat one. Of course when I had dietary restrictions I put up with it.
[Co-stars of Semi Otoko]
All my co-stars had a good relationship with me. I wondered, “Is there such a friendly place?”. But even during the break, the talking didn’t stop, and the next scene had serious acting between Otoko and Okayu-san, but I couldn’t concentrate because all of the performers were laughing… (laughs). However, I thought that was it in that scene. Even after the shooting was over, we all went out to eat. I want to continue this relationship forever.
[Meals with Okuda]
Before I started shooting “Moeyo Ken”, Okuda-kun invited me to eat. Together with Ikuta Toma. The restaurant he took me to tasted like it was from the best tempura restaurant in Japan. It was limited to one group a day, and it didn’t have a cheap atmosphere. And it was so delicious I ate it earnestly (laughs). It’s the best tempura I’ve had until now. I don’t think I’ll ever find tempura that will exceed this level.
[Christmas]
Every year, it is a custom to invite my good friends to my house. But it’s not a Christmas party, it’s more like, “It’s winter! Let’s gather and cook!” So maybe we don’t have cake or presents. Maybe it will be so this year too…
Chinen Yuri
[Spain trip]
Soccer is the best stage play inside me. It’s been a long-awaited dream to watch the finals of the European Champions League. I decided that I would go this year. It was a good memory to go to the host country, Spain, on a whirlwind tour with Kota for two-nights and four-days. With the help of Kota’s friends who are familiar with soccer and the locations, we not only enjoyed the finals, but also a tour of the Stadium headquarters of Spain’s very famous team Real Madrid, and meals at restaurants where athletes often go. I had a great time as a soccer fan. It was also a good thing to know that you can go to Europe and enjoy yourself, even if you only have 4 days off. From now on, I’m excited because I feel like I can go anywhere.
[Home town Festival]
There is a festival in Shizuoka where the whole town gets excited once a year. Until now I had never participated, but this year my friend’s parents were the organisers for the festival, so I participated for the first time. It was the first time I experienced walking around the town wearing a strange neighbourhood community (chounaikai) happi (T/N: Traditional Japanese straight-sleeved coat) that I borrowed from my friend’s grandfather (laughs). I had some friend’s who gathered after they heard the rumour I was coming home. I was happy that I had the opportunity to meet the locals twice this year, including New Year.
[World Gymnastics 2019]
For the third year in a row, I was asked to be the presenter for, “World Gymnastics”, and I thought once again that gymnastics is interesting. It was really fun to enjoy the excitement of seeing the skill level of things I cannot do before my eyes, and the tension that the players repeatedly experience in such difficult make it or break it challenges. “World Gymnastics” will not be held in the 2020 Olympic Year, and many athletes I have seen so far are aiming for the Olympics, so I think the world of gymnastics will change generationally in one go. I don’t know if I’ll be involved in the next “World Gymnastics”, but I’m grateful that I had a lot of fun and excitement again this year thanks to my role as presenter.
[Christmas]
I’m not interested in illuminations or Christmas cakes, but I like Christmas songs because my tension increases. My smartphone has a music folder with Christmas songs. I started listening to it around October this year (laughs). It’s even more fun if you go to Ryosuke’s house, where he starts decorating the Christmas tree at the end of October, and listen to it while eating.
Nakajima Yuto
[Arashi’s Waku Waku Gakkou]
Arashi’s important event where love has been handed down over nine years. It was a very warm space surrounded by the kindness of Arashi and all of Arashi’s fans. I was a student in the 2015 class where I first participated, but this time I was promoted to assistant! By being the side that tells the message to everyone who has gathered at Dome, I wonder if you could show a little grown-up JUMP? I was Sakurai Sho-kun’s assistant, but in fact, Sakurai was a bit clueless. Instead of his own microphone, he would take mine and go, and forget to take off his white jacket… I was happy to think that if I could follow well at that time, it was evidence that the range was shortened. And the always smart Sakurai-kun, who had a confused appearance was very cute! ♡
[Stage play - WILD]
By challenging this work, I learned a lot about how to tackle a new play. If I talk specifically, I might not have enough pages (laughs). To give an example of one, I started to doubt my preparation for the role. Anyway, it’s important to answer your own questions. Each time I come across a new work, I will be improved more or less, but this time it was a really special realisation. I received a lot of advice from director Ogawa Eriko-san. Live in the given role. I was taught a lot about how to make that imagination real for the work, and how to have a good relationship with words. Keito is taught these things every day. I’m jealous! (laughs). Actually, after this stage play finished, I started shooting for the drama, “Boku wa doko kara”. The stage play and the film, the ways of expression are different but I tried to make use of what I learned in “WILD” when I approached that role.
[Best Jeanist Award]
When I heard that 120,000 people voted for me this year, I thought, “Could I just do the Dome live by myself for two days?”, just between you and me (laughs). I am deeply grateful to everyone who supported me, thank you! Since I was inducted into the Hall of Fame, I think it’s a bit sad that I won’t be able to participate in the awards ceremony anymore. I wonder if I can be a judge? (laughs)
[Christmas]
If I look at the schedule, I’m planning to work with JUMP. If so, there will definitely be a gift exchange within the members. I have to prepare a present before I become nervous! How about a years supply of vegetable sauce? The day where JUMP has a romantic Christmas seems far away (laughs).
Yaotome Hikaru
[Moshimo Juku]
It was really fun to appear on “Moshimo Juku” which is hosted by Murakami Shingo. Based on old stories that everyone knows, we decided to cast performers on the spot and perform improv completely in ad-lib. Everything was fresh from my first experience, but what impressed me the most was the improvised rap with Maruyama-kun (Ryohei). G2-san, who was director and writer of “Bara to Hakucho”, came to see us, and I was happy to hear him say it was annoyingly interesting.
[Singapore]
It was my first location shooting for “Hirunandesu!”. It was a whirlwind tour of 1 night and 3 days. I acted on a regular schedule so viewers could enjoy it, but it was also a very fulfilling trip. The people passing by spoke various different languages, it had a complete exotic atmosphere. Each meal can be seasoned to your liking. I wondered if even I could make it, but it seems that the food cultures of many different countries are mixed. It wasn’t a flavour I could steal after only eating it once (laughs). Thanks to that, I thought I want to come again!
[Taiwan live]
I think that the success of the lives, as well as, of course, Domoto Koichi’s participation in the direction, was a wonderful asset for JUMP. It’s fun to have a meeting because we have Johnnyisms. Koichi-kun shared the opinions that he had cultivated with Johnny-san from the perspective of, “If JUMP do it”. Of course we also have Johnnyisms. I think we were able to bring out each thing inside us, and create a new feeling. That’s right! The Dome tour on the New Year’s holiday will stop. For the last several years, JUMP was the only one to prepare a stage, but it’s one of the characteristics of Johnny’s to make a stage with the juniors. However, the Juniors are all busy during the New Year’s holidays too. There weren’t enough Juniors available to join, so we couldn’t really implement it, but this time we had great children who gathered miraculously. Through this live, I hope I can tell them important things for the day they will be standing on the big stage.
[Christmas]
Since I started working with JUMP, I’ve never experienced the Christmas feeling with anyone but the members. That’s how the gift exchange was started.
But over the years, the gifts have gradually run out… to say. But I’m sure the members will be happy this year too (laughs).
Kota Yabu
[Haru]
The stage play “Haru” was a very important work for me, and I was blessed with good friends. After the stage play was over, when I said “Let’s have a barbecue” about 30 people gathered. I was the organiser, so I searched for a store that would accommodate a large number of people and also took on the initiative to grill the barbecue. Usually, I have (Kitamiya) Hiromitsu or one of my friends do that, and I don’t do much myself (laughs). Shime (Shimekake Ryuya) also came to the barbecue, and since then I occasionally go out to eat with both of them. I’m the type who can’t invite juniors to eat, so it’s easy to go out with Shime who invites me to eat without being afraid.
[London]
I went to London for a week to study for the musical, “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat”, that I will be starring in next April. Of course there are three other works, no, there is a two-part work so I watched four. It was an orderly life. In London, the shops close early, so it’s a daily routine to sleep every night before 12am, wake up at 7am and go to the bakery. While leisurely drinking my coffee, I consulted with my manager and asked, “Today I have theatre from 1pm onwards, so what should I do until then?” Travel by rental bike or subway. Go to a second-hand clothing store, take a tour of the original Globe Theatre, or go to Buckingham Palace? Also, I met Keito! It was August so he was studying Shakespeare’s plays at a summer school in London. We ate together every night! Then he said, “Tomorrow I’ll make an announcement at school. Can you see it?”, and he showed me the play alone. I’m overflowing with confidence and I’ve found that I’m improving.
[Chinen and Spain]
It was a two-night, four-day whirlwind trip to watch the soccer finals, but we were able to cover a lot. The whole city was like a festival in soccer mode and we were in high spirits, and when we took a tour of the stadium of my favourite team, I pretended to be the manager with Yuri on the bench where the players and managers sit (laughs). I was obsessed with squid paella, and I got on a train to Toledo, a World Heritage Site. Anyway, I walked so much that day. I think I walked 15km in a day? I wish I could go with you again!
(Chinen, who is sitting next to him) “Yeah!”
[Christmas]
By the way, the other day, Tsuka-chan (Tsukada Ryouichi) said,”I wish I could have a Christmas party! Call Miyacchi (Miyata Toshiya)! Let’s do it at home!” Will it happen?
Takaki Yuya
[Stage play appearance]
I had a strange experience in “Queen Elizabeth”. On the ordinary stage, the peak of tension comes on the first day, and as you repeat the performance, you can relax in a good way. However, I had the opposite experience in this work as the tension increased as the number of times repeated. In the last week, I sent off Daichi Mao-san, who plays the role of Elizabeth, in front of her dressing room. My heart was beating and my hands and feet were shaking. After thinking about various reasons, I realised I wasn’t nervous and it was the Earl of Essex inside me that was reacting. I think the feeling of tension and the sense of urgency he had with Elizabeth began to overflow naturally just by looking at Daichi-san. I’m glad that I encountered such work, including that experience.
[Tokyo Motor Show]
Maybe it’s better to say it’s a trade fair for cars. It’s an event where domestic and international car manufacturers showcase the latest technologies and designs they have developed. It was the first time I went, and for someone like me who loves cars, it was like a theme park. Fujiki Naoto-san, who I co-starred with in the drama “FINAL CUT”, had a talk show at a booth where it was crowded. When I get acquaintances on TV, I often send them messages saying, “I’m watching now!”, but maybe it was that bad habit, but when I saw Fujiki-san, I took out my phone without thinking (laughing). Later, he emailed me and said he wished he had talked to me. How nice. Someday I want to do a job related to cars!
[Gourmet food]
This year again, I ate various types of food at restaurants across Japan. Udon in Kagawa and ramen in Kumamoto. If I’m off and I want a delicious meal, I will suddenly leap and ask a friend who is a foodie to recommend a restaurant, so I can’t lose! This friend is like a celebrity amongst foodies and when I go out to eat with him, many people from customers to restaurant staff will say they’re honoured to have met him. When I go to restaurants, I’m more likely to be called out so it’s interesting that it’s the opposite to what I’m used to.
[Christmas]
I have cute nieces and nephews, but I didn’t give any Christmas presents. I leave that for Santa. I always give a lot on days where there’s nothing (laughs). If I can get a gift from a child I like, ideally something like a hand-knitted scarf that conveys warmth.
Inoo Kei
[Arashi’s Waku Waku Gakkou 2019]
It was a valuable time. It was a rare experience to be able to work with Arashi, who announced the suspension of activities as a group at the end of 2020. I was in charge of “Costume/Fashion” as the assistant for Matsumoto-kun (Jun), and I went to the Republic of the Congo for location shooting. When the director asked at the first meeting if I could do location shooting in the Congo, I thought, “No, that would be impossible. Matsumoto-kun is busy and I have a regular live broadcast so it’s hard to schedule. What should happen…”. But my manager pinned it down firmly to a one week schedule, and Matsumoto-kun always said he wanted to go but in the end, it was a “one person location shooting”. However, I was happy I went because I don’t think I would be sent to Africa. But overseas location shooting is difficult. I don’t understand words, and I get a completely different answer than what was intended (laughs). That was also interesting.
[Paris’ gourmet food]
I went to Paris by private jet before and after I went to the Congo. At first, I was only planning on staying for about two hours, so I wanted to enjoy that short time as much as I could and I booked a Michelin star restaurant from Japan. However the location was surprisingly compact, and the number of days I stayed in Paris increased, so I started booking at restaurants that were gaining momentum. It was really delicious and it looked really beautiful, and I took lots of photos of food.
[Villa Savoye]
Since I was in the Department of Architecture, when I was in my first year of university, I would do my best tracing the diagrams of various buildings, and the first one I did was the Villa Savoye. It’s still built in the outskirts of Paris, so I went to visit it and I was surprisngly moved. The way the space is cut is excellent, and great work like that is still cool after many years. I regret that at the time I was drawing such a great sketch while also complaining. Once again, I wanted to master architecture as a hobby.
[Christmas]
Every year, JUMP exchanges presents for Christmas, but over the last few years, everyone has been spoiling it (laughs). Even so, searching for something that leaves an impression has become an annual event. Last year I gave Yuto caviar. I wonder what high quality ingredients are good this year and what I should do this year.
Arioka Daiki
[Sauna]
Actually this year, I was really addicted to the sauna. I had heard about its charm from Yabu-kun and Takaki, but I didn’t understand how good it was for me. When I went to a bathhouse, I suddenly wondered if I should go in. I entered and by chance there was someone present who was a “sauna expert”, who tried to manage the time spent inside and the schedule of taking a bath and a break. And it feels so good! That was around June, and I still go once or twice a week. After going to the sauna, I’ve been able to get rid of the tired legs I get after the lives, and I have no stiff shoulders, it’s all good! I also don’t catch colds. It was big that I came across the sauna, even though it means a finding good relaxation and physical condition management method.
[Taiwan lives]
Our Taiwan lives since 2012. We went with feelings of, “We’re sorry to have kept you waiting”, but since people over there have refined eyes and ears, I was honestly anxious. But when the live started, just like seven years ago… no, I was happy that it was more exciting. And since it’s a place I can’t go to often, at the preparation stage, I had a chance to think about what kind of JUMP you would like to see, and it was a live with lots of results!
[Tarzan cover]
On “Hirunandesu!”, I announced that my goal for 2019 is to appear on the cover of “Tarzan”. I was just trying to say something that seemed impossible and to laugh, but the editorial department gave me an offer. During the months before the shoot, I seriously worked hard on dieting and going to the gym, and I made a body that wouldn’t be embarrassing to put on the cover of a magazine shirtless. That magazine was received very well, and it’s a good memory to drive myself into stoicism and keep my promises. This made me realise that words do have the power to alter reality. When I announce my aspirations and goals in the future, I think I’ll prepare for it before I say it” (laughs).
[Christmas]
Exchanging gifts with members is a custom. Somehow, we’ve been doing this for about 10 years. It’s an important project, and I plan on choosing a gift for a year. I look at magazines and think, “Ah! This would be a good Christmas gift for this year!”, but I’m looking before summer (laughs). But it’s too early to aim for it every year, so I forget it when I buy a present. I’m sure I’ll be worried just before this year.