Yabu Kota - Calendar 2022 - Forever 50 Q&A
1. Tell us about your ideal proposal!
It would be embarrassing to put together a plan, so I would probably say it at an impulsive moment, like when we're eating or watching TV.
2. What conditions are you looking for in a marriage partner?
Getting along well with my family.
3. Who among the members would you marry?
None (laughs). I know everything about them, for better or worse, so it would be impossible.
4. Tell us about your ideal wedding!
I've heard that you can work things out peacefully if you fit in with your partner rather than giving your own opinion (laughs).
5. Where would you like to go on your honeymoon?
I would like both of us to have a say and go to two places, one within the country and one overseas.
6. What rules do you want to be followed in your life together after marriage?
I hope she won't mind if I stay up late watching soccer (laughs).
7. What are you addicted to at the moment?
Lately, I really like tofu. Because it has a simple flavour, I can arrange it in many ways [in dishes]. It's also delicious just on its own. However, the last time I ate it with natto, I thought I was eating too much soy (laughs).
8. What do you do for your health and body?
I'll only have one beer. When I'd like to have a second one, I'll switch to a highball.
9. What is your favourite sport?
I like everything on the whole, but my favourite is soccer.
10. What is your favourite recent purchase?
Musk-scented diffuser.
11. What do you want most at the moment?
Winter clothes. Especially outerwear.
12. What are your favourite appliances or furniture in your apartment?
My reclining chair. When I watch a film, if I'm on the couch, I fall asleep, but I can stay awake surprisingly well there.
13. Tell us your schedule on your day off!
I try to get up as early as possible. It's more worthwhile to me if I can finish my housework in the morning. After that, I go for a walk.
14. What moments make you happy?
The first bite of food after getting out of the sauna. It tastes so good.
15. What's been the biggest trouble/pinch in your life?
I don't think I've had trouble. Maybe something like, I don't think I'll be able to make it to the toilet in time (laughs).
16. What are your top three favourite films?
No. 1 'Princess Mononoke'. No. 2 'Spirited Away'. No. 3 'The Wind Rises'. I like Studio Ghibli.
17. What are your top three favourite novels or manga?
No. 1: 'ONE PIECE'. No. 2: 'HUNTER X HUNTER', No. 3, 'SLAM DUNK'. I'm sorry there's nothing from Kobunsha (laughs).
18. What is the best travel memory in your life?
Going to Madrid, Spain, with Chinen and seeing the Champions League final live.
19. What countries or places would you like to visit?
I'd love to go to Italy.
20. Tell us about your treasured item!
The people I've encountered so far.
21. What is your favourite animal?
Dogs. My parents' dog is most attached to me.
22. How do you relieve stress?
Sleep helps me forget my stress.
23. If you had to choose another profession, what would it be?
Maybe a Member of Parliament (Diet) (laughs). I'd like to see how they create legislation.
24. What are your passions outside of work?
For some reason I count the number of steps I've taken in a day.
25. When do you get excited?
When I wake up in the morning and predict the temperature and it's just right (laughs).
26. When does your tension drop?
When I can't win the lottery at the conbini at all.
27. What do you always have in your bag?
Outside of the essentials, maybe something to write with.
28. Tell us your morning routine!
Take a shower and eat mekabu (T/N: The pine-cone looking part of the Wakame, which is a brown edible seaweed).
29. Tell us your night routine!
I fix myself some snacks, have a drink with it and go to bed tipsy. I'm an old man (laughs).
30. If you won the lottery, what would you do?
It's a sign of good luck, so I'll use it for my next gamble (laughs). Not a lottery ticket or something with low odds though.
31. Who do you admire?
I think Ichiro-san is amazing because I could never be like him.
32. Which seniors, juniors and peers are you close to in Johnny's?
Totsuka Shota from A.B.C-Z, Kitayama Hiromitsu from Kis-My-Ft2 and Sato Shori from Sexy Zone. There are many others too.
33. What type of woman do you like?
Someone who has a different point of view from my own.
34. What women's fashion do you like?
Dressing like she won't catch a cold (laughs).
35. What is your ideal date plan?
Going for a drive with her favourite songs playing. I'm quite conservative, so I want her to present me with some new values. That's also a chance for me to get to know her.
36. Tell us what you find charming about Arioka Daiki-kun!
He knows a lot about culture and can give me manga and anime recommendations.
37. Tell us what you find charming about Inoo Kei-kun!
Recently, he has been kindly reacting to me even when I make pointless conversation (laughs).
38. Tell us what you find charming about Takaki Yuya-kun!
He has an approach of having full commitment to everything he does.
39. Tell us what you find charming about Chinen Yuri-kun!
I would like to follow his mindset of always having fun at work.
40. Tell us what you find charming about Nakajima Yuto-kun!
I think it would be how he messes around with me.
41. Tell us what you find charming about Yaotome Hikaru-kun!
He's considerate of others and he's nice.
42. Tell us what you find charming about Yamada Ryosuke-kun!
He's a good person. He's always calm.
43. Tell us Arioka Daiki-kun's weak points!
For some reason, he oversleeps once a year (laughs).
44. Tell us Inoo Kei-kun's weak points!
I don't think he has any weak points. If I had to say, I'd say his reflexes aren't good.
45. Tell us Takaki Yuya-kun's weak points!
Insects. He's always squealing around them.
46. Tell us Chinen Yuri-kun's weak points!
Strangers. He's shy.
47. Tell us Nakajima Yuto-kun's weak points!
Shimeji mushrooms. It seems he got sick of being served them too much at the table when he was little (laughs).
48. Tell us Yaotome Hikaru-kun's weak points!
There's no end to that list (laughs). He has naturally curly hair, so he always straightens his hair as best as he can (laughs).
49. Tell us about Yamada Ryosuke-kun's weak points!
I feel he had lower back pain.
50. What message would you like to give your fans for your last calendar?
The fact that we've been able to continue putting out calendars for 15 years means that there's been such demand, so it's truly thanks to our fans. I hope we can continue to be a group that is there for you 365 days a year and that you can casually remember in your everyday life.