10000 Character Interview [Kiriyama Akito, Myojo, Oct. 2014 Issue] {Translated}
T/N: The original article split the interview into little sections, so I took the liberty of titling the sections and putting them in different 'cuts' (???) for organisational purposes. IMO the parts that really moved me was (1), (5), (6), (7), (8), and (9).
I would say prepare a box of tissues, cos some of this stuff is pretty… ;_____________;
[I will be translating Hamachan's if no one else does, as well as the other members' that don't get translated (I know someone is doing Kotaki's and I'm sure (?) someone will pick up Shige)]
*I used scans from yoshiko-mama (lj) to translate!
** (w) = lol
-The day of the Countdown, it was announced that the four of you, Nakama (Junta)-kun, Shigeoka (Daiki)-kun, Kotaki (Nozomu)-kun, and Kiriyama (Akito)-kun, would debut. Were you not feeling conflicted then?
Of course, I want to debut with the 7 of us, I had thought. …But, and I don’t know how people will take these words, I did at that point prepare myself, “Let’s do it with the 4 of us.”
-I see.
Hama-chan (Hamada Takahiro), Kami-chan (Kamiyama Tomohiro), (Fujii) Ryusei… Of course it would be better if the 3 of them were in as well. But, I thought, I thought for us to say “We want them as well” would be ridiculous. “Debuting isn’t that simple of a thing, right?” I thought. If we said that we wanted them, there were other Kansai Juniors as well. There’s not one person there that hasn’t worked hard. Everyone would think “Well then, let me in as well.”
-That’s true.
I thought a lot about it. But, for us to speak out just because of our emotions against the decision of a Jimusho that knows a lot about the workings of the industry, with our complete lack of knowledge and experience, I thought, would be naïve of us. Debuting isn’t as light of a thing as that. At the point where it was decided that it would be the four of us, for us to throw out “But what if it were the 7 of us,” wouldn’t go well. That’s why, during the Countdown, I prepared myself, “We’ll debut with the four of us.”
-Well then, let’s trace back your history up till your debut. Your birthday is August 31st, right?
Yes, the very last day of summer. Sort of happy, yet sort of sad. Why did it have to be that day? Mom, why couldn’t you have waited one more day? (w)
-The kanji for “Akito” is pretty unique.
Oftentimes I would get called “Terushi” or “Terufumi.” But, I quite like how it’s a different way of reading it than the typical way. [**The character for Akito isn’t typically read ‘Akito’]. Recently, something that made me happy is when I type “Kiriyama Akito” on my phone, it automatically replaces with the correct kanji. It really drives home the fact that I’ve debuted.
-What were you like when you were younger?
I was quite mischievous. I have a brother who’s four years older, and we would fight a lot. Also, I was cunning (w). I loved cup ramen, but my mom would usually make dinner, so only during Saturday lunches could I eat it. If I just said normally “I want to eat it,” it wouldn’t work, but if I opened the lid first, and then I would say, “I accidentally opened it, can I eat it?” (w). Also, from when I was young, I would talk, sing, and dance in front of people, using a neighbors’ garage as a stage.
-From a pretty early in your life you started learning dance, right?
From right before I moved up from pre-school, my mom asked me “There’s a class that where you can learn dances and musicals?” and I answered, “I’ll do it!”
-Were you interested in dancing?
Not at all. “Dance?! Is that yummy?” was the extent of interest I had (w). But, “I could do something different from other people!” I thought.
-You wanted to do something different from other people.
I wouldn’t say strange, but I wanted to go the area where there were less people. Simply, I wanted to stand out (w). I used to do soccer, but since it was popular there was a lot of people, so all I thought about was how to skip.
-Did you ever skip dance?
I’ve never missed one lesson. Because it was fun. I couldn’t dance at all in the beginning, but, and even now it’s like this, when I think “I can’t do it,” it becomes fun. Instead of becoming upset, I would think, “Definitely, I’ll learn how to do it!!” Like I couldn’t understand why I couldn’t do it, or I couldn’t forgive it.
-Did you have any dreams then?
When I was in third grade, I decided, “I’ll definitely go into the entertainment industry.” There was one moment that really pushed me into it, and that was when I told me teacher “I want to be in SMAP.” Then, the teacher said jokingly, “It’s impossible for Akito~”. I was serious about it so it made me angry. “I’ll definitely do it!” I thought. That’s why it wasn’t “Do I want to go into the entertainment industry?” or “Can I get in?”, it was “I’ll get in!” I’m grateful for that teacher now. He lit the fuse.
-He really did.
At the time I liked Smap-san and Kinki Kids-san. I’m a bit weird, but I often had dreams of me being the third member of Kinki kids. For some reason our concerts would take place in my neighbors’ garage (w).
-By the way, in your dreams what was Kiriyama-kun’s position?
Centre (w).
-You sent your resume by yourself to the agency?
I sent it in the summer of my 6th grade. But I didn’t hear anything for about a year. In middle school I was going to multiple dance classes. For one of those the President said to me, “You don’t have to pay for the classes, so would you like to enter this course for people looking to become professionals?”
-People were expecting things of you.
For the first time in my life, I had a conversation with my family, “I have something to say so please listen.” But, I got told “You can’t.” Even if the class fees were free, the materials would still be expensive. My household wasn’t very wealthy. “When I’m able to starting working I’ll pay it off,” I told them, but just having the emotions “I want to do it,” sometimes there are cases where that isn’t enough. The next day, I got a notice from the Johnny’s Agency about auditions.
-That’s amazing timing. How was your audition?
I went with a Mohawk.
-Eh? You were a yankee?
It wasn’t like I spent all my time fighting. Since elementary I was mixing with adults dancing, so looking at the adaults around me, I thought “That hairstyle, it’s cool” and I copied. Once my dad said “Let’s try getting your hair curled,” and he took me to a hair parlour. Then, it turned out like a punch-pama [**Super tiny curls that old ladies tend to have**] (w). Anyway, I started a Mohawk when I moved up to middle school thinking “I won’t be underestimated.”
-It’s amazing you got into Johnny’s with that.
Right? (w). Plus, I had a huge mouth. There was a tv programme called “The Yoru Mo Hippare,” and Ohno (Satoshi) kun and other juniors were in a unit called MA on that show. In my audition interview, I said “I will easily trump MA-san!”
-Hahahahaha.
And, during my interview, at the doorway leaning against the wall, there was this old man watching me. Since he kept watching me I glared at him like, “Who is this guy?” (w)
-Perhaps, is that….
Yup (w). But, at the time I didn’t know. After my audition I got told “We’ll contact you by phone later,” and that’s how it ended.
-Did you think you got in?
I said some pretty arrogant things, I thought maybe I didn’t get in. But, that night, I got a phone call, “Next, please go there.” “I got in!” I thought.
-The guy you glared at in your interview, when did you find out he was the President (Johnny-san)?
Udon is my favourite food, and when I got called to Kanjani8-san’s stage plays, that same old man would always treat me to udon. He would come and touch my Mohawk, “You, not only your face, but your hair is rugged-looking too.” That’s why in my mind, I only recognized him as the old man that would treat me to udon. But one day I asked “Who are you?” and he responded “I’m Johnny Kitagawa” (w).
-Hahahaha. I hear he’s called you “busaiku” before.
Ah~, that was when 2, 3 years into joining. He said “You are busaiku, but your heart is pretty” (w).
-Did you progress uniformly in your juniors activities?
Not at all. Hamachan entered at the same time as me, but Hamachan immediately entered a group called BOYS. He held a mike and sang, and I was jealous. When I was on the stage, I was in the very back. Beyond the drums, even beyond the lights decorations. “Why is it like this!” I thought; I was frustrated.
-What did you think about debuting?
I wanted to debut. But, more than that, I wanted for the people in front of me to have fun, and I kept thinking, “I want to stand out! I want to be famous!” The one who stands out is the winner.
-But at that time, you were told, “In Kansai no idols are born.”
The area has a very strong association with owarai, so. Comparatively to the Tokyo Juniors, we have less tv programmes to star on, and less magazine opportunities. To begin with, the number of times you get to stand at the back for your senpai is drastically different.
-With that kind of disadvantage, it’s amazing you weren’t discouraged.
It is true I was jealous of the Tokyo Juniors. But just because we felt disadvantaged, saying that doesn’t start anything. Blaming the place you were born doesn’t do anything. Instead of worrying about a situation in which nothing can be done, it’s better to do the best that you can with what’s right in front of you. Plus, I had a strange kind of confidence in myself. As long as I do my best on the opportunities I have now, I thought someone would be watching me.
-I see.
Well, I wasn’t smart enough to be thinking, “Comparative to Tokyo…” so I didn’t think it was that unfair (w). In the end I was just thinking about how to stand out more than anyone. Even when I performed with Kanjani8 in their live, I thought I would try to stand out the most. Oftentimes I was described as “Evil minded!”
-You’re very positive, but were there times you wanted to quit?
Oftentimes I see my senpai in television of magazines, “I have wanted to quit.” I would always think, although I wouldn’t actually say it, “Then quit already!” “I’m trying my hardest over here. If you want to quit then just shut up and quit already!” Despite thinking that, if I look back, I did have times where I wanted to quit too (w).
-When is that?
There were three times. When I moved up from high school to university, when I was 20, and the last time was last May. Especially that last time, I seriously considered quitting.
-In 2004, you became members with Nakama-kun in B.A.D.
At first there were three, and the two were the older ones. It felt like I was with older brothers.
-You and Nakama-kun’s personality are complete opposites.
That’s true.
-Did you always get along?
There’s no point in hiding it so I’ll say it, but we didn’t get on. Actually, we were on rather bad terms (w). The things we said and did were completely opposite. At the least I thought we didn’t match at all.
-How did you eventually get on?
Slowly. “Different from what I would think, there’s another way to think about this,” I was eventually able to feel. He has something I don’t have. Something that was big was when it was decided there would be a concert with just Kansai Juniors. Seeing Junta on stage laughing, there was a moment where I thought, “Even in ten years, we’ll probably be laughing together.”
- It’s been more than ten years now since you’ve met.
I’m glad I met him. I’m the type that doesn’t like being alone. Even for eating out, I don’t go alone very much. Recently, I went out to eat alone, and in a group mail I sent out to my members “I’m eating this right now!” and everyone responded back “It looks yummy,” but Junta actually came to the restaurant. “Because I’m hungry,” he would only say. He won’t say things out loud like “You don’t like being on your own,” but he will draw close to me. I’m happy that we were able to be together. Thank you, I would think.
-In 2007 when Hey!Say!Jump debuted, what did you think?
Although there were people who were younger than me, there was also Yabu-kun and the others, so it didn’t feel like they were a next generation group… But when JUMP were put together, I performed lives with them. To be honest, it was frustrating.
-After that, you graduated high school. Like you said before, this is the first time you considered quitting.
Right. Despite looking like this, I’m secretly a worrier (w). When other kids would be called as guests and I wouldn’t, I would think “Why?” and it would be very heavy on my chest. Almost panicking. Like, what did I do wrong? And my peers would be going to university, or working. Vaguely, I thought “Maybe I can’t do this anymore.”
-From an outside person’s view, it did look like your career was progressing though.
I’m the type to look ahead in the future. Like I’m always looking one step ahead. That’s why I was quick to give up.
-But, you didn’t quit.
“Once I do this live, then I’ll quit,” and I did a live. Then, a Gokusen producer came to see it. Right after that I got chosen to be in Gokusen.
-That’s great timing. What about when you were 20?
That time, I was vaguely thinking, “Maybe I’ve finally reached my limit.” I was in the living room eating. Then suddenly, my mom told me “Do what you want.” Even though I hadn’t discussed with her or told her anything. But when she told me that, I felt like going on again. Then, right after that, I got chosen to star in “Nagareboshi.” Whenever I think about quitting, I get chosen for something. Right before I was about to quit a third time, my debut was decided. I have good luck.
-I don’t think it’s just that.
Of course, that I got chosen for a job means that my previous efforts have cashed in. But, and I think everyone thinks this; it’s like running around in darkness.
-What do you mean?
Even if you run with all your strength, you don’t know when your efforts will actually pay off. You run, and you run, but if you stop, then it’s possible just 10 metres ahead, or even just one step ahead, there’s a chance your dreams will come true. This is a typical thing to say, but if you quit, if you stop, that’s where it ends. It is difficult. But, even if you think you’ve reached your limit, it’s better to keep running even just one more step.
-I see. I remember, you were quite hard working in “Gokusen.”
That time too, all I wanted was to stand out (w). At the very least I need to leave a mark that I was there.
-I think you did, very much so.
Um. But… This is the first time I’ll say this, but I always felt apologetic about this.
-To whom?
To the Kansai Junior members. I was there representing the Kansai Juniors, but in being in “Gokusen,” I thought maybe the Kansai Juniors would suddenly increase in popularity, but it wasn’t like that at all. I thought maybe it’d be like KAT-TUN and would suddenly come at us, but it wasn’t like that. Even after that, even though I received a lot of chances, Kansai Junior popularity still didn’t increase that much, and I always thought to the Kansai Junior members, “I’m sorry.” Always, “I’m sorry, I’m sorry.”
-When “Gokusen” filming ended, you were in the hospital, right?
…Yes.
-Why?
I had a sudden attack. The cause seems to be over working, and I got an onset of bronchitis. I didn’t have it when I was young. Now, when the seasons change, sometimes it comes back to me.
-Well then, the defective hearing in your right ear, when was that from?
That was from when the Kansai Junior tour started.
-I see.
Apparently it was pressure or something mental that was the cause. Even in the past no matter what stage I stood on, I didn’t feel any nerves at all. I look a bit “The Wild!” right? But, even if the way I look and my heart are wild, my body is the type to become frightened (w). There were times when I was told that I was like the Kansai Junior’s leader-type existence, but the pressure I felt when I couldn’t contribute anything, was very big. I wanted to run away, and even if I pretended like I was fine, my body was freaking out.
-I see.
Now I’m alright, so it’s fine. At my ear I heard noises as if a helicopter was flying nearby, or the sound of my blood flowing through my body. In order to erase those sounds, when I was alone, I would think a lot in my head, like “I should have done that,” or, “That thing I definitely cannot fail at.” For me, silence is too loud. That’s why, I can rest more when I am talking to others; I don’t like being alone.
-That’s why you don’t like eating alone.
Yes. Especially that time period of my life, since I was particularly unstable then. I felt strongly apologetic that I couldn’t increase the popularity of the Kansai Juniors, but if someone other than me was invited to a job, then I would also feel “As I thought, I’m not good enough.” But, I thought, Kiriyama Akito must be the kind of person that must keep laughing, so in front of people I kept laughing. When I was thinking that kind of thing, I couldn’t tell anyone my struggles.
-Were there people that supported you?
Once, when I didn’t know what to do, I consulted Yasuda (Shota)-kun. “Be the kind of person that can enjoy other people’s success,” he told me. I was saved by those words. At that point, many things came as a flashback to me. Whenever someone else got picked for a job, I would be filled with worry and unhappiness. But, when I got picked for dramas, the Kansai Juniors would always support me. “Ganbare! Ganbarena!”
-You realized you were being supported.
It wasn’t that I pulled the Kansai Juniors. They have always been my support. It might have looked like I was going more and more ahead alone. But, the reason I could do that was because of the Kansai Juniors. Before, when I was comparing Kansai to Tokyo and I said something about how it is unfair, you can change the way you look at it from a demerit to a merit. The lack of time when we couldn’t be behind our senpai, that much more time was spent being together longer. It’s not like manager-san could come often, so when kouhai were late, the senpai would properly scold them. I think our bonds are much deeper. We all support each other. Kansai Juniors are all one family.
-What did you think about (Nakayama) Yuma-kun?
Immediately after Yuma got in, I could see him, his debut. As if he was my own kid (w). I thought, “This guy will definitely debut.” That’s why, even though there should have been growing feelings of frustration, it wasn’t like that at all. Plus, even if it looked like he easily debuted, moreso than it seemed to those around him, I think it was hard for him.
-In 2011, Sexy Zone and ABC-Z’s debut was announced.
That was the time when I most thought “This is bad.” Usually the group to debut next is predictable. “After Kisumai, won’t it be Kansai Juniors?” they were saying. But, it wasn’t us. Once again, I wasn’t able to answer the expectations of those around me.
-The third time you thought of quitting was May of 2013, you said.
Yes. With Junta-kun and Hama-chan, the three of us spoke about approaching Johnny-san and telling him “We want to debut.” “If we can’t now, then there’s no debut in the future for us,” we were saying. If even telling him our feelings doesn’t work, I was thinking I would quit then. If we tried this much and still can’t, then it must be impossible.
-What did he say to you?
“That’s really difficult,” he answered curtly.
-Although you went prepared, your feelings didn’t reach him.
But, the next day, he contacted recording companies for us. He started to make moves towards our debuting. We talked a lot after that. I thought for our group name it could be something with “Johnny’s” attached to it, and he said “Yes, that’s good,” and other such discussions. Johnny-san also suggested “For your group name, what about 7WEST?” and I said “No, that already exists” (w). Since we had those kinds of discussions, I assumed that we would debut as a 7. Then at the end of the year, “The four of you,” we were told…
-And that’s when you decided you would go forward as a 4.
Yes.
-This is a bit harsh, but wasn’t that decision cruel?
Yes. I think so too. We discussed this a lot as a four, but, especially Shige (Shigeoka) was until the very last moment attached to the idea of the 7 of us.
-I see.
When I first heard that it was just us four, about to cry, I called Tackey (Takizawa). “I thought it would be the 7 of us…” I said. Then he responded, “What do you want to do?” “I want to do it with the 7 of us,” I replied. “The way you respond to the situation now, the group can change radically. The lives of the three can change radically as well,” he said. That’s exactly right, I thought, and I worried even more. If the three were to be added so that we would become 7, will that be a positive thing for the 3 of them? I didn’t know.
-Would it be so?
Because, if they were added and it became a 4+3 situation… Plus, they might get a chance next, and to forcefully attach them, and play with the lives of the three… I worried a lot… But even then I wanted the 7. I called Johnny-san. He wasn’t there so I left a voicemail, “I would like to work as a 7.” But, when we were called together next, we were still a four. I thought, I guess we really have to accept it now. The four of us were in shock, and I told myself, we can’t be lost anymore, “We can’t look back anymore,” I said to them. I didn’t abandon the three, but if we keep focusing on the member number, the four of us wouldn’t have a future either. Of course it would be better with the 7 of us. But, and even though this is harsh, right now, we just have to do what we can with all our strength. We can’t drag this out. I didn’t tell the others about the voicemail, so in the point of view of the other three, they might have thought, “You’ve already accepted it?” “Aren’t you too cold?” And that’s how we headed towards the Countdown.
-For the three that weren’t chosen, did you speak to them?
We had a concert on January 4th, and we met them, but it was very difficult. But more than us, it must have been much more difficult for the three of them. And not just the 7 of us either, but the other Kansai Juniors as well. For us to say “Sorry,” wouldn’t be right either, and I thought to interact with them normally would be best, but I couldn’t.
-So how did you become a 7?
When we were on stage together in the concert, they felt like my family, and it hit very close to home. The three of them have tons of qualities that we don’t have as well. I thought, definitely, as a 7, we could succeed. After the concert, I contacted the all the members. “I don’t want it to be like this, but possibly, if the three of them are added, they might be treated as our backdancers. Even then, is it okay?”
-How did everyone respond?
Everyone said, “Even then, that’s okay.” I worried a lot about the member numbers, and what could I do, and felt powerless. If I make one mistake, I could make a lot of people upset. But hearing that answer, I made my decision. I called Johnny-san again, and, for the first time, from my own mouth, I directly told him, “We would like to work as a 7.” Then, he responded, “It’s your guys’ own decision, so you take responsibility, and you do it right.”
-Looking back, what do you think about the string of events before your debut?
We don’t think that it’s because of the strength of the four of us that we were able to become a 7. Even after the four-group debuted was announced, Johnny-san still asked us, “Do you want to be a 4? Would you rather 7?” I think he could never truly decide.
-Are there no worries about the job activities of your 7?
Considering the entertainment industry and how it works, it might have been better as a four. It might be…. But, that doesn’t matter. That’s not what it’s about. Even if the four is the correct form, it would still leave an uncomfortable feeling for us; whether we’ll succeed, or whether we’ll fail, we don’t know, but, even if we fail as a 7, that is what we want. Of course, if it’s us 7, I have confidence that we definitely will not fail. It’s just, that is the thought I have prepared myself for. I think we were able to become a 7 because the three of them did not give up.”
-I see.
And, because we crossed the starting line as a 7, we aren’t 4+3. The 7 of us, we are all side by side on a straight sideways line. From here onwards, it’s whoever stands out that wins.
-It’s unusual for a group to cause fans this much worry.
Right (w). That’s even more reason why we want to sell, with the 7 of us. From now on whatever much we can do will become our repayment to the fans. We don’t think we’ve even become national yet, and we’ve yet got much to go. We’re still at the stage where with “Yoi, don!” the starting pistol has rang, our right foot still in the air. There’s still much much much left to go. We start now.
-Lastly, what was the moment where you felt strongest “I’m happy it’s the 7 of us”?
That would be this year March when we went to Hawaii. On a hill top over 3000m, with the sunset behind us, we were supposed to take a photo with the seven us, but there was huge downpour (w). It looked definitely impossible. But, at the moment where the sunset looked the prettiest, just that one moment the rain clouds went away. The sunset came out, and the sky became a pretty pink. When I saw that sunset with the 7 of us, that’s when I thought it. ‘Because it’s the 7 of us, the sun shined. That it is the 7 of us, I am glad.’
I would say prepare a box of tissues, cos some of this stuff is pretty… ;_____________;
[I will be translating Hamachan's if no one else does, as well as the other members' that don't get translated (I know someone is doing Kotaki's and I'm sure (?) someone will pick up Shige)]
*I used scans from yoshiko-mama (lj) to translate!
** (w) = lol
-The day of the Countdown, it was announced that the four of you, Nakama (Junta)-kun, Shigeoka (Daiki)-kun, Kotaki (Nozomu)-kun, and Kiriyama (Akito)-kun, would debut. Were you not feeling conflicted then?
Of course, I want to debut with the 7 of us, I had thought. …But, and I don’t know how people will take these words, I did at that point prepare myself, “Let’s do it with the 4 of us.”
-I see.
Hama-chan (Hamada Takahiro), Kami-chan (Kamiyama Tomohiro), (Fujii) Ryusei… Of course it would be better if the 3 of them were in as well. But, I thought, I thought for us to say “We want them as well” would be ridiculous. “Debuting isn’t that simple of a thing, right?” I thought. If we said that we wanted them, there were other Kansai Juniors as well. There’s not one person there that hasn’t worked hard. Everyone would think “Well then, let me in as well.”
-That’s true.
I thought a lot about it. But, for us to speak out just because of our emotions against the decision of a Jimusho that knows a lot about the workings of the industry, with our complete lack of knowledge and experience, I thought, would be naïve of us. Debuting isn’t as light of a thing as that. At the point where it was decided that it would be the four of us, for us to throw out “But what if it were the 7 of us,” wouldn’t go well. That’s why, during the Countdown, I prepared myself, “We’ll debut with the four of us.”
-Well then, let’s trace back your history up till your debut. Your birthday is August 31st, right?
Yes, the very last day of summer. Sort of happy, yet sort of sad. Why did it have to be that day? Mom, why couldn’t you have waited one more day? (w)
-The kanji for “Akito” is pretty unique.
Oftentimes I would get called “Terushi” or “Terufumi.” But, I quite like how it’s a different way of reading it than the typical way. [**The character for Akito isn’t typically read ‘Akito’]. Recently, something that made me happy is when I type “Kiriyama Akito” on my phone, it automatically replaces with the correct kanji. It really drives home the fact that I’ve debuted.
-What were you like when you were younger?
I was quite mischievous. I have a brother who’s four years older, and we would fight a lot. Also, I was cunning (w). I loved cup ramen, but my mom would usually make dinner, so only during Saturday lunches could I eat it. If I just said normally “I want to eat it,” it wouldn’t work, but if I opened the lid first, and then I would say, “I accidentally opened it, can I eat it?” (w). Also, from when I was young, I would talk, sing, and dance in front of people, using a neighbors’ garage as a stage.
-From a pretty early in your life you started learning dance, right?
From right before I moved up from pre-school, my mom asked me “There’s a class that where you can learn dances and musicals?” and I answered, “I’ll do it!”
-Were you interested in dancing?
Not at all. “Dance?! Is that yummy?” was the extent of interest I had (w). But, “I could do something different from other people!” I thought.
-You wanted to do something different from other people.
I wouldn’t say strange, but I wanted to go the area where there were less people. Simply, I wanted to stand out (w). I used to do soccer, but since it was popular there was a lot of people, so all I thought about was how to skip.
-Did you ever skip dance?
I’ve never missed one lesson. Because it was fun. I couldn’t dance at all in the beginning, but, and even now it’s like this, when I think “I can’t do it,” it becomes fun. Instead of becoming upset, I would think, “Definitely, I’ll learn how to do it!!” Like I couldn’t understand why I couldn’t do it, or I couldn’t forgive it.
-Did you have any dreams then?
When I was in third grade, I decided, “I’ll definitely go into the entertainment industry.” There was one moment that really pushed me into it, and that was when I told me teacher “I want to be in SMAP.” Then, the teacher said jokingly, “It’s impossible for Akito~”. I was serious about it so it made me angry. “I’ll definitely do it!” I thought. That’s why it wasn’t “Do I want to go into the entertainment industry?” or “Can I get in?”, it was “I’ll get in!” I’m grateful for that teacher now. He lit the fuse.
-He really did.
At the time I liked Smap-san and Kinki Kids-san. I’m a bit weird, but I often had dreams of me being the third member of Kinki kids. For some reason our concerts would take place in my neighbors’ garage (w).
-By the way, in your dreams what was Kiriyama-kun’s position?
Centre (w).
-You sent your resume by yourself to the agency?
I sent it in the summer of my 6th grade. But I didn’t hear anything for about a year. In middle school I was going to multiple dance classes. For one of those the President said to me, “You don’t have to pay for the classes, so would you like to enter this course for people looking to become professionals?”
-People were expecting things of you.
For the first time in my life, I had a conversation with my family, “I have something to say so please listen.” But, I got told “You can’t.” Even if the class fees were free, the materials would still be expensive. My household wasn’t very wealthy. “When I’m able to starting working I’ll pay it off,” I told them, but just having the emotions “I want to do it,” sometimes there are cases where that isn’t enough. The next day, I got a notice from the Johnny’s Agency about auditions.
-That’s amazing timing. How was your audition?
I went with a Mohawk.
-Eh? You were a yankee?
It wasn’t like I spent all my time fighting. Since elementary I was mixing with adults dancing, so looking at the adaults around me, I thought “That hairstyle, it’s cool” and I copied. Once my dad said “Let’s try getting your hair curled,” and he took me to a hair parlour. Then, it turned out like a punch-pama [**Super tiny curls that old ladies tend to have**] (w). Anyway, I started a Mohawk when I moved up to middle school thinking “I won’t be underestimated.”
-It’s amazing you got into Johnny’s with that.
Right? (w). Plus, I had a huge mouth. There was a tv programme called “The Yoru Mo Hippare,” and Ohno (Satoshi) kun and other juniors were in a unit called MA on that show. In my audition interview, I said “I will easily trump MA-san!”
-Hahahahaha.
And, during my interview, at the doorway leaning against the wall, there was this old man watching me. Since he kept watching me I glared at him like, “Who is this guy?” (w)
-Perhaps, is that….
Yup (w). But, at the time I didn’t know. After my audition I got told “We’ll contact you by phone later,” and that’s how it ended.
-Did you think you got in?
I said some pretty arrogant things, I thought maybe I didn’t get in. But, that night, I got a phone call, “Next, please go there.” “I got in!” I thought.
-The guy you glared at in your interview, when did you find out he was the President (Johnny-san)?
Udon is my favourite food, and when I got called to Kanjani8-san’s stage plays, that same old man would always treat me to udon. He would come and touch my Mohawk, “You, not only your face, but your hair is rugged-looking too.” That’s why in my mind, I only recognized him as the old man that would treat me to udon. But one day I asked “Who are you?” and he responded “I’m Johnny Kitagawa” (w).
-Hahahaha. I hear he’s called you “busaiku” before.
Ah~, that was when 2, 3 years into joining. He said “You are busaiku, but your heart is pretty” (w).
-Did you progress uniformly in your juniors activities?
Not at all. Hamachan entered at the same time as me, but Hamachan immediately entered a group called BOYS. He held a mike and sang, and I was jealous. When I was on the stage, I was in the very back. Beyond the drums, even beyond the lights decorations. “Why is it like this!” I thought; I was frustrated.
-What did you think about debuting?
I wanted to debut. But, more than that, I wanted for the people in front of me to have fun, and I kept thinking, “I want to stand out! I want to be famous!” The one who stands out is the winner.
-But at that time, you were told, “In Kansai no idols are born.”
The area has a very strong association with owarai, so. Comparatively to the Tokyo Juniors, we have less tv programmes to star on, and less magazine opportunities. To begin with, the number of times you get to stand at the back for your senpai is drastically different.
-With that kind of disadvantage, it’s amazing you weren’t discouraged.
It is true I was jealous of the Tokyo Juniors. But just because we felt disadvantaged, saying that doesn’t start anything. Blaming the place you were born doesn’t do anything. Instead of worrying about a situation in which nothing can be done, it’s better to do the best that you can with what’s right in front of you. Plus, I had a strange kind of confidence in myself. As long as I do my best on the opportunities I have now, I thought someone would be watching me.
-I see.
Well, I wasn’t smart enough to be thinking, “Comparative to Tokyo…” so I didn’t think it was that unfair (w). In the end I was just thinking about how to stand out more than anyone. Even when I performed with Kanjani8 in their live, I thought I would try to stand out the most. Oftentimes I was described as “Evil minded!”
-You’re very positive, but were there times you wanted to quit?
Oftentimes I see my senpai in television of magazines, “I have wanted to quit.” I would always think, although I wouldn’t actually say it, “Then quit already!” “I’m trying my hardest over here. If you want to quit then just shut up and quit already!” Despite thinking that, if I look back, I did have times where I wanted to quit too (w).
-When is that?
There were three times. When I moved up from high school to university, when I was 20, and the last time was last May. Especially that last time, I seriously considered quitting.
-In 2004, you became members with Nakama-kun in B.A.D.
At first there were three, and the two were the older ones. It felt like I was with older brothers.
-You and Nakama-kun’s personality are complete opposites.
That’s true.
-Did you always get along?
There’s no point in hiding it so I’ll say it, but we didn’t get on. Actually, we were on rather bad terms (w). The things we said and did were completely opposite. At the least I thought we didn’t match at all.
-How did you eventually get on?
Slowly. “Different from what I would think, there’s another way to think about this,” I was eventually able to feel. He has something I don’t have. Something that was big was when it was decided there would be a concert with just Kansai Juniors. Seeing Junta on stage laughing, there was a moment where I thought, “Even in ten years, we’ll probably be laughing together.”
- It’s been more than ten years now since you’ve met.
I’m glad I met him. I’m the type that doesn’t like being alone. Even for eating out, I don’t go alone very much. Recently, I went out to eat alone, and in a group mail I sent out to my members “I’m eating this right now!” and everyone responded back “It looks yummy,” but Junta actually came to the restaurant. “Because I’m hungry,” he would only say. He won’t say things out loud like “You don’t like being on your own,” but he will draw close to me. I’m happy that we were able to be together. Thank you, I would think.
-In 2007 when Hey!Say!Jump debuted, what did you think?
Although there were people who were younger than me, there was also Yabu-kun and the others, so it didn’t feel like they were a next generation group… But when JUMP were put together, I performed lives with them. To be honest, it was frustrating.
-After that, you graduated high school. Like you said before, this is the first time you considered quitting.
Right. Despite looking like this, I’m secretly a worrier (w). When other kids would be called as guests and I wouldn’t, I would think “Why?” and it would be very heavy on my chest. Almost panicking. Like, what did I do wrong? And my peers would be going to university, or working. Vaguely, I thought “Maybe I can’t do this anymore.”
-From an outside person’s view, it did look like your career was progressing though.
I’m the type to look ahead in the future. Like I’m always looking one step ahead. That’s why I was quick to give up.
-But, you didn’t quit.
“Once I do this live, then I’ll quit,” and I did a live. Then, a Gokusen producer came to see it. Right after that I got chosen to be in Gokusen.
-That’s great timing. What about when you were 20?
That time, I was vaguely thinking, “Maybe I’ve finally reached my limit.” I was in the living room eating. Then suddenly, my mom told me “Do what you want.” Even though I hadn’t discussed with her or told her anything. But when she told me that, I felt like going on again. Then, right after that, I got chosen to star in “Nagareboshi.” Whenever I think about quitting, I get chosen for something. Right before I was about to quit a third time, my debut was decided. I have good luck.
-I don’t think it’s just that.
Of course, that I got chosen for a job means that my previous efforts have cashed in. But, and I think everyone thinks this; it’s like running around in darkness.
-What do you mean?
Even if you run with all your strength, you don’t know when your efforts will actually pay off. You run, and you run, but if you stop, then it’s possible just 10 metres ahead, or even just one step ahead, there’s a chance your dreams will come true. This is a typical thing to say, but if you quit, if you stop, that’s where it ends. It is difficult. But, even if you think you’ve reached your limit, it’s better to keep running even just one more step.
-I see. I remember, you were quite hard working in “Gokusen.”
That time too, all I wanted was to stand out (w). At the very least I need to leave a mark that I was there.
-I think you did, very much so.
Um. But… This is the first time I’ll say this, but I always felt apologetic about this.
-To whom?
To the Kansai Junior members. I was there representing the Kansai Juniors, but in being in “Gokusen,” I thought maybe the Kansai Juniors would suddenly increase in popularity, but it wasn’t like that at all. I thought maybe it’d be like KAT-TUN and would suddenly come at us, but it wasn’t like that. Even after that, even though I received a lot of chances, Kansai Junior popularity still didn’t increase that much, and I always thought to the Kansai Junior members, “I’m sorry.” Always, “I’m sorry, I’m sorry.”
-When “Gokusen” filming ended, you were in the hospital, right?
…Yes.
-Why?
I had a sudden attack. The cause seems to be over working, and I got an onset of bronchitis. I didn’t have it when I was young. Now, when the seasons change, sometimes it comes back to me.
-Well then, the defective hearing in your right ear, when was that from?
That was from when the Kansai Junior tour started.
-I see.
Apparently it was pressure or something mental that was the cause. Even in the past no matter what stage I stood on, I didn’t feel any nerves at all. I look a bit “The Wild!” right? But, even if the way I look and my heart are wild, my body is the type to become frightened (w). There were times when I was told that I was like the Kansai Junior’s leader-type existence, but the pressure I felt when I couldn’t contribute anything, was very big. I wanted to run away, and even if I pretended like I was fine, my body was freaking out.
-I see.
Now I’m alright, so it’s fine. At my ear I heard noises as if a helicopter was flying nearby, or the sound of my blood flowing through my body. In order to erase those sounds, when I was alone, I would think a lot in my head, like “I should have done that,” or, “That thing I definitely cannot fail at.” For me, silence is too loud. That’s why, I can rest more when I am talking to others; I don’t like being alone.
-That’s why you don’t like eating alone.
Yes. Especially that time period of my life, since I was particularly unstable then. I felt strongly apologetic that I couldn’t increase the popularity of the Kansai Juniors, but if someone other than me was invited to a job, then I would also feel “As I thought, I’m not good enough.” But, I thought, Kiriyama Akito must be the kind of person that must keep laughing, so in front of people I kept laughing. When I was thinking that kind of thing, I couldn’t tell anyone my struggles.
-Were there people that supported you?
Once, when I didn’t know what to do, I consulted Yasuda (Shota)-kun. “Be the kind of person that can enjoy other people’s success,” he told me. I was saved by those words. At that point, many things came as a flashback to me. Whenever someone else got picked for a job, I would be filled with worry and unhappiness. But, when I got picked for dramas, the Kansai Juniors would always support me. “Ganbare! Ganbarena!”
-You realized you were being supported.
It wasn’t that I pulled the Kansai Juniors. They have always been my support. It might have looked like I was going more and more ahead alone. But, the reason I could do that was because of the Kansai Juniors. Before, when I was comparing Kansai to Tokyo and I said something about how it is unfair, you can change the way you look at it from a demerit to a merit. The lack of time when we couldn’t be behind our senpai, that much more time was spent being together longer. It’s not like manager-san could come often, so when kouhai were late, the senpai would properly scold them. I think our bonds are much deeper. We all support each other. Kansai Juniors are all one family.
-What did you think about (Nakayama) Yuma-kun?
Immediately after Yuma got in, I could see him, his debut. As if he was my own kid (w). I thought, “This guy will definitely debut.” That’s why, even though there should have been growing feelings of frustration, it wasn’t like that at all. Plus, even if it looked like he easily debuted, moreso than it seemed to those around him, I think it was hard for him.
-In 2011, Sexy Zone and ABC-Z’s debut was announced.
That was the time when I most thought “This is bad.” Usually the group to debut next is predictable. “After Kisumai, won’t it be Kansai Juniors?” they were saying. But, it wasn’t us. Once again, I wasn’t able to answer the expectations of those around me.
-The third time you thought of quitting was May of 2013, you said.
Yes. With Junta-kun and Hama-chan, the three of us spoke about approaching Johnny-san and telling him “We want to debut.” “If we can’t now, then there’s no debut in the future for us,” we were saying. If even telling him our feelings doesn’t work, I was thinking I would quit then. If we tried this much and still can’t, then it must be impossible.
-What did he say to you?
“That’s really difficult,” he answered curtly.
-Although you went prepared, your feelings didn’t reach him.
But, the next day, he contacted recording companies for us. He started to make moves towards our debuting. We talked a lot after that. I thought for our group name it could be something with “Johnny’s” attached to it, and he said “Yes, that’s good,” and other such discussions. Johnny-san also suggested “For your group name, what about 7WEST?” and I said “No, that already exists” (w). Since we had those kinds of discussions, I assumed that we would debut as a 7. Then at the end of the year, “The four of you,” we were told…
-And that’s when you decided you would go forward as a 4.
Yes.
-This is a bit harsh, but wasn’t that decision cruel?
Yes. I think so too. We discussed this a lot as a four, but, especially Shige (Shigeoka) was until the very last moment attached to the idea of the 7 of us.
-I see.
When I first heard that it was just us four, about to cry, I called Tackey (Takizawa). “I thought it would be the 7 of us…” I said. Then he responded, “What do you want to do?” “I want to do it with the 7 of us,” I replied. “The way you respond to the situation now, the group can change radically. The lives of the three can change radically as well,” he said. That’s exactly right, I thought, and I worried even more. If the three were to be added so that we would become 7, will that be a positive thing for the 3 of them? I didn’t know.
-Would it be so?
Because, if they were added and it became a 4+3 situation… Plus, they might get a chance next, and to forcefully attach them, and play with the lives of the three… I worried a lot… But even then I wanted the 7. I called Johnny-san. He wasn’t there so I left a voicemail, “I would like to work as a 7.” But, when we were called together next, we were still a four. I thought, I guess we really have to accept it now. The four of us were in shock, and I told myself, we can’t be lost anymore, “We can’t look back anymore,” I said to them. I didn’t abandon the three, but if we keep focusing on the member number, the four of us wouldn’t have a future either. Of course it would be better with the 7 of us. But, and even though this is harsh, right now, we just have to do what we can with all our strength. We can’t drag this out. I didn’t tell the others about the voicemail, so in the point of view of the other three, they might have thought, “You’ve already accepted it?” “Aren’t you too cold?” And that’s how we headed towards the Countdown.
-For the three that weren’t chosen, did you speak to them?
We had a concert on January 4th, and we met them, but it was very difficult. But more than us, it must have been much more difficult for the three of them. And not just the 7 of us either, but the other Kansai Juniors as well. For us to say “Sorry,” wouldn’t be right either, and I thought to interact with them normally would be best, but I couldn’t.
-So how did you become a 7?
When we were on stage together in the concert, they felt like my family, and it hit very close to home. The three of them have tons of qualities that we don’t have as well. I thought, definitely, as a 7, we could succeed. After the concert, I contacted the all the members. “I don’t want it to be like this, but possibly, if the three of them are added, they might be treated as our backdancers. Even then, is it okay?”
-How did everyone respond?
Everyone said, “Even then, that’s okay.” I worried a lot about the member numbers, and what could I do, and felt powerless. If I make one mistake, I could make a lot of people upset. But hearing that answer, I made my decision. I called Johnny-san again, and, for the first time, from my own mouth, I directly told him, “We would like to work as a 7.” Then, he responded, “It’s your guys’ own decision, so you take responsibility, and you do it right.”
-Looking back, what do you think about the string of events before your debut?
We don’t think that it’s because of the strength of the four of us that we were able to become a 7. Even after the four-group debuted was announced, Johnny-san still asked us, “Do you want to be a 4? Would you rather 7?” I think he could never truly decide.
-Are there no worries about the job activities of your 7?
Considering the entertainment industry and how it works, it might have been better as a four. It might be…. But, that doesn’t matter. That’s not what it’s about. Even if the four is the correct form, it would still leave an uncomfortable feeling for us; whether we’ll succeed, or whether we’ll fail, we don’t know, but, even if we fail as a 7, that is what we want. Of course, if it’s us 7, I have confidence that we definitely will not fail. It’s just, that is the thought I have prepared myself for. I think we were able to become a 7 because the three of them did not give up.”
-I see.
And, because we crossed the starting line as a 7, we aren’t 4+3. The 7 of us, we are all side by side on a straight sideways line. From here onwards, it’s whoever stands out that wins.
-It’s unusual for a group to cause fans this much worry.
Right (w). That’s even more reason why we want to sell, with the 7 of us. From now on whatever much we can do will become our repayment to the fans. We don’t think we’ve even become national yet, and we’ve yet got much to go. We’re still at the stage where with “Yoi, don!” the starting pistol has rang, our right foot still in the air. There’s still much much much left to go. We start now.
-Lastly, what was the moment where you felt strongest “I’m happy it’s the 7 of us”?
That would be this year March when we went to Hawaii. On a hill top over 3000m, with the sunset behind us, we were supposed to take a photo with the seven us, but there was huge downpour (w). It looked definitely impossible. But, at the moment where the sunset looked the prettiest, just that one moment the rain clouds went away. The sunset came out, and the sky became a pretty pink. When I saw that sunset with the 7 of us, that’s when I thought it. ‘Because it’s the 7 of us, the sun shined. That it is the 7 of us, I am glad.’