An interview featuring my two oshis, tomochin & yuko~~~ Originally translated to Chinese by Yuko’s Baidu Bar, taken from repost in Tomochin’s Baidu Bar, before being retranslated to English. Nothing really new in terms of content but I finally understood why Togasaki mentioned that tomochin was scolded in dance class when she danced well since young.
AKB48 EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW by SAGA SHINBUN （佐賀新聞）!
—Believing that dreams will be fulfilled one day.
The core members of top idol group AKB48, Oshima Yuko and Itano Tomomi, were interviewed after their performance in AKB48’s theatre situated in Tokyo, Akihabara. They talked about how they chanced upon their debut, to the hardships they are going through now, the dreams they still harbour and the importance to work towards their dreams.
—What are the areas of difference between the girls of current times and AKB48’s success?
Yuko: I don’t think there is any difference. Shouldn’t everyone be the same to working towards their dreams? I think it’s only a matter of lacking courage. AKB also started with no popularity. To be able to evolve to our current stage is something that no one thought of. We gathered everyone, from the attraction of a flyer with ambiguous content.
—Flyer with ambiguous content?
Yuko: It was a monochromatic one-sided flyer with information related to Akimoto-san’s production plans. It was also published on magazine and distributed on the streets.
—The chance to become an idol started with that flyer.
Tomomi: I have always aspired to be like SPEED-san. So I started learning dance when I was really young, and wanted to become a singer. When I was in junior high, I kind of gave up, but I guess I still wanted to fulfill my dreams ne, just when I was thinking so, I chanced upon the information relating to the audition.
Yuko: I started out as a child actress. While I was considering if I should leave the entertainment industry, news about AKB’s auditions appeared. I treated it as a last chance and joined the auditions.
Tomomi: I went for the auditions when I was in junior high. My mum and younger sister accompanied me there. I never had any similar experiences; I have gone for dance auditions before but not an idol one before. Things like taking photos made me really nervous.
Yuko: During the auditions, everyone were gathered in a waiting room. Although everyone have already gone through some singing and dance practice, those who passed the auditions were already quite striking. “Ah, sure enough, that girl passed the auditions ne”, there were such memories. Even the aura while in the waiting room was different.
—Before stage debut, you must have gone through a lot of practices, please tell us more about it.
Tomomi: Although I had dance experience, but I have never dance a idol-type of dance so it was really tough. Our dance teacher reprimanded that if I danced too HipHop-ish, it will not be an idol dance. “How exactly should I dance ne”, I troubled a lot over this. The way to handle tempo is different, and you have to vary your dance with the lyrics, I was really confused about giving the cute vibes through dance.
—It’s tough enough to remember the dance, yet members’ spots in formation change too. Is it tough to handle that?
Tomomi: If it’s music programmes, sometimes we change the formation position right before it starts. But we forget it immediately.
Yuko: Because the formation change is most probably an one-off thing, so it’s like instantly remembering it and forgetting it right after.
—What are the changes before and after entering AKB?
Yuko: There is a change in our lives. Personally I think we think differently with other girls of our same generation. That will probably be due to the experiences we had after joining AKB that cannot be done outside. The fact that our actions and words give many people courage and energy only became more realistic after meeting a lot more people.
Tomomi: I just had my Coming-of-Age ceremony yesterday and I also went to my junior high school gathering. While I was toasting, I reminded myself that I was there alone so it will be unwise to get drunk. I also felt that I had the responsibility to raise everyone’s spirits. At that moment, I felt that I had changed ne.
—What is a must to be an idol?
Yuko: I think there is a need to work hard to become cute.
Tomomi: To keep pushing yourself to be better.
Yuko: To care about how yourself is portrayed when standing on the stage everyday, performing for people who have come to see you. I think it is crucial to always go into details about yourself. Through AKB’s activities, it will be great if we can transmit the message to people of our generation, of the importance of keep going for your dreams, and that if you try hard enough, they will be fulfilled.
—Let’s have a change of topic, what’s your impression of Saga (佐贺)?
Yuko: Hanawa-san (comedian)! I have also seen a lot of boxes with [Saga Seaweed] written on it; it’s a popular product.
Tomomi: Because I have never been there yet, I will really love to take a look at the place!
Yuko: If only we could go during concert tour……
—Finally, please give a message to the young readers of Saga Shinbun.
Yuko+Tomomi: We are still actively working a step closer to our dreams. Everyone must have their own dreams, it will be great to continue having those dreams regardless of the age you become. We will also like to strive forward together with everyone. As long as you can feel and receive the courage to keep believing that ‘dreams can be fulfilled’, I think it will be possible to keep striving for it!
Tomoland 