10,000 word long interview: Kotaki Nozomu
“The possibility of debuting as 7 is not zero.”
When your group name was presented as “Johnny’s WEST 4” at the countdown, what were your thoughts?
I’m not sure if it’s okay to say this… I couldn’t smile about it, to be honest. I didn’t want to present it like that.
I’m going to ask something tough, but what did you think of the other three being left out?
I couldn’t bring myself to say anything about us debuting as 4. It was a very heavy weight on me. I didn’t think it would be tough after that though. I’m really good friends with those 3, but I couldn’t say it. When I finally did tell them, it was a short time before the countdown. I mailed the 3 of them. They replied, saying “Thanks for thinking of us,” but I didn’t feel like they were saying it from the heart. My heart had never experienced something so tough in my life. I never want to have that feeling again.
It was tough huh.
But, it wasn’t like the announcement and the debut were not at the same time, so even though it was weak, the 4 of us had hope. “We might still be able to pull this off.” “The possibility of debuting as 7 is not zero,” things like that.
So the case of debuting as 7 was heard in the past too?
Yes.
What kind of kid were you when you were little?
Hmm… in Kindergarten and Elementary School, it was like I was the center of the class. Not the leader though. I didn’t really get to know people, or get close to people. I just liked making people laugh.
Be honest, were you popular?
When I was in Kindergarten, I got 20, no, 30 chocolates on Valentines Day. But, I wonder?! In Kindergarten, don’t you give them out to everyone? I don’t think I was popular.
No no no, that means you were plenty popular. (Laugh) Did you start soccer when you were in Kindergarten?
I was tall, so I was invited by the coach to try it out. I also played tennis. I used to go to a (tennis) school with my older sis.
You’re famous for your older sister being your weak spot, aren’t you.
Since she’s 7 years older than me, and has me saved in her phone as “Son,” It’s like I have two mothers who are bringing me up.
Did you two get along well from the start?
We used to fight a lot when we were younger. Since I complained a lot, she used to tell me, “Don’t bark like a weak dog!” I remember that even now. Things like that made me so upset, I took off my socks and threw them at her. (laugh)
Hahahaha. Is she putting up with her younger brother becoming distant recently?
We already put a stop to that. Not too long ago, she put a lot of energy into giving me kisses on the cheek, so I said “Hey, that’s too much isn’t it?”. And then we became a little distant. I also had to go to Tokyo a lot, so it was like I was breaking away. But it would be crazy for me to do such a thing, so when I told her “It’s not like that,” things went back to the way they were.
You get along with your parents well too, right? The other members say that “The family love at the Kotaki house is some serious stuff!”
We get along so well that I’m often told, “Your relationship with your family is strange.” Even now, we all go out to eat together at least twice a month, and then everyone sings “Eejyanaika” at Karaoke afterwards and stuff (laugh). I go out and see movies with my Mom and stuff too. I invite her by saying, “This looks interesting so why don’t we go.”
You didn’t have a rebellious age?
I didn’t. I really love my family, and I can’t even say things like “old hag!” I’ve only said things like “Shut up!” maybe once or twice. But I regretted it right after and apologized.
What is the source of all this family love?
You, know, I think about this. I’m really glad my Mother is my Mother. I’m really glad my Father is my Father. I’m really glad my Sister is my Sister. I love them. When I was in 3rd grade, we lost my Grandma, who was living with us. With that, our family love may have unnecessarily gotten stronger. Grandma was kind, you see. I loved her then, and I love her even now. I used to put on her shoes for her, and push her wheelchair. I did everything I could for her, you see.
Was that so.
That’s why from now on, going around to see seniors and sing for them is something I want to do. If the members don’t agree with me, I’ll end up going by myself though (laugh). It’s not really repaying my grandma, but I did want to make her laugh more. Not this part too, but being kind to everyone as well. I want to try doing things like that.
“It’s so easy when we’re together.”
So, when you were little, did you have any dreams?
I wanted to be a soccer player or a hair stylist.
A hair stylist?
I thought it combined my specialties and things I like to do. I like communicating with people, and I’m good with my hands. I used to give my teacher shoulder rubs, so I’m good at massages too (laugh). From a long time ago, I always liked doing things for people, you see. That’s why I was obsessed with being a hair stylist.
You went to your Johnny’s audition when you were in 6th grade. Did you have any interest in being in the entertainment world?
I really wasn’t interested. So much so that when my mom asked me “How about Johnny’s?” I’d respond with “No way!”
Even so?
I would see Yamada (Ryosuke)-kun on Music Station every once in a while. Man he’s awesome, I thought. In that moment, I thought I wanted to be like that. From that day, I recorded Yamada-kun’s volleyball reporting and watched it after coming back home from soccer. I really admired him. If Yamada-kun didn’t exist, I don’t think I would have thought of joining Johnny’s at all. Then, I said “I want to try it too,” and had my resume sent in. I think I sent it in March(of that year). In July of the year I became a 6th grader*, I got a call from Johnny-san…*
(*translator’s note: School in Japan starts in April) (They call Johnny-san “CEO” but I have chosen to refer to him as Johnny-san to avoid confusion)
How was the audition?
The audition I went to was an audition for back dancers for KAT-TUN. They always choose out of 100, but seemed a lot of people hadn’t turned in their paperwork, so there was only 20 of us. It was held at the Kyocera Dome, though. I had a really bad
feeling somehow. It was a place that was hard to adjust to, it was the first time doing this for all of us, and it was a peculiar atmosphere. There were lots of Kansai Jr’s there too. The two members of B.A.D, Akito-kun, and Junta-kun. “Ah, it’s Gokusen!” I thought. And, somehow, Shige was sitting in the seat next to me. He had sparkles coming from him, and just at that time, I thought, “Wow, he really looks like a Johnny’s. This is an idol!”
Just that time, you say. It was only for a limited time, huh~
Right now, he’s just some weird guy.
Did you think you did well at the Audition?
I didn’t think anything of it, whether I’d pass or fail. I really had no idea. But somehow, when it was over, an old guy in sunglasses asked me for my contact information. “What’s “you”r name?” He asked me and I answered. “So ”You” ‘re Kotaki Nozumu, huh.“ “Jeez, who is this guy?” I thought.
That was…
Johnny-san(laugh). Then, on July 30th, just as I was celebrating my birthday and eating dinner with my family, I got a call. I was told, “Come to Tokyo tomorrow.” I left for Tokyo the next day, and was able to observe Hey Say Jump’s SUMMARY and Shonentai’s PLAYZONE.
Was it like you were suddenly in a different world?
Yes. I saw Yamada-kun in SUMMARY, and when I went to see PLAYZONE Nakai-kun was sitting right behind me. It made me quite impatient. I was so nervous that I couldn’t really register how I was doing.
What were your first impressions of Ryusei-kun and Kamiyama-kun?
I met Ryusei and Kamichan for the first time at the photoshoot for the “Shonentachi” pamphlet. My first impression of Ryusei was “Man, he really seems like he has a bad disposition~” (Laugh). Kami-chan had this aura about him and seemed like an actor, I thought.
You were put into Hey Say! 7WEST right after joining the agency despite being new, weren’t you.
Yes.
Was it tough being put into a group without having any experience?
At first, I had sort of a complex, this feeling that I had to catch up. That’s why I was desperate.
Didn’t you have something you wanted to try?
You could say I did. The normal way to go is to back dance for many years and then move up from there. Even so, a guy like myself who had just joined got to hold the mike. To be honest, there were people who looked at me with evil eyes, but I didn’t care. My family did though.
Your family did?
My parents and my sister are worriers. Apparently, they saw a lot of stuff on the internet. Right after I joined Hey Say!7WEST, it seems there were a lot of people that wrote things like “Why is that guy in there!” and other negative things like that.
I see. But, how did you become popular?
I wonder how? Even at that time, I had senpais who were really nice to me.
For example, who?
People like Ryusei. I was still only a 6th grader, and I think he was a 9th grader, but he would often invite me to hang out. He’d call me and ask “What are you up to?” Ryusei was the only person who did things like that.
I see.
Ah, but, I was still doing soccer, so I went to go watch my kouhai’s practice and stuff. I used to turn him down by saying “I’m watching soccer now so I can’t make it.” And I did this twice (laugh). I think he probably doesn’t remember it. But still, the invites continued. He didn’t have a bad disposition at all. He’s nice, I thought.
And now, you get along so well that you buy different colors of the same jeans.
The ones that Ryusei bought were cute, so I ended up buying a different colored pair. Ryusei got blue, and I got a deep grey. But, I wonder. I don’t remember when we started getting along so well.
Is that so.
But, he said to me a long time ago, “You’re like a hometown best bud to me. It’s so easy when we’re together. “ I was so happy that I remember it even now.
Was there anyone else who invited you to do things?
Yuma was really kind to me too. I had the impression of him as someone apart from the Kansai Jr’s from when I joined, but he was really nice to me. From a long time ago, I’ve gotten along well particularly with Ryusei and Yuma, and was invited by them to hang out, the 3 of us. Even now we go out to eat together.
“I think I like being told “Jeez~””
Were your Jr. activities tough?
Hmm, I wonder. At first it took some time before I could be myself, you see. It wasn’t like I closed off my heart or anything, but I just couldn’t bring it out. I was still just a kid after all. It was like I was hiding in a shell. And I didn’t even know it.
What broke that shell?
Talking on the radio and magazines did it I think. I opened up my heart to people little by little, and the shell was broken down. Being with my members became fun. I was all nerves at first, and then it came little by little. But the time that I felt the existence of fans the most was at concerts, you see. We did a total of 3 concerts on our own, and by the second time we were able to break out of our shells. When people you really like are around, you want to be true after all.
Then it wasn’t your intention to make a bunch of personalities and change them around.
That’s right. I just started bringing out my true self. I mean, wouldn’t have come up with “2 to 5 types(of people)” if I didn’t like it. . But recently I’ve been going between 2 or 75 types. (laugh) I hate making characters. I really hate it.
After the second one came out, did you think your popularity would increase?
I figured if I came to hate the first natural “2 to 5 types”, then it couldn’t be helped. From now on I’ll be with the members and the fans always, so isn’t it better to just be myself? I want to live acting naturally.
That’s certainly true.
And the first “2 through 5” were catch copies put on me by the fans. They really liked it. It was even written in fan letters, my “I have 2 to 5 different types of people.” They really see me like that, I’m glad, I thought.
Then, what about being called the “Romance Master”?
I really wonder “Why the heck am I called that!?” but I’m okay with it (laugh). Hama-chan says this all the time, but my childish parts are really very childish. Those who know me look at me from a very close distance.
You blow in the ears and eyes of Kansai Jr’s when they’re sleeping, right?
I do I do. It’s fun, annoying them. I love it when they say “Jeez” with their peeved faces. (laugh) It’s fun, somehow.
You are a complete child (laugh). So what annoying things have you ben doing recently?
When we have plays in Tokyo, we stay in a hotel, and I met Kami-chan, and even though he was going to go back to his room, I called him over saying “Wai-wai-wait” and dragged him to help take out my laundry and stuff. I went to Hama-chan’s room almost every day. I didn’t really have a reason, but we would just talk, and discuss the play and stuff. Hama-chan would play the guitar for a while, and I would sing along, or something like that.
You really love the members.
Yes. So much it’s annoying (laugh).
“We’ll definitely debut.” A promise the four of us made.
Did you have times you wanted to quit when you were a Jr?
I did, I did. Of course there are times when I did. Like when I was a freshman in High School.
What happened?
I don’t know if I can convey it well, but I was wondering if I might be better off on a different path.
Did you consult anyone about it?
I didn’t really have anyone to talk to about such a thing. I thought I couldn’t talk to my members about it, and it would only make my family sad if I told them. I really didn’t want to make them sad. That’s why I kept it locked in my chest.
Did it have something to do with 7WEST changing from 6 members to 4 members?
Hmm… I think so. At first, when we did Hey!Say!7WEST with Yuma, we figured we might be able to debut together. We talked about it, but that disappeared when Yuma started activities with NYC boys.
So, in 2009.
Yes. From then, we aimed to debut as 6, but when I was a Freshman in high school, it came to be that we lost two of them. Before the two of them quit, I tried to console them, but I couldn’t stop them.
Why?
I was worried about the future myself, and felt lost… I felt that I didn’t have the right to determine a person’s life like that. Even if you do your best, you don’t know if you’ll be able to debut. If I couldn’t debut, I’d probably have wished I would have quit back then… I felt like this is their own lives, and they should live it the way they want. That’s why, I was sad of course, but I couldn’t stop them. Even if it might be something that feels so chilling… But now, those two are probably having fun. That’s why, although it was sad, I couldn’t get them to stay.
And then 7WEST went on as Kotaki-kun, Shigeoka-kun, Fuji-kun, and Kamiyama-kun.
Our bond became really strong. The four of us promised, “For the two of them, all 4 of us must debut!” If we hadn’t been able to debut, we’d feel guilty for the two of them, right?
That’s true. But, other than Kanjani8 in 2004, there hasn’t been another group debut from the Kansai Jrs. Honestly, did you feel like it might be tough to debut?
I definitely felt it wouldn’t be easy. But, I have a quote I like by Walt Disney. “If you dream it, you can do it.” (He says the translation in Japanese here). That’s exactly what I thought. If I imagine it, and get a strong image of it, then I think it’s possible in reality. I often imagined myself singing at a dome concert. In front of lots of people, and being wrapped around in the sound of screams. Singing in a dome is something you do after debut, isn’t it. Imagining it and getting a strong image is very important.
I see.
Of course, for your dreams to come true it requires a lot of hard work. That’s why I made a path for retreat, you could say, I set a limit for myself.
A limit?
I decided that if I didn’t debut by the time I graduated high school, then I would quit.
Isn’t that too much of a last spurt?
But if I continued on in that condition, being forced to stand up like that, I would begin to reach a certain limit. If I wasn’t able to debut, I think this year and the next would have been my competition time. If there was a group to debut from the Kansai Jr’s without me in it, I thought I would quit. With the two members of B.A.D, there is also Hamachan. If there became a group like that that increased it’s members and I wasn’t in it… and then next is Naniwa Ouji and Kin Kan’s turn. I can’t join that. Chances don’t come that often. When they do, there is only one. That’s why I decided if I couldn’t debut by the time I graduated high school, I thought I would quit.
“We’re not 4, we’re 7”.
And then last year, talk of your debut finally surfaced.
It did. In September of last year, we had meetings with the office and record companies. That’s why I thought “It’s finally come!” But they took too much time to continue.
Weren’t you shocked?
I think this happens often, but for me this was the second time I’d been set back. “It’s gone. Again?” I thought…
That’s true.
And then, in December the 4 of us were called to Tokyo. I thought it might be to represent the 7 of us. But when I listened to what they had to say, I knew something was amiss. “We’re going with 4,” they said. “4 will sell better and be more profitable.” That may have been true, but for us it was like shutting a door in our faces.
And then, the countdown came up.
Yes. The countdown was tough, but the New Years concert on the 4th of January was also tough. The feeling of the rehearsal was tough. I know this is rude to those who came, but out of all the concerts I’ve done, it was the least enjoyable. I wasn’t having any fun. Doing “Run From You” with Ryusei was different than always.
Did you say anything to the 3 of them?
I couldn’t bring myself to say anything. Even though nothing like that had ever happened in the past. Even though up till then that’s never happened. Words just wouldn’t come out. I didn’t know what I should say. It wouldn’t be like it was before. It was impossible. I think Ryusei also didn’t know what to talk about.
It was hard to get over.
But Ryusei is much stronger than me. He sent me a text. “You don’t need to worry about it!” he said.
But you didn’t give up on debuting as 7.
Especially Shige always kept saying “We would prefer 7”. Probably at that time, I got along with Shige better than anyone. “We’ve been 7 from the beginning, so let’s go with 7.” “That’s right.” Like that. Shige even went to the choreographer on his own and said “We prefer 7.” After that, I was called in and asked “Which do you prefer?”
What did you answer?
“I prefer 7.” I think Akito-kun, and Junta-kun also went that way. And from then on, it seemed as if the winds started to change little by little.
So that’s what happened.
First, we made a big point of taking out the 4 in “Johnny’s WEST”. We talked about getting rid of it, and took it out. And in the end, Johnny-san told us, “All of you must take your own responsibility for this.”
Were you scared of the debut taking shape talks going away? You decided a limit for yourself, and it was a once in a lifetime chance.
I think that certainly might have been the case.
Even so, why did you push for 7 members?
The 7 of us each have unique personalities. That’s why I thought that with 7, we can each bring something good to the table… well, that’s the reason I said, but the truth is much simpler. I love them, the members. (laugh)
In the end it was your love for the members.
I said that quote I like by Disney earlier, right?
Yeah. That “If you can dream it, you can do it” one, right?
Yeah. I wonder from when it was. The image I created of me singing at a dome concert wasn’t me standing alone. It wasn’t me standing with 4 either. It was me with 7.
“Because we are 7 colors we have a future we can draw.”
And then the debut as 7 finally came to be.
Members of the Kansai Jr’s, Family, and fans, all different people celebrated for us, and I was so happy. People I have known in my hometown from Kindergarten to Middle School, as well as my Middle School classmates, and my High School junior class, 50 or 60 people all sent me congratulatory messages. And not just that. My Kindergarten, Elementary School, and Middle School teachers all gave me albums and letters.
That’s something to be happy about. Was there any congratulatory message that left an impression on you?
I had a conversation with Yamada-kun. “That’s great, you guys became 7,” He said to me. I was so happy.
So, from now on as 7, what kind of group do you want to be?
Hmm, I wonder. I want us to be a group that gets people to say “I like the group” instead of “I like this person.” “I like them all. I can’t choose.” Like that(laugh). For example, over me saying “I like 7”, I’d rather people start saying they like all the members one by one. It’s better to be liked as a group, isn’t it. Everyone saying “I like everyone.” If everyone comes to love the members that I love, there would be nothing that could make me happier.
Is there something specific that you would like to do?
First off, I want to do as many concerts as possible. Doing concerts is the most fun, after all. Performing an influencing song, and getting everyone in the place to move is my favorite. That’s why right now, I really want to do a national tour.
The MC’s are interesting at the Johnny’s WEST lives, aren’t they.
Everyone’s so funny! Hama-chan is peculiar, Kami-chan is changing, Ryusei is just a bystander(laugh). Well, Junta-kun seems like he has it tough. Even though 6 of us can do Boke’s(the start of the joke), he’s the only one that can do Tsukkomi’s (the punchline). After all, the people who have been here for a long time have been together for 10 years, and I’ve been with them for 6 years. We have confidence that we can back up each other’s jokes. Everyone is relaxed and can say what they like. My friends have come to concerts and said “You guys are more interesting than comedians,” and I was really happy.
Because it’s the 7 of you, you have time to come to conclusions, and create a certain atmosphere.
We really have a lot of characters, and it makes me glad we’re 7. At that time, I’m really glad I said “I prefer 7.” If I didn’t, I think I would have regretted it my whole life.
It’s good you’re 7.
I really think so. I really really think so! I mean when we were on music programs and stuff, and I watched the broadcast, the members are starting jokes when I didn’t know they were(laugh). It makes me really glad we’re 7. I think so when we’re doing talks too. We have a lot of characters and it’s interesting.
That’s true.
In the end of an album a friend gave me when I debuted, the words “Different colors have different roles” was written at the end. “So cool! That’s really true!” I thought. There are lots of different colors, and when they line up and blend with other colors, they bring each other out, and shine prettily. The 7 of us each have our roles to play. Because we are 7 colors we have a future we can draw.
What a great phrase. By the way, how do you say it in English?
Um…. I forgot how. (laugh)