Translation: Myojo July 2017 - Yabu Kota 10000 character interview
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-Tenth anniversary since debut. Did it feel long? Or like it had passed in a flash?
It felt really really short. But actually many things did happen in depth. I joined Johnnys when I was in my sixth year of elementary school, and I had 7 years of experience being a junior. In a flash, I had been in Hey Say JUMP longer than I was being a junior. The memories that have accumulated being in JUMP are countless. And that is what that feels deep.
-Do you remember the debut concert you had in Tokyo Dome?
Yes. We had to borrow the strength of Kis-My-Ft2 and A.B.C to put this concert together and there were also members who had complicated feelings about this. But I think this is a Johnnys tradition where it is common for groups who have just debuted to borrow the strength of the seniors. If a new group debuts and say “Do help us”, we will do the same too. So although JUMP then was really weak, at least we did our best to overcome what we had before us. So I think it is okay not to treat the debut as a negative thing, and instead I am able to think “Yeah that did happen” and laugh while reflecting upon it now.
-Then, what do you think was the biggest crisis JUMP faced in your 10 years of history?
Well, there were probably many tough spots we faced, many things did happen. But even so we were in such predicaments, we had concerts throughout spring, summer, autumn and winter. Our starting point in Johnnys was on the stage.
-That’s right
Also, I think it would be rude to the fans if I say now that “those times were tough times” There are people who have come to like us at different timings and through different opportunities. And with that, if we say “those times were tough times”, it would be bad to deny the memories we gave to the people who had liked us during those times. Honestly, many things did happen. There are troubled and regrettable memories too. But as compared to that, there are many more happy times too and we do look forward. It might be intentional but we have never tried to stop growing while moving on and I think that is how we reached the tenth year.
-Once again, congratulations on the tenth year anniversary.
Thank you. But what is really important would be what comes up after the next year. Many people do congratulate us on the tenth year. But there is no meaning to that if we do not become an even bigger group from the 11th year and on the 15th year, 20th year, at each milestone it is important to have even more people congratulating us. Besides, the number of fans celebrating with us at each point is important, but I want to treat the distance with every single person with importance too. Yup. That is why, it isn’t a situation where we should be immersed in the memories of “It is our tenth year”. Rather than celebrating for an entire year, it is more like “Thank you for supporting us up till today!” and it is a year where we convey our gratitude.
-Then, if you had a message to give to the fans while welcoming this tenth year?
It is rather difficult to put them into words now. Of course, I do naturally remember the faces of those who have supported me since a long time ago. There are also people who always use the same uchiwa and I think during the concert “Oh, the colour has somehow faded?” I am happy with uchiwas with fading colours though. It shows how they have been always using it, and how we have spent a long time together. But each time I also have many feelings which the fans have brought to me. On the first day of the tour, I will always be really nervous while standing on the stage. But the moment I see the full house of fans in the audience, I often think “Why was I nervous in the first place?!” I think “In this place, there are only the people that we love and the people who love us. All of us are on the same side!” and that is what I realize then. Of course on the last performance too, I think “I dont want this to end” and I am sure the fans think the same way too. That is why rather giving the fans a message now, I always think the same thing. “Thank you for always being together with me”
-These ten years, was there a moment where you thought that the group had grown?
I wonder when. I was not conscious of it, but the timing when all of us turned twenty was probably huge. When we first debuted, all of us were still in school uniforms. I can still recall how the members look like in uniforms. With that, we took turns to be out of our uniforms and turn twenty and somehow we were prepared to progress and live as JUMP. Chinen often said this “I will have nothing left if I am not an idol”. When I hear such words of preparation from the members, I believe that the 9 of us had the same feelings, and were heading in the same direction. When the youngest member Chinen turned 20, I remember I was exceptionally happy.
-Yabu-kun was always the youngest before you were in JUMP. Was it hard standing in the position as the oldest member in the group?
Yes. And because of that, I often escaped to those who are older than me (laugh). I do use the word escape, but rather than being with those of the same age, being with those a little older than me like Tottsu (Totsuka Shota) or Kitayama (Hiromitsu) helped me in preserving who I was. Now that I think of it, I probably had to keep a balance so that I did not collapse. Of course it did not mean that I didn’t feel at ease in JUMP. When I say “Let’s meet”, there are friends who can meet me immediately and though it isn’t like a second home, it is an environment where I can feel calm and I was able to think I am surrounded by many people.
-Do Kitayama-kun and Totsuka-kun feel like people who are older than you after all?
During our junior days, we basically were of the same status in the same line together and comparingly, we had a flat relationship but Kisumai and A.B.C-Z especially feels like we are from the same generation. We were often together and age did not matter. But sometimes Kitayama tells me “My stomach feels undigested” and then I think ah, he is older after all (laugh)
-With all the interactions with other groups, you all had a Tsukada gathering in March right?
Yes. A.B.C-Z, Kisumai, JUMP, NEWS, and also (Nakayama) Yuma. There were about 10 of us who gathered together. The friends from the same generation are really important. It feels like we admired the relationship between J-FRIENDS (V6, TOKIO, Kinki Kids). And with that, we manage to see a single generation among us. I really love the feeling of how the phrase “Johnnys Family” echoes within me. It is natural that your own group has to be the one and only one, but even so, all of us are Johnnys. We cultivate our own character while having a good relationship and I thought that was ideal. It is also because we felt like comrades after all.
-From the formation of the group till today, tell me how the members have changed and have not changed. Firstly, Yamada-kun.
He is the one I trust most, Yamada. Not Yaotome alright? (laugh) Hikaru is different, he is like something in me that sums me up.
-For example, How do you trust Yamada-kun?
Yamada does the production for the concert now. He does the setlist and order of the songs, and I feel that he is able to work out some kind of formula. For me, I still can’t really get that formula out. This is probably something that Johnny-san knows too. The tour last year which Yamada took part in, that formula he had produced really made me thrilled. Compared to JUMP’s concerts in history, that was the best live ever. That is why I definitely trust Yamada’s intuition. I do trust him, but there are many things that Yamada is holding on to and I do hope to grasp it for him.
-Yamada-kun had thought of quitting at the time of his solo debut (2013)?
I didn’t realize that. I knew he was troubled but I didn’t know it was till that extent… I did reflect upon myself, why did I not notice it? I really regretted it. If I knew that earlier, I would try to talk to him as much as I could. Now when anything happens, Yamada does talk to me too before I tell the other members. Recently he also told me “If Yabu-chan is heading in the same direction as me, I think this group will be fine” Somehow, I don’t know what I should say but I felt really happy.
-At the end of the concert when you do the ending speech, Yamada-kun and Yabu-kun uses eye contact on stage to decide that right?
Ah, yes. We use a silent signal. “How? Shall I do it?” Something like that. I guess because we have accumulated such experience, I can generally tell what Yamada wants to say by eye contact.
-Next, Nakajima-kun
Hmm, I don’t think the relationship between me and Yuto has changed. He has always felt like a little brother to me. He has always been cute. The other day, we went to LArc~en~Ciel’s concert together and it was really fun. Yuto has strong preferences towards the things he likes but he does it with all his effort and that feels good. That has not changed since the past.
-But he used to have a really serious side to himself?
Yes he did. He would not even get jokes which others cracked. But I wasn’t bothered by it. It is because I have known such people too. There were members who did not know what to do with Yuto but for me, I had dealt with someone like Hikaru before, so it felt like “I know how to deal with such a person!” (laugh)
-Hahahahaha
But recently Yuto isn’t that sharp and sarcastic anymore. Probably these two to three years. But even so, there are parts of him which have not changed. Yuto gets embarrassed when he is complimented. That is really cute. When I say “I watched your drama!” and try to impersonate some of Yuto’s lines, he blushes and says “Stop that” and how he does that is really cute. That guy has always been a cute little brother.
-Okamoto-kun?
Keito, I think he has not really changed. In a good meaning. No matter which group you look at, I think there is no one who is like Keito. There isn’t a person like him who is so kind and will not get angry no matter what happens. I think that is his merit. If you ask me “What kind of person is he?” I will say “A kind person”. But in fact not many people will answer “kind” if you ask about some other person right?! That is how kind he is. If you look at things from his viewpoint, you will often tell how he really likes the members alot. Of course not just his kindness, his vision when he wants to do something, he has many of that inside him. He holds his thoughts properly while working towards it.
-Next, Chinen-kun. Both of you are often together right?
That’s right. The distance between me and Chinen has become closer these few years.
-What was the opportunity for it?
I wonder what. But Chinen told me “Often others are the ones who invite me out, but only for Kota, I invite him” I am really happy he thinks like that, and I do hope I will always be a presence like that for him.
-What do both of you talk about when you are together?
Of course we talk about work too, but we also talk alot about soccer and anime. It feels weird but when we are in JUMP and when it is only both of us, the feeling is a little different. If I had to describe our relationship, he doesn’t feel like a little brother, it somehow feels different.
-Like lovers?
Lovers?! I wonder what though. Well, the other day too, Chinen told me “Let’s go and eat. I have about 3-4 hours to spare before my next appointment”. I thought “Huh? Am I someone he contacts just to kill time?” but because I spoil Chinen so I said “Sure” (laugh) After the meal, we watched tv at my house and I said “Chinen, is your time okay? You should go soon?” and I was the one who got nervous. In the end, he also said “It’s raining, do you have an umbrella?” and I lent him an umbrella and sent him off. When I think “Why do I have to care for him so much?” but then the answer always goes “Well, it’s Chinen”. This is our relationship I guess (laugh). Even now after we say byebye after eating, I will worry and think “I wonder if he will get home safely” and always let him get on the taxi first. I always say “You get on the first taxi”
-How about Arioka-kun?
Dai-chan told me “I have not changed since debut” but I think he has changed alot. Having chances to be in varieties and many other things, he brought all these experiences back to JUMP. He wasn’t the type to joke or rebut others or give a reaction before. I could tell how he really thought hard when something was required of him and I often learnt from him too. He is reliable and especially during variety shows, his presence is needed. In the group, his presence is like the sun. The one who is easiest to tease but if it is Dai-chan, even when he is teased, his smile does not change and that feels like a sense of security. But well, his looks definitely have not changed at all (laugh)
-Arioka-kun did say he was troubled and so he went to Yakushima alone and he changed after that trip.
Honestly, I thought he went there just for sightseeing. And I thought that was nice (laugh). I might be slow but whether it is Yamada or Dai-chan, they behave like they do not want others to notice so that others do not get worried. Everyone is kind.
-Next, Takaki-kun
Now, if you show the Takaki now how he was during Gokusen, he would probably go “Is that really me?!” That is how much he has changed (laugh)
-Because Takaki-kun only hung out with the cast from Gokusen and Yabu-kun did not want him to isolate himself in the group, you went out with him and the rest of the people whom you did not even know (laugh)
I did. I was probably envious of how Takaki got only close to the members from Gokusen. I thought “Why do you only get close with them. You are part of JUMP right!” Maybe I disliked how Takaki was having more fun somewhere else (laugh) Even in the dressing room, he just sat alone and spaced out or played with his phone and I thought he was probably just mailing the friends from his drama again. Actually I often peeked at what Takaki was doing.
-What do you think was the reason for Takaki-kun’s change?
The change of his mental state was probably the biggest but you can also say the members changed him?
-What do you mean by that?
During concerts and magazines and on television, the members kept saying “Takaki is actually such a person” and we continued to knock on the heart which he closed on us. And then he himself realized “Everyone sees me like that”. Rather than building himself a personality, the character that he always had just formed out naturally. Everyone noticed the personality or each and every member, and their merits.
-After “24 hours television” ended, Takaki-kun was the first one to send a message “Thank you everyone, I love all of you” to the group chat and everyone said “I love you more” “We will always be together” and that’s a nice ending.
That is also one of the endings that shows how Takaki has changed. He didn’t have any group love for the group in the beginning right? (laugh)
-By the way what did Yabu-kun write in the group chat?
I think I tried to be funny and change the topic (laugh). Because everything was starting to seem gloomy. I wonder if I changed the topic to some dirty joke?!
-Next, Inoo-kun?
Inoo?! Let’s skip Inoo (laugh)
-Hahahahaha
Everyone calls him Ino-chan I think?! But I am probably the only one who calls him “Inoo”. Because to me Inoo is Inoo. These few years, he has gotten much more screen time and the world has found out about this human called Inoo Kei. But to me, I have always known him, so his funny side, his random side, his cute side, I have always known about it.
-So you mean he has not changed?
That’s right. When he was still not recognized, he did say “I think I have to repay this gratitude to JUMP one day” and now even in this situation today I think he thinks that “It is still not enough”. Of course this is probably what every member thinks but I think Inoo will exceptionally think like that. Even if we say that this isn’t something to worry about, that guy said “During my university days, because of me the group’s schedule often could not be formed and I was a trouble to everyone. Sorry”
-Lastly about Yaotome-kun
After Hikaru debuted, the relationship between the members did change exceptionally. He is probably the one who changed most? Somehow Hikaru was only teased by me last time. Everyone else was scared of him. Even if you think he was speaking rubbish, he himself gave out this aura that you could not rebut what he said, and no one dared to step out. But recently this has all disappeared.
-He has changed.
But although everyone probably thinks of him as a bright mood maker, I think he is the one who is the most introverted. I wonder if the phrase introvert is wrong. But rather than being like a lonely person, he has this aloof side to himself. I think even if he is alone at home, he will be sitting on the sofa hugging his knees. He also said “I don’t have many friends”. Now he is the moodmaker, of course he isn’t forcing himself to do it. But that guy originally has a scholar side personality to himself, and he is the type who would be totally engrossed in something which he likes.
-Didn’t both of you eat together?
There were many times where we went as three people with Chinen around too. Ah, but last year just before summer, we did go and eat together alone. Eating alone together, just the both of us, it has been about 6 years, ever since Hikaru turned 20.
-Who was the one who made the invitation?
Hikaru called and said “Hello, what are you doing? Let’s go and eat” When I asked “You invited someone else already?”, he said “Nope, I did not. It’s only two of us isn’t that okay?” I did not have a reason to reject so I replied “Okay sure” and he said “There’s a Japanese restaurant near my place, let’s go there. I will make reservations” I wondered what kind of place he would be bringing me too, but it was a Japanese food chain store which is widely found everywhere. He reserved a private room but the table was reaaaally small (laugh). Not only our knees, but the distance was as if our faces were practically sticking together. There were so many things I could say about it but I thought Hikaru had placed a lot of effort into making the call. For his character, calling to reserve a place would definitely be something he isn’t used to. When I think of that, I do feel happy. Both of us talked alot but during the conversation I kept thinking “We are so close, so close!” (laugh)
-It was fun yeah?
Yup. It felt fresh too. We discussed things like “This feels kinda emotional” Before we realized, time had really passed. I did not want to go home, so I think I said about four times “Please, just a little while more”. At that time, that guy said “I have very few friends”, so I said “Then I will be your friend!!” (laugh)
-This year in January, you and Yaotome-kun appeared as guests for Johnnys All Star Island.
Yes. I called Johnny-san and requested “I want to be in it”
-And then Yabu-kun invited Yaotome-kun?
Yes. I said “Let’s be on it”. Because I don’t want to appear there alone (laugh). No that’s a lie. I decided, if someone was to go with me, it would be Hikaru. It’s fine to appear as JUMP too but the problem is arranging everyone’s schedule. And also, Johnny-san did take very good care of me and Hikaru when we joined the agency as juniors. So I thought both of us should go together. When I invited Hikaru, he said “Sure” and replied immediately.
-When did you decide to perform Ya-Ya-yah songs?
When I first invited Hikaru, we had not decided on anything. And when we talked about “What shall we do?”, it was like “Let’s sing Ya-Ya-yah songs” It would be the first time we would be singing Ya-Ya-yah songs ever since we became part of JUMP, and there was some complications as we thought “Doing this at such a timing, is that okay?!” We thought, if we were to do this as a first time since debut, it should be for the JUMP fans who have supported us since debut, or more specifically, the fans who knew me and Hikaru as YabuHika since the past.
-And so what was the reason for the decision?
We were appearing on Johnnys All Star Island as seniors to those who were performing. It is a stage that Johnny-san had produced and so we wanted to show them too “We were doing this before”. And also, the time that we had walked so far as Ya-Ya-yah has already been engraved into history without doubt. As we thought of that, we managed to reach an agreement in ourselves.
-Both of you did smile before the song started?
I tried to hide my nervousness and embarrassment (laugh). But for both “Just wanna” and “Itoshi no Playgirl”, even though 10 years had already passed, I could dance without difficulty as soon as the music came on.
-What did you talk to Yaotome-kun about after the performance?
We said “We had many good songs. If we have another chance to do this again, we do want to do this in front of JUMP fans”
-For Yabu-kun who was a member of Ya-Ya-yah, it was a bitter decision to debut as JUMP. What kind of presence does Ya-Ya-yah have in Yabu-kun’s heart now?
Of course, after becoming a member of JUMP, there were many times I tried to forget, or I made myself forget. I thought “Because I am Yabu from JUMP”. But even now when me and Hikaru has parts in JUMP songs where we dance together, there are people who think “They are the two from Ya-Ya-yah!” The members also often call us as Yabuhika Yabuhika. Snow Man and SixTONES who backdanced for us in Johnnys All Star Island also remembers the dance choreography from Ya-Ya-yah songs. Ya-Ya-yah isn’t only in the hearts of me and Hikaru. The presence of Ya-Ya-yah as a group is still in many people now. I am happy about that and we definitely had to be a group that had such a shaking presence in order to leave an impression on everyone. So, even though I am JUMP’s Yabu Kota now, it will be weird to treat the past as if nothing had happened. The Yabu Kota now happened because I was part of Ya-Ya-yah, and that is an important component which cannot be missed. That is how I think now.
-Tell me about Yabu-kun’s personal change. Last year on a tv program, you said that when the group was formed, you were troubled that you could not stand out. And even if you left JUMP, there would be people who did not notice.
I intended to talk about what happened during debut, but after that show, I received a lot of fan letters. They said “To me, Yabu-kun is an irreplaceable presence” They showed me once again that there are people who think that I am important. Of course, it isn’t right to be so pampered by them, but I was happy.
-But you did feel hopeless after realizing how you were not superior at all in this world right?
But even so, if there are people who think “Yabu-kun is the best”, I will definitely not be weaken for their sake. I don’t even want to waste time pouting or feeling despaired. Of course, it doesn’t mean that I do not have anything I am feeling troubled over now. I do feel troubled from day to day but as of now I do not feel despaired.
-I see.
It has always been my personality and just like I said just now, the fans helped me to realized that again but I feel like I always want to be irreplaceable to someone. Anyone. To the fans too of course, but also to each and every member, I want to have a presence where I am needed. I want to be someone who makes you think “It has to be Yabu” (laugh) So I do want to have a special presence to the members. Any presence. Even if it is a small matter, I want to be thought of “It has to be Yabu to do this” and I wanted to build this up since debut, since I joined Johnnys.
-I see. Then personally, what do you want to do from now on?
I want to find something that only I am able to do, and I do want to try to do that. There is probably nothing special about me now. But I love to learn new things and I think I will not lose to anyone in that area. Recently, I have been getting a bit of work related to soccer which I love. It is fun that you are being acknowledged in a field which you love. I am able to think that there is a meaning to be able to like what I do.
-Yabu-kun also looks at the group from a wide view.
I have probably been like that since the past. I have always been someone who looks at things objectively. Ever since I was in this group, I often think of what is the status of this group, what kind of position, and how do people look at us.
-How does such a Yabu-kun see JUMP’s future 5 or even 10 years later?
This is really difficult. Hmm. I wonder how it will be. I do want this to be part of everyone’s life till they feel like “it’s more than enough”. When you turn on the television, we are always there. In many genres, people think “It’s JUMP again, I have had enough of them” and I hope we can become a group this big. I think we can, if it is the 9 of us.
-And that will be 10 years later?
5 years, or maybe a goal 3 years later
-Then what is JUMP to Yabu-kun?
When someone falls, it is the problem of every member. If someone succeeds, it is everyone’s success. We share the same fate. I hope we can have a relationship where the 9 of us do not rely on each other, but support each other. I hope each of the members will be an irreplaceable presence.
-16 years ago, you cried because you did not want to go for the Johnnys audition. Life is really strange.
My elder sister sent my resume over without informing me (laugh). That’s true, life is really a mystery. But when I was not around, seems like my sister told my mother “I am the one who changed Kota’s life”. I had not thought of that, and I am grateful. It was my sister who gave me this opportunity to enter this world. She probably didn’t think that I would get through it though (laugh). But after I joined Johnnys, I chose this route myself, I made my own decision, and I used my own effort to reach where I am today. One day, I hope to tell my sister directly “Thank you for creating this chance for me to enter this world”. And also “Thank you for letting meet the members and letting them become irreplaceable people in my life”