Words of love and wisdom from Sakurai Sho

◦ Tada Shinya wrote the lyrics to Kaze no mukou e! Was happily surprised when I saw his name on the credits. Congratulations Tada-san on your first A-side (and such a high-profile one at that!).

You know...I was so cranky during my junior days...Well, there's the fact that I was young and immature, but I was a junior from 2nd year in middle school to 3rd year in high school, so it was kind of like wasting my so-called youth, wasn't it? There were too many things I couldn't do, like hang out with friends after school at the shopping district --- my friends could do it, but I couldn't. When I leave home in the morning, there'd be fans waiting outside the house, and when I go home from work or school, they'd follow me all the way...I was so cranky about a lot of different stuff. But after I became part of Arashi, I completely stopped minding at all. Instead of thinking, "There are too many things other people can do that I can't," I thought the opposite: "I'm doing a lot of things that other people can't do." I began to recognize the positive side of it. The fans say, "Arashi songs cheer me up," and I think, "I've gotta work hard." Yes, it makes me very happy. It makes me realize that I'd never get to experience any of these if I didn't have this job. That's why I thought, it's no big deal, I should just enjoy the ride despite not being able to do some things. I didn't mind that much anymore. I think that's what changed after I became part of Arashi --- I didn't mind anymore the...restrictions of being famous. As much as possible, I want to keep it real. I'm glad these five particular guys make up Arashi.

You know...I'm what you call a lion at home but a mouse abroad. All along I've thought of myself as just shy (laughs). But about half a year ago I realized, "Am I not really just tough on my own turf?" (laughs). I'm not really shy; I have no problem talking with people I've just met. But, there are only a handful of people whom I can completely open up myself to. That's why, my true colors come out when I'm hanging out with friends I've known for a long time. I can speak my mind with the members too. During our junior days, Matsumoto was like a younger brother to me, but lately the five of us have come to be on an equal footing, haven't we? I feel like I'm saying this all the time, but lately, it's really good with us. Even in the movie, the most fun scenes are the ones when the five of us are together...Yeah, I'm glad I'm with members which can make me feel that way. I mean, setting aside whether we get along or not, or that maybe, just maybe, there's some other group out there where I can feel at home, the fact is that we are that kind of group, and I'm glad. [Arashi 04150515]

Thank you powers that be for reprinting it ♥ Took me forever to tear all 200+ pages...nearly tore the first few ones since I didn't read the instructions at the back ^^; Be careful when you get yours...

 
--- Do you want to further explore newscasting?
Of course, as long as they let me. It's extremely interesting, and there are many times when I think that I'm glad they're letting me do it, but I'm not thinking of specializing only in newscasting. I'm an idol (laughs). I'm in Arashi.

--- If I may venture to ask, is Arashi big right now? (laughs)
A lot of people tell us that, but I really don't know (laughs). I don't know whether we're getting big or not, but I do think it's getting interesting, because I really feel that the other members are doing work that could only be done by them and not anyone else. There are more ways for us to express ourselves, be it Ohno's exhibition, or my being a newscaster......I think the people around us are making it more interesting for us, because things couldn't be done just by ourselves. I think it's only just recently that the general public has come to see that too.

--- Do you feel it in your skin?
Hmmm......well, I don't not feel it, to be honest.

--- When do you feel it?
............I guess when the five of us are together. We'll be talking, and I'd just suddenly look at it from an objective point of view......Matsumoto Jun, Ninomiya Kazunari, Aiba Masaki, Ohno Satoshi --- wow they're in the same room.

--- Like, why are you in the same room, when each of you has gotten big (laughs).
We're still ridiculously goofy as usual though (laughs). But I think it's a good thing.

--- You yourselves have remained the same, yet everything around you is rapidly changing, isn't it. How do you deal with those changes?
The more things around us change, the more important it is for us not to change. If we change, then there would be no point in being us. It's not as if the public just all at once turned to look our way. I think it's more like people glanced in our direction from time to time, and gradually began to see us clearly. I guess it's important not to stray in order not to let go of that attention.

--- During 24HOUR TELEVISION in 2004, Aiba-san read a letter to the members saying, "Let's definitely make our dream of becoming the top come true". What exactly do you think this "top" means?
Hmmm............I wonder. But I think it's not about the numbers. It's not about drawing the most number of people to concerts, or selling the most CDs; I think it's about being loved. It's probably about wanting to be loved by everyone (laughs). It's like, yes, we want to reach the top of the mountain, but when we get there, our fans will also be there together with us. We want to be a group which can make one proud to say that they are Arashi fans.

--- Do you yourself feel proud that you are part of Arashi?
Yes, I'm proud. That has never changed. No, it's not something that I finally thought of just now, and whether everyone knows it or not, indeed, Arashi is precious. [cut, July 2008] ♥