[TRANS] Nikkan Sports: Arashi's last interview before hiatus 27/12/2020

[karened]

Also on Twitter here: https://twitter.com/arashickarened/status/1343560836455882754?s=20

Translation of the article by Nikkan Sports here: https://www.nikkansports.com/entertainment/news/202012260001085.html?Page=1

My thoughts

This was a difficult article to translate, not just because of its length and word choices (sorry, not a native speaker), but also because it felt so heavy that I had to take myself away from anything Arashi-related at intervals. Nonetheless, this was worth my time reading and translating. I walked away with these thoughts:

優しい
心配しなくてもいい
They are so thoughtful
We don't have to worry about them

Also, with respect to one of Sho's responses in the interview - There was a period during their early years when Arashi too was worried about poor sales, so it's not that numbers are not important. But for a group like Arashi, where the numbers are kind of guaranteed, it's not so much of the numbers that they are concerned about, but the intangible legacy they leave behind. Reading this article made me once again appreciate all that they have been doing in the past year and the thoughts they carried with them as they approach the end of this shiny chapter in their life.

I'm really glad for this interview. The questions were well thought out and a good way to close the year. It felt so grounded in their beliefs and boosted my confidence that they will manage, and take us along with them, regardless of what the future holds.

I tried my best to translate, and hope my fellow Arashians feel the same pangs of emotions I did when I read their responses. If there are mistakes or typos, I apologise in advance (not a native speaker!)

Arashi's last interview before hiatus (Full transcript)

Ohno Satoshi, Sakurai Sho, Aiba Masaki, Ninomiya Kazunari and Matsumoto Jun of Arashi, which will go on hiatus after New Year's Eve this year, was recently interviewed by publications such as Nikkan Sport. They spoke of their feelings towards the imminent hiatus and the live streaming This is 嵐 LIVE 2020.12.31 concert on New Year's Eve, as well as their expectations towards their juniors and the possibility of starting again. In their last interview before the hiatus, exchanges which showed the members getting along well could be seen everywhere.

ー　Their feelings towards the upcoming hiatus

S: (Since our hiatus announcement), we have been expressing our gratitude to many people over a long period of time, but there were really countless occasions to say "thank you". There were many moments when my heart was filled up. And so, I want to put in these feelings of thanks in my performance at the concert on 31 Dec, as the culmination of a seed that had been planted for 21 years. Preparations are underway now.

N: There were more opportunities to go to various places and people we used to work with sent us greetings. I really miss that kind of feeling. There were many occasions to speak about nostalgic things. During this time, I met people at TBS. Even people who don't normally participate in the production of that TV program, people who used to work with us on TV programs, they came. I think it was really a good period of time where we had many such opportunities.

M: If you are referring to a sense of the reality, I don't feel that yet.

N: That's right.

M: To be honest, I don't think we will feel it until the 31st. We are doing things one by one during this preparation stage. Our arrow is heading towards the concert on 31 Dec, so it'll be until that day comes. (For now) I only feel that it's the time for preparations.

A: It's like "It is really here." I have been expressing my gratitude for two years but as expected...it doesn't feel real. Although it was a decision made by us, I couldn't imagine how the 31st will be. Even now, I honestly cannot imagine it. Of course, when I look at the calendar and see it steadily approaching, it gets lonely, but the best that we can do is to treat each each thing seriously and focus on providing something that everyone can enjoy.

O: I have been imagining (the hiatus day) for a long time and now came to this year, this day. But as Matsujun said, it doesn't feel real. Three months ago, I'd thought to myself, "Three more months to go?", and then "One more month to go?". Although I still try to imagine how it'll feel, I don't know. Maybe even if next year comes, I still wouldn't know? (Laughs)

(AMNS burst into laughter)

A: No no, you'll know when next year comes right! If you don't next year, that's a little...(Laughs)

M: I hope you'll know next year. Take note of it! (Laughs)

O: Well~ (Laughs) I mean...because it's been about 20 years.

A: It's soaked within you.

O: Yeah, like a habit. A new year is starting. For me in particular, nothing has been decided for next year. I try to imagine it but I can't. For now, I don't think about anything other than expressing my gratitude till the very end on 31st.

ー　What kind of contents will there be for the live streaming concert on New Year's Eve?

M: Regarding this concert, since the time when we originally decided on it, which was a long time ago, we had started working on it with the intention of making it a live concert. Although it is in the form of a livestream and without any audience, I wanted it to at least be in real time such that everyone can share the same time. That's one thing. Also, we were able to go on a 20th anniversary tour and release a Best-Of compilation album with our representative songs. During Arafes, we received requests from fans and created a concert that was determined by fans, for fans. When it came to what we were to do next, the 5 of us spoke about "The message we want to deliver". We are working around this theme now.

A (whispering softly from the side): Hey, another one is "manner of participation" right?

M: That's right. If you please (Laughs).

A: No, no. Please be our represents (Laughs).

M (Laughs): Thankfully, we have been challenging ourselves with new thing when we do concert tours every year, so even at this final concert, we want to take up a challenge. Since it is in the form of a live streaming broadcast, it basically meant that it will be a one way delivery of what we're doing on our end, which makes it lonesome for us. We thought about how we can connect directly with our fans and that gave rise to many things which we'll be doing. For example, we launched "Everyone prepare together! TV" in which we asked for various submissions in advance, and worked on projects together with everyone.

(Aiba nods)

M: And actually, when watching the concert live, fans don't only connect with us, but also with fellow fans by their sides. It's not just mutual feeeings between them and us, but a lot of our fans are connected (T/N: with each other) horizontally as well. We want our fans to spend that day whilst giving importance to that connection with each other. In order to achieve that, we created the "Friends Participation" function, which is a system that allows everyone to enter the venue in real time. We are now working with such thoughts in mind. In a sense, when we held the press conference for the hiatus about 2 years ago, it had been decided that we will have a concert on this day (31 Dec) and that has been progressing since then...Sorry, somehow it ended up with just me talking (Looking over to the members).

(ANOS shake their head)

M: In fact, instead of saying that we moved only after the Corona situation unfolded, even before that, I'd thought that it wouldn't be possible for all our fans to watch it under the same conditions if we didn't do it via live streaming, so we had started preparing for that little by little. Well, the situation and the world are in this state now, so everyone has to do it via live streaming. In the process, we've learnt about various things such as the things that can and cannot be done, information and knowledge about technical things that various people have done. I think in the end it was something good for all of us. We are working on creating a concert that is able to connect people. We have not done this before so I don't know how it will turn out (Laughs).

ー　 One of Arashi's traits is that members get along well. What is the reason that the 5 of you managed to run without losing any one person throughout the 21 years?

M: I wonder what it is. I guess because I've never been in other groups? (Laughs)

A: That's true. Yea...I wonder why.

M: Well, even if just for a short time, if we traded (members) and joined other groups...

N: I haven't really thought about it. Getting along well...To put it bluntly, I don't think of getting along well (consciously). We just became adults carrying the sense of distance that was present before the group formation. I don't think that people who left their groups don't get along well (T/N: with the rest of the group). It's probably because within the group there are people who came to have different dreams midway. I don't think we can measure groups just by the question of whether they get along well or not. It has been 21 years before I knew it. It was an environment that I am thankful for.

A: Because everyone in Arashi loves Arashi. There is mutual respect for each other. I always feel that the sense of distance is quite exquisite and something that we can't really say much about.

O: I often hear about other groups going for meals together after ending work, but we don't do that.

A: We don't. (Although we do when on tour in other cities) Not in Tokyo.

O: That's why, I think it's indeed a good sense of distance.

M: That's right. Like, Hey! Say! Jump! will go for meals together after they finish work together...It gets me nervous (Laughs) Because I need to think about it and to inform everyone in advance.

A: We have to make plans for it (Laughs).

M: Because all of us are busy (Laughs).

ー　Juniors from J&A whom they have expectations for

M: There are really many of them. By the time I realised, the guys after us have really increased in number. When you put the groups in order, since some point in time, we ended up rather near the top of the list. I didn't think we are that old (Laughs).

N: Old, we're old (Laughs).

A: Please acknowledge that (Laughs).

M: That's why I was surprised when I see the order of the Johnny's (groups). I think it's amazing how everyone is really unique. Each group has a different characteristic. There are also people who are not in a group such as (Ikuta) Toma, Kazama (Shunsuke). There are also people who are actors. The number (T/N: of people) was unimaginable at the time we joined (T/N: the agency).

A: That's true. Also, the level of completion was extremely high since the moment they debuted.

M: For us, we had translucent costumes (Laughs).

A: It's not that the translucency was bad (Laughs)!

S: It's not like it was incomplete. That was completed (Laughs)!

M: Is that so (Laughs)?

S: I really think it's amazing. There are times when our juniors come to our TV programs. For example, they came to the program I'm doing with Ariyoshi-san (Sakurai・Ariyoshi THE Yakai). Everyone brings with them a skill, like "I have this thing", or "I'm such a type of character". We weren't like that during our time. They are all amazing and at the same time, they are keen to work on their individuality and be known for that. As for us, we went about our way calmly, so I feel that they are amazing.

ー　This may be a difficult question to answer, but will there be another group appearing in the future, that will surpass Arashi?

N: No, I don't think it will appear (Laughs).

(AMNOS all laugh)

S: It won't appear!? (Laughs)

N: That's right, isn't it?

M: No no no, it will appear (Laughs).

N: Ah, will it appear? (Laughs)

A: With then, we'll be taken out right away. That's interesting (Laughs).

O: Ahaha (Laughs).

ー　What are your actual thoughts?

O: Well, actually, for real, I think it won't appear (with a straight face).

(AMNOS burst into laughter)

N: There's the serious guy!

A: It's ok, don't hide it! (Laughs)

N: Well, it's not just about surpassing or not. In a way, I think it's part of entertainment (industry) to surpass (each other). I think we are lucky to even become that benchmark. But, it won't appear (Laughs).

M: No no, I'm saying it will appear! (Laughs)

ー　That was your true thoughts right?

O: Of course.

(AMNOS laughs together)

M: You! Please deny it! (Laughs)

S: That guy's strong.

(Ohno smiles triumphantly without changing his expression)

S: All the numbers and figures that has been said, after the years passed, when you look at those numbers, they will still remain. It's the current atmosphere that just wouldn't remain. This environment, the situation, and the atmosphere surrounding Arashi, none of it will be left behind. That's why, on the 31st and during the final episodes of our regular TV programs, we want to people to feel the current Arashi. Because that can only be felt now. That doesn't remain, and so we hope people can see it, live.

M: Besides, the form of things will probably change (with time). Even for TV ratings, the index is changing. I think the music business, or even things like sales, will change form from here. It's be quite difficult to say it's the same thing. That's why it's just that "It was like this for us". I think it's not about whether we can be surpassed or not (Laughs).

ー　What plans did you have for 2020, if it wasn't for the Corona pandemic?

S: Firstly, we wanted to do it at the Bird's Nest (National Stadium) in Beijing and at the Kokuritsu Stadium (in Japan). Also, to be the special navigator for the Tokyo Olympics. Following that, a concert in America followed by a concert tour when we return to Japan. Then, to have a concert on 31 Dec. This was the overview we had.

ー　Many of those didn't materialise

S: It's not just us, it was like that all over the world.

ー　And the special feelings for America

M: There were. Afterall, Johnny (Kitagawa), the former agency president, grew up watching American entertainment and brought it to Japan. That was the beginning of Johnny's. It was one of the goals when we started SNS and digital streaming. Although the purpose is to have more people listen to our music, if I were to set up a flag for one goal, that would be to hold a concert in America.

ー　More specifically...

M: We started feeling our way around without knowing what shape it will take. At the end of the music video for "Turning Up", we danced at a building called The Forum (in California, USA). The final point where the flag was set, was to have a concert at that venue. That was why we went to dance in front of that place. It would have been great if we could grasp it and hold the concert in America. We had planned to challenge ourselves with giving it shape within the year.

ー　Once again, what are your thoughts towards Mr. Johnny?

A: I have nothing but gratitude for him. It was Johnny-san who brought the 5 of us together. I want to report to him that Arashi managed to hold a concert at the new Kokuritsu Stadium, although it was in the form of a live streaming broadcast.

O: Before the group formed, since the time I was a Johnny's Junior. I had originally joined J&A because Johnny-san was there. The formation of the group had all started with that person. When I think about the fact that we managed to go through the past 21 years, it's because of Johnny-san. Although he has passed away, we had been able to do various things during the Corona (T/N: pandemic) in spite of it. Rather than say we're reporting these to him, I think he is watching us.

ー　Due to the Corona pandemic, there were many things which got cancelled. Did you consider extending your activity period?

M: ...There wasn't. We can't tell how the Corona situation will become, and that's true even now. In the absence of certainty as to what can be done and when things can be done, to do that (extension) based on assumptions - at least for me I wasn't keen to do so. When all of us discussed about this, we probably spoke about whether to extend it, but we didn't felt so.

A: We had quite a firm awareness. This was a decision that took years to make so that awareness didn't shake.

M: To put it the other way round, no one was able to say, "I want to do this, so let's extend till this time". The point is, there wasn't anyone who mentioned, "We're asked to do this so shall we try to continue on?". (Looks over at the members) Is that correct?

(Nino nods)

M: I think so.

ー　What are each of your visions for next year and beyond?

S: To do what I can do by myself, to the extent possible. As expected, there are many things that cannot be done without Arashi and there are many dreams that cannot be realised without Arashi. So, to do my best in things that I can do by myself.

ー　Any specific goal?

S: Goals...no, not really.

M: Don't you have to be the anchorman? Of the news program...

S: No no (Laughs). Since the time I have for carrying out interviews will probably increase, I think the breadth of topics I can carry out interviews for will expand. On the other hand, other than News Zero, I am also doing various other work. Things may change with time, but I don't have specific goals like "I am aiming for this type of work". At the moment, all I can see is the New Year's Eve at year end.

N: I think I have to treat what I can get with sincerity. When facing the live streaming on 31st, to be honest, the people watching it aren't interested to hear "Because of there was that in 2021, because of that". The best thing to do is to create fond memories with everyone. (As for next year's plans) It comes after that. There are many work that I received because I'm Arashi, or rather, most of them were (because of that). Although it's not like I'm by myself, the scope of work has become limited to solo works. As I said earlier, I want to face the work that I can get, with sincerity.

M: ...What should I do (Next year)? (Laughs)

ー　If I were to say, "I hope you can do something like this", will you do it? (Laughs)

M: I will think about it (Laughs).

O: Don't think about it (Laughs).

M: I'm thinking of taking it a little slow. I have not accepted any fixed regular work. While slowing down a little, I want to think about the future including things like what I want to do and what I want to continue doing in the future. I'll start moving after I have slowly recharged myself. I've said this in the FC blog (T/N: Enjoy on jweb), that I'm not going to retire but as someone with a personality like mine, I want to take some time off, this once, at this particular timing. So, if you have any good advice, please let me know!

A: I'm with the rest. I will put in my best effort for things that I can do. I've been asked to continue the regular work given to me but to be honest, I cannot imagine it. For now, I just feel that I will give my all to what is before me. As Riida said earlier, I wouldn't know until it comes.

O: ...I have not decided on anything. Even if I were to think about it now, I can't imagine how I will feel next year, because I've been doing (T/N: Arashi) for over 20 years.

ー　Will there come a day when Arashi starts again and brings to life the concert in America that couldn't materialise due to Corona?

M: Hmm...For me, I think that cannot be done if the seasons and timing are overlapped. It's not something that will suddenly happen when the time is up. This probably links back to what I said earlier about whether it's possible to extend our activities. Well, this is not really a reset but since Riida had said that he wanted to take a break without being bound to anything, I think this might not be the time to talk about what we want to do (T/N: as Arashi) in the future. And so, for now, the 5 of us will run all the way 31 Dec 2020 together. It's ok to slowly thinking about it after that time has ended. Otherwise, even if we were to talk about it now, they probably won't happen. I think that is something to think about again after some time has passed. It may be seen as something sad that we're not making any clear statement, but we cannot take responsible for such a statement. We are trying to avoid making any clear statements..

ー　At the time of debut, Aiba-san said, "We will create a storm all over the world". Do you have thoughts like "Someday, again"?

A: Hmm...I don't how many years or how many months it will be...By the time we go "Yes! Everyone, let's give it another shot!" there probably isn't any demand (T/N: for us) in America anymore (Laughs). Rather than that, when that time comes, we will be with feelings of gratitude, in a place where there are many people who has been supporting us. I won't know until that time comes since it's way beyond my imagination. But I will cherish those words we received from Johnny-san.
"You'll create a storm throughout the world!"

ー　Thank you for taking this interview. It was great to have Ohno-san tell us that "Arashi is the best".

O: Did I say something like that? (Laughs)

ANMS: You did (Laughs).