The interview conducted by veteran Japanese entertainment beat reporter Masaru Nashimoto with former Japanese super idol Ai Kago revealed some shocking information. Some of the contents from the interview was also aired on TV Asahi’s morning program “Super Morning”.
Masaru Nashimoto got Ai Kago to spill the beans
First regarding her second underage smoking scandal last year, “Aibon”, as all of her fans call her by said, “I was an immature teen who didn’t think things through and couldn’t manage oneself. I finally realized how much responsibilities I had after my contract with Up Front Agency was terminated. I’d really like to apologize.”
According to Ai, Yasuyuki Ishimoto who accompanied her on that fateful trip to Kusatsu told her sternly not to smoke, but all the trouble she had on her mind at the time and her immaturity got the best of her.
A young and carefree Ai Kago, around 2005
But Aibon really dropped a bombshell when she brought up her attempted suicide! She told OhMyNews that “I felt like I had too many problems I couldn’t handle and on several occasions I thought about cutting my wrist.”
Former Hello!Project superstar Ai Kago entered Japanese Showbiz at the age of 12
Speaking about that dark period, Aibon described how she made a deep incision on her left wrist with a pair of scissors because she felt cornered and no longer had a future. Since it wasn’t possible for her to seek medical attention at the hospital she could only have her wound wrapped up with bandages. Upon reflection, Aibon understood she caused many people a lot of trouble and vowed to never do such foolish thing again.
Aibon (L) as a member of the popular duo unit “W”, with Nozomi Tsuji (R) - who has also since dropped out of showbiz in disgrace last year due to her unexpected pregnancy
When turned to the topic of her beau Yasuyuki Ishimoto, Aibon replied, “During that time I was going crazy. I had no money, no jobs to look forward to and neither places I could go to nor a place to go back to. But Yasuyuki was there to lend me support. He’s been close to me and giving me lots of help since the beginning. I still consider him as a person I can really talk to about my problems and depend on to watch over me.” So it does seem like their relationship is going rather well. But when asked about the possibility of marriage Aibon said she hasn’t given that a thought yet.
A more mature Ai Kago brings back a squeaky clean and respectful look
During the exclusive interview Ms. Ai Kago further added, “After I was let go by my agency I felt like a criminal just merely by staying in Japan. So from May of last year Yasuyuki and I went to LA and stayed there for about 3 months. I decided to become an actress so I began taking English lessons, voice training lessons as well as dance lessons. I’d like to give back to my fans by making it as an actress.”
As a bonus, the famous Japanese journalist Masaru Nashimoto also revealed to Japanese evening paper “Yukan Fuji” that actually Aibon had been talking to him to seek advice since about half a year ago. He added that she celebrated her 20th birthday (in Japan you become an adult when you turn 20) this past February with about 10 people and blew out the candles with Yasuyuki Ishimoto. She’s intent on making a comeback as an actress and thought it’s a good opportunity to let everyone know about her story and how remorseful she is.
