Interview with Japanese Actress Idol Yui Aragaki

Super cute and charming Japanese actress idol Yui Aragaki (新垣結衣) has a new movie out and Japanese entertainment daily Sankei Sports caught up with the talented 21 year old Okinawa native for a quick one on one interview session.  The movie “BALLAD Namonaki Koi no Uta” (BALLAD 名もなき恋のうた) hit theaters in Japan this past Saturday.  Yui plays the leading role as a princess in this historic/periodic movie that takes place back in the 16th century.  Tsuyoshi Kusanagi (草彅剛), member of Japan’s most popular ageless boy group SMAP and lately the king of “one man party in a city park” stars as Yui’s love interest.

For your information, Japanese often refer to Sankei Sports as “Sanspo”.

Sankei Sports Interviews Japanese Actresss Idol Yui Aragaki

Sanspo:  This is your first time taking on a role as a princess in a periodic piece.

Yui Aragaki:  I was able to make the transition into the role smoothly.  But the wardrobe gave me a lot of problems since I needed to wear a kimono the entire time.  I’ve never put on a kimino except for a few times when I went to the temple for ceremonies as a child.

Sanspo:  Did it take you a while to get used to it?

Yui Aragaki:  I practiced putting on kimono whenever I had free time on the set.  This is an outfit that people used to wear everyday.  My kimono instructor reminded me, “If you think with your head, your body will naturally follow.”  Actually when you put on a kimino you realize that you’re a woman.  But even now if I’m told to move gracefully I wouldn’t know what to do.

Sanspo:  This is a part of your trial into womanhood.

Yui Aragaki:  Recentely I’m told I’ve got a definitive character showing on my face.  I also started wearing clothing that I never thought about wearing before.  I used to go with loose clothing like parka but recently I’m more interested in form fitting jackets.

Sanspo:  The location where you go shopping have also changed.

Yui Aragaki:  That’s right.  It used to be Shibuya or Harajuku (districts in Tokyo popular with teens).  But recently I found out there are good stores in Shinjuku.  I’d like to check out Ginza too someday.

Sanspo:  You’ve indeed grown up.

Yui Aragaki:  Thank you.  I used to play roles that mostly portrayed me as a good student or a spunky girl.  But recently I could get into other characters more naturally.

Sanspo:  Now that you’ve become an adult, what about love?

Yui Aragaki:  It’d be great if love comes knocking. <– what a typical one-liner response for a Japanese actress / idol

Sanspo:  We heard you got some time off at the end of August.

Yui Aragaki:  I went on a trip with friends to Kawazu in the middle of Shizuoka Prefecture.  The waterfall there was so beautiful and the color was blue!  It reminded me of the blue ocean back home.  I felt really refreshed.

Sanspo:  Sounds like you have many things lined up off camera too.

Yui Aragaki:  I bought a car this year.  The shape is not too round but it doesn’t have too many sharp lines either.  I kept talking about it and finally got it.  I haven’t gone too far from home yet.  I have a dog so it’s nice we can go places together.  Of course, I’ll drive safely!

We all know Gakki, as Yui is affectionately called by her friends and fans got her own ride so it’ll be easier for her to dodge the media.  What I’d like to know is what lucky guy will get to sit in the passenger seat of her new car!

Ai Kago Blog

Along with the release of her six part exclusive interview with Masaru Nashimoto from OhMyNews, super cute Japanese idol and ex-Morning Musume Ai Kago has announced the start of her blog and fan club.

In her first message, “Aibon” wrote, “Nice to meet you. This is Ai Kago. My blog will officially start on the 10th. I’d like everyone to check in to see how I progress and grow each day. Please give me your support as I shall work hard.”

Aibon’s fan club “Biscuit Club” (http://biscuitclub.fc.yahoo.co.jp/) costs about $3 per month and they’ll waive the charge for April if you join now. But sorry guys (and gals) you’ll need to understand Japanese.

More juicy stuff regarding Kago-chan to come tomorrow!

Ai Kago Interview

Ai Kago, who was once Japan’s coveted “morning daughter” and everyone’s darling has returned!

Disgraced ex-Morning Musume and mega popular former idol Ai Kago aka “Aibon” is back! The 20 year old granted Japanese information website “OhMyNews” her first official interview in 2 years since the first underage smoking incident which led to her downfall and eventual expulsion from Hello!Project as well as termination of her contract with Up Front Agency last year.

Ai Kago appearing on a Hello!Project show with Maki Goto circa mid 2000

Aibon resurfaced last Friday in Tokyo looking much like a young lady while retaining the kawaii-ness we’re all so used to, sporting a short conservative hairdo, unpainted fingernails and minimal makeup. Heheh she sure knew how to make herself look remorseful and gain forgiveness from the public…good move!

Veteran Japanese entertainment beat reporter Masaru Nashimoto met with Aibon and the video from the interview will be aired in a 6 part installment beginning today. The former Hello!Project star first appeared nervous, but became more relaxed and returned to the old “Kago-chan” after a little while.

Kago-chan speaking exclusively with Masaru Nashimoto of OhMyNews

From the initial portion released from the interview, Aibon said, “I think at age 17 (when her smoking scandal first broke) I wasn’t mature enough and lacked common sense a proper society member would have. I’d like to apologize to my mom, fans, Up Front Agency (my handler) and all work related personnels for causing them so much trouble. From here on out, I want to start afresh by taking responsibilities for myself and living strong. I’d be really happy if I could have your support.”

Ai Kago aka Aibon was was once Japan’s national symbol for wholesome girl (国民的アイドル)

During the interview Aibon also touched on the infamous 2007 Kusatsu Onsen outing that ultimately got her tushie canned, as well as her relationship with Yasuyuki Ishimoto (her supposed boyfriend who’s almost 20 years older than her), her thoughts on family & fans, her plans for the future and her anguish and what she went through after being expelled from Hello!Project.

Referring to the reason behind that Kusatsu (one of the most famous hot springs resorts in Japan) outing, Aibon explained, “My parents divorced on that day and I felt really depressed. When Yasuyuki suggested that we go somewhere far to get away I remembered this good soba restaurant in Kusatsu that I knew so we headed over there. But while we were there snow began falling heavily and it was too dangerous to come back so we decided to spend the night in Kusatsu.

(Note – gay ass YouTube took down the original video that I linked to, so here’s another one that works)

Aibon’s confession – “Without thinking I turned to cigarettes again”