Ai Kago Interview, Part 6

Alright fellas, here’s the final installment of OhmyNews / Ura Channel’s exclusive interview (<– original video here) with mega popular former Morning Musume and Hello!Project artist Ai Kago aka Aibon. And thanks for your encouraging comments…it’s good to know that the effort I put in is worth while!:)

“Morning Musume aren’t idols”

Aibon started off the final portion of her interview with famous Japanese showbiz reporter Masaru Nashimoto by saying the super popular Japanese girl unit “Morning Musume” wasn’t meant to be an idol group, but was viewed as such. Instead she considers Morning Musume to be a female singing group. Back then she was given the kiddish “Kago-chan” role so she had to play along. But now she’s starting anew and would like to be considered other than an idol.

Masaru proceeded to ask her if she still smokes now that she’s turned 20 and is legally allowed to smoke in Japan. Aibon replied, “Actually I’ve already quit before this. But even though now I can smoke freely I no longer feel like smoking. And nowadays I also feel it’s not so good manner wise to smoke.”

Aibon gave an interesting analogy to the situation. She said, “It’s like when you’re a small child you’re not allowed to go on some of those bigger rollercoaster rides and you really want to ride them. But once you’ve grown and passed that height requirement you don’t really feel like getting on them anymore.”

When the veteran interviewer Masaru Nashimoto mentioned that the reason he doesn’t smoke (honestly I was shocked, I imagine Masaru to be the typical chain smoking, yakitori eating, shochu drinking Japanese old geezer…guess I was wrong) is because when he visited a shrine while on a school trip in high school some people next to him were smoking and it made him feel ill, Aibon told him she felt the same way. She explained that by smoking and being around smoke it made her voice coarse, and added that it’s not okay for underage kids to smoke, even if they don’t get caught. Haha it sure sounded like Aibon was doing an anti-smoking campaign!

Toward the end Masaru quipped that he is more than 40 years Aibon’s senior (he’s 63). Aibon expressed genuine surprise and said she didn’t think he’s that old. When he told her he was born in 1944 Aibon said, “Oh that’s the same year my grandma was born!” which drew a bunch of laughter. Country side people sure have kids young!

Best of luck to the older and wiser Miss Ai Kago…please don’t cut yourself anymore

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”