Ai Kago Officially Back

Ai Kago will be making her return to Japanese TV this Friday on Fuji TV

Former Morning Musume and super popular Japanese idol Ai Kago (加護亜衣) announced on her blog last Friday that she’s officially back in Japanese showbiz! Affectionately called “Aibon” or “Kago-chan” by her fans, the 20 year old cutie revealed she’ll make her first Japanese TV appearance since her second smoking scandal more than 2 years ago.

“Aibon” is back in the spotlight, this time as a serious actress and talent

Ai Kago is going to be the guest on Japanese showbiz icon Sanma Akashiya’s Fuji TV late night variety show “Sanma no Manma” (さんまのまんま) this Friday. On the show Aibon will talk about her downward spiral, her road to recovery, her succeeding in losing 22 pounds and her current status as a bona fide Japanese actress and “talent”. Aibon has recently returned from Hong Kong after completing her role in “Super Chef” (スーパーシェフ), her first movie since her comeback. The film will be shown in Hong Kong this fall and be in theaters in Japan next April.

If Ai Kago and Maki Goto got together, what would you name the unit?

Ai Kago has also began filming a historic suspense drama with NTV (Nippon TV) in the ancient capitol of Kyoto since returning to Japan.  She plays a princess and from the leaked press photos I’ve seen she looked absolutely adorable!  Upon her return she was asked about the rumor of her and former Morning Musume member Maki Goto (current AVEX artist) forming a new unit.  Aibon responded that it was also the first time for her to hear such speculation but she’d welcome it.

Ai Kago Interview, Part 4

Aibon was pleasantly surprised when she was presented with a scrapbook made by her fans for her recent 20th birthday

I wonder how many people are actually reading the stuff I’ve been putting up about this Aibon exclusive interview with OhmyNews. Is it even remotely interesting to you guys? I know I’m totally late on today’s episode…hope I didn’t make too many of you Aibon wotas antsy!:)

But I do wonder if it’s worth it for me to keep going.

Anyway here comes what’s juicy from Part 4 of Masaru Nashimoto’s interview with former Hello!Project super idol Ai Kago:

Original video here

When asked about the nature of her relationship with the seemingly sleazy restaurant entrepreneur Yasuyuki Ishimoto, Aibon replied, “I’m very close to him. He’s been helping me out so much. I’d like him to continue to look out for me and be the one I can talk about my problems with. He is like my one man supporter club!”

She added that she hasn’t given much thought about their future (meaning marriage), since she’s the type of person who tends to focus on the present.

The 4th generation Morning Musume said that some of the things she’s learned this past year include being thankful and learning to have confidence to tackle something. She felt that coming from an idol background she was used to being sheltered and lacked the ability to realize something. But now she wants to challenge different things to see herself grow. In other words, just do it! Aibon concluded that the best way to become stronger is to just believe in herself.

Aibon also touched on some of the problems she encountered since joining showbiz (this alone sheds a lot of light on why she did what she did). She explained that when she first joined the popular j-pop all girl group Morning Musume people often commented that she looked older than her age. As years went by it should’ve been natural for Aibon to “grow up”, but instead she became more childish. And it didn’t help that her work surroundings reinforced such image. Even though she was getting older, the majority of her fan’s demographic remained young so she was required to put on the “Kago-chan” act. The grown ups around her all asked that she maintain such kiddish image for the viewers.

As Aibon was constantly pressured to play up that “Kago-chan” act, her work related stress most likely began to accumulate. Now looking back Aibon thinks she didn’t realize at the time that wasn’t the proper way to carry on. And here’s something heavy…she said if she had continued doing what she did, she would’ve turned out really jacked!

“Kago-chan” couldn’t handle constantly having to be a kid in front of the camera, so she acted like a juvenile

To all the fans who have followed and supported her, knowing that she betrayed them twice Aibon once again expressed deep remorse.

The 20 year old Miss Ai Kago revealed that her mother understands her the most and she appreciates her a lot. When Aibon first got sent back to Nara for “home detention” in 2006 then when she was let go by her management Up Front Agency last year, her mother was the most furious at her but also gave her the most encouragement.

By the way Aibon commented that she hadn’t told her mother about this exclusive interview she’s doing and she would probably be surprised when she hears about it.

Stay tuned…I might just bust out Part 5 later today!

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”