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!