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.

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”