{Translation} Oricon Style 2007.05.07-2007.05.14 Part 2

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Leader...

―Ohno-kun, you’re Arashi’s leader, aren’t you?

I don’t do anything as leader. That’s just a nickname. When we went on Shonentai’s program, they said to us, “Let’s decide the leader!,” and since I won I became the leader. (*grin*) But there isn’t a leader in Arashi. From the beginning, the president said, “You’ll all be the leader of something.”

―At that time, what were you leader of?

I was told I’d be “dance leader.” But it was a mystery even to me. (*grin*)

―So what role do you think you fulfill in Arashi?

I don’t do anything. I don’t pull anything together. It’s like I’m the youngest.

―Like you’re the youngest how?

I don’t even know myself, but it seems like Sho-kun is the older brother.

―As for your solo work, last year you appeared in the play “Tensei Kunpu,” didn’t you? Did you learn anything there?

That was the first time I was leader of a theatrical troupe. The script was written for us, but there were no expectations put on us for the “Pu” series. I was only thinking, “I have to do something!” I was absorbed in it, but everybody followed my lead. But actually, it was so hard I don’t think I ever want to do it again. (*grin*)

―So what if you were told that next time you have to be the leader for an Arashi stage play?

I don’t think that would happen. (*grin*) But if it’s Arashi, then it’s totally different. There’s a feeling of security. It’s a different feeling from “Everybody’s here so it’ll be alright,” and maybe it’s like “Everybody’s here so something will happen.” Maybe that’s why when I do a solo stage play I feel like I should do something.

―Ohno-kun, when you’re on variety shows, you have a very soothing character.

I don’t understand that myself either. When I sense it, I stiffen up and can’t do anything. Recently, I’m not thinking about anything.

―For example, on “Mago Mago Arashi,” when you meet the grandfather and grandmother, what do you realize?

I’m not thinking of anything. (*grin*)

―Not “I want to make them happy”?

I do think that. I think we want to hear a lot of grandma and grandpa’s stories Because they’re people who’ve experienced a lot. Even when the cameras aren’t rolling, they’re talking a lot. And depending on how much we question them, the grandma and grandpa will want to talk more. By doing that, while talking to them, they become happy.

―Guests come to “Arashi no Shukudai-kun” too, don’t they? Do you want to listen to older people’s stories without a limit?

I do. When I’m listening to a story, I think, “There are a lot of different worlds.” For example, the Kano sisters’ interview was really interesting. Their world is completely different from ours. There were times we didn’t know how true the stories were, so it was a mystery. (*grin*)

ーYou say you’re not thinking about anything, yet you seem like the kind of person who wants to know everything.

That feeling is strong. Because I like listening to stories. For example, the grandfathers on “Mago Mago Arashi” are usually alone all day with just the grandmothers, so they definitely want to talk about old times. So as long as we’ll listen, they’ll talk. They talk the whole time we’re in the house. And grandpa’s stories are valuable. In 20 or 30 years, all the people who experienced the war will be gone. Even when the cameras aren’t rolling, we listen to war stories.

―What part of a variety program do you think is fun?

Simply put, the times when we do things ordinary people can’t. Like doing zero gravity experiments for “Shukudai-kun.” You definitely can’t do that ordinarily! Other than that, the times when we listen to interviews. I think in that sense we become the audience. (*grin*)

―On “Mago Mago Arashi,” you draw a picture and give it to the grandma and grandpa, don’t you? Recently I think the image of you as a good artist has become stronger.

Eh? Maybe. I don’t watch TV, so I have no idea what other people think of me. Any way they think of me is okay. (*grin*)

―For example, you’re remarkably artistic.
I just like to make things. I’ve done that from a long time ago. But there’s no deep meaning to my pictures or art work. I just like it, so I draw. So even if people call me an artist, I think, “Nah...” (*grin*) People ask, “Do you often go to art museums?,” but I’ve never been!

ーWell, please tell us about your future ambitions.

I’m going to get a patent! (*grin*)

―What kind of patent are you aiming for?

I can’t say. Because it’d be bad if it’s stolen! (*grin*) But women have it rough, don’t they? For example, some are constantly cold. I think it’d be good to make sleep aids for women. (*grin*)

―To generalize today’s interview, we know Ohno-kun has a healthy curiousity.

Yes, I have interest in anything.

―Well, I’ll ask one more time. What is your position in Arashi?

It’s okay just to watch over everyone, isn’t it? (*grin*) That’s what the other four say, right? Ah, but, sometimes I wanna have fun! If I’m asked, I’ll do something!

***Questions from Oricon Readers***

Q1. [Ohno-kun is famous for being good at drawing and pottery, but do you have a hidden talent?]

Eh? I don’t have a talent. I’ve been drawing since I was little, and I like it, so I can do it.

Q2. [I like Ohno-kun’s dancing. If one of the members said it’s okay for you to do the choreography for their solo, whom would you like to create a dance for?]

Matsujun! I wanna put a lot of hip sway into it. (*grin*) Do it sexy, ya know?

Q3. [Is the rumor that you cut and color your own hair true? Is there a hairstyle you want to try next?]

It’s true. I want to let it grow long and tie it in a ponytail. But since hair is a bother, I want to cut it, so I’m not able to grow it. Hehehe. (*grin*)

Q4. [Oh-chan, it seems like you’re always challenging yourself, but how are you able to be so strict with yourself? If you have a motto or advice, please tell me.]

Am I really that strict? (*grin*) It’s just if you’re not doing anything, you’ll become an example of a bad human being, so I’m always doing something. A motto... eh?? “Do something thoroughly!,” I guess.

Q5. [The physical contact between you and Nino is intense, I think. Which one of you is more intense about it?]

It’s all him!! When I turn around, he’s next to me. It’s almost never initiated by me.

Nino...

―Jumping back a year, I think “Letters from Iwo Jima” was a big experience for you. Looking back, how was it?

I’m not sure what I should say, but it was a good exerience. It’s a chilling film that’s different from other entertainment movies. It feels like I learned about the war and the incidents on Iwo Jima.

―You feel that as a member of the younger generation?

Yes. I think by playing the role of a young person living at that time, I was able to show those emotions and the foolishness of war.

―You went on the world promotion tour and to the Berlin International Film Festival, right?

The Berlin interview was really difficult. Actually, I wasn’t really asked about the movie.

―Oh? What were you asked?

The questions were all about WWII. For example, they asked, “As for Japanese education, what position do they take on WWII and to what level?” And “Using what you learned, what emotions did you convey?”

―So you interviewed as an average young Japanese person and not as an actor or Arashi’s Ninomiya-kun?

Yeah. I was at a loss.

―Were you not prepared?

I’ve never prepared answers before an interview.

―That’s surprising. Isn’t it scary?

Not at all. If I start to think I could slip into being trapped by the question, and I think that doesn’t suit my personality. Even if I prepare, the questions never come, so it’s a waste. (*grin*)

―Due to this recent experience, has anything about you as an actor changed?

The surrounding parallels. I will definitely be asked about “Iwo Jima.”

―But you haven’t changed?

Right, right. When people who know me really well watch the film, they say, “Nothing’s changed.” Hearing that, I’m relieved.

―What in particular makes you think “I’m glad I did ‘Iwo Jima?’”

The fact that I made something that acts as a trigger for people to know about me and Arashi. And that’s not just Japan, globally too.

―When you heard the movie received favorable reviews in America, what did you think?

I thought, “Clint Eastwood is an amazing person.” I’d enjoyed the excitement of the Japanese release alongside Watanabe Ken-san and the others, but the time I felt the awesomeness of the director was at the American release and in Berlin.

―What happened in Berlin?

Because the press conference was full of reporters from around the world and was completely different from the Tokyo reporters, the atmosphere was completely different. And before the showing of the film, we stood on the guest platform and got a five minute standing ovation that wouldn’t stop. It absolutely wouldn’t settle down. It was so long I didn’t know when it would end.

―It wouldn’t let up?

Yeah. It kept going until Clint quieted it down. It was the same in Paris. At that time, since the theater was really cool, I was thinking, “It’d feel good to do a play in here.” (*grin*)

―You’re a calm one, aren’t you? (*grin*) You were working, but did you have free time to play?

I had a little time in Paris so I went sightseeing. But it was only long enough to buy souvenirs. When I left, my bags were empty, but since I was doing a drama at that time, I bought souvenirs for the staff and other actors, and my bags were bursting going back. I didn’t buy anything for myself though. (*grin*) And the Euro was high so my shopping budget wasn’t odd.

―Were you in the red?

In the red, in the red. My money dissipated. (*grin*)

―(*grin*) As an actor and member of Arashi, you’re active globally. Do you get the feeling your field of activities has suddenly become broader?

Somewhat, yeah. Because everyone around me says that, I think maybe it’s true. For example, I hear from fans in Singapore and Malaysia, and there are reports in English and German. There’s been a change, but there’s no change inside of me.

―And the fact that all five members of Arashi are doing a lot of seperate activities...?

That’s..... maybe all my fault. (*grin*) Sorry.

―It can’t be helped. (*grin*)

But thanks to everybody doing their individual projects, maybe united we didn’t have something to improve, but when we gather at a concert, it’s like “the people we see everywhere are assembling and performing as Arashi” and the people watching have fun, I think. It’s like, “Domyoji’s in Arashi.” (*grin*)

―As for Arashi, is your goal the concerts?

Yeah. To not break up. I think there are things we want to do individually. There are people who want to do stage plays and people who want to do variety.

―What’s your goal as Ninomiya Kazunari?

In the past, I was working while thinking, “It’d be nice if my fans and my juniors took more of an interest in me,” but now I don’t really worry about it, and I’m just doing my own thing. If people say, “Why is that?,” it’s because my number of friends has increased.

―Maybe it’s become fun.

It is fun. And on holidays I stay home, and I’m playing video games the whole time. I appreciate having a job that allows me to go to different places, but it’s a waste if you don’t spend your holiday time at home. (*grin*)

***Questions from Oricon Readers***

Q1.[Ninomiya-kun, if you could become another member for a day, who would you want to be and what would you want to do?]

I don’t think I want to be any other member right now. Just being Ninomiya is okay. (*grin*)

Q2.[Ninomiya-san has a guitarist’s image. Besides guitar, is there any instrument you want to try now? And if you formed a band with the members of Arashi, who would you put in each part?]

A keyboard instrument. Especially piano. As for the band, we actually formed one once and practiced. At that time, Matsumoto-kun was on keyboard, and was it Leader on drums...?

Q3.[I heard you are more interested in acting. If you were to film a movie or drama (yourself?), what kind of theme do you want to make?]

A love story, a piece about society, anything is okay, but the goal is to make something with a clear story. I don’t want to do a vague story.

Q4.[Who is the one person you’ve been the most nervous around?]

I’ve never been nervous.
Q5.[Calm and cool Ninomiya-san, what was something that made you uneasy recently?]

When I meet people who know me from a long time ago. They can see the gap between how carefree I am now and how I was before, so I get embarrassed and uneasy. Recently when I did the “Marathon” drama with Tanaka Misako-san, I was uneasy.

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I know its rather late but,
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