Your Future Must Be Glorious!

When will Ohno-kun get his driver’s license?
Aiba names the Arashi variety show “Tonight is Arashi!”
Matsujun buys a home at age 22!?
Nino will be single forever??
What is the outrageous prediction for Sakurai-kun at age 68?

Work, marriage, owning a home… Dreams for the future as we embark on new journeys.

Arashi’s ‘Wonderful Vision for the Future Announced!

MY PREDICTED TIMELINE NINOMIYA KAZUNARI
2000
Age 18: Get my driver’s license and at the same time graduate from high school.
Age 19: Think about how I can live my life once I become an adult.
Age 20: Become an adult and enrich my personal life.
2005
Age 21: Arashi is already 5 years old.
Age 22: My older sister gets married. Good things are happening.
Age 25: I will also think about getting married.
2010
Age 26: Arashi is already 10 years old.
Age 27: For the past two years, I’ve traveled abroad and seen many different things.
Age ~29: I get inspired (and go take pictures)
2015
Age 31: Arashi is already 15 years old.
Age 32: I finally give up on marriage.
2020
Age 36: Because I did what I wanted when I was young, I’m living a peaceful life.

WORK COMPILATION

SONG & DANCE

Aiba: I don’t really have a favorite genre when it comes to the music I usually listen to, but I think it’s good to have a certain base for the songs that Arashi sings. I can’t think of anything specific right now… But if we can find some kind of axis and work along it, I think it will support us no matter what we do later. If we don’t have an axis and just move in various directions, I think we’ll immediately end up going off somewhere random (laughs).

Do you write the lyrics and compose the music yourself? Once when I was really bored, I tried to with a friend, but I couldn’t do it at all. My friend could do it smoothly, but I just ended up only writing lyrics (lol). I wrote something about myself, but I can’t say what it was about, it’s too embarrassing (lol). It will definitely never be released (lol). As for musical instruments, it would be nice if I could play them, but I really only play them as a hobby. I have a blues harp and… a recorder. A soprano one like they play in elementary school. And it’s a skeleton one (lol). I bought it myself. It cost less than 1000 yen. I play it at home sometimes. Maybe I should play it at a concert. But I’d probably need a microphone to turn up the volume…

Matsumoto: Recently, I like Jamiroquai and other dark, soulful music. I’d like to sing songs in that style with Arashi too. I want to write and compose my own songs, and I also want to try playing piano and guitar. Whenever an idea comes to mind, I write it down so I’m ready whenever they say, “Let’s have a concert!” Also, right now I’m wondering what style of dancing I should do. Emphasizing my hands while dancing, and dancing without worrying about it. My arms are longer than most people’s, so I have to stretch them out more than others, otherwise it looks weird. Conversely, I wonder if it would be better if I didn’t worry about it? I really want to have a concert soon. Normally I’m often on edge and I don’t have much confidence in myself, but it’s different when I’m performing in concert. It’s not like, “Hello, I’m Matsumoto Jun,” but more like, “I’m Matsumoto Jun, you bastard!” Unlike on TV, being able to see the audience’s faces right in front of me gives me energy, and makes me want to make everyone truly enjoy themselves. It’s incredibly fun and makes me happy, and it’s the place where I can be my most natural self. People often say that the way I wave to everyone during encores is very thoughtful, but that just happens naturally. I can never make it around in a full circle, so I try to go in the directions I couldn’t get to that day. It’s about quality over quantity, or rather, if I’m going to show half the people I can, I want to show them my best side.

Ninomiya: Lately I’ve been listening to a lot of acoustic music. Like Kouji Tamaki. It really touches the heart, doesn’t it~ I’d like to sing songs like that, but I don’t think it would fit with Arashi’s style. I play the guitar all the time. I also compose songs. But I don’t really like playing the guitar at concerts. Because in arenas and other large venues, the sound doesn’t reach the audience at the back properly, right? That’s kind of lonely. So, if in a venue that isn’t too big…Hmm, something like the size of the public pension fund… Let’s do it! Guitar and vocals.

Ohno: Wouldn’t it be good if Arashi could sing various types of songs? Not sticking to one genre, but something like anything goes. Also, I can’t play instruments and I can’t write songs…Okay. There’s nothing in particular I want to do, but… Oh, I want to be able to dance faster. My movements. Fast and light movements that other people can’t do. Wouldn’t that stuff be good for that? Stamina training (laughs). If I do that, I should be able to do it (serious). If I have the time, I’d like to try choreographing it myself. And in the future, I want to dance alone at a concert. Jazz, and a simple, single-color costume. I won’t sing, I’ll just dance. That would be cool (laughs).

Sakurai: The ideal is not for the song to be energetic or catchy, but for it to be recognized as “a great song, a really good song,” and for that to result in it reaching number one. A song that everyone will love. In that sense, I think “A・RA・SHI” was a “good song.” I hope to produce an even better song and achieve even better results in the future. That’s my goal. Right now, I really want to do a concert. I love dancing, and I want everyone to see me, but on TV, you’re not always on camera, right? But at a concert, someone is always watching. And if it’s a stage where we’re the main act, that would be amazing. I actually did a fair amount of the choreography myself, for shows like “Music Jump.” I’d create a rough framework, and Yara-san would fill in the details. I really enjoyed it. But I’ve never actually done the whole thing by myself. Thinking about the movements for five people seems incredibly difficult. Maybe someday in the future. I’m still not able to dance to my satisfaction, and when I watch myself dancing on TV, I always think, “Wow, that’s so crappy,” so I always want to keep improving.

VARIETY

Aiba: Lately, I’m not as bad at talking as I used to be. I enjoy talking. I’d like to try variety shows. If Arashi had their own show, I’d want the title to be “Tonight is Arashi!” (laughs). With an exclamation mark. And lightning in the background, and rain too (laughs). As for the content, what would be good? Maybe a skit… (thinks). Something funny… Something like TOKIO’s, where we put our bodies on the line, sounds fun, but it looks tough (laughs). Costumes? Okay, okay, I’ll do it (laughs). Sometimes I feel like I want to create something myself. Like when I see those “When you wanna slurp it down~” commercials, it inspires me. If I had the tools for it and lots of friends to help me, I might just do something…

Matsumoto: I hope a variety show with Arashi becomes a reality. I want to do something intense like TOKIO, and I also want to do something that shows our true selves. I wouldn’t mind becoming a bowling pin like Takizawa-kun (laughs). I also want to do a comedy skit. As opposed to long ones, I like super short, like 5 second, silly sketches. The kind with a strong impact. I’d like to try something like that. Regarding talking, I’m usually shy around people, but I’m perfectly fine with it on TV and for work, even with people I’ve just met. It’s just that I’m terrible at talking. I need to talk more…Improving my technique is my challenge going forward.

Ninomiya: Variety… what would that be? I don’t really watch TV much normally, so I don’t know what’s on these days. If Arashi were to do it, maybe something physically demanding like TOKIO would be good… Huh? Aiba-chan and MatsuJun are saying the same thing? Well, then, let’s do that, in Aiba’s style (laughs). Honestly, I don’t know about variety shows. We’ve all been doing them since back in the day, but as Arashi, we don’t have that much experience yet. It feels like I’ve gone from being a third-year middle schooler to a first-year high schooler. Like I’ve gone from being the oldest student to the youngest. So I think it’s good to take things slow, gain various experiences, and find what suits me. I like talking. I think it’s important to express your own thoughts. But that’s the hardest thing to do.

Ohno: If Arashi were to do a variety show, I’d like to try a skit. Sometimes the though “I want to do that” just pops into my head. And then while it’s in my head I imagine what I would do. But after that I don’t write it down on paper, so I immediately forget. The moment it comes to mind I think “This is pretty interesting, it could work”. I’m also into wearing costumes and stuff, and I get the cold shoulder during conversations. I could never do it by myself (lol). I like talking. As long as everyone doesn’t have high expectations for my boke (jokes). If we’re going to go to the trouble to get a show, we better make it interesting.

Sakurai: I like variety shows and they’re fun… but they’re difficult, aren’t they? They’re not as meticulously planned as dramas, so the fact that you can do whatever you want is also appealing. But I really want to do one with Arashi. I’ve been saying it in various places. A title? Hmm… “Untitled” (laughs). Something like “Let’s Go to School!” (V6 show) would be good, or something like “SMAPxSMAP.” I really want to do a skit. I’m okay with a bald wig too (lol). Because I already always made ridiculous faces on Music Jump. So I’m totally fine with wearing costumes (lol).

MY PREDICTED TIMELINE OHNO SATOSHI
2000
Age 19: My last year as a teenager has begun.
Age 20: I drink alcohol for the first time.
Age 23: During a concert, I break my neck and die. But actually I live.
2005
Age 24: I get a monkey as a pet and develop a fur allergy.
Age 28: I want to get married.
2010
Age 29: I end up doing nothing for a whole year.
Age 32: I get married.
Age 33: I have kids. Healthy twins.
2015
Age 34: I buy a house.
Age 37: Aiba-chan gets married.
2020
Age 40: I finally get my driver’s license.

ACTING

Aiba: During the time when I was working on the drama, it’s like there are two of me. Even when I’m just talking normally, I start wondering what the character would do, and even when I’m spacing out, thoughts of the character pop into my head. I know I shouldn’t be thinking about it since it’s my private life, but (laughs). I love acting…but it’s not easy, is it? The first time I did “Stand by Me,” it was really tough. I couldn’t memorize my lines, and even going to rehearsals was a struggle (laughs). But the actual performance was incredibly fun. Because it’s a stage, you have to keep going even if you make mistakes. I made so many mistakes that it was like the story wasn’t even making sense (laughs), but that was fun too. In the future, I’d like to play a villain who’s actually incredibly weak, or someone with a bit of a contrasting personality.

Matsumoto: I’ve done several dramas so far, but I still don’t have any confidence in my acting. People often say that my portrayal of Mori in “Our Courage” was good, but I don’t get much praise for anything else, which is really frustrating. I really want to study acting properly. That’s why right now I want to be in a play. They put their all into training and struggling in tough conditions. It’s good to be introduced to the real thing first. I want to do dramas after having that experience many times. Even after having been in a drama many times before, it’s fine with me to be the lowest ranking cast member. I have a good-natured personality, so when I’m in a higher position, I start to act like a spoiled child. I always have the feeling of “don’t lose.” I think playing the role of a guy who has something hidden deep in their heart and can’t show it would be good. The opposite of me (lol).

Ninomiya: I’d love to do a drama~. For a serial drama lasting around 3 months, a role of someone who doesn’t talk to anybody, or someone who is autistic. I’d also like to play the role of someone with an intellectual disability. Also a risky role like Fuyuhiko (from “I’ve Always Loved You“). Doesn’t that seem like it would suit me? Fuyuhiko-san (laughs) I really want to do it. It seems like it’s all heavy roles. On the surface I don’t show it, but I actually tend to think about things quite seriously, so maybe it’s related to that. I don’t really know. I don’t mind being called “Arashi’s Drama Leader,” but I’m not that good. Last year I saw the movie “Life is Beautiful” and it really moved me, someday I want to have the role of a protagonist that can make people cry.

Ohno: My first drama was last year’s “V no Arashi” and honestly, I didn’t really get it (lol). They don’t film in the order the story is told, so I couldn’t keep up (laughs). I really want to do theater, musicals. I don’t care what the content is, I just want to dance. And I want to sweat. If I don’t sweat I don’t feel like I’m working. When I’m not moving my body, I’m a useless person (laughs). Stage actors often say “I want to die on stage” and I kind of understand that feeling. I don’t feel that way quite yet, but I guess you’d want to die doing what you love, right?

Sakurai: I think “V no Arashi” was a good experience. It was my first drama, so I’m not satisfied with my acting and there are many things I need to improve on, but I really enjoyed the atmosphere on set and thinking about the character’s feelings when I received the script. Right now, I don’t even know if I’m suited to acting, so I want to take on various roles in the future. I’d like to try a lot of them.

MY PREDICTED TIMELINE AIBA MASAKI
2000
Age 18: Get my driver’s license. High school graduation.
Age 20: Coming of Age Ceremony. It will be fun.
Age 21: Work is going well. Every day is enjoyable.
2005
Age 22: My younger brother graduates from high school.
2010
Age 27: I get a boat license and have fun in the ocean.
Age 30: I get married and have kids.
2015
Age 32: The kids are growing up, we build a house.
2020
Age 37: Ganbare Arashi.

The Future of Five People: Q&A!

MY PREDICTED TIMELINE MATSUMOTO JUN
2000
Age 16: Arashi becomes even more widely known throughout Japan.
Age 18: I graduate high school, get my driver’s license and buy a car!!
2005
Age 21: I perform in a musical with Arashi, which is a great success.
Age 22: I win the lottery and use that money to buy a house.
Age 24: I get a pet (dog).
Age 25: My older sister gets married. We go on a family trip abroad.
2010
Age 26: I release a solo CD.
Age 27: Arashi makes a variety show. Every day I’m busy with work like TV appearances etc.
Age 30: I get married. A simple wedding. Travel around the world for my honeymoon.
2015
Age 31: My first son is born.
Age 32: Arashi disbands!?
Age 33: I discover a new talent and become famous in that field.
2020
Age 36: Arashi reunites!
Age 37: Arashi goes on a world tour.

PRIVATE LIFE COMPILATION

INDEPENDENCE

Aiba: So, independence means… standing on your own two feet… like, separating yourself from your parents, right? I haven’t been able to do that yet. I’m still living off my parents (laughs). I wonder when I’ll be able to become independent? Maybe after I’ve matured a bit more… Right now, I don’t really want to live alone. I used to dream about it when I was in middle school, though. I really wanted to. I thought I could do it, but I couldn’t (lol). But then, when I got to high school, I realized that it was still impossible for me. I couldn’t do housework, and my diet was unbalanced. In that sense, I thought my mom was amazing. I want to be able to do everything myself from now on, and somehow manage to do it by the time I’m 20… It’s not so much that I want to, but rather that I have to. I can’t help but think that…it’s my age (lol). [Aiba refers here to the typical age when people get married and are generally expected to live on their own]

Matsumoto: What does independence mean…? I guess it means becoming someone who doesn’t cause trouble for others. That’s probably the most important thing. It seems like it will take a long time for me to become that person. But I don’t want to become a perfect person anytime soon. If I became perfect, it would be boring, and I feel like I’d be no good if I didn’t have the desire to fill in some kind of gap. Besides, I think that if I live my life to the fullest, I’ll probably naturally get closer to my ideal. I just want people to tell me clearly if there’s anything I’m doing that I think is right but is actually wrong. I can’t do anything on my own. I really want to hear what they have to say.

Ninomiya: Independence means seeing things through to the end. It’s that feeling you get when you’ve seen something through to the end, like, “Ah, it’s finally done!” But that feeling depends on the situation, so I don’t know if it means I’m independent right now. Sometimes I feel like “it’s doomed” but thanks to the hard work of the staff, it turns out to be a really good result. It varies. Last month I said that “it’s important to have the feeling that you won’t cause trouble for your parents,” but I think that no matter what you do, the feeling you have at that moment is the most important thing. People often say “there is meaning in doing it,” but I think it’s meaningless if you do it without feeling. I think that in the end, what remains for a person is their feelings, no matter what happens.

Ohno: Independence? Like living alone? I did that when I was doing a play in Kyoto, but it was a pain (laughs). I had to do all the housework myself, and there were cockroaches. I didn’t take out the trash at all, so the whole room got really bad and smelled awful (laughs). So, I don’t really want to live alone now. My home is comfortable. But what does independence even mean? Hmm… I don’t know!

Sakurai: So, what is independence? Well… It’s when you can do most things on your own, but when someone tries to help you with something you can’t do, I guess it’s about being able to accept that. Right now I live with my family, and even for things I could do myself, I end up relying on my parents when push comes to shove, so I’m not really that independent… But I’m not completely dependent either. I try to do as much as I can for myself. But still, I think it’s bad if independence becomes isolation because I’m trying too hard to be independent. Instead of rushing ahead on my own, I think it would be best if I could accept and absorb help from my parents and others. I’ve been thinking about living alone lately. It’s not that I’m longing for it, but when I’m at home, fans sometimes show up. I’m the one who has to work, so it’s my fault that fans show up. I don’t want to cause trouble for my family, so I’m wondering if it would be better to move out. Is this also a step towards independence?

MARRIAGE

Aiba: Back in the day, I wanted to get married around the age of 20. I longed for marriage and wanted to do it early. But now, I think it would be nice if I could get married by the time I’m around 30. I’d like a wife who’s a good cook and reliable. It’s fine if she’s the dominant one in the household. Because men are away from home for work, right? Moms are definitely home more often, so I want someone I can confidently entrust with household matters. Morning farewells? In the mornings… everyone’s sleepy, so if it’s too hard, you can make breakfast and go back to sleep. I’ll just eat breakfast by myself and head off on my own (laughs).

Matsumoto: Getting married? I wonder when it will happen. Given my personality, it seems like I’d get married if I wanted to, but in reality, I probably won’t do it until I feel I’ve done my job properly. I probably won’t be a domineering husband. On the contrary, I think my wife will be the stronger one (laughs). It’s fine if she has a job. Rather than her giving me a kiss when I leave for work in the morning, I’d prefer if we went to work together. Because I think a kiss goodbye is only something that happens at the beginning (laughs). No, it’s good to have one at the beginning That’s fine, but… Helping with housework? Hmm, I guess I’ll do it if I feel like it at the time, and I won’t do it if I don’t feel like it… I’m still not sure.

Ninomiya: Everything said they thought that among the members I would get married first? But I definitely won’t get married. I don’t really need anyone to emotionally support me right now. I don’t even think about what the ideal married life would be at all. It’s still too early. Probably. But that’s true for everything, because I’m the type of person to take things very seriously. I tend to easily lose control, so if I actually found someone I really liked, I’d probably marry them right away (lol).

Ohno: Personally, I’m hoping to get married in my late 20s. I don’t really have an ideal life in mind. Ordinary is fine. For example, when I come home from work and open the door, my kids come out to greet me with “Welcome home!” Is that enough of an ideal? If there’s anything else I’d like, it’s just that I’d like a marriage where neither of us is stronger than the other, but rather a marriage where we’re equals. I think I do a fair amount of housework myself. Even though in Kyoto I couldn’t even take out the trash (laughs). I do things for myself. I wouldn’t leave everything to my wife~. Or rather, when I don’t do anything my body becomes sluggish. If I don’t move, I’m a useless person (lol).

Sakurai: Ideally, I’d marry at around age 30. But reality is tough. No, rather than wanting to get married, I want a family (laughs). I really yearn for a life where I have a wife and kids. And neither of us is bossy, and we’re not too lovey-dovey. I want us to be close and have a friend-like relationship. I want my wife to work. I like women who work, and I like a wife who works. So when we get married, I’ll have to help with the housework. Right now, I really can’t cook, so let’s see… I can do the dishes and take ingredients out of the refrigerator (laughs). As for cleaning, my room is really dirty. I’m thinking of doing what I can. Oh, I might be able to clean the bathroom and toilet. Sure, I’ll do it! I also want to have home parties with friends, where my wife cooks and I serve the food… That sounds great! (Excited) I’ll definitely do it!

MY PREDICTED TIMELINE SAKURAI SHO
2000
Age 18: March – Got my driver’s license. Had to retake the ID photo because it was too silly.
Age 20: At the Coming of Age Ceremony, I was interviewed along with Takizawak-kun, Tsubasa-kun, Yokoyama, Murakami and others.
Age 22: On September 10th, 11:00PM, I was hungry and ate a late-night snack.
2005
Age 23: March – I graduate from university.
Age 25: I play a supporting role in a drama. Thanks to being given a cool costume, I join the ranks of popular actors.
Age 26: I have my first leading role in a drama. Everyone’s attention was drawn to the supporting actor in his cool costume, which makes me sad.
2010
Age 28: I suddenly remember I have a driver’s license, and on a whim, buy a car.
Age 30: January – I get married. I cry when I see my wife in her wedding dress, who is also in tears.
February – I stop crying.
2015
Age 33: My first child (a boy) is born. “Weight: 3000kg”. No, it should be 3000g, I think to myself.
Age 35: I buy a vacation home in Karuizawa. I join the ranks of vacation home families.
2020
Age 38: My second child (a girl) is born. I decide to make a big splash at the park and become popular with the ladies there.
Age 40: I become a charismatic figure in the lifestyle industry as a “Super Life Advisor”
Age 41: I become a hairdresser, partly because I was already a charismatic figure.
Age 42: I take a nap.

MY HOME

Aiba: As for where we’d live after getting married… I’d like a detached house. As for the location, I don’t want it to be far from the city center (laughs). Well, in my old age, it doesn’t really matter where we live, but when we’re young, it’s probably more convenient to live closer to the city. And as for other things I’d like to have, like a garden… do we need one? Or not? If we have kids, maybe it would be good to have one? But building a house in the city center seems like a lot of work. Especially with a garden (laughs). It seems impossible unless both my wife and I work hard (laughs). No, it’s okay to be poor at first. It’s fine if we can’t build a house right away. It’s fine as long as we can build it up little by little together. Even though I say all that, I don’t really know in reality. Owning a home is still a long way off…

Matsumoto: If I were to get married, I’d prefer to live somewhere a little further away from the city center. I’d like to build a house in the suburbs and live there. With a yard for kids to play in, and dogs that can roam freely (laughs). I’d love to live a life like that. Also, this isn’t very realistic, but I have an image of my ideal home. It’s the kind of house I saw when I went abroad. In front of the house there’s a garden, and beyond that, the ocean stretching out before me. And with a terrace. I want to sit on the bench there and just zone out. It seems like it would be incredibly relaxing. After all, my ideal is a place where I can relax the most.

Ninomiya. My ideal dream home? Are you asking Ninomiya, who doesn’t want to get married? (laughs) Well, if I were to get married, I’d definitely want to live somewhere quiet. That’s important. As for the house, I don’t really care whether it’s a house or an apartment. I don’t have any strong preferences about how it has to be, but it would be nice if it had good soundproofing. I play the guitar really loudly, so I don’t want to bother the neighbors (laughs). Also, I want a room where I can’t feel the passage of time at all. A room where I can’t see anything outside, and I don’t know if it’s morning, noon, or night. I want an environment where I can concentrate on what I love. I said I don’t have any strong preferences, but these two things I just can’t compromise on.

Ohno: If we were to get married and live together, I’d prefer a detached house over an apartment. I’d like a place with nature, not too crowded, and not too much of anything around. A place like the town where I was born and raised. And it should have a garden. The bigger the garden, the better. Big enough for kids to play in. And then there’s the bath. I don’t want anything less than a big bath. Ideally, it should be big enough to stretch my legs out in, about the size of this room (approximately 4 tatami mats). That’s an exaggeration, but I think it would be nice if the bathroom as a whole was about this size. And it would be even better if there was a big window so that the sun could pour in. The house? The house can be small. As long as the garden and bathroom are big enough (laughs).

Sakurai: As for where we’ll live after getting married, what kind of house would be good? I think a detached house would be better than an apartment. As for location, I’ve lived in the city center my whole life since I was little and it was super convenient, so I think it would be better to be close to the city center. If we have kids, they’ll have more places to play, and schools and things like that will be more convenient. But when I get older, I plan to go to the countryside. I’ve decided that when I become an old man, I’ll live somewhere in the countryside. Or maybe I’ll emigrate to a foreign country. But as long as I’m working, I’ll definitely stay in the city center. I wouldn’t mind even being right next to the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building in Shinjuku. Hmm (laughs). The very heart of the city, you know? (laughs)

CHILDREN

Aiba: I’ve said before that I want twins, but if they were actually born… I think it would be a problem because I wouldn’t be able to tell them apart. Maybe an older sister and a younger brother would be just right. They’d probably take care of each other (laughs). As for names, I don’t want anything complicated. Ideally, I’d like a two-syllable name that’s easy to pronounce. Something like “Ken,” or something like that. I can’t imagine what I’d be like as a father, but I might be similar to my own dad. Like, in terms of my hobbies and tastes. My dad isn’t scary at all. He’s really close to my younger brother, and they even take baths together. If anything, my mom is the more responsible one. But when I was little, I wasn’t told to study; I was allowed to do whatever I wanted. So, I just want to instill manners and common sense in my own children, and then let them do whatever they want. It’s their life, after all.

Matsumoto: What name would I want to give my own child? Hmm… It’s a bit cartoonish, but I might want to name him “Jun.” Like, when my wife calls out “Jun,” we both turn around (laughs). I still don’t talk much with my family. I can’t even laugh with my parents. I’m kind of an unlovable kid (wry smile). I guess I created this situation without realizing it, so it’s probably hard to change now. When I grow up and have a son, I don’t want to have that kind of relationship with him. Why? I want to have a relationship like that of friends, where we can talk about anything, even really trivial things. But even though we don’t talk much now, the words my dad has always told me, “Take responsibility for your actions,” are deeply etched in my heart, and I want to pass them on to my children in the future.

Ninomiya: From elementary school until I graduated from junior high, I was always called “Kazuya” everywhere I went (laughs), so I want to give my own child a name that’s easy to read and won’t be mispronounced. A name is something you have for life, after all. I want to give them a name they won’t be embarrassed to have, even when they become grandparents. Also, what I’m thinking now is that I want to be a father who can always see things from the same perspective as my children. I want to forget what it was like when I was a child. “Back in my day” or “Young people these days” I definitely don’t want to become an adult who says things like that. My dad is the kind of person who never says anything like that. He just watches over me silently without saying anything. I’ve never been scolded by him even once. Maybe that’s because he understands how a child feels, even though he doesn’t say it out loud.

Ohno: When I have a child, I’m definitely going to give them a really unusual name. A name that nobody else has, but one that won’t get them bullied. Like, for example, ‘Riki’. I’ll also think about the kanji characters, to make them easy to write. My own name is surprisingly difficult to write. I want to be a dad who doesn’t nitpick. I’ll scold them if they do something wrong, but I won’t restrict them. My parents let me do whatever I wanted. I was more into playing than studying. And that’s how I turned out, so I want to do the same for my kids. I want them to be like me (laughs). I’ll just tell them to study kanji, though. I regret not doing it properly back then (laughs).

Sakurai: Would my children a boy or a girl? I like children. I really do. My younger brother and sister are quite a bit younger than me, so I often took care of them. I love taking care of kids. Even then, I’d use casual language like, “What are you doing, huh?” (laughs). My parents are pretty hands-off. They don’t interfere with me much. But on the other hand, they tell me to tell them if something happens. For example, if I do something wrong at school. They get angry if I stay silent when I’m doing something wrong. I think it’s because they value trust. That’s how I was raised. I think I’ll do the same for my own children. My family is really close, and it’s fun to be at home. So I want to make my home a place where my children can feel happy when they’re there. I don’t mean that they have to be there all the time, though. [This scan was slightly cut off so I just guessed on a few sentences]