Press Conference with Morning Musume.

On the first day of Japan Expo, the largest Japanese culture event in the world, JaME was able to attend the brief press conference for idol group Morning Musume.


Question from the Sushi Party Club: What are your first impressions of your European audience?

(The girls seem amused by the “Sushi Party Club” and play at answering with French words like “oui.”)

Ai Takahashi: Hello, I am Ai Takahashi. What really impressed me this morning in the FNAC was that the audience was really “international.” I met lots of Canadians, people from Hong Kong, and so forth. I was really surprised.

Risa Niigaki: (in French) Oui, I am Risa Niigaki. (in Japanese) When we got to the airport, there were already a lot of fans there! I was really surprised by the fact that they each tried to call to us in Japanese. I wasn’t expecting that at all, and I’m really happy to be in France.

Eri Kamei: (in French) Oui, I’m Eri Kamei. (in Japanese) This morning there was a man who said, “You’re so beautiful, you’re so beautiful!!” and a woman who said, “You’re so cute, you’re so cute!!” But they were also really good looking! It was wonderful!

(They seem amused and the audience laughs.)

Sayumi Michishige: (in French) Oui, I am Sayumi Michishige. (in Japanese) Pleased to meet you! I am so happy to see so many fans of Morning Musume. here in France. What moved me the most was that each person tried to get to know us one by one. It moved me a lot too when they said I’m cute. And I find that French people have skin that is really smooth and beautiful. You’re all lucky!

Reina Tanaka: (in French) I am Reina Tanaka. (in Japanese) When we look at each other, we look at each other one by one, and I saw your eyes were so bright and you were always smiling. You’ve been so welcoming and nice, it’s incredible.

Aika Mitsui: (in French) Oui, I am Aiki Mitsui. (in Japanese) You’re all smiling, but what impresses me is that when you talk, you look at us in the eyes! It’s really nice because that’s not the case in Japan.

Junjun: (in French) Oui, I am Junjun desu! (The other girls laugh at her mistake. She continues in Japanese.) I was surprised to see people trying to communicate with me in French. I was also really surprised to see that this audience sang our songs in Japanese even though it’s not their language! Also, the fans were here really early to see us and they waited many hours in the street! It was really moving, thank you so much!!

Linlin: (in French) I am Linlin. (in Japanese) I’m a huge fan of anime and when I met you I thought right away that your eyes are like those of manga characters, big and bright! I almost want to ask for your autographs! On the other hand, something I don’t understand is that there’s a lot of sun, but you’re all white! How does that happen?

(A member in the audience answers that it’s the pollution that protects their skin. The girls seem dumbstruck and then laugh at the joke.)

As a group of girls, what’s the main atmosphere of the group? Can it get too tense?

Ai Takahashi: It’s very lively! (laughs)

Question from Nippon Project: You’ve come to Japan Expo one year after AKB48. Is this a kind of competition for you?

Ai Takahashi: The group Morning Musume. has already been around for thirteen years. I think we're different that way. But they sang in French, it was a beautiful effort!

Question from Spanish media: Do you think we’ll be able to see you in Spain?

(Everyone laughs when the journalist, ethnically Japanese, asks the question again in Japanese.)

Ai Takahashi: For now we don’t have any plans to go there, but if someone wants to invite us, why not!

(All the girls follow the translator and repeat “Why not?” then laugh.)

Question from Orient-Extreme: is there going to be a CD release for Europe (compilations, re-editions, albums)?

Ai Takahashi, Risa Niigaki, Eri Kamei, Sayumi Michishige: There’s already a CD available for the occasion of Japan Expo. Beyond that, we’d really like to, but for now there’s nothing scheduled.

(Everyone encourages them and they thank the audience.)

Question from Manga-News: What are some of the criteria to get into a group like Morning Musume.?

Risa Niigaki: First, you have to be a big fan of Morning Musume.! Then, you have to love singing and have passion!

(The audience applauds. The girls thank everyone in one voice and flash big smiles before leaving the room, thanking everyone again.)