[JO1] Sponichi Annex 220102

https://news.yahoo.co.jp/articles/4fe53c0f4836b01adef9a69efda1c44d9b7bb03c
Please note all Yahoo! News links have become inaccesable from the EU recently

JO1 Thankful of their bond that was formed over the past two years since their debut in the headwind “We want to bring happiness to the ‘powerful’ JAM”

A group that is expected to make a huge leap this year is the 11 member boys group JO1. With their single “WANDERING” they reached the 1st place in the Billboard charts for the 5th time in a row and in November at their first lives with audiences since their debut they charmed JAM (as their fans are called). The leader Yonashiro Sho (26), the dance leader Kawashiri Ren (24), and the epitome of liveliness Kono Junki (23) who was born in the year of the tiger talk about their ambitions and their feelings towards JAM.

In 2022, JO1’s energy will speed up. Of course there are their music activities, but from March 1st the drama “Short Program” in which all members will play their first leading role, will be streamed via Amazon Prime. On the 11th of the same month their documentary movie “未完成” (unfinished) will be released. It’s going to be a year with a lot to enjoy for JAM.

Kono, who was born in the year of the tiger, declared in a good hearted manner “I’m going to make it my year! I’m going to lead everyone!” Kawashiri confidentially said “I want to make it a year in which people think ‘It’s fun to be a JAM.’ Our responsibility is to make people happy so I hope that many people will become JAM and become happy with us.”

From November 19 to 21 last year, they held their first lives with an audience at the Makuhari Messe in Chiba. There, they finally got to show to the fans directly the songs and dances they had polished in the last two years.

Yonashiro looked back saying “I thought I’m so glad that I became a member of JO1 because there were also people crying as they listened to the ballad songs.” Kawashiri also said “Before those lives it was always ‘I want to meet you’. This changed to ‘I want to meet you again’.”

They made their debut on March 3 2020. It was the time when the Corona virus started to spread. Kawashiri mentioned “Our activities began with our debut event being cancelled.” Even when they moved forward, the wind continued to blow into their faces over and over. Their activities did not go as planned.

Their support had been JAM. Kono said “They made a huge celebration on SNS during the members' birthdays, they trended us on Twitter in various ways and more. During the two years we worked hard together. We want to thank them a lot but instead they tell us thank you. JAM are truly the strongest.” They wanted to meet but they could not. This feeling made the bond of JO1 and JAM even stronger.

How they spend the New Year’s Day until JO1’s formation in 2019 has been different for the 3 members. “On December 30 I returned home to Okinawa and relaxed until about January 5” (Yonashiro), “New Year‘s Day is only January 1. So from January 2 I returned to the usual, I danced and worked.” (Kawashiri), “I worked at the countdown live at the Kyocera Dome in Osaka, so I relaxed from January 2.” (Kono). And now, they spend the New Year’s holidays together and dream the same dream.

Their first aim of this year is to hold a nationwide tour. Kono mentioned “This year I want to make it ‘a year of having traveled huge distances’. I want to go a lot of places and I hope it’s going to be a happy, busy period where we can’t be at home.” Kawashiri added “ ‘A year when we don’t need a pause’. It is a blessing that we can work.” Their bodies are tingling.

Their aim since their formation is to be globally active. This attitude has not changed. Yonashiro is keen, saying “I think chances to appeal worldwide will also increase, so we want to try to increase the number of JAM abroad.” Kawashiri added “Out of the non rips fruits (= non JAM) we want to make jam.” They continue to run towards this goal.

[2022 JO1’s vows for the new year]

Kawanishi Takumi, 22 years old, born 23rd June 1999 (Heisei 11) in the prefecture Hyogo. Member colour is pink. 170cm. Blood type B
“I want to make a lot of different sounds. Not only in our artist activities, but I also want to challenge various kinds of work and show various sides. My personal goal is to do a nationwide tour.”

Kawashiri Ren, 24 years old, born 2nd March 1997 (Heisei 9) in the prefecture Fukuoka. Member colour is blue. 173cm. Blood type O
“We were able to do various things in the last two years and we were able to be active because there was support from a lot of people. But when I think about how to repay them, I think this is not enough. I want to come out of my comfort zone, take on various challenges and return the favour in a lot of ways.”

Shiroiwa Ruki, 24 years old, born 19th November 1997 (Heisei 9) in the prefecture of Tokyo. Member colour is white. 175cm. Blood type O
“I want to cherish growth and challenges. There are times when I have to stand firmly or when I feel it’s hard, but when I start to enjoy it, I can feel that I have grown a little. I want to act so that everyone will feel that ‘I’m challenging myself right now’.”

Mamehara Issei, 19 years old, born 30th May 2002 (Heisei 14) in the prefecture Okayama. Member colour is red. 173cm. Blood type O
“My motto is do everything with all my power. I want to do this without a change in the next year and afterwards, too. I want to do my best to complete everything to the best of my abilities.”

Ohira Shosei, 21 years old, born 13th April 2000 (Heisei 12) in the prefecture Kyoto. Member colour is yellow. 176cm. Blood type A
“Deepening my own colour means raising my own skills. Of course there is singing and dancing, but also acting, voice acting and learning languages. I want to go outside of JO1 and strengthen my new weapons. When I return this to JO1, we can be even bigger.”

Kimata Syoya, 21 years old, born 5th April 2000 (Heisei 12) in the prefecture Nagoya. Member colour is light purple. 171cm. Blood type A
“I hope that we can further improve our awareness, our skills and more. Upgrading in various aspects. Also personally, I want to improve my different skills.”

Tsurubo Shion, 21 years old, born 11th December 2000 (Heisei 12) in the prefecture Shiga. Member colour is grey. 178cm. Blood type A
“3+3=8. It does not really have a meaning. This is an example of what could be. I want to extend my own worldview. I think I will continue to say incomprehensible things, but I will do my best to make them understand it.”

Yonashiro Sho, 26 years old, born 25th October 1995 (Heisei 7) in the prefecture Okinawa. Member colour is green.180cm. Blood type O.
“2021 was the year when we started to give back. In 2022, I think we can do more and more, so I want to be aware of returning the favour to everyone.”

Sato Keigo, 23 years old, born 29th July 1998 (Heisei 10) in the prefecture Nagoya. Member colour is camel. 181cm. Blood type A.
“I’m often called a giraffe. Because my neck is long and I’m the tallest one. I want to be called “Jira/Gira” from the English word “Giraffe”, but that has not reached the world yet. I want this to be known more, and this year I want to stretch my neck even more and challenge various things without hesitating.”

Kono Junki, 23 years old, born 20th January 1998 (Heisei 10) in the orecturr Nara. Member colour is light blue. 174cm. Blood type O.
“In any case, I want to develop many skills to be able to enjoy music more and more. I already do so, but I want to be a person who can enjoy music even more.”