[JO1] Fandom 230221 Sho x Ruki x Takumi talk

Witty talks unfold in “JO1’s All Night Nippon X” in which the main personality Shiroiwa Ruki welcomes two different guests each week. We are bringing you reports of the year-end and year-start broadcasts that will make your mood better, too!

Part 01
Guests
Sho Yonashiro
Takumi Kawanishi

“ANNX” might be a radio, but you can enjoy it with a video.

Each episode Shiroiwa-san facilitates “JO1’s All Night Nippon X” as the (main) personality.
Takumi: I’m always thinking ‘Just as I expected from him’. But we are fine with not advancing, so we do it freely (laughs). He sums up the talk, teases us, directs it diligently and really helps us, so I understand why this was entrusted to Ruki-kun.
Sho: A live broadcast means a limited timeframe and you have to advance precisely, which is something really hard. One time Junki was the main personality, but he said he once more understood how hard it is to be the MC (laughs).
Ruki: Thank you very much (embarrassed laugh).

On the app “smash.” you can enjoy the program together with video footage, right? Is there something you keep in mind?
Ruki: If it was just our voices, I would like it do it in a slow manner, or rather in a mature and calm way, like (in a nice lower voice) “Here we are again, JO1’s ANNX”, but after all since there is video footage, there is a feeling of being even more lively. It is a radio, but it gives a new kind of feeling that you can enjoy together with video contents.
Sho: We can talk more carefree on the radio than on TV, so I hope that the fans will be pleased to see us enjoying our conversations in an honest and close manner on smash. It is a good relationship between the radio and smash, isn’t it?
Takumi: I’m happy that each time something like our outfits are also enjoyed.

Is there something new that you noticed among the members by starting this radio program?
Ruki: In the beginning I put all my power into the role of the main personality and sometimes I couldn’t follow the others, but I really felt that everyone followed me (instead). For example, there was the joke “If so-and-so comes it is going to be dangerous”, but I’m grateful to everyone. I feel that the listeners continue to listen, especially because this is a radio made by everyone together.
Sho: I feel that there is an honest side of each one of us coming out that we rarely show on TV. Hence, it is easy to do for all of us. And Ruki is getting better with each time, both in progressing and directing!
Takumi: We are doing this with different members each time, so I became more prepared, thinking something like “Ah this member jokes around like this”. Like when it’s a member who jokes around a lot, I will do the paybacks. Especially if it is Ren-kun, I will tease him.

A voice media that also changes the way you connect with the listeners

Please tell us if there is something you want to try in the future.
Takumi: I would like to give advice about the worries of the listeners. How about we answer the worries we get via phone or mail?
Ruki: Good idea. I’m always supported by the others, so it would be nice to do it alone, and having guests other than JO1 would be something fresh, too, and an episode would be nice of which I am not the main personality and just watch it as an audience.
Sho: I think it would be nice to have a lottery and let one of the 30.000 listeners have a conversation with us. I think a topic would come out from talking directly like this.

Being able to talk directly is only possible with a live broadcasted radio.
Sho: Right. For example, we are in Tokyo, but even if the listener is in Hokkaido, I think we could talk directly and do something interesting.

Lastly, what do you think is the charm of the media called radio?
Takumi: I normally listen to radio from time to time, but I was really into it before becoming a member of JO1. I used to fall asleep while listening to the radio before sleeping. For me, it is kind of a media that calms me down.
Sho: Unlike TV, there are also people who listen to it while driving or while studying and it is a broad media you can listen to in various situations, and it is good that you can focus on the talk as there is no video footage.
Ruki: To be honest, before being entrusted with this program I didn’t have the habit of listening to the radio, but since doing it myself, I have come to think of it as a good tool that allows me to talk more freely and deeper about things while being less self-conscious than on TV. In addition, by us being in charge of it, we are doing our best with the wish of making the young generation listen to the radio more...

It is also a tool that allows you to communicate with JAM outside of performances and concerts, right?
Takumi: That’s right. Especially since “ANNX” is late at night, we are doing this hoping that you can forget even a bit about the bad things of the day and relax by laughing because of our radio and listening to JO1’s songs.

JO1’s All Night Nippon X broadcast report

Radio highlight
- It started by them entering the booth 45 min before. They had a briefing session with the director and read the script. The atmosphere was a special mix of a friendly relaxed mood and a pleasant sense of nervousness that the show is about to start soon.
- Once the briefing session ended they had a moment of free time. They looked at their smartphones and chatted with each other. 5 minutes before, they sit down on their seats and 2 minutes before they checked the script again. More and more their expressions became serious.
- Before the broadcast. Kawanishi performed a rap about Nuresenbei which he got addicted to the other day and talked about on the radio before. Yonashiro broke out laughing while hearing this. The rap is recorded for the jingle, and thus the jingle was recorded in one go just before the broadcast. Yonashiro’s expression of freely enjoying himself was memorable. There was big excitement as he told his all time best story of “winning the Okinawa tournament (in the middleweight class) without a fight” during the show! Even on Shiroiwa’s and Kawanishi’s face, who have surely heard the story a lot already, a smile broke out.
- Shiroiwa was the steady facilitator. The three talked, read the mails of the listeners, interacted with the staff and made appeals towards the smash-camera. Their attention towards all directions was as perfect as expected!
- Only for the end of the year, the topic of ozoni was brought up. Yonashiro who is from Okinawa where there is no ozoni, said “Because in Okinawa we have Inamuduchi.”, which gave birth to a power word aiming for the (Twitter) trends. This moment made everyone break out laughing, including the director outside the booth.
- Shiroiwa and Yonashiro gently watched over Kawanishi reading mails. The booth is always lively, with occasional heated exchanges, but it was also a glimpse into the warmth and friendship between them.
- After the broadcast ended, Kawanishi received lots of Nuresenbei from the staff. On the radio, he was constantly recommended to add a little extra to the Nuresenbei and also snacks with a similar texture, which made him both happy and annoyed!?
TN: Nuresenbei is a rice cracker from Choshi, Chiba. The rice cracker dough is dipped into soy sauce while it’s still hot after baking.
Ozoni is a soup containing mocha, which is strongly associated with the new year.
Inamuduchi is a traditional soup from Okinawa, a miso soup with a lot of ingredients which is served on special occasions, such as New Years.

[JO1] smart WEB 230222

https://smartmag.jp/archives/24258/

[LUMINE EST Shinjuku] JO1 and Go to the FASHIONISTA! 2 HOT SHOPs which handsome men want to visit (Part 1)

The 11 member global boy group JO1 is riding high as they had their first appearance on NHK Kouhaku Uta Gassen in 2022 and now they collaborate with LUMINE EAST Shinjuku in Tokyo, a department with a wide range of fashionable shops. In line with JO1’S greeting “Go to the TOP”, the concept of this collaboration is “Go to the FASHIONISTA” to enjoy this year’s spring fashion to the fullest.5 noteworthy shops from LUMINE EAST Shinjuku will be featured here.

For the first part, we have HARE, which expresses their cool world view with a monotone base and STUDIOUS, which offers a collection of carefully selected Japanese items. You can find all the current trends at LUMINE EST Shinjuku!

Updating your daily clothes with individuality under the theme of “light”
Kawanishi Takumi, Mamehara Issei, Kawashiri Ren wearing HARE

[…]

Takumi’s comment: I was impressed by the design of this knit, Roth every single of its details. The sides are cut, so it looks better layered than if you wore it alone. Today I wore a shirt under it, but you can enjoy different looks depending on what you choose!

Issei’s comment: I think it is the first time I’m wearing a vest-like jacket. I have the impression of jackets being something formal, and I don’t have one because I only wear casual clothes, but today I matched it with clothes that have a relaxed vibe and it was an eye-opener to see that there are other ways to incorporate jackets in your outfits.

Ren’s comment: I usually wear a lot of monoton clothes, so these purple pants felt new. The color is not bright, rather it is a little dull, which gives it a mature impression. There is also a calm feeling and I think the pants go well with monotone styles, so they are easy to incorporate into my personal wardrobe.

Who is JO1’s fashionista according to Kawanishi Takumi, Mamehara Issei and Kawashiri Ren?

Takumi: Ren-kun’s style is something I am aiming for. He is especially good at choosing accessories and today (the shooting day), he was wearing a fluffy head with his own personal coordinate. I always think he is stylish for how easily he incorporates seemingly difficult accessories into his own style. What I am interested in this spring is denim. It seems like that LUMINE EST Shinjuku got everything I am interested in, so I want to go there as soon as I can!

Issei: You might know it already, but sure enough Keigo-kun is stylish. Also among the JO1 members, he is always a step ahead of us and he is fast to take up the latest trends. My standard style is a casual long T-Shirt that I like so much that I end up buying new ones. In contrast, Keigo-kun freely wears all kind of items. But in regard to long T-Shirts, I have lots of different ones (laughs)

Ren: For me the fashionista in JO1 is Takumi. On the contrary to me who always wears monotone colors, Takumi has the image of looking good in various colors. He is also knowledgeable about sneakers and I feel he likes fashion. Spring is coming soon and I feel that my mood would be boosted if I enjoyed using colors in my clothes, like the coloured pants I wore today! I think coloured pants are also cute when worn by girls.

[…]

Made in Japan Quality giving birth to a unique worldview
Ohira Shosei, Sato Keigo, Kimata Syoya wearing STUDIOUS

[…]

Shosei’s comment: The smoky gray that I rarely wear feels fresh. I was supposed to wear a coat, too, but we chose this style because I felt that showing the shirt and the pants looked cuter. The pants in particular have a beautiful silhouette and will work in a wide range of combinations.

Keigo’s comment: I rarely wear leather pants, but putting them on gives me a cool style. They give off a loose silhouette, so I think they look cute when for example girls wear those with a tight top, such as cropped knitwear or a tight-fitting turtleneck.

Syoya’s comment: I usually wear casual and cute clothes, so this coordination is quite elegant and beautiful, and it gives a different kind of “smart” vibe from the usual. The jacket has parts with gold and a delicate feeling, so I think it can be enjoyed by all.

Who is JO1’s fashionista according to Ohira Shosei, Sato Keigo and Kimata Syoya?

Shosei: Because Keigo is tall and is style is good, everything he wears looks good on him, I have the image of him of always wearing the latest trend items, but sometime ago he wore a vintage jacket and it was a new discovery for me that he also enjoys fashion this way. I personally became interest in denim styles lately!

Keigo: There are several members who pay attention to fashion, but I probably like fashion the most. But some time ago, Ren-kun was wearing the clothes I wanted to buy, and I was like “For real?”. (Laughs) What I am looking for right now are Heisei*-style retro items. I’m weak for star motifs.
TN: Heisei era: 8th January 1989 - 30th April 2019

Syoya: I feel there is no other answer than Keigo-kun being “the fashionista”! I don’t care much about trends and I’m just a genius who happens to wear something trendy from time to time, but Keigo-kun checks everything properly and knows the brands well, so there is never a miss in what he wears. Keigo-kun even wore a green quilted coat before it became popular.

[JO1] VoCE 221221

Kawashiri Ren
My beauty rule is…
For a beautiful body, I strengthen my inner muscles

My ideal is a “flexible body” that is covered in natural muscles. I am aiming to have a body that is slim but makes dances look beautiful. I usually do light exercises like stretching and yoga, and even when I’m alone in my room I try to have a beautiful posture, which in turn trains my inner muscles. My future goal is to keep on taking care of my bleached hair. I want to exchange information with my light hair color buddy Ruki and find the best way for me.

Kawanishi Takumi
My beauty rule is…
I always make sure not to dry out both on the outside and on the inside.

I gain muscles just by a little bit of working out and my body isn’t really affected by what I eat, so to be honest, I don’t really pay much attention to “beauty”. However, in this season, I put effort into not letting my skin become dry. With skin care I take care of the outside, of course, and I drink lots of room temperature water to prevent dehydration. When I sweat during practice, I use YSL’s mist lotion during the breaks and it helps me to feel better.

Kono Junki
My beauty rule is…
I am in my perfect form mentally and physically by watching my diet and working out.

I’m really careful about what I eat lately. I carefully calculate the nutrients of my food, the amount I eat, and the time to eat, and I try to avoid sweets and high-fat foods that could cause skin problems. Thanks to my moderate diet and exercise, my body and mind are in perfect shape, but this year, a lot of fans seemed concerned and told me "You've lost weight… “. I kinda feel frustrated about this, so in 2023 I would like to increase my muscle training and protein intake to have a thicker body (laugh).

Mamehara Issei
My beauty rule is…
I am to have the best skin ever by keeping my gut healthy and regularly go to the sauna.

I, who debuted as a high schooler, turned 20 years old now, too, so it’s about time for me that I have to keep inner care in my consciousness, too. Specifically, I have started to pay more attention to what I eat. Recently, I have been actively consuming fermented foods such as kimchi and natto, and soy milk. Those are meant to keep my gut healthy. I also always liked to go to a sauna to refresh myself. I believe both of these habits have great beauty benefits, and I hope to show off my smoothest skin ever in 2023.

[JO1] Nippon Housou News Online 221111

https://news.1242.com/article/397760

JO1: "So that we can get closer to the fans” - Their wish for a “trolley performances” at live shows

On the night of the 19th November (Wednesday), the radio program ‘JO1 All Night Nippon X’ (every Wednesday from 24:00~24:58 on Nippon Housou) aired of which Shiroiwa Ruki from the 11 member global boy group, JO1, acts as the main personality. As the weekly changing personalities Kawashiri Ren and Kawanishi Takumi appeared in this episode. In response to a question from a listener, asking “At live shows there are often ‘special effects’ such as fireworks, but how hot/passionate are the JO1 members on stage?”, the three members talked about the special effects that had been used and what they would like to use in the future.

Ruki: We are really hot there, too.

Ren: Yes we are!

Ruki: Also, the explosions from the special effects and such are really loud. They shocked me.

Takumi: On the other hand, isn’t the CO2 (smoke) cold? It really feels nice, doesn’t it?

Ren: Right, I always think “thanks!!” (laughs)

Ruki: I once missed the timing to come out and ended up being right above the CO2 and then pew! Mame who was next to me laughed hard about this (laughs).

Ren: (laughs)

Ruki: Also, at the recent showcase we made balloons explode. This was also funny.

Takumi: A performance we want to try… like flying?

Ruki: Also, we often talk about that “We want to use trolleys”. So that we can get as close as possible to the fans. Because so far we could only get close to them via the runway, but with a trolley we could get even closer.

Takumi: Because we would be also able to meet the fans in the back, right? Also, I have been saying this the whole time, but on buggies… Because I used to make those.

Ruki: Right, you used to be an engineer.

Takumi: I want to appear on stage with a buggy.

Ruki: What is a buggy even?

Takumi: There are buggies that have steering wheels like motorbikes and there are ones that have steering wheels like cars but…
*Buggy: a vehicle suitable for driving on sandy or other tough roads

Ruki: Going on stage on a buggy…

Takumi: Only I will appear on stage on a buggy! The rest appears normally!

Ruki: Like a main character~ (laughs)

Ren: Strong (laughs)

Takumi revealed that he has been eagerly hoping for a long time to appear on stage alone on a buggy.

Also when Ren said “Sitting in the audience without anyone noticing. Like suddenly the spotlight goes on and the members sit in the audience. I want to try this when the pandemic improves.”, Takumi and Ruki agreed “This is great”, “This would hype everyone a lot!” Ruki continued, saying “Kawashiri Ren-kun might sit next to me then” and the three imagining various things together let to laugher.

[JO1] Sports Hochi 221026

https://hochi.news/articles/20221026-OHT1T51152.html

“JOCHUM”, created in the JO1 x Sanrio new character development project has been unveiled

The 11 member boy group JO1 released the new characters, created in the “JO1 x Sanrio new character development project” on the 26th.

Under the theme of “creating JO1 alter ego characters” JO1 teamed up with Sanrio, who have created more than 450 characters including “Hello Kitty”, for this project and the group name of the character has been decided as “JOCHUM”. Kawashiri Ren explained “JOCHUM has the meaning of roommate or friend. They are Soulmates who are each fulfilling their dreams.”

In the past Sanrio has collaborated with YOSHIKI for “yoshikitty”, EXILE’s Sekiguchi Mandy for “Hello Mandy” and the singer Niihama Leon for “Leosuke”.

The leader Yonashiro Sho said with a smile “It was a really precious experience. I’m glad that these characters were realized, down to the smallest detail.” The member Ohira Shosei said: “First of all, I am filled with gratitude to the staff who supported us in this regard. They made truly amazing characters happen for which I am thankful.”

Regarding the outcome of the design, Kono Junki said “My character is the cutest after being finished. I can’t thank them enough for making my character look so different from my poorly drawn draft. It is so cute. I love it.” Mamehara Issei expressed his satisfaction (with the designs), saying: “I am hopeless when it comes to drawing, but Sanrio altered it and made something very cute come out. Having a scarf, cape and belt included makes me really happy.” Also Tsurubo Shion expressed his gratitude, saying “I am proud of it. Thanks to Sanrio, they made the character look quite cute.”

Kinjo Sukai, who is good at drawing, expressed “In my character there are both my own ideals and the feelings of it as a Sanrio character. Rather than it being a character, I see it as another version of myself. I enjoyed thinking over it every night.” Kimata Syoya described the hard work that went into the creation of the draft: “I thought about the character by looking back at my own life. I faced myself for this.”

The group’s motto “Go To The TOP” has the meaning of standing at the top of the world. And, they hope to make a leap forward to this as their characters. Kawanishi Takumi said: “People overseas also know the Sanrio characters. I want our characters to go global, too.” Sato Keigo said “I hope these characters will be as active in the future as (the popular character) Cinnamoroll.” To this, Shiroiwa Ruki added his wish: “I hope a lot of people will love them. Hopefully they will be not just adored by us, but also by the fans.”

◆ Characters that the members have designed
Kinjo Sukai (22) - PiHAi - A fox with a pokerface. Its habit is sticking its tongue out.
Kawashiri Ren (25) - RAIN - A magician fox. Brings everyone surprises and excitement.
Ohira Shosei (22) - moco - A quietly beautiful angel. Can read people’s minds.
Mamehara Issei (20) - MAMEchi - A heroic Shiba Inu. His personality is too straightforward.
Kono Junki (24) - micoon - A microphone whose charm point is the round face. It likes to sleep.
Kimata Syoya (22) - CHIMATA - A lively bunny. It loves sushi.
Yonashiro Sho (27) - YA-NU-KA-MI - A Shisa, the guardian deity of the house. It rarely leaves the house.
Shiroiwa Ruki (24) - RURU - An actual princely? poodle. Doesn’t let go of its pacifier while sleeping.
Tsurubo Shion (21) - CHULALA - A chihuahua that can communicate with the cosmos. Its body is bear-like.
Sato Keigo (24) - Bira - A forgetful and bizarre flower. Its hobby is fortune-telling.
Kawanishi Takumi (23) - POP-POH - A penguin with a chubby body. It loves ice cream.

[JO1] ELLE 221024

https://www.elle.com/jp/culture/music-art-book/g41638146/jo1-kcon-2022-japan-interview-22-1024/

A special interview with JO1 at “KCON JAPAN 2022”! Only in ELLE they tell about secret stories behind the new songs and the highlight of the performance of a new song.

We caught JO1 at the huge event taking place at Ariake Arena 14th ~16th October.

What is KCON?
The Korean culture event KCON started in 2012 and celebrates its 10th anniversary this year. It has been held in the USA and all over the world to promote K-Pop and other forms of Korean culture.

Due to the influence of the Covid-19 pandemic the offline events were canceled and KCON took place online for 2 years, but this year it finally returned to shows with a live audience. As the third installment this year, after LA and Saudi Arabia, it took place over three days, from 14th to 16th October, at the Ariake Arena in Tokyo, being a great success. The three-day event attracted an audience of around 41,000 visitors and 8.7 million digital viewers, proving in figures that the content is popular worldwide.

JO1, who appeared on the 15th October, have participated every year since their debut in 2020. The ban on large-scale offline performances was lifted this year, and they were finally able to stand on stage alongside spectacular other artists in front of a packed audience.

ELLE held an exclusive interview with JO1 right before their performance, covering everything from the stories behind KCON to their 6th single “MIDNIGHT SUN”.

Performing SuperCali Korean Ver. and a new song

There will be many highlights at this year's KCON 2022 JAPAN, but what are the most important points of interest for you personally?
Keigo: Sure enough, it is the first performance of the B-side “Rose” of our new single here. It will surely be a performance that will drive the audience crazy so much to the point that they will turn into roses!

Who is the member that drives you especially crazy?
Keigo: No one but Kawanishi Takumi-kun! His facial expressions are amazing.
Takumi: Eh? Me? I just do a cool expression that was advised, that’s all (laughs). Like this.
The rest: (laughs)
Junki: You just recreated what the teacher did! (Laughs)

Furthermore, since you will perform the Korean version of “SuperCali”, isn’t it hard to sing such a speedy song in Korean?
Takumi: The words in the rap before the last chorus are even more than in the Japanese version and there is a lot in the verse and very face paced. Also, the pronunciation is difficult, so I struggled a lot. I practiced hard.
Keigo: There are two parts where I can shine, but when we recorded it in Korea, it was pointed out that my original pitch was off more than my Korean pronunciation. Because after all, the number of words is different, so it was difficult to get the pitch right… It struck me that they said this seemed worse than my Korean pronunciation.

A secret story of the MV filming of their big hit “SuperCali”

It became a hot topic that both the PV and MV of “SuperCali” got your biggest view count in history, but please tell us an episode from the filming of the MV.
Issei: Except for the dance scenes where everyone was present, I was only at the same location as Takumi-kun, so I didn’t see what the other members were filming, making me able to see their sets for the first time in the MV itself, something that felt really new to me. I thought “So they filmed it like that!”. It was fun to watch the MV as it has a storyline and made me think about various things.
Takumi: I felt that was amazing. There is a shot where the members rotate in a circle and get further away from each other in a photo-like still image. I wondered how that was filmed.
Keigo: I just stood there. The cameraman was going round and around on something like a crane.

“MIDNIGHT SUN” that you have just released the other day has 4 songs all together, but please tell us the key point of the part you are in charge of in your recommended song.
Ren: For “Phobia”, I studied the emotional atmosphere of the song in order to bring out the song’s very own world. I tried to create an atmosphere in my own way, making it sound like it was going to disappear, like with the amount of breath I was using, so I hope lots of people will be impressed when they hear that part.
Junki: The start of the song “16(Sixteen). From the very first note, I sang the song with the intention of conveying the song's atmosphere 100%.

Of the four songs in this album, which one made you think intuitively "I might like it!" when you first heard it?
Junki: I think it was "Phobia". It is fully balanced, still there are a lot of surprises in the song, and the sound represents an atmosphere that hasn't really existed in JO1 songs up until now. I like it a lot, it's fragile and powerful at the same time.
Ren: For me it is also “Phobia” and the leadtrack “SuperCali”. I tend to like songs that have an easy to understand concept, so especially in “SuperCali”’s case the concept is easy to understand and it well expresses the strange world.

Yonashiro-san, what is your favorite song and to which one of your parts do you have a special attachment to?
Junki: He kinda looks as if he is going to say something interesting! (laughs)
Ruki: Didn’t he get an unusual part this time?
Keigo: A SHO with a threatening aura, right?
Ruki: You know, that bridge part.
Sho: Ah… It’s actually “16(Sixteen)”.
Ruki: What? You are not gonna talk about “Phobia”?
Sho: Ah, right. I guess it’s “Phobia” (laughs).
Ren: I guess, you say! (laughs)
Sho: The bridge “I am here, I only see you~”. When I heard the demo before the recording, I thought “I want to sing this part”, so I remember being really happy (when my parts were decided). So I decided to give my all for this! But I went a bit over the top and got scolded (laughs).
Ren: Yes, you were (laughs).
Sho: I tried to make it sound a lot like the way the Korean person sang the demo, but I was too enthusiastic and overdid it, and I heard how Ren was laughing a lot about it in the back (laughs).
Ruki: I received a lot of memorable parts this time and a lot of people praised my rap in the second verse of “SuperCali”, but I chose the first verse of “Phobia”.
Junki: The part “Vanished feelings~”? It’s so good.
Ruki: Because I haven’t sung like that before, and it was the first time I used this new singing style. “Phobia” is something I have never done before and it felt new to me, too.

“Phobia” seems widely popular with the members.
Ruki: It's a good song, and indeed quite popular with the members. Also,I especially like my part in it. I like the way it's well structured from the very beginning, and I like its fragile atmosphere.

Speaking of KCON, their recent favorite Korean culture thing is?

Since KCON is an event that spreads Korean culture, we would like to know about your recommendations for places in Seoul or Korean food that you have recently discovered.
Syoya: I have a dish. Because I love Korean food! Lately I love the dish Sundae. I've always liked appetizers, and as you probably know (from the Elle Gourmet series)… It's quite a unique dish, and I hear that even many Koreans don't like it, but I'm addicted to it!
TN: Sundae is a Korean sausage.
Junki: You ordered it so often from the delivery.
Syoya: There was barely anyone who ate those with me, so if we ate at a restaurant, we would go to a place where there were various menus, and I would order the sundae and the other members would order something else. I asked Shion, "Do you want some sundae?" But he refused, saying, "I don't want it" (laughs). I think it’s very tasty good for your health!
Shosei: I chose Lotte World. I went with Sukai and Syoya and it was so much fun. There is also a shopping mall close by and the food we ate there was delicious. We had a great time.
Syoya: Back then we didn’t eat Korean cuisine but Italian one.
Did you ride the thrilling attractions there?
Shosei: No, we rather enjoyed the park itself.
Sukai: There was an insane one. That free fall one.
Syoya: Yes, that was the scariest!

You spent a long time in South Korea this summer for production, what are some of your favorite new Korean words you learnt there? Or any words that became popular within the group?
Sukai: Photos are called “사진 (sajinh)”, and I really liked the term “life photo” that came up as part of the “HELL?O TOUR” programme on YouTube in Korea, where we were instructed to “take photos like this”. In Korean, it's called ”인생 사진 (Insensa-jin)”, and every time we took a photo, I kept on saying “Insensa-jin! Insensa-jin!”.
Syoya: Ah yes, you did that ~
Sukai: But it seemed to have become absorbed by the members, and it's probably not an exaggeration to say that I popularized it after that.
Syoya: It is one. It's not popular (among us)!
Shion: During the "HELL?O TOUR", Ren-kun, me and Keigo-kun helped with the preparation of moon shells, and I really liked the word "골뱅이 (golpenyi)" which we used a lot at that time. I kept wanting to say it.
Shosei: There is a word I learnt from the dance instructor! I first heard there of the word “chinma” which is the short form of “진짜 마지막' (chinchmajima = really last one). I realized that, "Korean language also has abbreviations", which I would never have understood unless I had a local person teach me.
TN: As I don’t understand Korean, I went with the katakana transcription from the original article, unless I found by chance a better one.

What do they want to do in 2022?

Only 2 months are left for 2022, but please tell us something you want to do this year!
Takumi: I would like to eat lots of food/rice.
Ren: Ah, this is important! Because fall has come.
Junki: I also want to eat (lots of) food/rice.
Keigo: I will be “Japan’s number 1 Sato” !
Everyone: (laughs)

[JO1] Asadesu 221012

[JO1] JA Kyosai campaign interview 220921

Note: The same interview was published by various news pages

Please tell us your thoughts on being appointed as the ambassadors of the “JA Kyosai Fall Traffic Safety campaign”.
Sho: JA Kyosai-san values the bonds between people, or in other words their “Kizuna” (bonds) and the concept of the tour that we as JO1 are currently holding is also “KIZUNA”, so we feel a strong bond with them.
Takumi: Traffic safety is not just important for us but for everyone going on with their daily lives, so I hope that through this campaign as many people as possible will think about road safety.

Please tell us an old memory or an incident related to road safety.
Ruki: I love driving a car so I often go for a drive but I drive extra carefully and with lots of caution on narrow roads or at night when it is hard to see others such as pedestrians.
Issei: I was once nearly run over by a car coming in my direction, and it made me think I should have been more careful.
Shosei: Me and Mame-chan go for night walks, but sure enough we are hard to see from the perspective of drivers and I thought we need to be creative by wearing reflective and bright (noticeable) materials, so that we can be seen.

As “JO1” what is a traffic safety message you want everyone to keep in mind?
Junki: I think everyone understands the necessity of traffic safety rules, but I also think that it is quite difficult to constantly stay conscious of traffic safety. Hence, I hope you will take this opportunity to strongly increase your traffic safety awareness.
Sukai: I think it is important to be mindful for everyone, people driving a car, people riding a bike and people walking.
Keigo: Traffic safety is something that is created by everyone together, so I hope that this campaign will be a good opportunity for all of us to pay more attention to the traffic rules.

Please give a message to everyone who watched the videos.
Sho: Everyone, 1-2…
Everyone: Go to the TOP, we are JO1!
Ren: We, as JO1, were appointed as ambassadors for the “JA Kyosai Fall Traffic Safety campaign”. JA Kyosai encourages road safety everywhere through traffic safety classes and traffic safety poster contests for elementary and junior high school students.
Shion: Through this campaign which starts on 21st September, we want everyone to think once again about traffic rules and safety.
Syoya: Starting today, we, as JO1, will learn more about traffic safety in a fun way in web limited videos, so please make sure to check them out!
Sho: This is all from the ambassadors for the “JA Kyosai Fall Traffic Safety campaign”…
Everyone: JO1!

The reason why the JA Kyosai federation appointed JO1 as campaign ambassadors:
The JA Kyosai federation values the bonds between people. All JO1 members have a strong bond with each other because they struggled through a hard audition together. Furthermore, we felt an affinity with them as they value their bond with their fans and hence we asked them to become the ambassadors. JO1 has a wide following, especially among teenagers and it is said that they have the No.1 spreading power on SNS. We think that if we convey our message by using the power of JO1’s words people of all ages, and not just young people, will think of traffic safety in a familiar and friendly way.

[JO1] Classy 220619 / 22

https://classy-online.jp/beauty/219238/
TN: The interview was first uploaded on 19th June, but for some reason it was deleted and a few days later reuploaded.

[JO1 x YSL] Kawashiri Ren, Kawanishi Takumi, Sato Keigo and Mamehara Issei talk about episodes from the ‘live streamed performance’!

On 15th June (Wednesday), the YSL Beauty Japan ambassadors JO1 performed live their new song ‘ALL HOURS’ for the whole world to celebrate the launch of YSL’s world-first foundation that recreates a beautiful skin, called ‘All Hours Liquid’. At the same time, a commercial was published that is inspired by the world view of ‘All Hours Liquid’. At CLASSY.ONLINE we conducted a special interview with JO1 after the end of the event. The second exclusive interview is with Kawashiri Ren, Kawanishi Takumi, Sato Keigo and Mamehara Issei, who showcased the sweat- and sports-proof formula by performing an energetic dance in the commercial video!

What are their thoughts after finishing the performance that was live streamed into the whole world?

Please give us first a message to the JAM worldwide who watched the live streamed performance. There is a rumor that Sato-san would like to comment on behalf of the dance team so… What do you think, Sato-san?
Keigo: Eh, what?
Ren: This rumor is a fact!
Keigo: Eh, a message for JAM? Okay. I.. ah… love you.
Takumi: Lame (laughs)!
Keigo: But really! And… I am happy.
Takumi: No no, that is so lame (laughs)!
Keigo: Yes, it is (laughs)
Ren: Don’t say it yourself (laughs)!

Everyone please support him!
Ren: As it was our first time performing the song and we streamed it for the whole world, I was a bit nervous… or rather my nerves were a little strained because I had to my best, but when I thought that many JAM around the world were supporting us behind the camera, gave me some courage. I believe that it was thanks to everyone that we were able to do our best on this stage.
Keigo: So far only the media attended such events, right? This time, I was able to see JAM at the venue.
Issei: I saw them!
Keigo: Sure enough they made me feel relaxed. It was a limited group of 30 people chosen by a lottery, yet despite that just seeing JAM relaxed my tense and stiff body. I was able to perform at ease.
Issei: This time it had been decided to stream it worldwide not just via JO1’s accounts but via 8 accounts including YSL-san’s ones. I was happy to perform a new song dressed up in a suit with a mature atmosphere, and I think I was able to show a new side of myself to JAM.
Takumi: As it was a livestream on 8 accounts, I truly felt it was an opportunity to be seen by more people than usual. I hoped that our performance would reach as many people as possible.

It was actually an improvisation? An ‘exclusive’ episode from the live streamed performance

The song starts off with a burst of energetic performances from JO1’s popular chemi TsuruKima and the national treasure ikemen, Kawanishi-san. How did you feel at this moment?
Takumi: Ah yes (laughs). I think I’m gonna nail it and rock this.

How did you feel, Sato-san, when you wowed everyone with your jacket dance?
Keigo: Well, I thought “Yes, I did it-!” (laughs)

(Everyone is laughing) This is not part of the choreography?
Ren: No no, that was his improvisation.
Keigo: My actual intention was to take off the jacket completely. But when I thought about the balance of the whole performance I thought only taking it half off would be better. I feel like I’m gonna rock this here.
Ren: This time, I was entrusted with the choreography of “ALL HOURS”, so while we were just 10 members today, I put a lot of effort into showing all of JO1 as a piece of art. I, of course, did my best as an individual, too, but I actually feel that we were able to charm the audience as JO1 as a whole.
(At this moment it happened that the reporter dropped the recorder. There were the gentleman-like responses from Mamehara-san who said “Got it!” and Kawanishi “Is it okay? Should I hold it for you?”)
Issei: What was it…? I guess, it was I’m gonna kill it here! Like “3..2..1 Boom”, right?
Ren: At the beginning of the second verse, right?
Issei: It is a moment when the song changes, so I felt that I was gonna do my best and rock it.

Please tell us next about your vocals and rapping. As it is rare for Kawashiri-san to rap, was it impressive?
Ren: I betrayed a little (everyone’s stereotype of me) (embarrassed). It is a song that got the meaning of “PUSH THE BOUNDARIES”, so I guess it became a song that is filled with a never heard before line distribution and challenges. I gave my very best when practicing the rapping, too!

What are you saying in each chorus, Sato-san?
Keigo: (very fluently) I say “Bring it on”.
Takumi: Something like “Go above and beyond!” This means “Bring it on”.
Keigo: Right, it is agitation. This time I’m in charge of agitation (laughs).
TN: As you can imagine, that part makes much more sense in Japanese as they try to translate the lyrics.

What do you think, Kawanishi-san?
Takumi: As the theme is “PUSH THE BOUNDARIES” this time, I wanted to push my own ones. Basically, I challenged myself to trust my senses! The same goes for the part when TsuruKima start with a bam and I go bang in the middle of it and JAM get all wow and excited (laughs)... but this time I tried to express all parts with my senses.
Ren: These three are the type of people who shine when you don’t tell them much about how to dance but let them do it freely.
Issei: We do shine (laughs).
Ren: Hence, I left the gestures and nuances in their own parts to them.
Keigo: That was only possible with this choreography!
Takumi: Originating from the choreo, he let us do it freely!

What do you think, Mamehara-san?
Issei: My English is quite bad… I went to the room of the leader, Sho-kun, and he taught me the intonation there and I also asked our vocal trainers about it and studied a lot. Actually, I did not have much preparation time for the recording.
Keigo: Because of Kamen Rider and such, right?
Issei: (When the topic of his appearance in the Kamen Rider movie came up, he beamed a little happily) Although the period was that short, I practiced a lot at home and we were able to record it while discussing a lot of things. I think I was able to sing with a clear sense of what I was singing at the performance today.

A special message from JO1 to JAM & the readers!

Speaking of “PUSH THE BOUNDARIES”, you appear along with RIEHATA-san in a documentary series, Kawashiri-san, but what do you think about it?
Keigo: This was so amazing, wasn’t it?
Ren: First of all, the only Japanese people participating are me and RIEHATA-san. Speaking of RIEHATA-san, she is an amazing dancer who is active worldwide and known by everyone, so being able to stand in the same place as her… As someone who had been dancing for a long time originally, it is an honor beyond my means… A behind the scenes story from that day? It was raining so much! We danced at various places like rooftops where you could see a bunch of the buildings of the city, but if you just made a small mistake there was the chance you could fall off. There was an amazing crew and we did it on a schedule that was timed to the minute, or even to the seconds… I was nervous, so much.
(Editor's note: It can be watched on the 4th floor of the YSL BEAUTY Virtual Tower, so make sure to check this out!)

Lastly, please give a message to the readers and JAM!
Ren: We are able to do our activities thanks to the support and power from everyone. We will work hard so that we can be everyone's driving force. Please continue to support us!

[JO1] PR Times 220616

https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000000027.000023089.html
TN: The same interview was published by various newsoutlets

Please tell us your thoughts after finishing the filming.
Sho: It was a new challenge or rather it was very fun for us to be able to have such a wonderful experience. Everyone, how do you feel about what you did?
Ren: There are points I really really want you to pay attention to… We filmed on the grass inside of the race course, everyone is standing in one single line as if the race is about to start and in the background footage of the anime ‘Gunjou no Fanfare’ is playing, so I want you to check this all out. Please watch it!
Everyone: Please watch it!

What do you think about filming at a horse racing course?
Shosei: As it was our first time shooting at a racing course and we came here for the first time, moreover we were allowed to stand on the grass this time, it was a highly valuable experience and we had fun.
Sho: It is so neat!
Junki: Normally you cannot go there. Really.
Ren: Only the selected few horses can run here, right?
Sho: That’s why, we are… the selected few horses (laughs).
Ruki: We were able to film inside the racing course, as well as at a lot of other places such as on the lawn or inside the buildings with the anime playing in the background, which was a fun filming while we did some amazing new things, so everyone please watch it!

Did your image of horse racing change because of the filming?
Syoya: I always had some interest in horse racing, but I never took a step towards it as I thought it was an adult’s domain, but after hearing various stories and experiencing horse racing first hand today, I would like to go and watch it in private once!
Everyone: ohh— nice!!
Takumi: There were moving stories and the bond between jockey and horse moved me, so I think next time I will also buy a horse racing betting ticket and cheer for them.
Syoya: Let’s go everyone together! Everyone together!

Please tell us about your favourite lyrics or choreography of ‘Move The Soul’.
Junki: My favourite lyrics are ‘I can make my history’ from the chorus. Also we as JO1 hope to become a group that makes history by impressing someone or remain in their hearts through our various activities. I love this song!
Ren: My favourite point of the choreography is that there is often an ‘arm turning movement’ in the chorus and other parts of the song, but personally… I thought it looked like holding the reins and when I actually saw real reins and how they look running today… I am absolutely convinced that it looked like the reins (laughs).
Sukai: Maybe there will be a jockey doing this choreography (laughs).

Who do you believe would be ‘the biggest risk taker’ of the members? Please answer by pointing at the person when given the sign.
Result:
Issei: 6 votes
Sukai: 1 vote
Keigo: 2 votes
Shosei: 1 vote
Ren: 1 vote

The reasons why they choose Mamehara:
Junki: I don’t see him as nervous outside of shootings, but I have the image of him that carries it out in one shot with all his might once the filming starts.
Sho: He takes the chance when he can!
Ren: He is a determined guy!
Issei: Thank you very much!

In the program the ‘racing uniforms’ that the jockeys use are introduced, but please tell us about your ‘racing uniforms’!
Keigo: Aren’t our costumes our racing uniforms after all? When we wear our costumes, we become cooler than normally and… but well, we are always cool (laughs).

Please give a message to the fans.
Issei: Today’s filming has been a lot of fun. I hope JAM will watch the collaboration commercial with JRA-san a lot.
Junki: The collaboration between us, JO1, and JRA-san and ‘Gunjou no Fanfare’ is also a very awesome anime… Right now, JO1 is on a roll, so please enjoy everything (laughs).
Ruki: Today I learnt that just as there is a bond between us and JAM, there is also a bond between a jockey and his horse. We will continue to entertain you, so please continue to support us.
Syoya: Please continue to support JRA-san, JO1 and ‘Gunjou no Fanfare’.
Ren: Today has been a lot of fun. JO1 will continue to run as fast as we can, so please stick to JO1.
Shion: You realised the virtues of JO1 and horse racing! Let’s work harder and harder.
Takumi: If you spot me at the horse racing course, please do not talk to me (laughs)! I am concentrating.
Shosei: Today was so much fun. I was so happy about visiting a racing course for the first time. Please make sure to watch ‘Gunjou no fanfare’ and the CM of us and JRA-san.
Keigo: panpakapanpanpanpanpanpanpaan (imitates the sound of a fanfare) … Move The Soul! Thank you very much. It was a lot of fun.
Sho: Seeing real racing horses has also made us curious. We will continue to work hard, so please continue to support us.
Sukai: This collaboration is between JRA-san and us, JO1, so let’s use it as an opportunity for JAM, us and JRA-san to rush to the world together. Let’s go—!

[JO1] GIANNA 220630

WHICH ONE?
ON and OFF
The on and off of three beautiful guys, too beautiful to look at

Everyone got various kinds of “ON” and “OFF”. For example the face you show to the public and your true face that you show in private.
When the switch is turned on and when the battery runs out… And, these fundamental opposites sometimes appealingly shine as a charm in the gap between these two sides. This special features a photo shooting of the three current heartthrobs of JO1 (Kawanishi Takumi, Shiroiwa Ruki and Tsurubo Shion) that captures the charm of these opposites.
Which side of them is your favourite?

If you described JO1 shortly?
Ruki: I think it is the same as the theme of the shooting, “ON and OFF”. Normally we fool around, but once we step on the stage, we turn on the switch to make a striking change. I think our destructive and explosive power that comes out when our switch is turned on and we become one, is really amazing.
Takumi: “Freedom“. Because everyone is rich in individuality and the personalities just as our likes are different. It kind of makes me think that’s freedom.
Shion: “Weird people”. I feel that everyone is really eccentric (laughs). But I think that it is good that all 11 colours are different. However, I believe i am the most decent one of them but… (laughs)

If all three of you took some time off together, what would you do together?
Shion: Heading out together to Shinjuku!
Takumi: ahahaha. Why Shinjuku?
Ruki: ah! How about Spo-cha? Like playing badminton, table tennis or bowling there?
The other two: ah——!! This is great!!
Shion: I haven't been there yet.
Ruki: Sports like baseball or soccer tend to be a serious workout, but you can play table tennis or badminton just for fun, too! I think they are perfect for a free day.
Shion: True! You can do it both for fun and seriously. Doing it surprisingly seriously…
Takumi: The one who would do it seriously, would be me, right?
Shion: I guess so. You seem like you would become passionate, Takumi-kun.
Takumi: But if we did sports, wouldn’t everyone be like that? Sure enough we don’t want to lose… but you would not, Shion?
Shion: If it is a sport I hate or I am not good with, I would not. But I would become passionate if it was swimming or dodgeball!
Ruki: I become passionate about events I am good with, but for everything else it’s not the case.
Shion: Yes, this!
Everyone: ahahaha
Ruki: But I would like to go one day.

ON
Kawanishi Takumi

It took about 2 years from your debut to your first lives with an audience. What did you feel when you finally stood on stage?
It had been 2 years since the debut. Covid-19 spread and I really could not do what I wanted. I wanted to perform in front of the fans for example and other than that there was a lot of gloominess and frustration, but thankfully I was able to do a lot of jobs during this time, so I think I was able to look forward and push on. Hence, when we had our first lives with an audience last year, it felt like a dream was coming true. My chest was full of the feeling “Finally I was able to come here”… Recently we have slowly become more and more able to do what we want to, so I hope to work even harder to aim even higher. First of all, I want to be able to meet a lot of JAM!

What was the most memorable job out of the ones you had since your debut?
Right after we made our debut, various media invited us and I experienced my first magazine shoot. Thankfully, the shooting was indeed done by the minute! Sure enough artists move by the minute, so amazing~ were my thoughts (laughs). Yet as it was my first shooting, it was really hard, but it also made me really happy… But too many pictures were taken and I also felt embarrassed… Most likely all members felt the same, but since it never happened in my life that I heard the shutter that often… (laughs). I am still not used to being photographed and I still consider it difficult, but that very first shooting is such an impressive memory that I will never forget it.

Which was the hardest job you had so far?
In the variety program “JO1 House” that was streamed on GYAO!, there was the project of paddling with a boat from some place in Tokyo to the Skytree. I believe if the weather had been good, it would have been fun, but it was such abysmal weather with a lot of rain and strong winds… Moreover it was quite far and really hard. All my muscles were sore afterwards (laughs).

Please tell us about an episode of the “KIZUNA” with the fans.
I am always feeling it, but if i had to pick something it is them coming for the concerts or to be the audiences of shows. Because it makes me think they are coming because they really like us…

Please tell us about something you want to do in the future either as JO1 or solo?
As JO1, I want even more people to know about us. For this to happen, I hope we are able to have an arena tour (The tour was announced after the interview was held). Personally, I hope to discover a lot of small blessings rather than a big blessing.

OFF

to JAM
Thank you ~ JAM 🤍
Thank you for always.
Please continue to cheer for me.

What is the most luxurious thing you got yourself since your debut?
I don't really want to talk about something private but… I will make an exemption today (laughs)! Actually recently I ended up buying a cleaning robot. I thought I do not need it as I can do it myself without relying on appliances, but all the members bought it and said “It’s so amazing~”, so I thought “Well, I’m gonna get it, too!” The result was great! It is really easy and I am glad that I bought it.

Please tell us about your favourite housework and what you dislike?
I like laundry the most and I don’t like washing the dishes.

What do you think is a condition for being a good guy?
That’s difficult… But if i had to pick something, I guess it would be someone who is not that picky. I think if you are not so picky, you can tolerate everything, or rather you seem to have a high tolerance level.

What would you do if you suddenly had a week off?
Hm… I want to play baseball! With people other than JO1 (laughs).

ON
Shiroiwa Ruki

It took about 2 years from your debut to your first lives with an audience. What did you feel when you finally stood on stage?
The whole two years since we made our debut, we couldn’t perform in front of the fans and honestly I was often worried about what was the right thing to do and whether I was doing the right thing, but the comment section of our SNS accounts or of the contents we released digitally was what supported me during this time. The warm feelings of the fans became my strength. Hence, when I could stand on stage I performed wanting to convey my gratitude with all my might and I believe I was able to completely vent off the two years of being gloomy. Even when I look back now, I feel it was the best and happiest moment of my life, so I want to work hard to have more great moments with everyone.

What was the most memorable job out of the ones you had since your debut?
It was one of my dreams to appear on TV, but being on the cover of a magazine had been a dream to the same degree. When I take a short visit to the conbini and see the magazine section, I think it is something really amazing to see magazines put up on which I am on the cover. This dream has come true more and more since the debut and I feel so happy. Also, just recently I had my first solo cover on “GIANNA Beauty with iconic”. It was a “bam face” like cover and I was shot in a really cool way, so it really made me so happy. It is my treasure!

Which was the hardest job you had so far?
As the corona virus started to spread right after our debut, we were unable to meet the fans, but we continued to produce music. It was hard not to receive any direct reactions or feedback.

Please tell us about an episode of the “KIZUNA” with the fans.
They make us trend each time we release a CD, or have some activities… The passion of this support is always felt to an amazing degree, so we are also motivated to do our best to respond. So, I am always grateful for your heartfelt support. Thank you very much!

Please tell us about something you want to do in the future either as JO1 or solo?
As JO1, I think it would be interesting to challenge a genre we never did before and try out units. It is the same for myself and I believe that extending my range of activities and challenging various things will lead to an increase of JO1’s recognition level. I am always aiming for the top and I want to continue to show a lot of new sides of myself. In addition to this, as a part of our promotions for the 2nd album “KIZUNA”, we were able to place a huge advertisement in Shinjuku, but I want to work hard so that we can place advertisements of that scale not just in the capital but in the whole country.

OFF

to JAM
Thank you very much for everything.
I am doing well and working hard.

What is the most luxurious thing you received since your debut?
At a schedule a few days ago, I received a lunch box that was worth 10.000 yen (about 72€/74$). The meat was tender and it was the most delicious lunch box I ever ate… That felt really luxurious. If we talk about something I bought myself… There are not many things I can eat, so when I am in the mood of wanting to eat, I decide to eat as much as I can. Hence, in such times, I order home deliveries with vigor and without caring for the price (laughs). I will not limit it to one restaurant, I order my favourite things from 2~3 places. When I look at the spread out food on my table I feel I was a bit too excessive~.

Please tell us about your favourite housework and what you dislike?
Cleaning is what I am good at and I am bad with cooking.

What do you think is a condition for being a good guy?
Someone who can be considerate of everyone and has composure. I would like to become such a man. Also, someone who can keep the water facilities clean. Because I am sure that if you can keep the places clean everyone struggles the most with you can pay attention to other places, too.
TN: I think it is worth to mention that there is a Japanese superstition that cleaning everything related to water, that contains your own dirt, will make your home/life become happy and peaceful

What would you do if you suddenly had a week off?
I have 3 things I want to do! It is either relaxing at home, taking a pleasure trip to relax at an onsen or something similar, or going all out and having fun at a theme park. But if I had a week, I guess I could do two things. Like after having all the fun at a theme park, I could stay at a traditional hotel with an onsen and chill before returning home.

ON
Tsurubo Shion

It took about 2 years from your debut to your first lives with an audience. What did you feel when you finally stood on stage?
Almost all members have entered this world wanting to perform at concerts, so honestly the two years of being unable to stand in front of an audience had been extremely tough. But we worked hard believing that the day will come when we can stand in front of them, so it was deeply moving when I stood on stage in front of an audience. My mood skyrocketed and I feel it was the best stage I ever did.

What was the most memorable job out of the ones you had since your debut?
It was the photo shooting for the cover of our debut single “PROTOSTAR“. It was the first time I got to know that these shootings go from early in the morning to late at night and I was shocked by this. It was insanely tough.

Which was the hardest job you had so far?
There is not anything concrete, but I am still not used to shootings that go from the early morning to late at night which makes them hard.

Please tell us about an episode of the “KIZUNA” with the fans.
It was also like this at “2021 JO1 OPEN THE DOOR” in November, but at concerts fans support us by bringing fans with each members’ name on it, right? For example, my fans wrote things like “3+3=8” on their fans and they are happy when I do this. I feel it is a once in a lifetime memory for them, but it is also a once in a lifetime memory for me… However, I sadly cannot respond to everyone who comes to the concerts. But there is something about these actions that makes me really happy! Thus, I want to interact with a lot of people as much as I can or rather I want to respond to them keeping this in mind. This is surely not an episode of feeling the bond with them, but rather it means that we are feeling the same things (laughs). But I am always and constantly feeling the bond with JAM.

Please tell us about something you want to do in the future either as JO1 or solo?
As JO1, I want to do a nationwide tour. We could not visit regions outside of Tokyo since the debut, so I would like to meet JAM in the whole country. Personally, I am writing lyrics currently, so I hope to perform these eventually.

OFF
to JAM
If you have this
A happy Tsurubo
is smiling at you.

What is the most luxurious thing you got yourself since your debut?
I guess it is ingame purchases. I spend quite some money on mobile games, but when I am really into a game, it happens that I spend several 10.000 yen in one go on it. This was something impossible before my debut, though (laughs).

Please tell us about your favourite housework and what you dislike?
You might think I am lying but my favourite one is cooking. I do not have a dish I can cook especially well, but I can make pretty much everything. I dislike doing the laundry the most.

What do you think is a condition for being a good guy?
Someone who is not easily swayed and who has a strong confidence in himself. Also, pretty much the same as Ruki-kun has said, someone who can be considerate of the people around him.

What would you do if you suddenly had a week off?
I would be so happy if that really happened. Ahahaha, it would be the best—! Well I think I would be too happy and stay at home the whole time. I would spend 3~4 days at home and for the remaining 3 days I would return to my hometown.

[JO1] 1OC 220615

Shion Tsurubo x Ren Kawashiri x Syoya Kimata

“I thought, what happened to the ‘eternal rebellious phase’? (laughs)”

Your first impression of each other?
Ren: My very very first impression was that Shion was a yankee and Syoya shy of people!
Syoya: I thought Shion was a yankee and Ren-kun was smiley!
Shion: Eh~... Ren-kun was scary and Syoya was an introvert.
Ren: (breaks out laughing)
Syoya: So we were scary and introvert~ (laughs)

And your impression now?
Ren: Shion is a courteous guy and Syoya a weird kid.
Syoya: Shion is a gentle bear and Ren-kun is a smiling face.
Shion: Hm…. wait a second…. (thinks) Sure enough Syoya is an introvert!
All: (break out laughing)
Shion: And Ren-kun is… He is a scary person who has experienced a lot (laughs)! A scary person with a high amount of experience.
Ren: A while ago, I happened to be a bit surprised by Shion’s behavior. We are riding taxis more often than before, but nowadays you can reserve a taxi via an app, right? When the taxi comes that I always enter it, cheerfully saying “Hello, I am Kawashiri”. But Shion politely greets the driver “My name is Tsurubo” when the door opens.
Shion: (laughs)
Ren: I introduce myself to the driver to make sure it is the taxi I reserved before entering it. But when I saw him I thought “What happened to the ‘eternal rebellious phase’?” (laughs). “He is such a polite kid. I am impressed”.
Shion: (while being embarrassed) I guess that might have happened.
Ren: It did~
Syoya: Ren hates eggs and milk. I was surprised that he has so many likes and dislikes regarding food.
Shion: That’s surprising? (laughs)
Syoya: I do not have any food I hate, which, I guess, is rare. Everyone got some food they hate, right? It is not just Ren-kun. I was surprised that there are even people who dislike sushi in this world!
Shion: Syoya is someone who does not change his opinion. That’s why Syoya is an introvert who has confidence in himself.
Ren: What is an introvert who has confidence in himself? (laughs)

What was the opportunity for the three of you to become friends?
Syoya: (stares into the distance) It was during a hot summer…
Shion: (ignores him) It just naturally happened!
Syoya: That’s right.
Shion: The three of us play games together, right.
Syoya: We also watch anime.
Ren: We are three people who love games and anime.
Shion: We are three people with an otaku mentality.
Ren: We tell each other about the anime we watched or recommend some.

“Maybe if I was behind you two I would not to follow you.”

If you expressed the nature of your relationship in a few words?
Ren: For me these two are my ‘observation objects’. They are funny so I always want to watch them!
Syoya: I think ‘team’ or ‘party’.
Shion: Sure, ‘party’ could fit.
Syoya: It is ‘party’ in the sense of a game party. We will walk in one vertical line. Who would be in the lead?
Ren: Wouldn’t that be you, Syoya?
Shion: Certainly, it would be Syoya.
Syoya: But I am an introvert who has confidence in himself! (laughs) But it could be that if I was behind you two I would not follow you.
Shion: hahahahaha
Ren: That’s right, you would surely not follow us (laughs).

"I understood what was ‘that thing’ that was floating through Syoya’s mind!"

An episode about the bond between you three?
Shion: Well, I will tell you about an episode about my bond with Ren-kun. Even when I ask Ren-kun ‘Can you teach me this movement’ after a dance practice when everyone is exhausted and we think ‘I guess it is about time to go home’, he never made an annoyed face and reliably teaches me. He is really kind.
Ren: Because that you come to me like this, is making me happy after all.
Shion: I am truly impressed by you. Sure enough, you are really good at dancing. When you are too good at something, I believe it makes people a little bit of a show-off. But Ren being always humble is something amazing after all.
Ren: Some time ago, Syoya and Junki talked with each other. When I was passing by, Syoya was trying to remember something, saying ‘Ah, Junki-kun, what was it again? That thing”. For some reason, I understood what was floating around in Syoya’s head. When I said “Do you mean autophagy?”, he said “Ah yes! It’s this!”.
Syoya: It is amazing what is going on in Ren-kun’s head!
Ren: I also do not know why but I just knew it. I felt “That’s our bond~”. I did not listen to what you said before and after, but it just popped into my mind.
Shion & Syoya: That’s amazing~!
Syoya: Well, then I will share an episode of the bond with Shion.
Shion: Please do so!
Syoya: Our actions are similar from time to time, and we often go out to have fun together! Like we often go out to eat together.
Shion: Well, me and Syoya always think of something funny (laughs). Like “This was a good joke”. We think of the same things as funny, so we end up doing exactly the same thing (laughs).
Syoya: That’s our bond.
Ren: Surely, your actions are always similar.
Syoya: It has been like this since the debut. Both our interests and what we think off as funny are the same.

“Because Shion is too kind, I end up wanting to care for him.”

Something you admire about each other?
Syoya: Even though Shion seems like this, he is unexpectedly calm and sees his surroundings. Well, Ren-kun is the same, however. Ren-kun is simply a super good dancer and he has a lot of ‘tactile sense’!
Ren: You always say that (laughs)
Syoya: You have your antennae up for all sorts of things, so I feel you can catch a lot of things.
Shion: We all know that Ren-kun sees his surroundings and he is also very polite. There are people who you will never meet again in your life, right? Store clerks in a combini for example are people you will most likely never meet again. He treats even these people properly. I think he is an amazing person.
Ren: Shion is even more amazing in this regard!
Shion: I try to keep this in mind, too. Syoya is very energetic! He always is. And he is really noisy (laughs). But when I do not want him to talk to me, he does understand it (laughs).
Syoya: I know this by whether you are take out your earphones or not!
Shion: When I want to talk to Syoya I take them off, when I do not want to talk to him they stay (laughs). That is how I send the message.
Ren: Shion is too kind. He is really willing to make self-sacrifices, so I ended up wanting to care for him.
Shion: This makes me happy.
Ren: Syoya has an amazing spirit of inquiry. I am also the type of person who looks up or asks if there is something I got curious about, but Syoya has the vigor to look up everything! If there is a word in a conversation he does not know, he will say “Please wait a minute” and start to look it up on his smartphone. He has a lot of knowledge and I admire his attitude of being curious about everything.
Syoya: If I stay clueless about something, I will feel hazy.

“Let’s do Syoya’s Animate tour!”

Something you want to do together in the future?
Shion: Since Ren-kun is also good at rapping, how about doing a rap song with the three of us together? Ren-kun and Syoya will rap in a high-pitched tone while I do it in a low-pitched one. Cause Ren-kun is also rapping in ‘YOLO-konde’!
Syoya: I want to rap to classical music. Singing would be okay, too!
Shion: But I also want to try a song with a sexiness. If we talk about something I want to do in private together, it would be visiting Animate! (laughs)
Ren: I haven’t been there yet~
Shion: Me too.
Syoya: You haven’t!? I did.
Ren: Let’s do Syoya’s Animate tour! I want to go to Akihabara.
Syoya: Since I am the one who takes the lead. you two are gonna follow me! But Akihabara is huge, so I fear we all end up being lost (laughs).

Takumi solo interview

I want to do everything, singing, dancing, rapping and everything with all my power.

Kawanishi Takumi
Birthday: 1999.6.23
Blood type: B type
Origin: Hyogo
Height: 170cm

Q1 About your recent solo schedules
‘THE FIRST TAKE’ had been a filming that created a lot of tension. How should I say it, it gave off a certain kind of nervous atmosphere. But I feel I was able to enjoy it. I was happy that fans said things like “This is because Takumi got sense”. But I was the one who started saying this in the first place and it ended up being like this (laughs). It’s not like “I am really working extremely hard though”… No, I guess there is nothing like that. Even so, is it not good (to say)? I am not sure in which direction (the results of hard work or sense) I want to take this conversation (laughs). Of course I train. At home after the lessons ended, I review everything, watch the videos we took, and while I do not exercise physically, I do these things in order for everything to remain in my head. I would feel gloomy if I stood on stage or performed in an ambiguous state. Hence, to prevent that from happening I want to sufficiently do the bare minimum for work and enhance it. I only do this, so I don’t think I can say I am working hard. Well, in fact, it might be just my sense (laughs). I want to do everything, singing, dancing and rapping. I do not have everything I think of as “I am really good at this”. For example in Junki-kun’s case it’s singing, in Ren-kun’s case it’s dancing and so on. I don’t have such a personal strong point, I really don’t have it. Hence, that’s why I want to do everything with my all. I can also play the guitar. It is fun! I still have a long way to go, but gradually I can play more and more. I think the first song I practised was ‘Marigold’ from Aimyon-san. If I saw the chords, I could play it right now. Recently, I don’t have a song I am practising but if there is a song I want to play I will look up the chords and practise it.

Q2 What do you think is your role in JO1 whose charm is ‘diversity’?
I am the type of person who rather calms down when he is alone, so I guess it is often that I stay alone. But this is not easy (laughs). I am right in the middle of the ages (in the group), so I really have both the feelings of an elder and a younger brother. But sure enough I think of the younger members as cute. It is really adorable that they are often attention seeking. Shosei, for example, approaches me so often to the point that it is a bit annoying already. But this is cute. In shows close to us, for example on our YouTube channel, I am close to my true self or rather I just enjoy the things as they are without thinking too much about them. Like I am a little hyper there. But in JO1 there aren’t many who do tsukkomi (make the smart comebacks), right? Hence, I try my best to be the one to do so when the time comes.

Q3 If you gave a catchphrase to yourself in summer 2022?

“Health first,
Safety first”

I really suck at this. I got no sense for it… (laughs). I get sick easily. It has always been like this, but in summer I become skinnier as I cannot eat. Yet this year I try my best to eat and stay healthy. Because after all, health is the most important thing. However, I well… I don't cook myself (laughs).

Ruki solo interview

I imagine what kind of people I would like if I were in the position of the fans

Shiroiwa Ruki
Birthday: 1997.11.19
Blood type: O type
Origin: Tokyo
Height: 175cm

Q1 About your recent solo schedules
I am the main personality of the radio “All Night Nippon X”, but when I am normally with JO1, my role is not so much the one who directs and fools around, so this change is difficult. Also, even though it is a radio show, I am able to watch the video (of the radio booth) during the commercials, something different from normal radios, so I feel more nervous. Each week different members come, but the hardest thing is the airtime between midnight and 1am. Previously, we all worked starting at 6 am, finished at about 10 pm and from there I moved over to the studio and had the live broadcast. This kind of schedule was something I had not experienced before, so I am reassured to do it while we members supported each other. In the past I heard something like “being able to be a radio personality is a sign of popularity”, so when “All Night Nippon X” was decided, I was very happy remembering these words. Moreover, it is “All Night Nippon”, a program with a history, for which a lot of famous people have been in charge of. Initially, I felt pressure about being involved like this, but now I enjoy doing it and one hour feels really short. I think there are also people listening, who do not know JO1, so it is a great opportunity for JO1.

Q2 What do you think is your role in JO1 whose charm is ‘diversity’?
This is still difficult for me~ To be honest, I believe right now is a time during which the roles inside the group change compared to the beginning. Since it is also JO1’s third year, I feel that my position is also changing bit by bit as the environment and work are changing, and I am still in the middle of trying to find my role. Our top priority is obviously wanting to make JAM and the audience happy with our performances because our main jobs are singing and dancing, but if I can expand the platform where I can give back to JO1 by, for example, doing other jobs such as radio or acting, I feel that my role will gradually become clearer. Also, it might be a bit off from the topic of roles, but from time to time people say “He has a strong pro mindset”, yet I think this is because I imagine what kind of people I would like if I were in the position of the fans, so I can naturally look at it from a ‘JAM First’ point of view. I try to think of my ideal image from the fans‘ point of view. I feel that especially because I am particular about this, I sometimes happen to push myself too far.

Q3 If you gave a catchphrase to yourself in summer 2022?

“I want to make it the most fun summer ever”

It is hot, I end up getting sunburned and I dislike places that are crowded and loud, so summer was never my forte. But this summer I want to change that. I want to proactively go outside, be active and experience a summer like never before. I guess I will try to change myself for this.

Shosei solo interview

I like to see people shining because they have confidence in their makeup!

Ohira Shosei
Birthday: 2000.4.13
Blood type: A type
Origin: Kyoto
Height: 177cm

Q1 About your recent solo schedules
I was in charge of the make-up of “YOLO-konde” and make-up is something I am confident about. We are singing and dancing, but I think makeup is another way to express ourselves and another form of art. And, more than anything I like to see people shining because they have confidence in their makeup. For “YOLO-konde”, as it were the members I am always close with, I knew what kind of makeup will look good on them and what will make them look cool and so on, so I had a lot of fun doing their makeup. I did it while looking at the balance of having everyone’s individuality be prominent and not letting one stand out too much. I was able to come up with various images for everyone and was satisfied with the outcome, but I think Takumi-kun's makeup looked the best. Of course, there are his own talents, but my image of him is him being an artist while actually being shut-in (laughs), so I thought he is like a pierrot. I used make-up to put scars on his face, and the concept of a pierrot, who used to work hard but broke down and was thrown aside before returning on stage once again, matched him so well. I guess what I want to challenge in the future is a makeup that completely changes someone. Also, I haven’t done crossdressing yet, so I guess that would be nice to try, too.

Q2 What do you think is your role in JO1 whose charm is ‘diversity’?
I think I got a lot of roles (laughs). First there is beauty, then being teased, the one who takes pictures of the members because he likes cameras. And… ah, I am also called an angel (embarrassed laughing). I don’t know what makes an angel, so I always say “That’s how I am called’. When I am with the members together, I sometimes joke around a bit to make everyone laugh and be cheerful, so that the mood does not turn heavy. I am not really the type of person who speaks up in discussions or meetings, so I listen to everyone’s opinions before saying my own one. I feel it is easier to talk like this and it balances out the 11 of us.

Q3 If you gave a catchphrase to yourself in summer 2022?

An angel who hates tan

Now I ended up calling myself like this (laughs). Because I don’t want to get tanned, a parasol is essential and I try to do my skin care properly and take Vitamin C. By the way, my recent skin care routine is to regularly add new items to it. If you keep on using the same things over a long time, your skin will get used to it, so I try to frequently change them. Just seperating what you use in the morning and in the evening already makes a huge difference.

[JO1] Nikkei Entertainment 200304

JO1 member profile
The 11 members who passed the audition and gasped their debut, when these 11 individuals, who all have different strengths and experiences, become one, an unique JO1 energy is born.
Q&A
① What do you always buy in a conbini?
② How do people call you? How do you want to be called?
③ Is there someone you want to appear together in some program?
④ Which JO1 member would you like to date?

01 Mamehara Issei
The youngest member and center of the debut song
A high schooler who won the center spot of the debut song. He grabbed the hearts of the viewers with his simple appearance of riding a bike to school through the fields and his serious attitude to tackle his tasks. His true face is quite active. He is like a younger brother who comfortably and freely behaves among his elder brothers.
Profile | born 2002.5.30 (17 years old)
from Okayama / 173 cm / O type
① Recently, I like eclairs and often buy those. I often eat them in the morning.
② It’s ‘Mame’. I want to be called ‘Mame-chan’ by everyone.
③ Hm…
④ Junki-kun (direct answer). He is funny but actually thinks of a lot of things and while he respects my opinion he tells me when I am wrong.

02 Kawashiri Ren
The dancer leader who is like a father
His highly skilled and eye-catching dancing is a huge weapon of JO1. On the one hand as someone serious and dependable he is called ‘JO1’s father’, but he loves to have fun. Also there is the side of him loving ‘HARIBO’.
Profile | born 1997.3.2 (23 years old)
from Fukuoka / 173 cm / O type
① I buy the mango salad drink from Kagome’s ‘Yasai Seikatsu’ everyday. I started to drink it for my health, but I also love the taste.
② ‘Ren-kun’. Back in high school I was also called ‘Ren-chan’ and it is nostalgic and makes me happy.
③ The people with whom I worked during my time as dancer, I would like to appear along them as JO1 once more.
④ Takumi! (direct answer) Because all his actions are cute!

03 Kawanishi Takumi
A Cinderella boy with unparalleled visuals
Regardless of him being inexperienced in both singing and dancing, he always had a spot in the upper ranking thanks to his natural sense and ‘unparalleled visuals’. He seems cool but is actually mischievous. According to the members he got the ‘Chopper position’ if you compared them to ‘ONE PIECE’. He loves junk food.
Profile | born 1999.6.23 (20 years old)
from Hyogo / 170 cm / B type
① I buy sweet bread with chocolate in it every day.
② It is ‘Takumi’ or ‘Takumi-kun’. There is not anything in particular I want to be called.
③ Some comedians because I like comedy. I am a huge fan of Kamaitachi-san and I went to watch one of their shows.
④ Kono Junki-kun. It is fun when we are together and I think I would laugh the whole time. That’s great (laughs).

04 Ohira Shosei
The No.1 member who cannot be left alone
His tears, earnest hard work and soft smile that have been aired in the audition let him soar towards the 4th place in the final ranking. The members also see him as ‘cute’, ‘like a younger brother’, ‘a worrier’ and someone who ‘tells me it’s okay’ and they cannot leave him alone. His speciality is dancing.
Profile | born 2000.4.14 (19 years old)
from Kyoto / 176 cm / A type
① As I am in the middle of a diet, I just buy salad late at night. I lost 3 kilos in one month.
② ‘Shosei’ or ‘Shose’. Also, ‘Sean’.
③ I want to meet Pompom Purin. Even though I am on a diet I ended up buying Pompom Purin bread.
④ It would be Takumi-kun. He is kind but funny. Because he is just too cool, I want to look at his side profile while being next to him.

05 Tsurubo Shion
A purehearted ‘alien’ displaying diverse charms
He was criticised for his bad attitude at the very start of the audition making him the main character all of sudden. In reality he gets along well with everyone and is someone with a pure heart who is unexpectedly serious and even a little shy. However, his true self is wrapped up in a mystery even among the members as they call him ‘mysterious’ and ‘an alien’.
Profile | born 2000.12.11 (19 years old)
from Shiga / 178 cm / A type
① ‘Lifeguard’ from CHEERIO. I like it so much that I drank 3 cans a day in high school.
② Shion.
③ It is often said that I am resembling a certain celebrity, so I would like to meet this person once.
④ Kono Junki-kun. I like that he has no hidden side and that he tells you what he thinks. I am sure everyone will answer Junki-kun!

06 Shiroiwa Ruki
The ‘comedy prince’ with orthodox visuals
While everyone recognises his looks as ‘cool’, his reputation among the members is out-and-out ‘he is really funny’. This gap and the chivalry that glimpses through every word he says are his charm. Since he got experience as an idol, he received high appreciation for his fanservice.
Profile | 1997.11.19 (22 years old)
from Tokyo / 175 cm / O type
① 500ml of Coca Cola.
② ‘Ruki-kun’ or ‘Ruki’.
③ Right now, I want to appear along Kamaitachi-san the most.
④ Keigo and Mame-chan. Because Keigo would drag me, who prefers to stay indoors, out and he is influential (laughs). Mame is simply funny and seems not to know much about love yet, so I hope to be able to experience an pure feeling (laughs).

07 Sato Keigo
The fashion leader who is ahead of the trends
He has an outstanding style and often wears luxury brands. He even says ‘One day I want to handle JO1’s costumes’. However, in the group he is a teasing character. He is an airhead and some might even say ‘his words are the ones of a problem child’. If he gets the chance, he will try to touch the butts of the members.
Profile | 1998.7.29 (21 years old)
from Aichi | 181 cm / A type
① Fruits jelly or cut fruits. I like pineapples and tangerines.
② ‘Keigo’. I am told I look like a giraffe, so I want to be called ‘Gira’ because of the English word for it.
③ With Downtown-san! I want to be teased by them.
④ It’s that guy (Tsurubo Shion). His teasing is fun and his teasing side is girlish.

08 Kimata Syoya
Once you notice his ‘appeal’ there is no way out of his swamp anymore
Attended a famous dance school and went to a fashion vocational school because of his love for clothes. His true face is loving to be mischievous, but the members know him as someone ‘who stood talking once the camera is on him’. He humbly calls himself ‘the type of person who does not stand out’ but once you notice his charms, he got the deepest swamp to fall into.
Profile | 2000.4.5 (19 years old)
from Aichi | 171 cm | A type
① ‘Kireeto Lemon’ and salad chicken. I also buy a lot of snacks such as seasoned octopus with wasabi, soused fish or raw ham.
② ‘Syoya’
④ It is Junki-kun. He is older than me, but he is easy to talk to from the same standpoint. When I say something cheeky he makes sure to pick it and make it funny. In short, he spoils me and is patient.

09 Kono Junki
An absolutely positive mood maker
He is a mood maker who is recognised as the pivot of JO1’s vocals by both others and himself. During the shooting, he clapped his hands and bursted in a sports kind of mood saying ‘Let’s get hyped up!’. He got 1st place in ‘Which member do you want to have as your boyfriend?’ chosen by the members and he was also not displeased by this.
Profile | 1998.1.20 (22 years old)
from Nara | 174 cm | O type
① ‘Meiji probiotic yogurt R-1’ and ‘C1000 vitamin lemon’.
② As I want to feel close others, I hope to be called just by my first name.
③ I would like to appear on programs like ‘Shabekuri 007’ and be teased. I want to learn more about comedy.
④ Shion. His face is really my type. He is cute as well as kind without being flirtatious with his surroundings.

10 Kinjo Sukai
The highest growth rate in singing and dancing
On the first glance he looks fierce and cool. Yet the members see him as ‘a moody person and cute’. He was inexperienced in singing and dancing but he showcased a huge growth during the audition and the trainers also often mentioned that he ‘is very obedient and passionate’. His further growth is infinite.
Profile | 2000.5.6 (19 years old)
from Osaka | 178 cm | A type
① I end up buying Coca Cola. Also, dried mangoes. I like the time when I am chewing those (laughs).
② ‘Sukai’
③ Someone like (Akashiya) Sanma-san who I watched on TV since I was a child.
④ Junki-kun. But there are times when he is kind and indecisive… I prefer to be talked to more sternly. I guess my answer is ‘myself’ (laughs).

11 Yonashiro Sho
‘The mother’ who wraps up the members
The oldest member and leader and another pivot of the vocals. He is a mother-like existence who brings the many free spirits in the group together with his natural patience and caring side. He was inexperienced in dancing during the audition, but his pride is his muscles. He tends to wear costumes that show his biceps.
Profile | 1995.10.25 (24 years old)
from Okinawa | 180 cm | O type
① I always buy coffee. I prefer black coffee.
② Since I am the oldest one, it is ‘Sho-kun’. I would like to be called by my first name because in Okinawa you rarely call people by their last names.
④ Ah, it’s Ruki! (Direct answer) He is cool and honest and his professional consciousness and seriousness in regard to performances are strong. I think if I was a woman, I would be drawn to him.

TN: Both Syoya and Sho did not answer the third question.

Kawashiri Ren
Even if I am normally a small existence I want to be ‘a king’ on stage.

Kawashiri Ren’s career as a back dancer is brilliant. Thanks to his high level pro awareness of “I am aware that I am constantly seen by other people” he had since then and his outstanding dancing skills that are both powerful and elegant, as well as his charisma, he became the center of 101 people for the theme song of ‘PRODUCE 101 JAPAN’, ‘Tsukame ~ It’s Coming~’.

That day (11th December, the day the final ranking had been announced) had been the turning point in making me a pro or rather I prepared myself to enter a world where ‘I can’t do it’ is not accepted. Since I was in 5th or 6th year of elementary school I dreamed of becoming a dancer in the future and I moved from Fukuoka to Tokyo before turning 20 years old. But when I finally worked as a dancer, I saw that the artists in front of me seemed to have more fun and the feeling of wanting to stand in their place gradually grew bigger.

During the audition it was hard when the eliminated trainees left. Especially when Sano Fumiya-kun, with whom I was in a friendly rivalry, left… It was the hardest. In other words, there were people whose path to debut was erased this time. But, believing that outside of the 11 of us a lot of more lives changed by participating, might be what kept me going.

There was some cruelty in the amounts of votes being announced, but it also made me actually feel that I am supported. When you think that JO1 was born from the support of so many people, there is a sense of responsibility, but I see it as a further expectation of us. I believe it is more fun to think like this. I hope all 11 members will not forget this as we keep on being active.

Nonetheless, that I was in second place in the final voting had been really frustrating. After all, being first is something cool. I feel that all chosen members were aiming for the first place. But from now on the battleground changes and 11 members become one team and aim for the world. In order to achieve this, we work hard on becoming the top of Japan first.

I put my state of mind into my signature. Outside of the stage I am a really small existence, I still need a lot of training and I have to be always humble. Yet, once I step on stage I am a king, have absolute confidence and want to give happiness to the people watching me. I hope to value the transition between the stage and other places. The dot on the bottom right symbolises the small me offstage and the crown on the upper left is the king I am on stage.

[JO1] AR 220610

Kawanishi Takumi, Sato Keigo, Tsurubo Shion & Mamehara Issei

Super hot
RED - HOT

JO1 are an 11 member global boy group who charms with their singing, dancing and performances. This time, 4 of the members, Kawanishi Takumi, Sato Keigo, Tsurubo Shion and Mamehara Issei appear here!
Wearing fashion with the key colour red, they made a super hot talk about the bonds with the fans and the members, their current mood and more.

What was a moment when you felt “the bond” with JAM and the JO1 members?
Takumi: I strongly felt the bond with JAM when we held our first lives with an audience last year. I was moved of course by the huge amount of people in front of my eyes, as well as the ones who supported us from afar.
Shion: I absolutely get this. I frequently feel the bond with the JO1 members. Because just by the way they say “Good morning” when they pass me before the practice, I can know their mood on that day (laughs).
Keigo: And you will beat up the people who are in a bad mood, right? (laughs)
Shion: Right, just yesterday I beat up Ren-kun and upend him… is not what I did! But when everyone is busy, it happens that we become exhausted. I feel our bond when we can be considerate of each other in such times. Like when I am not feeling well, everyone kindly keeps a good distance from me.
Issei: This is something really important, isn’t it? I feel the bond when I play games with the members. A sense of unity is born when we say “Let’s go out and beat the enemy to take the first place for sure!” (laughs).
Keigo: That’s why, I invited them over for good saying we can eat pizza while playing games but… Shion barely comes. Takumi and I are together a lot, but despite inviting Shion 5 times he just does not come (tears).
Shion: No way, 5 times is a lie!
Takumi: He really does not come. We have never seen him once (laughs).
Keigo: One day, I made a plan that the 4 of us together with Ruki-kun go to an onsen, but it did not work with Shion’s schedule so we have not been able to do it yet.
Shion: Isn’t it hard to suddenly move like Let’s have a party with everyone! Go to an onsen! when we have just a day off? I want to relax at home. Hm? Is this just me?
Takumi: It is tiring to go there, right?
Shion: But if it is a movie, I will go without any conditions.
Keigo: Going to watch a movie with a lot of people? But doesn’t everyone want to watch it quietly?
Issei: … We strayed from the (topic of) bonds, so let me change the topic (laughs)! Who do you think is the most hot blooded summer guy out of the members?
Everyone: Junki-kun!!
Takumi: He is easily moved to tears and after all he is passionate! He is also always singing in the dressing room and keeps on bumping into various things (laughs).
Issei: I get energy from this side of him.
Keigo: He is full of power in various aspects and leads the group.
Shion: We would be happy if you support the super intense JO1 and our 2nd album “KIZUNA” that is filled with our hot passion ⭐️

KegoTaku

I want to make a JO1 festival where we have fun at a night pool with JAM!
Takumi: As summer comes closer, I want to smell the scent of the mosquito coil. We often had it at home. That smell is so nostalgic~
Keigo: I want to go to the pool. I think it would be interesting to have a live performance at a place like a night pool one day. I want to have something like a festival where the audience is playing in the pool, while we, as JO1, sprinkle water on them, and we all have fun together.
Takumi: wow~ this is so good!!

If you compared them to a sentai hero, they would be in charge of the face and the top of the foot!?
Keigo: If we became a sentai hero who is a merged robot, I would like to be the mysterious black one who appears at the last final stage of the story.
Takumi: That’s the strongest one!
Keigo: I would be strong, but when I merge I would be the sword or feet. Takumi or Mame could be the face, but I would transform into the top of the foot.
Takumi: Your setting is so detailed (laughs). I like yellow, so I want to be the yellow one.
Keigo: Is that so? I cannot imagine this. Takumi is pink!
Takumi: Cause it is my member colour?

Speaking of RED… Strawberries!
Strawberry picking had been super exciting♡
Takumi: What I think of when I hear RED are… Strawberries! Some time ago, we were able to go strawberry picking for a YouTube filming. There were many huge mouthwatering ones, but they were so delicious that I ate about 50 ones. It was so much fun.
Keigo: eh, that’s unbelievable?! Do 50 strawberries even fit into the stomach? This was surely hard.
Takumi: No, I did it~! But I was so stuffed… (laughs)

Mametsuru

There is only one single choice when it comes to a member with a red image! Shion: Sure enough it’s Mame-chan when we talk about a RED image! He is the youngest member, but he is really mature or rather I feel JO1 is helped by Mame-chan.
Issei: Thank you very much. My member colour is also red, but since I grew up liking the Sentai series since I was young, but I am attracted to the red of the main characters and I would also like to become closer to this ideal.
Shion: On the contrary, if I was in the Sentai series I would pick something unusual like transparent.

How do Mametsuru spend a hot day on which they sympathize with each other?
Shion: Don’t you feel the bliss when you enter a fully cooled room from the outside on a hot summer day? I like this feeling a lot. Fuu~♪ I feel revived.
Issei: Wow! I really get it!!! Also, after drinking a gulp of ice chilled green tea or oolong tea, it is the best to take a nap in a little chilly futon wearing short sleeved clothing.
Shion: This is also the best~

Games become so hot that I can’t stop playing (laughs)
Issei: I am recently into a game and I play it together with Ren-kun and Syoya-kun until dawn.
Shion: That, I’m curious when you stop.
Issei: When I get tired I say “the next one is the last one”, but when I loose, I will be like ‘let’s play another one’.
Shion: You don’t end it (laughs). But, my whole family liked monster hunter and i remember that we bought three TVs, consoles and games and we played for about 20 hours side by side.

Keigo Sato

The “KIZUNA” that makes you feel the closeness of JO1
In the new album is full of songs of which I hope they will let you know about JO1’s team work and how well we get along.
My favourite song is “Walk It Like I Talk It”. So far most of our songs have a neat taste, but in this song including the dancing, makes you hyped up. I can’t wait to perform it live.

At home, I am immersed in movies
I subscribed to all streaming services, but I pretty much watched everything popular such as Sci-fi, action, superheroes or Disney, so right now I’m searching for niche films. Sho-kun likes western movies, so we often talk about those, but as I watch them the most it tends to get over enthusiastic… (laughs)
By the way, my favourite one is “Forest Gump”. I watched it over and over because it makes me want to do my best in life.

Inside Keigo’s head
JAM | JO1
Parents | Rest | Future
Family home | myself | movies

Q: Which is the stall you want to visit first at a summer festival?
Tamasen. I met with my friends at festivals in my hometown and we often ate it together.
TN: Tamasen is a dish from Nagoya. It is a snack made from eggs with various toppings
Q: What do you like to put on shaved ice?
Strawberry milk or Blue Hawaii!
Q: Would you rather live in a hot or cold country?
A cold one. But… I have no idea which country it would be (laughs). Maybe France? I would like to live in Paris.
Q: The hottest purchase you made recently?
Plates with a stylish design. I still display those only, but I want to make grilled king oyster mushrooms with a butter soy sauce and put it on those.
Q: Which prefecture would you like to visit if you traveled inside the country in summer?
Hokkaido! I haven’t been there yet. I want to eat sea food.
Q: A HOT challenge, would you rather eat something super spicy or take a bath in boiling water?
Eating something super spicy. Because rather than being able to handle spicy food, I can endure it. Heat is impossible for me!
Q: What is the manga, anime or game you were the most into so far?
I am never long into one single game. I guess i like the fighting ones?
Q: Something that makes you end up being hot/passionate?
Movies! The one that made me the most excited and hot lately was “Spider-Man”!

Takumi Kawanishi

I want to get excited with everyone together thanks to the new songs!
The 2nd album “KIZUNA” has the wish to enjoy everything including the songs of course and also the performances along with the fans who listen to it. There are also carefree songs, so if there is the chance to perform those live, I think we can get excited together.
My personal favourite song is “ZERO”. I’m drawn into it starting with the intro, so I really like it.

I like to take pamphlets home and look through them.
I want to travel as much as I have been unable to do in the last years due to covid, no matter if it is inside or outside the country. If I went abroad, I would like to go to Australia or America. I like looking through those pamphlets that are found in taxis or travel agencies. Hence recently, when I find one I take it home and I look up the places I want to go while reading every bit of it (laughs).

Inside Takumi‘s head
Traveling overseas
Travelling domestic | MUSIC
Food | sleeping
Sweets| family…

Q: Which is the stall you want to visit first at a summer festival?
Pickles on a stick!! I always end up eating those in no time as the very first thing.
Q: What do you like to put on shaved ice?
Condensed milk
Q: Would you rather live in a hot or cold country?
I am not sure but if I had to live there I would pick a hot country. Because I think it would be hard and painful to breath in a cold country (laughs)
Q: The hottest purchase you made recently?
A cap
Q: Which prefecture would you like to visit if you traveled inside the country in summer?
Wakayama. Shizuoka… There are a lot of places I want to visit to see both the sea and the city!
Q: A HOT challenge, would you rather eat something super spicy or take a super hot bath?
I can’t tolerate spicy food much, so I guess I will take a bath in boiling water.
Q: What is the manga, anime or game you were the most into so far?
Pokémon Perl
Q: Something that makes you end up being hot/passionate?
It is games. When I play ones that are the competition kind or have fighting content, I become passionate.

Shion Tsurubo

I want you to listen to the ballads before sleeping
As the title track “With Us” suggests, this album has the message of let’s grow together with us. There are various kinds of song featured and there are also some you can enjoy listening to, but “ZERO” is the one I want to especially recommend. It is a calming and soft ballad, so you should try listening to it before you go to sleep.

I am into “Vietcong Ramen” which is full of stamina
Right now, I’m into eating “Best condition ramen” which is shortened to “Vietcong Ramen”. It is a bit spicy and with garlic, Chili pepper, chives and other ingredients that give you stamina. I can make it myself and it is really delicious. When I eat this, I get energy on the spot. The smell, however, is quite strong (laughs).
TN: ベストコンディションラーメン = Best condition ramen
ベトコンラーメン = Vietcong Ramen
The abbreviation kinda works if you write both words in katakana. It is a rather unknown type of ramen coming from the region around Nagoya. According to Wikipedia, it received the name in honour of the Vietcong however as the war went on it was thought to be inappropriate and customers claimed they felt better eating it hence it became ‘Best condition ramen’.

Inside Shion’s head
Lessons
SLEEP | games
anime
Listening to music
Meals
Song writing

Q: Which is the stall you want to visit first at a summer festival?
I have never gone to a summer festival. But if I could go to one, I want to eat Karaage.
Q: What do you like to put on shaved ice?
I prefer potato chips over shaved ice.
Q: Would you rather live in a hot or cold country?
I am not good with too hot summers. I love the winter, so I want to drink a thick and warm soup in a cold country.
Q: The hottest purchase you made recently?
A dark grey foldable wallet! It was love on the first sight and I finally bought a new one after the long one I bought when I made the debut.
Q: Which prefecture would you like to visit if you traveled inside the country in summer?
To the sea of Okinawa! When we went to the sea before, it was really good. I want to go again.
Q: A HOT challenge, would you rather eat something super spicy or take a bath in boiling water?
I’m good with both, so I could eat something super spicy while taking a bath in boiling water.
Q: What is the manga, anime or game you were the most into so far?
Monster Hunter
Q: Something that makes you end up being hot/passionate?
My favourite character “Rem-chan”. I have more than 20 figures of her.

Issei Mamehara

Enjoy the expressions of the new us
During the recording of the album my schedule made me unable to listen to the other member’s singing, but when I listened to the finished song I thought that everyone sounded so good and cool.
We also filmed the PV with a mature atmosphere and there is also a catchy choreography, so I think you can see a new side of JO1. I hope you can find various expressions of us!

I’m crazy about saunas no matter at home or outside
I really like saunas and recently there was some free time between MV filmings, so I went together with Sho-kun and Junki-kun!
Both the fresh air bath and cold water bath were great and afterwards we ate together and it was a really fun time.
By the way, I wanted to have a sauna feeling at home so I closed the lid of the bath tube just barely with 42~43℃ of hot water and had a pseudo sauna while watching videos on my smartphone (laughs).

Inside Issei’s head
YOUTUBE
Kamen Rider
APEX
Dancing♪
DJ ♪
Bath
What I eat
What I sing
Working out
Sauna

Q: Which is the stall you want to visit first at a summer festival?
Yakisoba. In my hometown, I decided “here!” at which stall I would eat.
Q: What do you like to put on shaved ice?
Strawberry & Condensed milk
Q: Would you rather live in a hot or cold country?
A hot country. It seems nice to relax with a naked upper body at the beach. I want to spend my time in the open.
Q: The hottest purchase you made recently?
I think a hat. I am into collecting hats and I got a lot of them. I bought a knitted one recently.
Q: Which prefecture would you like to visit if you traveled inside the country in summer?
Okinawa! I would like to do marine sports. I want to swim with fins
Q: A HOT challenge, would you rather eat something super spicy or take a bath in boiling water?
Something super spicy because I want to try eating it once. I am afraid that the boiling water would make my body hurt (laughs).
Q: What is the manga, anime or game you were the most into so far?
I am really into playing APEX right now and I am only playing this.
Q: Something that makes you end up being hot/passionate?
Kamen Rider. Right now, I like the Rider named Kabuto the most.