[JO1] smart WEB 230225

https://smartmag.jp/archives/24267/

[LUMINE EST Shinjuku] JO1 and Go to the FASHIONISTA! 3 HOT SHOPs which handsome men want to visit (Part 2)

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.

Following the first part, this part will introduce the three brands: “Lui’s”, whose theme is the wardrobe of a popular guy, “FREAK’S STORE MEN’S+ANDY FREAK’S STORE), which specializes in expressing the real American lifestyle, and “RAGE BLUE”, which offers daily standard clothes that reflect the current trends. You can find all the current trends at LUMINE EST Shinjuku!

An exquisite balance of “style” and “street”
Yonashiro Sho, Shiroiwa Ruki and Tsurubo Shion wearing Lui’s

[…]

Sho’s comment: My personal wardrobe also consists of items from Lui’s, so I’m really happy about this. The items today are somewhat formal, but I like that they are not too tight and you can wear them in a good way. I like the design of Lui’s clothing and they make a nice silhouette, too.

Ruki’s comment: This outfit includes a patterned shirt and loafer heels which I used to wear a lot as a student. The loafers have heels, so they make both the style look good and the silhouette of the pants beautiful. It feels new to have such items coming from a men’s brand.

Shion’s comment: Before wearing it I felt that the jacket looks strong, but after taking a closer look there is not just the front but the back as a flower embroidery and thus it has a good balance between strength and delicacy. I also like the silhouette of the pants, which fell nicely to cover my bulky figure!

Who is JO1’s fashionista according to Yonashiro Sho, Shiroiwa Ruki and Tsurubo Shion?

Sho: Sure enough, it’s Keigo. I have the image that he often looks at the photos of stylish foreign people and after all he knows a lot of the latest trends. His sense in choosing his clothes is also very charming and I think how great he looks when seeing him, but I also feel those clothes look good on him exactly because it’s Keigo. I think he really knows what looks good on him. This spring I would like to try denim sets. I want to wear something with a formal vibe, different from the one today.

Ruki: I have the impression that compared back to the time of our debut, everyone started to properly pay attention to their fashion. Back then, to be honest, there were only 2-3 members who were interested in fashion, but I think by wearing a lot of clothes like today, having more opportunities to appear in front of people, more of us became conscious of it. Among them, I talk the most about clothes and exchange information is Keigo, who always keeps up with the trends.

Shion: Keigo-kun is admired by the other members, but (for me) it’s Junki-kun. His clothes for practice are simple but good like this. As a fashion rule I only use a maximum of two colors because if I use a lot of different colors, it will get messy. But this is just a rule for me (laughs). Junki-kun also looks good in bulky clothes for practice, and the items he chooses are often to my liking.

[…]

“Casual” or “military”
Wearing each jacket in a modern way
Kinjo Sukai wearing FREAK’S STORE MEN’S+ANDY FREAK’S STORE and Kono Junki wearing RAGE BLUE

Sukai’s comment: It was a new discovery for me how adding yellow to a military-like tone can change the impression completely. It also brightens up the face and I want to try this technique with my own clothes. The calmly toned pants have actually a leopard print, which also gives a sense of mature playfulness to it.

Junki’s comment: My membere color is light blue, but a color that suits me is more orange. Also, I love denim, so I was happy to wear this coat and there was no way it wouldn’t look good on me (laughs). I want to take the whole outfit home with me! I think girls would look cute in this outfit, too.

Who is JO1’s fashionista according to Kinjo Sukai and Kono Junki?

Sukai: I’m influenced by the fashion of all the members, but among them I like the fashion off Syoya and Keigo-kun. Keigo-kun’s height and body form is close to my own one and I for example take reference on the silhouette of the pants he wears. Syoya is good at wearing knitted hats, belts, bags and other accessories. The other day, after drinking tea with Syoya in Shinjuku, we happened to go to LUMINE EST Shinjuku to look at clothes!

Junki: It’s Keigo. To begin with it’s because he has a body form that makes clothes look good. The green quilted coat that Keigo was wearing was cute and when I found a similar one I wondered whether I should buy it, but I decided not to because I felt it was indeed too similar… Back in the days, before moving to Tokyo, I went shopping with the members and we went to LUMINE EST Shinjuku. Back then I bought a bag, but I want to go again to check out their spring clothes.

[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] 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] 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] 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] Sports Hochi 220604

https://hochi.news/articles/20220603-OHT1T51251.html?page=1

The 11 member boy group JO1 are on the zenith of their power and in the middle of their rapid growth. They widened their range of activities by providing the opening song of the anime ‘Gunjou no fanfare’ and working as voice actors and they are awaiting their first nationwide tour. We talked about their past and future with the leader Yonashiro Sho (26) and Kono Junki (24) who both participated in the ending song of “Gunjou” as guest vocalists, and Kimata Syoya (22) and Ohira Shosei (22), who are both voice actors in the anime.

During the photo shooting, the 4 members were tense and made their poses and expressions with serious gazes. Once they got the OK, they checked each other’s dancing and imitated anime characters which created an atmosphere like in a school club.

Ohira: We are surely deeping our bonds, but in the beginning we did not get along. I was anxious whether I really could make it in this group.

Yonashiro: We were together in the audition, but in the beginning there were also members who had not talked with each other.

JO1 was born from “PRODUCE 101 JAPAN”, the Japanese version of a large-scale Korean audition project in December 2019. They achieved their victory after they received a total of about 65 millions votes and were selected from about 6000 applicants. Unlike previous boy groups they continue to increase their fans with uptempo songs and a controlled and intense dancing that originates from K-POP.

Kono: The moment my name was called my mind went blank. But I felt that a path had opened for me and the winking pose came naturally.

Kimata: I was so happy to the point I mistakenly believed that the audition would continue for longer.

They were supposed to have a splendid debut, but in the next year, 2020, the Coronavirus began to spread widely. The release event for the first single “PROTOSTAR” that was supposed to take place on 4th March was canceled. A trial came out of nowhere.

Kono: I also thought ‘No way!’ sometimes, but I replaced this thought with ‘Let’s train more until we can meet JAM!’

Kimata: I remember that I was unable to leave the house even though it was sunny outside and I silently practiced the second single in my room.

Yonashiro: There is a video of the moment the release event was canceled and when I watch it again from time to time, I brace myself (for future challenges).

They are united in their hearts under the group’s motto “Go To The TOP”, meaning to stand at the top of the world. They dared to travel to a training camp in South Korea while assessing the pandemic situation. They polished their dancing and singing for the third single “CHALLENGER” released in April 2021.

Ohira: I want to become better, I want to aim higher and show a cool self to JAM. We shared this feeling and became one.

Yonashiro: That we became truly unified as a group was at the time of the third single.

Overcoming the Corona pandemic, they held their first lives with an audience at the Makuhari Messe in Chiba in November last year which was visited by 45.000 people through the 5 shows in three days. Being able to be face to face with the fans who had been eagerly awaiting them since their debut, is still the driving force of the members now.

Yonashiro: Just before the curtain went up on the first day the staff seemed about to cry when they called us.

Kimata: (When I saw) the delighted faces of JAM, I really felt that everything that happened so far has paid off.

Kono: The venue was shining with penlights until the very back and it felt good to perform.

Ohira: I was worried whether we could fill the venue, but this worry was unnecessary. It was also something that built up over two years and it was truly beautiful.

Even though the first concerts with an audience had been a success, there is also regret. As the member Kinjo Sukai (22) was taking a hiatus due to Adjustment disorder since October last year, they were unable to stand on stage as 11 members.

Ohira: I was moved by the JAM coming to the live show with Sukai’s nameplate. That is exactly why I want to have a live with 11 members.

In February there had been the announcement that Kinjo returned. At the release event of their second album “KIZUNA” taking place with 11 members in May, they announced that they will have their first nationwide arena tour in September in front of the fans.

Kono: As there is Sukai’s voice and dancing, I thought we finally came together. I felt that we were finally complete. I want to show this to JAM once again. That this is JO1!

The long awaited tour is just a stepping stone. Their goal is to become a group that can compete with the world and be a pride like BTS from South Korea, the first Asians to be nominated for the Grammy awards, which are the highest honor of the American music industry.

Kimata: I admire BTS. But, we are neither well known nor skilled enough to follow their footsteps. First, I want JO1 to be more and more known in Japan.

Ohira: I want to give back even more to JAM. After all, following the arenas I want to stand on the Dome stages. Also, I want us to be called for the Kouhaku.

Kono: I was working part time at the Kyocera Dome during my student days. Back then, I was a ticket collector and guided fans to their places, but next time I want to stand myself on the stage of the Kyocera Dome.

Yonashiro: Our future aim has been the world since the audition. We want to build the foundation for global boy groups which does not exist in Japan yet.

The activities of their juniors has also become a driving force. Born from the second installment of “PRODUCE 101”, the 11 member group INI who just made their debut in November last year, is also engaging in a friendly rivalry with them in the same agency.

Ohira: I check them each time they release new songs. All of them are good and their dancing is also great!

Kimata: Rather than being our juniors, INI are comrades with the same mindset. We even went fishing together in private.

Kono: We are not rivals, we want to make our agency bigger together.

Yonashiro: In the beginning, the agency was so empty as it lacked too many people, but right now they also increased and it became filled to the bursting. With JO1 and INI, we want to grow the office even further.

The moment of the young JO1, formed 2 and a half years ago. rewriting history might be not so far away anymore.

[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] Theatre Academy 220512

https://www.theatre.co.jp/news/9993

When you sing and dance at the same time, how do you keep your facial impression in check?
Ren: I think if you practise while adding sound effects to your movements in your mind, it will go into your body on the spot. But we are still training our facial expressions… If you hold it in your stomach, it’s hard to bring a shift to your face, so if you dance with an image in mind, you will be able to make good facial expressions.
Issei: I also would like to know a trick to learn this (laughs) I keep in mind to practise over and over, to diligently watch the person teaching us and absorb everything from there.

Please tell us about your routine every day.
Junki: I drink warm water every day after waking up in the morning. Try it because after drinking your body will feel nice and warm and you will have a good start into the day. Also, I make sure to stretch before sleeping. When you do from your age on, you will surely be healthy and your body will grow quickly.
Shion: I wake up depending on the schedule. When there are continuous shootings, I soak in the bath so that I will not look bloated. And when you take a bath, you should also do some stretches.

[JO1] B-PASS 220527

Q1: A number you want to listen to while driving?
Shosei: JO1 “Touch!”
Ren: JO1 “Get Inside Me”
Takumi: JO1 “Touch!”
Syoya: Kobukuro “Sakura”
Sukai: aiko-san “Boyfriend”
Junki: EXILE ATSUSHI “Sakura no Kisetsu”
Keigo: Justin Bieber “Forever”
Ruki: One Direction “Live While We’re Young”
Shion: Saucy Dog “Tsuki no sumu kimi”. I want to listen to it at a sakura alley at night
Issei: TREASURE “JIKJIN”
Sho: JO1 “ZERO”

Q2: An event you liked or were good at at a (school) sport’s festival?
🍮: Ball-toss games
🦊: Cheering
🍓: Relay
🐰: Ball-toss games
✈️: Relay
🌱: Ball rolling race
🦒: Chicken fight
👑: Relay
👽: Ball rolling race
🐶: Chicken fight
🌺: Relay

Q3: A menu that made you happy when it was your bento?
🍮: Wiener, broccoli, rolled egg omelette
🦊: Chili Shrimps
🍓: Rolled egg omelette, kugini (sand lance simmered in soy sauce/mirin/etc)
🐰: Frozen karaage and gratin with a fortune
TN: There seems to be a Japanese brand of gratin that has fortunes in every package
✈️: Karaage-san
🌱: Potato salad
🦒: Gratin
👑: Rolled egg omelette
👽: Rolled egg omelette (salty)
🐶: Sweet rolled egg omelette
🌺: Gooya champuruu

Q4: Your favourite miso soup ingredient?
🍮: Tofu, Wakame
🦊: Wakame
🍓: Tofu, Wakame
🐰: Shrimp heads
✈️: Sweet potato, Wakame
🌱: Lettuce
🦒: Manila clam
👑: Japanese bunching onion
👽: Onions, firm tofu
🐶: Tofu
🌺: Manila clam, freshwater clam

Q5: Please tell us your trick to prevent/overcome the May blues?
🍮: Listen to JO1’s songs a lot!
🦊: May blues is nothing but a superstition.
🍓: Fully relaxing
🐰: Eating food!
✈️: Visiting various cafes, playing games
🌱: Not thinking about May
🦒: Liking JO1 more than before!
👑: Eat a lot. Rest a lot
👽: May blues, what’s that? First of all, do your best!
🐶: Going out with friends
🌺: Exercise

Q6: How do you often spend rainy days?
🍮: Cooking at home. Drawing
🦊: Playing games at home
🍓: I’m watching anime or movies at home.
🐰: Staying inside my home
✈️: Watching movies at home
🌱: I open the window and enjoy the rain
🦒: I don’t like rain, so I watch movies and such at home.
👑: I’m often at home.
👽: I get headaches, so I’m at home.
🐶: Playing games at home
🌺: I calm down by the sound of rain, so I study.

Q7: What is a fashion item you are curious about in this spring/summer season?
🍮: I want slippers
🦊: Sneaker
🍓: T-Shirt, accessories, hat
🐰: Light clothing
✈️: Shirts without sleeves
🌱: Jeans (wide)
🦒: Handmade fashion. Like T-Shirts sewn by hand
👑: Half pants, accessories
👽: Hats and half sleeves
🐶: Accessories, half pants
🌺: White T-Shirts

Q8: Is there something you collect or you find yourself collecting?
🍮: Skin care items. I even buy spares, so if I forget about them, they accumulate at home.
🦊: Sweets
🍓: Sneaker
🐰: Gacha stuff, knit hats, recent vinyl records
✈️: Supplements and nutritional foods
🌱: Mugs
🦒: Clothes, sneaker
👑: Sunglasses, Pokemon sticker
👽: Figures
🐶: Kamen Rider belts
🌺: I find the members assembling (at my place)

Q9: Are you the type who believes in fortune telling or jinxes?
🍮: I don’t believe in anything.
🦊: I don’t believe in those.
🍓: I don’t believe in those at all.
🐰: I do. But I don’t want to…
✈️: I do. I like psychic ones
🌱: I’m not really believing in those
🦒: I only believe in good things
👑: I’m not really believing in those
👽: I believe serious ones.
🐶: I don’t believe in those.
🌺: I don’t believe in those.

Q10: Which colour do you like lately?
🍮: I ended up buying things in pastel colours and a little brilliant colours.
🦊: Dreamily pretty purple
🍓: Yellow. Because I love it.
🐰: Blue
✈️: Grey
🌱: Blue
🦒: Yellow-green, blue
👑: White
👽: Aqua, black, green
🐶: Red
🌺: Green

Q11: What is the place you can calm down the best?
🍮: The air in my hometown. It is not a big city, so the stars are really clear.
🦊: Home
🍓: Bed. At home in general
🐰: Home
✈️: Bed, sofa
🌱: A place where I can feel nature
🦒: Cinema
👑: Theme parks
👽: The toilet
🐶: On my bed at home
🌺: Okinawa

JO1‘s anime situation
In connection with the anime tie-ups “Move The Soul” and “Prologue” featured on the album. What kind of anime have the members come in touch with?

Do you usually watch anime?
Keigo: I love “HUNTER X HUNTER”. There are a lot of characters I like, but I especially like the enemy characters. The backstory of the enemies has been properly drawn out, too, so I ended up liking them.
Sukai: I also like “HUNTER X HUNTER” the most. I like that the main character has also a very positive side, and not only are the enemy characters strong, but they also have uncommon abilities and each one of them got something charming.
Shosei: I really want to see the rest soon.
Keigo: Because I’m ready to spend all my savings! I want to read the rest in some way or another!
Shosei: I like “To Aru Kagaku no Railgun”. It is a not so recent anime, but the art is beautiful and the development of each episode is well done and it is exciting. The work is based in the city of Tachikawa in Tokyo and I would like to make a pilgrimage there.
Sho: It’s “Poppey” for me when it comes to anime! I often watched cartoons since I was a young boy and I loved “Powerpuff girls” and “Tom & Jerry”!
Ruki: Ah, I cried heavily when I watched “Anohana: The Flower We Saw That Day”.
Sho: You cried when watching anime, Ruki?
Ruki: I cried from the start to the end.
Shosei: You (always) act so tough! (laughs)
Ruki: After reading “Anohana” my dislike for manga disappeared and I also read mangas such as “Attack on Titan” or “Tokyo Ghoul” and watched the anime. Right now, I’m looking forward to the “Attack on Titan” season next year.
Issei: I like “Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam”. My parents like Gundam and I started to like it due to their influence. In Gundam the story about the people is really interesting. In “Zeta Gundam” they transform into planes… (an unstoppable fast & passionate talk)
Shosei: He is so enthusiastic…
Sho: I wonder how many years it would take to finish the whole series starting today?
Issei: I think it will take some time. There are connected episodes and unconnected ones. Right now with “Mobile Suit Gundam Unicorn” the foreshadowing from back then has been retrieved so… (endlessly continues)
Sho: O-okay, I got it! (laughs)

Hahaha we will continue slowly (laughs).
Takumi: In “Shaman King” the main character Asakura Yoh keeps on saying “Everything will work out” and I think I can learn from his mindset. It is cool to say “Everything will work out” no matter how strong your enemy is.
Shion: My choice is Rem from “Re:Zero” (Re:Zero: Starting Life in Another World). The aqua hair suits her so well. So much that I want to dye my hair in this colour, too. She is wholeheartedly kind and really cute. She confessed to the person she likes knowing he likes someone else, but back then I said “Why are you not choosing Rem?”. I think I speak for about 80% of the fans in this regard.
Ren: I like the moment when seemingly laidback characters get serious. For example, characters like (Nara) Shikamaru from “NARUTO”. I like how they bring out their hidden powers when their friends are in trouble.
Syoya: I like the scene in “Guilty Crown” when Daryl Yan is told “Please live” in the moment when he is let go but refuses to do so. I like such a passionate feeling, or when a character takes a stand to protect someone.
Junki: I like the story arc of “The lying Noland” before they go to the sky islands in “ONE PIECE”. Despite discovering a treasure island, it was launched in the sky and became a sky island, making the original place disappear, so everyone calls him a liar but lastly his descendants and Luffy discover it and prove it was not a lie.
Ren: Can I add something here? (laughs) When Luffy found the sky island and the treasure he says in his heart “Old man, the island is here”, but actually in “ONE PIECE” it is not the intention of the mangaka Oda Eiichirou to write Luffy’s inner voice. But this is the sole scene where he did so.
Takumi: For real? Now I want to read the manga. But I only read until Shirahoshi’s part.
Ren: I think in this case you are about two thirds from there?
Shion: You can still catch up!

[JO1] Digital TV Guide 220524

JO1 Kono Junki x Shiroiwa Ruki
The stories we bring you
Following the appearance of all members in the previous issue, this time we bring you a crosstalk of Kono Junki & Shiroiwa Ruki.
They told us about their secret plans to enjoy the 2nd album “KIZUNA” and how to deepen their bonds with the members.

Please give Ren-kun some riddles (Junki)

The 2nd album “KIZUNA” is going to be released, but how do you want JAM to enjoy it?
Junki: Sukai who had been on a break has returned and the title track “With Us” really has a sense of unity and I think the fans can feel our deep bonds that we formed in the last two years. In the music video there is also this feeling, so I hope that you will take up that feeling.
Ruki: Also among the other featured tracks there are a lot of songs with a “let’s go happily excited” like feeling, so I hope it will raise everyones’ moods.
Junki: Songs came together that make you naturally want to get into their rhythm.

Which songs would you recommend to people who just became fans of JO1?
Junki: I like the songs which have performance videos, so there is “With Us” and “Move The Soul” and also…
Ruki: “Algorithm”
Junki: There was also a performance video for “Walk It Like I Talk It” released, so I think with these 4 songs you can enjoy JO1’s character or rather you can enjoy our performance side.
Ruki: I think we will also have a lot of opportunities to perform “With Us” and it is a song easy to learn and imitate. And, “Walk it” which is shortened to “Waki Raki”, is a song with a fierce dance we have never before, or rather it became a song that shows a new vibe of JO1, so please make sure to watch the PV.

In the reference to the album title what do you prefer JAM to do to deepen the bond with you two?
Ruki: I want my likes and dislikes to be understood. If I’m too close with someone from the start, I don’t know how to behave and end up thinking too much. I am the type of person who has some distance from others, so my ideal is to gradually get to know each other.

How did you get closer to Shiroiwa-san, Kono-san?
Junki: Yes, it was difficult to break his wall.
Ruki: I’m really a handful, right? My wall towards other people is thick.
Junki: What I thought was that Ruki is someone with thick walls and who cannot bring his own emotions forward. But I’m the opposite and bring those strongly forward (laughs). But even Ruki has moments when he brings his emotions out. I think this is good. I like it. How could I say it… he has a “blue flame” in his heart. I think it would be good if you could sense his inner feelings.
Ruki: It’s really like this! We will get along with you if you sense my feelings.

How about you, Kono-san?
Junki: I’m unexpectedly shy and I’m not good at starting a conversation myself, so I want to be spoken to from the other side. The topic doesn’t matter, so I want to leave it to the other one. However from time to time the opposite is fine, too. Hence, no matter what kind of person I am actually, I believe I can make connections with people (laughs).

Please tell us your way of “becoming friends” to form “bonds” with other members!
Junki: Let’s start from Shosei. This comes up on the spot, right, it’s the topic of anime.
Ruki: Exactly!
Junki: He often gets lively with the other members who like anime!
Ruki: How about Ren-kun?
Junki: In the case of Ren-kun it is okay to talk to him logically and not emotionally (laughs) Also, if you give him one of his beloved riddles, you will connect for sure!
Ruki: Next is Takumi, but Takumi is difficult.
Junki: He likes bread, doesn’t he? He has an unbalanced diet, so you might get along if you are the same. It is important to match his pace without lecturing him “It would be better to eat this”.

Next is Kimata-san.
Ruki: There is only one choice, “food”.
Junki: Yes. It will be alright if you can go to eat together. The best would be to go to eat Sushi. Next is Sukai who started to train his body recently so talking about muscle training seems like a good idea. He brought boiled broccoli and chicken breast to practise and he is working hard on his muscles right now.

For Shion, it is best to enjoy games with him (Ruki).

Are you two doing muscle training, too?
Junki: I’m training along with Sukai at the training room.
Ruki: I’m not doing it at all. (flatly)

Next up is Sato-san.
Junki: Keigo does not like to be ordered around so it seems good to tell him to be just like himself and pamper him. Also he likes to talk about Marvel and Disney.
Ruki: Shion likes games, so it is best to enjoy games with him.
Junki: Next up is Mame, right? For him it is best to talk with him about Kamen Rider.

Different generations like different “Kamen Riders” right?
Junki: It is okay. He will give you some reaction to all generations!

Lastly, how about Yonashiro-san?
Junki: He likes DIY, so it might be good if you have some knowledge about that.
Ruki: But rather than creating something himself, he seems more like someone who likes to arrange his room neatly, so if you know a lot about interior design it would be good.
Junki: He likes wood style, doesn’t he? So please attack him with “nature”!

Understood. Lastly, both of you have started appearing regularly in programs, Kono-san in NHK E TV “Hangul! Navi” and Shiroiwa-san in “JO1’s All Night Nippon X”. Please give each other some encouragement!
Ruki: Upon aiming to take off to the world in the future, studying languages is something absolutely necessary. So I would like to learn from you and try to study languages and as the one who opens the path for us I want Junki to work hard!
Junki: It is an honour to have a crown program with JO1’s name. The members also appear there one after another but they do so freely, so I hope you will coordinate them well and make a good program.
Ruki: I’m going to work hard not to let the listeners sleep every week on Thursday night, just like the title of the program “All night”!

Deepening their “KIZUNA”(bond)!?
If they photographed each other…
A photograph shows the relationship of the object and the photographer. When we asked them to photograph each other, Kono-san was the first one who had the camera. He took spectacular photos of Shiroiwa-san while saying “it seems to be out of focus?”. Shiroiwa-san had struggled? a little with Kono-san moving around so much, but both had the biggest smiles on their faces!

[JO1] Digital TV Guide 220422

Ren x Ruki x Keigo x Shion talk

Are you the type who takes long baths? Or short ones?
Keigo: Crazy long ones. I usually soak in hot water for an hour. From time to time I even end up falling asleep as I’m the type who gets tired after relaxing.
Ren: I also bathe long. I also often mix and use treatments, so I’m not spending that much time in the hot water however.
Ruki: Me too. When I have time I fill up my bath in the morning or at night and sometimes I bathe twice a day.
Shion: I also take long ones.
Ruki: Really? But your ones seem short.
Shion: They are about 30 minutes long.
Ruki: For me that’s kinda short. I bathe for about 1 or 2 hours.
Shion: That’s nuts.
Ruki: I’m watching movies while bathing. I put in bath salts and the temperature is automatically set to 41 degrees. Because there is a function that keeps the set temperature.
Ren: I didn’t know that! Wow!! That’s something pretty nice!
Shion: If I don’t soak in hot water, I only need 5 minutes. Hence, 30 minutes are long for me.

Is the time you need in the bathroom long?
Keigo: I also need long there.
Ren: I also need quite a long time, I guess. Because my job is standing in front of other people, doing skin care ends up taking a long time somehow.

In the past, you mentioned that brushing your teeths takes a long time for you, Kawashiri-san.
Ren: I used to brush them while taking a bath, but nowadays I have an electric toothbrush, so I’m brushing them at the sink now.
Ruki: I think I’m not taking that long. I use a mist spray on my face, use a mask while blow drying my hair and after applying beauty lotions and cream I’m done. It takes only 10 minutes I think.
Shion: For me that’s kinda long. I only need about 2 minutes. I dry myself, use a skin lotion and after getting into my clothes I’m done.
Keigo: The reason why I am taking so long is because I’m using a lot of skin care products.I also use a lot of shampoo, conditioner and body soap and it’s so much that I probably don’t need to use beauty lotions anymore, but a little more can't be wrong, hence I end up taking a long time.

Are you someone who spends a quiet time in his room? Or do you (loudly) enjoy yourself?
Ren: I’m quietly enjoying myself in my room. I mainly play games. I play online against the members or people I don’t know.
Shion: I play YouTube videos on my TV while watching YouTube videos on my phone.
Ruki: What?
Shion: The YouTube videos on my TV are the BGM and I’m watching all kinds of videos on my phone.
Keigo: I’m the type who relaxes quietly. I’m a lot on my phone and just like Shion I often let music or random videos from YouTube play on my TV while I’m doing something.
Ruki: When I’m playing games or sing, I have fun and be loud, but when I’m watching videos or movies I spend my time quietly. Also sometimes I practise singing. so I play the instrumental version of my favorite songs on Youtube while singing.
Keigo: How about buying a Karaoke machine?. We have one at my parent’s house.
Ruki: I have thought about it already. But since my room is not soundproof, it is not a good idea.
Shion: I can hear a lot of singing.

Ren: In the morning I was also woken up by the sound of Keigo waking up.
Keigo: I wish Ren-kun would become more laid back.

Is your room clean? Or dirty?
Keigo: It could be better, but I guess it's clean.
Ren: I have a lot of things, but they are arranged neatly.
Keigo: hehehehe (laughs)
Ren: What’s that reaction? (laughs)
Keigo: I’m wondering what it actually looks like.
Ren: In this case, come over.
Keigo: I want to! Speaking of this, I haven’t been in the room of any of these three people yet. There are not many things in my own room. It does not feel lived-in.I like to store as much as I can, hence I stuff everything into my wardrobe. Also I don't like to leave a lot of rubbish, hence I’m throwing away things directly. I am bothered when things are in chaos, so even when it’s my own room, it will feel bad (laughs).

If you ranked the cleanness of your room, which rank among the members would you give yourself?
Keigo: I am first or second.
Ren: That’s right. I have this image of Keigo’s room. I would place myself in rather in the middle than at the top.
Ruki: I wish to put myself at the top of the ranking. I don’t have many things in my room. I don’t put up anything I don’t need. I don’t buy anything I don’t need, and if I don’t use things, I will get rid of them. The other day, when I was with Sukai, we called Shion saying “We are going to your room now”, but Shion refused saying “Don’t do it cause my room is so dirty. Right now it’s insane.”
Shion: It had been a monsterous back then (laughs) I cleaned up a week later. I’m the type of person who cleans everything all together. But it’s quite chaotic again.
Ruki: So fast ~ (laughs)

What is so chaotic in your room?
Shion: It’s mainly my clothes. I’m diligently cleaning away my food, but the pet bottles might also be laying around.
Keigo: Don’t you put your clothes on a hanger when you return home? So why is it chaotic? Are you just leaving them where they are after taking them off?
Shion: This. Hence, I’m last or second last in the ranking.
Keigo: And with whom are you competing for the last place? (laughs)
Shion: (looks around) Hm… Because everyone seems quite clean.
Ren: So it's not Syoya?
Syoya: (noticed it by chance) What?
Keigo: We are making a ranking who is the coolest.
Syoya: Is that so? ♪
Ruki: You deceived him well (laughs)

Ruki: Shion, who does not let himself be influenced by others, is manly and wonderful!
Shion: Ruki-kun is the one who usually laughs about me. Please expose each other’s “REAL” self!
Keigo: I don’t really have a hidden side, so I’m fine no matter what they are going to say. But I think there is nothing JAM don’t already know about me.
Ren: Keigo eats a lot of bananas. He eats 2 or 3 ones a day, right?
Keigo: I buy a pack of three bananas at the conbini and I eat them before practice, in the break and after practice. I heard that bananas are good when you practice.
Ren: Because they have good energy efficiency.
Keigo: What could there be for Ren-kun~ Hm… On the contrary, there isn’t anything? Please expose yourself (laughs)
Ren: There was something that irritated me a lot yesterday. I like it when the timing of things fits together, like for example I set the microwave for 40 secs, fold the laundry in the meantime and return just when the timer beeps. I like this feeling of efficiency. Hence, yesterday after my schedule ended, I ordered a food delivery for the time I returned home, and as soon I got home, the intercom rang and I received it with a good feeling “The perfect timing”. But the soup was completely spilled inside. This absolutely pulled my mood down.
Keigo: This is tough. Did you call the shop regarding this?
Ren: I didn’t, but I gave my first bad review (laughs)
Ruki: My exposing was the story of Shion’s room being dirty earlier (laughs)
Shion: (laughs) I admit this. My expose story is that some time ago, Ruki-kun, Sho-kun, Junki-kun, Syoya and Sukai had to a dance lesson starting in the morning and we had to do somnething like stretching exercises there, but after sitting for a long time, everyone started to lose focus. But when I looked at Ruki-kun’s expression at that moment, he seemed to have reached a state of nothingness after overcoming his limits and I thought “Oh my god, I saw the top of Ruki-kun.”
Ruki: (breaks out laughing) I wasn’t aware of it, but I guess it must have seemed like I had a spiritual awakening.

Please tell us the wonderful things you (LOVE) about each other and what you (HATE) which the other one needs to fix about himself.
Ren: When we went to South Korea for the single production, there was a time when I shared the hotel room with Keigo. I’m the type of person who needs quite some time to get ready before going out, but since Keigo also needs some time, we got up early and I felt that I was woken up by the sound of Keigo waking up, which helped me a lot. What I HATE is that from time to time he fell asleep while playing on the phone without taking a bath first.
Keigo: Ren-kun watches the members’ dancing and gives us a lot of advice, and I think he really cares about the group. This is what I LOVE about him. On the other hand, what I HATE is that he often thinks too much about the group. He looks at too many things and ends up taking those on himself, so I wish he would become more laid back.
Ruki: I have a lot of things that I LOVE about Shion. Like that he is not influenced by others, stays true to himself and that he has an amazing self confidence in that, or his mentality. I admire this manliness and I think this is something wonderful.
Shion: Thank you very much. Ruki-kun’s smile is handsome. When I tell a gag, it’s usually Ruki-kun who laughs about it.
Ruki: Our humor is similar, isn't it?
Shion: It really helps. There is actually nothing in particular I want him to fix about himself~
Ruki: I also got nothing to complain about you.

From the members to Shosei
Ren: Thank you for always making me laugh. I like how you can perfectly switch on and off
Takumi: You always tell me things that make no sense, but it feels very good. Thanks!
Syoya: Thank you for your constant beauty
Sukai: Thank you for stoically giving me various kinds of advice
Junki: Shose is always cute. I get motivated by seeing you challenging various things
Keigo: Thank you for giving your all in your studies of how to be a fool
Ruki: Thank you for always relying on me
Shion: Thank you for always laughing at me!
Issei: You always hang out with me. We are like classmates I’m grateful
Sho: Thank you for always keeping me smiling!

From Shosei to the members
to Ren: Thank you very much for always doing the treatment for us. I’m grateful
to Takumi: You are kind! But you mess with me a lot (laughs) You are cool and cute. You are my Aniki
TN: Aniki is slangish term for an older brother
to Syoya: You seem so happy when you eat. Thank you for always happily chatting with me
to Sukai: THE GUY. You always smell good. Thank you for always
to Junki: You are lively. I want to go to a lot of places with you— Thank you for always
to Keigo: Thank you for being too handsome
(This was written before I knew -tears-)
to Ruki: Thank you for always happily doing improv comedy with me
to Shion: You have a big heart and it’s fun to chat with you. Thank you for always.
to Issei: My cute little brother. But we are friends. I want to go to a lot of places with you. Thank you for always
to Sho: You are the reliable singing big brother, who will reply no matter what I ask him regarding singing. Thank you for always

From the members to Ren
Shosei: Thank you very much for always doing the treatment for us. I’m grateful
Takumi: Thank you for your hard work as a dance leader always. Please take a rest from time to time
Syoya: Thank you very much for always dancing
Sukai: Thank you for always teaching the dance to everyone
Junki: Thank you very much for making JO1’s performances the best, dance leader Ren-kun
Keigo: Thank you for laughing
Ruki: Thank you for leading the team
Shion: Thank you for taking care of me countless times. Pls continue to take care of me
TN: Shion uses formal language in the first sentence and internet slang in the second one
Issei: I’m truly always grateful for your treatment of our performances
Sho: Thank you for always teaching the dance to the members!

From Ren to the members
to Shosei: Thank you for always making me laugh. I like how you can perfectly switch on and off
to Takumi: I like Takumi who tackles everything seriously. Thank you for making me want to work hard too
to Syoya: Thank you for accompanying me at meals. Let’s go to eat Sushi again
to Sukai: Thank you for relying on me. A big brother is happy to be relied on
to Junki: Thank you for being honest. It’s amazing because it’s something difficult when you are an adult
to Keigo: Thank you for always making me laugh. Keigo, whose happiness is to make others happy, is truly wonderful
to Ruki: Thank you for always making me laugh. Let‘s have another concert evaluation meeting and improve the quality of the group together
to Shion: Thank you for always watching your surroundings. Shion, who is really serious and knows that doing so makes me happy, is wonderful
to Issei: Thank you for relying on me. Without caring for our ages you support me. and I support you. I’m trusting you
to Sho: Thank you for always taking care of me. Sho-kun is the one with whom I’m often doing something. Let’s work hard as the oldest ones

From the members to Takumi
Shosei: You are kind! But you mess with me a lot (laughs) You are cool and cute. You are my Aniki
Ren: I like Takumi who tackles everything seriously. Thank you for making me want to work hard too
Syoya: You are making me laugh. Thank you very much
Sukai: Thank you for kindly talking to me
Junki: My master, thank you for teaching me a lot each day
Keigo: Thanks for your face
Ruki: Thank you for showing me your sense
Shion: Thank you very much for laughing at me. Let’s continue to go wild
Issei: Your sharp retorts are very funny. I’m grateful
Sho: Thank you for always being lively!

From Takumi to the members
to Shosei: You always tell me things that make no sense, but it feels very good. Thanks!
to Ren: Thank you for your hard work as a dance leader always. Please take a rest from time to time
to Syoya: You always give me energy! Thank you. Continue to be “No, Limit”
to Sukai: I like listening to SKY’s funny stories. Thank you for always
to Junki: Thank you very much for always speaking. A little less would be nice
to Keigo: Thank you very much for making each day fun and interesting. Please continue to take care of me
to Ruki: I calm down when I’m with Ru-kun. Thank you very much. You are cool, kind and amazing (^o^)
to Shion: Everything about you is funny!! It is thanks to “you” that I can smile. Thank you
to Issei: Being with Mame motivates me and calms me down. Thanks for always~✨
to Sho: In any case thank you for always, Sho-kun. Thanks for everything…

From the members to Ruki
Shosei: Thank you for always happily doing improv comedy with me
Ren: Thank you for always making me laugh. Let‘s have another concert evaluation meeting and improve the quality of the group together
Takumi: I calm down when I’m with Ru-kun. Thank you very much. You are cool, kind and amazing (^o^)
Syoya: Thank you for the surreal comedy
Sukai: You liven up the group. Thanks a lot
Junki: Actually seeing you working hard motivates me, for real
Keigo: Thanks for being unexpectedly stupid
Shion: Thanks for always laughing at me. Please continue to watch my stuff
Issei: I’m grateful that you always listen to me talking
Sho: Thank you for always spoiling me!

From Ruki to the members to Shosei: Thank you for always relying on me
to Ren: Thank you for leading the team
to Takumi: Thank you for showing me your sense
to Syoya: Thank you for showing your face enjoying a meal
to Sukai: Thank you for showing me your manliness
to Junki: Thank you
to Keigo: Thank you for making things funny
to Shion: Thank you for inheriting the pink
to Issei: Thank you for encouraging me
to Sho: Thank you for unifying us

The members explained all the songs from the album!

Walk It Like I Talk It (Takumi)
Even for JO1 it is a cool and impactful song with a dance that has a HIP HOP feeling. It is a song we have rarely had so far, so it feels fresh.

Dreamer (Keigo)
It is the title track of our first drama “Short Program”. It is a cheering song with lyrics that gives you the courage to take one step after another towards your dream.

LOVE & HATE (Junki)
It is a song that lets you feel JO1’s sexy aura. Since it is also JO1’s third year, we hope to bring out a sexy and mature aura with this song.

Move The Soul (Syoya)
It is a song with a dashing sense and that has explosiveness. It feels like white and blue? Please pay attention to it because of the fresh vocals, which are like exhaling.

Prologue (Ruki)
It’s a song that my friend praised as “a good song”. It is a tie up song, so I hope it will serve as an introduction of JO1 to people who don’t know us yet.

Design (Keigo)
It is a sexy song with a sexy performance. There is the idea that we will preserve our design in this era.

Bokura no Kisetsu (Ruki)
Our first winter song. It is a song I often listen to even after the winter has passed and full of emotional attachments. Personally I like it a lot.

STAY (Sho)
It is a song I sang together with Junki at the concert. I think it’s the JO1 song which fits the best to summer, so I want you to play it while going on a drive in summer.

Kimi no mama (Syoya)
I love this song. I like it the most in J-POP. It is a song that can make you cry. There are also strings in the song and I also like this atmosphere. A song I want to perform live.

Born To Be Wild (Junki)
The song we performed first at the live shows. We made this song in South Korea, so there are a lot of memories (connected to it). I hope to be able to perform it in many other places in the future.

Never Ending Story (Issei)
I quite like this song. I like how the lyrics and music evoke associations. The lyrics are quite sad, but this is what makes the song intense.

With Us (Ren)
So far we expressed our state of confronting our troubles and hardships, but this song is one that can reaffirm the connection between us and everyone else.

Touch! (Shosei)
It has a song with a similar cuteness as “Yancha Boy Yancha Girl”, so I think it will liven up the mood at live shows.

ZERO (Shion)
I might be a rapper but I like calm songs, so I like it so much that it is my number one or two of the album. I often listen to it while sleeping.

Algorithm (Ren)
It is a powerful and masculine song. I think that the fans also wanted to see this side of us. We also enjoy it and the performance is also noteworthy.

Ryuuseiu meteor shower (Sukai)
I’m singing “the downpouring stars this moment shines”, which I’m singing with the feeling of wanting to be with JAM at that moment of the night.

REAL (Takumi)
The title track of the 4th single. It is a song that expresses Let’s realise everything you wanted to on stage which you have dreamed of before becoming JO1.

[JO1] Sponichi Annex 220102

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[2022 JO1’s vows for the new year]

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[JO1] USEN 211215

https://e.usen.com/interview/interview-original/jo1wandering.html

[partly translation]

When the covers were revealed JAM commented that when the designed circle was turned upside down it would look like a ring, hence it’s perfect for Shiroiwa-san with his Prince character.
Ruki: When I saw that idea, I thought it’s funny. Actually I wasn’t told what it means and I don’t know what the designer’s idea was, but I’m really happy that it was investigated like this. I think we might also have things we haven’t noticed yet, so I'm really looking forward to seeing who will notice the easter eggs, JAM or us.
Shosei: It’s like a treasure hunt (laughs). In Bokura no Kisetsu there are a lot of scenes when two members sing together. It is indeed the highlight. So far we have a lot of songs in which we sing one after another, yet by singing together we can create a beautiful melody. At the tree that Ruki-kun mentioned earlier, light comes from above. It feels like the light of hope, doesn’t it? That we dance there has the message that after loss, in a world has fallen there is hope when you look up. It’s wonderful with all those meanings set up in a magnificent way. Please take your time to watch it.
Ruki: During the recording the producer said that he chose the pairs in order to create a lovely world view with beautiful harmony, so I think this is also a highlight. By the way, first I sing with Junki, then with Mame and lastly with Ren-kun.
Junki: The chemistry with me was good, wasn’t it?
Ruki:… yes
Junki: Why was there a pause? (Laughs) But actually when we sing together, our individuality comes out. I realised that the combination of high and low notes makes a completely different singing voice. Ah, I got something to say. Have you listened to the song?

Yes I have.
Junki: When I first listened to it it had a bright image of it. The sound is so bright and also a sparkling winter sound is used, so I thought it’s going to be a really bright song. But in the lyrics there is the feeling of loss. Behind a bright smile there is past loss, current loss and the feeling of loneliness. Also, we are singing “in the future I’m going to meet you for sure”. I hope you will enjoy this gap, too.

Because there is this gap, it’s dramatic and the declaration “I will come to you before it becomes cold” is really good, too.
Shosei: It’s really good. Isn’t it lovely to meet the people you wanted to see and feel warm in the freezing winter? I think everyone has waited for us at the lives, too. I think it has quite the meaning that we were able to sing this song at our first live with audience.
Ruki: I have the part “Without you, I can’t do anything”, which is certainly about us and JAM. Furthermore, for me there is also the meaning that without Sukai we can’t do anything. This “you” is JAM and it’s Sukai. Hence, I hope that the listeners will apply it to someone important to them and not just to their love interest. You are absolutely right.
Ruki: Yes. When you normally listen to it, you might feel that you is the person you like, but I’m singing for JAM, Sukai and everyone dear to me, so I hope everyone will listen to it repeatedly.

(Talking about Prologue)
I think the message “though we are apart now, one day we can meet again. I’m always thinking (of you)” makes it a really good song for the graduation season. Furthermore, it’s a song that you can listen to over and over, thinking of the people you were separated from in the audition, past friends and so on.
Shosei: Yes, like this.
Junki: I really like this. At the end of it there is also “Never Ending Story”. If you listen to it, you will understand that there is not the end. You understand from the melody that there is a continuation.
Shosei: Isn’t it hard to understand if you say it like this? (Laughs)
Junki: If you listen to it, you will understand! (laughs)
Shosei: It’s a really good song and we hadn't had a song yet that we sang for the people who we were separated from, so it has become a cherished song.

Infinite City has a rock sound and it’s a song overflowing with a dashing feeling.
Junki: There is quite the dashing feeling.
Shosei: I think it’s a song that will make the crowd lively at a live. So I’m really happy about it. However, the key is so high.
Ruki: Absolutely, it’s high!
Shosei: It’s so high! I did my best during the recording while my voice became raspy.
Junki: Everyone is singing this high key, so I think everyone raised their skills in regard to the singing.
Ruki: It’s the first time that we have such an EDM sound, so I think it would fit for a party. It brings you in high spirits.
Junki: It seems to be good for making cheers! I think at a live show when the fans can shout, it will be a song to get excited!

The concept of WANDERING is to wander, but how do you see this concept?
Ruki: For JO1 a lot has happened until we reached our 3rd year. At this milestone, there is surely still a part that wanders. Exactly because in these two years a lot of things took place, it’s time to hold on for us. Also, it’s a period for us in which we have to endure everything. In order for both JO1 and LAPONE to overcome this, to grow further, we try to continue to search for the answer, look ahead and get up. 2022 will be a year of competitions for JO1, so we have to work even harder.

This is a strong statement which makes me look forward to your 3rd year even more. By the way, is there anyone in the group who is wandering?
Ruki: Wandering… Junki seems like he doesn’t know what to do, does he?
Junki: eh?
Ruki: Aren’t you often teased by Mame, Shosei and Takumi?

By the younger members?
Ruki: Yes this. The only way he responds to this, is getting slightly angry, saying “What are you saying?” Like an snapping character (laughs)
Junki: That’s not wandering! I’m not a snapping character! Maybe!
Ruki: Recently, he quite takes it out on me. He teases me a lot. While thinking “what’s with that guy?”, I take it with a big heart thinking “He is wandering around”.
Junki: That’s not wandering! (laughs) Well, both in a good and bad sense I think the members are teasing me recently.
Ruki & Shosei: (laugh)
Junki: The more I try to maintain my dignity, the more they come for me.
Ruki: The more Junki rebels, the stronger the kids become!
Shosei: Sho-kun and Ren-kun laugh about this and kindly watch over it.
Junki: If you say so, Shion is wandering for real!
Shosei: True (laughs)

In which regard?
Junki: During the audition, Shion was said to be “rebellious”. Even now he is sharp from time to time, at his core he is a good guy. So, it’s like his heart tells him not to do such things and you end up seeing him struggling (laughs). That’s funny, isn’t it? Shion, who doesn't know what he should do, is cute.
Shosei: Let’s stop here before it goes any more real (laughs)
Ruki: Yes, it would be like a trial in absence (laughs).

Kono-san was here and that's exactly why he was exposed.
Junki: So I’m not wandering! (laughs)
Everyone: (laughs)