Not the most interesting interview out there, but more Ju’ never hurts! From
Smart magazine, April 2012. Also the part where she talks about her mom a bit was absolutely endearing ( *°-°). Such a good kid~
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This month we’ve released a special volume for this issue thus you got to wear many outfits, what are your impressions after the shoots?
Jurina - I’m glad I got to wear many clothes! The outfit for the front page is close from the kind of cool civilian clothes I were myself, so I felt at ease when I posed wearing it. But I can absolutely not relax when I pose wearing cute clothes (laugh).
You’ve appeared a lot in Smart magazine already, what responses do you receive for those photos?
Jurina - Since I’m given the chance to wear many clothes of various style, a great number of fans praise me 「I love when Jurina appears in Smart!」. Also last month, I gave my opinion on my ideal men style, as a result there were lots of fans who dressed that way during the handshake event. That made me really happy!
It’s the first time we interview you for Smart, I will then proceed to inquire about your career. This spring will mark your 3rd and an half year being part of SKE48. What led you to enter SKE48?
Jurina - Since kindergarten, I had in mind 「Later I want to be a singer, I want to enter the world of show-business」. So when I entered elementary school I was constantly thinking 「I really want to pass some auditions…」, but I lacked the courage to go to Tokyo to pass them so I kept that for myself at the time. And then, during Kohaku in 2007 I saw AKB performance. Already a short while before I had seen Kojiharu in a drama and thought 「She is cute!」. That’s when I became very interested in AKB48.
Several months later, I heard about the project to create a sister group based in Nagoya, right away I made up my mind 「I want to pass the audition!」.
Right after entering SKE48, you’ve been selected to participate in AKB48’s 「Oogoe Diamond」, even becoming the center for this title. Didn’t you feel some pressure at that time?
Jurina - At first, I had no idea how hard it would be to remember both the song and the dance, so I was simply happy to join AKB48 to train. But it was the first time I really had to dance and sing, somehow I couldn’t remember neither the song or the dance, as the lessons went by I steadily felt the pressure growing. Since I couldn’t remember the choreography, I trained even during recess. But practicing with Mariko-san and the rest of AKB48 sempai, I somehow managed to remember the moves and song. At the end of the day, the enjoyment took over the pressure.
After this, SKE released it’s first single and you became active in both groups. How do you perceive your role in both groups?
Jurina - When I work for SKE48, I really feel that since I stand on top, I have to lead the group. I constantly share things I’ve learned by working with AKB48 to bring SKE48 to the next level.
Inversely when I’m with AKB48, members are mostly older than me and instead of leading I feel like I’m being pulled forward. But even though, I’m often being told by fans 「You seem more childish when you’re with SKE48 than AKB48」 (laugh).
Since your debut, you’ve been working a lot. When has it been the most difficult time for you?
Jurina - Lessons for Oogoe Diamond and those for SKE48 theater debut overlapped , I had too many things to remember and I was anxious all the time. I was able to practice form Oogoe Diamond with all the AKB48 sempai, but it was SKE48 first stage and since I didn’t spent much time with everyone I didn’t feel like I really fit in. Nevertheless I frantically tried to be ready for the performance. But the day of the premiere, just before the performance start, my body refused to move and I blurt to the staff 「I don’t want to go!」. At that moment, Akimoto sensei who had come to see our opening day, came talk to me out of concern. He somehow managed to calm me down and I could perform normally.
It must have been very hard for a little girl who was still in elementary school at the time to overcome such trial.
Jurina - But the fact that I managed to overcome the lessons at that time, considerably increased the speed at which I remember both dance and chant. I think that’s something I will never lose against anybody at.
Now, the thing that made you the most happy since your debut?
Jurina - Since my debut until now, the constant support I receive from my fans. To rejoice together when something good happens, to share the same frustration when I feel frustrated… That’s really thanks to the warm support of all our fans that we can work hard. I feel it the most during our birthday ceremony*. It’s such a great joy to be congratulated by so many people for your own birthday! I’m very much looking forward to my birthday, it’s getting close now!
I’ll now ask you some questions on your private life. Spring will be there soon, did you buy any accessory to go with the season?
Jurina - I’ve always had rockish tastes and liked wearing the cool type of clothes, I only have monotones items, but reading magazines and looking at my AKB48 sempai I noticed wearing blue or green clothes brings out a mature appearance, so lately I’ve bought a few clothes in those tones.
Have you liked this style since you were little?
Jurina - When I was in elementary school, I wore pink and stuff but after talking a lot with older members in AKB48, my tastes changed. Also, I grew up and as a result it became possible for my mother and me to share our clothes. And so when I shop I pay attention and wonder if 「Mom can wear it too」 or not. Lately I’ve been too busy and don’t have time to wear them, so my mother is the one who wear them first (laugh).
Do you sometimes go shopping with SKE48 or AKB48 members?
Jurina - I often go together with Mariko-sama. Even if I think some clothes won’t suit me she would help me 「You should still try them on」. She is expert in fashion so she gives me lot of advices and broaden my horizons. Recently, while we were shooting a MV we got a bit of free time so I went shopping with Mariko-sama and Kojiharu-san.
You must be busy everyday, how do you relax?
Jurina - I like bathing powder so when I have the chance, I take long baths with powder. Also lately, hot eye mask. I sometime were it when I go to sleep and I feel immediately at ease.
Back to talk about work, could you tell us about SKE48 objective from now on, as well as your personal goal?
Jurina - Something I’ve noticed during the last SKE48 handshake events, the age range of our fans is broadening. And so, SKE48 goal from now on will be to improve our own characteristics, by remaining our energetic and enthusiast selves. I want SKE48 to grow into a group appealing to boys and girls, young people and older ones alike.
Personally, I want a solo stage song! I don’t have a solo song yet, I want to sing it soon (laugh). (TL : same pun as usual) Also, maybe am I already walking that path, but rather than a simply cute idol, I want to become a lovely and cool young lady other girls will look up to/yearn for.
Last, a word for Smart readers please.
Jurina - Thank you for always encouraging me! I love how Smart always presents all kinds of fashions in its pages, from now on please keep reading Smart and enjoy fashion. And if you’re interested in me or SKE48, we’re currently having handshake events all across the country, by all means come spend some time with us! We hope you will keep supporting us from now on.
*Birthday ceremony / festival - 生誕祭 : Event hold in the theater to celebrate the birthday of a member. Cake is shared between the members, fans wear a T-shirt especially created for the occasion… An important date for the members and the fans alike. (TL : here is what this year
Jurina’s birthday T-shirt looks like)
