“From the very beginning, the 5 of us were scraped together under the front cover of ‘Arashi’, but the content was all blank paper. From that time onward, as we kept on contemplating the question of “What exactly is Arashi?”, bit by bit we began to draw the sketches of Arashi on our own, and then gradually the colors started to appear….That’s why, isn’t it to be expected that all 5 of us would have affection towards this existence that is Arashi?”

“I think I’ve come all this way without being confined by the things people say you can’t do because you’re an idol, both in work and in my personal life […] if you’re letting yourself be restricted because you’re an idol, you won’t be able to make things interesting because your priorities are askew. I’ll do things to the most of my ability, and leave it up to everyone else how that’s to be judged and interpreted. I want to take a stance where I can accept everything, no matter what happens, or how I’m treated.”

“As an idol, it makes me happy that people hold expectations for us […] I think it’s a priceless occupation where miracles are possible. Because people can influence the feelings of people watching them. But in order to respond to those expectations, I want to be conscious of the fact that I myself am just another human being with blood running through him.”

“Maybe I do have strong feelings of wanting to be cheerful. It might be why I’m consequently controlling myself. So…. my beliefs of enjoying myself through and through too, maybe it’s the sort of switch that’s for sure because it’s just something I want to make myself do. I’m always laughing, but somewhere along the way, I started thinking that more so than laughing because I’m really happy, maybe I’ll be happy if I’m laughing.”

“It used to be that I’d think What do I do if I fail?, and I’d end up getting anxious, but now I’ve realised that it’s okay if I’m unsuccessful at something. If I do my best and still fail, the present me can accept that. In order to keep growing, I feel that in those situations I just need to keep thinking Right! Time to move on!”

“Standing on stage, looking at the full house audience and the expressions of the audience after the show ended would make me think there’s no job that can make me happier than this one. I’m probably the type that prefers the joy after my work is presented, rather than the feeling I get while acting.”

“With acting, you can’t just express “this is how I’m feeling right now.” When you’re playing a part, up until the very end, it’s not your own feelings you’re communicating, but those of your character.”