asianbeat (hereafter referred to as ab): You were first appointed a Kitakyushu Tourism Ambassador in 2017. You are now entering your third year in the responsibility. You must have participated in lots of memorable activities. Which ones stand out?

I collaborated with Kitakyushu Monorail and was given the chance to become a head of a station for a day. I don't think that would have been possible if I was not a tourism ambassador!

ab: So many people are drawn to your voice's kawaii tone. When did you decide to do a job that makes use your voice?

I've liked anime for so long! When I was in high school I joined the drama club and I think that is when I first got interested in acting. When I went to Tokyo and started to go to lots of auditions, I was shocked by the other people auditioning. They were my age, but they were so talented and had so much ability to express themselves. That made me lose confidence...

ab: How did overcoming those obstacles help you grow and develop?

I can't really change my voice or deliver many different tones. But I try to give a lot of love to each character I play! I try to really feel the character's emotions. So I guess those feelings I had were really important, I don't feel defeated!

ab: Are there any voice artists you're close to who give you inspiration or encouragement?

Shimoji Shino and Nakajima Yui! We talk about work when we go out for a drink or meal together. They're both so experienced and always provide me inspiration. It's a really stimulating relationship! But when we're not speaking about work, we enjoy chatting about random topics. I can't even remember some of the things we speak about (lol)!

ab: If you had the chance to show those two friends around Kitakyushu, where would you go?


I would probably take them shopping in "CHA CHA TOWN Kokura" and "RIVERWALK KITAKYUSHU!" I used to hang out in those spots quite a lot. In the evening, I would take them to see the views from Mt. Sarakura! Did you know that the night view from Mt. Sarakura is featured in the KPF's main poster this year?

ab: Yeah! Are there any local Fukuoka dishes that you just can't resist?

I would have to say "資さんうどん" (Sukesan Udon). I usually go for a course of something like "niku and gobo-ten (meat and tempura fried burdock) udon," oden (hot pot style dish), and botamochi (cakes made with rice and sweet azuki paste)! I also love their system that let you fill up on tororo konbu (shaved kelp) and tenkasu (bits of fried batter) (lol)!

ab: Do you use any Kitakyushu dialect? What kind of phrases or words do you use?

I often say "souccha" (lit.: yeah yeah / that's right)!" Also, I sometimes use Kyushu dialect without realizing, like "Naoshitoite" (lit.: please tidy up)!

ab: Thank you for taking the time to speak to us! Do you have a message you would like to share with the asianbeat readers based in and outside of Japan?

I went to China last year for an anime event. Everybody gave me such a warm welcome. It made me so happy! I will continue to work hard so that I can appear in projects that people watch all over the world!