#1 My interview with Morning Musume。'14 before their New York concert. Also J-MELO, the Musume and me（3/3）

2014.06.04

Fukumura I love how many messages and videos we get at J-MELO from all the world's fans. I really saw how much everyone is rooting for us!
Ikuta J-MELO challenges all of us members of Morning Musume。 to learn dances from around the world. I tried belly dancing, it was so difficult! But I felt a little closer to the world. There are all different types but dance is dance.
Iikubo I've felt a lot closer to the rest of the world through J-MELO as well. J-MELO is the musical bridge between Japan and the world.

It's been a long wait but Morning Musume。'14 are finally ready to face to the world. October 5, the day of their New York headline concert has arrived. Finally reaching the city I'd dreamed of as a child having been raised on American music and movies, at long last I stood before the 10 strong idol group. Of the eight members from the concert in Paris on Sayumi Michishige remains and she too will graduate from the group after New York. Apart from the the New York concert, what else is filling you with anticipation?

Ikuta It's my first concert abroad so I want to speak a little English. It's really sparked my interest. Also I collect New York Yankee's caps so it'd be great to buy one in the hometown.
Iikubo I have to say it's a priviledge to perform in New York. America and Japan are so far apart physically, but I hope all our fans can feel a little closer to Japan. I'm gonna be trying out whatever English I can too. I want to put my feelings into words.
Fukumura I'm so happy the ten of us can do a gig abroad together! When we did a meet and greet tour in 2012 there were only four of us and Reina Tanaka, we're really sorry about that. I really want to do a concert that will answer everyone's expectations of us.

All the members wanted to perform in concerts abroad, Fukumura has been saying this since the World Meet and Greet Tour. Well that day it finally came true.
Morning Musume。 and J-MELO. If these two had not come together to form a bridge between Japan and the world what kind of life would I be leading? It doesn't bear thinking about. I'm just so glad they did. As a writer, producer and a member of Team J-MELO I think both sides will become an even sturdier link to the world in the coming years.

⇒ #001 My interview with Morning Musume。'14 before their New York concert. Also J-MELO, the Musume and me -TOP

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Columnist: Sakurai Takamasa

Contents Media Producer, author, journalist, specially-appointed professor of Digital Hollywood University, Digital Hollywood University graduate school, Sakurai Takamasa is a cultural diplomat who produces events and gives lectures in 120 cities in 25 countries. He acts as a cultural diplomat pioneer with anime and Harajuku Fashion. He is frequently invited as a guest to various Japanese events held worldwide. Having written several books including: "Nihon ga Suki sugiru Chugokujin Joshi" (PHP Shinsho), "Sekai Kawaii Kakumei" (PHP Shinsho), "Anime Bunka Gaiko "(Chikuma Shinsho), he is a radio personality who also regularly writes columns for various newspapers, magazines and web magazines.

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