There’s So Much You Won’t Know Unless You Go
Yamada “The idol fans in Mexico don’t only perform cover dances, they sing in Japanese as well. I’m sure it’s tough but that’s how much they love your songs. When they sing in Japanese they begin to want to speak in Japanese and learn about the meaning behind the lyrics, and gradually more and more people want to go to Japan. What you’re all doing is actually something really important to Japan.”

Nakajima “Without us even realizing, fans overseas go and seek us out. I’m just full of gratitude towards our fans.”

Okai “Lately we’ve been adding English subtitles to our internet programs and music videos. We want to become even more global, though. And as I discovered, there really is so much you won’t know unless you go and visit a country for yourself. I’ve fallen in love with Mexico and I’m just so glad that I came.”

Yajima “I learnt how great it is to be acknowledged by people throughout the world just for doing something that you enjoy, and it’s made me want to learn more about other parts of the world. I now understand how important it is to know about various countries and various cultures."

Hagiwara “If people come to like Japan through their liking of ℃-ute, then I’m truly happy.”

Suzuki “I have a question for the ambassador. Apart from singing and putting on concerts, is there anything else that we can do for Japan and Mexico that only we as idols can?”

Yamada “I just want you to share your experience and tell people in your own words about what you thought of Mexico. The Mexican fans would be thrilled to hear you talking about them, too. It might be difficult to do in Spanish but as long as there’s an English translation.”

Even after the discussion, we ate diner at the ambassador’s residence and talk of cultural diplomacy continued well into the evening. Japanese idols performing overseas is not something that concerns only the idols themselves. The talk was a reminder of the potential of Japan’s idol culture to help countries create bonds with Japan and bring nations together.
I hope that one day I can step out on to the stage of cultural diplomacy with this group of people again.