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[ENG TRANS] AKB48 Team K Muto Tomu’s 26th Birthday Seitansai Speech

How was your 25 Years Old?

Probably it is not only but I thought the past one year there were so many things that did not go well. It might not be exactly correct to say that many things did not go well, maybe I’d say that the past year had been frustrating. First of all, the opportunities to meet my fans decreased. Due to the pandemic, it was hard to carry out my jobs. There was also a part of me that was thinking how it would turn out if the conditions were not like this.

Despite these conditions, I started my regular weather segment on Abema Morning. Also, the movie that was shot last year was finally released this year. Although I could not progress significantly, I’m glad that I could slowly move forward. I also learnt a lot this past year.

Also, in the past year it made me learn that we could not take everything for granted.

What do you want to achieve as a 26 Year-Old?

I couldn’t believe I’ve turned 26. I answered one of these questions alone (re: Tomu’s seitansai committee prepared trivia questions on the first row of audience seats). There is a question, “How many times have you had your seitansai since being an active member?”I was wondering how many times and on the strawberry answer sheet it is written that it is my 9th times.

However, I also had once when I was a trainee which means that I already had 10 in total. Probably. I couldn’t believe that people already celebrated my seitansai for the 10th times.

26th… I have entered my 10th year in this group and how I should go on from this point.

Of course, I have been thinking about it.

First of all, I would like to do various jobs. It might sound typical, but when I was 25 I was also thinking, “should it be alright?” Last year I thought that I couldn’t do well in many things and I was hesitant to do some of the jobs. Therefore, this year I would like to accept any kinds of offer without hesitation. Thank you very much. Hence, I am waiting for job offers! Looking forward to them and please continue to support me.

Of course, there is a part of me which couldn’t believe that I’ve turned 26. I tried to tell myself that I’m still in my twenties, I don’t want to set a limit to myself this year and I will work very hard this year. Minegishi-san’s graduation stage has yet to be decided but once she graduates I’ll be the oldest member in Team K. I would like to be a senior who could teach my juniors and leaves a legacy.

I’m not really good at that, but I would stop saying that I’m not good at it. This year I would like to do something for Team K and my juniors.

Also, I, myself, had always been thinking, “this time might be my last seitansai”. But every time it reaches summer I tend to think that “I’m also going to do it this year” and it is always like this every year.I am not sure how many times it repeats like that.  

But this year, I feel that I will also do it next year. Therefore, it’s alright. No need to worry. I will not graduate anytime soon.

There are people who recently support me or people who always support me for a long time. I hope they can continue to gently watch and support me.

It has been difficult to meet these days. This time I could see your faces, but I should not take it for granted. I’m extremely happy to see your faces today. I hope someday we can meet again, but I would like also to be an idol who can give you power and energy through SNS and screens. Please continue to support me.

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AKB48 Muto Tomu’s “Stay at Home”: Sadness for not being able to meet (her fans) and a different way to bring joy to the fans

Source: https://times.abema.tv/posts/7060083

After a month, the government lifted the state of emergency on May 25th that served as a measure to prevent the spread of Covid19. Although the numbers of confirmed infections remain, the government has also lifted the travel restriction between prefectures and the socio-economic activities has resumed.

Meanwhile, AKB48 Muto Tomu’s regular appearance as a weather forecaster on Abema Morning which had been postponed for 2 months, has finally started in June. Abema Morning began a new arrangement with four female casts: TV Asahi Tanaka Moe, also Sumita Sari and Namiki Marina who joined us in April as new casters, as well as Muto Tomu who delivered the weather forecast every Friday. We interviewed the four of them.

How does the Covid19 has changed “Idol” Muto Tomu’s working style and how does she spend her time at home?

·       Your first regular appearance as a weather forecaster should have started on April 3rd, but it was postponed to June 5th. How did you feel for the past two months?

I have appeared on this show a couple of times and was very excited to start my role as a regular cast in April. Of course, I felt sad when it was postponed for 2 months. However, I’m happy that I could finally appear as a regular and feel so grateful about it.

·       How is your work affected in the past two or three months?

We (AKB48), did not have any on-site work since the announcement of the state of emergency in April. Live concert and handshake events were also cancelled or postponed, the situations have changed in many ways. AKB48 brings the concept of “Idol you can meet”, thus it feels sad that we are unable to meet our fans.

Nonetheless, the number of remote working has increased dramatically, opening the opportunities to meet with the fans through the screen from home. As we started OUC48 Project, we released “365 Nichi no Kami Hikouki” in which all members sang together. We also did various OUC48 Projects via live stream. We are working on different ways whereby we can spend fun times with our fans despite being at home, something we have never done before.

·       You must have been interacting a lot with your fans through SNS?

SNS is very important for us. As a group, we do more live streams and we performed a stage from our respective houses. It becomes an opportunity for people who could not watch theatre stages due to physical problems.

·       How did you spend your time at home?

I cooked more often. I also do the dish after eating. In the past, I was not really that type of person who did that. I made braised pork, niku jaga, gratin, and crab cream croquette. Surprisingly, I could do it! Lol. My mother was also happy about it. I usually did not have so much time at home, she told me “I’ve always wanted to feel like this (re: Tomu did the house chores)” Lol. She also told me, “Your cooking is delicious, please do more”, but I think she wants me to get carried away by her ulterior motives! While staying at home, I was able to talk more with my family as we spend more time together.

Also, I was absent as a weather forecaster for 2 months and I was afraid that my skills would deteriorate. Therefore, I tried to explain tomorrow’s weather while checking the weather conditions on my laptop. I also watched weather forecast segments on various tv shows.

·       You mentioned it on the previous interview that there were a few things which were difficult to express.

I watched those shows while learning new ways to express it or spotted a slightly different way to do it.  

·       What do you want to do once Covid19 has settled down?

I want to perform a live concert! However, it is still hard to do it under the current condition. AKB48 held 8 live stages in 7 days in February, but I learnt that I couldn’t perform my unit’s live stage the day before the actual performance. Although we have practiced for the live performance, we could not perform it. Someday, I want to perform it.

I also want to go to karaoke on my private time. I love going to karaoke alone. I always search online when it would be fine to go to karaoke. Lol. Saitama and Chiba prefectures have allowed going to karaoke, but Tokyo has not. Also, I planned with the members whom I am close with, to travel in January or February, but things did not pan out well and we had to cancel it. It would be great if someday we can go according to the plan.

·       Please share your enthusiasm about ABEMA Morning.

Although it was postponed for 2 months, I still feel nervous. I will work hard to be able to convey the messages better. I hope you can continue watching my growth. I also write the script by myself and I hope you can notice my writing style.

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[ENG SUB] Will Muto Orin take Oguri (her dog) for a walk? 

 Tomu: I bet 500 Yen that you absolutely won't do it!

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Muto Tomu’s Interview with Asahi Shimbun [January 25, 2020]

AKB48 Muto Tomu: My Confidence was Completely Lost, It is Important to Struggle

(The World of AKB48 Group)

Muto Tomu (AKB48)

Last year I stole attention after passing the weather forecaster (re: meteorologist) examination. Subsequently, I become a weather caster for AbemaTV’s show and the scope of my work has broadened. It will be soon 9 years since I joined AKB48, my chance finally comes, and I want to enjoy new views that I could see from now on.

Although my rank in Senbatsu Sousenkyo kept rising, I was continuously not being included as senbatsu members for the general CD single, which are not from sousenkyo. I’m not really impressive at dancing, singing, and talking. Furthermore, my character is not that strong. I clearly realise that there are so many things that I lack as compared to other members around me. I believe I should work harder. I did not have anything that stood out, thus I wanted to have my own weapons/strength. I think that being able to study continuously has become my strength.

I started studying for the weather forecaster examination since 2014 through AKB48 Nemousu TV broadcast. I was the last member who appeared on that show and there was a segment where we can try to do a project. At that time, I had no strong interest in weather, but I would like to try to challenge it in order to have more jobs. I had no idea that it would take me 5 years and 8 exams to pass it. No matter how many times I failed, there were always be people who did not give up supporting me. I actually do not like studying, but I must do it.

To tell you the truth, the hardship of taking the examination

To tell you the truth, the examination on January 2019, which I passed, was the last examination that I would like to challenge because it had been decided that I would appear on stage play and movie after the exam. In the last one year, I went to cram school 4 times a week. I always studied on year-end and new year holidays. After passing it, it makes me more confident and think that I can actually do something. Moreover, there are more opportunities whereby people around me think that I am a hardworking person. Actually, my personality shows that I’m not really a reliable person. Lol.

I had no character, it bothered me.

The next generations members were appointed as captains and vice captains, but I was let to do whatever I want. I was the youngest when I was promoted to Team K, but I will be the oldest in Team K when Minegishi Minami-san graduates in April. I would like to ask the senpai members who were at my position like now, what they think about this situation.

Anyhow, it bothered me that I did not have my own character. Therefore, I did various things, such as taking weather forecaster exams and going to graduate school, to get out from that situation. I have walked on a unique path, so I am not sure what I should teach to my juniors. Lol. However, most members had false confidence before they joined in. They might completely lose their confidence and think that they are useless. I think it is important for them to struggle and take their time to find their own way.

My little sister joined, at first, I disagreed.

Now, my little sister Orin is also struggling like my past self. I initially disagreed when Orin wanted to join AKB48, but she had a strong determination so I had no choice but to tell her, “If you said so, you should try taking (the audition).” As a result, we are now working together in an appropriate distance. We will do our best as sisters.

Brushed up and changed my dance

There was something big to my career as an idol, in 2018, I joined a project which was a collaboration between an audition tv show and AKB48 Group.  My dance has fundamentally changed as I brushed it up from the basic. The way I see it has changed, for instance, when I pour my strength to move my arms and legs, I could stop them sharply. I’m glad when my fans, who have been watching me since the old days, notice it.

I have accomplished various things, and recently I was chosen as a senbatsu member for our latest single “Sustainable”. It has been such a long time to be a senbatsu member for a non-senbatsu sousenkyo single. I realize that I do not know what will happen since I have reached this point. I will continue walking on my own path and open up more possibilities. As usual, there are so many things that I cannot do. I hope people will think that, “After all, that is Tomu” and give me a chance to achieve it. I would be happy if you continue to support me.

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Muto Orin’s Article on Asahi Shimbun

Muto Orin (AKB48): Olympics when She is Turning 20, Feels Like a Fate

She has been an active member of AKB48 together with her older sister, Muto Tomu. In the past, the two of them used to be fans of AKB48 and admired idols. In 2011, her older sister joined AKB48, yet her family did not say a thing to her until she learnt it from official website. Although she learnt it with a great shock, she believed that (her older sister) came true.

I was invited to watch my older sister at the theatre, at that time, I was really impressed after watching Team K’s stage.  My older sister looked so different than how I see her at home, “Tomu looked so radiant”. There were times when my older sister went home while crying, I could see that it is not always fun, but the moment I watched theatre stage, it made me feel that I wanted to be an idol. When I consulted with my older sister, she told me “why don’t you try it”, therefore I took the audition.

I debuted in 2016, but at first, people tended to compare me with my older sister. There were times when I felt like our fans came up with words, such as “Older Sister’s faction” or “Little Sisters’ faction”. However, recently the number of people who support “Muto Sisters” increases. Nowadays, I’m trying to be more positive and think that the words “Older Sisters’ faction” or “Little Sister’s faction” emerged, was simply because these people know about our existence.  

When I was just debuted, it became a topic that “the little sister joined.” All of sudden, I was ranked 55thon my first general election. Yet, it was not my actual popularity. That year, my older sister did not participate in the election, so thus people had an expectation to me as her little sister. Now, I have joined AKB48 for 3 years, but I think that I am not able to meet the expectations that time, I feel that I must work harder from now on.

People paid attention to me as the “little sister”, but at first, I was not the front member for theatre stage despite using my own effort. I was on the third row. I was very happy when I was given the centre position on theatre stage after being ranked 55th.Hence, I want to be someone who can stand in the front with my own efforts. My fellow generation cohorts have been selected as senbatsu members for our CDs and one of them even became a centre. It expands their work opportunities. I also want to ride the waves as my cohorts do.

Without attaching myself to my older sister, my strong characteristic is my name. I was born when the Sydney Olympics was held, therefore I was named after “Olympics”, Orin. Also, I learnt Karate since I was 4 years old until fourth grade of elementary school. It was not only a Karate Kata (re: a set sequence of karate moves organized into a pre- arranged fight against imaginary opponents), but a full-contact Karate which involves punching and kicking. I became a runner-up in a national championship for girl when I was in fourth grade. I had never broken a tile, but I did it break a board on a concert to show off my special skill. I have been told, “Orin-chan’s dance is powerful” or “it looked like martial arts”. I am not sure whether it means good or bad, but I hope it can be my dance’s characteristic.

I’ll be turning 20 next year when Tokyo Olympics is held,and Karate is one of the competitions. I personally feel that it is a fate. When it was decided that it will be held in Tokyo, I thought that the world revolves around me. Lol.

I want to try to do something that is related to Olympics. My older sister obtained a weather forecaster certification, I am also trying to find a good certification that I could acquire. I learnt for the World Heritage Test (re: a test that aims to deepen the knowledge and understanding of the World Heritage and to return what he/she has learned to society.) when I was in high school, but I stopped it when I was preparing for university entrance exam. I got to know about foreign countries and got more familiar about Olympics, thus I would like to try studying it again.

(Muto Sisters) are currently in the same team, we are often together at theatre stages, rehearsals, or when we go back home. I feel that we talk to each other more often than before. We do not really meddle each other, we are not very close nor we have a bad relationship. I would say that we are on a comfortable relationship. Something like I borrow her clothers without asking for permission and got scolded afterwards. Lol.

Last year I did not rank in the general election. Rather than feeling sad about it, I felt very happy for my older sister who ranked 7thand joined senbatsu members. But, someday I would like to overcome my older sister. First of all, I hope I will be a person who can stand next to her.

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[ENG SUB] Muto Tomu Scolded Kobayashi Ran? 

Orin: Tomu thought Ran-chan was me and she was like...

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[ENG SUB] Muto Tomu Seems to be The Least Fun to Go on a Date With

Reason: Orin seems to be intruding 

Tomu: It is true. The other day I made an appointment with MogiMogi to go to a cafe and Orin kept asking me, "Can I come along?"

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[ENG SUB] Kurano Narumi Wants to Go to A Summer Festival with Muto Tomu

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[ENG SUB] Muto Tomu Bragged that She is a Kind Older Sister for Muto Orin

Tomu: No, that's not the way. A unique thing which you have is a kind older sister.

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[ENG SUB] Muto Orin's Speech on Her Seitansai About Muto Tomu 

P.S: You can feel the love between Muto Sisters although Tomu tends to be cold to Orin in public. Orin couldn't stop crying while she was sharing stories about Tomu.

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[ENG SUB] Muto Tomu Read Bday Messages from Intl Fans

Tomu: "I have never received this many message cards from them up until now"

P.S: Thanks for your participation. Your messages arrived safely to Tomu. There are many countries that Tomu hasn't mentioned

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[ENG SUB] Who is the ideal little sister among Team K members? Ayamin or Orin? 

Tomu: You should understand your usual behaviour towards me by looking at it

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Muto Orin danced to Nekkoya

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[ENG SUB] Muto Tomu took a lot of notes when she watched STU48′s theatre stage

Tomu: I wrote something like, "it could have been improved like this"

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[ENG SUB] Muto Orin Borrowed Muto Tomu's iPhone Stand without Permission 

Tomu: Isn't that Tomu's? 

Orin: Isn't it alright? Are you using it now?! Why are you polishing your nails in my room!? 

Tomu: Fine! Goodbye!

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Muto Tomu on J-WAVE Innovation World Radio

It took 5 years to obtain weather forecaster certification! Muto-san passed the weather forecaster exam while being a member of AKB48. The reason why she attempted to obtain a certification was that she had never appeared on AKB48’s variety show. Hence, she wanted to challenge something big.

Kawada: Weather Forecasters’ exam must be difficult and tough. Muto: It was very tough. It took me five years and finally I could obtain it. Kawada: It must be tough to continue doing the same thing for five years. Muto: I’m entering my 9 th year since I entered AKB, I had been studying for 5 years which means that I spent more than half of my life in AKB to study weather forecasting. Studying to earn a qualification requires eagerness to read the reference books. Muto: I attended a cram school and I’ve solved the problems from the past 10 years examination. Kawada: There must be questions related to physics and math. Also, fluid mechanics. Are you good at math? Muto: I studied social sciences in university. Kawada: Then, it is totally different. Muto: I’m currently attending graduate school and studying about finance there. Kawada: You’re amazing. But the basic data should be numbers. Muto: You’re right. I’m pretty good at numbers.

If she gets a job for weather forecast corner “I’ll work like hell” After earning weather forecaster certification, has there been any changes with her work?

Muto: I announced about obtaining the certification through a variety show (re: nemousutv). I also had a TV interview in the evening of the next day. Kawada: But, would it be tough for you to get a job for weather forecast corner? Muto: I have a willingness to do it! I’ll always be waiting for that job. Kawada: But you must wake up early every morning. Muto: I’m good at getting up in the morning. I’ll work like hell for that. Kawada: It’s not an occupational hazard, but do you usually interested in sky? Muto: There are moments when I look at the sky and think, “Probably rain will be pouring in that area” If there are thick black clouds, I would think that “it seems to be nice weather, but is it going to rain?”

What are the things that she can’t do after becoming a weather forecaster? When she was enquired about the weather on the following day of on air, Muto-san said, “I cannot tell you.” There seems to be certain rules for a weather forecaster.

Muto: There are rules after obtaining the certification, I cannot say anything unless I belong to a tv or radio channel. When I look at the weather map, I tend to think, “will it be sunny tomorrow?”, but I can’t spread (the information). Kawada: That’s strange. You could say it freely when you did not have license. Muto: That’s right. That’s why it’s even hard to say on twitter, “Today is hot”. Kawada: It’s similar with a professional boxer who can’t hit an amateur. Anyway, is there anything else that you want to challenge other than weather forecaster? Muto: There’s a complementary qualification that comes along with weather forecaster which is “Disaster Prevention Expert”, thus I’m thinking to take it. Also, I’ve been doing stock trading and I would like to try it if there’s such a useful certification for that. Kawada: Are you also doing investment!? Muto: I’m doing it in small sum. Kawada: That’s amazing. Finance and stocks are not about the amount. In fact, you’ll be desperate to give out your money. It’s also fun to check the quarterly report, whether it is going up and down. It is quite similar with weather. Muto: They have relevance. Kawada: Please, I want you to explain that. Muto: I will study as much as I can and do my best.

While both working and becoming an idol, Muto-san is also currently studying in graduate school. We’re looking forward to her activities as a weather forecaster.

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[ENG SUB] Muto Sisters' Impression on Kojima Mako 

Orin: I want an older sister like her 

Tomu: I really love Mako-chan's face when she is grumbling 

Mako: I really hate this from the one shot video...