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nikasen · 6 years

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Myojo 10,000 Interview: Okamoto Keito

No matter how many times I start my life, I want to be JUMP’s member. That is how I feel.

Keito who made a debut just 1 year after entering the agency, required 10 times more effort in singing, dancing and talking compared to other members.

He keep continue holding a desire to contribute something to his group someday, and his wish to write a song to commemorate the 10th Years Anniversary finally become true.

For the members who always supported “Okamoto Keito”, for the fans who found out “Okamoto Keito”, what kind of future will he draw next?

“This is not the time for crying yet”

Do you still remember the 10,000 words interview 3 and half years ago?

Yes.

You said many times “I wanted to contribute something to the group”. On the 10th Anniversary commemoration ‘Hey! Say! JUMP I/Oth Anniversary Tour 2017’ last tour In Sapporo, ‘H.our Time’ the song that Okamoto composed makes Yaotome burst into tears. The other members also was touched with the crying scene. Isn’t a big contribution for your group 10th Anniversary?

Thank you very much. But I still have a long way to go. That time, the first few words he told me with tears flowing from his eyes was “this is such a great song..” I have never been happier like this. The truth is, during the previous 10,000 interview, I have thought of wanting to make a song our 10th years anniversary. Actually, I have started making the song. But, it doesn’t form into a shape yet, I didn’t know how it will turn out that’s why I couldn’t talk about it.

You have been thinking about that since before.

The thought of wanting to compose a song for our group, of course I have been thought about it a lot since long time ago. This is one of my way to express myself. Because there’s not much place for me to express myself. For some time, i have been presenting some song in many places but I didn’t get any permission.

So can you tell us how you were able to compose H.our Time?

It was around February this year that the decision was made to release the Best Album. At that time, it still hasn’t been decided yet whether I will compose the song. That time, for the first time in 10th years of debut, we had a dinner party with only all the 9 members. Someone said “So everyone, let’s talk about Hey Say JUMP in future”. I thought “this is my chance!”, so I decided to tell everyone that “Please let me write a song that marks our 10th Anniversary”.

So that is how it started.

Yes. At the the dinner party, we talked about JUMP, about 10th Anniversary and many other things. But to tell the truth, I keep thinking about the right time to bring up the topic “let me write the song”, that the other topics are completely not going into my mind (lol). And coincidentally, “I want a song like a gratitude song for our 10th Anniversary” became a topic. I thought “This is it!”. “That song, let me write it! I definitely will make it a good song!” I said it finally. I use a lot of courage to bring out the idea, but the member easily than I expected said “That’s great!” “That’s good!”. As I thought about it again that was really kind of them. But because I don’t want to depend on them, I said “Of course I will let you guys listen the demo, if it was bad, if it wasn’t that good, we can forget all of this conversation”

Specifically, how do you make the song?

First of all, I went to get an advice from Yasuda (Shota). I, really like Kanjani8 since before. I went to their live performance quite often. They are really a great artist. Since before I have been getting along quite well with Okura (Tadayoshi)-kun and Yasuda-kun. The group has a song made for 2013 Kanjani8 9th Anniversary. That song, Yasuda-kun was the composer while the rest of the members wrote the lyrics. In my mind, that kind of song is one of the ideal image that i have alway imagine, where I composed the melody while the other members wrote the lyrics.

What kind of advice Yasuda-kun give to you?

“I think what Keito thought about the group, your feelings, you should pour them all in” he said. “From technical aspect, it is the best to do whatever you like” he added. Yasuda-kun also said to me, “I will listen to the song soon as it become the CD ”.

He is a good senior isn’t.

Yes. From that day, using the guitar I thought until a certain extend and working with my personal computer afterwards. I think I worked around 10 hours everyday. It continues for few months.

What are you thinking while you making the song?

Completely from the fans’ perspective or from the feeling of me as JUMP’s biggest fans. I think I listen to members singing voice more than any composers. That’s why I think that the members singing voice, has been heard as much by the fans. I let everyone to have a part to sing, I want to hear Daichan’s voice singing this part. For another part I want Yuya and Daichan to harmonize. As we begin to sing, you will notice the youngest of our group Chinen followed by Yuto based on age order. After the harmonization between the two, it will be Yabu and Hikaru, the seniors of our group turn. I let Yamachan to sing the ballad part, and before the chorus of the highest part is Inoo-chan..the things about the members, the members type of voice, our 10 years of memories, while recalling various things, I make the song.

When you finished the demo tape, Yamada-kun was the first one to listen to it isn’t?

Yes that’s right. I wrote the temporary lyrics and give Yamachan to listen to the song I sing myself. I rarely inviting him for a meal but I invited him that day, we went to a Yakiniku shop and I let him listen to the song, but because of nervousness I completely forgot the taste of the meat (lol).

Hahahahaha.

I thought he would like to listen using the speaker naturally, but he quickly take my earphone and listen with full concentration. “This is very good!” he told me

At the first place did you decided to give Yamada-kun to listen to the song?

We are close even in private, and he’s also an ace (lol). He talks to me straightforwardly and if he thinks it is not good, he wouldn’t hesitate to say it to me. After that, i give another member to listen to the song, get the lyrics written according to singing turn and that’s how “H.our Time” was born.

At the last performance in Sapporo, Hikaru-kun cried during “H.our Time”, the other member also crying but it seems like Okamoto didn’t cry?

Yes I didn’t cry. I wonder why.. I feel this might be not a situation for me to cry yet. In this years, if I thought about what the members had done for me, I still haven’t returned it yet. I have to keep moving forward.

“Now I understand the hidden meaning of the word”

Let’s talk about how the members change and growth since the debut 10 years ago.

During JUMP’s formation, it is also around the time when I meet the members. Like the other members, I almost didn’t have any relationship with them during Jr time. About their first impressions, everyone has changed a lot. All the members. But, something that hasn’t changed, everyone kindness.

So the first one Yaotome-kun.

Hikaru, I always think that, he is a very kind person. The more I know him the more I can see how kind he is. At the time of our debut, there’s a word I received from him which have a meaning behind, but it was only until now that I realised it. Although he didn’t want to say it, but because he said it because he think about me. Probably around this 2-3 years, I finally realised the meaning behind Hikaru’s word that day.

Is he scary at first?

I don’t think so actually. Surely, he doesn’t want to scold me only, but there’s a time where I had daily goal “I don’t want to be scold by Hikaru-kun”. To me, he’s like a kind brother. There’s a period of time, where he came and live at my house out of sudden. His bass that he left at my house is still there until now. He doesn’t come back and take it at all. Regularly, I will clean the dust on the bass, but I also think “For how many times I have to do this?” (lol)

Hahahaha.

I still remember clearly, on my birthday during our first year of debut, he give me an American Punk Rock Band CD “The Offspring” as a present. At that time, it’s a period where I only listen to Japanese pop music. Few years later, I asked him, “Why western music’s CD?”. And then he said “You speak English well and you also started to play guitar, I think it’s good for you to listen to western music”. Like JUMP band, during work I only use little English. Hikaru-kun, he thought about my future seriously more than myself.

Next, how about Yabu-kun?

He’s kind, serious and smart. I wonder, if I were in Hikaru-kun or Yabu-kun position, will I able to treat the same way as them. Perhaps, I can’t do it like those two. At the beginning of the group formation, when I made a mistake, the two will be scolded by the adults on behalf of me. If it was me, I think I will say “Crap!”. But, both of them didn’t take that kind of attitude. Especially Yabu-kun being the oldest in our group, he must be having various of thought, and even though he is in a position where he can act more selfishly, he actually act as to relax the atmosphere within the group. I think he will be the first one who detect the members mood or change in our expression.

I see.

Everyone except from me, their careers are highly overwhelming, but among them, Yabuhika is quite extraordinary. I frequently watch them on TV. This is about 5 years ago. Yabu-kun, Hikaru-kun, Daichan, they came to stay at my house. “It’s near and convenient” they said, but I am pretty sure at that time there’s still a bit gap between me and BEST. In order to shorten the gap they came and stay at my house. It’s like a miracle seeing Yabu-kun and Hikaru-kun sleeping. Daichan who was sleeping wakes up, “Both Ya-Ya-Yah sleeps on my futon. But I sleep on the bed. What is this Daichan?” I asked. Daichan while rubbing his sleepy eyes said “yeah, yeah” (lol)

How about Arioka-kun?

Daichan is a very bright person, and his brightness has always helped me. As i said just now, Yabu-kun and Hikaru-kun able to reduce the gap between us thanks to Daichan. At the beginning, the member that I met in private was likely to be Chinen only. Daichan also act as a go between me and BEST. But it was not only that, I also become close to Yamachan at first because of Daichan. Daichan always listen to my whining like “Members gets a job easily” or “even though we appear on tv but I was not seen”. At times like that, sometimes we both will cry. I am just glad.

Takaki-kun?

He maybe a person whose appearance has changed the most. For the first few years, it come to my thought that he is a cool and stylish person. Now he’s a person with full of kindness. 10 years have passed since debut, we didn’t compliment each other that much. But Yuya, he praised me greatly. “The show the other day, you was really great” he told me nonchalantly. The first time he listen to “H.our Time”, “This song is so good!” he said with a loud voice. That part of Yuya has saved me a lot. When there’s something happened, with a smile he said “It will be okay”, his words really makes me calm

Takaki-kun recently, he likes the member isn’t?

Yes. Exactly last week, Yamada, Yuya and me went for shopping. On previous day, Yuya said to us “I want to go for shopping~”, “Let’s go tomorrow!” he invited us, “Eh tomorrow?”. And then Yamachan decide, “Let’s go tomorrow! At Outlet!” After shopping, Yamachan has work to do so he left first, Yuya and I went for a meal. Until now, even though Yuya hangout with his hometown friends a lot, he said “I wanted to eat with the members everyday. I want to meet them everyday” (lol). “Let’s call the others!” he suggest and start calling. Because we suddenly called around 8pm, Daichan, Hikaru-kun, Inoo-chan couldn’t come because they had early program on the next morning, but other members, including Yamachan also joining us again.

Did Inoo-kun changed in this 10 years?

I think his face is really beautiful since before, I found his remarks also unique and interesting and I am glad that people around acknowledge it too. Inoo-chan also saved me. Last year, when I appeared in TV program, I keep reading through the script and did simulation in my head for a few times. But it does not goes well. “Why it doesn’t work?” I said worriedly, suddenly he said to me, “Do it properly it will be easier that way”. His words, really makes everything easier. When you loosen up a bit you will doing well unexpectedly. He’s an observant, know what others thinks more than anyone else, that’s why the words he told me carry a weight.

How do you see Inoo-kun revolution?

Relatively during debut, me and Inoo-chan only was not in the spotlight. I feel our standing position also was at the edge of the back. But Inoo-chan now, he gets so much spotlight, “Why I cannot get there” of course I have such feelings. But at the same time, I think I can’t give up. Of course, the Inoo’s revolution is because of Inoo-chan, I always believe that my chance is somewhere out there. I have to continue looking for it.

How about Nakajima-kun?

He has a strong personality since before. He’s very serious about his work more than others. He’s also sincerely serious about the band and drums too. Yuto looks very lively when he beats the drum. I was encouraged by his figure, and that’s how I started playing guitar. In the tour this time, there is a time for our session. Just before that, both of us will make sure to high-touch. At that moment, “Osshi” we will said it with full enthusiasm and excitement.

What do you think about Nakajima-kun and Yamada-kun past relationship?

Ah..honestly speaking, I want to feel the uptight tense too.

You want to feel the uptight feelings?

Yes. Why I have to worry about such things. I wish i have that problem. Both are competing for center position, even if they do it from here, both of them are still looking good (lol). I feel dazzle when I look at them from the back. I also want to be like them.

Nakajima-kun said, after few years Okamoto-kun finally able to smile. “At some point of time, you are not your father (Okamoto Kennichi). You are in different era, you are living in different group” he said and wonder if you finally thought about it.

I think he is right. Of course, I admire my father. It is the people who decided for themselves to be cool. I often been told that “You absolutely won’t appear in variety programme” or “It’s better if you don’t smile in photos”. I guess I didn’t realize that I was affected by that. At the beginning of JUMP’s formation, someone from the office also told me the same thing. “You are not Otokobangumi. You are HEY SAY JUMP!” I’ve gotten over it when I’m around 20 years old. How should i said it… I couldn’t do what my father had did when he was 20. It is impossible even if I follow the same route as him, I always keep in mind that I have my own road.

So Nakajima-kun guess was right.

Yes. But, that’s only half of it. When I was shortly debuted after entering the agency, things like dancing, singing, talking, I couldn’t do anything at all. With the absence of Jr era, I think what I lack the most is, I do not understand the meaning of fan. That is, around 5-6 years of debut, I desperately wanted to keep up with everyone. I feel I only get little space, and finally thought about the existence of fans. Even though I didn’t get much exposure, there are people who supporting me. It’s a little bit different from relief, because I am without trying to show off, the fans are always trying their best to stood with me, I believe they supported me no matter what kind of person I am. Until now, why do I try to look cool when I look at the camera? It simply because of the fans who are behind the camera. I believe that there are fans who love me, and it finally makes smile. What Yuto had said, that I am different from my father I have gotten over it, the fans who stood there by me is more important.

Next is Chinen-kun.

I have getting along with Chinen even before our debut. I guess recently we have made a relationship where we trust each other so much. It has become a relationship where we can understand each other even when we are not talking. We feel relieved even we just be there (lol). We have always been together that I think there are some things about Chinen that only I know it.

For example?

Chinen actually he thought a lot of things. He does entirely show his thoughts and passion about work in public. Just now, I talked about Yuya called the other members when we go for yakiniku after we went to Outlet Mall. The first member Yuya called was Chinen. Yuya, Chinen and me had our meals for about 1-2 hours. There Chinen gave me some intense advise. Moreover, just had a deep conversation. Yuya who just seeing such intense Chinen for the first time said “Chinen is this kind of person? Amazing! Let’s call another member! Let’s have that kind of talk with everyone!” and that’s how we called everyone.

And lastly Yamada-kun.

When we first med, I remembered that he is a very shining person. He has a good look, good in dancing also in singing. He is such an impeccable person. He looks like he is too perfect. I think it was around 2-3 years after our debut, I went to Yamachan’s house and he introduce his family to me. Seeing Yamachan and his family exchanging conversation, I can’t help to smile, “This person is a human too” (lol). Even though his words are kind of harsh, he is a kind person who thinks about the member more than anyone, he knows more about the member more than anybody else.

So he is such person.

Of course, he scolded me a lot at the time of our debut. But, the time that he was too angry was around 3-4 years before. I make friends with other people than the member, I was 14 years old when I entered this world, so the life of other people in other world is kind of new to me. I hardly talk with the members, so there are time where I only talk with my friends. And then, he got really angry with me. He said, “It is not a bad thing to make friends with others. But you are part of JUMP!”

Do you still see Yamada as impeccable person now?

Not at all now (lol). I saw the imperfect side of him in private. When Yamachan, Chinen and me had our meals, “Truthly, I don’t feel good when if Chinen and Keito are not here” he spill out. He’s probably, have plenty of worries that is different from me. But still, the way he lead our group show that he is reliable, and he is really amazing. I’m glad and happy I can be in the same group as him. I think there’s something about Yamachan that has changed in this 1, 2 years. When he speak to himself, until now he use “I”. For the past several years, he will say “we”.

After the end of Osaka’s performance, everybody gathered at Yamada-kun’s room right? I heard that Yamada-kun praised each of the members. What he told to you?

Ah he said something! (lol) ‘[H.our Time] is a great song!’. I am so glad!

“If i am not kind, i am the worst”

If there was turning point for Okamoto-kun during 10 years of debut, when was it?

I think it was during our 6th years of debut where we released [Ride With Me]. Until that time, I didn’t have solo part in the song and there were lot of times when I was hardly seen when I appeared in music program as JUMP. Even though it was only 5 words in [Ride With Me], and probably only last for few seconds in a given time but this is the first time i was given a solo part. I am glad that because that moment will surely be shown on TV. For the other members this might be a usual thing for them, but as for me it was a big step for me.

You were debuted without any experienced as Jr. There are plenty of hard time isn’t?

I don’t think it that way. All the other member definitely carry a much more heavier burden than me.

In previous interview you said “I think of quitting for many times”. But you still not quitting, what have been supporting Okamoto-kun?

That because, if I quit will it make me look bad? When you make a breakthrough into something amazing, you would rather leave your marks, if you quit without achieving to the top, it is called running away. I do not want to run away.

I see.

Also, the members existence also play a great role. I read the other members 10,000 words interview, Daichan said, “I never think he get’s in our way”. I without doubt will think that I’m a trouble. Everyone is so kind. So for now, I think I would like to remain to be part of the member.

JUMP is really a group of kind people.

This group of people has spent 10 years together and there are no awkwardness among us, that’s why we are considered as the closest in group history. I think because they’re just a nice people, I even wondered if it is my destiny to be among the members.

Every member said that Okamoto-kun is “kind”.

Certainly, I am not short-tempered. But please try to think again. Singing, dancing and talking, I cannot do everything and this kind of human suddenly entering that group. If my personality is bad it would be the worst. Yes. I will be the worst if I’m not be that kind at least (lol).

Just now you said “If you quit you will look bad”. If you yourself want to be cool, you can ask your father what kind of effort you can take.

Because we are father and son right.

How was your father and son collaboration during JOHNNY’S ALL STAR ISLAND on this year’s January?

I received a message from Takizawa (Hideaki)-kun saying that he wish for father and son appearance but I don’t have the right time to tell my father. If I said “Let’s sing together” I have a feeling he will be reluctant to do it. During countdown concert, my father and Higashiyama (Noriyuki)-san was in the same dressing room and I went to greet them. When I was a child Higashiyama-san treat me kindly. “Higashiyama-san, you will be performing in Johnny’s Island right?” I bring up the topic. And then my father asked “Are you performing, Higashi-kun?” “Yes. It would be great if Kennichi also could perform too” he replied, “This is it!” i thought, “Why don’t we perform together” (lol)

Both of you did a practice together?

There was a time where I went for a meal with my father and grandfather. At that time, “Let’s practice from now” I asked him and we practiced in harmony. We did performed in front of my grandfather. I was so delighted.

How about the performance?

We choose to perform [Otokobangumi-Midnight Train], it was the first song that I sing during Jr’s concert before, I have a deep attachment to this song. When we made our entrance the stage was pitch black, I couldn’t see the position of my finger but I knew it through rehearsal, I was told by my father before the performance, “Firstly just using G-cord and we go”. It was nerve wrecking but it was a wonderful memory for me.

How is your father now?

My admiration for him doesn't’ change even now. But, i still can’t even see my father’s back. I have talked about this in my previous interview “It doesn’t necessarily to be now” that words from my father has been my support and encouragement until now. There are chances and turns for each people. But that moment won’t come if I keep waiting, I will keep continue looking for things that i can do.

“In this age, in this universe”

Okamoto kun often said “Dreams are secret”

Yes.

Please tell us that secret.

Hahahaha, it is alright to say it but it does not like I think action before words is cool, i don’t like to be asked about goals and dreams.

Why?

In this world, just because you wanted to do something, even I didn’t know either if it can be realized. Of course, I have plenty of things I want to do. These are the list of the things I want to do. I want to stand on the stage on a stage performance, I want to appear in a drama, I want to appear in a film too. If about dreams, I also think that I can appear in foreign movies too. For that reason, I keep continuing studying English. But, whether it can be realized or not, isn’t different from the will? Until that day to come, I hope I can keep continue doing what I do now but I’m very sorry to my fans. If I blindly giving expectation it will make them sad, when it come true I want to enjoy it together. So I have told my “secret” recently

You think about the fans. In February’s JUMPaper “Thank you for finding Okamoto Keito in this day and universe, among the infinite number of people you possible to encounter in this universe” you wrote as a gratitude to your fans.

When I think about it now, it was so embarrassing. Why is it “in this universe”. It was romantic (lol). For a kid, they have desire to be a hero. They want to save a lot of people, they want to make people smile. When I still a kid, I also wanted to be that kind of hero. Just 10th years of debut, apparently I couldn’t be that kind of hero to save the world. There are many other groups, there are great number of people in the group, I didn’t have much confidence in myself, I found out that there are people who supported me with all my weakness and i feel very glad. I couldn’t be the hero to save the world, but at least only for the people who have been supporting me, I wish them happiness more than me.

It is not like that. To the fans, to somebody else, Okamoto Keito is no doubt a hero.

Thank you very much. If not because of fans, I am probably just a person. Because of that people who stood by me here, i have walked through this life. If the fans are not there, I don’t have a clue where and what I will be doing now. So this is everlasting gratitude.

Soon during the dome tour, you can convey your gratitude directly.

For our Dome to commemorate our 10th Years Anniversary we were able to stand on the stage thanks to the fans. Now, gratitude is our motive when we make this concert, all the members think of delivering the feelings that cannot be defeated by the feeling of the fans. Dome is a bigger place and I am glad i can convey my gratitude to a large number of people.

For dome’s setting, there will be plenty of Okamoto-kun uchiwa.

If I found my uchiwa I will definitely go near them. I want to give as much love as I can.

10 years ago, in 2007 summer. The company president said “I’m going to make a new group. I’m thinking to add you. What do you think”. Your answer was “Please add me”

Yes.

The decision you make that day, do you regret it? Can you put up with yourself if you wrong?

This is my thought only I couldn’t answer the question. I am sorry.

So this is the last question. If you can return back to 10 years ago, if you were asked with same question again, what would be your answer?

Now, there are member that were asked “Is Keito needed?”, but the fans are there. Surely for how many times I will answer “YES”. Because this group was formed by this 9 people.

p/s: This is the longest interview I translate and I’m sure there will be some mistakes here and there. Please don’t hesitate to inform me if you found any. Thank you :)

#Okamoto Keito #10000 words interview

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