Translated by Fenrir
MM x Tsunku 2
Ishikawa Rika
The positive and cute history still continues on.
This year, in May, Ishikawa Rika will graduate from Morning Musume.
She has been personally “counting down” starting from the second that Iida Kaori’s graduation live ended without problems. Even though she is busy thinking about lots of things, like Viyuden’s activities and visions after the graduation, right now, as a Morning Musume member, with all her might, she is making the last few days meaningful and having fun. “Charmy Ishikawa’s” positive and cute history will still continue!
Birthday: 1985.1.9
Blood Type: A
Birthplace: Kanagawa Prefecture
Debut Song: Happy Summer Wedding (2000.5.17)
Stage Debut: Nihon Budokan (2000.5.21)
Yuko Nohji (N): At last, your graduation is in three months!
Rika Ishikawa (R): I’m looking forward to it a lot. I wonder if the spring tour is going to start sooner. Rehearsal hasn’t started yet, but as a Morning Musume member: standing on stage, T.V., performances, and covering events… each are important and I want to have fun. Also the next single, for me, is the last single. I wonder what kind of single it is and I’m very excited.
N: About your graduation live, it’s at Budokan, where you had your first live experience.
R: Yes, it is. Aside from that live, Morning Musume hasn’t performed at Budokan. Therefore, the only members that know Budokan’s stage are Yagucchan, Yossi, and I. The first time I heard it I was surprised and felt, at first, more “No way?!” than happy.
N: Do you have lots of memories, including the first live?
R: Yes. The day of the first live, during rehearsal, I went to see what it’s like walking through the guest seating. Budokan can fit about 11,000 people, right? And, 4th generation applicants were around 20,000 people, so when I think that I was one of two chosen out of those 20,000, I would go “Bwaaa” and goose bumps would appear. The probability of this and succeeding is amazing, isn’t it? Whatever I’m thinking, when standing on stage, I remember this.
N: Recently, when we interviewed Tsunku-san, he mentioned, when Iida’s graduation ends, next is Ishikawa’s graduation and we will continue forward and start changing, but…
R: Certainly, that is how it is. Up until Kaotan graduated, I couldn’t think about my own graduation. Somehow I put it in the back of my mind, but I thought I couldn’t help but think about it.
N: The announcement of both of your graduations was at the same time, wasn’t it?
R: Last spring. My graduation was announced one year earlier and up until now, it has been the earliest announcement. So, at the beginning I thought, if I continued thinking about just the graduation for one year, what will happen? But even thinking about it, there were more graduating members before mine, so I couldn’t think about it until halfway. In the end, if my true feelings came out, it came after Kaotan’s graduation live finished.
N: So until then you couldn’t have your true feelings come out?
R: Yes. The moment after the live at Yokohama Arena ended, I thought, “Ah, next is me.”
N: Was there a switch?
R: Yes, I switched. From now on, I’m thinking of lots of various things, such as what I want to do and how I will pass the time as Morning Musume. Well, that’s talk for the last few days. (laughs)
N: Do you have any thoughts about your changing self?
R: Certainly, it’s as Tsunku-san said, I have changed. Surely, it’s not “Positive Ishikawa” (laughs), but I’ve come to think about various things very positively. But when I saw Kaotan’s very cool graduation…I wondered if mine will be ok and I’m very worried.
N: You look forward to it.
R: Up until now, while I have been watching the cool senior members, I have caught up. I have a mysterious embarrassment as I become a “senior,” by welcoming my graduation. But this is just a test given to me. I think this means I can’t be soft anymore. Right now, I think I have to think about how to welcome my graduation ceremony well and I can’t lose to the other senior members who welcomed their cool graduation.
N: How were you told about your graduation at first?
R: A while before the announcement, I was suddenly called to come by myself to the office. I thought “Eh? I wonder what this is about?”
N: Did you think “It has finally come!!”?
R: Somewhat. Somehow I had a premonition. I thought probably today is a very important talk. Therefore, I was surprised, but inside I was calm.
N: At that time, were your feelings on graduating already prepared?
R: Before all that, Tsuji-chan and Kago-chan’s graduation was decided, but if that didn’t happen, probably, I would have been worried thinking “Eh? I wonder if I be able to graduate at this rate?” But when I heard that those two were graduating before me, I thought I would be fine too (laughs). Therefore, while it was all surprisingly fast, I was able to face forward and take it all in.
N: Previously, you mentioned that when you had confidence of “I’ll be okay by myself,” you want to graduate, but you do still have that self-confidence?
R: When the graduation was announced, frankly, I didn’t have the self-confidence. It’s just, that, recently, I have come to understand myself…I started not to push myself a lot towards a lot of things.
N: Without pushing yourself with things you can’t do, did you come to think that it would be better to do things you can do by yourself?
R: Yes. Before, whenever doing anything, I always tried to do my best to go beyond my limits. If I didn’t do that, I thought it wouldn’t be like me and I have come running in a selflessness daze. But, when I turned 20, I’ve changed. I’m a person that switches quickly. Maybe like being too simple-minded? (laughs) When I turned 20, I feel that my interior self grew a little more than from before. Things that I have never said before, comes out naturally from me now. And I thinking “I have become an adult” and the strength that came to me, little by little, seems to come out. Even if I don’t have self-confidence, I think it is ok, if I don’t force myself.
N: When you joined Morning Musume, you had “no matter what I’ll do my best to my limit” style, but we felt something like a balanced Ishikawa personality.
R: I don’t think the reason was that it was painful to do. But, seeing who I am now, I think I often try my best. Well, trying your best in that way is the result of using your instincts; therefore, being yourself is being yourself. Even now, that disposition hasn’t changed, but there is a big change in the point of valuing “me” time.
N: “Me” time?
R: For example, when there is a chance to relax, I really do relax. Up until now, my habit has been waking up in the morning, going to work, coming back from work tired and immediately going to sleep. I have come to think time for your self is very important. Things that are fun are like going to sleep (laughs). When I come home, my shoulders get tense.
N: Anytime when you get nervous?
R: Well, unconsciously. When I think, “Ah, now I’m getting uneasy”, my shoulders gets tense. I get surprised myself when I am at home and I am not relaxed.
N: It might be because you are still Morning Musume Ishikawa Rika, even when you get home.
R: Yes, I think so. But, you know, recently, when I come home, I’ve become sluggish (laughs). But I’ve come to understand that that is also important.
N: If that is the reason, then recently, we feel that atmosphere that’s being emitted also have changed.
R: Is that really so?
N: It is like being natural and a girl softly coming out. Previously, the impression was that even if it was a girl character, a childish aura comes out (laughs).
R: Ah, well, I also think that was forced. While looking back with what I am now.
N: About if you were being girly or not being girly?
R: I didn’t want to be called “a child-like woman.” I didn’t want to be a “child-like woman” myself. Even though I did what I usually did, I really didn’t want to be told that that was on purpose.
N: Was it because of your voice?
R: I think that was a big reason. I really, really didn’t want it to be that way. I thought if I had something like a child-like personality and rough, I didn’t want to be thought as that way. If I didn’t be as much as a girl as possible, I would be extremely worried.
N: Thus, the opposite kind of “child-like women.”
R: Yes. But, after all, it will become tiring. Because of that, even though in the surroundings it looked like “a candid girl,” when I go back home I’m completely exhausted and say, “Ah, I’m tired!” I think why I even do such things. Recently, though, no matter how I look at it, I’ve come to think nothing of it.
N: About being like a girl, is the gentle atmosphere the result of being yourself?
R: I think so. I don’t have any thoughts of forcing myself. But as I thought, when I worry over one thing, I only worry on that one thing and the atmosphere of being tense naturally comes out. When that happens, mysteriously, all the lower generation members don’t come gathering around (laughs). Thus, I enter my own world and I become prickly.
N: A bad habit.
R: Yes. That often happens. But, recently, while saying I think I’ve become better, I might not have. I don’t dwell on it often. Somehow, from the start, I think the brooding personality of me is like Papa. I can become very nervous and worry about people and such. I have intervened in a bad way a little because of that.
N: Personally, you are a big-hearted person before anything, right?
R: Even now, to the lower generation members, I give a little warnings and such to them one by one and I wonder if it is “too much” (laughs).
N: But there are times where you have to say it. Is that a hard role to play?
R: I think if it is something I have to tell them, then no matter how much, I want to tell them. Until the graduation, though the time is short, I have realized in my normal life that I want to talk about various things with them as much as possible.
N: With such relationships with the younger members, do you often hang out with them and such?
R: I want to have better relationships with them (laughs). But with the 6th generation, there is a good difference in ages. Being in the same generation and having similar feelings doesn’t really connect.
N: In the end, the wall between a 15 year old and a 20 year old is thick?
R: A little. At first, I was rivals with Sayu, but…
N: Really?
R: It is because I also had my own cute character. But, now, I see a more “Cute~!” feeling instead of rival. Even though we did Econmoni together, I still thought she is cute, pure, and young.
N: Speaking of young, when you joined Morning Musume, you were about her age.
R: Yes, that’s true.
N: Comparing the time from when you joined Morning Musume and entering Morning Musume now, the environment has considerably changed hasn’t it? The way of thinking has changed and the atmosphere has changed as well, hasn’t it?
R: When I entered Morning Musume, everybody had rival feelings flaring up. That’s why I said, it’s not the relationship was bad, but it was these rival feelings burning that we were greatly feeling. Even when we were all eating dinner, those felt those feelings would still flow.
N: So that’s a normal day in Morning Musume?
R: The most different thing of Morning Musume now is it hasn’t fully sensed the “friend” feeling. The senior members have a complete sense of being very professional. We also had that feeling of being nervous from the very beginning. If I think about that, the atmosphere right now has completely changed. Therefore, in a better meaning, if everybody has a little more rivalry feeling, I think Morning Musume will power up even more. Of course, putting on a fun concert is the most important, I think. But that’s not the only thing. Not only having a more feeling of friends, but also if the feeling of rivalry comes out… I think it will change somehow.
N: It’s just with the increasing change of generations right now; it’s a bit difficult, right?
R: But, even if it is just one person’s feelings like that, I think it can absolutely change. If the one person can strongly express her personality, and I see her, I would feel I have the try my best too. Surely, from now, I think it will change even more.
N: Is that your expectation?
R: Yes. As the mean of ages slowly decreases, naturally, the atmosphere will change. Right now if the situation is bad, I haven’t thought so at all. But, more and more, for Morning Musume, in order to have better significant relationships, it is definitely better to have a more rivalry conscious. If there is a little fire, Onee-san [big sister] will be happy! <3 Something like that (laughs).
N: After your graduation, you will become the main lead in Viyuden’s activities?
R: Yes, I think so. After hearing the talk about graduating, talk of forming a new unit before and after the graduation happened.
N: Was there any un-satisfaction of the plans of a unit instead of going solo after graduation?
R: It was said from the staff that I would be better in a group. Indeed, I think that might be true... If I was negatively thinking then it would be “I can’t be by myself, can I?” Actually, in that instant, I actually did think like that, but if I tried to think positively, that will really happen. When there is a rival nearby, I’m the type who will try harder. I will have the feeling of “I’ll try harder than anyone” when I’m standing on stage together with three people than standing by myself, you know. When I start having feelings welling up inside of me, I’m able to move forward.
N: It looks like your aim is for a personal victory in a team.
R: Yes, yes.
N: But, what about your feelings on trying to do a long awaited solo?
R: I do have that, but right now I’m trying my best in the unit’s activities and the more I can gain, the more it will be beneficial. And, lastly, in trying it by myself… I want to find in myself that I want to try for a solo. Probably, when I really decide that I want to try it by myself, at that time, I think I will want to do solo activities. But right now, I’m still not ready, and I can’t decide on wanting to do it. My feelings of wanting to do various challenging things are strong though.
N: Is it because you have to do various things as Viyuden’s leader?
R: With the exception of me being a member already, Viyuden debuted. Therefore, the situation had me being the only senior member. I have to give my best!
N: So, you’re going to try your best up to your limits?
R: Around the debut song “Koi no Nukegara,” I really had that feeling. A lot, a lot, of that feeling. That’s why I received a lot of advice from Kaotan.
N: About being a leader?
R: Yes. There’s nobody else with such strong advice from the heart. I go to her for advice even when she can’t come, saying heartily, “Kaota~n, being a leader is really hard isn’t?” (laughs) Occasionally, she has to say something strict. Even being far away, it is still scary. From those talks, I learn a lot of various things from Kaotan. Without limiting the leader, won’t the influence of seniors be big? One by one, things with big influence can be easily absorbed. It’s like that with me too, but even if the seniors are a bit nervous, that atmosphere will be contagious. If you are over happily, the tension can rise too.
N: That’s why, at times, it’s also important to relax and such?
R: Yes, that’s right. If I think of my real self, when I’m very relaxed unexpectedly, I’m a very carefree person. Ever since I was born into this world, it has been said that I’m “impatient” and “my pace is fast” and such, but people who knows my usual self say I “go at my own pace” and “do things calmly” and such.
N: Which is the real one?
R: I don’t even know (laughs)! In this world as time goes by and everyday doing work, I don’t even know which is the real me. But, recently, at last, I am able to maintain my pace.
N: About your pace, it might be a good influence to the younger members
R: I think so. Besides, I think my pace is spontaneous and it also has some “true” parts that come out. I think that is the best way for me to come out.
N: Well then, even from now, we should see more various “true” things, eh?
R: I’m feeling very excited and looking forward to things to come. Even in Viyuden, I have confidence that if I can look forward and push on, I’ll bring the other two with me. At the same time, if I’m a little unprepared, things will steadily fall apart and such. I feel like I’m at full speed power, but like before, without forcing myself I will try my best.
N: With your graduation three months away, have you thought of how you want your position to be in Morning Musume?
R: With my graduation being mentioned, I haven’t really thought about differing to an extent But, there’s the new leader, Yagucchan, and new sub-leader, Yossi. I will support those two in a position from the side… If there is anything that I can possibly do, I would like to take the initiative, but, for example, in a situation where all members of Morning Musume are in a conference, I want to listen to everybody’s say first. I think Kemechan was like that, but she seriously put everybody in order! For example, I want to become a person who is able to help others and help support mentally.
N: Like the roll of the “eye”?
R: Yes. To quietly watch over them. When I think that if one of them has something they are worrying about, I would talk to them and listen to their worries. I want to become that type of person. A type that plays it by ear? I’m in the middle of 3 sisters, so I understand the feelings of the older sister. I also understand the feelings of the younger sister too more than other people.
N: Ah, I see. You’ve mentioned that strong point. I think you maybe the type in the middle of 3 sisters.
R: Right? Right now, that “middle-child” personality helps a lot. I understand a little of both the feelings of the top and bottom, so in Morning Musume, I’m able to be in a position that fits me. Moreover, being in the middle, I’m also self-sufficient. When living a normal life, don’t you usually want the parents to leave you alone (laughs)? Therefore, I have strong feelings of wanting to be independent. If I didn’t join Morning Musume, I would want to hurry up and get a part-time job and become independent.
N: In the family, you play with your younger sister and to be spoiled by your older sister. Then, when you go outside, you are ok by yourself, doing your best to be independent?
R: Well, right now, I’m being spoiled by my younger sister. In other words, whether I’m the top or bottom, I’m still being spoiled by everybody (laughs).
N: Naturally.
R: Whether from top or bottom, I’m told not to do too much. I usually play with the younger members and I go eat lunch with the older members. When thinking positively, it is a good place to be.
N: Are you the same age as Miyoshi?
R: We are the same age, but Miyoshi’s birthday is a little before mine.
N: Well then, in Viyuden you are in the middle.
R: Ah, that’s right! Even though I’m the leader and the older member, I just noticed that it is about time that Miyoshi starts to be the serious one. Hmm, am I the fool then?
N: No comment (laughs).
R: But I have no intention to be the fool.
N: Speaking of which, you said you liked being last.
R: Not being last, but I like the vague feeling of being second from the bottom. Talking about being in the middle of three people, thinking about it, I’m the second from the bottom. Well, it is also the second from the top too.
N: Even though you are getting older, the “spirit” of being in the middle won’t change, huh.
R: Probably, it will never change. I don’t think it has changed.
N: For example, have you thought of what kind of person will you be at 30?
R: 30… I have imagined it. Before, Tsunku often said it is good to think of goals of what you want to become 10 years later. When I joined Morning Musume at 15 I imagined myself at 20.
N: What kind of 20 year old was it?
R: More mature. I imagined a more mature and pretty older sister. People don’t change their outer and inner appearance easily. In the end, it might be impossible to change the basis of your personality from before. My ideal is a little too high (laughs).
N: Even when you turn 30, will you still continue to work?
R: I want to continue. Right now, when I see Nakazawa for example, I think she is cool.
N: Well then, even when you 30, please put out a photo book.
R: Umm, I wonder if I can put one out (laughs). But, I want to.
N: At that time do you still see Morning Musume continuing?
R: I want it to continue. It will continue to change more and more. Until the very end, I wonder if the graduated members will return to Morning Musume. And, I wonder what will the average age be then (laughs). But, still, even though I will graduate, if they still continue to do their best in Morning Musume, I think I will be encouraged.
N: Being in Morning Musume up until now, what is the most important thing you’ve gained?
R: The strength to believe in yourself. Probably. I think if you can’t believe in yourself, you aren’t able to do your job and such. Even if a lot of fans say, “We love you!” and you cannot like yourself, then that’s rude to the fans. If I was in a fan’s position, I don’t think I would be able to like that person. Even with that said, it’s still hard to like yourself.
N: Have you ever not been able to like yourself?
R: I have come to like myself, but it took some time. Right now, there are a lot of fans that say, “Rika-chan, we love you! <3,” but I came to like myself because I didn’t want to lose to them. I think that is thanks to Morning Musume.
N: When you joined, you were worried about being negative and everything.
R: Yeah, but, even now, if I make one mistake, my negative side may come out, if I don’t pay attention. Really, it came close to 5 years to have confidence to say, “I like myself.”
N: Lastly, two questions from the community. From your point of view, how do you view Tsunku?
R: A father-like person. But, probably, a lot of other Hello Project members will say the same thing. But, really, if I say one thing, it would be “Father.” Tsunku, first and foremost, is an artist, so I learned how to think of singing songs as being fun from him. Even now, I’ve learned and been able to study lots of things. He also helped me in lots of ways, mentally. He’s a very cool Papa and really is a person who you can respect.
N: Do you exchange lots of email?
R: Recently, I haven’t, but not exchanging any is surely proof that I’m being energetic (laughs). Long ago, when I was really negative, Tsunku-san would get worried and email me, “Are you ok?” I am the type who wouldn’t go for advice when I’m worried about myself. So then, when it all builds up inside of me, Tsunku-san, who seems to see through it, emails me. When that happens, my reply is very long. Then, the max length the email is small, so we don’t send only once, but send about 2-3 times. At the very end, I always write, “Sorry for making this very long.” (laughs)
N: Well, then, one more question. What kind of person is Morning Musume Ishikawa Rika?
R: The middle child of 3 sisters.
N: Understanding!
R: Even in Morning Musume, until the end, I wonder if I will still be the “middle child.”
N: Probably.
R: Is it like being the middle management? Something like that.
N: Um, is it like being able to push responsibility onto the lower members, and getting the older members mad (laughs)?
R: No, no, no. It’s nothing like that at all. But, up until the end, it’s being able to be in the “second daughter” place that makes me very happy. For me, it’s the most comfortable place to be.
(2005.02.04)
Morning Musume. My best song: “The Peace”
After my graduation, I wonder who’s going to do my monologue.
For me, the song with my best memories will never change. Even now, it is sung at concerts. But, you know, I have never messed up my monologue even once. Even when we have sung it for many hundred times, I’m still amazed at myself. After I graduate, I wonder who will say my monologue. I look forward to it! <3 But, if I’m told I can just say that one part, I might come to concerts no matter how many times in order to say the monologue (laughs).