Jin's interview for Weekly Biz | Translated

JAF:

Here is a short interview Jin did with WEEKLY BIZ at the end of last year.

Source

Translated by Patricia Candon Diaz for JAF.  

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On November 8th last year, Akanishi Jin-san released the album “TEST DRIVE featuring JASON DERULO”, under the name of JIN AKANISHI. With it, he made his debut across the United States. This album got a good start winning majestically the number 1 spot on the U.S. dance charts in iTunes, and entered the TOP 10 in the overall chart. One day last year, while he was very busy recording at the studio outside Los Angeles, he told us about his future dreams.

“I want to continue doing what I want to do”.

Your album debut suddenly got the number 1 in the U.S. dance charts on iTunes. How do you feel about it?

J: I’m happy. I feel simply happiness.

Don’t you think it is strange record that, day after day, the Tokyo Dome gets full? (translator note: » Not very clear on the meaning of this question…)

J: But it is released though iTunes, so only people who live in America can download it. That’s why I’m very thankful.

I think so too. Actually, if you think about it, it is a great record.

J: I think so too (lol). Cause I would never thought I could get number  1.

Did you put some special effort on this album?

J: No, just like any other. I think I shouldn’t change, and continue to be myself, expressing my feelings through it.

About expressing your feelings, don’t you feel any difference between Japan and the U.S.?

J: No, I don’t. Wherever I go, anything I do, the things I want to do don’t change. Even when I’m recording or at the concerts, I always do my best.

During the production process, if you compare it with the Japanese way to do it, what was the most difficult thing to get used to?  

J: There wasn’t any. The place doesn’t matter.

The single “TEST DRIVE” was composed by Jason Derulo, but you always are the one composing your own music. That could be a new fresh Akanishi…

J: Yes. This time I left everything to him. I thought it could be interesting to do something completely different to my own style. In the end, I think that was a good thing.

Since you’ve been away from Japan, have your activities and your daily life changed?

J: Since a long time ago, I like to see other countries, other cities and the people who live in them. This becomes a stimulation for me, but when I’m in Japan, my daily life doesn’t change. But sometimes, I do miss the family and friends I have in Japan (lol). 

How do you spend your time off while you are in Japan?

J: Hanging out with my friends, hanging out with my friends… (lol) and hanging out with my friends.

(lol).  When I interviewed you last year (2010), I also felt that while you were studying abroad, you made a lot of big friends, right?(» (translator note: I think she means big names)

J: Yes, they are big (lol).

How was the 2011 year for Akanishi-san?

J: I was recording the album. And during spring, I went to Hungary and London to film the movie.

The Hollywood movie 47 RONIN (released on November 2012), right? What do you think about your co-star Keanu Reeves?

J: Since my character is the only one who understands Keanu’s, we had a lot of scenes together, it was fun. He was always friendly, and I got the impression that he is a kind person.

In the future, will America become the center of your activities?

J: No, it won’t. The U.S. single debut was released in Japan as well (the interview was done on November 11^th, and was released in Japan on December 07^th), and at the end of December, a new single in Japanese will be released in Japan (December 28^th, “Seasons”). The U.S. album debut will also be available for purchase in Japan, and I will be going back and forth between Japan and Los Angeles for a while.

What about your TOUR schedule?

J: Right now, I’m recording the album debut. Once that is finished, and after the album is released, I think I want to go for a TOUR.

Finally, what is the dream that you want to accomplish in America?

J: A dream…  I want to create the music I like, as I’ve been doing. I want to continue doing what I want to do, just that. If you continue supporting me, I will be very happy.

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