Riho Sayashi appears in CD Journal for the first time since her
graduation from Morning Musume. We asked her about her comeback and
her future plans
The desire to perform
Why did you return at this time?
I did theater
in September and October (Kuro
Sekai,
directed by Kenichi Suemitsu), which I was planning to do anyway.
But other than that, I didn’t have a clear
plan for my return. I had been thinking of creating a space to
communicate with the public before my stage performances, but due to
covid, I decided to start an Instagram account, so that people who
knew me would feel better. A lot of things began to come together
around this time.
So first, there were the theater
performances.
Why did you decide to do that?
The project
itself meant a lot to me. It wasn’t really about returning to show
business, but about performing on stage.
In 2019, you appeared at Hina Fes.
When I
graduated, I had the hope that I would return when I was 20. I
wanted to keep my promise, but I wanted to do it when I felt ready.
I was 20 at the time of Hina Fes, and the timing felt right. But it
had been a long time since I had done anything like this, and I was
lost. I even asked for advice on whether I should do it. It took a
lot of courage. And even right before I went on stage, I was
wondering how the people watching would react.
The cheers were so loud, I had
never heard anything like that before. Why do you think that
happened?
I’ve
never been a person that thinks positively about myself. But now, I
try to accept myself for who I am every day, and I am more positive
(laughs). I might have something as a performer that makes people
want to stand by me. I like being on stage, and I am glad I am doing
this now. I feel that coming back is something I wanted to do.
Then,
covid happened. What did you think during that period?
I’m
the type of person that becomes impatient if I am not doing
something, while everyone else is working hard, but everyone was in
the same situation. Everyone was staying home, and so did I.
You
are that kind of person, aren’t you? If others are working, you
feel you have to do your best as well?
That’s
right. I am often influenced by others, and when I see them doing
different things, I feel I should do the same.
It
may sound like that, but I think you may really want to do those
things.
It
is fun doing things, but I also doubt
whether I
can do them. But I shouldn’t think like that. I’m having fun
right now, doing all kinds of work, getting to wear different
costumes, getting to wear make up I’ve never worn before, and being
in dramas as well. I am very grateful. I have no choice but to work
now, I think!
Is it harder when you do so many different kinds of work?
It’s hard (laughs). Since I am
on my own, I have to take the initiative and create things of my own.
But if I can experience this, and create my own rhythm, it will be
even more fun, I think.
That’s a positive challenge. Working on a drama is also
difficult, isn’t it?
On certain days, I got
very nervous (laughs), but in the end I enjoyed
it. I am grateful that there were many people on the set of the
drama, who taught me about acting, and that I shouldn’t think too
much about it, which will help me in the future. I feel fortunate to
be able to work with such people.
Sayashi-san, you have always been good at acting, and performing
on stage, right?
Do you think so? In terms of
acting skills, I think I have a long way to go, but since I have
performed on stage before, I think I can convey some of my feelings.
I try to make the best use of my acting experience to
develop my skills and grow.
Do
you have an idea of what you want to focus on? I guess you are a
performer now.
That’s
the big question, right?
I
am sure you want to dance…
I
do want to dance. But, in addition to dancing, I want to be involved
in other fields as
well,
and in various forms of expression.
How
was the response to your stage performances?
When
I got on stage, I realized that this is what I wanted to do. Being
absent from work was difficult, and I thought “This is work!”
(laughs). But then I realized that all the hard work I did while
being absent, was so that I could enjoy the stage.
It
was a difficult time for you, wasn’t it?
It’s
because of that experience that I am here now.
Do
you sleep well now?
I
sleep a lot (laughs)
Facing
each task, one at a time
Can you tell us more about your return? You
had already decided to do theater, and didn’t have much else in
mind. But as it turned out, a lot of things happened. Do you feel
that you
just let things happen?
That's part
of it. I think my own opinions are becoming more important, and I
think more about things, but I think it's a balance. I think it's
important to strike a balance between letting things flow and making
my own decisions. I think there are times
when you should let things happen. I want to take each job and each
day seriously, and while I consider that important, I also want to be
swept away in a good way.
I was also surprised you joined an office.
I didn’t know how that would work.
Neither did I
(laughs). But it’s reassuring to have someone around you, and you
can learn a lot from them. I think that different opinions are
important.
I know there are things you can talk about,
and things you can’t, but is there something you are working on
right now?
I think my
acting work is more prominent now, but I would like to do
performances (note:
Riho uses the english word)
as well. I have a live performance in 6 months, and I’m preparing
for it. How we’ll do it, is yet to be determined. We
have various things in mind, but we also wonder what people would
like to see me do. And because of this situation, I also wonder if
people from other countries could come to the show.
I
think Hello! Project has fans all over the world. That’s why I
think online shows are a good idea. That way, people from remote
areas in Japan can also view the performance.
There is a
part of me that fears that people will be satisfied if it’s online,
and not come to the show, but I think that if someone would enjoy
watching the video, they would be happy to come to the show too.
There are many people waiting for you.
I will do my
best (laughs).
Regarding your work in the entertainment
industry, what about tv, for example?
I’m not
very good at it, so I will do my best there too (laughs). But if I
don’t think first about how I want to do the live performance, I
will get confused (laughs).
Well, don’t push yourself too much, maybe
a little bit…
I will try to
do the right amount (laughs). I don’t mean to sound self-centered,
but since I am in an environment where I can be creative, I would
like to see how I can do things.
You have just started, but what do you think
so far about working alone?
Having been
in a group, it’s now fun to work on my own. If I had been working
alone for a long time, I might have felt lonely, but having had the
experience of working in a group, I am able to enjoy being alone.
I’ve heard the dressing room is lonely…
Not true
(laughs). I do miss the members of the group. But I don’t feel
lonely.
So it works for you then?
I’m good at
being alone (laughs). I’ve always felt that way (laughs).
I look forward to seeing your live
performance next year. But I wonder if you will be the performer
you used to be…
I believe
that even if you have changed, you can still reach 100% in a
different way.
That’s positive thinking…
Talking about
it makes me feel positive (laughs). Thinking about it, sometimes
doesn’t make me feel that way (laughs).
You’ve grown up, haven’t you?
I always knew
I wasn’t a positive person, but that’s why I had to go out into
the world, and change. Now, I have changed in some ways, but not in
others. But for now, I am enjoying my work.
Please let us know when you begin your next
project. Thank you very much for your time today.
