Radio Program Perfect Guide is the product of an annual survey (this year more than 2,446 listeners were surveyed), which is used to rank Japan's most popular radio programs from April 1, 2020 to March 31, 2021. The publication includes interviews with hosts of the shows that appeared on the list, Sayashi Riho, host of "Sayashi Riho to marumaru to" (Rihomaru), included.Sayashi-san shared her thoughts on the program with a clear look in her eyes. Even though it was a hectic time, right before recording, she responded to the listeners' questions politely, and with a smile.
"Sayashi Riho to marumaru to" every Sunday from 24:00 to 24:30 on MBS Radio
A conversation with a big name guest every week! After taking a break from performing to study abroad, Riho Sayashi, the former ace of Morning Musume, is back, has leveled up, and has started her own radio show since December 2020. Keep an eye on the future of Sayashi who has learned a lot from guests such as Ryota Yamasato, Yudai Chiba, and Kyary Pamyu Pamyu.
The highlight!: (April 5, 2021) Having studied in New York, she could easily ask her guest, Shishido Kavka, questions by the listeners in English. During a conversation about drums and playing methods, she was able to demonstrate her ability to engage with clever and relevant comments.
Radio Special Interview: Riho Sayashi, host of "Rihomaru", a 30 minute talk show, featuring the former member of Morning Musume and her guests. The program is archived on Radiotalk.
"I feel happy the moment I meet my guests" - Sayashi and the radio
- It's been half a year since you resumed your activities, after a 5 year absence, and you have started your first, regular radio program "Sayashi Riho to marumaru to". It's a wonderful program where you are having conversations with amazing quests such as Kyoko Koizumi, Hama Okamoto, Nocchi of Perfume, and Ryota Yamasato of Nankai Candies.
- When I started working on my own, I couldn't imagine I would be able to invite people I admire, and hear so many valuable stories from them. The recording with each guest lasts for about 60 minutes, and it's all stuff I would pay to hear myself (laughs). Moreover, I am grateful that everyone has agreed to come. When I started I was worried our requests would be rejected. On the day of the recording, I first have a meeting in the radio booth, and then wait with excitement for my guests to arrive. The moment we meet, my happiness shows on my face.
- Having your name in the program title, and working one-on-one with the guests, is quite a burden, isn't it?
- It is. When I was in Morning Musume, I felt secure in the presence of the other members. But I want to continue my program for a long time, and I want people to listen to it. That's why I look forward to every recording.
- What are the differences between the pressure you felt when you were a member of Morning Musume, and the pressure you feel now that you have begun working alone?
- When I was in Morning Musume, I had to stand out among multiple members, so there was a lot of pressure. Now my work is different from month to month, and I feel pressure because I don't know what will happen in the future.
- Are you the kind of person who shows it when you're nervous?
- I don't know, but I probably do. When Kyoko Koizumi came as the first guest, she hugged me very gently. It made me really happy, and my face turned red (laughs).
"Keeping a balance, when it comes to speaking time, between the host and the guest" - Sayashi and her guests
- Listening to the program, I can see that not only Sayashi-san, but the listeners too, research the guests and ask quality questions.
- That's right. I think I've done my research, but as I read the listeners' questions, I feel I haven't done enough, and say "Oh really?" (laughs). They all write so well, and I appreciate it.
A comment by listener tankobu: "When the show started I would say: eh? This is the guest? Can Sayashi handle it? But as time went by, her talking got better and better, and I have been amazed."
- You have done a good job creating an atmosphere where the guests want to talk.
- I try to be prepared and look them firmly in the eye, so that they know I want to have an honest discussion. I've had many regrets in the past due to lack of preparation, so I don't want my guests to feel that they wasted their time. Instead, I want them to feel that they had a good time.
- Shishido Kavka was impressed by how you sit with your hands on your lap. What kind of personality do the guests say you have?
- I have been told I'm serious, but the reason I was sitting that way was because I had Shishido Kavka in front of me (laughs). I'm not serious about everything I do, but as I said, I don't want my guests to feel they are wasting their time. I try to ask questions that are serious, but also have a "personal Sayashi touch".
- When your guests finish speaking, do you think about expanding on that topic a little more, or do you prefer moving on to the next one?
- I think about that a lot! About whether I should say something before moving on to the next email, or not. Especially when the program started.
- You ask a lot of questions at the beginning, but the guests end up asking you questions as well. I find that interesting.
- I am grateful to all the guests because the conversations always turn out to be very fulfilling. I am concerned about keeping a balance between the amount of time my guests and I talk. Since it's my show, I want to talk about myself as well, but I do wonder if it's ok for me to talk so much (laughs).
"Sanma's lessons are simple, and unique" - Sayashi and Sanma Akashiya
- What is the most memorable piece of advice you have received?
- I wasn't told anything specific, but I learned a lot when I was in Morning Musume, and I appeared on Sanma's "Young Town" (MBS Radio). When I started Rihomaru, I would ask questions in a roundabout way, to make it easier for my guests to answer, but one day I remembered an exchange I had with Sanma-san. He would simply ask "What's up?", and I realized that was a question that would allow the guests to show their personality. So I began asking "How was your day?"
A comment by listener ai-chan: I'm just happy to listen to Sayashi's regular program. She's more mature than when she was in Morning Musume, and I'm happy to see her grow up!
- You've learned a lot!
- You don't have to ask about everything. Even casual questions can make the conversation grow. At first, I was really nervous when Sanma-san would ask me "How are you?" But as I gained experience I realized that I didn't have to respond with a clever comment every time. Also, after Rihomaru started, and I began listening to the broadcasts, I tried to speak calmly without rushing. I realized that radio is all about what you hear, so if you say too much at once, it becomes too complicated. If you speak slowly, you can convey your thoughts in a concise manner. So I have been making progress in my own way.
- It's amazing that you've already learned so much.
- It's all about studying, I think. When I had Hama Okamoto on the show, he taught me the importance of accumulating experience. He has been working in the music industry since he was really young, so I asked him how he builds relationships. He advised me to always give 100% and to try to gain experience, which was an "a-ha!" moment for me.
"I now know how people feel when they send messages to the radio (laughs)" - Sayashi and the listeners
- That's good to know! Now, let's hear some questions from the listeners. From shirokko: How much time do you spend researching your guests?
- It depends on the guest. If it's a musician, I listen to their music. If they have written a book, I read it. But if I know too much, it becomes difficult to ask questions. I guess I could pretend I don't know too much, but that's not easy either (laughs).
*When Yudai Chiba was the guest he talked about his love of radio, and how he likes sending messages to his favorite programs, using aliases. Sayashi did the same thing then, sending messages to Rihomaru without telling her staff, messages that were then adopted. Here is a question by listener peta: How was your first email to a radio program? Did you do something so that it would be adopted?
- I tried to send questions that would be easy for me to answer. I don't necessarily read the entire email that listeners send. I always ask the staff to mark the parts that should be read, so my questions were simple.
- How did you feel when you read your own emails?
- It was really embarrassing (laughs). I actually wrote "I'm glad the two of you (Riho and Shishido Kavka) are together", so that they wouldn't know it was me. But it was fun, so I think I will do it again. But the next time my email is adopted, I won't reveal it was sent by me (laughs).
A comment by listener dango hanako: This is a valuable program to get to know the new Riho Sayashi, after she went to the United States to study. The guest selection is always good. I am excited every time, wondering "Who will she talk to next?"
- "The nail of my middle finger flew away", the radio name that you chose Sayashi-san was pretty good!
- The name was a reference to my gel nails flying away. Yudai-san uses different radio names ("Masakari Bomber", "trash bags all over the house", "my hands sweat half the time"), so what I learned was that you need to pick a name that will make an impression (laughs).
Riho Sayashi
After graduating from Morning Musume, and a 5 year absence, she resumed her performing career in September 2020. She has been active as a stage, and tv drama actress, and this year she has also resumed her music career, as a solo artist.
