~This is a translation of the Rena Nozawa Interview in Infoseek Japan. Translated by Tokyo Pop @jkt48stuff.com~
She started her career as an AKB48 member from the beginning of “Dome tour”! She said “I got a tremor of excitement when I stood on the stage of the AKB48 theater for the first time”
The new member of AKB48,Rena Nozawa talks about her JKT48 days in Jakarta for the first time in Japan!
Currently AKB48 is in the midst of “The big 5 domes tour” in Japan, and a new member got involved in the tour. Her name is Rena Nozawa, she is one of the first generation of JKT48 based in Jakarta.
And also she is selected to the “senbatsu” member of JKT48’s third single “ Koisuru Fortune Cookie” which will be in the shops on the 21st of August and this single disk will be released in Japan at the same time by AKB48.
For a year and half,she has been active as the only one Japanese in JKT48 until Haruka Nakagawa and Aki Takajo joined the team, she returned to Japan for a family reason in July. Then she doubles as JKT48 and AKB48 now.
Rena Nozawa Interview
— What of your fans’ reaction when you made an announcement of your transfer to Japan?
At first, I told them just only “I will go back to Japan. I appreciate what you have done for me…” Then, it made my fans a lot of grief…,and a few moment later one of the staff of the operation team explained it in more detail. Then my fans convinced and encouraged me by saying “Gambatte!”
— Then your double role means that you come and go between both countries?
Details are still to come. Well, my house is here in Japan, but I hope to visit Jakarta as often as I can.
— What attracted you to join JKT48 in the first place?
I had been infatuated with show business,then my father told me about the audition of JKT48.
— Were you sure if you could make it in?
No way,never! So,I just couldn’t believe my ears when I passed. Of course,I was so happy!
— So you’ve known about AKB48 before joining JKT48?
Yes, but I’ve been living abroad for quite a while,I didn’t know much about.
— You never get a chance to see AKB48 in Jakarta,I guess.
However,the first people who supported us at JKT48 theater was AKB48 fans in Indonesia.
— Wow, not a few people knew about AKB48!
Then, with the increase in the ranks of fans, we see boys and girls,young and old people. And we get on TV and have a regular program now. Yeah, we won many awards! I really appreciate all the fans who support us.
— You speak Indonesian very well,right?
At first I couldn’t speak, I couldn’t enter a conversation.
— So, how did you communicate with other members?
English, at first. I could speak English because I was a student of an international school in Jakarta. And there are also some members or staff who speak English, they can translate for me. Before I know it, I became able to speak Indonesian fluently.
— In a handshake session, do you speak with your fans in Indonesian?
Of course, we always talk in Indonesian like “What did you eat for dinner? “I enjoyed your show!” “Which song do you like the best?” or something.
— Really! It is no different from a handshake session in Japan, by the way which song do you like the best?
”Heart-gata Virus” a song from our theater’s set list. I love the song very much and so happy to perform this by myself!
— You have a long monologue in the song,haven’t you?
Yeah,I can do it in Indonesian. But, it’s a little difficult to do it because Indonesian monologue is a bit longer than the original!
— JKT48 has two other Japanese members,Haruka Nakagawa and Aki Takajo. What do you think about them?
I am learning a lot from them, they are my seniors or big sisters in AKB48 group. We go shopping together, eating together…JKT48 is like a close family!
— Nakagawa-san takes a center position in your new song, she has quite a career ahead of one,I guess.
Haruka-san is amazing! She stays in Jakarta only for a half year, now she speaks Indonesian very well. She can do a MC session or a TV show much no problem!
— How about Takajo-san?
Akicha-san usually tells me all sorts of things. For example,I am now performing “Ren-ai-kinshi-jorei”, it’s a bit difficult for me to express feelings of an adult woman, in such a case Akicha-san gives me support and advice. When I decided to return to Japan, she gave me a mail in which she encouraged me saying “We’ll get through this together!”
— You first appeared on “team A” show at AKB48 theater the other day, what was your impression?
I can’t remember anything about it, I was just shaking with tension.
— Why? You gain a lot of experience in JKT48 theater.
When I was in Jakarta, I used to learn AKB48’s performances through DVD, so I felt so nervous! Because “I am now standing on the real stage of AKB48!” What is more,my Oshi-men, Mayuu-san introduced me to the audience!
— Have you make a new friend in AKB48?
Yes,Sakiko Matsui-san came and took picture together for Google+, I was so happy! You know, her piano playing is quite amazing!
— From now you are going to work in Japan. And what would you do if you get a “gravure picture” offer? I hear that most of your fans in Indonesia get into a fuss slightly.
In Indonesia, you must not show your belly in front of others. When I took pictures for the official guide book of JKT48, I didn’t wear a bathing suit, I put on a tank top and shorts that time…
— But in Japan, you will find a midriff-baring costume in AKB48…
Well, I have no idea…because I have many fans in Jakarta…cultural difference…I don’t know about that…
— What missions are most important to you?
Though I am still pretty inexperienced, I will try to do my best to follow other AKB48 members.
— What is your goal as an AKB48 member?
I want many people to know about me,I will fight very hard for that. And I really hope that my JKT48 will be famous here in Japan!
— Finally, present yourself,please!
I seem a bit unusual because I have been lived overseas for a long time. And I am a little shy, but I am actually talkative! Talk a lot to me at a handshake session!
www.jkt48stuff.com/2013/08/rena-nozawa-interview-in-infoseek-japan/
The photo shoot problem came up...
Also, it sounds like Akicha is being a good senpai
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