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Yamasaki Ten, who is the only middle schooler in the Sakamichi groups, is the Center of Sakurazaka46’s “Buddies”. She is perhaps having one of the most intense “restart” days for a 15-year-old in Japan right now. While she has the courage to say “Not really” when asked about the pressure from being chosen as Center, on the other hand, she also says “I am truly bad at communicating my feelings to others”.  However, after going through a period of various changes, she said that she feels that “we have become much stronger both as a group and as individuals”. What was swirling within the heart of the wise 15-year-old before she was able to objectively look back on herself up to this point, stating that “I didn’t whine about anything, or rather, I didn’t know how to”. I can be stronger because I have “allies” “After all, without the people around me, I am still weak” Yamasaki Ten who boldly acts as the Center of “Buddies”, a coupling song of Sakurazaka46’s debut single “Nobody’s fault”...

-From trainee to Keyakizaka46 to Sakurazaka46, I believe that it’s been a year with many changes. I've always felt like I’ve been able to give off a fresh vibe, so much that “freshness” became my weapon. However, after becoming part of Sakurazaka46, I realized many of my senpai are able to use “freshness” as well, so I’ve been thinking “I have to find a new weapon.” -You’re very positive. Whenever I have any worries, I write it down on paper, then forget about it. Then when I read it later, I can think about how “I was worrying over something like this.” The other day, when we were recording for our TV show, it seems Onuma and I said too many crazy things and the staff told us “Let’s get back on track. Even entertainers overdo it sometimes.” I’m not an entertainer, but after properly reflecting on it, I looked forward to the future. -It’s not like you were overdoing it on purpose, right? When I watch it on air I always end up thinking “I said something like this..?” Even the other ...

Rise, straight up, more than anything. Question: What was your first impression when you heard the new name of the group? Answer: I thought it was a beautiful name. It shall be something to look forward to every spring. Question: What feature of Sakurazaka46 do you want people to pay attention to? Answer: How our strength is also expressed despite our femininity. There are many members with unique personalities, so please pay attention to that as well. Question: Please tell us what the highlights of the debut single and the music video are. Answer: The music video was filmed with the theme of “Yearning for freedom and bonds”. Sado Island was simply a wonderful place. Despite each having our own struggles and yearning for freedom, we are shouting freely in the chorus. I hope you can feel the beauty even in such dogged determination  Question: You will be the center in 3 songs including Nobody's Fault, so please tell us about your determination. Answer: All 3 songs are completely dif...

  With a bright atmosphere floating in the air, energetically answering the interview was Harada Aoi. The moment I asked about her impressions from the Last Live, she said “It was super fun!” with sparkling eyes as she began to answer. The 2nd day of the live was both fun due to the setlist, and I was happy since I could really see the members’ faces a lot. When I see their smiling faces and that they are enjoying the live I also get a feeling of enjoyment. That we could continue with Keyakizaka46 for 5 years up until now was for sure because they were there for us, the staff who closely supported us and the fans who were always our allies cheered us on. I thought I myself must also do my best, so that we can deliver our feelings of gratitude, and so that it could become a live with good memories. Also, especially because it was the last live, there was a strong feeling that  “I have to do it so there won’t be any regrets” about the things I can do as Keyakizaka46. Possessing ...

  Keyakizaka46’s renaming. It shocked everyone, who were unable to hide their confusion. However, Morita Hikaru wasn't surprised that much. She believed that if Keyakizaka46 didn’t change in any way, a faint omen would occur. Over the Stay home period, I had the opportunity to talk a lot with the staff. During that time, we had talks about how for our next step forward, we must adopt something new. That’s when I myself also thought that there may be a possible "renaming" like how Hiragana Keyakizaka46 became Hinatazaka46. After that, all the members were informed that they might really be a renaming. When I actually heard that we were going to be renamed, I felt quite gloomy while also thinking: “We really are being renamed.” Calmy accepting the reality of the situation and thinking of the reason as to why. Then gently changing her feelings about the situation helped calm Morita down quite a bit. Furthermore, she talks about how now that they’ve renamed, she’s been carefu...

Q3 Please tell us about your personality and character Uemura: I’m someone who (over)thinks about various things. Ozeki: I love people! I’m not really a shy person, so I enjoy all kinds of activities! Koike: I often spill food and drinks. When we were filming the MV I acted childish, and when I played with the rocks, I dirtied the hem of the skirt with mud, and got scolded by the costume staff. Kobayashi: I have a calm personality. When I see home videos of my childhood, my older sister pretty much did all the talking, I think I was a child who didn’t talk at all. Fuyuka: I’ve liked making my friends smile since a long time ago! Yuuka: (One of the) eldest in the group who loves horses! I want to be called “Bariki nee-san (Bari-nee)” by my juniors. Habu: I think that I like to talk about positive and fun things. Aoi: I wonder if my character might be the youngest sister who is bright and chatty. Akanen: I’m a straightforward person who is almost too honest. Rika: ‘My pace’ (doing things...

  Hobbies Uemura: Watching idols, listening to music. Ozeki: To go eat delicious food! Koike: Listening to music. Kobayashi: Appreciating dramas and movies. Fuyuka: Observing my pet French bulldog, eating sweet potatoes. Yuuka: Equestrian, appreciating movies, gourmet food. Habu: Games. Aoi: Eating delicious food, YouTube. Akanen: Traveling, beauty tour. Rika: Travelling overseas. Risa: Games, cleaning. Inoue: I like listening to music and musical instruments. Hikari: Touring Japanese sweets shops, taking a walk. Rei: Looking up tasty dishes. Akiho: Fish, making sweets, fishing. Marino: Sleeping. Seki: Listening to music, photography. Takemoto: Appreciating music. Hono: Going to bookstores and libraries, reading books and manga. Karin: N/A. Kira: Sucking (fallen) hairs with a vacuum cleaner. Matsuda: Watching anime. Riko: Studying fashion and make-up. Hikaru: Reading, listening to music. Rena: Shopping and searching for my favourite scent. Ten: Taking pictures of members and the sc...

“After performances, there are always things I feel I should have done differently, but this time I didn't really have any regrets. I wonder if I've done everything I can do.” These are the honest feelings Saito Fuyuka shared with us following the end of Keyakizaka46's Last Live. She's someone who has supported the group from the beginning with her strong dancing talents and cheerful nature. Regarding the Last Live, she wrote in her blog the day before the performance, “It still doesn't feel real.” Fuyuka: Even when I was on stage for the opening, it still didn't feel real. However, I gradually started to more intensely feel it and thought things like “This might be the last time I'll see this scene of this song...” My feelings towards live performances have never really changed, but this is the first time I performed while thinking it could be my last time performing each song. I think I was able to enjoy it at least enough as to not have any regrets... alt...