Takemoto Yui interview in B.L.T June 2026

 

Q It… somehow doesn’t feel real yet, I’m even still thinking to myself “Is she really graduating soon?”

Takemoto: Truth is, it’s the same for me. When I announced it, I had this solemn feeling, “Oh… I’m really graduating, huh?” but day by day that feeling has started to fade (laughs). It’s something we won’t really get until the day it actually happens I guess. Even right now, I’m rehearsing together with the other members (* At the time of interview) in preparation for performing at the National Stadium (The 5th Anniversary Live), so every day I’ve been dancing over and over again, and the thought of graduation hasn’t popped up much. It feels like I’ve just been able to spend my days like I always have. But I feel very fortunate to be able to spend my activities normally like that to the end. I sincerely feel that way.

Q Your graduation blog was very wonderful. You clearly explained your feelings down to the fine details, so much so that I was feeling at a loss on what to ask you for the interview. That aside… What do you feel? In the blog you said that you’ve “done everything,” but do you still feel that way now?

Takemoto: Yes, I can say that with confidence. The fun I’m having right now is the most I’ve felt in the 7.5 years since I joined the group. Seriously, I feel that way for every single moment. Since way back, I’ve felt “When I graduate, I want the timing for it to be when I’m at my most optimistic and can feel like I’m really excited looking towards the future.” I imagined myself leaving the group when my feeling of “This is the most fun I ever have!” is at its MAX, and it feels like it’s coming true. I wanted my graduation announcement blog to give off a cheerful feeling, so I started writing it little by little about a year ago, and completed it as I slowly noted down what I truly feel. The result was what was written in that blog.

Q Amazing. It’s just like a graduation thesis, right?

Takemoto: That really is what it was (laughs). But because I wrote it before announcing my graduation, it mainly reflects how I felt back then, right? But the way I saw it was that it would be nice if I could record the changes my feelings underwent since making the decision to graduateーby writing down how everything developed along the way, I hoped that everyone could get a realistic feeling of how I was spending my days.

Q The blog certainly does have a realistic feel to it with the way you used the raw emotions you felt at the time to write it, and given that you wrote it over such a long span of time, the result was something that, from reading it, we can really feel how your emotions changed.

Takemoto: It took a long time, but there was something that I added at the very end. It was the part about the members. During the time where I was noting everything down, I deliberately left the section about my love toward the members blank, thinking that I would write down what I felt when it was finally announced… But what I felt the most in the end was “I’ve truly been saved by the members.” That aspect included, I think that I was able to write something “realistic.”

Q The blog you wrote for Inoue Rina-san’s graduation, ”It’s already October, huh?” was a masterpiece too, but your blog in which you spoke on your feelings towards your own graduation was an even more touching piece of writing.

Takemoto: But after I uploaded the blog about her graduation, she was kinda mad at me. She said “Hey, don’t post something more moving than the person graduating” (laughs).

Q Inoue-san told me that too (laughs). But seriously speaking, I get the impression that Inoue-san and Takemoto-san have been good at putting their feelings into words ever since the very beginning when you joined the group. So as an interviewer, there is quite a big sense of loss with you both leaving.

Takemoto: It makes me happy just to hear “I will miss you” like that. But… I’m sure that Sakurazaka46 will be fine even without the two of us. Our juniors have grown to be so reliable, and so there’s nothing to worry about. If I must say, I suppose it’s more so about the Captain (= Matsuda Rina). I wonder if she’ll miss us…

Q Right, she herself spoke about this as well and even Inoue-san said that “she is a surprisingly sensitive person.”

Takemoto: From our perspective, we can only see Matsuda as someone who has a sensitive image. And Matsuda herself is also aware that she’s not that tough mentally, and the result is that she ends up working too hard instead. I always hoped that she could at least whine to me or Inoue I do feel like our relationship has managed to become that way, and even now we still meet up with Inoue and Seki Yumiko (who has graduated), so I think that even after this the relationship between Matsuda and I won’t ever change.

Q I think that too. So, when did Takemoto-san tell the members of your intention to graduate?

Takemoto: Around the end of last year (2025). I did think that I was informing everyone sort of early, but with New Year’s activities starting up, things were gonna get hectic as we began the preparations for the 14th single production, so after considering all the circumstances, I went ahead with telling everybody. But the graduation timing was something that I was undecided about until the very last moment. After so many meetings with the staff, I decided that the “best timing” for me would be in May. But it was really hard to decide when it should end. Because there are so many goals that you can set for yourself… So, I decided to end it at a good number, to welcome the “5th year” milestone that the group has worked so hard on together with everyone. That’s the mark I set for myself.

I was initially thinking that it would be December, (Sakurazaka46’s) debut month, but the staff stopped me saying, “The 5th year anniversary live will be held in April, and we hope that you can hold off until then”... so it was delayed to Spring, but at the time I didn’t know that the venue is going to be the National Stadium, so I was shocked when I learned about it (laughs). I got to thinking that, as far as I’m concerned, just by being able to stand on the 5th year anniversary stage, I would have nothing left to regret, so the fact that it’d be National Stadium felt like a total surprise. Another possibility was opting for around the “5th Tour" (2025 “Addiction”) Maybe it just fated to turn out the way it did.

Q But looking back on everything, it’s pretty amazing how everything seems like it was just meant to be, don’t you think?

Takemoto: Yeah, it really does. The first time I consulted with staff about graduation was at the timing of the 4th debut anniversary. But at that time, to be honest, I hadn’t sorted out my thoughts… There was this conflict of, “I really want to move forward to the next thing, but there’s also a side of me that still wants to continue my activities in Sakurazaka a bit longer,” and I was crying so hard on the day I went for consultation. I thought, “Maybe I just shouldn’t go tell them after all” (laughs). So on that day I told the staff, “Actually, I was crying really hard at home before coming here.” And they said, “Then, perhaps you should take your time to think it through carefully.” I opened the conversation by saying “I want to think about what comes next for me while keeping the 5th anniversary live in mind,” and as a result, I was able to sort out my feelings over the next year, so I’m really glad I chose that timing to consult with them because I do feel that this was the best timing for myself. 

I was able to take on the challenges I wanted for myself and do the things I wanted to try doing, I was also able to feel the growth of my juniors, and I was also able to see so many sceneries that I wanted to see with the members… Conversely, if I don't graduate here, I think I would have difficulty finding the next timing. I was also able to stand on stage at Kyocera (Dome) which was a personal dream of mine, and moreover I will also have the chance to stand on stage at the “National Stadium,” which I couldn’t have ever dreamed I could do. I was also able to appear on a variety show that I liked and used to watch, and I was even able to give shape to things I wanted to do through dancing… now that my environment and mindset have changed so much in the past year, I have this feeling of total refreshment.

Q You mentioned “the growth of your juniors”... In Mukai Itoha’s interview in the April edition of this magazine, she said, “I never talked about my worries with others, but I started to rely on my seniors.” And she said those seniors are Ozono Rei-san and Takemoto-san. Takemoto-san herself is the eldest sister of her family, so perhaps that makes you good at caring for others?

Takemoto: Right… But, even among my genmates I am one of the younger ones, so the older sisters of the 2nd generation like (Tamura) Hono-chan or Seki Yumiko-chan were looking after me, and the 1st generation-san spoiled me as well, so in a way Sakurazaka46 was the first time in my life I could be like a little sister. On the contrary, because I was away from my position as an older sister for a while, when the 3rd generation members entered the group, I was actually worrying about how I wasn’t able to interact with them well as an older member. The same happened when the 4th generation joined; I’m unexpectedly quite a shy person in some regards, so I didn’t know how to interact with my juniors and pretty much couldn't even bring myself to invite them out for meals. So in the end, for a long time, I actually thought that I wasn’t able to be a reliable senior. But before I knew it, starting with Itoha, I was becoming really close with all the 3rd generation members.

When we restarted as Sakurazaka46, I never imagined that such cute juniors would come to admire and join the group, and I’m very grateful for that. Even outside of our activities, I want to cherish the girls who invited me out, saying they wanted to chat with me over a meal. But then I started to feel, “Even among 2nd gen, I’m one of the easiest to tease, maybe that’s why they come to talk to me.” Maybe this isn’t something I should say myself, but I look like someone who probably won’t get mad when they’re teased, right? (laughs). I don’t seem scary at a glance, so I had thought that my relationship with the junior merely came down to “Takemoto-san seems like someone that’s ok to mess with,” but our managers and even our record label’s staff who I hadn’t seen in a while said “The 3rd generation really loves Take (= Takemoto), y’know?”, and I finally felt that I was able to do something as a senior, so to say… By having girls younger than me join, I think that I’ve been able to grow myself as well.

Q There is a saying that goes, “Your position shapes who you are”... It’s developed a sense of responsibility in you, hasn’t it?

Takemoto: I feel kinda teary-eyed when I see the 3rd generation members acting older sister-like toward the 4th generation now. It’s like, “The 3rd generation members were the youngest in the group not that long ago and now they can speak with such caring expressions and so kindly reach out to them,” or when I see them saying “Yeah, that’s right~” with a smile on their faces when the 4th generation asks them something, it makes me think “Ah, they've really matured…” It made me think about how a group with a lot of members is just cyclical like that.

Recently, I went out for a meal with my 1st generation seniorsーsuch as (Saito) Fuyuka-san and Sugai (Yuuka)-san, and when I met with them, my vibe returned to how I was as a junior, and it made me think, “Ah, feeling like I can be a little sister like this again sure is nice, I really do like the time I spend with my seniors.” Maybe it’s something that I have a degree of nostalgia for because the 2nd generation spent such a long time as the youngest generation, and that gave me a feeling of longing to go back to that time. I’m sure that this is something that the 3rd and 4th generation members will also feel one dayーthat’s how the group continues on. And that’s why I’m already looking forward to seeing how the 4th generation members will act as older sisters several years down the road.

Q I suppose that’s how the genes of the group are passed down. But Fuyuka-san mentioned this when she was still a member, “I ended up showing my clumsiness toward the 2nd generation members right away.” She thought that she could’ve interacted with them better, but is that really the case?

Takemoto: Ehh well, the 1st generation members really are just like that (laughs). I’m just joking around, but in fact Fuyuka-san and Sugai-san were easy to talk to from the start, and when I met Fuyuka-san recently I joked, “The seniors were really scary at first~” as we reminisced. But we 2nd generation members are a bunch of pretty awkward people ourselves. And so it was awkward when we met at first, but it resolved naturally over time. Thinking back on those times feels nostalgic.

Q This is another funny story, but Mukai-san also said, “The 3rd generation members are all clumsy”. Maybe that’s just how we all tend to view ourselves?

Takemoto: I think that, whether you’re the senior or the junior, you’ll tend to see the other generations as better than you. You started at the same time as your genmates, and you’ve seen all their strengths, abilities, weaknesses, and you also grow together, right? But the seniors are already ahead of us from the start and there’s also so much they can already do, and even though we’re spending time together, they’re still moving ahead of us, and that makes you think “The seniors are really amazing, after all.” And they probably feel the same way towards their juniors like, “Even though they just joined, they’re already this amazing.” The 3rd generation probably sees us and the 4th generation in the same way, and I feel that this is probably something unique to groups with a generation system.

Q In an interview with your genmate, Fujiyoshi Karin-san, in this magazine’s April edition she said, “The 2nd generation members are awkward as individuals, but I also love that about them.” She also spoke about you, Takemoto-san. “At first, she completely felt like just a genmate, but she gradually became a reliable presence. And Takemoto’s ‘Abura wo Sase!’ is so powerful, it’s very memorable. I’d love to dance to a dance track made by Takemoto one day”... Is this your first time hearing about this?

Takemoto: Yes because it’s Karin, so she’ll never say it to the person directly (laughs). But it’s quite surprising to know that Karin thinks that way. Ah… (Seemingly remembering something) Please look forward to the “National Stadium” (* In the 5th Anniversary concert, all members danced a dance track that Takemoto created).

Q I will (laughs). The project released on your YouTube, “Sakurazaka Channel,” that features the self-proclaimed “awkward” 2nd generation members doing BBQ together was emotional.

Takemoto: It’s very rare for the 2nd generation members to have the opportunity to do something together with just us, isn’t it? Of course the photoshoot that all the 2nd generation did together before with B.L.T-san (June 2024 edition) was also precious, but that BBQ video came to be something in the vein of “Let’s do something together before Inoue graduates.” But actually, right after that is when I told everyone of my graduation… When we were all sitting around the firepit, for a moment I thought, “Maybe I should tell my genmates now that we’re here, just us 2nd generation members.” But with all of us gathered there with Inoue’s graduation in our frame of mind, I knew it wasn’t the right place to talk about myself and reconsidered. I wanted to tell my genmates in advance while it was just us together, and though it felt like this might be the very chance I was looking for, I held it in. That’s part of what made that day so special to me. I spent it thinking that this might be the last time I get to do something like that with my genmates.

Q Moreover, when you were exchanging presents, Yamasaki Ten-san cried while reading the letter she had written to the 2nd generation members. If she knew then that Takemoto-san was graduating, she might have been crying uncontrollably.

Takemoto: That’s why I told myself, “Today let’s focus on giving Inoue the best send-off possible,” and planned to make everyone switch modes to focus on my graduation after the new year (laughs). That’s how I was thinking at the time.

Q Were Inoue-san and Matsuda-san the only ones who knew about Takemoto-san’s graduation in advance?

Takemoto: Among my genmates, I only told those two and Hono-chan in advance. Ever since way back, Hono-chan and I have gone out with each other often, and we even travel together, so I told her. I also told (Ishimori) Rika and Yuzu (Nakashima Yuzuki) by saying “The timing is not decided yet, but I will be graduating.” Rika, Yuzu, and I often go out to eat together and have deep conversations when we do, so it felt like “It’s about time the right time to do it, I should tell them so they can prepare their hearts.” So it’s just those 5 that I told.

Q But when Fujiyoshi-san learned of Takemoto-san’s graduation, she said that she thought, “It’s been 7.5 years since we joined the group, it’s a miracle that there are still so many genmates still here.” It made me realize how true that is.

Takemoto: There are still quite a few Nogizaka46-san and Hinatazaka46-san members from “Sakamichi Joint Audition” still remaining too (*Just the other day, Hinatazaka46’s Yamaguchi Haruyo announced her graduation with the end of their 17th single). So people tend to think, “Eh? You’re graduating already?” but in fact our “history” is quite long already (laughs). And so many things happened throughout it, and it was by overcoming those things that we were able to become who we are today… but I never thought that such a happy future was waiting for us.

Given the situation around the group’s (Keyakizaka46’s) 9th single being postponed, as well as all concerts being cancelled after that due to the COVID pandemic... it gave me this strong feeling that like, being able to release singles, being able to film MVs and put on concerts, these were not things to be taken for granted. Being able to pour my feelings into productions together with members and staff and then release them into the world and have it reach many people is something that I am always grateful for every time, but it’s because of everything I’ve experienced that I can feel that way. The 3rd and 4th generation members joined the group after our situation had stabilized, and even if they understand it in theory, I think it might be difficult for them to grasp what it really feels like, and so the 2nd generation members try tell to them the best we can that “Being able to do our activities like this is not something to be taken for granted, and being able to release a single is something truly amazing, so never forget to always feel grateful.”

Q Takemoto-san and the rest of the 2nd generation are the last generation to have experienced the pre-COVID handshake events, the no-audience online concerts, and the concerts with audiences that had restrictions on raising your voice that happened during COVID. Of course, maybe it would’ve been better if you never had to experience such things, but what you’ve earned from it is also big.

Takemoto: On the contrary, I think that if that period didn’t happen then we wouldn’t have been able to see the current scenery. I feel that the present is like a metal spring, one that bounced high after tightly pressing down on it. Also, online meet & greet was born from the measures used during COVID to prevent infection, and concerts are also able to be watched online now; there are many things that progressed from the circumstances we were in. There are a lot of things I view as positive takeaways from the situationーit allowed people who wanted to come to the venue but couldn’t due to a variety of reasons to still be able to watch the performance or speak with us. Those who are supporting us from overseas could enjoy it, and you could still speak with us online even when you’re not feeling well. It takes courage to come to the handshake event’s venue, but it feels easier if you can do it from your own room, and children can feel more at ease being able to attend meet & greets even with their families there with them. Everyone’s circumstances are different in that sense, aren’t they? They use their precious time to spend it with us, so we’d like to cherish the time that each person spends to speak with us.

Q At the time of your debut, concerts were being held without an audience for a while. Your first one with an audience was “BACKS LIVE!!” which was held in June 2021. That was already five years ago now.

Takemoto: It was at the Maihama Amphitheater. But the audience had to wear masks, and without being able to raise their voices, they instead hyped things up by waving stick balloons. I was moved looking out and seeing the fans sitting in the audience, but when I think back on it now, the concerts that had a live audience that were restricted from raising their voices were the saddest. It felt like, “Even though they’re there, they can’t get hyped up.” But because of those times, I realized just how much everyone’s cheering gets our adrenaline going, and keeping that in mind, I think there’s meaning in everything that we experience. Before I joined the group, I thought that there would be proportionally more difficult times, and that the enjoyable and rewarding moments would be somewhat fleeting. But now I feel that is not the case at all. 

Of course, everything hasn’t been easy, but the dreams that I’ve put into words when talking in interviews like this have all come true. It’s been very valuable to learn that if you keep going without giving up, your dreams will come true. If I had stopped, I think it would have led to a life in which I’d keep running away from the things I have to work hard at, so the fact that I was rewarded for continuing to work at something despite it taking a long time is very important. It’s just that, realistically, continuing to put effort towards your goals every day is difficult to do, isn’t it? It doesn’t necessarily lead directly to your goal, and can instead fulfill your dreams in unexpected ways. In other words, you never know what or where it will lead you. That’s why I think that there’s meaning in everything, and that it’s important to build things up little by little every day. How should I put it? It’s like, “Today, I will make sure that I’m fully prepared for tomorrow,” something like that? I think that life is a repetition of that cycle.

Q It’s strange, isn’t it? They say that the seeds you’ve sown will only sprout just as you’ve forgotten you’ve planted them, or that the scenic route can lead you to unexpected places.

Takemoto: I used to think that “The idol world sure is tough,” but now having come full circle, I can say, “What a dream-filled world this is!” I’m aware that I took a longer route than most, but that is precisely why I can now proudly say that I’m glad I continued to work hard. But… interestingly, as a group, none of us ever said things like “Our goal is performing at Tokyo Dome” or “Let’s go to National Stadium!”

Nobody among the members nor in group meetings has ever brought that up, even going back a long time.. We never could have even imagined performing at Tokyo Dome, and even around the time of our 2nd Arena Tour it wasn’t uncommon to see empty seats. When we saw that in the venue, of course we felt sad and frustrated, but instead of thinking about how we wanted things be like in a few years, we focused on what was in front of us, like “First let’s just get the choreography perfect for everyone at tomorrow’s rehearsal,” and that’s how we got to where we are today.

Of course I can only say this in hindsight, but I think the biggest factor was that there were so many people that saw our desperate efforts and became our allies. That’s true of the staff, of course, but more than anything it was the presence of the Buddies that gave us courage. No matter how difficult Sakurazaka46’s situation was, they always stood firm and said, “Don’t worry, we are here. We’ll support you no matter what.” That’s what really motivated the members to be able to do their best. In those uncertain and worrying times, they were the ones who stood firm the most.

However many times we were faced with adversity, we’d be saved every time by Buddies standing with us in unison and sending us messages telling us that everything would be alright… Just saying “thank you” is not enough, but I truly want to express once more how grateful I am to them. We are truly so proud of how much you’ve strengthened “Team Sakurazaka.” Buddies are truly a presence that we can be proud of. Like, it’s to the point I even want to introduce each and every one of the fans who support me. I want to say, “Takemoto-oshi Buddies are awesome, y’know!” Seriously speaking, I wouldn’t have been able to come this far without my fans. Now that I’m about to graduate, that feeling has become more real than ever. I sincerely believe from the bottom of my heart that “I am who I am today because of all of you.”

Q In that sense, I believe that Sakurazaka46 wouldn’t be where it is today without Takemoto Yui.

Takemoto: No, no, that’s not true. It was Fuyuka-san in particular, when she was still in the group, she was trying to improve the quality of our dance because she wanted to make the group even better, but in my case I don’t have such a broad perspective. But… if I see a member looking a bit anxious in the mirror when we’re rehearsing, there’s no reason not to say something, right? If I just stayed quiet and let the choreography stay imperfect as we headed into the actual performance, I’d regret it too, and it also wouldn’t be good for that girl. So I try to say something as soon as I notice.

Lately, I feel like I’ve mainly been taking care of the 4th generation members, and occasionally I’ll care for the 3rd generation members too, but my genmates can already solve things on their own. So I don’t look their way at all (laughs). That said, it’s not like I’m always consciously watching the juniors all the time either, it’s more like something that I just do when I notice it.

Q Mukai Itoha-san mentioned it too. “When Itoha is stuck or confused, Chuke-san (Takemoto) notices and asks, ‘Itoha, you’re stuck, aren’t you?’ “ So I think that you saying you don't have a broad perspective is just you being modest.

Takemoto: Personally, I feel the happiest when my seniors teach me something. Even now I still clearly remember situations like, “It helped me so much when they’d speak to me when I felt nervous” or “Whenever they’d speak to me, it’d make me feel good that whole day.” So I felt that it was my turn to do for others what made me happy to receive myself. Someone I know once told me, “Don’t just repay the favors you receive, pay them forward.” So recently I’ve been making an effort to pass those favors forward in a different way, rather than simply repaying the person who helped me. But personally, I’d like to do both.

I said before that I will repay the kindness I received from the groupーboth members and staffーbefore I leave, but as graduation approaches I’ve started to think, “Maybe the last thing I can do as a member of Sakurazaka46 is to pay it forward.” Though even if I say that, it would just be something like a casual conversation leading me to try chatting with the 4th generation members (laughs). But when I try speaking with them, I realize, “There are surprisingly so many things that I wanted to talk with them about, but just couldn’t bring myself to say.” Come to think of it, I was also happy when the 1st generation members spoke to me, and so I’ve been enjoying chatting with my juniors while thinking of it as another way of paying it forward (laughs).

Q I’m sure the kindness that you’ve paid forward will continue to be passed along through the 3rd and 4th generational members. While of course I think that you are a person of character, I think that Takemoto Yui’s true strength lies in performance. And so, I would like you to choose what you think your best act is.

Takemoto: If I had to pick one in particular, it would be the dance track I performed before “Abura wo Sase!” at the Tokyo Dome concert in June 2024. Of course, I’m still plenty motivated to continue improving myself (laughs), but considering the amount of time and depth of feeling that I put into that performance, I think it has to be the one.

First I appeared alone on the stage and danced, then I danced with the members, and then “Abura wo Sase!” began, though I wanted the whole venue to clap along. But with it only being the second time I choreographed something, I feel that I learned in that moment just how difficult it is to present it as entertainment rather than just dancing. I really researched a lot about how to make the audience want to clap along naturally, not just with the choreography but also using things like the direction my body is facing, trying to incorporate quick claps into the dance moves, and working together with the stage director to find ways to get everyone in the entire venue into it.

From then on my awareness changed. Instead of just creating choreography that felt good to dance, I started thinking about how to create choreography that would make people naturally want to watch and would get the venue excited. What caused such a drastic change in my perspective was the Tokyo Dome concert in 2024; I was so happy at the fact that there was an audience of 52,000 people clapping along to the dance that I choreographed myself for the actual performance.

But it wasn’t just self-satisfaction. After the concert, I received some impressions from people, such as “It was so fun to be united with everyone through clapping,” and that’s when I truly realized “Ah, so this is what a live performance truly is!” It isn’t just about having people watch, what it’s really about is getting to experience the joy of being able to create something together. That day, I also received a lot of high praise from the stage director, which also became a confidence boost for me. So yes, it’s my best act so far (laughs).

Q And you’re determined to surpass that before your graduation.

Takemoto: That’s my plan. In fact, even now I’m still feeling the pangs of creation. The process of turning 1 into 100 is fun, but creating something from 0 to 1 is truly hard. It’s so painful that I cried from it, but in the past, I used to also cry over negative things such as the difficulty of balancing my university and idol activities or not knowing how I could contribute to the group. But nowadays, other than feeling that pain from creating something and from hearing the words the members offer me once it’s brought to fruition, I don’t cry. When I realized that, it was like “Wow, these are actually tears of happiness.” 

Learning over the past 7.5 years just how much the meaning behind the tears you shed has truly become a treasure to me. And it was my wonderful groupmates and fans who taught me that… Even if I were to be reborn, I would still want to be an idol as a member of Sakurazaka46. The fact that I can think that way means that, overall, I’ve had a wonderful life as an idol, and I’d like to tell my younger self from when I first joined, “Even if you feel as if you’re lost, keep going. Because a future filled with laughter is definitely waiting for you!”

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Raw: kiryu

Translation: tmi & peezy