Morning Musume。'22 Interview with Kaga Kaede and Yokoyama Reina just before Morito Chisaki's graduation: Growing up through "relationships with people"
Morito Chisaki will be gratuating from Morning Musume。'22 as well as Hello! Project on June 20 with a last concert at the Nippon Budokan entitled "Morning Musume。'22 CONCERT TOUR ~Never Been Better!~ Morito Chisaki Sotsugyou Special".
Morito made her major debut on 2015 joining Country Girls and since 2017, she became a member of Morning Musume。. In 2019, Country Girls disbanded, she then became a full-time member of Morning Musume。. This year, on February, she announced her graduation to be able to study abroad. What has Morito thought, felt, and gained through her activities over the past seven and a half years? And what does she see for the future as she nears graduation?
Real Sound interviewed Morito herself, as well as Kaede Kaga and Reina Yokoyama, who are close friends of her. We asked them to look back on Morito's past activities from both subjective and objective perspectives.
Morito made her major debut on 2015 joining Country Girls and since 2017, she became a member of Morning Musume。. In 2019, Country Girls disbanded, she then became a full-time member of Morning Musume。. This year, on February, she announced her graduation to be able to study abroad. What has Morito thought, felt, and gained through her activities over the past seven and a half years? And what does she see for the future as she nears graduation?
Real Sound interviewed Morito herself, as well as Kaede Kaga and Reina Yokoyama, who are close friends of her. We asked them to look back on Morito's past activities from both subjective and objective perspectives.
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Finally ready to go
── Morito-san, once again, please tell us how you decided to graduate. The official announcement spoke about "going to study abroad" ...
Morito Chisaki : Yes, I wanted to learn English. My first opportunity to talk english was in 2018 when Morning Musume。'18 went to Mexico City and New York. I had never been abroad before, so I was really surprised by the reaction of the audience. Whenever we said a single word, the fans' reaction was to scream (laughs). Everyone screamed.
Yokoyama Reina : Yeah yeah (laughs).
Morito : Of course, we are always happy to hear the support of the Japanese audience as well ...
── It's not that one is better or worse than the other, but simply that they are different types, right?
Morito : Exactly. I felt ashamed saying only the words "Thank you" to the English fans, even though they were trying so hard to express their feelings. That's when I started thinking "I want to learn English so I can express my feelings in more different ways as well".
── I see.
Morito : About two years later, that feeling hadn't changed at all, and it was around that time that I began to think that I would like to study abroad someday. But the corona pandemic happened so it was difficult for me to go. It was only this year that I finally got everything ready.
── So the purpose of your study abroad was mainly for language? Not dance or anything like that.
Morito : That's right. But I like dancing, so maybe I will do it someday, however I don't have any plans to do it yet.
I'm honestly sad to see you go to a place where I won't see you soon
Yokoyama : Quite recently ...
Kaga Kaede : Around the end of February ?
── This timing isn't so different from the official announcement.
Kaga : That's true. Actually, I wasn't that surprised at that time. The group is currently going throughso many changes, such as the fact we were able to do a solo tour this year - after not being able to do so for a while due to the corona pandemic, and the graduation of Sato Masaki-san at the end of last year, so ... I kinda thought "It's quite possible that someone will graduate soon". However I didn't think it would be Morito-san. So in a sense, it was within my expectations, but I still felt "sad" about it.
Yokoyama : With the corona pandemic, I haven't been able to see the members as often as I would like, and I haven't been able to go out to eat with them neither. When she told me about, I was just thought "We will be able to go out and have fun again soon. You're going overseas!? Isn't that far!?" (laughs).
Morito & Kaga : Hahahahaha (laughs) !
Morito & Kaga : Hahahahaha (laughs) !
Yokoyama : Since Morito-san joined Morning Musume。only 6 months after me, we were really close. There were so many times when we worked together. So I'm sad to see her go to a place where I can't see her right away even if I wanted to. That was the first feeling that came to me when I learned about the graduation.
── Morito-san, did you consult with any of the members about your graduation?
Morito : Not really... I don't think I consulted anyone in particular. I had my new goal "I want to study abroad" that was the thing I wanted to do next, and I felt that the time has come.
── It's true that many members of Hello! Project, including Morning Musume。, have a strong sense of "self" and are able to make decisions without the need to consult with others. Perhaps they tend to avoid wavering in their decisions by asking for advice.
Kaga : That may be so.
── I heard that you plan to study abroad for about a year and a half. I understand that after returning to Japan, you will be performing here again.
Morito : Yes. ...Maybe (laughs).
Kaga : That's still a "plan" (laughs).
Kaga : That may be so.
── I heard that you plan to study abroad for about a year and a half. I understand that after returning to Japan, you will be performing here again.
Morito : Yes. ...Maybe (laughs).
Kaga : That's still a "plan" (laughs).
── I don't mind being indeterminate, but what do you think about "the kind of person I want to become after studying abroad" at this point?
Morito : I haven't decided on the form of my activities yet, but since I'm going to study abroad, I would like to have a job where I can use English. Also, I really lack confidence in myself at the moment, so I would like to go abroad and come back with more confidence.
Yokoyama : It's important. Morito-san is very serious and eager to learn, I'm sure she will come back fluent in English.
Morito : You say that again (laughs).
Morito : I haven't decided on the form of my activities yet, but since I'm going to study abroad, I would like to have a job where I can use English. Also, I really lack confidence in myself at the moment, so I would like to go abroad and come back with more confidence.
Yokoyama : It's important. Morito-san is very serious and eager to learn, I'm sure she will come back fluent in English.
Morito : You say that again (laughs).
── If you look at the members' graduation process of Morning Musume。; going abroad to study and then returning to Japan to become a singer, that process alone would be the "Sayashi Riho route" wouldn't it?
Morito : Indeed (laughs). I wasn't consciously aware of it, but of course I thought she was cool when I saw her took this path. It's really cool that you go to a new place, polish your weapons even more, and come back and stand in front of everyone again. I was really inspired by that.
Morito : Indeed (laughs). I wasn't consciously aware of it, but of course I thought she was cool when I saw her took this path. It's really cool that you go to a new place, polish your weapons even more, and come back and stand in front of everyone again. I was really inspired by that.
The "cheese stink" incident that completely changed Morito's image
── Now, please tell us about your past activities. How did you felt about the decision to move from Country Girls to Morning Musume。?
Morito : At the time, I was just surprised. Other than that, my emotions didn't catch up with me. After a while, I began to think "I'm so happy to be a member of Morning Musume。" but it did take some time.
Yokoyama : When I heard that three members of Country Girls would be transferred into Hello! Project's groups, I was convinced that Morito would come to Morning Musume。.
Morito : How did you know (laughs).
Yokoyama : I didn't know, but I thought it probably was.
Kaga : I had also predicted that it would be Morito-san.
Morito : Ehh, amazing.
Kaga : I couldn't think other than ANGERME for Funakki (Funaki Musubu) and Juice=Juice for Yanamin (Yanagawa Nanami).
Yokoyama : There was something like that, wasn't it? It was a pretty clean split, or rather, it was a perfect fit. I got the impression that everyone fit in right away.
── Do you have any episodes that have left a strong impression on you during your activities with Morito-san, who joined the group in a particularly way?
Kaga : The first coming in my mind is the "cheese stink" incident.
Yokoyama : Hahahahaha ! It's nostalgic (laughs). We all remember that one, don't we?
Morito : Oh no, not again, not that story (laughs).
Kaga : When she first joined us, I had the impression that Morito-san was a "shy, quiet, cute" person. She would immediately turn bright red in the face. Then one day, Makino (Maria)-san was eating a lunch box filled with powdered cheese in the dressing room. We who were backstage didn't notice it, but when she smelled the aroma of cheese filling the room, she fell down screaming "Cheese stinks! Cheese stinks!".
All : Hahahahaha (laughs) !
Kaga : I was shocked that Morito-san would use such language. I was so shocked and laughed so hard (laughs). From that point on, my impression of Morito-san changed rapidly.
── From your point of view Morito-san, do you feel like you were able to express yourself?
Morito : I just accidentally showed my true colors (laughs).
Yokoyama : That's how bad it really smelled (laughs).
Morito : Makino-san loves cheese and puts an incredible amount on it (laughs). I was so shocked by it that I just said it.
Yokoyama : What also left an impression on me was what Morito-san said about me on the radio. I had just joined Morning Musume。and Morito-san was still only a member of Country Girls. At that time, Hello! Project had a lot of live distribution events and I happened to be with Morito-san. At that time, I wasn't as "honest" as her yet (laugh) about my personality, so I was just quietly "cute♡" like an idol.
Morito : You were wearing a catsuit (laughs).
Yokoyama : Later, Morito-san said on radio "I'm a shy person, but Yokoyama-chan was okay to be next to me" which made me very happy. I listened to that radio show so many times.
Morito & Kaga : Hahahahaha (laughs) !
Morito : First of all, I'm surprised at my statement that you were okay with being next to me.
Yokoyama : (laughs)
Morito : But in fact, Yoko (Yokoyama) is friendly and easy to talk to, and I felt from that time that one of her strengths was that she was able to easily get along with people regardless of whether they were senpai or kohai.
── Was there a part of you that found it easier to join Morning Musume。because of that kind of presence?
Morito : She was definitely one of the members who was easy to talk to from the beginning. I was nervous all the time on my first tour as Morning Musume。. because of all the things I was unfamiliar with, but I turned a lot to Yoko during the tour and I'm thankful for that.
Kaga : The first coming in my mind is the "cheese stink" incident.
Yokoyama : Hahahahaha ! It's nostalgic (laughs). We all remember that one, don't we?
Morito : Oh no, not again, not that story (laughs).
Kaga : When she first joined us, I had the impression that Morito-san was a "shy, quiet, cute" person. She would immediately turn bright red in the face. Then one day, Makino (Maria)-san was eating a lunch box filled with powdered cheese in the dressing room. We who were backstage didn't notice it, but when she smelled the aroma of cheese filling the room, she fell down screaming "Cheese stinks! Cheese stinks!".
All : Hahahahaha (laughs) !
Kaga : I was shocked that Morito-san would use such language. I was so shocked and laughed so hard (laughs). From that point on, my impression of Morito-san changed rapidly.
── From your point of view Morito-san, do you feel like you were able to express yourself?
Morito : I just accidentally showed my true colors (laughs).
Yokoyama : That's how bad it really smelled (laughs).
Morito : Makino-san loves cheese and puts an incredible amount on it (laughs). I was so shocked by it that I just said it.
Yokoyama : What also left an impression on me was what Morito-san said about me on the radio. I had just joined Morning Musume。and Morito-san was still only a member of Country Girls. At that time, Hello! Project had a lot of live distribution events and I happened to be with Morito-san. At that time, I wasn't as "honest" as her yet (laugh) about my personality, so I was just quietly "cute♡" like an idol.
Morito : You were wearing a catsuit (laughs).
Yokoyama : Later, Morito-san said on radio "I'm a shy person, but Yokoyama-chan was okay to be next to me" which made me very happy. I listened to that radio show so many times.
Morito & Kaga : Hahahahaha (laughs) !
Morito : First of all, I'm surprised at my statement that you were okay with being next to me.
Yokoyama : (laughs)
Morito : But in fact, Yoko (Yokoyama) is friendly and easy to talk to, and I felt from that time that one of her strengths was that she was able to easily get along with people regardless of whether they were senpai or kohai.
── Was there a part of you that found it easier to join Morning Musume。because of that kind of presence?
Morito : She was definitely one of the members who was easy to talk to from the beginning. I was nervous all the time on my first tour as Morning Musume。. because of all the things I was unfamiliar with, but I turned a lot to Yoko during the tour and I'm thankful for that.
Changes in Morito Chisaki as seen by Kaga Kaede & Yokoyama Reina
Morito : I think it's probably the relationships with people. At first, I debuted as Country Girls, then I was assigned to Morning Musume。, so I had more opportunities to interact with many different people. I think that was the biggest part of my growth.
── Was there a moment when you felt that growth?
Morito : It's hard for me to say that I "grew up" (laughs), but it was around the time after the corona. Before the corona, I was with the members everyday and that was the norm. Since there were so many of us, it was normal to say nothing more than "good morning" to each other during the day, and we didn't mind that. Once we stopped seeing each other, I began to feel that I was wasting my time and I regretted that I should have been more active in communicating with them. Then, when activities began to return to their normal pace, I began to make a conscious effort to "talk to all the members equally". I think one of the biggest changes for me was that I was able to consciously change my behavior in this way.
Kaga : I also felt that when I saw you. I felt that Morito-san had changed a lot since she had gone through the period when we didn't see the members as much as we would have liked.
Yokoyama : Indeed. After the self-restraint ...
Morito : Did I become loud?
Yokoyama : You might have gotten loud (laughs).
Kaga : (Laughs). But I think that's a great thing. When you have so many members, it's easy to become biased toward those with whom you talk. It's truly amazing that you are able to consciously make a conscious effort to talk to everyone evenly. I would never have been able to do that if I were you.
Morito : That kind of thing again (laughs).
Yokoyama : Especially in the case of Morito-san, I had the impression that she was shy. Recently, she's doing the exact opposite, she has been really friendly and chatty with everyone backstage, which I think is a lot of fun.
── This change in awareness is going to be useful in your study abroad program.
Morito : Yes, I want to do my best.
Morito-san is the Morning Musume。's balancer
── Kaga-san, Yokoyama-san, from your point of view, what kind of presence was Morito-san for Morning Musume。?
Kaga : She's the balancer. Once I turned our attention in the direction of "talking to everyone evenly" as you just mentioned, I feel that she naturally became the type of person who balances Morning Musume。. That type of person naturally balances the group without showing it off, so it's difficult to notice in everyday life. That's why I think that after her sotsugyou, we will probably be reminded of her greatness. In that sense, I'm a little scared for the future.
── They say the better a voluntary is, the more her presence disappears. It's only when they are gone that you appreciate them.
Yokoyama : Indeed. Also, Morito-san was an inspiration to me in terms of performance. She injected the essence of "cuteness" and expressiveness that she had cultivated in Country Girls into Morning Musume。. Since many of the members are close to her in age, I think many of us were inspired by her and even saw her as a rival. While there were many members who were close in age, she maintained a good balance among the members, and I think she was an amazing presence.
── Were you aware of the balance you are maintaining among the members?
Morito : Not at all. I haven't done anything.
Yokoyama : She's a natural volante.
── I see (laughs). So, Morito-san, what was the moment when you felt the significance of your existence within Morning Musume。?
Morito : I have never felt that (laughs).
Yokoyama : She always says this!
── Conversely, you don't have that feeling of "Is it okay for me to be here"?
Morito : Yes, it has always been there. When I auditioned for Morning Musume。, I wasn't officially told that I had been accepted. I was wondering in my heart if it was okay to join Morning Musume。, and that thought never went away... That feeling hasn't completely disappeared, but I do feel more happy to be a part of Morning Musume。than I did when I first joined the group. I think it's thanks to everyone.
Kaga : She's the balancer. Once I turned our attention in the direction of "talking to everyone evenly" as you just mentioned, I feel that she naturally became the type of person who balances Morning Musume。. That type of person naturally balances the group without showing it off, so it's difficult to notice in everyday life. That's why I think that after her sotsugyou, we will probably be reminded of her greatness. In that sense, I'm a little scared for the future.
── They say the better a voluntary is, the more her presence disappears. It's only when they are gone that you appreciate them.
Yokoyama : Indeed. Also, Morito-san was an inspiration to me in terms of performance. She injected the essence of "cuteness" and expressiveness that she had cultivated in Country Girls into Morning Musume。. Since many of the members are close to her in age, I think many of us were inspired by her and even saw her as a rival. While there were many members who were close in age, she maintained a good balance among the members, and I think she was an amazing presence.
── Were you aware of the balance you are maintaining among the members?
Morito : Not at all. I haven't done anything.
Yokoyama : She's a natural volante.
── I see (laughs). So, Morito-san, what was the moment when you felt the significance of your existence within Morning Musume。?
Morito : I have never felt that (laughs).
Yokoyama : She always says this!
── Conversely, you don't have that feeling of "Is it okay for me to be here"?
Morito : Yes, it has always been there. When I auditioned for Morning Musume。, I wasn't officially told that I had been accepted. I was wondering in my heart if it was okay to join Morning Musume。, and that thought never went away... That feeling hasn't completely disappeared, but I do feel more happy to be a part of Morning Musume。than I did when I first joined the group. I think it's thanks to everyone.
Morning Musume。is "love"
Morito : I'm not really feeling it yet, I'm just getting a sense of the atmosphere. However, at the graduation concerts of the past graduating senpai, everyone looked so sparkling as if magic had been cast on them, and they graduated looking their most beautiful, so I hope I will be able to do the same. For now, all I can say is, "Let's do what we can do now" and "Let's prepare well". I want to enjoy my time with the members until the very end.
Kaga : Last year's concert for Sato-san's graduation was a one-off performance, but this time it will be the final concert of the tour, so I would like to make this special performance for Morito-san's graduation a particularly special one in the tour.
Yokoyama : I hope everything will go without a hitch and all 13 of us will be together to make this a memorable performance.
── This is a bit off topic, but Juice=Juice's Inaba Manaka is graduating about the same time. For Morito-san, Inaba-san's graduation must have been very special.
Morito : Yes it is. It's strange that the graduation date is so close to ... We were in the same group when I first joined Country Girls, so I have a strong emotional attachment to her. Manaka graduated from Country Girls once, and then went on to become a trainee in Hokkaido before coming back as a member of Juice=Juice, she really worked hard. Anyway, I would like to say "Good job!".
── Now the last question. "What does Morning Musume。means to Morito Chisaki ?" in one word.
Morito : One word!? So, it might be... Yes, it's "love"!
── So Morning Musume。is "love".
Morito : I've always loved Morning Musume。and always will. I have always admired them since I was in junior high school. Even now, I can't believe that I'm among them, I have that strange feeling. Even after I graduate, I'll probably still wonder why I was there. It was a place where I had many valuable experiences and met many people, and I believe that I am who I am today because of Morning Musume。. It was a very important time in my life.
Kaga : We will probably call frequently after your sotsugyou. Even if it's late at night where you are, I'll call you, so I hope you will answer.
Morito : Yes (laughs).
Yokoyama : I hope you will always give me a call whenever you feel lonely, Morito-san, and although I think a year and a half is a long time, I'm looking forward to seeing what will happen when we meet again, so I wish you the best of luck!
Morito : I will do my best.
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