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Weekly Tokyo Walker + No.31 with Takahashi Juri

Takahashi Juri, captain of AKB48 Team B 

She is going to talk about the title of the photobook and the anecdote of the shooting. 

"I give 100 points to this photobook. It is a very special photobook."

Last June, the "AKB48 53rd Single World Selection General Election" has been held and Juri ranked 12th. The single "Sentiment Train" released on 9/19 with senbatsu members of AKB48. At 7/24 her first photo album "Ambigious Self" was released.

"It was an honor to be on a magazine swimsuit page, but I was even surprised to have a photobook. I didn't think about to have one. When it comes to the photobook of an idol, the impression of a cheerful smile made me uncomfortable. However, during the meeting, I was asked to read the photobook of Asano Atsuko, who was shooting since the age of 20, and then said to me, "I want to shoot in this style." Looking at it makes me feel that this kind of non-smiling face is cold. The cold style is OK. I also want to say that many members of AKB48 have already produced photobooks, but not a lot of them have this kind of style. I think this proposal is very good."

The location was taken in Taiwan.

"I stayed in Taiwan for 4 days and 3 nights. Taipei is a big city. I took pictures while eating there. Tainan and Kaohsiung's place show unrealistic scenery, it is a place full of nature. We went to many places. Shooting, for me, is full of freshness, because this is my first time in Taiwan. But I was scared when I saw the finished product. I originally wanted to say that it would look more idolous, but it showed me the most natural side. There are photos that reflect the dark side of my heart. For idols, it is 0 points (laughs). You can see the expressions that are absolutely invisible when shooting in the magazine swimsuit to this photobook. For the set, I gave 100 points, which is a very special photobook."

​The title "Ambigious Self / Aima na Jibun" was named by the general producer Akimoto. 

"At the age of 20, I started to think about a lot of things. I feel that AKB48 is a relay point. The idea of ​​"graduation" has always been in my heart. This time I am very confused about it. I have too many things to worry about. I want to be good. I wanna make good decision but I couldn't do it well. This time, Akimoto Yasushi sent a list of some photobook titles, one of which is "Aima na Jibun." At first, I want to say that I am now, in the eyes of Akimoto saw that I am very ambiguous and a little lost. But this is the current state of my life."That's it." after talking to the photobook staff. The next morning, the staff came to give the write up of the book, I was surprised after seeing it. The content does not feel that I am ambiguous, but completely the opposite. I can do it. I don’t need to have such a clear barrier. The sentence was really helpful to me."

I asked her which area of ​​Tokyo she likes. 

"I like Shibuya and Harajuku. I often go there to buy things."

Favorite food? 

"It's a meat dish. Burning meat is the best thing I could to keep my spirit up and feel happy (laughs). I also like sweets. Pearl milk tea, coconut fruit. I like food that tastes like jelly. I ate shaved ice in Taiwan."

Asked what would be done on the day off?

"Watching foreign dramas and movies. Sometimes I go to coffee shop, even the roast meat shop I will go there alone (laugh)."

The country that you want to travel is "Mexico" 

"Now Iriyama Anna is in Mexico, it seems to be very hot but the humidity is very low. Because it is far away, it is not the kind of country that can you walk whenever you want, but it's good to go there while Iriyama Anna is still there."

Next, let Takahashi-san analyze her character.

"There's a lot of Lala place going on, but there are many different sides. so the character is very complex. Even I feel that I am a very troublesome person (laughs)."

The color you like is "red"

"I like bright colors since I was a child. The color I really like very much is red. I often wear red dresses and so on."

She finally told us the she liked the word, "Ambiguous"

"I like the word "暧昧". I have always hated ambiguous, even hated the word. But through the title of this photobook, which came from Akimoto. It saved me from hating it more. It made me start to like the word."

--translation: izonesaltyfan / takahashi juri directory

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Takahashi Juri 2018 gravure set 2 #타카하시쥬리 #高橋朱里 #TakahashiJuri #AKB48 #yby #gravure #bubka #extaishu #entame https://www.instagram.com/p/Bogy9NvnL0N/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=2lkyw5v5jaer

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Out of all the gravure photos, I think this is the most beautiful set! It was more focused on her facial expression than to her body pose which I think was a good choice. I would like to commend the photographer for taking shots like this! #타카하시쥬리 #高橋朱里 #TakahashiJuri #AKB48 #yby https://www.instagram.com/p/Boea3IBnpVD/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1v4efgbh5edhs

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Ambiguous Self / 曖昧な自分 Photobook Takahashi Juri 1st photobook #프로듀스48 #Produce48 #타카하시쥬리 #高橋朱里 #TakahashiJuri #AKB48 #yby https://www.instagram.com/p/BoW5geKnoEp/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1f6h3rowf684b

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Aima na Jibun: Photobook Interview Part 3

On October 3, 1997, Takahashi Juri was born in Ibaraki Prefecture. Her family is composed of 5 members her mother, father, older brother and a younger brother. As for her hometown of Ibaraki, she didn’t talk much in the past...

"(There aren't many talks) This is often pointed out, and fans in the same prefecture often get angry with me because of this. 'Do you hate Ibaraki?' They asked me like this (laugh). This is a misunderstanding! I just know a little bit about my hometown. As a graduating student, I take a high-speed train from my hometown and to work place back and forth every day. I will get up at 4 am for the handshake event... I still have a few interesting stories about my hometown."

The childhood dream was to become an actress. Although she herself said, "I really don't know why I am so interested in actresses." but the vision of the TV dramas and the movie world gave her an opportunity to meet AKB48.

"I didn't know AKB48 at that time, but I liked Maeda-san(Atsuko), who was active in the TV. Back in home, the lights were turned off early, but as long as there was a TV drama starring Maeda-san, I was very determined to stay up late. In addition, I also saw the MV of "RIVER" and "ポニーテールとシュシュ", only to realize that 'Maeda-san is an idol, it is AKB48'. 'Idol can also play a TV series. It's so great, it looks fun. Interesting!"

Not to mention the audition at the age of 13, she did not even experience an interview at that time, but she made a beautiful pass. Soon after, the ignorant Takahashi, who could not adapt to the status quo, paid attention to it in an unexpected form. She participated in the TBS variety show "Ariyoshi AKB Republic". At the beginning of the debut, her introduction was completely different from the cute self-introduction, it was recognized by the audience and got the nickname "messhi (dead eyes)". In an instant she became the object of the program.

"It's a great thing to think about it now. At the time, I wasn't used to TV. I was not tempted to be spoiled, I didn't feel that it would do me any good. In fact, I was very deeply troubled by it." Although I was noticed in the show, I actually sang and danced badly. My fellow 12th-gen members, such as (Tano) Yuka, were top kenkyuusei. Her expression is very positive, her dance is outstanding, she jumps in the performance, Mayuyu (Watanabe). The position in the theater grow gradually... I, instead, starred in TV show because of my 'dead eyes'. The difference has always made me nervous. I'm really just a person who can't do anything."

The first and second general election results are outside the circle. She was troubled and spent the first three years of her debut. Just then, some members extended a helping hand to her. "At the time I was at Team A, Captain Yokoyama (Yuiyui) gave me a lot of opportunities. For example, she would say 'MC will give it to you, come on,' and 'Juri, can you help me summarize the speech?' Standing at the 16th position of the performance, which is the most corner position, but Yokoyama-san and other members support me. Rina (Kawaei) and Anna (Iriyama) are also there. Although there were a lot of support, I am still worried. I almost cry every day because I can't do anything, but I love the team. Now, in retrospect, it is also a very happy time. I buried my head and worked hard. The fans stood behind me and cheered for me."

"The next generation concerts (Note: "the next generation of national tour" held by the 15-year old next generation members at the time), all kinds of tasks were handed over to me. Although I was still not good at singing and dancing at that time, I had a good relationship with the members and I was good at communication, so I could naturally and smoothly in MC."

After that, in the 2014 general election, she entered the circle and won 28, the first time into the under girls. Since then, her presence as a central figure in the next generation has continued to grow.

——Translation: izonesaltyfan / takahashi juri directory

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Aima na Jibun: Photobook Interview Part 2

[The 'ambigious self' perceived in Taiwan]

Taiwan has been filmed in Taipei, Kaohsiung and Tainan. What did you gain in the first visit to the city?

"The time spent in Taiwan is a precious memory. The dreamy sunset and the high wide sky seen on a long bridge in Tainan are the most impressive scenery. I am deeply touched. The days when there are no fans and members are rare, so time in Taiwan has become an opportunity to face a head. The local people live in an ordinary way, but there is a huge amount of energy out of the ordinary. Even in places without windows and poor sanitary conditions. Some people lived that way. Something like this it made me realize that I was being looked after and being loved by everyone. After going to Taiwan, I realized that I am weak, my heart is heavy. There is rather a 'small person'. Now I am always confused by all kinds of things. For example, there seem to be two of me in the world, one is me as an idol, and the other is me who is a girl before entering AKB48. On the other hand, I want to distinguish everything from black to white, and I want to draw clear and clear boundaries. I don’t have time to think at different times and in different places. To think about these things. However, through this shoot, I present the most essential time has gradually extended, although only a little bit, I began to forgive and thereby accept such ambiguous self."

——Translation: izonesaltyfan / takahashi juri directory

--Translation: izonesaltyfan / takahashi juri directory

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Aima na Jibun: Takahashi Juri's 1st Photobook Interview

"I am not suitable for being an idol."

"Why do I have a photobook?", When she met with the relevant staff of the photobook for the first time, Takahashi asked after saying hello. This is not her humility, but the fact that she thinks publishing her own photobook is too incredible and this feeling is clearly expressed on her face. As a member of senbatsu, the captain of Team B, Takahashi is a top member of the portfolio of comics and photo magazine covers. She is 20 years old and can be said to be the central figure of AKB48G. However, during the pre-shooting discussion, actual shooting outside and even after the filming, she herself often said that she was not confident. She is always confused, troubled, and struggled.

"I didn't even think that I could make a photobook. On the otherhand, I was worried that no one would buy it because I was really not good at photography. The production required me to take part in the shooting, but there was no cause and effect. Just standing in front of the camera, the staff said to me, 'Come on, laugh', that's it. I am not good at this. But I know this is a very important job, I have been doing it for seven years, so it is slow. Slowly, I can do it well. However, I am gradually used to revealing a different expression from the real emotions, which is a bit annoying. At the same time, I watched the members around me put on various expressions and made it sparkling cute. The photos, I feel that they are really powerful. Since I am idol, it is necessary to switch emotions according to the occasion, but I can't always do it. Every time I fail, I will think, I really don't fit in as an idol."

Takahashi finished shooting with this kind of dissatisfaction. During the four days and three nights in Taiwan, confusion, troubles and contradictory emotions were always with her.

"The photobook is totally different from the general photo shoot. In the past, I'm used to be an Idol and I took AKB48 as a normal photo shoot. But the photobook, the first page is in different level, the expression must be rich and varied. It is very difficult for me."

In fact, when she was asked to do a 'natural expression' during the filming, she asked: "What is a natural expression?" Then I fell into contemplation.

"If there is something I don't understand, I will think very seriously. It was also reflected while making the photobook. Because it is a rare photobook, everyone should look forward to seeing 'things that have not been shown so far'. I am getting more and more uneasy when I think about it... I came to overseas to make my mood a lot higher, but this joy is not well conveyed to the staff... I'm sorry (laughs). Maybe for me it’s 'natural' to worry about all the time. I realize that I am in this tangled state, that is, the most essential of me. In the second half of the filming, I completely took off the disguise, I thought 'no! I am already naked!'. Before that, I pretended that I was taking a certain style and responded to the experience of the previous magazines, but I realized that I can't do that now."

In addition to the ‘’no-retouching" true expression, the “close-up feature” represented by lingerie was the first challenge, it is also the unique feature of the photobook. She also told us with straightforward feelings about the sexy pictures that have never been challenged so far.

"When I was in a meeting, my attitude was that I would do anything! But the actual situation is still as simple as it is not said. I can't do it. Because I don't talk about underwear, I don't have much to deal with it. Even in private life, I don't wear swimsuit. Even if I am surrounded by women, I don't want to wear them. I don't go to the beach or go to the pool, even though I am very good at freestyle (laugh). I just resist the nakedness, so those scenes that are more exposed are probably It’s overflowing with my nervousness. When I actually look at the sample, whether it’s the original real expression or the sexy picture, it brings me a strong impact of 'I’m such a person.' I can say that this photobook, there is no idol feeling, and it will not be made for other members. Thus, I have made new discoveries. If it weren't for the photobook, I wouldn't have done a such challenge, so I'm glad I tried. I should not have this kind of photo after graduation, so I want to let more people see it. When I first learned the whole composition of the photobook, I unconsciously took the photo I wanted and write to my mother (laugh). In this way, I recorded my 20-year-old self, and my parents will be proud of me."

——Translation: izonesaltyfan / takahashi juri directory

You can buy her photobook here.

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