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arashitranslation
―― The regular year-end music program will be on-air early. Special music program "Best Artist" which Sakurai Sho performs the Main MC for the eighth consecutive years. Sakurai-san himself also says "I feel that the year-end finally comes with this program", now in the living room, can we not say that it is a poem of feeling the coming of the year-end.
"If so I would be happy. Every year, though I have lots of TV works when the yea-end is near, for me 'Best Artist' is the program which kicks off the earliest among them. It would be great if I can make this program that the audience also feel that the year-end is coming. With many artists and with music."
―― In the past seven years, what was the special impression to you――
"It should be in the very first year (2009) when Kuwata Keisuke-san appeared? At that time I had little experience on MC, I wondered if I managed to introduce the songs of Kuwata-san. When Kuwata-san was on stage, he mentioned Murao (Nobutaka)-san and 'NEWS ZERO' (NTV) (※ Kuwata-san said he was in the same age as Murao-san, and watched 'ZERO' frequently). I was very happy about that."
―― Starting from year-end to the beginning of year various TV broadcasters have music programs, what is the charm of "Best Artists"?
"In the first place, 57 people from 10 groups of Johnny's? This is the only program with so many Johnny's people… well, there is so too in 'Johnny's Countdown', but not in other music programs. As for a Johnny's person I have to say that is a high point (giggle). Of course the program itself is joyful, but the rehearsal is also clamouring, everyone. Things like 'Oh~ Long time no see'. That is interesting. Senpais and kouhais are there―― I thought we are about in the middle of the generations, but there are increasing kouhais (giggle) ―― we look forward to senpais and kouhais gathering. And then for this program, there is corner using d-button (※ every year there is corner which audience use the d-button of the family-use remote control to vote). Such try is a breakthrough. I think one big charm of TV is the feeling of 'live'. Though we may be far from each other, such feeling of 'live' exactly conveys a feeling of "now". And, that audience also uses d-button to join the program is one of the biggest strengths of TV. Therefore it would be great to make the program that can convey such live feeling, I think we have been doing this thus far. This is not my effort but the effort of staff (giggle)."
―― Of course Sakurai-san will perform as a member of Artist•Arashi. Has the work meeting about the song list started?
"There is such plan in tour too, we would like to sing songs that have not been performed on NTV. Anyway it would be great if we convey a feeling that we have fun with this. We want to make a gorgeous program to end 2016."
Sakurai Sho – The fascinating experience of musical instrument
"The first musical instrument I learned was electronic organ. From primary grade four I changed to learn piano until secondary grade one. From primary grade four to grade six I was responsible for the trombone in the school's brass band. But I was really interested in trumpet, so I also played trumpet to the extent that I played it at home. Then, during 2015 to 2016, for the concert I practiced drum, I want to seriously [continue] practicing drum when the tour ended. Jazz-like drum set. Though I am very busy now and have not even once touched [the drum set since the end of tour], in the beginning of next year when I shall be more available I want to [resume] practice, I also mentioned it to [drum] teachers. Because I have been immersing in it for more than half year and played it quite well, I don't want to give it up (giggle). Did I play the violin well in 'Arashi ni Shiyagare'? Ah, when I was small, I practiced it for a very short period of time. But it was really a very short period of time!? Just to the extent being able to make sound of it. I don't know at all the how to use left hand [to produce different pitches] (giggle)."