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arashitranslation
An interview was done to ARASHI members before the Kouhaku Uta Gassen to be held on the year’s eve. They talked about ARASHI member Aiba Masaki (34) working at host alone, and performing the last finale for the first time. The dialogue is as below.
－You have been on stage for seven times and this year you will perform the last finale.
Matsumoto Jun: We were surprised by playing such a big role as performer of the last finale, though Aiba-san being the host was also a surprise to us.
Ohno Satoshi: We really didn’t know this until the very last minute, it’s like… the feeling was like a cheating program.
Sakurai Sho: Though we were nervous when we first appeared on the 60th Kouhaku, it is unimaginable that we would perform (the last finale) after several years, we’re just very surprised.
Ninomiya Kazunari: Well… It’s like a matter of other person. Well… I thought it’s great. When we do this now, we can’t help but trembling. It’s like ‘Is it OK [for us to do this]?’. I am relieved that we perform under the preparation of NHK-san.
Aiba Masaki: I have sense of tension (towards the hosting duty), though [the event will] proceed [as planned], I think it may be bit at ease if I complete our singing, I thought deep in heart that I wanted to sing our songs a bit earlier. When I heard that we would perform the last finale, I was shocked… really kept on feeling shocked. I have to keep the singing in my mind, and have to keep the hosting duties in my mind, the sense of tension was huge… multiple times.
－It seemed that you had practiced introducing the last song [of Kouhaku] at ARASHI’s Tokyo Dome live tour?
Aiba: We assumed how the event would go and did (the introduction of the song during Dome live tour). But I didn’t think it would be done or said on Kouhaku…
－Will you introduce your own song as the host during the last finale?
Aiba No no no no no no… if I do it I would not be able to perform.
－When ARASHI was the host, did others introduce ARASHI’s song?
Sakurai: We were introduced.
Aiba: Though I think that the song may be introduced by someone else… By the way one hour ago, I did the host interview (with Arimura Kasumi and Takeda Shinichi)… it was the first time I did the interview [related to Koukahu] two times a day.
Ninomiya: That’s great.
－What do you expect from Aiba-san’s hosting work?
Sakurai: Well… though perhaps I should not say so, indeed I expect some extent of panic. Strictly, exactly… in fact, I don’t ask for that. I hope to see Aiba-san hosting joyfully in his style without fearing making mistakes.
Aiba: That’s right, straight to the work.
Matsumoto: If this is something you have to do, then just go for it. We five have been the host and had such experience. Perhaps we can pull Arimura-san a bit… How about that?
Aiba: No, I rely on Arimura-san (giggle).
－On the contrary, what do you worry about [Aiba-san]?
Ohno: What do we worry about him? We five have been performing several times so I think he will perform [as usual].
Aiba: Is it not the choreography of the last finale?
Ohno: There are some new choreography somehow. As you are always out to work, you don’t have time to check the choreography.
Aiba: There is Kouhaku version’s choreography… Today I’ll stay behind to practice it (giggle).
Ninomiya: I think you can do it, normally. That’s why you are chosen, indeed just as others said, I want to see a happy concert.
－What is the high point?
Matsumoto: We are about to start our rehearsal… I talk to the NHK staff, this time, as we play the big role of performing the last finale for the first time, our songs will be simple, we’ll make the medley with the songs which we’ve been singing all along.
Source: http://www.nikkansports.com/entertainment/news/1758545.html