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- Q: Your most impressive memory of Heisei era? S: Sorry to say so, but I can only think about becoming ARASHI. I met those four people and we became companions.
- It was the first time since 10th anniversary that only five of them dined together on 3 Nov. Sho-san proposed the dining, and he decided the restaurant, and MatsuJun contacted the restaurant and decided the menu. They had meat.
- He felt concretely the difficulty of finding a restaurant on 3 Nov, their debut day, because it was also Day of Culture, many restaurants did not open that day, so he first searched restaurants that open on Sunday and national holiday.
- During the meal, they talked about health. All of them passed the first half of their thirties so when they gather they mostly talk about health. He thinks the audience in his generation would feel the same.
- "PON!" was changed to "Baguette" and when Aoki-san introduced the programme name, Sho-san made joke saying "Nugget?".
- He doesn't have the lyric note like other rappers usually have. In his occasion, he is given a song of ARASHI, and he writes rap which fits the world view of the song; if he uses what is in the lyric note, the lyrics can't be linked to the song, therefore he doesn't keep anything at all (to prepare for the rap writing). He writes when receiving an order.
- He doesn't quite have chance to listen to the rap written by kouhais, and he apologised for this.
- He lately bought a snow dome in Hamburg, Germany. He went there alone recently, and went to a church, and he bought it at the church's souvenir corner. He didn't turn it upside down because water would leak out.
- It's the tenth time he be the MC of BA.

Source: Baguette, ZIP
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―― 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)."
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"Looking back this year, from past year I have been practicing drum playing and it ended with the arena tour, it would be great if I can practice it again in the coming year. And this is a year with many live broadcast. Music program, election, Olympics… and there will be music program at the year-end."

―― So you will be the Main MC of "Best Artist".
"When I start the preparation work of this program, there is a feeling that year-end finally comes. To me, this is a program which ‘kick off' the year-end. It would be great if the audience also feel the same way."

―― It is the consecutively eighth time you be the Main MC. Looking back all these years, please tell us the episode which impressed you, or thing you missed.
"Indeed in 2009 when I first performed the Main MC, when Kuwata Keisuke-san appeared… I thought if I managed to introduce Kuwata-san's songs, on stage Kuwata-san talked about ‘NEWS ZERO' and Murao (Nobutaka)-san, I was very happy about that and had a deep impression about that."

―― Among the large-scale music programs which are broadcast one by one during year-end, the charm of "Best Artist" is the gathering of lots of Johnny's groups. This year there are 57 people from 10 groups including TOKIO, V6, Kinki Kids, and Arashi to perform. Johnny's Medley is a big high point.
"There is no other occasion than ‘Johnny's Countdown' that can gather so many Johnny's people together, as a Johnny's person I have to say this Medley is a high point (giggle). Indeed during the rehearsal everyone is clamouring. People keep saying things like ‘Oh~ Long time no see', this is interesting. Well, senpais and kouhais are here, I thought that we are about in the very middle of the generations… but there are increasing kouhais (giggle), apart from official filming we also look forward to this chance that senpais and kouhais can meet."

―― In recent years, Arashi's performance have been done with an elaborated theme, what would that be this year?
"With such thing too in tour, this year we would like to sing songs that have not been performed on NTV, it would be great if we can deliver a feeling that we have fun about this."

―― Whether it is Arashi's performance or the unique corner prepared for the program every year, Sakurai[-san] also said firmly "The biggest strength of TV is that it would be great to make a program with the ‘live' feeling, I think it so even now".
"Not only me, staff also think so (giggle). Anyway on that day really many artists will appear and end 2016 with music, it would be great if we would make a gorgeous program."

Q: What is the gorgeous night you have spent recently?
S: Around once in half year, I have a plan with two to three male friends "this time let's something different, let's go to visit a good shop". Including exchange of information, the time spent on such plan is joyful. The feeling like affectedly going to a restaurant where we usually don't go. So it seems a reward to ourselves, and we had such plan around one month ago. Saying so, though we did not do things like going there in special clothes, we had a feeling like we were bit grown-ups.

Sakurai Sho ⇒ Ohno Satoshi
Special Message:
This year you have filmed TV drama and movie, what's more there was a long period of filming for the movie. I think flying around to many places [for filming] was very tough and want to say that you have done a very good job.
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It is the 8th year for me to perform as the Main MC for "Best Artist". When this program is broadcast there is a feeling that the year-end finally comes. The most impressive memory thus far is that, when I performed the Main MC for the first time in 2009, when Kuwata Keisuke-san appeared on stage. I was thinking if I managed to introduce Kuwata-san's songs. At that time, Kuwata-san mentioned about "NEWS ZERO" (NTV) and I was very happy, this was a very impressive memory.

We start the work meeting of Arashi's performance this time. This year, we would like to sing songs that have not been performed on NTV. And then, 57 Johnny's artists from 10 groups will gather, I have to say that this is a high point too (giggle). Various senpais and kouhais meet, we also look forward the time apart from official filming. We Arashi should be in the very middle of the generations, but there have been increasing kouhais when we are not aware of (giggle). As well, during Johnny's Countdown every year, we all gather, from rehearsal we were clamouring and joyful. We greet each other with "Long time no see~" and such atmosphere is interesting.

There are more music programs at the year-end, I think many families watch them together too. I also have memory of watching [music programs] with my family. But there is no kotatsu [foot warmer] in my family, I didn't have memory of… everyone being in the foot warmer (giggle). From the perspective of performer, the year-end music program to me is "festival". Wearing down (jacket) and going to Makuhari at where the venue of "Best Artist" is located, meeting other artists gives me a concrete feeling that "this year is going to end". The song of Arashi which gives a year-end feeling would be "WISH". There is snow and winter in the image of year-end. There was opportunity to sing "WISH" in Christmas SP, it is a song which is easy to sing in winter.

I think the characteristic of "Best Artist" is that splendid artists appear and perform gradually with a good tempo. Though perhaps many watch this program in order to watch their favourite artists, please also enjoy the performance of other artists. I think live broadcast is one charming point of TV program, artists also seem to have fun by the feeling of "live" during the program, I hope we would make a gorgeous music program.

So from now on, my year-end starts. I am getting busy, there is Arashi's tour, I can eat tasty food in various places (giggle). Encouraged by this I shall work hard!
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The Greatest Night I Want To Deliver To You – Sakurai Sho

――NTV Music Program "Best Artist 2016". To Sho-kun as the Main MC for consecutively eight years, this program gives a feeling of start of year-end.
"For me it's like a program as the kick-off of year-end, with feeling like, so finally the year-end of this year comes. Recalling the "Best Artist" thus far, I particularly remembered my first MC task in 2009, when Kuwata Keisuke-san appeared on stage. I never thought that I would introduce Kuwata-san's song. On stage Kuwata-san talked about 'NEWS ZERO' and Murao (Nobutaka)-san and I was extremely happy about that [Kuwata-san said that he watched NEWS ZERO every night and was in the same age as Murao-san]... That memory was really phenomenal."

――This year there are artists representing Japan gather, performing the latest hit songs as well as precious classics too. Of course there will also be 57 people from 10 Johnny's groups to perform!
"It is not easy to arrange so many Johnny's people together. As a Johnny's person I have to say this is one high point (Giggle). There are so many people gathering together, the rehearsal is indeed full of exciting noise. Everyone is saying 'Ah, long time no see!' I also look forward to such feeling this year when senpais and kouhais meet."

――Music is something healing people and giving power to people regardless of time. What music does Sho-kun usually listen to?
"Recently I received the Best Album [Naked & Sweet] from CHARA-san when we met for the TV program filming *櫻井・有吉THE夜会, 16.11.10 O.A. (https://www.facebook.com/theyakai/posts/1152444564845902)*, later I also wanted to go to the live so, recently I have been listening to the Best [Album]. CHARA-san is really in the middle of the generation. I also like 'Swallowtail Butterfly 〜あいのうた〜' of YEN TOWN BAND and 'やさしい気持ち'. These songs which I have listened in the past are also included in the Best Album and this gives a reminiscent feeling. Then, during stand-by the band songs with bit black-music feeling were played. Though I make playlists for all the songs to which I usually listen, I have collected many favourite songs but haven't made playlist for them. For me, I categorise the songs by the year and month I got them. For instance I make [categorisation] like 'October 2016... Album『○○』', 'November... Album『○○』'."

――In regard to the title of the program, from Sho-kun's perspective, please tell us what the "best" moments of Arashi members are.
"Is the best moment of Ohno-san not that he finishes his work early? His facial expression is joyful, and leaves so quickly (Giggle). This is the same for Nino. Those two people are early [to finish their work] and then, when Nino plays games I think this is also the best [moment]. In the midst of playing game he doesn't say things like 'Let's go!' (Giggle). He just concentrates, just like when I am reading newspapers, and plays games silently. Matsujun['s best moment] is when he is in the contest of 'THIS IS MJ' of 'Arashi ni Shiyagare'. He seems very enjoyable in that corner and shines (Giggle). Aiba-kun['s best moment] is the moment he appears on stage for his solo in concert. In the past years there was unique view of world [for his solo performance], the stage of the dome tour this year is really great too. Though every time I think this is the best [moment], this year is quite interesting too (Giggle)."

――We are also concerned about the stage contents of Arashi's performance in "Best Artist" this year.
"We had the arrangement meeting. Though I can't yet convey any details, it would be great if Arashi, just like what we do in tour, would sing songs that have not been performed on NTV this year, and make a stage which delivers a feeling that everyone is having. This program really has a lot of artists to perform, it would be great if we make [this] a gorgeous music program as the end of Year 2016."
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⇒Oricon News『ベストアーティスト』11・29に4時間生放送 嵐・KinKiらジャニーズ10組57人出演 (http://www.oricon.co.jp/news/2081277/full/)

Sakurai Sho of popular group Arashi will work as the Main Host of the NTV Special Music Program "Best Artist 2016" (ベストアーティスト2016, http://www.ntv.co.jp/best-artist/) (19:00~, 29 November 2016). This is the regular large-scale special program in winter and will be broadcast live for four years, this year there will be many latest hit songs and famous songs appearing on the stage of Makuhari Messe, Chiba.

Sakurai-san, being the Main Host of this program for consecutively eight years, said with enthusiasm that "Best Artist gives a feeling that the year-end finally comes, I would like to sum up 2016 by making a splendid program". "One of the charisma of TV program is live broadcast. Many artists will appear in the program, as the show goes on I would be happy if the audience would feel the "live" of the program."

The first release of artists on show is 57 people of 10 groups of Johnny's including TOKIO, V6, KinKi Kids, Arashi, NEWS, Kanjani Eight, Hey! Say! JUMP, Kis-My-Ft2, Sexy Zone, Johnny's WEST. The list of other artists will be released in NTV variety show "Arashi ni Shiyagare" (嵐にしやがれ, www.ntv.co.jp/arashinishiyagare/) (20:00) on 19 November 2016.

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