Rena Nozawa Interview in Infoseek Japan
She started her career as an AKB48 member at the beginning of “Dome tour”!
She said “I got a tremor of excitement when I stood on the stage of the AKB48 theater for the first time.”
The newest member of AKB48, Rena Nozawa talks about her JKT48 days in Jakarta for the first time in Japan!
Currently AKB48 is in the midst of “The big 5 domes tour” in Japan, and a new member gotten involved in the tour. Her name is Rena Nozawa, she is one of the first generation of JKT48, who are based in Jakarta.
And also, she was selected as a “senbatsu” member of JKT48’s third single “Koisuru Fortune Cookie” which will be in the stores on the 21st of August and this single disc will also be released in Japan – at the same time as AKB48’s.
For a year and half, she had been active as the only one Japanese member within JKT48, until Haruka Nakagawa and Aki Takajo joined the team, she has since returned to Japan for a family reason in July. Now she doubles as a member JKT48 and AKB48.
Rena Nozawa Interview
— What were the fans’ reactions when you made the announcement of your transfer back to Japan?
At first, I told them just only “I will go back to Japan. I appreciate what you have done for me…” This, it gave my fans a lot of grief… and then a few moments later, one of the staff members of the operation team explained it in more detail. Then my fans were convinced and encouraged me by saying “Ganbatte!”
— Then your double role means that you come and go between both countries?
Details are still to come. Well, my house is here in Japan, but I hope to visit Jakarta as often as I can.
— What attracted you to join JKT48 in the first place?
I had been infatuated with show business, then my father told me about the audition for JKT48.
— Were you sure that you could make it in?
No way, never! So, I just couldn’t believe my ears when I passed. Of course, I was so happy!
— So, you’ve known about AKB48 before joining JKT48?
Yes, but I’ve been living abroad for quite a while, I didn’t know much about.
— You never get a chance to see AKB48 in Jakarta, I guess.
However, the first people who supported us at the JKT48 theater were AKB48 fans in Indonesia.
— Wow, a lot of people knew about AKB48!
Then, with the increase in the volume of fans, we see boys and girls, young and old people. And we gotten on TV and have a regular program now. Yeah, we won many awards! I really appreciate all the fans who support us.
— You speak Indonesian very well, right?
At first I couldn’t speak, I couldn’t enter a conversation.
— So, how did you communicate with other members?
English, at first. I could speak English because I was a student of an international school in Jakarta. And there are also some members or staff who spoke English, they could translate for me. Before I knew it, I became able to speak Indonesian fluently.
— In a handshake session, do you speak with your fans in Indonesian?
Of course, we always talk in Indonesian like “What did you eat for dinner?” “I enjoyed your show!” “Which song do you like the best?” or something.
— Really! It is no different from a handshake session in Japan, by the way which song do you like the best?
”Heart-gata Virus” a song from our theater’s set list. I love the song very much and was so happy to perform this myself!
— You have to perform a long monologue in the song, don’t you?
Yeah, I can do it in Indonesian. But, it’s a little difficult to do it because the Indonesian monologue is a bit longer than the original!
— JKT48 has two other Japanese members, Haruka Nakagawa and Aki Takajo. What do you think about them?
I am learning a lot from them, they are my seniors and big sisters within the AKB48 group. We go shopping together, eating together… JKT48 is like a close family!
— Nakagawa-san takes a center position in your new song, she has quite a career ahead of her, I guess.
Haruka-san is amazing! She stayed in Jakarta only for a half year, now she speaks Indonesian very well. She can do MC sessions or appear TV shows, no problem!
— How about Takajo-san?
Akicha-san usually tells me all sorts of things. For example, I am now performing “Ren-ai-kinshi-jorei”, it’s a bit difficult for me to express the feelings of an adult woman, in such case, Akicha-san gives me support and advice. When I decided to return to Japan, she gave me a mail in which she encouraged me saying “We’ll get through this together!”
— You first appeared on “Team A” show at AKB48 theater the other day, what was your impression?
I can’t remember anything about it, I was just shaking with tension.
— Why? You gained a lot of experience in JKT48 theater.
When I was in Jakarta, I used to learn AKB48’s performances through DVDs, so I felt so nervous! Because “I am now standing on the real stage of AKB48!” And what is more, my Oshi-men, Mayuu-san introduced me to the audience!
— Have you made any new friends in AKB48?
Yes, Sakiko Matsui-san came and took picture together for Google+, I was so happy! You know, her piano playing is quite amazing!
— From now you are going to work in Japan. And what would you do if you get a “gravure picture” offer? I hear that most of your fans in Indonesia are getting into a fuss about this slightly.
In Indonesia, you must not show your belly in front of others. When I took pictures for the official guide book of JKT48, I didn’t wear a bathing suit, I wore a tank top and shorts that time…
— But in Japan, you will find a midriff-baring costumes in AKB48…
Well, I have no idea… because I have many fans in Jakarta… cultural difference… I don’t know about that…
— What missions are most important to you?
Though I am still pretty inexperienced, I will try to do my best to follow the other AKB48 members.
— What is your goal as an AKB48 member?
I want many people to know about me, I will fight very hard for that. And I really hope that my JKT48 will be famous here in Japan!
— Finally, present yourself, please!
I seem a bit unusual because I have been lived overseas for a long time. And I am a little shy, but I am actually talkative! Talk a lot to me at a handshake session!
Rena-chan DONT take any gravure picture, OK? Pliss, I’m begging U… m(_ _)m
in Indonesian (and most eastern) culture, woman are not supposed to showing their body so easily..
especially for the sake to satisfy lonely-hearted men..
me believe, most of japanese woman also had this thought, but in the end, it’s her decision..
Lol.. yess… XD
gravure will be the most complicated thing for Rena, if you don’t want her gravuring, then she must return to Indonesia.
Because IMDO, she’ll definitely do a gravure someday when she decided to start her career in Japan, without it.. I suppose she’ll leave entertainment world, sorry but I’m sure it’s true…
Unless, she has the quality like YUI, Kiyoe(Ikimonogakari), Miwa,etc…
But, I doubt that she has it or will has it.
But, I doubt that she has or will has it.
I won’t think less of her if she does gravure – it’s up to her (and her parents) and for us fans to accept, or at least at least try to examine it intelligently or at least, indifferently – seeing as it’s cultural difference and all.
I hope she has a long career – and whatever book she ends up writing is translated into English.
Sorry man, she will do it (gravure) someday. Sordid…. but what can we do? Too bad there is no FPI in Tokyo.
gravure or not it’s her decision, but certainly there will be some sentiment from her fans in Indonesia, that for sure.
as for me, i like gravure. but again, not all Rena’s fans thinks like me or into gravure.
FPI will die there xD
they’ll stressed, because there’re too many foul/sins (at least for them)
FPI are already sinners
please do not bring up things that have nothing to do with this issue, and keep this site in order to remain conducive
Ah.. I apologize..
I just giving a respond to HERMAN’s caption about FPI.
Hi,all my fellow fans in Indonesia!
You may think that Japanese entertainment industry is somehow “anything-goes world”
, but actually teenagers who work in entertainment business are strictly protected by Minor Protection Act or something.
Rena is still 15 years old or something, so you guys are given a suspended term before Rena’s gravure for a few more years. Take it easy
how about HKT48? aren’t they protected to? I think their average age same with Rena-chan, but you know.
Yes but new law is coming soon in Japan,it becomes all the more severe.
Hmm… yes, but I guess it won’t ensure that Rena will absent from gravure. Otherwise from your statement, she looks like righteously to do that.
From different culture, it’s hard to say..
Mmm.. Okay, Rena is Japanese so… yeah.. do a gravure, please. 
but we can’t take any gravure so easily.
She’ll do gravurei or not i still support her. Showbiz world is like one big jungle to live, you need to do anything to survive. I think JKT48 will do so in near future, it’s just a matter of time. But i guess the version of JKT48 gravurei won’t too “much” as what happen back at Japan. Once the member pass 18, it will be their decision to choose, whether they’ll give it a go or no. If i could say, Indonesian familiar with gravurei thing. As you can see at cheesy horror movie, or public figure that only expose their physical appearance *Uhuk…JP,DP,RA,…uhuk* and plenty more.
Yep, me too, except if she does a naked one, like some other members do.
JP, DP,… I thought they’re just like Gravure Idol in Japan, as for JKT member, I don’t see any of them are suitable to live it.
well, fyi indonesia do have gravure.
you can find on magazine like FHM, MAXIM, etc
or the local one like POPULAR, MALE (mata lelaki), etc.
like gravure magazine in japan, those are suppose to be for adult only.
but the thing is, fans in indonesia almost 75% is teenager & they are “kepo to the max” about their idol.
plus lack of awareness and assertiveness to run in the regulation of the sale of those magazines by sellers, so those magz can easily obtained by those who are still under age (JKT fans in this case).
*sorry for ruining my own english
Felicitous, although I’m not new with the gravure that you mention, your explanation are quite obvious already, so that’s why the majority of circle can’t accept gravure with ease, our society still developing for things like that, differ for Japan which has already developed for it. Furthermore, If one or some of the members do an actual gravure, I’m afraid it’ll cause grave problems/controversy.
no need to worry, coz THAT what will gonna happen
***
i follow this fandom since from beginning, i know very well JKT’s fans reaction (in internet) with controversial problems (skirt, scandals, religions, shania’s pic on OGB vol.2, etc)
problems arise > haters (or not) buzzing > fans started overheating > official, members & fans buzzing to cooling it down > situation began to calm > like nothing ever happened.
problems become controversy because lots of people know it (including people who have nothing to do with this fandom a.k.a commoner) & controversy become problem if there’s media involved (especially TV, coz this media is still dominant in indonesia).
but of all available media, internet is the most difficult to control.
majority of JKT’s fans are youngsters, majority of internet user in indonesia is youngsters.
that’s why if problems/controversy start in this fandom, ruckus only happen in the internet.
why media?
because showbiz is part of it.
some says, “who controls the media, he controls the world.”
(see the connections?)
there’s something beyond our imagination…
well, that’s one of my theory tho… imho.
wth i’m talking about…
sorry for my random rant
You must’ve knew and experienced more things, not like me, I’m still new to this, maybe about a few months ago, So I’ve nothing more to say.
You do like gravure, right? and “that’s what’ll gonna happen”. Okay, I’m just curious.. could you let me know about when it’s gonna happen? not in exact time but.. maybe 2, 4, 5 years later or something like that. Just want to know my senior predictions.
Sorry if I’ve talked much, I had no one to share about this.
@Akiriku
clearly you have mistaken my point of view and I do not mean to brag about this.
what i mean is rena gravure will surely cause grave problems/controversy (replaying your last statement)
ps:
i cant reply you comment, so i make new comment here
and sorry for my bad english that make you missunderstood
Hahaha.. it’s really my fault, I’ve related it to your caps before
You said that you like gravure, so I thought you’ll somewhat be happy if Rena does it xD
as for rena’s gravure, my personal opinion is i’ll leave it to rena to decide, it’s her choice it’s her life.
ps:
i do like gravure, but i’m not lolicon
Damn.. I doubled my comment twice >,< where's the admin, why didn't he deleted it?? (-_-)
Well, let's skip it, in fact I'm not hating gravure, not dislike it, but also don't like it, as sometimes I even enjoy it.. as long as she isn't my Oshi.
So.. I'll remain neutral.
Hahaha.. it’s really my fault, I’ve related it to your caps before
You said that you like gravure, so I thought you’ll somewhat be happy if Rena doing it xD
Hopefully, Rena will have a good time in AKB, and will be able to get more fans through her time there.
About her doing gravure, I will accept it, but I had already sworn myself to barrier myself from her gravure pics
I’ll try not to see them to stay on my (stupid) fanboying rule 
Who knows that when she is old enough, she would buy an apartment here and return to JKT? That will be a very good story!
the problem in Indonesia, especially in Jakarta that are related on the growth of JKT48 :(by my personal perspective
)
#the miss information of some “infotaiment” that were given. how many times and how many “infotainment” that we know that has spread wrong info ?
#the exaggerated narration or even looks like trying to creating/leading public opinion (probably some hide agenda that were prepare by some rivals or it’s the media itself that trying to blow up hoax news to boosting up their program rating)
#Indonesian/Jakarta’s citizen doesn’t familiar with the gravurei term (but YES,we are familiar and know what kind of job gravurei are, we just doesn’t have term to describe that kind of job. All we know is, “model majalah dewasa”)
#not like magazine that has a various different kind of category, such as kiddy magazine, entrepreneur, mom and kids, men, women or even differentiated by sexual orientation. how about music? did the music Indonesia has a singular category like that? music for adult, kids, gospel or whatever it was intended for. we don’t really put a bold line to separate things up in music. For instance, America, they even has their own music rating advisory. we shouldn’t make a limit in creativity in my opinion. all we need is clear regulation, because we need one. And what government need to do is to directing the way into a appropriate category.
About the whole gravure thing, we already know that both Japan and Indonesia have their own gravure market.
Not every Idol Group in Japan does gravure job offer. For example: Nogizaka46. Aki-p created Nogizaka46 with a more conservative image in them than in his other creation (JPN48). In this case, JKT48 is similar to Nogizaka46 in terms of not accepting gravure-related job offer.
As for Rena, we as Rena’s fans should completely leave it to her discretion whether she accepts gravure job offer in Japan.
You guys don’t have any complain with Akicha or Haruka doing gravure photoshoot in Japan, right. So, as long as those girls don’t do any gravure in Indonesia, I’m fine (and you guys should too).
Menjadi terkenal tidak harus melakukan GRAVURE..