AKB48 Teki Jinseiron – Haruka Nakagawa
Translated from 1st November Asahi Shinbun (Evening Edition)
“Study Abroad to Jakarta, Facing Challenges by Smile”
Chance come to everyone. But when I’m still in AKB48, I missed that chance. When my turn comes, I couldn’t go ahead and was buried.
March last year, there was a recruitment of transfer to Indonesia, to be a part of JKT48. I think “This is a chance to change myself!” and I’m willing to take that chance.
I don’t have any worries about Indonesian language. Smile is an universal language. If I keep smiling, JKT48 members will welcome me with smile,too, I think so. And that became true.
At my 21st birthday, after a concert at local city, I visited member’s room where they were eating. I said ”Whoa! Nice!! Can I eat with you?” But they rejected me. ”You girls are so cruel!!” I was so mad and I returned to my room.
Then suddenly, they barged into my room and they sang “Happy Birthday!” to me. I was so surprised. Never ever crossed my mind that they will make such a surprise plan for me.
I said ”I’m so happy! Please be friends with me from now on!” in Indonesian which they replied with a cheery “Wa—i!!”
After experiencing life in Jakarta, I became kinder to other people. At Japan, I had too much on my plate. I became kinder because I feel the kindness of Indonesian people directly.
AKB48 members were surprised about my transformation. ”Your expression changed,” they said. I want to be a person who active at a worldwide level. I will never miss my chance again.
“I will never miss my chance again.”
This is an all-powerful phrase that sums up all the notion on how serious she is.
Often I forgot that behind that childish smile and antics of Gogon, there lies a very strong and determined woman.
And I thought she’s strong at drinking too! xD
Anon San Full Translete pls ..
Mine is full translation of newspaper version.
I guess you talk about web version? Web version is little bit longer than newspaper version,but I can’t access web version.
Gon. You are the person whom we respect and follow.
Proud of you Gon.
I will go to Jakarta mid of Nov.
I am so happy to be closer to you.
quote from Haruka Nakagawa:
“Smile is an universal language.”
yeah, we can’t acces some japanese sites, but we can use japanese proxy to acces the sites, one of proxy:
http://mnb.cc/web_proxy.cgi
To admin, please don’t edit the link this time
We won’t. But please be advised to all the readers that we don’t promote that link due to no status records within Web of Trust from either WOT or Kaspersky Safe Link.
If you want to use proxy, safer bet would be tunneling either via PPTP/OpenVPN/DD-WRT using HMA or StrongVPN with IP from Japan. This is not a viable method either for posting in 2ch. For 2ch, I would personally recommend Moritapo.
Oh, and for Anon’s case, it is simply because the web version requires you to pay, perhaps
. It is usual and common practice for some news portal in developed, overseas countries to ask you for a certain subscribing fee for a full, longer article. You (and me) should be happy living in Indonesia with all the web-news available for free public consumption 
This is the full text of the Asahi-Shimbun newspaper. I hold a membership in the Degital Asahi news, so I could get the article. And I am very very sorry that I can’t translate it because I am a bit busy now. I hope perhaps there is someone who understand Japanese.
And the article also has her you-tube interview (5 minutes)
誰にでもチャンスはめぐってくると思います。だけど、見逃してしまうと、ただ通り過ぎでしまうだ
けで、後には何も残りません。私はＡＫＢ４８にいた頃、チャンスをつかみきれずにいました。
ＡＫＢ４８では、何度か選抜メンバーになれたこともありました。選抜メンバーになるとメディアに出る機会が増えます。でも私の場合は、せっかくの出番があっても、前に出られず埋もれていたんです。グイグイ前に行こう、と心で思ってはいても、「今だ！」というときになると、引いてしまっていたんです。持ち前の笑顔でみなさんに楽しい気持ちになってもらいたいと思っているのですが、自分らしさを出せませんでした。
その結果、悩んだことも。「どうすれば前に行けるのかな」「もう（デビューから）６年経つけど、どうしよう」「この新曲、私も歌いたかったな」とか、「このユニットに入りたかったな」とか。堂々めぐりにはまっていく自分がいやでした。
昨年の３月、ＪＫＴ４８移籍メンバーの募集がありました。最初は「楽しそうだな」と思うだけでしたが、やがて「これは自分を変えるチャンスなんだ」と思えるようになり、立候補しました。
インドネシア語のことは心配していませんでした。私には笑顔がある。笑顔は万国共通語。笑顔でいれば、ＪＫＴ４８のメンバーも笑顔で迎え入れてくれると思ったんです。実際にそのとおりでした。つらいことがあっても笑顔でいたらメンバーも安心してくれます。ジャカルタで改めて笑顔の大切さに気づかされました。
インドネシアの生活は想像以上に楽しいものでした。みんながいつも笑顔で、親切にしてくれます。インドネシアの人たちは、とにかくよく笑い、よくはしゃぎます。私がつまずいて転んだだけでも、大爆笑。メンバーたちが明るいので、家族や日本の友人と離れても、安心することができました。
ジャカルタに渡って日も浅い頃、一度だけささいなことにショックを受け、泣いたことがあります。控室においていたお弁当を、私のいない間にメンバーが食べてしまったんです。そこには私が日本からもってきたおかずも入っていました。楽しみにしていたのに……。私は怒りましたが「そんなに怒らなくていいじゃない、ご飯くらいで」という雰囲気に悲しくなって、泣いてしまったんです。
後からわかったのですが、インドネシアでは、もし、誰かがお弁当やお菓子を食べちゃったとしても、「食べられちゃった」と笑って終わりみたいなんです。文化の違いでしょうか。だから、私も今では、気にしなくなりました。
２１歳の誕生日。インドネシアのとある地方でのコンサートを終えたときのこと。ホテルに着くと同室の女の子２人が用事があるといって、出かけてしまいました。ひとりになってしまったので、ほかのメンバーたちの部屋に行くと、何人かで晩ご飯を食べていました。私はおなかが減っていたので、「いいなー。私も食べていい？」と話しかけたのですが、誰も分けてくれません。「みんな、ひどい！ 誕生日なのに、ご飯くらいくれたっていいじゃない」。そう思って、私は部屋に引き返しました。
ひとりでぷんぷん怒っていると、みんながダーッと入ってきたので、びっくり。電気が消されると、みんなで「ハッピーバースデー」を合唱してくれました。誕生日ケーキが用意されていて、プレゼントをもらいました。ジャカルタに来てまだ２カ月しか経っていないのに、こんなサプライズを計画してくれるなんて……。
「うれしい。これからもよろしくね」。インドネシア語で言うと、みんなが「ワーイ」と歓声を上げました。みんなとの距離が縮まって、それからのインドネシアでの生活や活動に弾みがつきました。
メンバーたちは遠慮なく接してくれるので、うれしいし楽しいです。仲良しのステラは２歳年下ですが、「遥香は妹みたい」と言います。「ああしなさい」「こうしなさい」。すごく注意してきます。たとえば、私がお昼ご飯を抜くと、必ず「ちゃんと食べなさい」って。すごく愛情を感じますね。メンバーもファンの方たちも日本語を勉強してきてくれます。仕事が終わると、「おつかれさま」と言ってくれるメンバーも。日本と同じように握手会があるのですが、「こんにちは」「あなたのことが大好きです」と話してくれたり、「仲川遥香」と名字を漢字で書いてきてくれたり、すごくうれしいです。私自身、インドネシア語を一生懸命勉強したので、かなり上達したと思いますが、まだ危ういところもあります。ソロ曲の歌詞で「友達」の単語が出てくるのですが、インドネシア語で「トゥマン」と発音するところを私は「トマト」と間違えているみたいなんです。だから公演でそこの歌詞になると、「トマトコール」が起こります。喜ぶべきか、悲しむべきかわかりませんが、発音の違いがファンの方に受けています。
おかげさまで、忙しい毎日を過ごしています。週に一回は地方公演。インドネシアはたくさんの島があって、いろんな食べ物や人々に出会うことができます。ジャカルタでの公演や握手会、レコーディング、テレビやＣＭへの出演、そのほかいろいろな撮影も進んでいます。 今は悩まないし、悩む時間もありません。以前は選抜から外れて、くよくよすることもありましたが、今は選抜から外れたとしても、自分には何ができるか、どんなことができるか、などと考えられる心の余裕ができました。悩みなんて笑顔で吹き飛ばせばいい、と思っています。
ジャカルタで生活してから、人に優しくできるようにもなりました。日本にいた頃は、自分のことで精いっぱいでしたから。インドネシアの人たちの優しさや楽しさを肌で感じ、影響を受けたからだと思います。
家族や支えてくれていた人たちから離れて、何でも自分でしなくてはならない環境に身を置いたことも、自分の成長を助けてくれたと思います。ＪＫＴ４８のメンバーからは「いつも楽しそうだね」「生き生きしているね」と言われます。日本に一時帰国すると、ＡＫＢ４８のメンバーたちからは「表情が変わったね」と驚かれます。
将来は、海外で活躍できる人になりたい。そのためにインドネシア語だけでなく、英語も勉強したいです。いろいろな人と出会って、その人たちとワクワクすることをしてみたい。もうチャンスは見逃しません。
■番記者から
「野生児」タイプの仲川遥香。おおらかなインドネシアの雰囲気はすごく合ったようだ。
「一日中はしゃいでいるので、夜はすぐ眠ってしまいます」とほほ笑む。食事には最初は苦労したが、今は何でも食べられるようになった。インドネシアで発見したのは、人の優しさ。「小さなことでも、困っていると、みんなが助けてくれますね」。１０月２９日に文部科学省が始めた若者の海外留学を促進するキャンペーン「トビタテ！ 留学ジャパン」の賛同人として、ＰＲを務める。「行くかどうか悩んだけど、あのとき一歩踏み出す勇気をもててよかったと思っています」
留学から１年で、インドネシア語は上達し、新曲シングルのセンターにも選ばれた。目標をたずねると、目を輝かせた。
「目標は日本でＪＫＴ４８の単独コンサートをすること。日本の人たちにも、もっとＪＫＴ４８とインドネシアのことを知っていただきたいと思っています」（大西元博）
Japarta-san , Anon san pls translate this article haha
Thank’s for the translation ^_^
I hope Haruka can fill her dream
Please translate the full version, onegai…
If only I am in Jakarta, I can even try to sub the interview video with the translation….
There is also a post with tidbits (including the link to download the interview video) in:
http://forum.indowebster.com/showthread.php?t=375135&p=26965526&viewfull=1#post26965526
Interview footage
http://hydra.peevee.tv/moviecache/h.264sd/48494904/48494904peevee563781.m4v
I’m going by the text that commentator Tokyo Pop has put up. Also, 日本語 is not my language, so I hope someone out there can tidy this up a bit.
Now that I’m re-reading it, 恥かしいな
———————————————
Regardless of who it is, when opportunity comes, anyone will rise up and grab the opportunity. If you miss the opportunity, it just slides away from you, not leaving any mark on you. When I was with AKB48, I didn’t seem to have the chance.
When I was with AKB48, there were a few instances where I was selected as a member (TL note: don’t quite get this; anyone?), and after being selected as a member, my appearances in the media increased. But within me, even if I had my hard won chance to appear, I didn’t dare to be in the centrefront. Even in my heart I wanted to be in the forefront, once the “do it now” phase has past, eventually I pull back. Even if I want to use my smile to cheer everyone up, deep inside me I know I can’t show my true feelings.
And so this makes me very troubled. “How should I progress forward?” “Its been 6 years (since Haruka debuted), what else can I do?” “I also want to sing this new song that has just been released….” “I also want to join this unit..”. I hated to think myself going around in circles.
(TL note: Holy…it has been 6 years. Gawd now I feel old)
Last year (2012) in March, there was a expression of interest put out to members asking who wants to transfer to JKT48. My first impression was “Sounds like it’d be fun”, but soon I felt that “This is the opportunity to change myself for the better!”. And so I went to put in my expression of interest.
I didn’t think about the issue of me not understanding Bahasa Indonesia, because I thought I have my smile, and the smile is the universal language of the world. I felt that as long as I brought my smile, the JKT48 members will also accept me with a smile to join them. And in the fact of reality, even if there are difficult times, as long as we smile, the other members will also be at peace. It was only after going to Jakarta did I realise how important it is to keep smiling.
Living in Indonesia was more fun that I initially anticipated. Everyone is always smiling, and have been very nice towards me. Indonesian people like to smile, and it doesn’t take much to put a smile on their face. Even if I just trip and fall, they will laugh and smile. (TL note: Errr….jahatlah!) (TL note: I think I’m missing some subtleties of the language here) The other [JKT48] members are also very cheerful and easy going, so even if I am away from family and my friends in Japan, I am still able to feel assured.
After having just moved to Jakarta, there was one incident, that shocked me, and reduced me to tears. In the preparation room my obento, when I was not around was eaten by other members. Inside the bento were side dishes that I had brought from Japan. I was really looking forward to eating it… Even when I was angry but because everyone was saying “Don’t be do angry, its just food”, it made me feel even worst, and I broke down in tears.
(TL note: Oi, jahatlah you guys! I can just imagine that: “Hanya makanan sahaja, jangan marah sangat”. Kesian Harugon)
It was only later that I understood, in Indonesia if someone has their bento or snacks eaten by someone else, you just laugh and say “ah, its eaten” and leave it at that. Can this be called cultural differences? But not, I no longer thing of such things.
(TL note: This probably explains her behaviour on ep 12 of JKT48 Missions. But honest question to Indonesian’s reading this: really?!)
On my 21st birthday, after a concert in a part of Indonesia (TL note: any idea where Harugon spent her 21st?), after reaching the hotel the 2 girls whom I was sharing the room with said they had something to do and left the room. Being just one person, I went to the rooms of other members, and see that the others were also eating dinner. I was hungry, so went up to them and said “iina, can I try some?”, but they didn’t seem to understand. “Why is this happening, this is too much! Especially on my birthday, is it too much to try some of their food?” With this stage of mind, I went back to my room.
(TL note: ひどい！ KESIAN Harugon! You guys are terrible man.)
As I was alone festering in my anger, everyone suddenly came into my room, giving me a shock. The lights were turned off, and everyone started to sing happy birthday, and had prepared a birthday cake, and I received presents. I had been in Jakarta for only 2 months, but yet they had prepared such a surprise for me…..
“Ureshii. Please take take of my from now on.” (TL note: how do you translate これからもよろしくね in Bahasa Indonesia? “Tolong tunjuk ajar?”) After saying that in Bahasa Indonesia, everyone went “Waa!” together. The distance between everyone narrowed, and after this living in Indonesia and the activities became much more better.
Because the other members do not mind each other and get along, so our interactions became much more fun. I became close with Stella [Cornelia], who despite being 2 years younger than me, saying things like “Haruka you’re like my younger sister” (TL note: 0.o), and always guides me. For example, if I haven’t eaten lunch, she will say things like “Don’t forget to eat properly”. I can really feel her love. The members and fans have also learnt some Japanese, and at the end of the day will come up to me saying “Good work today”. Like in Japan there are also handshake events, and there are fans who will say things like “Konnichiwa” and “I like you” (TL note: Okay, who’s responsible for this? :P), or painstakingly write Nakagawa Haruka in kanji characters in their presents to me, it makes me really happy.
Me myself I have also been working hard at learning Bahasa Indonesia, and am making progress, but there are also dangerous parts [in the language]. There are songs where there is the word “friend” in the lyrics, in Bahasa Indonesia it is pronounced as “toman” (TL note: I think she means “teman”), but when I say it it sounds like “tomato”, so when I perform that piece, the audience all comes together and shouts “tomato call”. I really don’t know how to feel about this, that my mispronunciation has been accepted by the fans with such gusto.
(TL note: what? who? when? JKT48 fans in Indonesia, can you confirm this? What song is she referring to?)
And so like this, my days are always busy, every week there is at least one performance, and Indonesia being a country of many islands, so there is amazing variety in the food and people across the nation. (TL note: I can testify to that!) In Jakarta we have the handshake events, theater performances, recordings, TV and commercial appearances, in addition to the usual things that we have to do behind the scenes. I longer am troubled, because I don’t even have time to be troubled. (TL note: wow.) In the past if I was not selected, I would feel down, but now if I’m not selected, in my heart I go, what else can I do, how can I improve. Now I feel that those things that used to trouble me can be blown away by my smile.
Because I have been living in Jakarta, I have a better understanding of other people. When I go back to Japan, I become very busy and do things by myself. I feel that living amongst Indonesians their gentleness and kindness has rubbed off me.
(TL note: This paragraph is really hard to translate! Kinda understand but don’t know how to say!)
I feel that when one leaves their family and their social support structure, and put themselves in a environment where you need to be independent, one becomes more mature and helps one grow. (TL note: I have to admit I did tear up a bit reading this. Story of my life: I can personally relate to that) JKT48 members would say things like “You’re always so lively” “You are always so active”. But when I go back to Japan for a bit, ABK48 members will say things like “Your expressions have changed”, surprising me.
Looking ahead, I hope to become someone who is active abroad, and so not just knowing Bahasa Indonesia, but I’m also learning English (TL: Ganbatte Harugon~). I want to meet as many people as I can, to do happy and exciting things with them. I will never let a chance pass me by again.
Reporter’s note:
While child type Nakagawa Haruka, has fitted in well with the environment in Indonesia. “Being so pumped up all the time during the day, so falls asleep easily at night” she says with a laugh. (TL note: I had to put this in: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3z0lhETGb0g) Food wise while there was a period of adaptation, but now she is able to eat most things.
In Indonesia she feels the people are very kind. “No matter how small the issue is, they would all come together to help”. On 29 Oct 2013, the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) held their activity encouraging international students to study in Japan “Tobitate! Study Abroad Japan”, she served as the PR face. “Although I hesitated on taking up such a role, but now I feel it was the first step in my journey of building up my courage”
Having studied abroad for one year, and developed her command of Bahasa Indonesia, and being the centre of the newest single. When asked about her goals, one can she the light in her eyes. “My goal is for JKT48 to have their own solo concert in Japan. I hope that people in Japan can get to know JKT48 and Indonesia better” (Reporter: Onishi Motohiro)
TL note: I have to give credit to her: she’s smart. She knows that if she stays in AKB48 at best she’ll be an ancillary member. Transferring to JKT48 has seen her image shoot up, even if it is primarily on the Indonesian side. She knows she will never be selected to be the main cast of any new song, but to be JKT48, the sole active Japanese member (now that Rena is no longer in Indonesia), she gets to be the centre. Businesswoman like characteristics there!)
1st, thanks wmlx for the translation.
“(TL note: Oi, jahatlah you guys! I can just imagine that: “Hanya makanan sahaja, jangan marah sangat”. Kesian Harugon).”
The fact that haruka was mad over “just food” it made her felt even worst … like she was the one who exaggerated over such small matters I think, but it’s her food, well you know.
“(TL note: This probably explains her behaviour on ep 12 of JKT48 Missions. But honest question to Indonesian’s reading this: really?!)”
Of course not! we have to ask for permission first, unless you are very close. Although we like to share on foods and everything. yeah well if that case happened i guess we wouldn’t mind. I wonder who’s the culprit though?
“(TL note: ひどい！ KESIAN Harugon! You guys are terrible man)”
If a friend is having their birthday, we make some scenarios to annoy the birthday friend, mostly by making them uncomfortable by not talking to them, pretending that they’re not exist, sometimes piss them off, like bullying but we call it “ngerjain” until they feel down and teary, it sound harsh but it’s not really 
Well it’s 1 package with the surprise party at the B-day and that includes “put a cake on the birthday friend face, or flour or raw eggs or pushing them to the pool” well things like that.
It’s part of our culture, well I guess.
“(TL note: what? who? when? JKT48 fans in Indonesia, can you confirm this? What song is she referring to?)” Yuuhi wo miteiruka
“(TL note: how do you translate これからもよろしくね in Bahasa Indonesia? “Tolong tunjuk ajar?”)” according to Anon-san TL that would be “mari berteman denganku mulai sekarang.”