From Japan with Love – Japarta’s Story

== Prologue ==

From May 31st to June 2nd, I visited Jakarta.

I was eager to meet JKT members in Handshake Event. Then I named my visit *Jadilah Nekad (Reckless)* and in this website (JKT48Stuff) I tried to gather Japanese fans to go with me. But unfortunately, this term were not successive holidays in Japan and we allowed just 2 weeks for gathering before the event. To my sorrow there was no Japanese fans accompanied me.

Due to that, this time I re-named my visit to *Jadilah Nekad Preview*, and for this September or October I’m going to plan a much more solid plan for the project.

Anyway, I’m happy if you guys enjoy my report for this time below.

== Prologue ==

== May 31st departure ~ Arrival at Jakarta ==

I must start my report with my trouble story. Hahaha.

Of course my main purpose was The Handshake Event with JKT48 members, however I was planning to watch their theater performance too. Actually on March 20th I have watched trainee’s show, Pajama Drive, then this time my target was Team J’s Renai Kinshi Jorei.

You know, we, Super Far fans, can apply for the tickets before the theater schedule is released in the official website. And in the email for application, we must write *staying term in Jakarta*, *Prefer Team J/Trainee*.

This was my consideration at that time :

June 1st was the day of Hand Shake Event, so No theater performance.
Theater performance will be on May 31st or June 2nd.
If I’m not wrong, Team J’s shows in Theater are mainly on Sundays.

Then I myself believed the theater show on June 2nd, Sunday, might be by Team J. It made me wrote *staying term in Jakarta : May 31st – June 2nd*, *prefer Team J* in my email for application.

Finally, 1 week before my departure I got an email, the email said “You won the ticket for Team J on May 31st“… Oh dear…

On May 31st, I arrived in Soekarno-Hatta by JAL(Japan Air Lines) at 4:30 PM, and the time limit for exchanging ticket is 4:30 PM ~ 6:00 PM. You know, if I am involved in *famous* traffic jam in Jakarta, I will not be in time. Now, I should be reckless! Just go for it!

It was 4:50 PM when I got a taxi at the airport, and almost 7:00 PM when I arrived at f(X). I immediately went up to the theater on the 4th floor, and in front of the theater I saw the monitor display which showed the performance almost got started.

Then, I caught a staff and asked “Right now I arrived here from airport because I was involved in traffic jam. Actually I won a Super Far ticket, please let me watch the show.”

He said “If only you were 10 minutes early… but now…”

It was looked like he had no other way to let me in since the ticketing booth was already closed.

Outside of theater, there were so many local fans who could not enter inside because it was already full.

I saw them and I thought it was better to give up my negotiation.. I should respect local fans who queued for long time but could not watch the show.

Then, in the first night I enjoyed Indonesian foods and took rest to refresh myself for tomorrow’s activity. Yeah, tomorrow I can meet Angga and his friends, we exchange information each other and charge the Signing Event and the Handshake Event!

This is a photo of the café, on 5th story of f(X), which was the place for the Signing Event.

== June 1st Morning ==

At the café in f(X) 1st story, I met Angga. The last time we met was on March 20th, and watched trainees’ show, Pajama Drive. He was still vigorous and full of love for JKT48.

We made a “headquarter” based in that café, and planed to go around 4th story which was nothing but the theater which was going to be the place for Handshake Event and 5th story which was the place for Signing Event.

Well, Handshake Event. Fans who bought a RIVER CD Theater ver. in advance could get a ticket. Yeah, it was better to ask a friend in Jakarta to buy it for me. When he bought it, he must show his ID for registration. On the very day I received the tickets from him. But, before queuing I must show my ID to the staff, which is not same as the buyer’s. Thus, It is considered invalid.

However, we got an information about the Signing Event just a few days before June 1st. It said that if we bought the 2nd Official Guide Book (OGB) there, we could get members’ sign on the spot. It was very lucky of us who came to Jakarta without any tickets for the Handshake Event.

Here, this is the report of Handshake Event. Enjoy!

== Signing Event ==

We went up to 5th story at 9:45 AM, the 1st session (Signing session 1 : SS1) would start at 10:00 AM. Take a look at this picture, heavy queue right?

It was before 10:00 AM, the lighting inside f(X) was not on yet so the photo is a little bit dark. Of course there was no air conditioning whatsoever at that time since it hasn’t been turned on. But still, I saw enthusiastic fans there.

We returned to our base and had a strategy meeting. My target was Sendy in SS2 from 11:00 AM, but according to the information she canceled her Signing Event due to her final exam. No way, but I want to meet ANY member directly as soon as possible. Then in SS2 I changed my target to Rica. At 10:45 AM, I went up to 5th story again to queue for SS2. And I saw unbelievable thing there.

== Signing Event : Shania ==

A staff said loudly “Now you can enter to SS1”. There were such gorgeous members such as Nabilah, Shania, Cindy, Dhike in SS1. I threw a sidelong glance to the long queue for SS2, and decided to enter the place as a SS1 participant.

Inside, there was a booth for selling OGB, on the left fans were queuing. So we could decide which member’s sign we would get after seeing the queue condition, and even we could buy the tickets for following SS as well. I bought 3 OGB and selected Rica in SS2, Ve in SS3, and in SS1… Oh! no queue in front of Nabilah and Shania! Then, I decided to meet Shania.

Japarta: Hello, Shania! (I held out my right hand)
Shania: Hello! Oh, hand shake is just in Hand Shake Event. I’m sorry…
J: I understand, sorry. OK, please. (I held out a OGB)
S: Is it OK on this page? (She opened her page)
J: Of course.
S: You bought many OGBs.
J: Yeah, I came from Japan, you know this is a precious chance for me.
S: Somebody asked you, right?
J: I myself want Shania’s sign. Thanks. Cheer up!
S: Thanks. Bye bye.
*All conversations were in Bahasa Indonesia.

Shania put on a white one-piece dress that able to made me feel spring season atmosphere. She didn’t looked like a 14 years old girl, she looked a little bit matured. However, I saw she was not fine… Later, I came to know the reason why she was not fine, but at that time Angga already knows the reason and bought several OGB just for meeting Shania and supporting her. You can read the story in Angga’s article, it is a touching story!

== Signing Event : Rica ==

Now, it was 11:00 AM, SS2. First half of the session seemed to be crowded, then I went to meet Rica after 11:30 AM. In front of me, 4 fans queued. But it didn’t take long.

J: Hello, Rica!
R: Hello, how are you? Where do you come from?
J: I’m fine. I’m from Japan.
R: Is it? You’re going to watch our show, right?
J: Yeah, tomorrow. But trainees’. Yesterday I was involved in traffic jam, so could not watch Team J’s show.
R: Oh… that was so sad!
J: Well, Rica, do you know many Japanese fans like Rica?
R: Really? I’m so happy! OK, this is special for you!
She signed not only her name but wrote *Love You!*.

Rica put on a hat, the model looked like Beby’s in RIVER performance, her clothes’ color were mono-tone. She was very friendly, and her beautiful big round eyes moved temptingly.

I heard members were not allowed to write fans’ personal name like “to Mr. XX”. So, you guys, please regard *You* from *love You* that she wrote as the fan”s” in Japan. But I’m sorry I myself believe it is the singular YOU for me. My treasure. Hahaha.

I enjoyed conversation with Shania and Rica and saw other members too -live-. I was beside myself. And it was time for SS3. How is Ve’s beauty in real time??

== Signing Event : Ve ==

At 12:45 PM, 2nd half of SS3, I entered in the place. About 40 fans were still queuing for Ve. In SS3, Melody, Ayana, Ghaida, Nabilah, Shania were there, but few fans in front of them… Before 1:00 PM, the queue for Ve didn’t end yet, so the queue, including me, was moved to behind the tables where members were sitting for signing, and the special table was set for Ve.

The set place was 2 steps higher than the floor, so while queuing I could see other members from their side and back in SS4 because SS4 already started. Cinvia was the nearest from me, just 2 meter between us. She was exactly “The Moe”. In SS4, all members were trainees. Queues for some members quickly ended, but the queue for Cinvia were long, unrivaled.

Now, Ve. She puts on a hat such as Rica’s. I see her while she signs for 2 fans before me. Wow, she is really beautiful. Then it’s my turn.

J: Hello, Ve.
V: Hello. How are you?
J: Fine. Finally I meet Ve here.
V: Fu fu fu, Where do you come from?
J: From Japan. Your great performance in Budokan made me impressed. (I watched it through streaming)
V: Thank you!

Ve is sitting. When she looks up me, her eyes looks so tender. I had… I felt something Japanese-style from gentle and modest Ve.

== Hand Shake Event ==

As I mentioned, overseas fans cannot buy tickets for Hand Shake Event in advance. Every time I checked the newest information which anakdekan-san updated in JKT48Stuff (Thank you, anakdekan-san. Your updating was quite helpful.), sold-out slot increased quickly. Finally, the ticket for my Oshimen, Sendy, was also sold-out. And on the very day of Hand Shake Event, just Jeje’s and a few trainees’ remained but not many.

In the restaurant on the 3rd story, I joined Angga and we had another strategy meeting with lunch. And there, Angga’s friends gathered one after another. In Indonesia, personal relationships are quite necessary for both business and private. I have already known Angga has many friends, but actually I was surprised at his network.

Thanks to Sora, a friend of Angga’s, I got tickets for Hand Shake with Sendy and Rica in HS5.

== Hand Shake Event : Sendy ==

There were 4 fans queuing before me for Sendy, but until my turn it was less than 1 minute. And now..the true Sendy was in front of me…

J: Hello, Sendy. How are you?
S: Hello, I’m fine.
J: I came here from Japan to meet you.
S: Thank you. What’s your name?
J: My name is XX.
S: XY-san? (She heard my name wrongly)
J: No, but XX.
S: Yeah, XX-san! (Remover came)
J: I and Japanese fans support yoooouuu…. (I was removed, my voice died away in the distance)

She put on a T-shirts, it made me feel affinity. It was nothing but a healing, really. She had mild eyes and smile. Her body was small, pretty, and her voice is gentle. My eyes filmed over with tears…

== Hand Shake Event : Rica ==

Next was Rica. There were 3 fans queuing before me. At that time, Angga was shaking hand with Rica. But why? Angga was still holding Rica’s hand but he was talking with a remover. What? the time he took to talked to remover was longer than to Rica but without releasing her hand. And then ended. What happened?

Then it was my turn. In SS, I have already met her. So I already prepared what I would say. I passed my tickets to the remover.

J: Hello, Rica. I see you again.
R: Oh, Hello. Thank you.
J: Oh yeah, congratulations! You are SENBATSU(selected) member of RIVER. Your performance in Budokan was awesome.
R: Was it? Did you see on live? Or streaming?
J: Actually Streaming. But great.
R: Thank you.
J: We, fans in Japan, were delighted with you joining SENBATSU.

Then I was removed from Rica. I felt it was less than 20 seconds because we spoke hurriedly…

I was looked upon by Rica’s eyes, there was nothing I could do. Her eyes power was strong, so I almost wanted to face away from her eyes. And her voice was low tone, it was also charming. She has clean-cut features. No doubt she is the type that Japanese guys like. Well, I’m happy!

I left the theater and caught Angga. I asked Angga what happened when he shake hands with Rica.
He said he had passed 3 tickets for HS 30seconds to the remover and started to shake hands with Rica. But 10 seconds later, the remover said to him “it’s over”.

A: “Hey, I passed 3 tickets. You know?”
R: “Well, it’s the same. Even 1 ticket or 3 tickets”
A: “How come!?”

He talked to the remover and finally it was for 30 seconds. Rangga, a friend of Angga’s, said “If you have 3 tickets, you must use the ticket one by one for queuing 3 times. So you can surely enjoy the 30 seconds.” Yeah, it’s reasonable. It also made me smart.

But, is this common way among AKB fans for Handshake Event in Japan? (Actually I don’t know because I have never been to AKB’s Handshake Event.)

== Lucky 1 ==

Well, it was rare chance for me to enjoy Handshake Event, I wanted to shake hand with members whose tickets were not yet sold out! Then, I took a look at a panel which showed the girls’ slot availability. Jeje’s in HS7 were still available, I queued in front of the ticket booth to buy her ticket.

It was so crowded, I queued for 10 minutes and I got forward up to 4 or 5 fans remained before me. Suddenly, a super lucky thing happened!

A ticket booth staff displayed a piece of paper in which written “additional CD sale with Hand Shake ticket from HS8”. Unbelievable! I even saw the name “Melody”. Of course I should shake hands with Melody!

Then I bought tickets for Melody in HS8 and Ghaida in HS11. Actually there were some members I wanted to shake hands, but while HS9-10 I must go out from f(X) for my business meeting.

== Hand Shake Event : Melody ==

In HS8, Melody was in the first booth, put on check-shirts.

While I was queuing, I was looking at her all the time. I had a very strange feeling. I could not understand why I was there, why melody was in front of me? The ace member of JKT48 was near me…

I’m sorry, guys. Actually I talked to melody, but I really don’t remember what I talked. Yeah, I remember I shook hands with Melody, and saw her tender eyes squint that she usually shows us when she smiles… Her eyes were my all, so beautiful.

== Lucky 2 ==

I lost myself, but I must go for a business meeting.

Lucky thing again! I went down to 1st story by escalator, I met Noella. She just came out from elevator with some trainees, seemed to take some late lunch. My oshimen is Noella among trainees, so I didn’t see who were the others. Hahaha. Anyway, it’s true that members walk around and enjoy eating in f(X).

== Hand Shake Event : Ghaida ==

My last handshake was with Ghaida. She likes Japanese culture, I decided to talk to her in Japanese.
J: Ghaida, genki?
G: Genki~~!
J: Are you fine now?
G: Yeah, I’m fine.
J: That’s good. I support you from Japan.
G: Thanks!
J: Ganbatte!
G: Hai, Ganbaro~~!

She used blue-color contact lenses, looked like a character in animation. Her right hand was for handshaking while her left hand made big motion every time she spoke. High tension, you know. She saw me off until I disappeared.

== Conclusion ==

You guys should go to JKT’s Handshake Event or Signing Event. To be honest, I myself hope JKT48 have a Handshake Event or Signing Event in Japan. However, Indonesia is their country, Jakarta is their home town, indeed here we can meet members in their casual.

Anyway all members whom I met were friendly. I know Indonesian people are originally friendly, however I do feel that members take care of fans as their word “because you are here, we are here.”

Please come to Jakarta and meet them.