The reason I decided to become an announcer was because of an encounter I had at Aoyama Gakuin University. I had a vague admiration for the announcers I saw on TV, but I was originally a shy and timid person, so I thought it was a profession in a different world from me. However, when I went on to Aogaku, a senior who I became close with became an announcer for TBS, and I myself had the opportunity to appear on TV while I was still a student, and through various connections, I got closer and closer to this industry. What finally made me decide to become an announcer was when I participated in an internship as an announcer during my job search. I was full of anxiety at the camera test, but I had a lot of fun, and I still remember going home with a smile on my face. That was the trigger for me to think, "It would be fun if I could become an announcer."

When I make comments, I try to choose honest words that are as close to how I feel as possible. The information program "Mezamashi TV" covers a wide range of topics, so the time given to comment is sometimes as short as less than 10 seconds. I have had many experiences where I was unable to express my thoughts well and felt frustrated, thinking, "I wish I had said it this way!" I have made an effort to increase my vocabulary, and I think I have finally become a little better at choosing words that perfectly match my feelings recently.
Another thing is that I try to choose words that will not offend viewers from various positions. For example, if I say, "This is good, isn't it?", those who don't think so might feel bad. I think that people feel differently about the same thing, so I instantly use my imagination to think about what words I can use in that situation that won't offend anyone, no matter what position they're in. I try to think about this before I comment. It's very difficult, and I'm still not good at it.
Even though I approach my work every day with this mindset, I can't directly see the reactions of the viewers on the other side of the TV screen, so I worry about whether my true intentions are being properly conveyed. That's why, when I hear even one comment like, "Your words saved me," or "I was in a difficult situation at the time, but they gave me so much energy," I realize that I was able to help change the viewers' feelings in a more positive direction, even if just a little, and I think, "I'm glad I became an announcer."

In club activities, everyone is the same age, so it's hard to keep them together. It may be a little different from my situation, but for example, in variety shows, the performers try to make the show more fun and exciting, so the topic can go off track. You have to get the conversation back on track, but if you're too forceful, it can seem like you can't read the mood. So I ask a slightly different question to take a half step back, and then I try to gradually move the conversation back to the original topic.

My senior announcers often say, "Even if you prepare thoroughly, you can only deliver 20% of your potential during the actual show," and when I think that if I don't prepare well, I might not be able to deliver even that 20%, I feel it's important to prepare until you're satisfied with your performance.
Also, the way I deal with nervousness, which I've been practicing ever since I took the job interview, is to tell myself with a strong feeling, "I'm the best out of all of you!" You're free to keep it to yourself, and it's simple but surprisingly effective. Even after many years as an announcer, I still get nervous and intimidated when I have to work with people who are considered big names in the entertainment industry and other fields, but I keep that feeling in the back of my mind as a "talisman" when I go on stage. For Yoshida, if you have a big heart and think of yourself as a star, it might be a talisman for you.

Surprisingly, that doesn't happen (laughs). When I wake up, I wash my face, brush my teeth, drink coffee, practice my voice... and as I go through my morning routine, my mood naturally changes. Also, the Mezamashi TV studio is fun, so I often find myself getting more and more energetic as I work. Talking to people helps me forget about the things I don't like and makes me feel a little more positive, so I think relationships with the people around me are important.

I really enjoyed studying in Department of Comparative Arts. In my first and second years, I studied the three fields of "art," "music," and "theater and video" in a mutually interrelated way, and I had many opportunities to actively experience live art such as art exhibitions, concerts, and performances, which greatly broadened my range of interests. I originally entered Department of Comparative Arts because I was interested in theater, but I fell in love with art through my classes, and in the end, in my third year, I chose to take a seminar taught by Professor Mizuno Chie, who specializes in Western art. Whenever one of the students in the seminar said, "I want to go to this exhibition," Professor Mizuno would make it happen as a seminar activity, and we had many opportunities to go outside the school. I still love art, and my dream is to one day be an audio guide for an art exhibition.

Rather than thinking about the future benefits of your department, I think it's better to think about whether you can do what you like. Looking at my friends, I got the impression that people who went in a direction they didn't like had a hard time. It's better to choose classes that you honestly like and that you're interested in, because you'll be able to approach them more positively.

Being an only child from Fukuoka Prefecture, my parents told me to come back home after graduating, so I went to Aoyama Gakuin University in Tokyo. So I decided to spend my four years at university doing things that I could only do in Tokyo, and I think it was the period of my life where I took the boldest plunge, cherishing the connections I made, including big events at the Aoyama Festival and working as a newscaster. I think Yoshida and Miyamoto will both find that if they try a variety of things, the path will open up for them.

There are jobs that only announcers who can speak English can handle, so I think it's better to be able to speak English. I was a member of ESS during my university days, but I don't speak English at a level that would be acceptable for an announcer. I thought about studying abroad while I was in school to improve my English, but I got a job in television and had to balance my studies with my studies, so I missed the chance. I was jealous of my friends who went abroad to study. I wish I had studied abroad, even if it was just for a short time, while I was in school, so I hope Miyamoto will give it a try.

"If you try, you can do it. If you don't try, you can't do it." I was scared to even move to Tokyo from Fukuoka, but after entering university, I tried various things. These words pushed me to take a step into a new world, and that's why I'm who I am today. When I think about it, I think it's important to try things even if you fail.

Everyone here is free to do what they want, be it sports, studying, music, etc.

I entered Aogaku from the junior high school division, and was very nervous when I first started because I didn't know anyone, but everyone was friendly and we quickly became friends.

In the middle school, teachers often tell students to "develop their own talents (the gifts and talents that God has given to each individual)." In this relaxed environment, students can balance their studies and music with peace of mind.

Do you have any advice for us as we move on to high school and college?