Yumi Matsutoya I will do my best to clear the tasks in front of me. The attitude I developed when I was young has not changed.

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Yumi Matsutoya
Born in Tokyo. In 1972, while studying at Tama Art University, she debuted under her maiden name, Yumi Arai, with the single "I Don't Need an Answer." In 1976, she married Masataka Matsutoya and took the name Yumi Matsutoya.
His representative works include "Graduation Photo," "Hello, My Friend," "Come Spring," and many others.
In 2007, the final chapter of the series, "SHANGRILA I" was held (38 performances in six major cities nationwide, attracting 300,000 people), which was praised as the best "SHANGRILA" in history.

The interview began in a relaxed atmosphere with the simple words, "Call me Yuming." Her marine look is adorable, and you can feel her power and expressiveness. What is the secret to her continued brilliance at the forefront?

No matter what route you take, it's all about "expression"

She began her professional career at the age of 14, and debuted at the age of 7 with the single "No Answer Needed" under her maiden name, Arai Yumi. At the time, she was a first-year university student majoring in Japanese painting at Tama Art University.

"I'll probably pursue a career in art or music." That's what I thought from a young age. Even as a child, I couldn't imagine myself becoming a regular office lady, getting married, and becoming a housewife."

When he entered junior high school and began to take an interest in Western music, he was influenced by the British rock band Brocol Harum and had a strong desire to "write his own songs." At the time, a surprising number of British rock bands had members who had graduated from art schools. He thought it would be cool to go to art school and then play music! However, his parents were against him pursuing a career in music. "They said it was fine if I studied classical music and went to music college, but not music that I didn't understand. However, since my family ran a dyeing business, they allowed me to continue my studies in Japanese painting."

Balancing her studies and work was difficult. "Once a week we had a work exhibition, and once a month we had a faculty meeting with the professor. There were many times when I couldn't submit my work, but with the help of my friends I managed to get the credits. I'm sure the professor could see that I hadn't written it myself (laughs)." However, the words of her professor at the time, the Japanese painter Matazo Kayama, would later become a source of strength for her as an "artist."

"Even back then, Professor Kayama was a master, but I felt that what he said was quite different. He told me, 'I see you've released a record, but that's also an expression. Bring that record to the next public performance.' I felt that no matter what route you take, it's all the same in terms of expression."

When creating a work that takes her to a new realm as she encounters new things after having changed, she writes both consciously and unconsciously. "I also really enjoy just walking around town. I draw out what's in my heart and combine what I see to create something," she answers in a way that is typical of Yuming. "I try to put as much as possible into words, because that way I can remember it myself." When she sees a beautiful sunset, she wants to share it with someone, and it feels even more beautiful when she does. "I think that feeling is what motivates me the most to write."

He continues to create works in constant pursuit of change. "I still find myself constantly coming to terms with it. It's not just words or people, but books, movies...everything I come into contact with changes me little by little. When that changed me encounters something new, I can reach a new level."

Because I was able to "escape" each time. I continued running with this energy.

What is the secret to her continued brilliance? "I've been through a lot of different phases up until now. Before I knew it, I was popular and had a big boom, then I got married straight away in my 20s. There was a time when I was desperately writing songs and touring, and then there was a time when I had a slightly better outlook and wanted to take on more adventures. I've always tried my hand at directing and creating works that no one else had tried before."

He's released every possible work to the world. No one would complain if he didn't do any more. "But if I don't create, I'll rot. I'm the kind of person who shouldn't be alive," he says. "I've been able to get this far because I let go each time. I've kept running with this energy. If I'd been overcoming hurdles every time, I might not have been able to keep going. I felt a particular sense of freedom with this album. This was a turning point, and it gave me the confidence to keep going." Through music and his student days, he learned something: "Whether it's club activities or getting credits, I think the key is to do your best to achieve what's in front of you. At the time, you might feel like you're in a different place from who you'll be in the future. But even if your values ​​change, the attitude you cultivated in your youth won't. No matter where you are in society or where you are now, I think it's important to approach everything with a positive attitude."

From the August 2009 issue of the Student Newspaper