Terry Ito Don't underestimate life, but do it seriously. Doing what you love is the "winning formula" in life.

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Terry Ito　

Born in Tsukiji, Tokyo in 1949, he is a director. After attending Waseda Jitsugyo Junior and Senior High School, he entered Nihon University's School of Economics. After graduating from university, he joined the television production company IVS Television. He worked on hit programs such as "Tensai Takeshi's Genki ga Deru TV" and "Neruton Benikujidan." He then went independent and became the general director of TV Tokyo's "Asakusabashi Young Clothing Store." He has directed numerous television programs and commercials, including "Sapporo Nama Shibori," "Uniqlo," "Propia," and "MG Rover."

Terry Ito is a multifaceted actor in the entertainment industry, not only directing TV programs but also working as a TV personality and commentator, and at the age of 70, he is currently studying at Keio University Graduate School. We spoke to Terry about his time as a student, some tips for life, and his message to university students.

Turning a moving experience from university into a career

I was the worst in college. I was obsessed with girls and always thought about how to become more popular. After graduating, I was just drifting around without getting a job, so my family would say, "Everyone your age is working hard, what are you doing?" I got anxious when I heard stories of my friends starting to get their first salaries and bonuses, and my friends working for foreign companies getting foreign girlfriends. I was at a loss and wondering if I was destined to end up a loser in life. This was the trigger for me to look back on my life.

At that moment, I thought back on the 22 years up to that point and made a list of all the good things that had happened. Then I remembered directing a concert in my second year of university. When the stage I had worked on finished and the curtain came down, tears naturally welled up in my eyes. I had cried in the past because I was moved by something I saw, but it was the first time in my life that I had cried because of something I had done myself. So I decided to work in directing!

I encourage everyone to make a list of things that make you think, "I can work harder at this than others," or "I can do this without sleep and not feel too bad." Isn't it good to have just one thing you love? I think that thing you love will lead to your "winning formula" in life. I think it would be great if you could research what you love and put it into shape. The important thing is to turn your impatience and complexes into power within yourself.

Actually, there was something I had decided in my mind when I entered this industry. That was, "Take life lightly, but do it seriously." A serious personality is good, but it can sometimes hold you back when you're trying to grow. On the other hand, if you have the perspective that "this world is no big deal," you can boldly take on difficult challenges. Take it lightly, but do your best. I hope everyone will take this into consideration.

I don't see any difficulty in my work

I don't have any difficulties with my job. That's because in directing, what we do is visible to the public. If your name appears on TV, your family and friends will see you. You get visible results. You may receive criticism when you're in the public eye, but it's rewarding and interesting. People say, "It must be busy and tough," but when we enter the studio, the lighting and art directors are already ready. They clean up after we leave. There are so many people supporting us. When I think about that, I wonder how I can say I'm "struggling."

You can try to look at your position negatively if you want to. "Well, it was tough," you might say. Instead, look for the positive aspects. When you get a job, I think you can learn something by thinking, "I'm so glad I got this job," rather than, "I hate this job." This goes for people too. The internet is full of criticism of others, but it's more positive to think, "How can this person become even better?"

I want to propose a way of life where you keep stepping up to the plate

I think our generation is disliked by younger generations because our generation pretty much shaped fashion and music. There's not much new to create for generations after us. I think our generation bears part of the responsibility for that. I'd like to be able to suggest to the baby boomer generation, who will soon be getting older, how they can be happy. I hope to be able to make interesting suggestions that will make them look at us and think, "If I lived my life like that, I wouldn't be so anxious when I got older." I'm currently doing some research on this at university. It's quite difficult, though. I want to convey that there are many "equations for how to live life."

I'm currently on YouTube. I thought criticizing people on TV wouldn't get me anywhere, so I thought it would be more interesting to appear on YouTube and become the target of criticism myself. I would especially recommend YouTube to older people. I think it's important to be in a position where you can be inspired, like standing in the batter's box as an active player, receiving yells when you strike out, and applause when you hit a home run.

Message to university students

I want people to do what they love. I believe there are many chances, so I think it's important to do what you want to do, learn, and show the world what's good within you. As you take on challenges, there are times when you feel hopeless and think, "Oh no, I can't do this anymore." But there is a "51 to 49 rule" in life. There will be 49 bad things. But there will also be 51 good things. If there are 51 good things, then there is also a part of your life that you should devote to those 51. When you hit a wall, rather than becoming nostalgic and thinking, "Things were better in the old days," I think it's better to think, "There are 51 good things, so let's try a little harder."

From the April 20, 2020 issue of the Student Newspaper (Waseda University freshman, Chisato Tanaka)

International Christian University third-year student Nao Suzuki / Student newspaper ambassador Tomomi Kondo / Keio University fourth-year student Anna Yamamoto / Waseda University first-year student Chisato Tanaka

Photo by professional photographer Seita Hirota