Yoshiro Sakuma's ideal is to remain "the same person" - Cherishing connections with others

■ Profile

Born in Tokyo in 1998. His major appearances include the film "Noboru Kodera-san" (directed by Furumaya Tomoyuki, 20), the drama "Nemesis" (directed by Irie Yu, 21), the drama "Homeroom" (directed by Kobayashi Yuki, 20), the lead role in the music video for indigo la End's "Yoru no Koi wa" (directed by Uchiyama Takuya, 21), and the lead role in the music video for Vickeblanka's "Ponytail" (directed by Kato Mani, 21), among others. Upcoming works include the film "Shodo" (directed by Doi Emi, scheduled for release in 21), and many others.

Sakuma Yoshiro is a young actor who has appeared in numerous films, TV shows and music videos. As he steadily climbs the ladder to stardom, step by step, we spoke to him about his ideal self, his own experiences and what you should do as a student, and many other stories that reveal his warm personality.

■The trigger for his entertainment career was a shock he felt during his student days

During my university years, I experienced part-time work in a variety of occupations, including at a public bathhouse, an apparel shop, and road traffic maintenance. During my first year of university, I unexpectedly managed to get my credits, so to add some color to my idle days, I tried out a variety of part-time jobs. One of them was working as a stylist. I had always dreamed of a glamorous world, but the stylist's work was a much more glamorous world than I had imagined, and I was shocked. The models, styled by stylists and posing confidently in front of the camera, looked radiant. I envied them and thought, "I want to be on that stage too," which is what led me to start my entertainment career.

■ You can overcome it because it's "fun"

Being an actor is so much fun that there's not a single thing I dislike about it. Since I'm doing what I love, I don't feel any hardships. However, I do have some anxieties and worries. For example, I'm scared of not knowing what the future holds. Recently, I was cast in a major role that will be filmed far away, and I'm also scared of how I'll create the character. Since I'll have to play a character that's so different from my usual self, I might experience new pain. However, because acting is so much more enjoyable, I think I'll be able to overcome it. It makes me really happy to see other people supporting and appreciating my work. Another appealing aspect of acting is that I get to meet people I wouldn't have met if I were living a normal life. That's true of the people from the student newspaper I met during today's interview. Meeting people like that is also very rewarding. Because there are so many joyful things, I'm able to turn what should be difficult moments into enjoyable ones.

■Stay true to yourself to become your ideal self

Just because I've entered the entertainment industry, I don't want to change who I am. Even if my situation changes, I want to remain someone who can always treat people equally and with the same sense of distance. My ideal is to stay true to who I am now. I don't want to forget my original intentions.
Previously, I was a stylist and was the one styling models. Now, I'm the one being styled. I still feel emotional just putting clothes on models while styling them. At times like that, I realize that I've grown a little, but I also strongly believe that I'll never forget this beginner's feeling. I also value connections with people in order to be the ideal version of myself.
For example, let's say I bumped into the students who are here to interview me today on the street a year from now. I would be sad if they didn't remember me then. That's why I will definitely always remember the students who came to interview me today. Meeting people is a miraculous thing, isn't it? I want to cherish those miracles and connections. In other words, my ideal self is "someone who continues to be the person I am now, who values ​​connections with people."

■Message

University is a place where all kinds of people gather, some with lots of friends and some without, some noisy and some quiet. Even in such a place, I think it's inevitable that you end up with certain people you hang out with all the time. It's comfortable to be with people you get along with. However, I would like you to try talking to people you don't normally talk to. Because doing so should help you renew yourself.
This happened to me when I was in college. I forgot my handout for a lecture, so I happened to ask the person sitting next to me, "Excuse me, could I see the handout?" The person gladly showed it to me. And when they handed it to me, for some reason they said, "There are police officers standing every 10 meters in the Imperial Palace." I had no idea about that, so I thought, "Oh, I see."
I don't think I would have been able to get this information if I hadn't actually gone to the Imperial Palace or looked into it. By mustering up the courage to ask, I was able to learn information I would never have known. If I had remained silent and said, "I forgot the printout, so I'll give up," I might never have known this information. This is just one example, but by communicating with unexpected people like this, new discoveries may be waiting for you. You might even be able to use those discoveries in important situations later in your life. Since you're attending university, try to talk to a variety of people and become friends with them.
Also, please listen to "Aozora" by the Blue Hearts. It's my favorite song. It's a great song, and it will change your life. When you're going through something bad or difficult, I hope you'll listen to "Aozora" and feel better. I hope you all have a fun time at university.

Interview with Student Newspaper Online on February 10, 2021 by Tsuda University freshman Sato Kokoro