Nao: The quickest way to make your dreams come true is to keep preparing to seize opportunities.

Nao (In addition)

■ Profile

Born in Fukuoka Prefecture in 1995. Winner of the Best Newcomer Award at the 2021 Yokohama Film Festival. His film "10 Years Left to Live" is currently in theaters. He also stars in the NHK drama "Snow Country" (BS Premium/BS4k, broadcasting this spring). He also works as a photographer under the name "sunao."

■Please tell us your thoughts on acting and what attracts you to it.

Acting was the first thing that made me think, "I want to make a living from this." I took an acting workshop and while I didn't really understand acting, I was drawn in by how much fun it was and thought, "I want to do more!" I realized there were so many things I wanted to do, so I chose the path of acting.

The appeal of acting is its "uncertainty." You don't know what the right answer is, but there are moments when you are moved. Another interesting aspect is that you can think about things from different perspectives through the role. When I feel moved, I feel glad that I did it, so it's very rewarding.

■What do you value?

"Continue to prepare to seize opportunities." I moved to Tokyo at the turning point of my 20th year, and the reality that I had no job, no one I knew, and no one wanted me filled me with anxiety every day. But I still wanted to do it, so I watched movies and read books to prepare for the opportunity that would come someday. I am who I am today because of who I was back then. I don't know if dreams will always come true, but I believe that opportunities come to everyone. If you prepare to seize opportunities, you might be able to make your dreams come true. That's why I want to keep preparing and keep challenging myself. "Regrets about not doing things" stay with you forever. I want to keep challenging myself so that I don't have any regrets, keep moving toward a happy future, and be the person I am with pride, even when I see my past self.

■Please give us a message for university students

Pursue what you want to do and what you love, and prepare for the opportunities that will surely come your way! Nothing you put your heart into will be wasted, so I hope you enjoy your time. And if your daily life is boring, please come to the cinema.

■ After the interview

The words "My past self always pushes me forward" made a big impression on me. There were so many wonderful messages, it's a shame I couldn't share them all with you all. I was able to feel Nao's passionate feelings hidden within her gentle demeanor, and it was an interview that taught me new things and gave me new discoveries.

Student Newspaper Special Edition April 2022, Meiji Gakuin University, 4th year student, Sakurako Kojima

Kanto Acupuncture and Moxibustion College, 2nd year student Takehara Koryu / Tsuda University, 4th year student Kawanami Aki / Meiji Gakuin University, 4th year student Kojima Sakurako Photography: Photographer Hirota Seita