Graduated from NGT48 on January 31, 2021 and is now continuing her activities as a freelancer. She was once criticized by many people in society, but she still insisted on herself. She asked her about her vision for the future, now on a new path.
——When Miss Kato graduated from NGT48, did she have a description of her impression of the future?
Although Kato did not have a clear decision, the seniors of the 48 groups that have graduated so far shine in a variety of fields, and this is part of my encouragement. However, I don't think such a future would have been considered without COVID-19.
- What's going on?
Kato Idol's words have daily performances and events, and there are also reassuring parts. Although the things that are given will be fully committed, but I have not imagined the future.... So, I think COVID-19 is a big turning point for me to re-examine myself.
-- And we are actively engaged in cosmetics-related activities. Is this something that has been considered since the age of idols?
Kato himself is very interested in cosmetics and beauty, so I want to associate this with work. When I was an idol, I also introduced the cosmetics sold on the market, and fans who saw these cosmetics would buy them for me. But after graduating from idols, I wanted to do things that I couldn't do in the idol era. Specifically, I want to start making cosmetics from the planning stage. Originally, I had a place where I couldn't calm down without grasping everything.
- Is that a character thing?
I think Kato is like this. Have you woken up the interesting feeling of creating something you feel and think about from the beginning? So eventually I want to develop products or build a company....
- How to build a company!? Isn't that a great entrepreneur!
Kato no, no, no I think everyone knows that in my idol era, a lot of things really happened, and it was definitely not a smooth road. Therefore, the people who support me now, if they really don't like me, will not come with me.
On the other hand, in February this year, he won the Newcomer Model Award for "WEIBO Acount Festival in Japan 2020". What kind of activity is this for people you don't know?
On Kato WEIBO(Weibo), a Chinese version of Twitter-like SNS, it is an event that recognizes Japanese artists and actors who have influence on China. The venue itself has no audience, but the scale is needless to say, 500 million people watch it a day....
- 500 million people!?
Kato is very powerful. That holiday alone added about 55,000 WEIBO fans.
- Then again, why does the newcomer Miss Kato have this story?
Kato I have had a WEIBO account since I was an idol. Initially the staff said "there is no precedent", but please please anyway.... In other words, overseas fans are very enthusiastic about supporting us. These people have seen the SNS used in Japan, and I myself have the feeling of wanting to visit each other. I also want to know what you're after and have the opportunity to expand on your own. It's not just China, it's Thailand as well. There has been such an idea of actively sending messages overseas since the beginning.
——Is the so-called "Newcomer Model Award" an activity for models in China?
Although Kato plans to act as a model, it is not model-centric. However, this means that Japanese "artists" are called "models" in China, and now I, who are neither singers nor actresses, have won awards in the framework of models.
Dedication to the path of freelancers
So what do you want to do in China in the future?
Kato specifically, I would like to introduce Chinese to cosmetics and home appliances that are popular in Japan. On the contrary, the popular cosmetics and home appliances in China will continue to be introduced to Japan... Then, if only it could be a bridge for young people in Japan and China.
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Kato is actually very reactive. There are many people who are popular in Japan. There are already many Japanese Influencers active in South Korea. But Japanese people operating in China are not yet popular. Young girls in China have a strong desire for Japanese fashion and cosmetics. However, there is also a side that is difficult to obtain information. In Japan, Chinese makeup has also completely penetrated among young people, and I think this trend is unstoppable. So I am now also studying hard with the teacher Chinese.
But with the expansion of the career, there will also be a situation that you can't cope with alone, right? Is it possible to join the firm in the future?
No, If I could, I'd like to keep doing it myself. Of course, the firm to which the firm belongs also has good points. Mood can also be assured. But I think the sense of speed and pace of what I'm going to do in the future is very important.
- This is a freelancer formed after many considerations. But there's a lot of confusion and surprise after becoming a free skater, right?
Kato, it's really hard. From schedule management to money, you have to decide for yourself. Control YouTube's photography, editing, studios, conversations... There will always be something to do. When you sleep, you are also thinking about work somewhere in your mind. In the idol era, the things that I took for granted were actually not taken for granted at all, and with the support of many people, I deeply felt my own activities.
——Finally, please leave a message to the fans.
Kato: "There is no title", I think it is more difficult than the way to help in the idol era. But as far as I am concerned, because I often want to challenge new things, if I can feel something from this position, I will be very happy that Minami Sauce can do it, and I will try to take a step myself."