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JAM Project
Shin Seimei Happyou Kisha
Kaiken (JAM Project New
Announcement Press Conference)
Portuguese Version
日本語 (Japanese
Version)
Local: LANTIS Bunka
Housou Media Palace Hall
Date:
10/30/2007
Participation:
Hironobu Kageyama, Rica Matsumoto, Masaaki Endo,
Hiroshi Kitadani, Masami Okui, Yoshiki Fukuyama e
Shunji Inoue
Apresentation:
Kiyoko Matsumura
For the children who carry the future...and for
adults who don't forget their dreams...
-Now, today's
subject-
It goes without saying that now, that JAM
Project is making an announcement. It looks
like there's some kind of new development.
Because this group has been recognized since it
formed as the group that will carry the anison
world, I participated with strong emotions. At
this press conference, along with regular fans,
people who run individual sites and blogs were
there as "user reporters," as an experiment. Now,
I'm participating as the adminstrator of "Iron and
Steel" (which isn't really anything important) and
also for the Brazilian anime song fansite giant,
"Anime Songs. (www.animesongs.com.br)"
Cultural Broadcasting Media Plus is located in
a metropolitan area. Even though I got there
early, the place was already full of fans.
Eventually, thanks to the support of the staff, I
arrived at the meeting place.
The meeting place was the media press hall on
the 12th floor of Cultural Broadcasting.
There were many people there watching and
recording. Towards the front, there were
seats for the real press, but luckily in front of
the stage ther was a giant screen on which the DVD
of "JAM Project Japan Circuit 2007 Break Out" was
playing. On the stage were tables and chairs
and nameplates laid out: from the left, Kageyama,
Matsumoto, Endoh, Kitadani, Okui, and
Fukuyama.
BGM: Break Out
Finally, it began. The DVD stopped and
"Break Out" began to play. The MC,
Suzuki-san, made an announcement, and Matsumura
Kiyoko-san, representing Lantis, made a speech of
greeting. Then, finally, the JAM members all
came out.
Kageyama-san, Matsumoto-san, Endoh-san,
Kitadani-san, Okui-san, and Fukuyama-san, in that
order, each gave a greeting.
Kitadani: Today I'll try hard
not to
stutter.
Fukuyama: Hey, today I'm going
heat up...it's a press conference!
It was a harmonious start. Beginning from
Matsumura-san, each of the members made
announcements in turn.
①-01. About the live, part
1
Matsumura: So, let's start from next
year's live.
Matsumoto: Yeah!
Dum dum dum dum dum...(drumroll).
2008! JAM Project live
tour!
Audience: Oooooh!
Then Matsumoto-san announced all of
the places and dates....
2008.2.2 Saitama
2008.2.11
Nagoya (Aichi)
2008.2.16-17 Osaka
2008.3.2
Tokyo
Tickets: 6500 yen
There's no live in Tohoku or
Kyuushuu, but there is one in Nagoya.
That's a step up.
Matsumura: (Talks about some
of the sponsors) Also, this time, if he can,
Ricardo Cruz plans to
participate.
Kageyama: He
couldn't participate in his first
live.
Kageyama: This meeting
place is used for many different purposes, but at
last year's live we had our last dress rehearsal
here. We really liked the atmosphere.
So now, we're doing our second all-country tour,
and we decided that we want to show the fans at
the Saitama something like a dress rehearsal.
②-About the live, part 2
Endou: This live's title is
JAM Project Japan Flight 2008 "No
Border."
Matsumoto: Repeat!
"No Border"!
Audience: "No
Border"!(everyone
laughs)
Kageyama: Ha ha ha
ha. You'll understand what "No Border" means
soon.
③-About the live, part 3
Kitadani: Next year, from June
to November, we'll do an overseas tour, "World
Flight 2008"!
Audience:
Ooooooh!
Matsumura: It hasn't
been officially decided yet, but the proposed
sites are:
America, Mexico, Brazil, Korea, China (Beijing,
Shanghai, Hong Kong, etc.), Taiwan, Europe
Kageyama: The members also
wanted this overseas live. For several
years, we've performed individually in Brazil, and
the response was amazing. The Lantis
president, Inoue Shunji, said, "You must be
lying," and when I showed him the picture, he said
"This must be CG, Kage, you got good at using a
Mac."
(everyone
laughs)
Kageyama: But, now on
sites like YouTube, you can see the videos, so he
believed me. I was asked to do events
before, but just this year I was able to not just
do an event in Korea, but people paid to see
us. So, this tour might be possible. By the
way, this year's Brazilian event was "Anime
Friends" in July. At the main event, "Super
Friends Spirits," JAM members Kageyama-san,
Sakamoto-san, Endoh-san, Kitadani-san, Okui-san,
Fukuyama-san, and Ricardo have participated.
Also, many other singers such as Kushida-san,
MoJo, Miyauchi-san, NoB, etc. have
participated.
Matsumura: Since foreign fans
also feel a connection to JAM's music, we're also
thinking about releasing a CD overseas.
④-New development: CD
announcement
Matsumura: Okay, one more
thing....huh?
Kageyama: Ha ha
ha ha, are you
okay?
Matsumura: Yeah.
Uhh, before this Japan and world tour, we're going
to release a CD.
Okui: Yes, the title is...
Original CD Single "No
Border"--2008.01.28 release!
This is JAM's original theme song for their in-
and out-of-country tour! Since the original
album "JAM First Process," it's actually been 6
years since JAM has released an original work.
Matsumura: It's JAM's
announced "original"
song!
Kitadani: What,
"original"?
Kageyama: Is it
"original..."
Matsumura: It's
"original." (everyone laughs)
Typical Matsumura-san. She energetically
supports JAM. Here, each member said something
about their large-scale tour.
 Kageyama:
Because this year's main all-country tour was
successful, we can do another all-country tour and
also an overseas tour. In order to make our
actions clear, we're going to release the original
theme song "No Border." I think there are
walls between countries and between people.
Even though they live in neighboring countries,
they fight. I think that Japan can offer
anime in order to defend against these
walls. We sing Japanese anime songs that we
can send to the world's children...that is the
meaning of "No Border," in my opinion. It's
a small gesture, but I think it's necessary.
We've already been called "veterans," but it's a
thing that we veterans must do. That's why
spirited music is necessary. Thanks to
"Dragonball Z," we've been called overseas, and we
can sing without worrying about things like skin
color. We need to start somewhere, like from
the common ground of liking
anime.
Matsumoto: We wanted to
do something to repay our gratitude to the fans
who have cheered us on for 7 years. If all 6
of us can go overseas and touch more and more of
our fans, we'll be happy.
Endoh: Always, while
we're on a wonderful stage, we're thinking about
what we can do while we're singing. Our
friends and younger co-workers have assured us
that if we can make this overseas trip, it will be
the first step.
Kitadani: I
want to show Japan's, and the world's, people an
amazing performance!
Okui:
Everyone already said what I want to say,
but...from now, we're going to make our original
single. As our leader said, if our feelings
can become a song and Japan and the world can
become one, it would be a good thing. I'm
happy that we can finally undertake this overseas
live we've been talking about for so many
years.
Fukuyama: I don't have
anything to say...I joined JAM in the middle, but
at that time I thought it would be impossible to
have a whole country tour or an overseas
tour. Doing an overseas lives with everybody
made me happy, but a lot of people said "Won't you
do a live with JAM?" I'm happy that I can
feel the same thing I felt going over seas alone
with this group of six. Everyone else feels
the same way.
⑤-New development: about the
logo
Fukuyama read details about the logo.
Kageyama: Read it like a
gun.
Kitadani: Like a
gun.
Fukuyama: I'll read it
like a gun. For this world tour, a new logo
has been made. On the screen, the new JAM logo
appeared. On the new logo, the dot on the J in
"JAM Project" is a star, and the background is a
wireframe distorted earth.
Matsumura: This logo
represents our beliefs for next year. We're
going to continue using the logo we've been using
up until now alongside this one. When you
see this logo.....please feel good.
(everyone
laughs) I love the first logo, so I'm relieved
that they're being used together.
⑥-New development: about
collaboration
Matsumura: JAM has
changed. From writing the songs to the
directing, they do everything themselves.
And, in order to change even more..."Collaboration
with Nikoniko Video!"
Audience:
Ooooooh.
Kageyama: Don't
look!
Matsumura: Furthermore,
"Shuraki"....
In front of Matsumura-san, a figure of
Shuraki. Then the BGM played a sample of
Shuraki's theme song.
Matsumura: We're collaborating
with the Shuraki of this figure. A story was
born from this figure. We're in the middle
of an expansion. As opposed to anime, JAM is
getting support from leaders in music. The
song that's playing now is an example...that was
recorded recently.
Kageyama: I
played this guitar.
Endoh:
That must be why the rhythm kind of
sucks.
Kageyama: I'll play it
for you later.
Audience:
Really?
Matsumura: Huh?
We're on a time limit, so please ignore him.
Matsumura-san is cool and
dangerous.
Matsumura: Finally, we're going
to hear from Inoue Shunji-san, the company
president of Lantis, which backs up the JAM
Project.President "Keyboard" Inoue runs across the
front of the stage. Kageyama: You're looking
thin. I thought you were
Kin-chan.
Inoue: Well, Lantis
is happy to be able to stand up alongside JAM at
this time. I've hit a dead end as president
several times and had to discuss with JAM.
Please continue supporting us.
⑦-Question and answer
session
Next was a question and answer session.
It mostly focused on the user reporters and the
regular fans.
Audience member: When I hear
about the live tour, it definitely makes me think
about the "giant onion"
place...
Endoh: ...The grocery
store? (everyone laughs)
Audience
member: Why did you choose NHK Hall in
Tokyo?
Kageyama: For right
now, because of the goals of the band, starting
from a small live house, there's Shibuya Town
Hall, Japan Junior Chamber, Hibiya Nooto, NHK
Hall, and then Nihonbudoukan. Like climbing
up a flight of stairs. So for the year after
next, the next one on the list is NHK Hall.
Audience member: Regarding the
information about going off into the world, what
are your plans for September and
October?
Kageyama: What we do
is, to some people, kind of like a religion.
Take it easy. I know the limit to how much
one can sing, but aren't these members, to a
certain extent, veterans? Sooner or later,
we're probably going to take in some younger
members. If we ride on the rails those who
came before us created and spread out into the
world, we'd like to continue representing
that.
Audience member: Will there be
a JAM fan club? Also, will you make English
and Korean versions of your
website?
Kageyama: What do you
think, Okui-san?
Okui: Ah,
yes!
Kageyama: The fan club
pro, Okui-san.
Kitadani: She's
a pro.
Okui: I sure am.
There all kinds of fan clubs...for example, for
adults. It might take a while before we have
one.
We'd have to discuss a
lot.
Matsumura: A fan club
that charges money is difficult to implement, but
we'll look into the website.
Audience member: Um, in the
February 18 performance, isn't Mizuki going to
come?
Kageyama: You didn't say
"san"! (smirking)
Audience
member: Is Mizuki-san going to
participate in this
live?
Endoh: We've only just
decided on the live so we don't know the details,
but I won't say that there's no chance. But
Mizuki-san is a busy
person....
Kitadani: That's
right.
Endoh: And his
health...
Kitadani:
Oooo...
Kageyama: But don't
you know? Mizuki-san is going to have a 60
song live next year.
Endoh: 60
songs?!
Kitadani:
Wow!
Kageyama: It's his 60th
birthday. We're going to help him out,
too.
 Here I asked "Anime
Friends"-esque questions. In front of all of
these people and all of the members of JAM Project
is a rare
situation.
Me: This is a rumor from the
administrator of the "Anime Friends" fansite, but
is Ricardo-san going to participate in the Brazil
and other overseas
lives?
Kageyama: Of course. Ha ha
ha. If we didn't let him sing in Brazil,
Ricardo would be pretty angry. He also can
do talks in Brazil. We're going to guide
Ricardo around the world as much as we
can!
Matsumoto: In Brazil,
Ricardo is leading a meeting for us.
Me: This
question is from a little while ago but, because
you don't know whether Mizuki-san can
participate...the Brazilian fans say, "Someday we
want to see a nine-person JAM in
Brazil!"
Kageyama: You mean, with
Mizuki-san and Sakamoto-chan
too?
Me: Y...yes.
Kageyama: That's
possible. It would be
nice...
Me: Th, thank
you
Audience member: This is a
request. On this tour, you're spending 2
days in Osaka, so won't you add another one to
Tokyo? Also, like the Kawasaki film live,
won't you do mini lives and events and CD delivery
in small towns?
Matsumura:
We've been hearing that request a lot, but the
members are really busy. So, we'll think
about it.
Finally, the last question.
Audience
member: My little sister memorized the
names of everyone in the JAM Project, but she
always says "Kageyama Nobuhiro." What should
I do? (the members and the whole hall
laugh)
Endoh: Either one's
fine.(more laughter)
Kageyama:
Ha ha ha, this is a good final question.
Well....if I can make good music, my name doesn't
matter.
Endoh & Kitadani:
Coooool!
Kageyama: But, on my
first album with Lantis, the first press release
said "Kageyama Horonobu."(everyone
laughs)
Kitadani: Well, names
are difficult, aren't they?
Kageyama
& Endoh: Hey!! Don't you just use
hiragana?!
The last question brought everyone
together.
⑧-Photograph session
The members temporarily left for a photography
session with the press.
BGM: Break Out
With "Break Out" in the background, the members
re-entered and had another photography session
with everybody.The standing order was, from the
left, Fukuyama-san, Kageyama-san, Okui-san,
Matsumoto-san, Kitadani-san, Endoh-san.
Seeing them this close to me is a precious
memory.
⑨-Closing
They each said something in closing to the
audience. The went from the left.
Fukuyama: Whenever I see an
audience I get nervous, but today I could relax...
And then the music
stopped.
Fukuyama: Don't stop
the music! Well, I'll do my best, please
support me!
Kageyama: I don't
think any of us have ever experienced being part
of such a famous unit. Please cheer us
on.
Okui: From now on we'll do
whatever we can!
Matsumoto:
I'm happy that we could make such an open
announcement. Keep supporting us! Come
see us!
Kitadani: I always
look at fans' websites and blogs, but today I
could hear everyone's real voices. For
everybody and for the world, I'll do my
best!
Endoh: With "No Border,"
we're going to transcend national borders and all
kinds of other things! Having each said a comment,
the members exited to heavy applause.
Suzuki-san made some final announcements, and the
press conference was over.JAM is is charge of
continuing to sing anime, game, and tokusatsu
songs, and they've begun to collaborate with the
very popular "Niko Niko Video." There are
even more challenges for them. It's been
seven years since the JAM Project's formation, and
their initial proclamation of "having hits
overseas" is finally being realized. More
than the Japanese fans, the overseas fans can
relate to the spirit of "No Border," right? Anime
songs have no borders. JAM Project has begun
rowing across an ocean of dreams. Finally,
the day has come when the "J" flag can be
raised all over the world. They'll run through the
world and become huge!
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