2007/2 /19.　interviewer koji Asada.

Hello. Seems like you`ve been busy lately.
Well, my signature model from ReLa skateboards is coming out, Dostech is releasing new wheels, I`ve been skating. So I`ve been doing lots of things.

How often do you skate?
At least 6 times a month.

6 times a month? That`s not very often.
Yep.(laughs) Well, at least 6 times.

Who do you usually skate with?
Usually with Instant crew.

Whereabouts?
Usually local spots. Koto ward, Edogawa ward, Chiba area, Odaiba. Mostly Eastern Tokyo.

You`ve been busy filming. What video are you working on?
Tamaki from Instant is making a video, so I`m trying to get a part in it.

I see. Looking forward to checking it out. Ok, let`s start some basic questions. How did you get into skating?
My big brother was skating at the time, and it looked really fun. So I started skating infront of the house by myself.

How old were you?
11years old. I was in fifth grade, so it was about 18 years ago. It was the second skateboarding boom in Japan.

Do you remember your first board?
It was a cheap 20-dollar board from a department store.Then my brother gave me his. It was a "Shine-a-moon" model from Max Motion Skateboard shop in Japan. It had a pumpkin graphic like the spooy Halloween pumpkins.

What was your first trick?
End Over.

End Over??
It`s more of a turn than a trick. You just turn the board 180 from you nose. For a while I thought I was doing a backside 180 ollie.(laughs)

You`ve been skating for a long time. What`s so fun about skating?
Good qustion. Hmm...is skating itself fun? or sessioning with your friends is fun? Well, I think skating with your friends and trying to outdo each other is the fun part of skating. For sure, skating alone by yourself is not fun.(laughs)

When did you turn pro?
Well, in the old days, when you win the amateur AJSA (All Japan Skateboard Association) contest, you could automatically turn pro and ......I think it was 1994 or 95 when I won the contest, I turned pro.


What is necessary to stay as a pro?
Ofcourse you have to have skills but you also have to be a role model. For example, following rules... not littering. If you don`t show good examples, no one will listen to you, right Keita? (his teammate)Keita: Well, but punk pros are always punk.(laughs) ......well...that`s� fine,too.Keita: But this is Japan, so everyone please follow the rules.(laughs)

You are right. Next question. Old contests were means for amateurs to become pro but now there is no such system. What do you think about contests now?
lthinkI they are a good way to check your level.

Are they really important for amateurs who want to turn pro?
I`m not sure if entering contests is a necessary step for becoming pro, but you can check if your level is good enough to become pro. Personally, I think it`s a great chance to sell yourself, so enter as often as possible. But then again, you don`t have to.(laughs)

When did you start up ReLa skateboards?
In the spring of 2004.

Why did you decide to start up your own company?
Before ReLa, I rode for an American company under a Japanese distributor. But I really wanted a company where I could contribute to its success. I wanted to be involved from designing the deck........... not because I wanted a pro model. But a brand where my effort counted. Then luckily K&K distribution approached me with this oppotunity.

What`s your future goal with ReLa?
For sure to get it going and make sure ReLa stays as a brand.

What are you doing to help Japanese skateboard scene?
I participate in skateboard worshops and offerlessons and film for How-to-instruction videos.

I`ve heard you used to do gymnastics. Has it helped you in skating?
Well I did it for a year in 9th grade but I don`t think it really helped me in skating. Just because you are flexible doesn`t mean that you are not going to break bones.

What were your past injuries?
I`ve fractured bones here and there but the worst one was when I broke my tail bone. I slammed on a kinked handrail. 3 months later I was able to move around but it took me 6 months to get back on my board.

What are you into besides skating?
Let me see.....Golf. Sometimes I go to the driving range.

Do you go by yourself?
With my wife. I also watch Korean dramas.......

What was your biggest accomplishment in life?
Hmmm.........getting married? I can`t believe so many friends celebrated ! Thanks everyone.

Have you been abroad?
I`ve been to the UK, France, Italy, Dubai but the only country I got to skate was South Korea. That was 4 or 5 years ago.

How was it different from Japan?
It was very similar but in Korea it seemed each skaters were skating the session individually rather than as a group. In Japan, we often enjoy sessions trying to up each other and at the same time push each other. Korean skaters were skating more for themselves.

Many Japanese skaters dream of going to the US. Have you ever thought of testing your skills in the US?
Well, I`ve never been so interested in going to the US. Sure it is great to check out the birthplace of skateboarding and see the real thing. But I`d rather see more of Japan. That`s just me.(laughs)

Fill me in on team Flower.
In 1994, it was originally formed as team New Type`s sister team. Team members were ex-New Type riders Lee and Minoru Taguchi, Minoru Morita, Ito-chan who used to make Candy Candy Magazine and me. Then Zizow joined later. We used to skate in Akiba area a lot. We also released two videos but the team broke up in 1997 or 98.

What do you think is lacking in Japanese skate scene?
Not much but basically our skate population is very low. One way to get more people into skating is through media. But skateboarding has such a bad image. Many of us don`t even follow park rules, hopping over the fence and skating past opening hours and leaving trash behind. We are the ones to blame for such bad reputation........

Everyone, don`t break park rules. OK, what is important when you go filming or go for photo-shoots?
Sleep well the night before.� You have to be in your best condition to get your job done, otherwise you end up with nothing good. Also the chemistry, trust and relationship with the cameraman is very important.

Who is hot lately?
There are many young upcomers. Some of the Instant crew are hot.

Right on. I`m looking forward to checking out the next Instant video. If you had second chance in life, what would you be?
What would I be? You also have to think about which gender....man or woman........but I`d be a man again. I`d probably do something good for society or helping people.

How would you describe yourself?
Very laid-back and forgetful.

How have you changed from the time you got into skateboarding and now?
As a person, I`ve become to take more initiatives on my own and have become more active. I used to skate away from other skaters because I was so shy with low self-esteem. I think everyone goes through this stage. As we get older, we become more active and expressive. I matured a lot. Now I greet people and talk to them face to face.

Is it thanks to skating?
For sure. Through skating, I got to meet so many people. It definitely helped me improve my socializing skill.

You always seem to keep your composure. Don`t you ever lose your temper?
I am super laid-back. But it depends. I do get angry when I have to. Only when there`s a good reason.

What advice can you give to amateurs looking for sponsors?
You need to show your skating more and more. There are many media outlets such as videos ot internet. The more you get recognized, the better the chances. You`ll get nowhere just skating around your house. It`ll be a waste of talent.

What`s your bad habit?
Short-term memory.

Any last words?
Please check out my pro model from ReLa that`ll be out in late March. Greet everyone! Don`t leave your trash! I sound like an old man. Anyways, thanks and stay away from injuries!