2006/10/10.　interviewer Koji Asada.

When and how did you get into skateboarding?
When I was in 9th grade skateboarding was popular so my friends and I started skating.Then we quit for a while.After I turned 20, I went to New York on vacation and I bought a skateboard again.That`s when my friends and I got back into it and have been skating ever since.

Do your friends who started skating with still skate?
Yep. One is Tama-chan who films for Instant skateboard shop and the other friend is Yoshi.

What countries have you skated?
I went to Vancouver when I was 22. It was so fun. When you were there, how different was it from Japanese skate scene?There were a lot of young kids and gils skating hard and agressively.I was so impressed at the time because I had just started skating.

What country would you like to go?
Anywhere in Europe.

What was the most memorable skate tour?
Well.....I `ve been to many places but last time when I went to Kofu in Yamanashi prefecture was fun.My friends and I often visit Kotatsu who is a good friend of Mr. Honma (the owner of Instant skateboard shop).The crew from Yamanashi also comes here a lot so we take care of each other.

What`s good about Yamanashi?
Good crew. Kotatsu is the man. (laughs)

What`s your daily life like?
Go to work and skate after work. On my days off I skate all day.

How often do you skate?
About 3 or 4 days a week.

Where do you usually skate?
Everywhere. I always skate different places.

Who do you often skate with?
Usually with Instant crew or local home-town skaters and Tama-chan.

What do you do on rainy days?
I do absolutely nothing!

Do you watch skate videos?
Yeah, I often watch them at Instant. There is always something playing. Videos are good way to get motivated.Sometimes you see unbelievable tricks!

What really motivates you to skate?
It has to be my crew. The people I skate with.

What was the worst injury you`ve had?
3 or 4 years ago I dislocated my left elbow. There was a contest so a week before the contest I was practicing very hard.I was messing with a rail, then I did a nollie halfcab slide on it and slammed hard on my elbow.When I saw my hand it was turned the opposite direction, that`s when I thought trouble! I couldn`t move. Then I was sent to the hospital.

Has the injury changed the way you skate?
Not at all! After I dislocated my elbow, I entered the contest anyway with a cast on.I always want to skate! But injury sucks.

Have you been in media abroad?
I was in Lodown magazine from Germany. It was a picture of me doing a nosegrind on a pink hump curve.Muraken took the shot and the people from Lodown was visting Japan at the time and liked the picture.It was good timing and I was stoked.

When you go for a photoshoot, what kind of spots do you look for?
My skating is not really technical, it`s more of a gung ho style. So, somewhere that fits such style.

What was the best trick you`ve ever landed?
Let me see.....It was a 360 flip over a decent gap I did at a levy with a very narrow runway and run out.It took me three days to stick it.

Where do you think skateboarding is headed in Japan?
Well....we are starting to see more domestic brands such as Uniful.I think there will be more domestic companies in the future.

How different is your skating compared to the time you started?
Different? I think nothing has changed. I still skate and practice hard.......But more people are noticing me. It`s great and I`ve made many friends over the years.

What`s your future goal?
I will be still skating when I`m old.

Are you working on a project now?
I`m always skating with filmers and photographers so getting good shots and footage is my current priority.

What`s the hardest thing about skating?
When you get injured! (laughs) It`s the worst!

Do you stretch before skating?
Just a little......

Do you have any food you hate?
Pickles......

Have you always had the same hairdo?
I`ve had shaved head for good 3 or 4 years. Before, I used to have all types of hair styles, but someone mentioned that I looked good shaved.After that I knew shaved head was for me. Besides it`s convenient. (laughs)

Any hobbies besides skating?
None.

What do you think about the new Prime Minister Abe?
I don`t know anything about politics. Just want him to do his job.

What`s fun about street skating?
You could never find a perfect spot. There is always something that makes things hard.But when you get it on film, it`s a great feeling. Also to be able to discuss and argue trick selections with your crew is fun.

What`s fun about skateparks?
The fact that you can skate without getting off your board.

What annoys you?
When I do stupid things. (laughs) Kicking my self in the head thinking how stupid I am. Also when I can`t stick a trick I usually can. Oh, how frustrating that is!

What`s something people don`t know about you?
I am a pervert. (laughs)

Do you have a girlfriend?
No. I`m happy just skating.

Can balance boards help improve skating?
Hmmmm. I`ve never tried it....... but I think it can be a great abdominal workout. (laughs)

Any last comment?
Yeah, keep skating!