I haven't quite decided yet. I've been feeling frustrated with some things lately, wondering when much of it will come to fruition (laughs). Like, there's this one drama that's quite unconventional, with baby-boomers like Pinko Izumi and Toshiyuki Nishida appearing, but the air date hasn't been set yet.
--Last Friends sounds like it's certainly on the other end of the spectrum! (laughs) You know, I bet that there are a lot of lesbians out there that are hoping you will create a drama with a lesbian story or a lesbian character in the lead. How about it?
Well, in a sense, what I'm working on now with Last Friends already incorporates a sexual minority in its characters. I don't think that I'd go into writing especially about lesbians, but I do see how the script now has its focus on a character identifying with a sexual minority and there are no other dramas out there centered on anyone like that. For that reason, I feel like I've been able to do some groundbreaking work.
--What was your reason for accepting an interview with Tokyo Wrestling, a lesbian medium, today?
To the contrary, I actually would have liked to interview you! (laughs)
--I see (laughs).
Right now in Japan, gay men are getting a little more exposure on TV and, overall, they stand out a bit more in the city. People are becoming more aware of gay men, but women have still not yet broken the surface - I think in a lot of respects people don't understand lesbians yet. That just may make it all the harder for women to come out, and so if people can come to see all that as more of a regular thing then, well, I think that would be great!
--By the way, have you ever been to Nichome, the gay part of town?
No, I actually don't go out drinking.
--Do you have a message for our readers?
Well, it's not entirely related, but I want people to know that I think Cindi Lauper's "True Colors” is a song just perfect for Last Friends. It's a great song.
--"True Colors"?! Do you realize that song is fairly big in the queer rights movement, and that Cindi Lauper is singing to her gay best friend that she lost to AIDS. It's a symbolic song for many LGBTQ individuals in the US!
Oh, really? I had no idea! That song really gets right to the heart of me. I want to work that song into a drama, like using it in a special program I may work on in the future.
When I'm writing a script, really I just focus on writing a good story, but as I was watching Last Friends after it was done, there was a hope in me that this program could ease the heart of people dealing with their own struggles. I'd like for it to lightly reach out to people and let them know that there is nothing to be afraid of. So, just as with "True Colors", my message to readers would be, "You're beautiful just the way you are."
--Thank you for such a wonderful talk today, we really enjoyed it. And we're looking forward to seeing the rest of the program!
★For TW's interview with Taeko Asano about the conclusion to Last Friends, follow the link here.
※Cindi Lauper singing a remixed version of "True Colors" at the LA Gay Pride in Los Angeles.
※Lyrics to TRUE COLORS
And I see your true colors shining through
I see your true colors and that's why I love you
so don't be afraid to let them show your true colors
true colors are beautiful like a rainbow
