May I ask about your private life?
Usually I often fly all over the world. As if my life was all in planes.
What do you bring with you every time?
So many things. My favorite diptych candles, Ren face wash, Ping-chan ... You feel lonely if you are always traveling, don't you? I only hope to make me feel comfortable at the places I stay. So I have a lot of baggage and I am charged extra every time. I have three suitcases this time, too! I think I must be a troublesome passenger.
In the US, you live alone, don't you?
Yes. I’m happy with it. I'm rather hard to please.
What kind of person will you choose as a life partner?
I have no idea. Now I am so busy that I think I might well postpone loving someone. I used to think I should always love someone, but now I don't think I should. Moreover ... I think there are "some people who should be alone."
"Some people who should be alone"?
Yes. For example, I'm one of them. I don't think I should always love someone. Now I love myself most of all.
Why do you think you could be a top athlete for so long as thirteen years?
I think it happened so naturally. I'm wise, but sometimes I'm silly and I fail. Even though I knew what would happen, sometimes I didn't stop doing it. But every time I learned something from what happened, and I could advance. That's why I have been a top athlete for all these years: because I'm a strong person.
It's great that you definitely say, "I'm strong." Where did you get such strength?
I have this strength thanks to my parents. My parents have never said to me, "No." Even when they knew I would fail, they let me fail and gave me an opportunity to learn for myself. And I know that it is a fact that one is born alone and dies alone. If you don't make yourself strong, nobody will do that for you.
How would an-an readers be able to be strong like you?
Look in the mirror at the end of the day, and think that you are beautiful. I would do that before. When I was younger, I was hurt by many things and often depressed, and I cried in the shower, but after that I would feel strong when I saw my eyes shining in a mirror.
To find something good in ourselves is the key, right?
Right. Many people think they should be perfect, but I think that is wrong. Nobody is perfect. If you know that, you will find your way