Minami Umezawa, captain of the idol group Nogizaka46, attended a press conference held in Tokyo on February 3rd to promote her photobook "Nogizaka46 Minami Umezawa 2nd Photobook 'Transparent Determination'" (Kobunsha), which was released on the same day. When asked who she would like to give the photobook to, she named former group member and senior member Mai Shiraishi.
When asked why, she said with a smile, "She was the one who got me into this world. Since she graduated, we've become closer, we've gone out to eat, and we've even talked about the photobook, so I'd like my beloved Shiraishi to see and say, 'This is who I am now!'"
Shiraishi revealed that Nogizaka46 "still keeps watching me," and that she sometimes consults them, saying, "They come to our live shows, and they listen to me when I tell them about things that have happened." She smiled and said, "They say things like, 'Oh, I see. So things like that happen,' and 'I feel safe as long as you're here, Ume-chan.' I'm happy because the actions and words of my seniors are my driving force," she said.
This year marks her 10th year in the group, and when asked how she felt, she replied with a sigh, "I'm surprised! I've been in it for 10 years." She continued, "That's actually longer than Shiraishi-san's time in the group... I'm in a group where my seniors have graduated, and I'm having fun and feeling happy every day competing with my juniors. I don't think it's often that you can be so absorbed in something, so I'm really happy every day."
This is her first photobook in about five years since her first, "Umezawa Minami 1st Photobook 'Near the Dream'" (Kodansha), and it features fashionable shots taken in Italy, the mecca of fashion, as well as bold lingerie that shows off her long limbs, and an innocent expression that is rarely seen in her usual reliable captain image. A4 size, 168 pages. 2,800 yen.
