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. She shared an episode from her time in Italy, where the photobook was shot, and revealed that she was hit on.
This is Umezawa Minami's 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 looks that make the most of her long limbs, and an innocent expression that is rarely seen in her usual reliable captain image. A4 size, 168 pages. 2,800 yen.
Regarding the finished product, Umezawa said, "I am extremely satisfied and couldn't have been more pleased. When we were making the album, I made some selfish requests to take cuts with a certain image in mind, and they all fulfilled my requests. It's been five years (since our first album), my position within the group has changed, and the past five years have been very intense, so I think the album is filled with expressions that are only possible because of that journey."
When asked why she chose Italy as the location, she explained, "I love fashion and have never been there privately, so I dreamed of going to a city that represents fashion." She also shared her impression of the place, saying, "The Italians are full of humor and are friendly, and when I was wearing a dress they would say, 'Beautiful!' and even hit me on (laughs). They say what they think, and I thought they were very romantic." She continued, "These interactions were really interesting, and I realized the world is a big place."
When asked how many times she had been hit on, she evaded the question, saying, "I can't remember (laughs)," but then smiled and said, "Every time I walked down the street, not only men but also women would say to me, 'You're so beautiful,' so it made me really happy!"
