Jun Murakami Models the Latest Mustang | Ford Mustang

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Jun Murakami and Tatsuya Ku嶋 Discuss the Appeal of the New Mustang

This spring, the "Mustang 50 YEARS EDITION," introduced to Japan, boasts a modernized design that will pique the interest of adults who value lifestyle, not just American car fans. The design, which upholds the brand's heritage without chasing trends, exudes an undeniable sense of "itself" without pandering to anyone. We present its charm through a photo story by actor Jun Murakami and photographer Minoru Kaburagi, and a discussion with motor journalist Tatsuya Ku嶋.

Photographs by MINORU KABURAGI (SIGNO)Hair & Makeup by GO TAKAKUSAGI (VANITES)Text by YUJI ITO (OPENERS)

Unpretentious, for the Mature Man

Jun Murakami's Style with the Latest Mustang | Ford Mustang

For this shoot, Jun Murakami chose styling that reflected his own style rather than matching the Mustang. The photo story begins with him, appearing in his usual, unforced, and unpretentious attire, alongside the Mustang 50 YEARS EDITION.

Driving the Mustang Through Tokyo

Driving through the streets of Tokyo, Jun Murakami felt that while the Mustang has a distinctive design, its evolved performance makes it easy to drive. He believes its user-friendly nature allows it to "bring out one's own unknown charm, and I'd like sophisticated women to drive it casually in their everyday wear."

Jun Murakami x Tatsuya Ku嶋: A Mustang Discussion

What are the charms of the Mustang from the perspective of Jun Murakami, drawing on his intuition and sensibility as an actor, and Tatsuya Ku嶋, who is well-versed in American cars? Here, they discuss how they interact with cars and why pursuing style is better than prioritizing ecology.

Is the Mustang Intimidating or Stylish?

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http://www.ford.co.jp/cars/new-mustang

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Jun Murakami and Tatsuya Ku嶋 Discuss the Appeal of the New Mustang (2)

Having experienced the appeal of the "Mustang 50 YEARS EDITION" through two scenes, Jun Murakami and Tatsuya Ku嶋, who has already test-driven it, discuss the Mustang's image, future, and its value in lifestyle. They share the joy of having a car and the answer to what constitutes true style for our times.

Is the Mustang Intimidating or Stylish?

Tatsuya Ku嶋 (hereinafter Ku嶋)First, please tell us about your image of the Mustang.

Jun Murakami (hereinafter Murakami)It's just intimidating, an American car, I guess.

Ku嶋Indeed, its image is strongly that of an American car. By the way, I also own a Mustang (shows his phone). Isn't it cool? It's a '82 model. I like Mustangs from this era for their mature feel.

MurakamiIt's very cool. So, is the image of the Mustang more cool than intimidating?

Ku嶋The driving feel is good too. Around 300 horsepower, it's very fun to drive.

MurakamiDoes it have about the same power as the current V8?

Ku嶋The V8 has 400 horsepower, so maybe around a V6. By the way, what do you think of the design of the new Mustang you drove today?

MurakamiSimply put, it's cool. Unlike the plump image of the past, it has a stylish appeal. And it's easy to drive!

Ku嶋That's right. Despite its somewhat imposing exterior, it's quiet and comfortable to drive. You can enjoy a pleasant drive.

MurakamiI drove it earlier, and it was very comfortable. I think women would find it easy to drive too. I hope wealthy men will consider gifting a Mustang to their partners (laughs).

The Merits of Driving Alone

Ku嶋Do you usually drive?

MurakamiYes, I do. My agency provides a car for shoots, but I drive myself to the movies or theater.

Ku嶋Driving is enjoyable even when you're alone, isn't it?

MurakamiYes, it's fun precisely because you're alone. Also, as an actor, when I'm stuck on something, I find that driving without thinking about anything helps me refresh and move forward in a positive direction.

Ku嶋I've heard that before, but it really happens, doesn't it?

MurakamiIt does. Actors really need a car.

Ku嶋What are your criteria for choosing a car, Murakami-san?

MurakamiFirst and foremost, I consider the financial aspect. Contrary to public perception, I don't drive particularly flashy cars (laughs). I've owned domestic cars and French cars, generally quite understated vehicles. But now, at 41, I'm finding renewed joy in acting.

Recently, an actor friend of mine, who just turned 35, said, 'Maybe I should buy a car soon.' But he added, 'I'm not really interested in cars, so a hybrid eco-car is fine.' Of course, environmentally friendly cars are wonderful, but all his actor friends objected. They argued, 'Actors are performers who stand on stage. You have to inspire dreams, right?' As a result, I convinced him to buy a British car (laughs).

Ku嶋You made him buy it (laughs). Have your thoughts on cars changed after encountering various models?

MurakamiFundamentally, no.

Ku嶋Do you pay attention to the interior?

MurakamiNot really. However, like watches and cameras, I find the interiors and designs of cars interesting because they reflect the atmosphere and trends of their time. Of course, things like the navigation systems included in cars also reflect the era in their design, which is fascinating.

The Law of America in Movies and Mustangs

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http://www.ford.co.jp/cars/new-mustang

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Jun Murakami and Tatsuya Ku嶋 Discuss the Appeal of the New Mustang (3)

The Law of America in Movies and Mustangs

Ku嶋Is Murakami-san's "Engel coefficient" high, perhaps due to fashion?

MurakamiNo, not anymore. I spend more money on movies and theater now. About four or five years ago, I was into cameras, but I don't have any particular obsessions right now. It's still movies and theater, I suppose.

Ku嶋Mustangs often appear in movies, don't they? In American films, there's a rule: heroes drive Mustangs, villains drive other brands. Especially in Europe, there might be a tendency to aspire to American cars.

MurakamiWithin the automotive world, are there specific cars that stand out in movies, like in "The Fast and the Furious"?

Ku嶋"The Fast and the Furious" is good, but movies centered on cars sometimes feel like acrobatics, and personally, I find them a bit much. I'm more drawn to cars that appear subtly in action films where the car isn't the main focus, like in "The Bourne Identity."

MurakamiI agree. American films are skilled at using a single car to express a character's personality.

Jun Murakami's Style with the Latest Mustang

Ku嶋Exactly. Take "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air" for example. The protagonist, Will, drives a Mustang, while supporting characters drive Wranglers – such subtle direction is wonderful. It's not just about making the car look cool; it's about using the car to express the protagonist's lifestyle, which adds to his appeal.

MurakamiAre Japanese films not as adept at that?

Ku嶋The "Figaro" in the movie "AIBO" was directed skillfully, wasn't it?

MurakamiCars aren't like earrings that you can change daily, which is why I think they reveal a person's lifestyle. That's probably why they're interesting, and why people naturally become particular about them. Speaking of which, is the trend of young people moving away from cars noticeable these days?

Ku嶋Yes, it is. This situation is occurring not only in Japan but globally.

MurakamiWhat about people in rural America or LA for whom cars are indispensable?

Ku嶋That's right, they don't have the cars they want. They're content as long as they can drive something. But that's also our responsibility. We need to make young people intuitively think, 'That guy driving that car looks so cool!' That's why we have to try harder.

MurakamiI certainly hope you will try harder.

How to Style the Cool Mustang

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0120-125-175

http://www.ford.co.jp/cars/new-mustang

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Jun Murakami and Tatsuya Ku嶋 Discuss the Appeal of the New Mustang (4)

The Coolest Way to Drive a Mustang: Just Be Yourself

Ku嶋What do you look for in a car, Murakami-san?

MurakamiWhile there's a trend towards eco-friendliness, I still prioritize style. I think that's true for most American car enthusiasts. You have to focus on the appearance.

Ku嶋In that regard, the Mustang excels in its appearance, or rather, its design. Do you know why?

MurakamiHmm, because they have good designers?

Ku嶋Yes. And it has history. With 50 years of continuous history, they can design based on successful past designs while considering what is cool today.

MurakamiSo, it's a competition for good designers. I've heard rumors about Korean manufacturers poaching German car designers.

Ku嶋People who have worked for historic car manufacturers know the good things from the past, so they can design cars with interesting ideas. Coincidentally, the Mustang is celebrating its 50th anniversary! It's the same age as me. The Mustang was born in April 1964, and I was born in January. Perhaps because of this connection, it's always been a car that interests me.

MurakamiSo it has a history, just like people.

Ku嶋For example, consider the headlights. From an aerodynamic perspective, headlights on most cars tend to have similar designs. However, the Mustang, with its history, possesses the power and technology to deliberately ignore trends. That's why its headlights have a unique design, which in turn contributes to its distinctive style. What kind of person do you think this new Mustang is suitable for?

MurakamiWomen, definitely. I'd like them to drive it with the assumption that a man bought it for them. While small cars are easy to drive, ultimately, enjoying the drive is what matters. I think women who know how to enjoy a car like that are cool, and it doesn't matter if they're not great drivers; as long as they're in a Mustang, that's enough. Instead of forcing themselves to dress up to match the car, they should enjoy it in their usual attire. That's what makes them attractive.

Ku嶋Do you like white, like the car today?

MurakamiWhite, yes. It's a color that both men and women can enjoy, so I think it's versatile. Orange is nice too, though. It's eye-catching and cool. Also, the Mustang's strengths lie in its distinctiveness and sense of the times. Just as each brand has its own personality, I believe it has the power to lead the automotive industry.

Therefore, the Mustang should have the power to lead young people. While eco-cars are fine, gasoline cars are ultimately more fun and purely cool. Fundamentally, if you're only concerned about the environment, you can't enjoy yourself. So, just drive the Mustang without overthinking it.

Ku嶋Today, I asked Murakami-san to put together a styling that would evoke the image of the Mustang. What was your concept for that coordination?

MurakamiI didn't think about it at all. I just wanted to be myself in my everyday clothes. Whether it's a T-shirt or a suit, anything works as long as it expresses 'my individuality.' And I think it looks cool to casually drive a nice car. That's why I'm so drawn to women who wear everyday clothes and drive a Mustang. Because the car itself is undeniably cool!

Jun Murakami's Style with the Latest Mustang

JUN MURAKAMI
Born July 23, 1973, in Osaka Prefecture. Active as a fashion magazine model. Made his film debut in 'Buruburu Tenshi-teki Kyuujitsu' in '93. Gained significant attention with three films in '99 and '00: 'Nabbie's Love,' 'New Battles Without Honor and Humanity,' and 'Season of Infidelity,' winning the Yokohama Film Festival Best Supporting Actor award. Recent appearances include 'Contempt' and 'Himizu' (both 2011), 'Bakugyaku Family,' 'Red Season,' 'Our Homeland,' and 'The Land of Hope' (all 2012), '100 Times to Cry,' 'Monster,' and 'A Woman and War' (all 2013), and 'Listen to the Waves,' 'Oh! Father,' and 'Two Windows' (all 2014). This year, 'Goodbye Kabukicho' was released. 'Saihate ni' is scheduled for release in late February, followed by 'Shinjuku Swan' in late May.