—With the launch of the web magazine "Openers," we'd like to ask you, Tomoki, to speak about what you consider a "cool man."

Tomoki Tsukasa—Hmm, a cool man. Who could that be? Let me see... perhaps the photographer Kazumi Ueji? Yes, Kazumi Ueji.

—What aspects of her appeal to you?

Tsukasa—We've worked together a few times. We've shared meals on overseas shoots, and I've visited her office for meetings. But it feels like everything about her is completely her own. How should I put it? Her style exists with a sense of lived reality.

—I see.

Tsukasa—When I'm working, I often think that expressions based on a kind of pretense feel inauthentic. Looking at Ueji-san, I feel she expresses herself through what she deeply believes in, as an extension of her own way of life. That's why I think she creates such wonderful work.

—And the quality of that expression is exceptionally high.

Tsukasa—Yes, it emanates naturally, in a cohesive form. She's a great senior in the field, yet we can speak on the same stage. I find that truly cool when it comes to creating things. Especially in advertising, where vast sums of money are involved, her strength—or perhaps her depth—to remain focused on creating something good, on doing what needs to be done, is captivating.

—When did you first work together?

Tsukasa—The first time we worked together properly was about 10 years ago. Even then, I thought she was a cool person. I was nearing the end of my twenties, and I asked her for a magazine shoot, and she politely declined, but she said, "I know of you," which made me incredibly happy. To know that she was aware of me. Then, when I was 32 or 33, I was involved in an advertisement for JRA (Japan Racing Association) featuring Takuya Kimura, and Ueji-san was the still photographer for a year. That was also very interesting. I thought, "This person is fascinating."

—Did you admire her?

Tsukasa—I used to look at magazines like "Switch" that Ueji-san shot and think they were so cool. After meeting her in person, I thought, "I want to become an adult like that." When she's pressing the shutter, she looks so cool.