Snack JUJU Opens for Business! A Superb Album of 80s Kayōkyoku is Complete

Tomoki Sukezane & Editor Daimaou (hereinafter, Sukezane)Thank you for inviting me to your live show the other day. Starting with Akina Nakamori's song as the first number, it was spectacular to see the entire arena audience on their feet. The connection between you and the audience was perfect; it was truly wonderful.

JUJUThank you. The show you attended, "JUJU Garden Special - Snack JUJU," was my first live performance themed around snack bars. My previous "JUJU Garden" arena tour had a strong snack bar vibe, so this time I wanted to fully commit to the theme. It was a truly great show.

SukezaneThe album with that theme, "Snack JUJU ~Yoru no Request~," was released on October 26th. It's entirely focused on Shōwa-era kayōkyoku, isn't it? It really hits the spot for me. How did you choose the songs?

JUJUWe have a series called "Request" where the songs are chosen based on everyone's requests. For this third installment, I really wanted to create a snack bar album, so I decided all the songs would be Shōwa-era kayōkyoku. I thought the best way to do that would be to get requests from snack bar mamas across the country. So, I first contacted the All Japan Snack Association.

SukezaneWhat? There's such an association!?

JUJUYes (laughs). As I researched, I found this association headed by Taro Tamasuke, and from there, I asked snack bar mamas nationwide, "If JUJU were to visit your establishment, what song would you want her to sing?" The songs on this album were chosen from those requests.

SukezaneThat's right, many snack bar mamas were at the venue and introduced themselves one by one (laughs).

JUJUTwenty-six mamas (laughs). First, I had their request slips, and from those, I chose songs that hold special memories for me. So, all the songs on this album are ones I love.

SukezaneDid you hear all of them in real-time?

JUJUYes. I heard them when I was a child, and they are songs I sang. This time, I happened to focus on 1980s songs, but I also love many songs from the 70s.



SukezaneWhat kind of place is a snack bar for you, JUJU?

JUJUIt's like a primal landscape from my childhood. Adults would take me to snack bars, where I'd eat, and the adults would drink and sing joyfully where they could keep an eye on me. In that adult world, one of the things I admired was the purple world of Shōwa-era kayōkyoku, and I always thought, "Adults seem to have so much fun."

SukezaneWhen you say you ate at snack bars, was it things like ginger stir-fry?

JUJUFried udon. I made my snack bar debut in kindergarten (laughs). Because I was a child who enjoyed being with adults, I thought snack bars were such fun places. Children would sing if asked, but they'd get scolded if they sang too enthusiastically. Those rules, unique to an adult space, were also interesting.

SukezaneWhat did you used to sing back then, JUJU?

JUJUTeresa Teng's "Tsugunai." I was told I sang "Tsugunai" well, even though I hadn't atoned for anything (laughs). I didn't understand the meaning of the lyrics at all, but I sang it with genuine emotion. But ultimately, didn't snack bars also serve as places where you could say, 'If you come here at night, adults will be here'? If something happened, it was like a refuge; you knew there would be a familiar adult there, so you felt safe. So, I felt a sense of belonging.

SukezaneIn that snack bar environment, did you ever think as a child, "Adults are so..."?

JUJUI thought, "Adults are so improper." They had interactions that didn't exist in the world of children.

SukezaneLike a man drunk, trying to flirt with the mama?

JUJUExactly (laughs). People came who clearly weren't ordinary couples, people with complicated situations. I thought, "Ah, adults are so improper."

SukezaneYou already had a woman's perspective then (laughs).

JUJUYes. The adults around me were people who would have conversations that shouldn't be heard by children. Like, "It's been about six years since her husband passed away, but now she's got a young bird keeping her company." Hearing things like that, I'd wonder if the young man at the auntie's house was called a "young bird." Then, the next day, I'd pass by her house and see that young bird polishing a car. I'd immediately say, "Ah! It's the young bird!" (laughs).

SukezaneWow (laughs). The drunk adults were talking, thinking, "The child won't understand."

JUJUThere were also many adults who didn't have the ethical sense to refrain from talking in front of children. I feel like there was a parenting philosophy that said, "Since children will eventually become adults, it's better to let them hear these things early on." Like, "If they're going to learn things outside, it's better we teach them ourselves" (laughs).

SukezaneSnack bars are wonderful places. I've been to snack bars with you a few times, JUJU, and when you start singing, even the drunk patrons' eyes snap open. They think, "Whoa, there's someone here!"

JUJUBut they don't realize it's me. I often get told, "You should become a singer" (laughs).

Page02.What Snack Bars Mean to JUJU

What Snack Bars Mean to JUJU

JUJUYou say "I don't get very drunk," but when I watch you, you're quite tipsy. Let's both admit it; if you drink that much, you're bound to get drunk (laughs).

SukezaneOh, was I that drunk? Well, if you drink, you have to get drunk. Actually, I'm on a break from drinking now and haven't had a drink for about 85 days. Like the "JUJU Garden" on October 10th, I plan to start drinking again on November 11th.

JUJUWhat? Why?

SukezaneAt first, I thought I'd just abstain for two months. I heard that abstaining for two months would cleanse you. But two months, or 62 days, felt a bit arbitrary, so I decided to aim for 100 days. When I counted, it turned out to be exactly 100 days on November 8th. So, I decided to start drinking again on November 11th, a nice round number. I'm really looking forward to that day.

JUJUThat sounds fun. I've also had periods of abstaining from alcohol. It's easier not to drink, isn't it? But for the first five days or so, I had trouble sleeping, and I felt depressed, thinking, "I'm becoming a boring person who doesn't even drink." When I saw people drinking beer at outdoor cafes while walking my dog, I thought, "I can't go to those glamorous places anymore." But once you get used to drinking soft drinks, it becomes enjoyable in its own way. Thinking, "Drunk people are so foolish" (laughs).

SukezaneRight. Drunk people repeat themselves so many times, don't they? The other day, I had to attend a drinking party for work, and I observed that drunk people only say the same things over and over again after a while. When everyone starts looking at their iPhones, 30 to 40 minutes can easily pass. I guess time loses its meaning when you're drunk. So, when you're sober, time feels incredibly long.

JUJUWhen you're the only one not drunk, observing people can be quite entertaining (laughs).

SukezaneWe've strayed quite a bit from the topic of snack bars, but what do you think is the good thing about snack bars?

JUJUSnack bars are fun. You don't need to put on airs at all. I think that's what makes them so relaxing.

SukezaneFor example, singing karaoke at a snack bar versus singing at a concert. Of course, one is work and the other isn't, but is there a difference for you?

JUJUHmm, I feel like the act of singing itself is at the same level of intensity. Of course, a concert has a live band, and I always feel a sense of professional responsibility, but singing at a snack bar is also singing in front of strangers. So, ultimately, the intensity is similar. However, because there's alcohol at snack bars, I feel like I sing with even more emotion.

SukezaneEven when singing at a snack bar, you never hold back, JUJU. I've had the pleasure of listening to you for free so many times (laughs). Watching your recent live show, I thought the audience looked so happy. It really made me realize how much everyone loves Shōwa-era kayōkyoku.

JUJUEveryone really seemed to be enjoying themselves.


SukezaneDo you plan to continue "Snack JUJU"?

JUJUIt will continue. Actually, next year, we're planning an arena tour across the country as "Snack JUJU." This year it was a one-night-only event in Tokyo, but next year we'll have arena performances in Hokkaido, Sendai, Tokyo, Nagoya, Osaka, and Fukuoka. Tokyo will be the final stop, with two days at the Saitama Super Arena.

SukezaneWow, that's amazing. It was so much fun, so anyone who couldn't see it should definitely go.

JUJUI had so much fun making this snack bar album. It reaffirmed my love for Shōwa-era kayōkyoku. There were many songs that were almost chosen but didn't make the cut from the requests from mamas nationwide, so I hope to continue making snack bar albums frequently.

SukezaneSo, for my final question: What makes a good snack bar mama for you, JUJU?

JUJUA mama who can embrace everything.

SukezaneThat's wonderful. I'd love to meet such a mama. I have high hopes that "Snack JUJU" will be just like that. If so, I'll be there every night (laughs).

JUJUYes. I will gently embrace everyone, so please do come!

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