Chris. How long have you been raising it ?
Namie. It was born five months ago, I’ve raised it for three months.

Chris. Well, isn’t it time for first separation now ? Can it say ‘mama’ ?
Namie. (laughs) It hasn’t spoken yet.

Chris. Quite soon it will say ‘mama, I got hungry!’ (laughs). Anyway, you’re currently right in the middle of a 35 date tour covering the whole country, I was informed recently that you have changed your habits mid-tour, and seem to be showing eccentric behaviour, for example on live show days, before rehearsal, you go somewhere without tellling anyone, casually go missing, so where do you go?
Namie. (laughs) Before going into the hall I want to do something such as go shopping, but not together with members of staff. So I get into a taxi on my own. I tell the driver "I want to go shopping".

Chris. You go with the advice of the taxi driver?
Namie. That’s right. "What would you like to buy? " I hear. “A suit’ I answer, "Eh? You want trousers?’. We talk like that (laughs). ‘There are many stores if you walk down here’ and so on (laughs).

Chris. (laughs) what you’re saying is, when you want to go shopping, you will be noticed if you go with staff, so you secretly go out on your own. By the way, how many staff do you usually have with you?
Namie. Aa, it is the smallest number of people. Everyone wearing black suits is scary (laughs).

Chris. I understand that feeling. I also met in some convenience store, although wearing a hat I was recognised.
Namie. Acting like that, I don’t know if it is a good idea (laughs). I have been tense.

Chris. This song is your first ballad in quite a while, and it’s your first Christmas song ?
Namie. Yes, it’s the first one.

Chris. In your thirteen-year career, it’s your first Christmas song! How do you feel about that ?
Namie. A bit embarrassed. I wanted to make a ‘Christmas’ song , so I deliberately added words like special day, santa and such, but I was a little embarrassed while singing it. Still it was enjoyable.

Chris. what was embarrassing?
Namie. The lyrics are so pretty, but what look should I show while singing. I have a comparatively strong female image when singing other songs, suddenly to become cute is embarrassing.

Chris. I understand. But compared with the time when Komuro-san was producing, your musical direction is much more R&B, hip-hop, you have become strongly set like that.
Namie. That’s right. It becomes set.

Chris. You also try to write songs yourself ?
Namie. It is difficult. I attempt to write songs, but can’t shape the image that is in my head.

Chris. Describe a dream you had recently?
Namie. In a dream that I had recently, I became the hero of a drama, I was helping other people in my dream. It was like the American drama ‘Tru’.

Chris. You watch ‘Tru Calling’ ?
Namie. Before going to bed I happened to see two episodes, that linked up with a dream.

Chris. What do want to be (doing) in ten years time?
Namie. Eh? Ten years time…What do I want to be… In ten years time I hope subtle singing and dancing.

Chris. What do you mean by that word subtle?
Namie. Not able to dance vigorously like several years ago, but delicately
Chris. I see, that is a mature type adult feeling.

Translated by Duncan