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In Japan, there are not many females in the media industry who
have the opportunity to work in New York, to have a fan following
for being a radio voice actress for a popular drama show and
video game, to release their own music album, to be a disc jockey,
a columnist and to work as a broadcaster but Masayo "Masshy"
Kawaguchi is one of those rare individuals to do so.
Kawaguchi who currently resides in the Gramercy Park section
of New York City works as host and producer for the Internet
show "Masshy in New York" (aka MKNY).
MKNY is a show that spotlights on what is new and popular in
New York covering fashion, technology and other miscellaneous
topics.
Kawaguchi has been on television for numerous broadcasting jobs
and she also has worked in journalism covering stories such
as performance enhancement drugs interviewing athletes such
as Mark McGwire and Ben Johnson.
She also gained popularity for her work in the Konami video
game and drama series "Tokimeki Memorial" as character,
Ayako Katagiri.
Kawaguchi is also a talented singer in which she released a
best hits album titled, "masshy@love.net."
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Dennis:
What part of Japan are you originally from?
Masshy:
I was born in the city of Fukuoka on the island of
Kyushu in the southern end of Japan. We then moved to
Osaka for nine years and came back to Fukuoka for three
years. We moved to Tokyo when I was 14 years old and lived
there until I moved to New York in 1995. Because of that,
I am fluent in Hakata (Fukuoka), Osaka and Tokyo (standard)
dialect.
Dennis:
What kind of atmosphere did you grow up in?
Masshy:
I was raised in a very close knit family. Both my
parents were extremely joyful type of people and very
cooperative with whatever the children want to do. We
also had many different pets (rabbits, dogs, fishes and
birds). We lived in a house with a very traditional Japanese
architecture and a Zen garden. We celebrated all the holidays
in a traditional fashion. Therefore, I grew up in an environment
which the traditional Japanese culture was revered and
treasured. My father was an expert in Martial Arts since
he was in college and my mother loved to sing and draw.
She used to be a teacher of traditional Japanese paintings.
Currently, she is studying Noh Theatre Dance. My younger
brother has been working for NEC since he graduated college.
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Dennis:
What fun things did you do as a child? Masshy:
When I was a child, I used to love reading books about stars, planets, and
space travel. I used to dream of traveling around the world. One of the things
I used to love to play at home was to pretend I was in a Las Vegas casino. Dennis:
How did you get involved in entertainment? Masshy:
I entered the entertainment world while I was a student at Nihon University
College of Art. I debut as a singer/songwriter after my demo-tape was approved
by a record company. When I was a sophomore I released five singles and an album. Dennis:
What was your major in college? Masshy:
I was a drama major but I was also a theatre student at the Bungakuza Actors
Studio, which is one of the major theatre companies in Japan. Dennis:
What did you do right after you graduated from college? Masshy:
After graduation and while I was working as a singer/songwriter, I appeared
in many music-related TV programs and starred in a popular Japanese TV Drama called
"Ninen B Gumi Senpachi Sensei" (Note from editor: Regarded by critics
as one of the most popular dramas ever in Japan) as an English teacher. This TV
drama also produced a star named Masahiro Motoki (White Love Story, The Mystery
of Rampo and many other movies and dramas). Dennis:
Once you started acting, did you continue to sing? Masshy:
After three years as a singer, I decided to quit singing and focus my career
as an MC, broadcast reporter and journalist. When I was traveling to many foreign
countries as a TV reporter, I felt that this is what I wanted to do, reporting
and writing about what's happening in the world not only in Japan! In fact, this
is what I always dreamed about in my childhood! Dennis:
How did you return to singing?
Masshy:
Five years ago, I was chosen as a voice-over actress for
"Tokimeki Memorial" and was able to release a new
CD album called "masshy@love.net" in 1998. This experience
made me rekindle the joy of singing.
| Dennis:
Let's talk about your album "masshy@love.net".
Can you tell us more about this album?
Masshy:
The recording was done in Kobuchizawa, a summer resort
area in central Japan. It took about 10 days. The Album
is a collection of songs from Tokimeki Memorial and several
songs which I wrote personally when I
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was
a singer/songwriter. I must say that this experience made me
realize that singing and songwriting was still very much an
important part of my life. I enjoyed every moment of the recording
experience.
Dennis:
Let's move away from music and talk about broadcasting. Is it
very difficult for women in Japan to have a career in media?
Masshy:
Its very tough. To be a reporter, announcer and MC is the most sought after
profession for Japanese women. There is a fierce competition out there. You must
understand that we are always replaceable. There are tens of thousands of talented
girls coming out of college every year who want to break into this field. You
make one mistake and you're gone! So it is miraculous for me to continue continue
in this field for many years. Dennis:
I'm looking at your list of accomplishments and I'm very impressed. In your
years of journalism and entertainment, in your mind what was the shining point
of your career? Masshy:
In my mind, I'm still improving and I have not reach the zenith yet!
I hope. Dennis:
Are you based in NY most of the time or are you in Japan most of the
time? Masshy:
I live in NY now. I go back to Japan about 6-10 times each year. 
Dennis:
Let's talk about your Internet show "Masshy in NY". For our readers,
can you give us a brief description of what the show is about and what you try
to accomplish with each episode? Masshy:
Here in New York, I'm trying to create a new niche as a Japanese journalist
not just by reporting about hard news facts but about New York City culture and
about the real people who lives in the city. That is why I'm very much interested
in Internet because it is precisely the media which makes such coverage possible.
I can report and write about things which tends to be ignored by the major media.
"Masshy Kawaguchi from NY" or "MKNY" is a program about what's
new and what's hot in New York in fashion trend, computer/internet related matters,
and other miscellaneous topics. Dennis:
How is the show created? Masshy:
The show consists of changing pictures taken with a digital camera synchronized
with my talk using RealPlayer 5.0. When I came to New York in 1995, I had a job
as a main broadcaster in a weekly TV program for TV-Tokyo called "Internet
Express." Believe it or not, I had to go back to Japan every other week for
6 month to record 2 shows! This TV program was created largely with the help from
Impress Corporation, a major computer media publisher in Japan which became the
sponsor for MKNY Internet broadcast. I also write a monthly column for their monthly
magazine called the "Internet Magazine." Dennis:
How long does it take to do a show? Masshy:
It take a whole day to take pictures with the digital camera and record my
narration's. The pictures are sent to Japan by email and the digital audio tapes
by Federal Express. Both pictures and audio is then edited by the staff at Impress
Co. This process takes about a week! Its quite laborious you know! Dennis:
What is your favorite episode so far?
Masshy:
I like them all but I particularly like the ones which I
had to research, explore, and investigate. It is like a small
adventure, a small personal trip.
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Dennis:
How are you enjoying New York compared to Tokyo?
Masshy:
I think New York is very similar. to Tokyo. I love
Tokyo but I like NY even more. It might sound strange
to people living in California or Texas but I feel like
I have more personal space in NY compared to Tokyo. I
feel more comfortable here. Tokyo is so over-crowded that
it is suffocating. Take the subway for instance. In Tokyo,
people push their way into the train. In New York, people
wait for the next train. One time, I heard someone say,
"Please don't push me! I need more space!" If
you say that in Tokyo, people will just ignore you or
think you're nuts. Here in NY people respect that opinion
and yield some space for you. I hate to say this but life
in Tokyo is like the movie, "Life of the Ant."
People work so hard everyday but do not get much reward
for in their personal lives. Its so hectic. Whenever I
go home to Japan, I always want to come back to New York
after few days. During my 4 years in NY, I never felt
like I want to go back to Tokyo. I feel that Osaka is
more similar to New York than Tokyo. The people's attitude
is more similar. They are more relaxed.
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They
can take more humor. Tokyo is to business-like. Too stiff. After all I said about
Tokyo, I must say that I do think Japanese traditional culture is the most beautiful
thing in the world and I'm proud of it. One thing I miss about Tokyo is the food!
I hate to use a cliché but New York is a true capital of the world because of
its cultural diversity. You can get up in the morning, go to a Greek Diner for
a breakfast, shop for food at Korean Deli, eat Indian food for lunch at the "Curry
in a Hurry," go to SOHO for the hippest fashion in the world and go to Japanese
supermarket and cook food at home. All this in a distance of one or two subway
stop! Dennis:
So, you really love living in New York over Tokyo? Masshy:
I feel more comfortable here. Tokyo is so over-crowded that it is suffocating.
Take the subway for instance. In Tokyo, people push their way into the train.
In New York, people wait for the next train. One time, I heard someone say, "Please
don't push me! I need more space!" If you say that in Tokyo, people will
just ignore you or think that you're nuts. Here in NY, people respect that opinion
and yield some space for you. Whenever I go home to Japan, I always want to come
back to New York after few days. During my four years in NY, I never felt like
I wanted to go back to Tokyo.
Dennis:
So, I assume that you wouldn't want to move back to Tokyo?
Masshy:
After all I said about Tokyo, I must say that I do think Japanese traditional
culture is the most beautiful thing in the world and I'm proud of it. One thing
I miss about Tokyo is the food! Dennis:
Is it safe to do your type of show in different areas of New York?
Masshy:
Recently I heard that crime rate in New York has become
much lower than in Los Angeles or Miami. The myth about NY is
no longer true! It's all because of Mayor Guiliani. He might
be too tough in certain aspects of his policies but he is a
very good mayor in terms of crime control and reviving the economy
of the city.
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Dennis:
What do you think about the New Yorkers?
Masshy:
There are crazy people in New York but that's part
of life in a big city. I really love the diversity in
New York. The people are friendly. New Yorkers seem to
be very genuine type of people to me. They are not superficial.
They might be crazy at times but they are for real.
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Dennis:
What does New York have that California doesn't?
Masshy:
Changing seasons and subway system like Japan.
Dennis:
Since we are based in the West Coast (California), a lot of
people may
wonder if it's safe to do your shows in the city of NY. Do you
run into crazy people sometimes on the street while you are
doing your show?
Masshy:
I heard recently that the crime rate in New York
has become much lower than in Los Angeles or Miami. The myth
about NY is no longer true! All because of Mayor Guiliani. He
might be too tough in certain aspects of his policies but he
is a very good mayor in terms of crime control and reviving
the economy of the city. For example, the infamous Alphabet
City in the Lower East Side has become the hippest place for
young New Yorkers to hang out!!! Its very safe. There are crazy
people in NY but they are all part of a life in a big city.
I love the diversity. I get along well with those crazy people.
They are friendly. New Yorkers seem to be very genuine type
of people to me. They are not superficial. They might be crazy
at times but they are for real.
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Dennis:
What is the most satisfying part about being involved
in journalism and the entertainment field?
Masshy:
When something which I researched and investigated
turns out to be useful information to the general public,
that is when I feel most satisfied. As for entertainment,
I feel happy when the audience is satisfied.
Dennis:
What is the most frustrating part of being in the field?
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| Masshy
with Gwynneth Paltrow. |
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Masshy:
Dealing with the business aspect. Since Japan is in recession
now, it is very hard to create work that is satisfying with
a restricted budget. As far as the work itself is concerned,
I enjoy every aspect of it.
Dennis:
Let's do a little word play. I ask part of the question and you answer the rest.
The first time I watched myself on television I… Masshy:
...was embarrassed and retreated to my room and watched it by myself. Dennis:
My favorite food is… Masshy:
Ramen noodles. Dennis:
My most embarrassing moment was when… Masshy:
There are too many of them… Dennis:
The first time a fan went up to me I… Masshy:
...was surprised. I asked the person, "How did you know me? Why do you
want my autograph?" Dennis:
Do you have any role models who inspire you?
Masshy:
In Japan, I have too many but the most important is my mom
and dad. When I was a child, I dreamed to be like Madame Curie.
Now I respect respect someone like Barbara Walters. A female
journalist who is at the peak of her career regardless of her
age.
Dennis:
Let's talk about your involvement with the radio drama series in Japan, Tokimeki
Memorial. How did you get involved with voice acting? Masshy:
Since I was 3 years old, I was involved with music. I knew I would become
a singer so I felt quite natural when I made my debut during my college years.
I thought it was my destiny to become a singer/songwriter. But I soon realized
how hard it was too maintain commercial success as a professional singer. I didn't
want to compromise my idea as an artist to sell more records by making music which
I didn't like. So I decided to quit. I guess I was too stubborn. I didnt want
to walk on a rail which the record company set for me. I thought, maybe I wasn't
talented enough. As
far as Tokimeki is concerned, I was quite familiar with voice-over jobs since
I was in college. I did many part time voice-over works for TV commercials and
radio. So it was quite easy for me to get involved in Tokimeki. I started Tokimeki
after I moved to NY. I returned to Japan for more than 20 times for voice-recording.
So far, I have recorded about 29 songs for Tokimeki. I recorded some of these
songs in a studio in NY. Dennis:
Is voice-acting very difficult? Also, how long does it take to do one
drama
series episode? Masshy:
Not really. As I said before, although I'm not a professional voice-over
actress, I was quite familiar with it. Acting training also help a lot. You just
have to transform yourself into the "anime" character. Time required
for the recording depends on the episode. Sometimes its over in several hours.
Sometimes I'm in the studio all day long. You have to record different tones of
voice (happy, sad, angry, concerned etc). Dennis:
How many songs have you recorded for the show? Masshy:
So far, I have recorded about 29 songs for Tokimeki. I recorded some of these
songs in a studio in NY. Dennis:
What kind of music do you enjoy listening to? (Japanese or American) Masshy:
I like many types of music but the most influential musician in my life was
Yumi Matsutoya (Yuming). She was my role model as a musician. Todd Lundgren and
Eric Carmen are the most influential foreign musicians for me. I also love listening
to the 70s disco/soul/funk tunes such as "Earth, Wind, and Fire." I
love dancing to those tunes. Now I'm into music with a cyber-futuristic sound.
i.e,- Orb, AIR, etc. I like something very progressive. A sound that no one has
heard before.
Dennis:
What is your favorite movie (Japanese or American)?
Masshy:
Japanese: "Zigeunerweisen" by Seijun Suzuki; "Ashita
(Tomorrow)" by Nobuhiko Ohbayashi; Foreign: "Taxi Driver" by Martin
Scorcese and "Cinema Paradiso" by Giuseppe Tornatore. Dennis:
What is a typical day for you when you are working/and when you are not working?
Masshy:
When I'm working, there is no such thing as a typical
day. Every work day is a new experience. When I'm not working,
I wake up and turn on my Macintosh computer, brew a cup of coffee,
and turn on NY1 (Channel One in NY). Check the headline news
and the temperature of the day and so on. I really don't have
any routine after that. Sometimes I go shopping for food, clothes
etc. like everyone does. Yes, of course, I so a lot of net surfing!!!
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Dennis:
What goals do you hope to accomplish in the near future?
Masshy:
My goal is to contribute to the greater understanding
between Americans and Japanese people. I would like to
contribute in the education of both American and Japanese
people about each other's culture and solve the misconceptions.
A bridge between the two cultures.
Dennis:
What words of advice would you give to those entering
the journalism or entertainment field, especially the
Japanese students who are majoring in mass communications?
Masshy:
I don't have anything specific technically. Because
I need some advice myself! (laughing) I'm still learning
myself. The only thing I can say is to keep chipping away,
keep moving forward, be flexible and be open minded. Don't
lose your integrity! Don't be afraid to say no!!!
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Dennis:
What final words would you like to leave with fans of your work?
Masshy:
First I would like to thank you Dennis
Amith for giving me an opportunity to be interviewed. I would
also like to thank everyone who supports me. Because of the
Internet, I was able to communicate with a wonderful person
like Dennis. I hope everyone who read this interview can also
visit my homepage and say hello to me. Thank you! Ciao, Masshy
:)
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