Ken Miyake "From the age of 44" challenge July 7 at 3:20

Ken Miyake, 44.

On July 7, his birthday, he announced that he would be live streaming on a video site and working in a new environment. He also expressed his aspirations to his fans, saying, "Please look forward to the new Ken Miyake, and I will do my best every day so that you can enjoy entertainment from the bottom of my heart." The live stream was watched by more than 2,30 people.

Miyake debuted in 1995 and was popular with a wide range of generations as a member of the national idol group.

He gave an interview to NHK before the broadcast.
(Interviewer: Announcer Masayuki Sanjo)

I want to update the "Idol ×○○" idol image

On the day of the interview, Mr. Miyake appeared in the interview room.

With the same fresh smile and straight gaze, he carefully spun each word and said, "I want to believe in my potential."

The first thing I asked in the interview was about your future activities.

Regarding this question, Mr. Miyake said, "In order to update the image of idols so far, I would like to challenge × idols."

There was a strong desire to step up the idol profession and pass it on to the next generation.

Ken Miyake's
idol × I would like to challenge myself to be ○○.

For example, I would like to challenge × idol culture, or idol× art because I have always liked art, or idol ×Japan culture.

- The heart?

Ken MiyakeIn
the past, it was a culture where you graduated from an idol in your early twenties. I think it is necessary to update the idol culture that is consumed in the short term.

With the spread of SNS, I think the values of idols are completely different from those of the Showa era.

There are times when you can meet casually, and there are times when you can see your private life on SNS, and I feel that values and meanings are changing, some idols are familiar to you, some idols are out of reach, and the types of idols are diverse.

Also, it is significant that I have been involved in the idol industry for the past 20 years, and that I have become aware of the potential that idols have.

After all, we have benefited from the possibilities of idols that our seniors have expanded, so we would like to pass it on to the next generation.

In order to make idols last longer, I think it is necessary to update idols.

I think that by taking on the challenge of a new "idol ×○", a new world will open up again.

"I want to believe in my potential" 44-year-old decision

July 7, when he announced his activities in a new environment, was Miyake's 2th birthday.

If you are a typical office worker, 44 years old is just the halfway point for working people.

It is also an age where various doubts such as "whether to become a manager or stay in the field"

and "whether there is a balance between family and work"

and decisions are required.

Why did he decide to take on the challenge of a new path at that age?

"It's because I've gained confidence in the path I've taken," he said with a straight gaze, emphasizing that now is the right time.

Ken MiyakeIn
terms of what to do as my next second stage, I think it's best to move in your 40s.

Of course, there are many things that can be done no matter how old you are, and I think the possibilities are endless.

However, I thought it would be better to start in my 50s in terms of physical strength and health than to start something big in my 40s.

-Are you worried?

I'd be lying if I said
I didn't have Ken Miyake, but everyone can't see the future anymore, so we won't know what will happen until we try.

―There are people who can think that way and people who don't, but in the case of Mr. Miyake, how did you manage to take the plunge?

Ken MiyakeI
think a big part of it is that you want to believe in your own potential. I think that changing the environment may expand the possibilities again.

Maybe it's because I have a career and confidence that I've been doing for 30 years.

The "charging period" that kept thinking about the fan

In May 2023, he left his previous office.

Since then, we have not sent any messages.

During that time, he always remembered the presence of his fans.

-How did you spend the charging period?

Ken
Miyake was doing "doing nothing". I was doing almost nothing.

I thought I'd take a good rest.

-Were you thinking about something in your head?

Even when Ken Miyake was
resting, what bothered him was the presence of fans.

I've spent nearly 30 years living a life where it's natural for fans to be by my side, so I didn't send out anything on SNS, but after a week after taking a break, when I see the voices of fans who are like, "It's only one week, but I feel like it's about a month." I felt like I had to do something for them.

I guess it's already there.

It's not family, friends, or lovers, but I think it's correct to say that it's more special that doesn't apply there.

There has been something in common over the past 1 years that only I and my fans can understand, and there may be something inseparable from it.

What you need to do to stay idle

The word "idol" is always included in his SNS profile, and Mr. Miyake declares his occupation "idol".

We felt a strong determination to continue to be an idol.

How do you always incorporate the word "idol"?

Ken Miyake:
I started my entertainment work as an idol, so I think that is inseparable.

As an expression to categorize myself, "expressionist," "artist," or "creator" doesn't fit well, and I think the word "idol" suits me best.

-What is the driving force behind being an idol?

It's all about Ken Miyake
fans.

It's not just fun, but there is a sense that sharing various emotions leads to mutual growth, and that we share our struggles and pleasures.

It's up to the consumer to choose, not this side. I have to live every day in the eyes of various people.

But of course, there are not only painful things but also fun things, and it feels like sharing all kinds of joy, anger, and sorrow with the fans.

―Were there any moments in your long experience that you really felt?

Ken MiyakeThere
are a lot of them.

Think about it. Isn't it amazing to support one person for 30 years?

Its energy. I spend my time, my feelings, and of course my money. It's amazing when you convert that into 1 years.

So, I want to give back to my fans as much as possible.

Finally, we asked him about the secret to keeping that youthful look forever.

Ken
Miyake manages his daily diet and lives a regular life.

Let's do our best to get some sunlight, take a walk, exercise moderately, stay healthy, do what we love and have a fun life!