Crossing the Entertainment World, Equipped with Japanese and English Languages

Jasmine

“It is so nice to meet you!” says a young woman as she enters the room. Her greeting is in such beautiful Japanese that there is no trace her mother tongue is English. Wearing a marine blue sweater that shows up her white face and blonde hair vividly, her large round eyes tell of her bright personality.

Talking in fluent Japanese using facial and body expressions, Jasmine, 21, is always cheerful and positive about her work. She once played the role of an angel. About creating her role, she says “I kept telling myself, ‘I’m an angel. I’m an angel.’ When I took this to heart, the way I talked and my whole attitude became more generous. I totally felt like I was an ‘angel’ and I still do!”

Jasmine came to Japan when she was 8 years old. Starting her career in the entertainment world at age 9, she has made numerous appearances in TV commercials, dramas, variety programs and movies while she was attending public elementary school and junior high school. She is also active as a hip-hop dancer. Since she started dancing when she was 13 years old, Jasmine has practiced hard on her own. After several years, her performances began to surprise others. “Nobody knew I was learning to dance hip-hop. They just thought I could do anything easily. But actually I put a lot of effort into this,” she says.

Jasmine is a pleasant person. She tries to keep mentally and physically balanced by practicing yoga in her spare time. She says, “I try to have hobbies and lessons to the extent where I do not begin to feel stoic. Otherwise I cannot continue them.” Reading is a routine for her, too. “I read Japanese novels, information-type magazines, all kinds of books. When I change my mood, I read English books. I learn a lot from English books as well,” she says, hinting at her curious and ambitious mind.

Now, the length of time she has lived in Japan has surpassed the time she lived in her home country, the U.S.A. Jasmine plans to continue her career in the Japanese entertainment industry. She says, “I’d like to make my Japanese and English language skills useful in my career.” She has begun writing songs and lyrics. “It is so much fun to write lyrics in both languages and sing them. I feel helpful and joyous that I can speak both languages.”

“When I first came here, I knew nothing about the language and I was the only foreign student in school. I stood out and had a difficult time, but I told myself to think that it is always fun, and tried to talk to more friends around me. Then I started to experience more fun things in life,” she says with an invigorating smile in her eyes.

Jasmine always thinks about things positively. Although some people’s comments make her misunderstand things, she thinks it is important to stay confident and hold on to the belief that, “I am doing my best.” She begins with tasks that she can start doing right now, never thinking that assignments are too difficult. Jasmine tries to lead her life in as natural a way as possible. With the strength of her Japanese and English skills, she is likely to be seen in many other fields.

Jasmine website
http://jasmine.jstarpro.com/

The NHK program DVD Box (a set of three) “Sankagetsu Topic Eikaiwa, Ichinichi Marugoto Eigo de Hanasou! Igai ni Shiranai Nichijyo-hyougen,” in which Jasmine played an angel, is in store now.
NAGASAWA Misaki, who is not good at speaking English, improves her English with the help of Angela, an apprentice angel. This is a “drama style” English practice DVD.
Published by NHK Enterprises, Inc.
Distributed by Pony Canyon.

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