Japanese idol group “Arashi” former member Sho Sakurai recently visited Taiwan to interview President Lai Ching-te for a special segment on the Japanese program “News Zero.” The footage of the two of them together sparked heated discussions on the internet and ruffled the feathers of Chinese netizens.
Sakurai, 43, conducted the interview with President Lai Ching-te on May 19 as a news program anchor on the special segment “Taiwan Affairs” for a Japanese television network. The interview covered topics such as President Lai Ching-te’s thoughts on his anniversary in office, cross-strait relations, military threats from the Chinese Communist Party, Taiwan-US relations, and Taiwan-Japan relations.
At the beginning of the interview, Sakurai introduced himself fluently in Chinese, to which President Lai Ching-te responded with a smile, saying, “I’ve known you for a long time; you are very popular in Taiwan.” When Sakurai asked many questions about the Taiwan Strait situation, President Lai Ching-te emphasized the importance of the international community making every effort to prevent conflicts in the Taiwan Strait as the cost would be too high. On how to avoid conflicts and war, President Lai Ching-te said that by strengthening Taiwan’s defense capabilities, it would serve as a deterrent and promote peace, aiming to prevent war by being prepared.
President Lai Ching-te also emphasized that Taiwan does not have any intentions of attacking the mainland or aggressing any country; Taiwan simply seeks to protect itself.
After the interview concluded, Sakurai shared his insights, mentioning that during the 1.5-hour interview, President Lai Ching-te did not look at any notes. He maintained eye contact with the translator during their conversation, not in an intimidating manner. Sakurai was impressed by President Lai Ching-te’s demeanor, particularly noting the contrast in his expressions when discussing the strong crisis awareness towards the Chinese Communist Party and their tense relationship.
Sakurai’s visit to Taiwan not only showcased his presence as an idol but also as a journalist and anchor, conducting live broadcasts from the presidential office and conducting interviews with the President. The footage quickly circulated on various social media platforms, with netizens expressing disbelief and excitement, calling it “unbelievable.”
However, this seemingly stirred up the sensitive nerves of Chinese netizens, with many expressing their displeasure on social media platform Weibo, criticizing the visit as politically motivated and unwelcoming towards individuals making political statements with influence. Some comments suggested that this visit might hinder the potential for Arashi to develop in China.
In response to the criticisms from Chinese netizens, other social media users calmly commented, saying, “If the pink nationalists don’t go crazy, they wouldn’t be pink nationalists anymore,” implying that their reactions were expected.
Sho Sakurai, who debuted as a member of the idol group “Arashi” in 1999, released the CD “A·RA·SHI” in November 1999. He received the Rookie Award at the Nikkan Sports Drama Grand Prix for his role in the TV drama “The Man Who is Closest to Heaven 2” in 2001. Since October 2006, he has been the anchor of the Japanese weekly news program “News Zero.” Additionally, his performances in TV dramas like “After-Dinner Mysteries” and “The Family Game” have earned him multiple Best Actor awards. In April 2014, he began hosting the variety show “Sakurai-Arashi’s Dangerous Night Meeting” and has been a presenter for various Olympic specials on Japanese television, including hosting “THE MUSIC DAY” for four consecutive years.
According to reports from Taiwanese media, Sakurai, who boasts an impressive resume and hosting experience, conducted a 1.5-hour interview with President Lai Ching-te. The special segment began airing in Japan from May 19 and will continue for a week. Some netizens jokingly remarked, “The glass heart of pink nationalists will be shattered even more.”