Gravure Idol Hotaru Kusakabe, a MENSA Member with an IQ in the Top 2%, Explains Why She Became a Qualification Maniac
She started acquiring numerous qualifications about two years ago. At that time, she already held certifications such as Kanji proficiency level 1, totaling about 5 to 6. At her peak, she continued to acquire qualifications at a pace of three per month. These ranged from small boat handling, gas welding, forklift operation, large motorcycle riding, hunting, to soba noodle making, totaling 42 certifications. Some qualifications could be obtained with just a day of training, but she mentioned that fewer easy ones remain as she progressed.
“Next, I’m thinking of taking the meteorologist exam this summer. I took the written exam in January and passed, so next, I’ll take the practical exam. Acquiring qualifications is enjoyable; it’s a hobby. Perhaps it’s because I was made to do many extracurricular activities as a child that I can enjoy pursuing various things.”
While Kusakabe once struggled considerably with being “someone who goes along without dislikes,” as she put it, titles like her photo book ‘Iinari.’ suggest that the more she goes with the flow, the more her charm shines.
In the June 28th issue of ‘FRIDAY,’ released on June 14th, unpublished cuts from an even more provocative photo collection are featured in a 4-page spread.
Hotaru Kusakabe’s 1st photo book “Iinari. (Tadao Matsuda/Kodansha)
