Nao Reflects on Overcoming Challenges and Personal Growth in Her Late Twenties

“Looking back on 2024, I feel that I was involved in some memorable dramas right from the start. The set of Spring Has Come (produced by Kansai Television) in the January season was exactly what I had envisioned, with both the cast and staff all moving in the same direction.

After that, in I Want to Punch That Scumbag (TBS) and Tokyo Salad Bowl (NHK), both producers saw my performance as the daughter of Kinnosuke Kaneshiro (62), who played the role of a father diagnosed with a terminal illness in Spring Has Come, and offered me roles. It was a wonderful experience to meet such great works from the beginning of the year, which led to new opportunities.”

For Nao (29), 2024 has been a year of great strides. She starred in four projects—her highest number ever—in both TV dramas and films, and was also cast in two new commercials. When asked why she had been so active, she shyly responded, “I wonder why?” and continued, “I’m really surprised myself. I think this is an unstable job, and I don’t know when the offers will stop, so I feel both happy and a bit confused. My manager and I might still not be able to analyze it properly.”

However, the experience of performing in the play Medicine (May to June 2024) was significant for her. The story was complex, and even a week before the performance, she couldn’t give the required acting as asked by the director. She recalled crying in the car after rehearsals.

“But, being able to deeply ponder the performance with such wonderful people was an incredibly fulfilling experience, and my acting has changed after that stage. Looking back now, I’m glad there was a place where I could truly feel down in my last year of my twenties,” she laughed.

As a popular figure, new work keeps coming in, and she faces obstacles along the way. She said her approach to handling them has evolved.

“I used to be the type to keep my worries to myself, but now I’ve started to talk to people about my concerns. That’s something that’s changed a lot this year. For example, during Spring Has Come, I talked to Gaku Hamada (36) about my upcoming projects.”

Hamade encouraged her, saying, “Nao, I think just being confident on set will be enough for you,” which gave her the courage to start filming. She said that although she had previously been bad at relying on others, now there are people she can reach out to when she feels her spirit faltering. “That has been a great support.”

The January 10th issue of FRIDAY (January 24–31) and the paid version FRIDAY GOLD feature a detailed report on the background of her appearance in the latest work Tokyo Salad Bowl and reveal some surprising ways Nao refreshes herself.

For detailed information and multiple photos, click here.

Nao Reflects on Approaching Her 30s: “I Want to Choose What Makes My Heart Flutter”

 

From the January 24 and 31 issue of “FRIDAY”