{"id":11396,"date":"2011-11-28T20:11:50","date_gmt":"2011-11-28T20:11:50","guid":{"rendered":""},"modified":"2025-10-15T11:49:26","modified_gmt":"2025-10-15T11:49:26","slug":"yukako-tani-of-yga","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/asiancemagazine.com\/?p=11396","title":{"rendered":"Yukako Tani of YGA"},"content":{"rendered":"

Formed in 2008, YGA (Yoshimoto Gravure Agency) is a J-pop idol group consisting of 10 members (Tani Yukako, Hanano Yuuri, Hayashi Sanae, Sakurai Rika, Hinata Sayo, Misawa Kana, Kasuga Sayaka, Oomizo Shiina, Wasaki Nanami, and Kato Moemi. Every weekend, YGA runs a live show at Shinagawa Prince Theatre in Tokyo, Japan. Their single “Jounetsu Heroine” ranked in 5th on the Oricon chart.<\/p>\n

ASIANCE: How was the group first formed? Were auditions held? <\/h3>\n

YGA:<\/b> Our management, YOSHIMOTO KOGYO CO., LTD is best known for comedians. YGA\u2019s initial concept was to form a group, half \u201cvariety show\u201d and half \u201cidol\u201d. I also wanted to be good at talking (MC-ing) and joined YOSHIMOTO Creative College. I applied for the YGA auditions there.<\/p>\n

ASIANCE: What motivated you to try out for the group? <\/h3>\n

YGA:<\/b> I also wanted to be good at talking (MC-ing) not only just dancing and singing as other idol groups do.<\/p>\n

ASIANCE: Working with each other, does it create rivalries? <\/h3>\n

YGA:<\/b> Yes, it does. I am in charge of the center position from the very beginning. Every time a new member comes in, I do feel competitive.<\/p>\n

ASIANCE: Isn’t it difficult to reconcile work with your personal lives? <\/h3>\n

YGA:<\/b> YOSHIMOTO KOGYO CO., LTD gets us work at a moment\u2019s notice. We check out our official home page and jot all our show dates down in a notebook. This style is new to me and there isn\u2019t much space for private time. (LOL)<\/p>\n

ASIANCE: You must have a difficult schedule with rehearsals, live shows, recordings and promotion. Where do you find all this energy? <\/h3>\n

YGA:<\/b> All fans who come to our show energize us! I personally love eating. That is how we gain strength.<\/p>\n

ASIANCE: What is the biggest sacrifice you made to become an idol? <\/h3>\n

YGA:<\/b> I have very few friends. I was born in Shiga Prefecture and moved to Tokyo. I don\u2019t have many friends in Tokyo. I have to cancel private appointments because of work. No one really calls me now\u2026<\/p>\n

ASIANCE: What are some of the things you like to do in your free time? <\/h3>\n

YGA:<\/b> I like going shopping, hair dressing and massage. But that\u2019s rare. Usually I end up sleeping all day. (LOL)<\/p>\n

ASIANCE: What kind of music do you listen to and are there any artists you admire? <\/h3>\n

YGA:<\/b> I like R&B. I don\u2019t listen to idol stuff in private time\u2026<\/p>\n

ASIANCE: Does YGA want to build up its fan base in the US and enter the market? <\/h3>\n

YGA:<\/b> It seems the American entertainment market requires not only a good appearance but also solid performing skill and music. I want to polish my skills more and one day and challenge US market.<\/p>\n

ASIANCE: What do you do to prepare for your live concerts? <\/h3>\n

YGA:<\/b> I can\u2019t play the piano or any musical instruments but I have a keyboard. I use it to memorize all notes necessary for vocal training.<\/p>\n