I’ve never done a straight-up article translation before, so how about starting with a really short one for my STU oshimen? Japanese entertainment publicity site ENCOUNT is running a series of profiles on STU48 members that started in early May with new captain Imamura Mitsuki. A month in on June 4th we got Fuu’s! (Yes this took me two weeks 😭 )
In the time since this article was written the STU thematic units have been reformed, and Fuu is now leader of “MiKER” and its junior unit “pin MiKER”. I translated a few of her tweets on that, collected here.
The talk leader marked by her smile! STU48’s Yabushita Fu, challenged to find “her own color” as an idol
Written by: ENCOUNT editorial dept.
In her time at home it’s not just anime and video game hobbies — she’s getting into other activities such as cooking, making sweets, and drawing.
The idol group STU48, based in the seven prefectures of Setouchi, aims to overcome the crisis due to the novel coronavirus and make even greater strides in 2020, their 4th year since forming. While they test out various activities with their supportive fans, such as the members’ daily original exercises “STU Exercises with Everybody”, how are they passing their time? We’ll introduce and explain what they want to take on from here on out.
Yabushita Fu, with her laid-back aura, is the group’s “characteristic smiling face” while at the same time having a reliable side to her that hates losing. With such a high level of professionalism that she even practices dancing by herself during breaks while at location shoots, Yabushita has been one of the mainstays of the group as a regular member of the senbatsu since their debut single “Kurayami”. As one of the members chosen to perform songs such as AKB48’s 50th single coupling song “Houtei Sokudo to Yuuetsukan” (17-and-under senbatsu) and AKB48’s 19-and-under senbatsu song “Ohayou kara Hajimaru Sekai”, it’s anticipated she’ll be a next-gen ace.
Yabushita was given the responsibility of leader for the sub-unit “SetoMaiku”. While standing in the center among talkative members with colorful personalities such as Yano Honoka, Kai Kokoa, and Shinano Soraha, she has kept a superb hand on the reins and entertained fans. She has also been appearing on NHK Hiroshima’s “KoiRadio” as a Wednesday Teen Regular since April 2020. With a wealth of knowledge about various genres of music, including Western songs, she has a sense of confidence in her on-air discussions, and has been further improving on her talk skills. Oki Yuka, a member that declared Yabushita to be “her oshimen”, conveyed her sense of respect claiming, “Fuu-san is almighty. Since she can totally skillfully and easily handle anything she has to do, it feels like being an idol is her calling.”
“Actually, I’m not good at talking about my dreams. Like everyone else, I haven’t yet been able to catch sight of the things I want to aim for.”
However in talking about her future activities, Yabushita reveals a strong desire “to support STU48”, “since I haven’t figured out my own color yet, I want to find that first. I think it’s good if I can also do individual activities that can pull the group along.”
“Recently it’s not just games, I’ve been getting into cooking and making sweets, and even drawing pictures. And I want to take on more and more media jobs like on TV and radio.”
It seems once Yabushita has found that “original color” within herself she will shine brighter than ever as an idol.
□ 薮下楓 (Yabushita Fu), born October 7th, 2000, from the prefecture of Osaka. STU48 1st gen. She helps lead the group not just in dance performances, but in her MCs that can range from a dry to a silly humor. She was solo center for the first time in their 2nd single’s coupling song “Seifuku no Omosa” (20th Century-born members). Her goal for STU48 is “a live at Hiroshima Green-Arena”. Her nickname is “Fuu”.
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