The Secret of the "Personal Notebook" She's Been Writing in Since Age 17. Yuki Kishii × Kotaro Abe

Planning, casting, filming, editing... advertisements that connect the efforts of many people to achieve completion.

What emotions drive them from start to finish? What stories unfold along the way? Driven by a desire to uncover the deeper meaning behind advertisements, copywriter Kotaro Abe interviews performers and creators in this serialized feature from Dentsu Inc. Casting & Entertainment: "Advertising's Relay. "

Following the first installment, we welcomed actress Yuki Kishii to share her thoughts on advertising.

The reward for work is the next job

Abe: Your starring role in the 2022 film "Keiko: Look Closely" received tremendous acclaim. It won awards at the 46th Japan Academy Film Prize and various other film festivals.

Kishii: That film truly allowed me to experience a deeply fulfilling time. I was blessed with an amazing team, and I threw myself into the project wholeheartedly – shooting on precious film, training my body intensely for the role, and more. After filming wrapped, I honestly felt a sense of burnout, thinking I might never encounter such a dreamlike set again.

Abe: The more seriously you commit, the greater the sense of loss afterward, huh?

Kishii: But strangely enough, you soon find yourself thinking, "I want to dedicate my life to this project!" when you meet a new film (laughs).

Abe: They say the reward for work is the next job. That must come from pouring your heart into the task at hand. By the way, what kind of project is it?

Kishii: It's the film "Young Strangers," scheduled for release in October 2024. It's directed by Takuya Uchiyama. I'm not the lead, but there was this indescribable energy swirling on set. To face it, I had no choice but to chip away at myself, to wear myself down. I approached the shoot with the resolve of an eraser, scraping myself away, knowing that what was scraped off would never come back. It was a grueling set, but that's precisely why I found it so rewarding. Though, I was completely drained, both physically and mentally, so it took a while to fully recover (laughs).

Abe: In such a grueling environment, how do you refresh your mindset, Kishii-san?

Kishii: It varies depending on the situation. I might read books or recharge by enriching my daily life. My approach to each project is completely different.

Abe: When you appear in a film, what kind of audience reaction do you look forward to?

Kishii: I believe everyone is free to have their own impressions, but personally, I'd be happy if people received the work itself, rather than focusing on whether the acting was good or bad. Comments like "this actor was great" feel somewhat fleeting and prone to fading. Instead, if I receive feedback that suggests the film has taken root in the audience's daily lives, or slipped into a quiet space in their hearts, I feel the work's intent has been conveyed.

Film is an "idea for living."

Abe: Talking with you, Kishii-san, I can really feel your deep love for film. Have you always loved movies?

Kishii: Actually, the initial reason was that I didn't have many friends to hang out with, so I started watching movies alone (laughs). But as I encountered various films, I became interested in the stories and the ways they were expressed. After watching, I also started feeling refreshed.

Abe: What do you mean by feeling refreshed?

Kishii: For example, I love the action movie series "The Avengers." At its core, it's about the clash between good and evil. The protagonist, Iron Man, even destroys buildings to fight the villains. But before doing so, he always ensures everyone inside is evacuated. I was incredibly moved by that kind of depiction and found it inspiring. I'd think, "If I had a mini Iron Man inside me, maybe I could be a little stronger" (laughs).

Abe: It's fun when you notice or discover things from movies, isn't it?

Kishii: I see "movies as learning." Works are scattered with "ideas for living," and I love finding those. Of course, how you receive the message varies from person to person. But I think the charm of movies is that they let you notice messages you wouldn't feel in daily life.

Abe: Ideas for living! That's really great. And now, conversely, you're in a position where you're conveying something to the audience through movies. Maybe you've become someone's "Iron Man."

Kishii: Me being Iron Man? That sounds kinda cool (laughs).

My personal notebook, kept since age 17

Kishii: Actually, I was really looking forward to talking with you, Abe-san. I've always been in awe of the work of copywriters, who wield words as their profession.

Abe: Wow, that's incredibly kind and humbling. In 2022, you published a photo essay called "Yohaku" (White Space), right? I read it and found it really fascinating.

Kishii: I write things myself, but I think it's amazing how copywriters can capture readers' hearts with such clear, accessible language. Actually, I've kept a notebook for writing down my thoughts for a very long time. It's a secret—I've never shown it to anyone. What's written there is, well, words only I understand, like "scribbles on the back of a flyer." It's not expressed in a way others would grasp. That's precisely why I admire people skilled at choosing words.

Abe: I was curious—Kishii-san, you've been writing your own words in a notebook. When did you start doing that?

Kishii: Around 17. I started before joining the agency, and I've kept it up ever since.

Abe: That's amazing. What made you start?

Kishii: I was really bad at speaking. If I didn't write things down, I'd lose track of what I wanted to say. Especially as a teenager, my vocabulary was limited. When asked for my thoughts on something, I'd just say "It was fun!" or "It was moving!" and leave it at that. I realized I couldn't keep going like that, so I started writing in notebooks.

Abe: So you've been doing this for over ten years? How many notebooks do you have in total?

Kishii: Quite a few, actually. But honestly, they're so embarrassing I can't bring myself to reread them (laughs).

The power hidden in words that come from the depths of your heart

Kishii: Since we've finally met, I'd love some advice on writing.

Abe: Sure, that's an unexpected turn of events (laughs). First off, the habit of continuously writing your own words in a notebook is fantastic, no doubt about it. Beyond that, what's crucial is "which words you choose" to convey your message to someone. The basic principle is to pick the words that shine the brightest and make them the hook of your writing. I think you already possess many words that are like rough diamonds. After that, I believe focusing on identifying the best ones from among them and how to arrange them will make writing easier.

Kishii: Words I thought were "scribbles on the back of a flyer" are actually "diamond in the rough"... That's such an exciting way to put it. So, how should I go about choosing words?

Abe: This is purely my personal view, but I think there's a point where words don't need to be overly chosen or unnecessarily polished. Words that come from being true to yourself, from the depths of your heart, hold power just as they are. On the other hand, overworking them can sometimes strip them of their charm. I'm sure it's the same with acting. Overthinking or overdoing it can make things seem unnatural.

Kishii: That's certainly true.

Abe: If you relax and approach your notebook with ease, the phrases that stick with you after reading through it are probably the ones that will resonate most deeply with others.

Kishii: Thank you. May I ask one more thing?

Abe: Of course, ask anything.

Kishii: Actually, when I'm asked for comments for interviews or such, I submit them in writing. But when they get edited, I think, "Oh, I see..." For example, I might adjust the rhythm for readability or deliberately omit the subject to aim for an abstract impression. But by the time it becomes an article, the subject has been added. I understand the intention. I get that they're editing it for clarity, but it still leaves me feeling a little frustrated. How should I deal with this conflict?

Abe: It's like that particular way you write, that "deliberate phrasing," right? You know it has to get across, but it still feels a bit frustrating.

Kishii: Exactly. For me, a certain rhythm forms in my head while writing. When words change, that rhythm breaks, and I can't shake the feeling of something being off. But it's true that the edited version is often easier to read and understand. Ah, it's so frustrating (laughs).

Abe: It is frustrating, isn't it? Different media have their own publication rules, so revisions are sometimes unavoidable. As creators, it's crucial to push the boundaries of expression right up to the limit, and we take pride in that expression. I think the frustration you feel, Kishii-san, is actually valid. That conflict is something we'll likely grapple with throughout our careers.

Kishii: That's right. It's something you keep grappling with. Thinking about it that way actually makes me feel a little better.

A gritty approach over a polished one

Abe: Finally, are there any commercials or genres you'd like to appear in going forward?

Kishii: I want to try so many things, it's hard to choose. If it's a food commercial, I'm confident I can make anything look delicious (laughs).

Abe: I can totally picture that.

Kishii: Also, I like a "down-to-earth, hardworking lifestyle," so roles like that appeal to me too. I think today's era emphasizes time-saving and efficiency, but I'm the type who likes to work hard and sweat. I can really relate to that attitude of pushing forward no matter what others say. It's okay not to be smart; in fact, down-to-earth is better. I'd be happy to be involved in work that evokes that kind of image.

Abe: Hearing you speak today, I felt an incredible vitality from you, Kishii-san. I'm truly looking forward to your future endeavors.

Kishii: Thank you! I'll keep working hard!

Dentsu Casting & Entertainment is a Dentsu Group company specializing in talent casting for advertising, film, and events, including influencers, cultural figures, and celebrities.

Photographer: Naoya Fujikawa Writer: Sho Sasaki