.


alan’s new single [minna de ne ~PANDA with Candy BEAR’s~/ikiru] was released on 29 June. Minna de ne is the image song for Mono Comme Ca’s new characters, the Candy BEARS, and is used as the theme song for a fund set up to protect Ueno Zoo’s giant pandas. The song is given extra meaning because of the fact that the pandas came from China, alan’s homeland. Ikiru is a song dedicated to those suffering because of the earthquake and it’s a song that warms the heart. We asked alan about the magic of these 2 songs.


Minna de ne is played in the shops of Comme Ca Ism, Comme Ca Store and Comme Ca Style as the image song for Mono Comme Ca’s new characters, the Candy BEARS. It’s a really approachable song.
“I wanted create a song that could be sung by everyone, both young and old. It’s the image song for the cute bears of Candy BEARS. And after I went to Ueno Zoo, minna de ne also became the song for two little pandas named Rii-rii and Shin-shin.”

Both you and the pandas come from Sichuan.
“That’s right. Both me and the pandas come from Sichuan. Last year I got to be a member of the Sichuan panda centre for one day. I got to make the pandas’ food and clean their pins. Getting to play really closely with pandas and getting to hold tiny pandas... I imagined a panda’s fur would be really soft, but it’s not soft at all, it’s hard. It’s hard like a bear’s fur.”

Pandas only live in a special area in Sichuan, don’t they?
“Pandas are really rare. They’re almost extinct. Minna de ne contains the message, “All kinds of animals (not just pandas) are men’s friends. Let’s protect those friends.” I want to send this message to everyone.”

Minna de ne’s lyrics are easy to understand and it’s a song that people can easily sing along to.
“Minna de ne is really easy to sing. I want to sing it together with everyone. Especially the chorus is easy to remember (even for little children). Actually, pandas are a national treasure, a symbol, in China. Since the past, pandas have been working hard to become a bridge that deepens the ties between Japan and China. I’m also trying to become a bridge between China and Japan. I might lose to the pandas’ power, so I have to work even harder now (laughs).”


Minna de ne is an approachable pop-song. It feels like “everyone’s song”. But at the same time, your unique style also shines through.
“It has a Chinese-style arrangement, and I also use the Tibetan wail in it. But this time’s wails are sung more softly.”

During those parts where you use the wail, I felt your unique “alan-ness”.
“Thank you. This single has “healing” as its theme. I wanted to create songs that would support people’s hearts. I tried to sing gently because it’s my 1st single since the earthquake. Also, minna de ne is a song that’s played in stores, so if guests suddenly hear a heavy-impact-song like Ashita e no Sanka when they come in, they might be startled. That’s also why I’ve made it an approachable song.”

Both minna de ne and ikiru turned into really gentle songs. Ikiru is a song that softly encourages the people that are working daily to clean up after the earthquake.
“I think that it’s better to release gentle songs than strong songs now. I sang ikiru as if I was talking to a friend. Also, I hope ikiru conveys the message: “Regardless of borders or language, let’s turn the world into one for the sake of the future” to people.”

You must have felt many things because of the earthquake?
“There are still many hardships. Many people have lost relatives and friends. Everyone is feeling really sad and down. But I think it’s important that those still living have the courage to step forward again, not only for their own sake, but also for the sake of the dead. There will probably be more hardships in the future. But even so, I sang ikiru with the message: “Let’s work hard and believe in the future”.”

Speaking of earthquakes, you also worked to rehabilitate areas after the Sichuan Earthquake.
“Yes. But I heard about Sichuan’s earthquake in Japan. This time, I was really there when the earthquake hit. I was at a performance venue that day. The earthquake hit during rehearsals. I just stood there wondering “Eh!?” but the staff quickly grabbed my hand and yelled “Run~!!”. They took me to a save place. I didn’t know what to do when an earthquake hits. I would say “We should run outside”, but be told “Going outside is more dangerous”. The big lights and a piece of the ceiling fell onto the stage. It would have been really dangerous if I had continue to stand there.”

You even experienced something that dangerous...
“Some of my ideas changed after the earthquake. I realized, “Ah, I’m really tiny, huh?”, “I couldn’t do anything.” Humans can’t control natural disasters; they’re just small beings living on the Earth. But even so, if we join hands, we can overcome several difficulties.”


Artists have the power to “give people power through their songs.”
“What I can do as a singer is convey ‘bravery and strength’ to everyone with my voice. It’s a small power, but if someone feels better after listening to my songs, I’d be very happy. I hope ikiru will help those people who’ve been persevering for months to feel at ease when they finally have a moment to think of themselves.”

You, alan-san, are someone who believes in the future.
“I am. I believe the future will be bright if you believe in such feelings.”

Seeing ikiru’s PV really made me feel at ease.
“Even during the shooting, I sang ikiru softly, as if a whisper. It was shot in Shizuoka. ‘I can feel the wind on my skin and I can feel the rain and the sun’s rays when I stretch out my hands’ -- By letting you feel nature, the PV conveys the beauty of being alive.”

When I saw your last tear, I felt happy and moved.
“The last tear is a “tear of happiness”. That’s because there’s still hope.”

Ikiru’s PV is really comforting.
“I want to heal everyone’s hearts. I’d be happy if people think “Ah~ I feel better”, “I can relax now” after seeing it. Actually, on the shooting day, when I left Tokyo and when I was doing my make-up in Shizuoka, it rained heavily outside. But when shooting began, the rain stopped and the weather cleared up. The sunset was also really beautiful, so please also watch that part (of the PV).”

I see, so you're a bringer of good weather.
“It never rains when I need to shoot outside. Even when it’s raining, the weather will clear up. I really am a bringer of good weather (laughs).”


[Minna de ne ~PANDA with Candy BEAR’s~/ikiru] turned into a really comforting single.
“I’d be really happy if people think of it like that.”

It’s nice you got the chance to release such a single at this time.
“Currently, a lot of artists are releasing these kind of songs. I also wanted to sing songs that heal people’s hearts, so I’m happy I managed to release this single. Not only the people working hard to recover after the earthquake, but also me, everyone feels lost at times when they’re walking towards the future. But please believe in yourself and continue walking at those times. I think minna de ne and ikiru contain such a message.”

You’ll hold your “alan JAPAN PREMIUM BEST & MORE LIVE 2011” at Showa Women's University Hitomi Memorial Hall on 31 July.
“I want to sing not only songs from my best album, but also the songs fans want to hear and songs I’ve never sang live before. Please watch it.”

Before the concert, you’ll hold fan events in Osaka and Nagoya.
“These 2 events don’t just contain me singing or talking. I want fans to be able to enjoy themselves with alan up-close. Before, at ‘alan special tea time’, I prepared tea and cakes. I’ll do something different this time... I wonder what should I do...”

You haven’t decided yet?
“I’m still thinking about what to do. But I’m sure it’ll interesting, so please come and watch.”

goddess tenshi-sama....thank you so much!!!!!

she's such a beautiful person, she really is inspiring

omg, thanks a lot dear tenshi !!

Thanks so much! You're the best!

Thanks for translate!

The message behind ikiru is really beautiful. Makes me wish I liked it better

I know right? The lyrics are some of my favorite...but it's just so...plain, but it might grow on us *_*

it is plain next to panda song, but try not to listen to it after panda song lol

alan please come to Norway and bring us good weather.
I really enjoyed reading this interview, her thoughts on her new songs and recent events were very interesting.

Thanks for the translation, Tenshi! You're awesome♥