" Having a partner who shows you a viewpoint that allows you to reconfirm the bounty of the world in a meaningful way to them is truly a bounty onto  itself.  "

Miwa：Congratulations on having your film  “I-News Paper Reporter Documentary“ be awarded the first place by the 93rd Cultural Films.

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Mori：Thank you very much. Although I think that its categorization as a cultural movie is a bit old-fashioned, but since my works so far consist of Aum Shinrikyo and the ghostwriter riots, in other words films that take a different perspective from general evaluations and as such are  shunned by the mass media and those in positions of power. I am glad in that sense.

 

Miwa：Could you tell us why you made this film about how journalists who pursue facts were treated as heretics

 

Mori：I decided to only work on this as a documentary film. The corresponding TV drama is directed by Michihito Fujii, which is called “A Newspaper Reporter.” The topic is on the monopolization of the Best Picture, Best Actor, and Best Actress prize at the Japanese Academy Awards. Ms. Isoko Mochizuki, the main subject of my film "i-Newspaper Reporter Documentary", is a reporter of the Tokyo News Paper social club. She became famous by asking chief cabinet secretary Kan a question without reserve at his official residence. But a reporter’s duty is to ask questions to politicians. She was only doing her job, so why did her attitude become the topic of conversation?　 That is because many other journalists are not acting so naturally. 
Not only our media. but the Japanese people themselves have a very strong connection to  “organization.”  In other words, Japanese people are weak. Therefore, we try to follow the movement of the majority rather than our own will. In other words, we align towards where we feel pressure.

 

Miwa：Where do you think this trend comes from in Japan?

 

Mori：There are several theories about it. One is the rice planting of Japan. We all did rice planting and rice cutting.  If you do it early, the pests that were in your rice field will go to other rice fields. In particular, water supply is shared throughout the village. Or it may be because Japan is an island country. The Japanese Imperial system may also be the cause. This sort of collective feeling is strong in all of East Asia, but this tendency is even stronger in Japan.

 

Miwa：I see. In fact, even in the world of matchmaking services, I feel that many people are uncertain about who they really want, in line with their opinions such as annual income and appearance

 

Mori：Well, it is difficult...  Keeping thinking about someone while you don’t meet them. Probably if you keep on focusing on annual income and looks, you’ll never get anywhere in the end. How does NEXUS advise your clients?

 

Miwa：Well, we talk to our clients to try to find out what they really want and how they feel.
It seems like writing things out actually helps people organize their thoughts, so we have them send in a written version of that ideal image they have using a bullet-point formant.

 

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Miwa：“The world is richer when people are kinder.” I quite like this pet saying of your, Mr. Mori. What sort of times do you feel this motto applies to?

 

Mori：I sometimes have people object to this saying, since there’s so many brutal incidents, disasters, and disputes always raging about. However, it’s exactly because of such brutality that I think this saying makes sense. My work has led me to meet a great many individuals whom we could term “bad people.” Aum and others who have been condemned to death row. IS combatants. So-called “yakuza.” I’ve reported on the Hong Kong mafia. Yet I’ve never met someone who does not think life is worth living from the bottom of their hearts. Of course, there are differences between individuals. Those with short fuses. Those with bad habits. But inside, we’re all just about the same. When we talk about our parents or childhood we cry; when we’re told something funny, we laugh. There’s no major disparity. When the Great Tohoku Earthquake and Tsunami occurred, I had left for ground zero within a week. The search for the deceased was still ongoing. So even if I had to clench my teeth, I thought of this phrase… That’s how I feel about it.

 

Miwa：We also wanted to make many people smile by finding them a life partner. That’s why we started our business.

 

Mori：The Nexus head office is located in Singapore. Do most of your members live in Singapore 

 

Miwa：Not only in Singapore, but in South East Asia and Japan as well, and some members live in the EU and America..

 

Mori：In this era, it is not possible to meet easily 

 

Miwa：Our members utilize various tools, Perhaps because they really treasure their time together, we see a lot of people quickly get engaged.

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Miwa：Most of our members meet with their hoped-for person within one month of enrolment with our company. Last year, almost all our members were arranged within a month, including the arrangement of videophone matchmaking dates.

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Mori：That’s great. People can come to understand each other even though videophone matchmaking dates?

 

Miwa：Yes, I think that members who get married sooner are those who communicate with various tools like videophone talk. I think this is an especially good tool for busy men and women.  Truly, we live in a convenient world.

 

Mori：Actually, I started using a smartphone recently myself. I was so shocked by the convenience that I stared to worry that something was wrong with me. I’m no good with directions, so the navigation functionality is especially helpful!

 

Miwa：I’m surprised that you, Mr. Mori, who handles video equipment so often , only started using smartphones so recently!

Your wife is Ms. Hiroko Yamasaki, a writer studying sound psychology (https://www.yamazakihiroko.com/). How did you come to meet her ?

 

Mori：I came to know her via her writing, a piece of non fiction called "Quak De" about the prince of Vietnam written about 15 years ago. At that time, she happened to still be working in Vietnam.

 

Miwa：Do you remember your first impression of her?

 

Mori：Yes, we met at the ticket gate of a station. I thought she was beautiful.

 

Miwa：Your wife says that you have an affinity for her voice, but what do you think about it ?

 

Mori：The book, “Looks Define 90% of Person” became the best-seller, but the voice actually gives a stronger impression than appearance alone. The voice is strong because it’s something which cannot simply be put into words. But many people are unaware of the power of voice.  I want you to read her book if you’re interested. Her books contain so many surprising elements.

 

Miwa：At what point and why did you two decide to get married

 

Mori：Well, I think there was no clear timing.

 

Miwa：Do you sometimes give advice about each other's work when at home?

 

Mori：Always. She's overwhelmingly wiser than me, so she’s advising me 9 times out often.

 

Miwa：I believe that you’re remarried, Mr. Mori. Our company has a plan called “Restart Life,” which we use to support people who want to give it all another go after divorce or separation. I feel many people who have experienced divorce are more open and have more consideration for their partners.

 

Mori：In the end, I hurt so many people. I’ll always shoulder that burden.

 

Miwa：You have been married for almost 10 years. Do you have any secrets towards a happy marriage?

 

Mori：I wonder about that. I don't feel like I have any secrets or techniques.

 

Miwa：You seem to be very close to your wife, but do you two ever fight?

 

Mori：Sometimes, but she is in the right nine times out often.

 

Miwa：How do you make up after a fight?

 

Mori：I apologize.（laugh）

 

Miwa：Would you tell me about a moment in which you feel happy in your marriage?

 

Mori：Even when one or two people experience something, that same experience is different for each person. I have my own perspective. My wife, however, has one of her own. We can combine these two perspectives in one composite. Having a partner who shows you a viewpoint that allows you reconfirm the bounty of the world in a meaningful way to them is truly a bounty onto itself.

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Miwa：Finally, if you have any advice for singles to meet a future life partner, please let us know.

 

Mori：People are multifaceted beings. First impressions are also important, but if you meet many times, many different aspects will appear. The more surprising things are to you, the more important your time will be.

 

Miwa：Thank you very much for your time today.