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The next guest plays guitar like a god, dresses like a girl and sings like a man.
In perfect Japanese. 17-year-old Yohio from Sundsvall is "big in Japan."
Here he is, Yohio
You are Yohio. Welcome.
Thank you.
Is it very different to be a guest in a Japanese tv-show than to be here?
Yes, the difference is enormous. Here we sit quietly and talk about anything. There
it is more strict and involves a lot of shouting. One doesn't just answer a
question once. Everything is so crazy there. You can't understand anything,
even if you can speak the language. Everything goes so fast.
Let's rewind a bit. Today you are 17 years old. You are from Sundsvall, somewhat
north in Sweden. Firstly, you are extremely good at playing guitar. You play
like Hendrix. In addition, you taught yourself to speak and sing in Japanese.
You can speak Japanese, right? Yes.
How well?
I understand about 85%. But I am not there all the time, so I am poorer at
speaking it. I have nobody to speak with here. But when I have been there for two
weeks, I can speak it just fine.
How did you learn Japanese? Are you self-taught, or did you learn it in school?
Both. I began on my own when I was ten. I bought books and stuff. Later I began an
evening class. But I didn't like the school environment, so I stopped.
Are there many evening classes for Japanese in Sundsvall?
There were two. The same teacher taught both.
I sit here and look at you... you have a wholly unique style, regardless of what
people think in Sundsvall. Before you came in here, you were in makeup for
three hours. This is an important part of your "package"?
Yeah. It's fifty-fifty music and image. I'm not just gonna stand on stage in a t-shirt
with greasy hair. I will deliver a complete show. It's boring when bands...
So that's the alternative to t-shirt and jeans?
That's my alternative.
Because we know of men who dress like women from rock culture in the western
world also. David Bowie for example. But it's also a Japanese tradition?
They were inspired by Kiss and Bowie. They took the style, refreshed it and
called it "visual rock."
Visual rock? Yeah.
And that's what you are?
Exactly.
But is it just a coincidence that it became such a huge phenomenon in Japan?
I don't think so.
Because there are many bands with men who dress up as women.
Yeah, there is a whole scene for it. But that isn't so strange, because only
recently have Japanese people been allowed to be creative. There was a rule
from the fifth century or something like that. A law: "You cannot invent anything
new. You cannot be creative or look different." There were dress codes for the
different classes. Samurais used a certain type of clothing. Merchants used another
material. That was until the end of the 1800s. When the law changed, and they
could express themselves again, their creative spirit broke free. That's why
Japan is one of the leading countries on the technological front. Before, they
copied the West, but now they got to make something unique also.
So it was outlawed to be creative...
Exactly. So it's not surprising that they go to extremes when they finally get to do
what they want.
What about your fans? Who are they? Are they women or men?
They are mostly women. 90% women. Usually aged 15-25.
But they know you aren't one of them?
Yeah, they know that. But in Japan they appreciate feminine beauty in men.
So people like the visual rock genre because the men are androgynous and feminine.
They have a different ideal. Here men are supposed to be square, muscular and big.
That's what's handsome.
More like Leif? .
A few weeks ago we had a guest called Eddie Izzard. An English
comic who is heterosexual, but a transvestite. You are like him?
That's very forward! But I wouldn't argue. One could say that, because I am
heterosexual and dress myself like a girl. But I don't see myself as transgender.
It's a Japanese pop culture thing.
It's your job, right? Yeah.
Would you be accepted in Japan if you were transgender?
Yeah. There are many transgender people in the TV industry there. Most are
comedians. They are thick and ugly, but girls.
Leif, I remember that you've met David Bowie?
[Leif GW Persson talks about meeting David Bowie in a party, without
recognizing him or knowing who he is]
How long can one hold on in this industry? Can you become older in it?
The oldest person who still dresses like a woman is about 45. He looks like he's in
his 90's. But he's Japanese. They don't become old until they become VERY old.
They look like they're 20 until they're 55. Then boom. Then they look like they're 80!
Do you want to try it?
What? This style? We will see next week! It's just a question of using more makeup, no?
Yes, that and... Well, it's probably just that.
Fantastic to have you with us today, Thank you.