SCANDAL to start a digital-only radio program!

HARUNA: "We want to make it a program that everyone can enjoy, and where we pop into your daily lives for a bit"

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●SCANDAL, Japan's leading all-girl band, to start an audio-only program!

An audio program of SCANDAL, a four-piece all-girl band who boasts an overwhelming presence and career in this current music scene, will begin from March 9 (Mon) via the radio app JFN PARK.

From personal news from members to inside stories about live shows, this program allows you to enjoy 100% of the personal charm of the band making the world their own stage..

It will be distributed via the app JFN PARK every Wednesday, as well as via the music streaming site Spotify. It will be available on-demand to enjoy whenever you'd like to listen to it.



●What vocalist HARUNA wants to talk about: "I want to know various industry terms!"

In the first episode, each member announces what they'd like to talk about during the program! Anything is OK—whether it's very detailed, maniacal, or something they usually refrain from talking about. They're free to talk about whatever they'd like.

The topic chosen by vocalist HARUNA is "industry terms," ranging from words unique to an industry to words limited to the departments of a company, and said, "I'd like to teach you terms that are used peculiarly!"

Please listen to the program to learn about the topics chosen by the other members!



●HARUNA: "We want to make it a program that everyone can enjoy, and where we pop into your daily lives for a bit."

At the start of the program, HARUNA commented, "This materialized from a conversation we had a year ago about how we wanted to do our first radio program in a while. New episodes will be posted at the same time every week, but since you can listen to it whenever you'd like on the app or Spotify, we want to make it a program that everyone can enjoy, and where we pop into your daily lives for a bit. Please tune in every week!"

Please look forward to when the first episode is out on 3/9 (Mon)!



【Program Overview】
◇Title: SCANDAL Catch up supported by Meiji Apollo
◇Distribution: JFN PARK、Spotify
◇First air date: 3/9 (Mon)
Every Monday thereafter via JFN PARK (21:00 JST), Spotify (22:00 JST)
◇Hosts: SCANDAL
◇Program site: https://park.gsj.mobi/news/show/64145

SCANDAL's new program has begun! A "Topics we'd like to talk about" strategy meeting for the first episode?
 
Episode ＃1 blog

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A new digital-only program hosted by SCANDAL called 「SCANDAL Catch up Supported by Meiji Apollo」 started from Monday, March 9.

SCANDAL recently released their album Kiss from the darkness last month. What stood out to the quartet as they entered the studio to record the first episode were the copious amounts of around and shared the different kinds of Meiji Apollo stacked up like a mountain. After they shouted with joy, they asked, "Can we eat those?" and immediately opened them. They passed around and sampled Apollo chocolates.

Since this was the first episode, they announced that they came up with the idea to share their own "Catch up-like topics we'd like to talk about"!

TOMOMI: I want to make a pouch shaped just like an Apollo chocolate! I wonder if any have been made yet?

HARUNA: When we recorded the promo a little while ago, we used the terminology "naki (ナキ)" (meaning "to read program titles, etc. outloud"), and I thought that was interesting. Each profession has their own terms or jargon, and I think it'd be interesting if people sent us that stuff.

RINA: From the start we've been interested in what kinds of jobs everyone has...

MAMI: Students and young kids usually tell us what's going on with them via letters or on social media, but I wonder about the adults...

RINA: I watch movies or dramas every day; I'm interested in what everyone else is watching now.

MAMI: I don't watch any at all. I don't know what genres I like, so please share your recommendations.

The conversation never stops due to the effects of Apollo chocolate... For this program, we will be taking in messages from listeners as well as topics. You can listen to 「SCANDAL Catch up Supported by Meiji Apollo」 on the official program site, so look forward to SCANDAL's new transmissions you can only hear on this program!

【Translated Summary】
『SCANDAL Catch up supported by Meiji Apollo』 - Episode 1

•SCANDAL starts off the episode by opening bags of Meiji Apollo chocolates and comments that they could use them for acoustic performances, and that they could keep some beside RINA.

•They talk about how they want this program to be one that their fans, people interested in them, and people just now learning about them can enjoy. They also say this will be a "whatever goes"-kind of program where the topics on the program will be based on ones from their listeners, and they will also be talking about things they as a band want to talk about/things they like while eating Apollo.

•The first thing they talk about is the program's title "Catch up," which means, "What's been going on lately?" They chose this because on this program they'll be catching up on what's been going on lately with the listeners as well as the band.

•As "Tonight" is played in the background, they take the opportunity to talk about the new album, which they say is one where they took on all sorts of challenges and experiments. For this song in particular, they had the 16-year-old track maker SASUKE produce it, which they think provides SCANDAL with a new sound. Recording it was interesting. MAMI says that SASUKE's so mature that it doesn't seem like he's only 16. HARU says that they often discussed things via LINE since he lives in Ehime Prefecture (about 400 miles away from Tokyo via airplane), and whenever he'd come out to Tokyo he'd bring along snacks from Ehime—this all made for an exciting and lively recording atmosphere.

•Next, they talk about how this episode needs to commemorated since it's the first one, so they will be "catching up" with the members this time. This is also in part due to not having any messages from listeners yet. They'll be talking about things they want to talk about on the program in the future, and things they don't normally talk about. However, they plan to have the topics change with each episode, depending on what the listeners want them to talk about.

•TOMO asks if she can talk about something she just thought of: "I want to make a pouch shaped just like an Apollo chocolate! A triangle-shaped one!" A guy is heard laughing loudly in the background as she says this. The band comments on this and says that it's Ono-san who's been working with them recently. TOMO circles back around to the pouch: "Wouldn't that be great?" The band says that that'd be adorable. TOMO wonders if any have been made yet. The band doesn't think so. TOMO thinks it'd be nice if they made some together.
-HARU: "That's not the topic you want to talk about though."
-TOMO: "It's not; it's what I wanted to talk to the three of you about."
HARU says that maybe they could do collaborative merch and give them as presents to their listeners (TOMO: "That's something way off into the future!"). RINA says that a pouch like that would be really cute and useable.

•HARU goes next: "When we recorded the promo a little while ago, the radio terminology "naki (ナキ)" (meaning "to read program titles, etc. outloud") was used, and I thought that was interesting. Each profession has their own terms or jargon, and I think it'd be interesting if people sent us that stuff." RINA says that that would definitely be interesting. Ono-san (presumably) asks them if they have jargon between the four of them. TOMO says maybe them shortening long song titles on their setlists could be "SCANDAL jargon." RINA says this way of referring to the songs is probably something that's only between the band and their staff. TOMO gives an example with "Shunkan Sentimental," which is shortened to "ShunSen." She mentions that the fans do that as well (Mod note: I posted a thread like this a while back ). MAMI then mentions that during rehearsals they have their own band-related jargon when connecting songs as well as deciding drum parts. They say that learning about all sorts of jargon from listeners would be interesting, and that they're interested in knowing what kind of jobs their listeners have. MAMI says that students and young kids usually tell us what's going on with them via letters or on social media, but they don't really hear from the adults and are wondering what's going on for them.

•RINA follows after that: "I've mentioned on social media that I watch movies or dramas every day on Netflix and the like, and what I've been watching recently is 'Followers.' It focuses on different angles of women working in the social media world. I feel like what movies or dramas people are watching now are endless. I want to know what they're watching!" TOMO then mentions that the music used in movies is really interesting. MAMI says that she never watched movies. It's not that she tries not to watch them, but even if there's a movie she'd want to see, she'll be like, "Oh, it's out in theaters now. Oh, I forgot to watch it in theaters, so I'll wait until it's online," but will eventually forget about it altogether. She doesn't know what genres she likes, so she'd like for everyone to send her their recommended movies. RINA says recommending a movie might be difficult, so she recommends a drama called "Kinou Nani wo Tabeta?" (What Did You Eat Yesterday?), which she thinks MAMI would really like. MAMI says that she'll check it out.

•The episode closes out with "Kinenbi." MAMI asks the other members what kind of song they should write. TOMO goes, "Is that a topic we should talk about?" MAMI mentions that "Kinenbi" is a song they made in response to fans wanting them to make a song that could be played during things like weddings, and it'd make them happy if there are fans who say they'll play this at their weddings.

Meph1766 wrote:But any chance download this program? It's not worked spotify in my country

Deciding on a new segment!? A collection of terminology
 
Episode ＃2 blog

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We're starting off with topics from the program's blogs.

RINA: There's also a blog for this program, which are posted after the episodes are posted. Have you seen them?

All: We have.

RINA: You know, it's been a while since we've really used Osaka dialect. TOMOMI and I speak using Osakan dialect so that can't be helped, but it was pretty thick (laughs).

TOMOMI: Geez. Let's just speak using standard Japanese! (laughs)

RINA: It's been a while since I've felt embarrassed by it, but it made me happy.

In "Catch up!" the words spoken by the members will be conveyed just as they are in a "thick Osakan dialect."

Also, people from various industries sent in messages in response to HARUNA's "I want you to teach us industry terminology" question in the previous episode.

Since a lot of "unknown terms" were sent in, they decided to turn it into a corner called "Gyoukaiyougo Collection (A collection of industry terms)" (shortened to GyouColle) as part of the program.

Incidentally, the commemorative first message was sent from Singapore.

On this episode's GyouColle, they focused on the terms "MAKE UP," "P," "Magemon," and "Messo." Additionally, many messages were sent in response to MAMI's question, "What kinds of jobs does everyone have?" The members were very interested in the surprising occupations listed, such as a "fledgling Shinto priest" and a "princess at a dental clinic."

【Translated Summary】
『SCANDAL Catch up supported by Meiji Apollo』 - Episode 2

•The band once again starts off the episode by opening bags of Apollo chocolates and comments that there are a bunch in front of them.

•It's already been mentioned here, but RINA starts talking about the blog for the program and asks if the other members have seen it. They say they have. RINA they goes, "You know, it's been a while since we've really used Osaka dialect! TOMO and I speak using Osakan dialect so that can't be helped. We speak it in interviews and the like and they correct it for us [by putting it in standard Japanese] (TOMO: "We ask them to correct it"). But it was pretty thick [during the first episode]. It's been a while since I've felt embarrassed by it, but it made me happy." RINA also says that they thought that leaving in the Osaka dialect as it is in the blog would be okay. TOMO goes, "Geez. Let's just speak using standard Japanese!"

•After "Tonight" plays, they talk about how they received a lot of messages after the first episode aired last week, and that they'll be doing "trial segments" based on the content of their listeners' messages. The first segment they will be doing is called "Gyoukai Yougo Collection (A collection of industry terms)" (shortened to GyouColle), which comprises of terms related to the jobs of their listeners. TOMO reads the first message, which is from a listener in Singapore. They're surprised that the first message is from Singapore. The listener works at a Japanese language school there, where they often use the term "make up." The band tries to guess what it could mean. They first say "Makeup (as in cosmetics)?" but say that's probably not it since the person works at a school. They also guess that it's related to creating something. TOMO reads the correct answer: It refers to when a student misses a class and they have to "make up" the work in order to be able to follow along during the next class. TOMO mentions that she thought of Sailor Moon when she heard "make up."

•The listener also said for SCANDAL to do their best despite having to postpone a few performances of their world tour. RINA says that they're hopeful and are continuing to make preparations for the future. They all want to hurry up and play live shows.

•MAMI reads the next message which comes from a listener in Osaka who is an elementary school teacher. They say there aren't many terms at their work, but they do have one: "P." They laugh and go, "P!? Like the letter of the alphabet?" They guess words like "parking," "pool," "play," "PC." MAMI says no to all of them. HARU goes, "It's not related to the toilet, right?" MAMI says no, and reads the correct answer: "Parents." They laugh and say that that's not what they expected.

•RINA reads the next message which comes from a listener in Osaka who works at a company that produces and sells custom-built hardware, and has a bunch of industry terms at their job. One of them is "magemon," which (I think) refers to moment when metal bends. RINA says that it has a Osaka dialect-likeness to it. Another term mentioned is "messo," which (I believe) refers to measuring something by eye.

•The next topic they cover is the jobs that their fans have. MAMI reads a message from a listener who is a fourth-year college student and is aiming to be a Shinto priest. The band is surprised by this. TOMO goes, "How cool!" and also says, "To think that an aspiring Shinto priest listens to SCANDAL! That makes me happy!"

•RINA reads the next message from a listener who says her profession is a "princess" who works in pediatric dentistry, and everyone who works where she is wears dresses as their work uniform. The band is surprised and all go, "Ehh!?!" The listener also says that this is a place where anyone can become a princess or prince, and that she is called a "princess" every day. TOMO says that most kids are probably scared to go to the dentist, but going here is kind of like going to a theme park. HARU wonders where this dentist is and asks if it's written in the message. RINA says that it's not. RINA also mentions that her little sister also works in dentistry and that she was always studying for tests, so she knows how much hard work it takes to be in this field.

•The episode then comes to a close. TOMO says that they received over 300 messages from listeners, which the band is very happy about and thanks the listeners. After "Saishuuheiki, Kimi" plays, HARU talks about how their first two performances of their tour were postponed (this episode was recorded before they had to postpone the other remaining 4 performances in March), but since they'll be coming out with new episodes of this radio program every Monday, they hope that they can be a source of comfort while also delivering a fun radio program every week.

Kinoko no Yama, Takenoko no Sato - Which sides are the members on!? The topic for this week: A.M.D.K.J.!
 
Episode ＃3 blog

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We're starting off with an "age-old question" this time.

HARUNA: We received a lot of messages this time too. We'd like to decide on the topics we've received by doing an amidakuji based on the song "A.M.D.K.J." from our new album. I wonder how many times we've done amidakuji this year already...

RINA: I wonder.

TOMOMI: We've been doing them since before it was out. It's always fun when we do it...but I wonder how everyone else feels about it. They're probably like, "Cut it out already!"

MAMI: Won't we be doing it for as long as we have this song?

TOMOMI: So we'll be doing it forever!?

→Incidentally, with "A.M.D.K.J.", members are able to freely add "lines" and introduce messages from the listeners.

HARUNA: A question we got is...are you "Team Kinoko no Yama" or "Team Takenoko no Sato"?

TOMOMI: That's an age-old question...

MAMI: But there [are boxes of both of them] right in front of us.

TOMOMI: As a matter of principle, both of them are good.

RINA: They are good...

TOMOMI: Kinoko are biscuits while Takenoko are cookies.

HARUNA: We did a survey a couple of years ago, and it was 3 to 1. I wonder if that's changed...

TOMOMI: Back then it was 3 for Takenoko, 1 for Kinoko.

MAMI: I like both of them. I really do.

RINA: If you had to choose...

All: Ready, go...!

Who's on Team Kinoko and who's on Team Takekono... Listen to the shocking (?) results in the episode! Additionally, there's also a part where they each mention something that they didn't know. For example...

RINA: If SCANDAL hadn't formed, I would have lived my life never knowing was "tsuyudaku" is.

And...

TOMOMI: I didn't know what a bagel was... I thought they were hard to the touch.

【Translated Summary】
『SCANDAL Catch up supported by Meiji Apollo』 - Episode 3

•The band opens up the episode by mentioning that they have a ton of sweets in the studio again.

•RINA says that they recorded music the other day. They're making cool new songs that they feel really good about, and they want their fans to listen to them ASAP. She says that while they're not able to play any live shows and that each day is uncertain, they want their fans to be excited that there's something exciting waiting for them in the future. HARU goes, "Even though we just put out an album." TOMO says this is the time when they would have been on tour, and also that they have no plans to play these new songs on the KFTD tour. HARU: "As of this point in time, at least, but the tour's a long one." - TOMO: "Perhaps the setlist will change."

•HARU mentions that the topic for this week is "A.M.D.K.J." (amidakuji; ladder lottery), and that they'll be deciding on the topics they'll talk about by doing amidakuji, and wonders how many times they've done amidakuji this year already. TOMO says that they've been doing them since before the song was released, but she has fun each time they do it. She then asks the others how they feel about it. MAMI goes, "Won't we be doing it for as long as we have this song?" TOMO goes, "So we'll be doing it forever!?"

•They start the amidakuji by drawing one line each. They then start at the top and work their way downwards, ending up at ＃3. The question they are asked is, "Are you 'Team Kinoko no Yama' or 'Team Takenoko no Sato'?"
-TOMO: That's an age-old question...
-MAMI: But there [are boxes of both of them] right in front of us.
-TOMO: As a matter of principle, both of them are good.
-RINA: They are good...
-TOMO: Kinoko are biscuits while Takenoko are cookies.
-HARU: We did a survey a couple of years ago, and it was 3 to 1. I wonder if that's changed...
-TOMO: Back then it was 3 for Takenoko, 1 for Kinoko.
-MAMI: I like both of them. I really do.
-RINA: If you had to choose...
-All: Ready, go...!

-RINA & MAMI: Takenoko no Sato!
-HARU & TOMO: Kinoko no Yama!

•TOMO used to be on Team Takenoko no Sato (TNS), but she's now Team Kinoko no Yama (KNY) since they're light and you can eat a lot of them. HARU goes, "What a mature answer!" (TOMO: "That's a mature answer?") MAMI goes for texture and likes the cookie-like, crunchy texture of TNS and that eating just 2-3 of them satisfies you. It's great when you're working on something. RINA mentions that you can eat properly chocolate with this one (seemingly because there's more chocolate on them than KNY), and that both are good to eat. TOMO: "And because KNY is KNY, you can eat a lot of them." - MAMI: "True; when I want to eat KNY, I eat a lot of them." TOMO also says that the texture of KNY is enjoyable. RINA says, "Both are good!" HARU says that it's hard to pick one. RINA says it depends on what you want to eat at the time. TOMO says that they help people out and support them; that's what these snacks teach us. MAMI: "What a deep conversation." HARU: "In 2020, the votes are split 2 vs. 2. Well, it's not like it's 'versus' anything."

•MAMI chooses the next topic via amidakuji and ends up on ＃5. The listener, who works part time, asks about the band's past past part-time jobs (will refer to as PTJ henceforth). MAMI says that they've talked about their PTJs before. RINA mentions that she and TOMO never had part-time jobs (TOMO: "We're ignorant in the ways of the world" - RINA: "I really think that too!"). RINA had joined the band when she was a third-year middle schooler, so the only job she's ever had has been playing in a band, which is why she respects people who have had PTJs. HARU mentions that there was a time when RINA did kind of want to have a PTJ. MAMI asks if there are jobs they wanted to have. Both RINA and TOMO say yes, and that they were several (R&T: "We wanted to try anything"). TOMO says that she'd want to work at an izakaya (MAMI: "I get that"), and also mentions a gas station working on cars (HARU: "Really?"). RINA says that she'd want to work at a bakery. MAMI mentions her PTJ: working at a "quick, cheap, yummy" (Yoshinoya, in other words, since that's their slogan) beef bowl restaurant (RINA: "She said it!"), and that they didn't really have any industry terms that they used (RINA: "That's surprising"). She says that instead of terms they'd plate certain foods like eggs a certain way depending on what kind of menu item it's part of, like a beef bowl or pork bowl. TOMO says that's kind of like industry terms, and MAMI agrees, saying that she didn't really think of it like that back then.

•RINA mentions tsuyudaku and asks if the rest of the band knows about it. They say they do, and RINA questions when they learned about it. The rest are surprised by the question. She asks MAMI if she knew about it before her PTJ, and MAMI says yes and that her family knows about it. HARU isn't sure when she learned about it, and TOMO says that she learned about it when she had gone to a beef bowl place.

-RINA: "If SCANDAL hadn't formed, I would have lived my life never knowing was 'tsuyudaku' is."
-M+H: "I don't think so!"
-TOMO: "I think you would have learned about it from somewhere else!"
-RINA: "I've learned about so many things from HARUNA! I didn't know about tsuyudaku, and she told me about it. Also, MAMI had taken me to Starbucks for the first time, in Kyobashi, Osaka. She said we should go, and I hadn't gone before since they didn't have any in Nara back then. She was like, 'You don't know what Starbucks is?'"
-MAMI: "That really happened?"
-RINA: "Yeah, you were like, 'Let's go to Starbucks!'"

•TOMO also mentions that she didn't know what bagels were, and that they were a hard food. MAMI talks about how she and HARU used to eat a lot of bagels and go to this bagel place called BAGEL&BAGEL at the Nagoya Parco mall when they were still taking dance/vocal lessons. HARU mentions that it was difficult deciding where to go to eat after practicing, and RINA says how she was scared of foods like bagels and places like Subway because she didn't know anything about them.

•RINA does the next amidakuji and ends up on ＃9. The listener asks them what they do to feel better when they're feeling down. TOMO says that since she likes plants, it's calming for her when she takes care of them. MAMI mentions making food like onigiri, and TOMO says that she watches a lot of onigiri how-tos on YouTube, which makes her feel relaxed. MAMI says that food videos do make you feel relaxed. HARU says that pets are great for when you're feeling down.

•The other members ask if Lady (HARU's dog) is doing well. HARU says she is. MAMI then mentions that as she saw HARU walking Lady the other day. HARU goes, "No way!" MAMI says that she saw them while she was driving. She mentions that HARU told them that Lady will stop walking if it's too cold outside, and MAMI saw just that: Lady was stopped in the middle of the street and wouldn't move. HARU was talking to her and trying to get her to move, but she refused to. HARU goes, "I'm so embarrassed!" She also says that she was on her way to get Lady groomed, so they were on a different walking route from usual and Lady wasn't used to it at all, which is why she was refusing to move. She ended up having to pick her up and carry her back home.

•They close out the episode by reading one more message from a listener who says that they hope that TOMO's wish to make an Apollo chocolate-shaped pouch comes true, and that the size of an Apollo is the perfect size for a ring. The listener also says that when they listen to the album, they're like, "Ah, so this is what living life is all about," and it relieves their worries. TOMO goes back to the Apollo ring, saying how cute that would be, and that the size of Apollo is perfect for making a lot of things. MAMI: "Wouldn't an Apollo candle be adorable?" - TOMO: "With a strawberry scent? [asks the radio producer] How do these things sound? Ah, they're nodding."

Talking on the phone with a listener who will be a midwife starting this spring! What things are they worried about?
 
Episode ＃4 blog

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The concerns of a listener who will be a midwife starting this April...

The band talked on the phone with Linda, a listener who graduated from a midwife vocational school. She'll be a midwife starting in April, but she seems to be worried. Although she's a new graduate, she's a little older in age, and thus is worried about being able to fit in. She asked the members of SCANDAL for advice.

TOMOMI: Your co-workers have the same goal, so isn't that okay?

HARUNA: They all have the same starting line.

TOMOMI: Like with bands, if you make the same major label debut, you can get along fine regardless of age.

RINA: But it's amazing how we can reach our goals. You're standing at the same starting line with all of those thoughts and passions, so I think those feelings will be communicated among each other and things could go well.

I transferred schools when I was in my second year of high school. I suddenly went from an all-girls school in Osaka to a co-ed school in Tokyo and had my surroundings change--even the school rules were completely different... I felt really lonely and nervous, but when I talked to those around me about my feelings regarding playing music and moving to Tokyo in pursuit of my dreams, I think was able to be understood right away.

By having good communication, you can understand each other regardless of age. I don't think you have to worry so much.

MAMI: You've been studying for the same amount of time, have the same amount of knowledge, and have a common language, so age shouldn't matter. Those who are younger should be attentive, but I think saying a single thing like, "It's all right; let's all get along" would change everything.

HARUNA: We also have age differences in SCANDAL.

RINA: HARUNA and I are three years apart. Sometimes I really feel the age difference--in a good way. I really enjoy that and only consider that a positive thing. We have no problems there.

HARUNA: That's right; it's all enjoyable!

【Translated Summary】
『SCANDAL Catch up supported by Meiji Apollo』 - Episode 4

•The episode starts off with a message from a listener who used to be a manager at a bakery and will now be a high school teacher starting this spring, which surprises the band (RINA: "They're going from a baker to a teacher?"), and they'll be including SCANDAL in their lesson plans. MAMI wonders if they were studying/training to be a teacher while continuing to work at the bakery. TOMO says that there's a lot of teachers among their fanbase, and HARU agrees and says that they've gotten a lot of messages from teachers so far. RINA wonders if their lyrics resonate with the mentality of teachers. They've had a lot of teachers as fans since their major label debut. TOMO wonders if it's due to their many songs with positive lyrics. HARU says maybe this listener will play SCANDAL songs during lunchtime (MAMI: "Our songs will make the food more delicious").

•After the intro, they talk about how they once again have Meiji Apollo chocolates in front of them, but they have a new item as well: an Apollo collaboration with CLUB HARIE. TOMO enjoys saying that it's made with a type of strawberry called "Senga Sengana." They try it and say that it tastes very rich and has a strong, fresh strawberry flavor.

•Since no graduation ceremonies have been able to be held in Japan due to COVID-19, the band says they're creating space in this episode to conduct a "graduation ceremony" for graduates.

-"First, here are some words that SCANDAL would like to say to graduates. To graduates all around the country, congratulations on graduating! To graduates all around the country, we award you diplomas! We, SCANDAL, hereby certify that you have graduated on this 30th day of March, year of 2020. We will now call a listener who is actually graduating."

•They then call Linda, a listener who graduated from a midwife vocational school and will be a midwife starting in April, who was mentioned here. The band congratulates her for graduating, and HARU says that those four years must have been tough. Linda says that she went to college for four years to be a registered nurse, and then an extra year to become a midwife--"It was such a long time!" HARU asks if she's worried about starting her new life. The rest that followed is what is mentioned here.

•During the next segment, HARU mentions that the materials needed to make an Apollo chocolate-shaped pouch that TOMO wants are right in front of them. They all think a really cute pouch could be made from them. MAMI mentions a fabric with [Apollo? maybe] print all over it, and TOMO says, "We should make items for babies!" They say that making a customizable plastic pouch, using clear plastic or even velvet, would be great. HARU says they should make two different types of pouches. They then wonder how many they should make, if they do make any. RINA says that using colors like red or pink would be best for an Apollo collab, but that would make it less desirable for guys, so she thinks that making one with a big logo on it would be good. They agree and are still unsure, number-wise. HARU says this is only the beginning of the conversation, so they'll keep discussing it. RINA mentions that they should give them out as presents to listeners. HARU says that they should give them out to those whose messages they think should be rewarded.

•The episode closes out with the band talking after the Choushidoukan live stream on YouTube. They mention that seeing all of those messages as they performed made them want to cry, and that it felt like they were one with everyone. HARU says they hope to have more opportunities like this in the future.

SCANDAL gives advice to a listener who has worries about becoming a middle school science teacher in April!
 
Episode ＃5 blog

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A listener who has worries about becoming a middle school science teacher this spring

During the episode out on April 6, the band answered concerns from a listener who will become a middle school teacher this April.

Listener: I previously worked at a science museum, and starting in April I will become a middle school science teacher.

TOMOMI: We certainly have a lot of teachers on this program...

RINA: Yeah, the ones replying are teachers.

TOMOMI: I loved science until middle school.

RINA: It's fun to do things like experiments.

HARUNA: Are you worried about your new life?

Listener: I have to drive to go to work and I have my driver's license, but I basically have no driving experience...I'm scared about that.

TOMOMI: But that's unrelated...!

HARUNA: But isn't that also an important factor?

MAMI: You don't have any worries related to science or being a teacher...

RINA: I think it'd be good to do a lot of driving by the end of this month (March).

TOMOMI: When turning left, make sure to watch out for pedestrians and cyclists.

HARUNA: Um, is there anything else? I mean, like, anything school-wise!

Listener: It's difficult to understand the feelings of middle school girls...

HARUNA: Middle school was the toughest for me. I couldn't really fit in with my friends nor couldn't keep up with studying at school. I didn't really want to go to school. It might have been an emotional time for me. I wish I had a teacher who treated me like a friend.

TOMOMI: There might be those who don't want you to pry into their feelings, so I think it's important to find out what kind of child each person is. It's difficult to treat everyone the same way.

MAMI: Maybe try a carrot-and-stick approach. Be tough during class, but talk to them like a friend afterwards. By doing that, they can do well in class and then talk about their troubles after.

TOMOMI: I loved teachers that were super excited for athletic meets or school festivals. Those teachers seem like they're having a lot of fun.

HARUNA: Ah, is it okay if we ask for your age?

Listener: I'm 23.

All: (Shocked!)

RINA: Hold on...you're younger than us! I thought you were 32 or 33 because your voice sounds young, but you're really put-together.

All: Right, right.

RINA: ...Do your best (said with a Kansai dialect intonation)! But you seem like you'll be a popular teacher!

【Translated Summary】
『SCANDAL Catch up supported by Meiji Apollo』 - Episode 5

•The episode starts off with a message from a listener in Hiroshima who calls themselves "Yukiboushi" (translates to "snow cap") who works at a shave ice place, and whose dream is have SCANDAL try their shave ice. They mention how MAMI and TOMO went on a shave ice tour during last year's tour and are wondering if they'll do it on this tour as well [Note: This episode was recorded before they had to postpone the entire Japan leg of the tour]. They also ask MAMI if she eats shave ice even when it's not summer. TOMO says, "We've heard of Yukiboushi, right?" MAMI mentions that it's the name of a shave ice place in Hiroshima, and that the two of them went there when they were in Hiroshima. They mention that it was really good and had espuma foam on it. RINA asks if they're going to go on this tour too. MAMI says it'd be nice if they are able to go. TOMO mentions that the last time they toured it was cold, so they were trembling as they were eating the shave ice.

•They say that since this is the first episode airing after the new fiscal year in Japan has begun (the fiscal year runs from April 1 to March 31), they'd like to do an "entrance ceremony" for all new freshmen and new employees. The ceremony begins after "Saishuuheiki, Kimi" plays.

-"First, here are some words that SCANDAL would like to say. To all freshmen and new employees, congratulations on your new lives!"

•They then call a listener who will be a middle school science teacher starting in April. TOMO says that they have a lot of teachers on this program. MAMI mentions last week's bakery-manager-turned-high-school-teacher. The rest that followed is what is mentioned here.

•The next listener they talk to is someone who just graduated as a registered dietician and may have the chance to become a registered dietician in their hometown in April. The listener says "may have the chance" since results will be posted in another three days [from when this episode was recorded], and if she does pass, she'll be starting a job only four days after. TOMO mentions that her friend is a registered dietician and makes really good food. HARU asks the listener if she thinks she passed, and she says yes. TOMO asks if she knows where she would work if she does pass. She says yes, and that she would work at a hospital. MAMI talks about when she was hospitalized [in May 2016], which was around the time of her birthday, and they made her a birthday dish made with jello in place of a cake. That made her really happy, along with the fact that she didn't tell them to celebrate it; they did so themselves. HARU asks the listener if they have any worries about starting a new life, and she mentions driving. The band laughs and goes, "Everyone's worried about driving!" HARU explains to the listener that the person they spoke to before her was also worried about driving. RINA asks how long she's had her license. She said that she got it in her freshman year of college, but lately she's been having her mom in the passenger's seat with her every day. HARU sympathizes and says she used to have her moom do that too, and she and TOMO mention that parking is hard to do (since it's more common to do back-in parking in Japan). They ask her if the car has a back-up camera and monitor. She says it does. MAMI says that using both that and looking around herself should help her park. At the end of the segment, HARU says, "This turned out to be us giving advice on driving!" The band also wishes the listener luck and to let them know how the results turn out.

•As they close out the episode, they talk about how they hope the listener passes, and also that it seems to be common for people starting new lives to be worried about driving.

-RINA: "As the only member of the band without a license, I think just having a license is amazing."
-HARU: "Will you get one?"
-RINA: "I won't."
-HARU: "...Why?!"
-RINA: "(laughs) Please drive me."
-All: (laughs)
-MAMI: "Don't worry; I'll come pick you up."

•The band reads one more message from a listener who says they learned about SCANDAL last year and bought their CDs, and this has been the first time since the end of the last century (in other words, the '90s, I guess? lol) since they've been this hooked on an artist. The band is super surprised. The listener also says that knew about them 10 years ago but wish they had learned more about them, and that they haven't yet seen them live but would like to. They tell the band to take care of themselves and work hard. I'm not quite sure of the connection to the message/listener, but the band starts laughing and saying, "They're calling HARUNA 'kakka' (Your Excellency)?" HARU says that around 10 years ago they were still wearing school uniforms. RINA says they must have liked HARU for herself rather than only for appearances. MAMI says that 10 years ago HARU wasn't yet "Your Excellency"; it took 10 years for her to reach that level. After all the joking, the band says it makes them happy to know that they're the first artist they've been hooked on since the end of the last century, and that it's awesome that people learn about them via many different ways.

Recording this program remotely for the first time! Having a few troubles from the start...
 
Episode ＃6 blog

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For this week's "Catch up" episode, both the members and staff experienced recording this show for the first time themselves. This first try is being delivered as-is.

HARUNA: This episode is being brought to you remotely due to the state of emergency declaration in response to the coronavirus.

That's right—this was recorded remotely instead of in the studio.

MAMI (in a low voice): It's freezing a lot... (Note: The screens would freeze due to the unstable access to software connecting the members and staff)

RINA: We're at home.

TOMOMI: We're at home.

HARUNA: You okay, MAMI?

MAMI: ...... (*Her screen remains frozen)

RINA: It looks like her screen's frozen. This is the first time we're doing this, after all...

MAMI: I can hear you guys, but my video's frozen.

HARUNA: The other members are in their homes. I'm at our office for recording reasons. The staff and I are keeping a minimum of six feet apart, but it's a little hard to do.

RINA: MAMI just sent a message via LINE that her call's going to drop soon.

HARUNA: It might be a bad connection...if it drops, we'll have her come back.

TOMOMI: Should we keep going?

HARUNA: Yes, shall we?

MAMI: I'm back, but I think it's not going to work out on my end...

HARUNA: It won't, you say...okay, let's deal with it while this song plays. (*The first song plays)

--------------------------------------------

Something happened right at the beginning—what did the rest of the episode turn out like? Look forward to it.

RINA suggested something during the ending.

--------------------------------------------

RINA: I want to add a topic since we have a lot of time to think while we're at home.

HARUNA: Sounds good.

RINA: One thought I had was to do a "love talk" that a lot of radio programs have.

MAMI: We'd talk about our listener's love lives, then.

HARUNA: TOMO can be pretty scathing about that.

TOMOMI: (laughs fearlessly)

That being said, if you have any worries about love or want to boast, please let us know!

【Translated Summary】
『SCANDAL Catch up supported by Meiji Apollo』 - Episode 6

•This is the first time the band is recording the program remotely due to the state of emergency declaration in Japan in response to the coronavirus. MAMI has connection troubles right off the bat as mentioned here.

•After the first song plays, it seems like MAMI's connection has gotten better. As HARU announces the song that just played ("Tonight"), meaning that they will be moving on to the rest of the show, MAMI says while laughing, "Oh, we're done with the opening?" They laugh and say yes, and HARU says that they decided play the first song while MAMI's video was frozen.

•HARU asks TOMO how her time staying home has been. She says it's been surprisingly fulfilling, and since it's been getting warmer recently, the plants on her balcony have started to sprout anew. HARU says that TOMO told her the other day about this--more specifically about her rubber tree plants. HARU also mentions mineral candles [that TOMO made during one of her recent IG Lives]. TOMO says that she got hooked on making candles a few years ago, but stopped making them for a while and still had materials leftover, which is why she decided to pick it up again (HARU: "They're really pretty." - TOMO: "Really?"). TOMO mentions the IG Live she did, and that her mineral candle-making wasn't conveyed well (meaning that people couldn't really tell what she was making). The rest of the members tell TOMO to show the candles to them next time they're able to see each other.

•HARU then asks MAMI what she's been doing recently. She says she's been cooking and has been enjoying it. She also mentions that she moved at the beginning of last month, so she's also been setting up stuff. TOMO asks if the cardboard boxes are gone from her place now. She says yes, and TOMO congratulates her on that. She says thanks, and that she had boxes lying around for a while. HARU then asks her what sweets she's eating today--more specifically, she asks what Meiji (the sponsor of this program) sweets she has. She says she has Takenoko no Sato and Kinoko no Yama, Kajyu Fruit Gummies, Galbo Chocolate, Poifull Fruit Gummies. MAMI also mentions that there are DIY kits for making your own Apollo Chocolates, and that these are things that adults can also enjoy, surprisingly. TOMO chimes in that it is a lot of fun, and HARU says that the two of them have made some of these kits before live shows. MAMI says that there's also a kit for Kinoko no Yama. HARU asks if she's made that before. She says yes, and RINA says that they made them at the Namba Hatch venue in Osaka. TOMO says that putting these kits in dressing rooms seems to be a common thing in the Kansai area. HARU says that it would be a fun thing to do while at home during this time.

•HARU asks RINA if she's been doing well. She says yes, and that she's watching all kinds of movies like always. She also says that since her family works in essential jobs, she's been staying in contact with them as much as possible. They're working hard every day amidst this unease, so she wants to talk to them and give them time to have peace of mind each day as much as possible. She says they've been doing this via video calls, and HARU asks if the whole family goes on these calls. She says that she does this with one of her little sisters (the one closest in age to RINA, presumably, who is four years younger than her) and their other siblings are on that same call since two of them are a lot younger (RINA has four siblings in total: Two little sisters, ages 24 and 14; and two little brothers, age unknown for the older one but is younger than the 24-year-old sister, while the youngest is 8). She mentions that it was her youngest brother's birthday the day before this was recorded, and that he had turned 8. HARU goes, "Already?!"

•HARU reiterates that they're all spending time at home differently, and also that MAMI recently sent them a new song. HARU says that they're stockpiling songs while they're not able to perform live shows in front of audiences right now. MAMI says that they're getting all kinds of things ready, and that they hope to make a bunch of good announcements once they get to see everyone again. As they get ready to head into the first break, HARU asks the others what song should be played. TOMO goes, "We didn't choose one beforehand, did we?" MAMI says, "Since we're staying at home, wouldn't 'Laundry Laundry' be good?" The rest agree and HARU asks TOMO to introduce the song. TOMO: "Please listen to this while you're doing laundry: 'Laundry Laundry.'"

•Next, they read a message from a listener. The first listener says they empathized with the person from the previous episode who said that SCANDAL is the first band they've been hooked on since the end of the last century, which is basically the same for them as well. They discovered SCANDAL by chance when watching the channel WOWOW a few years ago and went to a show of theirs, even though they don't really like going to live shows. The first song they had played was "LOVE SURVIVE," which made them start to cry (TOMO: "They cried during 'LOVE SURVIVE'?!"). They say that they think SCANDAL is the coolest band in the world. The band is surprised and thanks the listener. They wonder how many other fans are like them, and why SCANDAL is a common point for them. They circle back to how the listener mentioned crying during "LOVE SURVIVE." RINA says that since they discovered the band through WOWOW, a channel that often plays live shows, they started off knowing about them first through their live shows. HARU wonders if they saw them at their 10th anniversary outdoor show in Osaka in 2016, since LS was the first song they played for that show and they could imagine people tearing up for that. MAMI comments that there are a lot of comments about how cool HARU is. HARU says that since the previous episode, she's been getting a lot of those kinds of tweets and the like.

•The band then closes out the episode. HARU says that even recording this remotely it's fun to read messages from the listeners. She also mentions that they've been doing IG Lives every Wednesday. MAMI says that it feels like they can be more organic since they're doing it from their homes. HARU says that this first remotely recorded episode for this program was kind of hit-or-miss, what with MAMI's connection problems, but they'll keep continuing to record it in this format. They then talk about adding a new topic as mentioned here. They decide to go with the love talk topic and ask people to send in messages.

Recording remotely as SCANDAL stays home... Who exactly is the visitor that suddenly appeared?
 
Episode ＃7 blog

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Following the previous episode, this one is also being brought to you remotely due to the state of emergency.

HARUNA: This episode too is being brought to you remotely due to the state of emergency declaration in response to the coronavirus as the members stay home! There may be some noises, but let's have fun.

All: Yeah!

HARUNA: Let's read some messages...RINA, would you do the honors?

RINA: Yes, I will (*She takes a moment to read them...)

HARUNA: (*Surprised at some noises) Ah! Hold on a second. Stop for a second...

RINA: All right.

All: ...what?

HARUNA: A visitor just arrived... (*HARUNA was recording at their office to use the recording equipment)

MAMI: That's what you're talking about?

TOMOMI: Visitor?

HARUNA: Fan letters arrived...

All: Thank you! That makes us happy!

HARUNA: Thank you to the courier too! How fastー; they're bustling aroundー.

A courier arrived just as the recording started. What they delivered were fan letters! They decided to make public a few of those letters. What did they contain? You can listen to the episode for more details on JFN PARK/Spotify, so check it out!

【Translated Summary】
『SCANDAL Catch up supported by Meiji Apollo』 - Episode 7

•HARU opens the episode by talking about how this is another ep recorded remotely. She's once again at their managing office with a few other staff members (and are doing social distancing) while the other members are recording at home.

•After the first song, "Mabataki," plays, HARU asks RINA to read some fan letters. She reads the first sentence of the first letter before what is mentioned in the episode blog happens. HARU then asks RINA to restart reading the letter. She does, and the first letter consists of a fan telling the band they're a really big fan and sings their songs daily after returning home from their job at a hospital. RINA says that singing music loudly can really make you feel supported and assured. HARU says that she thinks singing (producing sound with your voice) is really important. She also says that she hasn't really used her voice that much ever since she's had to stay at home and isn't able to meet face-to-face with anyone, so when the band's doing their weekly Instagram Lives and laughing really hard, she feels very refreshed. RINA circles back to how the listener says they work at a hospital, says that each day for them must be tough, and all of them say that they're grateful for people like them. MAMI mentions that her mom is also working hard every day, listens to their CDs/plays their DVDs during her breaks, and sings along to them. She says that she thinks that there are people for whom music gives hope and supports them, which makes her happy. She also says that since everyone's at home, it's okay to sing your heart out.

•After the second song, "A.M.D.K.J.", plays, HARU mentions that a fourth-year graduating college student wrote each of the members a letter. They thank them and say that fan letters really give the band strength. HARU also says that they wrote that they were supposed to go see them live for the first time on their now-postponed tour. She then says that although it's still out in the future, the band is still making preparations so that they're able to see everyone again, and that they'd like everyone to come and see them once they're able to play shows again. TOMO says they hope to deliver music that'll cheer everyone up. HARU says that they're currently in the middle of testing out recording at home (*Note: This episode came out on April 20th--we now know that they were in fact successful at trying out home-recording lol), such as trying out different software and making sure they can get the same kind of quality while recording at home. HARU also says that she didn't know something like this, like simultaneous playback, could be done at home. They say they'll do their best.

•TOMO reads the next message, which is from another college student who is aiming to be a teacher and is studying for licensing exams in the summer. TOMO goes, "There are so many teachers [among our fans]!" She also wonders if it would be possible to hold a live show restricted to just teachers. The band laughs and wonders if it would be possible. HARU says it might be if they held it at a live house (which is usually pretty small--a capacity of a couple hundred). MAMI says they'd put together a setlist to encourage teachers, and wonders if they should ask teachers to tell them what songs they like (RINA: "Give out a questionnaire to teachers!"). HARU says that setlist would probably be no different from their current setlists. MAMI says that maybe the teacher-fans should now start including their favorite songs in their messages to the program. HARU says that the songs they're currently making songs that would really stick with teachers. RINA says that she thinks the lyrics she writes might be close to a teacher's mentality. MAMI says that maybe it's RINA herself that's close to being like a teacher's mentality.

•The band closes out the episode after "Masterpiece" plays. HARU again mentions that this was another episode recorded remotely and asks the others how it was. MAMI says it went surprisingly smooth, more or less, and mentions her connections problems from the start during the previous episode. HARU says that they're going to continue recording the program like this for the foreseeable future, asks listeners to keep sending in messages, and says that they'll have an episode where they discuss messages sent in for the love talk topic as established by RINA during the previous episode. HARU also asks teachers to send in their favorite SCANDAL songs. The band laughs and says that they'd love to know.

A spring love advice special! Talking about the band's love lives and the best timing to confess
 
Episode ＃8 blog

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The band responded to love advice sought by listeners.

HARUNA: This episode too is being brought to you remotely due to the state of emergency declaration in response to the coronavirus as the members stay home! Has your time while staying at home been fulfilling?

RINA: When I put down small goals, like, "I'll do this today," on a to-do list, I've realized that it makes me feel a little more at ease.

MAMI: I've added quite a bit to my cooking repertoire. I hadn't properly made any standard dishes in the past, like stir-fried vegetables, omurice, and hamburger steak. Like, rather than making my own dish, I'll look up someone else's recipe.

RINA: I totally get that! Like making snacks too.

HARUNA: Yeah! I've started making sweets!

TOMOMI: Yeah, that's true.

RINA: What have you made?

HARUNA: I had two chocolate bars on hand. I saw on Twitter a recipe for yaki chocolate (baked chocolate) made with chocolate bars and wheat flour. It seemed easy to make, so I started making it.

HARUNA: We got a lot of responses to RINA's request to send in love-related messages.

RINA: I'll read one.

「I am in a SCANDAL cover band at school. Regarding love advice, I'm secretly in love with a female member of my band. However, I'm scared that telling her my feelings could break down our band relationship. How should I tell her?」 (Nickname: Mamama-san)

RINA: Ah, a fellow band member.

TOMOMI: How excitingー.

HARUNA: That's so fun!

MAMI: You're so close to each other. You know each other's endeavors, worries, and anxieties... When you talk about things like that, you're apt to fall in love...

RINA: I wonder what they should do...

MAMI: In high school, there was a mixed girls and guys band formed by upperclassmen. They were dating. A female upperclassman on vocals, a male upperclassman on guitar...

HARUNA: That's basically [Ai Yazawa's manga series] "NANA"!

TOMOMI: That is "NANA"...

RINA: Being in love with a fellow band member means that it's important to share with the other members rather than keeping a secret between the pair.

TOMOMI: It's also related to whether or not to seriously continue the band.

RINA: Isn't it important to get a little more of a feel for each other?

HARUNA: What a mature opinion!

RINA: Like, try going out to eat and see how that feels. If you don't feel that it's romantic at all, maybe it's better to refrain for the sake of the band.

MAMI: How long have they liked them?

HARUNA: Wouldn't that mean they like them a lot!? (*Note: This is a Japanese grammar-related thing. MAMI said "どれぐらい" [dore gurai = could mean 'how long' or 'how much'], which in the context of what she said could either mean, "For how long have they liked them?" or "How much do they like them?" HARU thought it was the latter while MAMI meant the former.)

MAMI: Oh, I meant for what length of time have they liked them...it might be recently, or it might have been since last year.