TT: That’s great. Do you have a leader?
Shou: For the time being drummer Nao is the leader.
TT: [this part is smudged but he probably asked the reason]
Tora: Because he is the most academically educated…
Hiroto: Lately Shou-kun has been the leader.
Shou: It seems that way, somehow… (laugh) But I was told that if that happens the vocalist will get too busy so it’s better if someone else become a leader. (laugh)
MORETT: Huuuh? This is right.
Hiroto: Since there are many responsibilities.
TT: Of course. But if you straightforwardly accept it, you can be one too. And if everyone else thinks so too and accepts it… This is quite interesting (laugh). To be honest, since we’re on this, Alfee also changed its leader. At first Sakazaki was the leader. And I’m the second leader. So I think the bands that change its leaders last long! (laugh)
Alice Nine: Hahaha! (roar of laughter)
Hiroto: But I heard that several years ago at a concert something happened that made it seem like Takamizawa Toshihiko-san was a leader all his life.
TT: It was cruel. On my 50th birthday I was told that the band members have a present for me so it was brought onto the stage - turned out to be the certificate of a leader for life.
Tora: If you become a leader are there any advantages?
TT: None at all! (laugh)
Tora: So it’s a position that is best to avoid if possible?
TT: It’s better not to do it. Because it takes so much time. Also there are many decisions you will have to make. Besides when you become a leader it’a not like you get leader salary, (laugh) so you’ll just become more busy.
Shou: It would be good if there was a leader salary (laugh).______________________________________________________________________________
Well that explains a lot now. I've been wondering for so long how this whole leadership change occurred. After all Tora is a practical man. I'm surprised this jewel of an interview has never been translated.