In the Makeup Room | Motohiro Tsuchiya, Vice-President / Professor, Graduate School of Media and Governance
March 11, 2025
I appear on television several times a year. It's not something I particularly enjoy, but I consider it a form of social contribution. I only go to the studio when the topic is something I feel I can speak on and when my schedule allows. Sometimes, a crew comes to the university for a video recording, and these days, video recordings are also done using remote tools.
When appearing in a studio, there's usually a process called "makeup." Since I don't normally wear makeup myself, it's the part of the process I find most awkward. However, the method varies depending on the TV station and the program. Sometimes I go to a proper makeup room to have it done carefully, while other times a makeshift makeup corner is set up in a lobby or a corner of the studio. When I was on an early morning show, the makeup artist casually appeared in the conference room where I was waiting, did a quick touch-up, and that was it.
Once, a thought occurred to me, and I asked the makeup artist. "I imagine there are people with fair skin and dark skin. Do you use the same product on everyone?" "No, I adjust it for each person. Today, I've brought four different shades." "I believe this is the first time we've met. Do you decide instantly just by looking at me?" "That's right. I decide in a flash." The work of a professional.
I think it was when I was a student, but in a translated novel I was reading, a female character said, "Well, I'm going to go make my face." I puzzled over what that meant for a while before realizing that the phrase "make up" had been literally translated as "to make." It's not like it was done by machine translation.
Even though I go to the trouble of getting my makeup done to appear on the show, most of the feedback I receive afterward are comments like "Your tie was crooked" or "Haven't you gained weight?" It's disappointing, making me wonder if they were even listening to what I said. This isn't a social contribution at all! I've never once heard a comment that the makeup was poorly done, so I suppose it truly is the work of a professional.
The other day, I appeared on television alongside Yoko Hirose from the Faculty of Policy Management. A busy person, she hadn't shown up by the time she was due at the station. My makeup was done, I was on standby, and I had even finished a brief rehearsal in the studio, but I was told Ms. Hirose's flight from Kitakyushu had just landed at Haneda. She slid into the studio just five minutes before the live broadcast began.
Once the live broadcast started, Ms. Hirose answered the host's questions fluently, as if nothing had happened. Even when peppered with unscripted questions, she had no problem at all. She has clearly navigated many tough situations.
An old friend who saw the program contacted me. Compared to Ms. Hirose, who is constantly on TV, he's probably not used to seeing me. He said, "Ms. Hirose is so slender, but you, perhaps because the knot of your tie is too small, have the sturdy build of someone from the Athletic Association." Hmm. I know the camera adds ten pounds, but this is quite vexing. It seems I need to go on a diet. Makeup can't change your width.