The TOKYO FM radio program “G-SHOCK presents THE MOMENT” (every Friday from 17:00 to 17:25) is hosted by Kocchi no Kento. We welcome various guests and explore the “life changing moments” that have been engraved in people’s hearts from the time they were born until now.
Singer-songwriter Ai Tomioka will appear as a guest on the broadcasts on Friday, November 29 and Friday, December 6. In this article, we will give the details of the broadcast on the 29th. He talked about how he started playing guitar.
Mr. Tomioka was born in 2002 in Tokyo. He lived on Australia’s Gold Coast from age 4 to 15,and began writing and composing songs in his second year of high school. In 2021, she won the “Next Break Singer Discovery Audition”, where singer-writer Yuri was a judge. In April of the following year, the song “Rapunzel” provided by Yuri was released. As then, he has created many songs as a singer and composer. in April 2025,he is scheduled to hold his first tour in Tokyo,Nagoya,and osaka,”Tomioka Ai 2025 Live Tour.”
◆ I started playing the guitar because I admired Taylor Swift.
kento here: We welcome Ai Tomioka. thank you! Tomioka-san and I collaborated on each other’s YouTube channels, and we also performed together at “SUPERPOP JAPAN 2024” (an event where K-POP and J-POP artists gather).
Tomioka: We met a few days ago (lol). I was really looking forward to it. thank you!
Kocchi no Kento: In this episode, we ask guests about their “moments” that changed their lives. What was Ai Tomioka’s first moment?
Tomioka: “I started playing the guitar in 2016 because I admired Taylor Swift.”
Kento here: That’s right! How old were you in 2016?
Tomioka: I’m in the second year of junior high school, so I’m probably around 15 years old.
Kochi no Kento: How did you hear about Taylor swift?
Tomioka: I came across a video of Taylor’s “The RED Tour” in a recommended video on YouTube, and that’s when I started playing the guitar. When I first saw a woman play and sing, I began to admire her very much.
Kento: I see. Have you always loved music from childhood?
Tomioka: I’ve been watching disney Channel since I was little,and I loved the singing.
This is Kento: It’s really the same! I also watched Disney Channel and Cartoon Network. First, were you in Japan at that time?
Tomioka: It was Australia. At that time, I had the opportunity to play the guitar in a music class at school.
Kento here: Isn’t it the best!
Tomioka: I taught some simple chords there,and when I came home I looked up Taylor’s chords and continued to practice Taylor’s songs.
Kento: Did you have a guitar at home too?
Tomioka: My school lent me a guitar, so I practiced wiht it.
this is Kento: Gifted education! Didn’t you go to music school?
Tomioka: it was a normal local girls’ school.
Kocchi no Kento: What kind of songs were you covering at that time?
Tomioka: The Beatles and taylor Swift covered “Love Story” and “You Belong With Me.”
kento: When I was in middle school (lol).
Tomioka: I listened to it when I was in middle school (lol).
Kento here: That’s great. I started playing and singing there, and from that time I was thinking that I wanted to be an artist in the future.
Tomioka: somewhere in my heart, I was thinking, “I want to do it in a hurry” (lol).
Kento: I’m sure you learned a lot from covering Taylor Swift. things like, “The song flows with this kind of chord progression.”
Tomioka: When I first started playing the guitar,I had no idea that a capo (an item that pushes down on the guitar strings) existed,and it felt like a new door had opened for me.
Kento: Incidentally, were you doing any exercise at that time?
Tomioka: I used to swim and play basketball, but I had no athletic ability.I can’t even ride a bike (lol).
Kento here: That’s right! But the way the music is played is extremely beautiful.
Tomioka: Really?! I rode a skateboard to shoot a video, but it was bad.My boss dragged me along for the ride (lol).
Program name: G-SHOCK presents THE MOMENT
Broadcast date and time: Every Friday 17:00-17:25
Personality: Kocchi no Kento
Program website:
How did winning the “Next Break Singer Revelation Audition” impact Ai TomiokaS musical journey?
Time.news Interview: Kocchi no Kento Meets Ai Tomioka
Editor: Welcome, Ai Tomioka! We’re thrilled to have you here with us. You have quite an inspiring story. Can you share the pivotal moment in your life that led you to pursue music?
ai Tomioka: Thank you for having me! I’d say the turning point was when I started playing guitar in middle school. I had always admired artists like Taylor Swift, and one day, I just decided to pick up the guitar and give it a try. It felt like a new door opened for me, and from that moment on, music became my passion.
Editor: That’s captivating! So, was taylor Swift a important influence on your songwriting as well?
Ai Tomioka: absolutely! Her storytelling and emotive lyrics were a huge inspiration. I loved how she crafted songs that connected with people. I wanted to do the same, to share my experiences and feelings through my music.
Editor: You moved from Tokyo to the Gold Coast of Australia at a young age. How did that experience shape your musical journey?
Ai Tomioka: Living in Australia exposed me to different cultures and music styles. It broadened my outlook and enriched my creative process. I absorbed many influences there, which I think helped shape my sound when I started writing songs in high school.
Editor: You mentioned starting to compose in high school. What was that experience like for you?
Ai Tomioka: It was both exciting and terrifying! In my second year,I started putting my thoughts into melodies and lyrics. It was a vulnerable process, but with every song I wrote, I gained confidence.Winning the “Next Break Singer Discovery Audition” in 2021 really encouraged me that I was on the right path.
Editor: What was it like to compete in that audition, and how did it feel to have someone like Yuri as a judge?
Ai Tomioka: competing was intense! But having someone like Yuri there—she’s such an astonishing artist—was both nerve-wracking and motivating. When I was selected, it validated my efforts and dreams.It’s moments like that that really push you forward.
editor: “Rapunzel” was a significant release for you. How did that collaboration with Yuri come about?
Ai Tomioka: After the audition, Yuri and I connected. She had a vision for “Rapunzel” and thought I could bring it to life. Collaborating with her was an amazing experience. It taught me a lot about the creative process and the importance of collaboration in music.
Editor: As you continue your journey, what can fans expect from you in the next couple of years?
Ai Tomioka: I’m excited to share more of my music! I have new songs lined up and am working on a project that reflects my growth and experiences. It’s all about evolving as an artist and connecting with people through my music.
Editor: That’s fantastic to hear! We look forward to following your progress. Lastly, what advice would you give to young musicians who look up to you?
Ai Tomioka: Just start creating! Don’t be afraid to express yourself, even if it feels daunting at first. Surround yourself with positive influences and keep pushing your boundaries. Music is a journey, and every note counts.
Editor: Thank you so much for joining us today, ai! We can’t wait to see where your musical journey takes you next.
Ai Tomioka: Thank you for having me! I’m excited for the future!