AAA's URATA NAOYA released his first solo single last month with "DREAM ON", and it was a collaboration with one of Japan's most popular artists, Ayumi Hamasaki.

The single released on December 22nd of the last year and took the #1 spot on the Oricon Daily and Weekly charts for the week of December 28th. While this was only Urata's first solo single, he did previously release a solo album titled, "TURN OVER", on�January�28th in 2009.

Although this is a bit late, Urata Naoya was generous enough to take a bit of time out of his busy schedule to answer some of our questions about his first single.

Check out the interview below!

- This will be your first solo single. What made you decide to go solo and can we expect any more solo work?
Urata: I had an expectation that I would be able to discover a new side of myself (by participating in solo activities). I would like to continue my solo activities as one of the ways to express myself.

- What were you feeling when you were told you were going to do a collaboration single?
Urata: To be honest, I was really happy. I thought, "I really want people to listen to this!"

- Can you explain the meaning behind "Dream On"?
Urata: For me, it's about never giving up on your dream because dreams have the ability to let you be free!

- Whose idea was it for the PV?
Urata: Everything was Ayumi Hamasaki-san's idea.

- How was it working with a producer by yourself versus in a group dynamic?
Urata: In terms of singing, nothing really changed, but working alone has allowed me to use more 'power'.

- Were you able to add your own ideas/input into the project?
Urata: The person singing has to be able to feel it, so it has to be an honest feeling. The idea about battling it out with someone was my idea, but we also ad-libbed it.

- What was the most difficult and the easiest part of doing this single? Did you learn anything from this experience?
Urata: There really wasn't anything difficult, it was really fun. I learned from Hamasaki Ayumi-san how to produce myself. It also made me want to keep pursuing what I want to express without compromising.

- Please tell our readers/fans a message.
Urata: I was able to appeal URATA NAOYA to many people with this collaboration. I still have many more things I want to do, so please continue to support me with expectations.



We would like to thank Avex for making this interview possible.