*Information was verified and partially updated on February 20, 2026.
With the aspiration to "create a world where everyone can freely enjoy challenges," Shingo Arae is taking on the challenge of performing at the Budokan.
While thriving in insurance sales, he continues to fuel his passion for what he truly wants to do, stepping forward into new challenges.
This time, we spoke with Shingo Arae about his journey from setbacks during his student days to his current pursuit of a Budokan performance, and the passionate trajectory of his challenges.
1. Who is Shingo Arae?
1-1. Prioritizing Fun Over the Future During Student Days
[Interviewer (Writer): Akaishi / Interviewee: Mr. Arae]
Akaishi: What was your lifestyle like during your student days?
Mr. Arae: I had a strong feeling of not wanting to get a job, thinking, "If I go to college, I won't have to work."
I saw college as a four-year moratorium. I chose a school that I could get into just by writing my name.
I hardly thought about the future. I was in a band in the light music club, dedicating my days to practicing for the graduation live. I was so committed to that live performance that I didn't think about what came next.
Akaishi: Is there anything particularly memorable from your college life?
Mr. Arae: During college, my parents actually embezzled my scholarship money.
I was working part-time and giving my wages to my parents, but after realizing they were embezzling my scholarship, I was truly at a loss about what to do.
I had no money and was in debt. It was a bleak situation, but I was putting everything into that "graduation live."
I felt like I was living solely for that day of the live performance.
1-2. A Turning Point in Values
Akaishi: What path did you take after graduation?
Mr. Arae: I thought, "There's no point in working just for money," so I was looking for a fun job.
While looking at Townwork, I found a job where I could "dance in a gorilla costume next to a singing lady." That led me to the path of a suit actor, and I worked in that world for five years.
Akaishi: What led you to switch from acting?
Mr. Arae: I started to struggle as an actor.
At the time, I felt that "money was the cause of unhappiness," and I began to think, "As long as I can make money, anything is fine."
Then, people with the same mindset started gathering around me. As a result, I got scammed and my debt ballooned to 20 million yen.
After that, when I looked around, all the people who seemed happy were those contributing to others.
I decided to "contribute to others," thinking about how to be useful to the people I talked to and helping those in need.
Strangely, the environment around me changed, and I started to be surrounded by good people.
Akaishi: That's when you entered the insurance industry.
Mr. Arae: Exactly. Because I had struggled with money, I wanted to make people happy by dealing with money, so I became a financial planner.
In the insurance industry, many people say "for the customer" but prioritize their own profits. I value the idea that "making others happy makes me happy."
By pursuing proposals from the customer's perspective, I naturally started to be chosen, and I was able to pay off my debts.
2. The Challenge of the Budokan
2-1. The Moment the Goal Became Clear
Akaishi: Did you start any activities outside of insurance sales?
Mr. Arae: Actually, I felt more passionate about education than insurance sales.
I wanted to do work that positively impacts people's lives, such as consulting and coaching.
I participated in various human resource development and training camps for free as a staff member to learn how to nurture people.
I am convinced that understanding and articulating "how to live" and "what to use your life for" enriches life.
2-2. The Goal of the Budokan
Akaishi: What inspired you to aim for a performance at the Budokan?
Mr. Arae: I started becoming aware of it around 2018.
At the time, I was having a meeting with five insurance sales colleagues about "how to become the top in the industry."
We talked about how "if the five of us were like Arashi, we'd easily be at the top," and then I thought, "If we're going to succeed in insurance sales, it might be faster to perform at the Budokan."
But I started taking it seriously in 2021, after my father passed away.
His death made me seriously consider "what to use my life for."
I decided to "live for what I truly want to do" and began moving towards the goal of the Budokan.
As a result, the company's sales dropped by 70%.
But I feel much more fulfilled now.
When my father suddenly passed away, it felt like he was teaching me to "use your life, or rather, live the way you want."
So, to perform at the Budokan, I've been practicing "decide and achieve."
Akaishi: What specific efforts have you made to perform at the Budokan?
Mr. Arae: I realized I didn't have musical talent, so I thought I couldn't stand on the Budokan stage just by playing guitar and singing.
So, I developed a strategy to "become a person with influence who can perform at the Budokan."
One day, I had the opportunity to meet the first Japanese director at Disney World, who told me, "You have a face for comedy."
Coincidentally, that day was the last day to apply for Yoshimoto NSC, so I signed up immediately.
I jumped into the world of comedy, toured with Chocolate Planet, and met various comedians, making the Budokan performance more and more realistic.
2-3. The Message Behind the Budokan Challenge
Akaishi: Why are you so focused on the Budokan?
Mr. Arae: During college, performing at the graduation live was the most exhilarating experience of my life.
Even though I had no money, was betrayed by my parents, and couldn't see a future, the moment I was on stage was the best.
No matter how much money I make, it can't beat that feeling.
"Even if I make a profit of 100 billion yen, it wouldn't feel as good as that moment." That's what I believe.
When I thought about doing something truly fulfilling, it was the Budokan.
Moreover, to realize the aspiration of "creating a world where everyone can freely enjoy challenges," the Budokan is an important stage.
Through my challenge, I want to convey the importance of enjoying challenges to many people.
3. The Way of "Decide and Achieve"
Akaishi: I've heard that you value "decide and achieve." What kind of mindset is that?
Mr. Arae: I think I have strong desires and ambitions.
It's not just a wishful "it would be nice if," but a strong feeling of "I really want to do it." With past success experiences, I've gained confidence that "if I try, I can do it."
While I want to achieve what I want, I also want people who have things they truly want to do but can't take the first step to take action.
Move from "it would be nice if" to "I've decided to do it," and then take actions to make it happen.
4. A Message to Those Who Want to Challenge
Akaishi: Finally, could you give a message to those who want to challenge but can't take the first step?
Mr. Arae: I want them to try enjoying the challenge itself rather than focusing on the result.
When you play Dragon Quest, you're not just seeking the result of defeating the final boss. You're enjoying the adventure process.
Life is the same; enjoying the daily process is more important than the final result.
Many hesitate, thinking "if I fail, it'll be embarrassing," but if you enjoy the days of challenge, that alone makes for a happy life.
There are three values I cherish.
"Being happy by making others happy," "decide and achieve," and "enjoy the journey."
Especially, I want to convey the idea of "enjoying the journey" to everyone. Regardless of the outcome, I hope you enjoy the challenge.
5. Conclusion
From Mr. Arae, I felt a strong will to "decide and achieve."
Starting from the setback of having his scholarship embezzled, gaining experience as an actor and in insurance sales, and continuing to run towards the significant goal of the Budokan, Mr. Arae.
Finding "what you truly want to do" and wholeheartedly pursuing it challenges each of our hearts.
Before giving up thinking "it's impossible," why not take the first step with "let's try" and practice a way of life that enjoys the challenge itself?
Postscript: On January 14, 2026, Mr. Arae successfully achieved his goal of performing at the Budokan.
