JW: Where were you born, and how does that affect your surfing and work?
RM: I was born in Susono City, Shizuoka Prefecture. Since my hometown is about two hours away from surf breaks, I didn’t have many opportunities to surf frequently. That made me even hungrier for surfing.

JW: Do you have any hobbies or interests outside of surfing that help define you as a person?
RM: Watching surf footage is something I truly enjoy. I love imagining how I can incorporate and adapt their movements into my own surfing. That process is really fun for me.

JW: What experience has been most important in developing the direction of your surfing?
RM: My first solo surf trip to Mentawai when I was 16 determined my surfing direction. At the time, I didn’t particularly enjoy competing against others in contests, and I was struggling with whether I wanted to continue surfing as a free surfer instead. My father encouraged me to take the trip, hoping it would help me find direction.
Mentawai was far more shocking and eye-opening than I had ever imagined. It made everything else in my life feel insignificant—I just had this overwhelming desire to live there. A place with nothing but small islands and perfect waves, where I could simply surf incredible waves every day—that was exactly what I had been searching for.

JW: You were recently invited to participate in the "Da Hui Backdoor Shootout," where TEAM JAPAN, which you surfed for, came away with the win. Congratulations. What was that experience like for someone your age, and has it altered your thought process regarding how you will approach waves of consequence in the future?
RM: Just participating in this historic event in Hawaii was an honor. I never imagined we would win, so being able to share that moment with my teammates was an incredible experience.
Moving forward, I want to keep riding waves that feel amazing and express that feeling in a way that resonates with the people watching my surfing.

JW: What excited you about joining the July Wetsuits community?
RM: This is a huge turning point for me. Being surrounded by such talented and creative individuals is truly inspiring, and I’m eager to learn from them to improve my own style. I also want to contribute to sharing the unique vision and depth of JW with as many people as I can