Interview conducted by Shawn Struck. Use with permission from Shawn Struck, copyrighted by Shawn Struck.

Shawn: How did you start your work in music?
Nobuo: I began to play the piano age of 12, because at the time I wanted to be Elton John(!). And also I began to write songs. Until age of 22, I joined so many ameteur bands as a keyboards player. But I loved to write more than playing. So I decided to be a composer, and sent demo tapes to many, many companies. One of them picked me up, and I wrote a small music for radio CM. This is my first professional job.

Shawn: How did you come to work for Square Soft?
Nobuo: In 1985, one of my friends who was working at Square Soft called me and said, "We are looking for a composer for game music. Do you want to come?" I replied at once, "Sure!!" Because as you know it is not so easy to get a music job in Japan.

Shawn: What was it like writing music for Final Fantasy 6?
Nobuo: Final Fantasy 6 is one of my favorite job. Writing music was so much to me. But now I recommend {sic} you FF7. PLease wait for release of FF7 in the States.

Shawn: And what are you future plans?
Nobuo: I will go to Honolulu next month to be interviewed by American game Magazine. (I forgot the name of the Magazine)[Note: It was Die Hard Game Fan]

Now I am planning to make an omnibus CD (new age music) with my friends. In summer, I will begin to compose for a new game, it will be released at the end of 1998 in Japan. In 1999 I hope I can release my second album.....

Anyway, thank you very much for being a fan of FF series. Although I can not send replies every time, I love to read e-mail from other countries. Thank you very much.