When I was asked to make this film by my long-time friend and executive producer of the film, Steven Haynes, to be honest, I was quite reluctant to do it. The reason was simple; I was afraid of the political correctness that would constrain me to portrait her more attractive than who she really is, and I wasn't confident I could overcome that.

There is a growing movement in Tokyo to support the LGBTQ community. Yet, I have been in a few situations where I have felt that the status of being LGBTQ-friendly is being utilised and commercialised as if it was a new fashion trend imported from overseas, or could be considered as a loyalty test for/against a certain political ideology. The true voices of the people who are troubled and concerned could hardly be heard and ironically, arguments in order to embrace diversity have never seemed to be held diversely amongst communities.

When we started to shoot the film, Kaede was in the midst of her transition. It had only been a year since she started her life as a woman, and she did not have the appeal or the charisma of  the LGBTQ figures that I had grown used to seeing on the media. It was rather her immatureness that intrigued me, and I found the authenticity of young people living in today's Tokyo through her fragile and unstable ego. I decided to make this film not because I felt obliged to support LGBTQ community, but simply because I wanted to learn more about what I didn't know.

I don't believe that I can lead anyone in a "right" direction with this film. If this film could provide a teachable opportunity that helps you to think independently for yourself, instead of denouncing others or falling into a binary opposition, that would be my greatest accomplishment. I am sure that there are many people similar to me who are troubled and stuck between malice and political correctness. I would like to meet with such people, exchange opinions, and work towards a future where honest feelings can be announced without being fearful of harming others.