Uchi-Soto (in-group / out-group) Dynamics in Rikuryu Interviews (Pair Figure Skaters Riku Miura & Ryuichi Kihara)
The final version of this piece, with additional grammatical explanation and updated information, is published here:
The Japan Times
The chemistry Rikuryu exhibit on the ice manifests in how they communicate during interviews with Japanese media. In particular, they nimbly shift 内・外 (uchi, in-group / soto, out-group) dynamics, including the use of honorifics and humble language, according to mood and setting.
In interviews right after their Olympic victory, while still in Italy, the pair often referred to each other using the polite but intimate forms, 龍一君 (Ryūichi-kun) and 璃来ちゃん (Riku-chan). In an interview in Italy, though, Kihara momentarily dropped the honorific and called Miura "Riku."3 This kind of 呼び捨て (yobisute, using a name without an honorific) is generally reserved for members of the speaker’s most intimate circle.
During the interview, Rikuryu explained their dramatic comeback victory. Kihara had cried uncontrollably after the short program error, and Miura had helped lift him out of despair before the free skate, saying: 今日、龍一君のために滑るよ (Kyō Ryūichi-kun no tame ni suberu yo, Today I’ll skate for you [Ryūichi-kun]). Kihara’s use of “Riku” as they were talking to the press about this emotional turnaround, some fans suggested, reflected both the intensity of the moment and the closeness of their relationship.
Later, during a radio appearance on FM COCOLO in Japan4, Kihara requested permission from interviewers to use the less formal “Riku-chan” when addressing 三浦選手 (Miura-senshu, Athlete Miura). Specifically, he said: りくちゃんと今日呼ばせていただきたいんです (Riku-chan to kyō yobasete itadakitai n desu, I’d like to call her Riku-chan today). In contrast to when he used the very informal "Riku", in this setting, Kihara negotiated address formality with the interviewers. In other interviews in Japan, the two have shifted among -senshu, -san, and -kun/-chan.
Other shifts in the uchi-soto register can be observed in Rikuryu interviews across different settings. After their Olympic exhibition performance (where Kihara had to zip up Miura’s costume mid-way through), their banter was informal, with Miura, who is from Takarazuka, using 関西弁 (Kansai-ben, the Kansai dialect) as they engaged in playful conversation that some fans call 夫婦漫才 (meoto manzai, married couple comedy)5. For example, Miura said ちゃうちゃう (chau chau, Wrong, wrong), to contradict Kihara’s idea that her dress might have been designed to be open-backed. Fans say that this kind of informal comedy reveals the closeness of their relationship—an example of uchi dynamics on display in a public setting.
Notwithstanding this closeness, Rikuryu use more formal language when the occasion requires. During a press conference held by the Japan National Press Club on February 256, Miura sometimes spoke about her relationship with Kihara using humble language, such as 〜話させていただく (hanasasete itadaku, allowed [have a chance] to speak…), particularly regarding their future coaching plans. She used this form to speak humbly of her coaching plans and show respect to the press club.
Rikuryu also talk about their relationship (uchi dynamics) to the press, emphasizing that 相性 (aishō, affinity/chemistry) and 信頼 (shinrai, trust) form the foundation of a good partnership. Miura has said of Kihara: いてくれないと困る存在ですね (Itekuranai to komaru sonzai desu ne, I don’t know what I’d do without him), while Kihara has said もし生まれ変わってスケートをするにしても必ずまた璃来ちゃんとチームを組みたいな (Moshi umarekawatte sukēto o suru ni shitemo kanarazu mata Riku-chan to chīmu wo kumitai na, If I were to be reborn and skate in that life, I would definitely want to form a team with Riku-chan again). The vivid language is both an expression of their uchi relationship to a soto audience and a kind of performance, shaping public perception of their relationship.
Rikuryu interviews offer an example of elite athletes navigating a public-facing relationship and provide insight into how uchi-soto dynamics guide interactions across Japanese society.
Photo by: FloweringDagwood, via Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY 4.0. Riku Miura and Ryuichi Kihara perform during the gala at the 2025 World Figure Skating Championships.
At the 2026 Winter Olympics, a Japanese figure skating pair set a world record with their free skate score to win gold—Japan’s first Olympic medal in pair skating.
木原龍一 (Kihara Ryūichi, Ryuichi Kihara) and 三浦璃来 (Miura Riku, Riku Miura), known to the press and fans as りくりゅう (Rikuryū), finished fifth in the short program after an error on a lift, but 信頼関係 (shinrai kankei, a relationship of trust) built over seven years of partnership provided the foundation for a dramatic comeback.
In an NHK feature that first aired on February 231, a few days after their victory, Kihara described his first skating audition with Miura as feeling like 雷が落ちた (kaminari ga ochita, lightning struck). He later explained on an episode of 徹子の部屋 (Tetsuko no heya, Tetsuko’s Room) airing March 202 that the grip of their hands felt like 運命だな (unmeidana, destiny). Miura said she felt この人しかいない (konohito shika inai, he’s the only partner for me).
In an NHK feature that first aired on February 231, a few days after their victory, Kihara described his first skating audition with Miura as feeling like 雷が落ちた (kaminari ga ochita, lightning struck). He later explained on an episode of 徹子の部屋 (Tetsuko no heya, Tetsuko’s Room) airing March 202 that the grip of their hands felt like 運命だな (unmeidana, destiny). Miura said she felt この人しかいない (konohito shika inai, he’s the only partner for me).
The chemistry Rikuryu exhibit on the ice manifests in how they communicate during interviews with Japanese media. In particular, they nimbly shift 内・外 (uchi, in-group / soto, out-group) dynamics, including the use of honorifics and humble language, according to mood and setting.
In interviews right after their Olympic victory, while still in Italy, the pair often referred to each other using the polite but intimate forms, 龍一君 (Ryūichi-kun) and 璃来ちゃん (Riku-chan). In an interview in Italy, though, Kihara momentarily dropped the honorific and called Miura "Riku."3 This kind of 呼び捨て (yobisute, using a name without an honorific) is generally reserved for members of the speaker’s most intimate circle.
During the interview, Rikuryu explained their dramatic comeback victory. Kihara had cried uncontrollably after the short program error, and Miura had helped lift him out of despair before the free skate, saying: 今日、龍一君のために滑るよ (Kyō Ryūichi-kun no tame ni suberu yo, Today I’ll skate for you [Ryūichi-kun]). Kihara’s use of “Riku” as they were talking to the press about this emotional turnaround, some fans suggested, reflected both the intensity of the moment and the closeness of their relationship.
Later, during a radio appearance on FM COCOLO in Japan4, Kihara requested permission from interviewers to use the less formal “Riku-chan” when addressing 三浦選手 (Miura-senshu, Athlete Miura). Specifically, he said: りくちゃんと今日呼ばせていただきたいんです (Riku-chan to kyō yobasete itadakitai n desu, I’d like to call her Riku-chan today). In contrast to when he used the very informal "Riku", in this setting, Kihara negotiated address formality with the interviewers. In other interviews in Japan, the two have shifted among -senshu, -san, and -kun/-chan.
Other shifts in the uchi-soto register can be observed in Rikuryu interviews across different settings. After their Olympic exhibition performance (where Kihara had to zip up Miura’s costume mid-way through), their banter was informal, with Miura, who is from Takarazuka, using 関西弁 (Kansai-ben, the Kansai dialect) as they engaged in playful conversation that some fans call 夫婦漫才 (meoto manzai, married couple comedy)5. For example, Miura said ちゃうちゃう (chau chau, Wrong, wrong), to contradict Kihara’s idea that her dress might have been designed to be open-backed. Fans say that this kind of informal comedy reveals the closeness of their relationship—an example of uchi dynamics on display in a public setting.
Notwithstanding this closeness, Rikuryu use more formal language when the occasion requires. During a press conference held by the Japan National Press Club on February 256, Miura sometimes spoke about her relationship with Kihara using humble language, such as 〜話させていただく (hanasasete itadaku, allowed [have a chance] to speak…), particularly regarding their future coaching plans. She used this form to speak humbly of her coaching plans and show respect to the press club.
Rikuryu also talk about their relationship (uchi dynamics) to the press, emphasizing that 相性 (aishō, affinity/chemistry) and 信頼 (shinrai, trust) form the foundation of a good partnership. Miura has said of Kihara: いてくれないと困る存在ですね (Itekuranai to komaru sonzai desu ne, I don’t know what I’d do without him), while Kihara has said もし生まれ変わってスケートをするにしても必ずまた璃来ちゃんとチームを組みたいな (Moshi umarekawatte sukēto o suru ni shitemo kanarazu mata Riku-chan to chīmu wo kumitai na, If I were to be reborn and skate in that life, I would definitely want to form a team with Riku-chan again). The vivid language is both an expression of their uchi relationship to a soto audience and a kind of performance, shaping public perception of their relationship.
Rikuryu interviews offer an example of elite athletes navigating a public-facing relationship and provide insight into how uchi-soto dynamics guide interactions across Japanese society.
1. Source: 絆でつかんだ金メダル りくりゅう 二人の軌跡 | NHKスペシャル
2. For reference: 涙と絆の金メダル物語“りくりゅう”が大逆転Vの真実を「徹子の部屋」で告白
3. Part of the interview and discussion can be seen here.
4. Source: 【RikuRyu】Radio show [Soundtrack of Life] FMCOCOLO MyLife10Stories 7Mar2026|Riku Miura Kihara Ryuichi
5: Part of the interview can be seen here.
6: Source: here.
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