NMB48 Okita Ayaka promoted to Team M + 5th Single and tour announced

NMB48 finished its Osaka prefecture tour Osaka Juuban Shoubu on May 31st, and the final day brought several announcements with it.

First of all, Kenkyuusei Okita Ayaka was promoted to Team M. She took the spot of Kodakari Yuuka who graduated in April due to health problems. Okita Ayaka was one of the two 1st Generation Kenkyuusei left who neither made Team N nor M. Now Koyanagi Arisa is the only 1st Generation Kenkyuusei left.

Additionally, it was announced that NMB48's 5th single will be released on August 8. The single will come in the usual 4 types: A, B, C and Theater Version. No other details are out yet.

Apart from that another NMB48 tour was announced. After the Osaka Prefecture Tour, the group will now tour the whole Kinki/Kansai region with one concert in every prefecture of the region. The temporary title for the tour is Kinki Juuoumujin Tour (近畿縦横無尽ツアー, roughly translated: Kinki do as one please Tour).

The dates are:
7/18 Shiga Prefecture, Otsu Shimin Kaikan
7/27 Kyoto Prefecture, Uji City Culture Center
8/1 Nara Prefecture, Nara Centennial Hall
8/8 Wakayama Prefecture, Wakayama Municipal Auditorium
8/15 Hyogo Prefecture, Kobe International House International Hall
8/21 Osaka Prefecture, Orix Theater

Congratulations to Aapon! I am so happy she was finally promoted!

AKB48 Wins 3 JASRAC Awards

The 30th JASRAC Award was announced on May 23rd, 2012.  AKB48 took home the Gold Award with Heavy Rotation, Silver Award with Ponytail to Shushu, and Bronze Award with Beginner.

This is the first time in the JASRAC Award history that the first 3 places are all won by the same artist.

On top of the 3 awards, 2 more AKB48 songs were included in the Top 10.  They are Everyday, Kachuusha at 4th place and Aitakatta at 6th place.

According to the website, the award is "bestowed based on the share of royalties contributed during the one-year period of April 2011 to March 2012".  This includes royalties from CD, DVD, Karaoke, Interactive Distribution (such as ringtones, internet-only releases, etc).

The English website for JASRAC award is here - http://www.jasrac.or.jp/ejhp/about/award.html

The Top 10 Domestic Works are as follows:

Gold AKB48 "Heavy Rotation"
Silver AKB48 "Ponytail to Shushu"
Bronze AKB48 "Beginner"

4th place AKB48 "Everyday, Kachuusha"
5th place Ikimonogakari "Arigatou"
6th place AKB48 "Aitakatta"
7th place EXILE "Motto Tsuyoku"
8th place EXILE "I Wish For You"
9th place Background music from "One Piece"
10th place "Theme from Gebageba 90 minutes!"

HKT48 Announces 2nd Generation Auditions

HKT48 has announced the auditions for their 2nd generation members. Registration has started from today until June 4th. The first round of auditions is in middle of June while the final auditions will be held at the end of June.

The age limit this time is from 11 years old to 18 years old. Hence, the consent of a parent is needed.


Team H recently got formed, so this auditions mean Team KIII is not far from now.

Sashihara Rino's 300 Google+ Updates Challenge

Starting today at 6 pm JST Sashihara Rino will, over a period of 24 hours, attempt to update her Google+ status 300 times.

Sashihara Rino's Google+ account: http://plus.google.com/104375100134443203420

This is the third time for Sashihara to undertake a challenge of this kind. In 2010 and 2011, she attempted to dethrone fellow team member Maeda Atsuko as number 1 in the Ameba blog ranking by updating her own blog "Sashihara Quality" one hundred times (two hundred in 2011).

The following ad was printed in today's morning edition of the Yomiuri Shinbun:


Translated by HRP

Good morning! It's Sashihara, all fresh and energetic but with way too much on her hands.

Something incredible has happened: they're going to put my Google+ update in the newspaper. And not just that - a whole page!
It looks like I will have to write some really interesting things unless I want to put a swift end to my writing career. What am I saying; it hasn't even begun yet. As far as I understand, the very words that I'm writing right now will be printed on one whole page in Yomiuri Shinbun.
Please check today's morning paper.

But even I don't have anything in my repertoire that is worthy enough of getting its own newspaper advert and be read by people all around the country. In that case, there's really only one thing that comes to mind. It all began when shooting "Shuukan AKB"...

Two years ago, I challenged myself to make one hundred blog updates in 24 hours. We upped the number to two hundred last year. And this year...

I will update my Google+ account status 300 times starting at 6 pm. today. The challenge begins right after today's broadcast of "Shuukan AKB" (starting at 5.30) and ends tomorrow at 6 pm.
There's no special meaning to this. I just haven't found another way yet. For now this is the one thing I know I can excel at.
So please endure me for today. Or better: let me prove myself today.

My long day starts now!!! Wish me luck, everyone!

P.S.
I will be updating my status 300 times, so feel free to remove me from your circles if that should bother you.

SNH48 Announced

Kojima Haruna, Abe Maria, Suzuki Shihori, Kawaei Rina and Natori Wakana went to Shanghai on April 21st, 2012 for an event, during which fans sang Happy Birthday to celebrate Kojima's 24th birthday, which was on April 19th, 2012.

More importantly, it was announced at this event that there will be a new sister group based in Shanghai, named "SNH48".  There will be management offices in bot Shanghai and Hong Kong.  Commercials and websites will start soon and auditions will be held in August 2012.  16 members will debut right before December 2012, when AKB48 celebrates its 7th anniversary.

Kojima said, "We are really happy to have sisters in Shanghai.  It would be great to travel more between Japan and China."

This is the 3rd overseas group for the AKB franchise, after JKT48 and TPE48.  However, it is quite possible that SNH48 will debut sooner than TPE48 if the above schedule is met.  There was a bit of noise earlier this month regarding TPE48 auditions, but it was postponed and we don't have any news at the moment regarding TPE48 development.

Matsui Jurina's Condition

Matsui Jurina's health has been in the spotlight lately.  A newspaper article wrote about how she almost died after the SKE48 tours in Namba and Tokyo; fans questioned management's decision on her concurrent participation in both SKE48 and AKB48; and her sudden absence from a recent SKE48 handshake event really had fans worried.

On April 1st, SKE48 manager Yuasa updated his twitter to say that Jurina was very sensitive to loud voices and noises, and that they are letting her sleep.

However on April 4th, a blog post from SKE48 management revealed that Jurina has been hospitalized and will remain there for a few days.  Here is the full translation:

With regards to Matsui Jurina's Health
First, we'd like to thank you for the support you have given for SKE48.
We understand your worries, and we are writing to let you know about Matsui Jurina's health and our plans from here on.
We had gotten reports in these past few months about her not feeling well.  After discussing with Jurina and her mother, as well as a doctor, we respected her wishes that she "does not want to take a break".
However, after withdrawing at the last minute from yesterday's handshake event, we were able to convince her that if she kept going, fans would be really worried.  She was then admitted to the hospital and will rest for a few days.
According to the diagnosis, her dizziness is caused by anemia, and she is definitely suffering from fatigue.  She will catch up on her sleep and we will make sure she is eating nutritious food.
Even though she says she is fine, the doctor, her mother, the on-site manager and the management will be in charge of her health from now on.
We are very sorry that this is causing the fans and relevant staff to worry, and we are grateful that the fans really care about her and are sending warm thoughts.
April 4th 2012
AKS Company Limited
SKE48 Management

Jurina also updated her g+:

I have been admitted to the hospital as of today.
I am sorry that everyone is worrying about me.
I will make sure I am eating well because I want to get better soon!!
But I am whining to my mother because I want to eat her hand-made meat sauce spaghetti.
Anyway, I have to sleep soon!!

And here is a message from Akimoto Yasushi today, after returning from an overseas business trip:

Jurina is recovering with her mother.  She is suffering from fatigue and anemia, but will be ok after sleeping and getting enough nutrition for a few days.  However we are not limiting her resting time and would like her to take as long as she needs to recover.
I have talked to them and let the know that they don't need to think about work at all.  I am sorry if this is causing sudden schedule changes in upcoming events.

Oshima Yuko to Dub for [Merida to Osoroshi no Mori]

It was announced that Oshima Yuko is dubbing the role of Merida in [Merida to Osoroshi no Mori], also known as [Brave], a Disney and Pixar 3D computer-animated fantasy adventure film.

Merida, who loves freedom and is always inquisitive, grew and realized her position as a princess. Yuko was picked to dub this role as she is deemed to fit the character perfectly, Yuko said, "I will work my hardest to get into the role of Merida, and I hope to be able to cheer up the audiences watching and give them courage. I hope they look forward to this film."

When ask about her favourite characters in Disney/Pixar films, Yuko, who is a huge fan of their works, said, "There are just too many to be named. My favourite is [Toy Story 3], I'd cry every time I watch it."

[Merida to Osoroshi no Mori] will be in cinemas in Japan starting from 21 July 2012.

Trailer for the film is available at its homepage, http://www.disney.co.jp/movies/merida/

Maeda Atsuko's Video Message to Fans

On April 4th, 2012, newspapers carried a full-page advertisement that said, "Maeda Atsuko of AKB48 would like to tell fans something about the upcoming Senbatsu Election".  The ad had a google search box with her name and "g+" in it, and the bottom of the ad said, "Available today at 3pm".

At 3pm a youtube video was uploaded and posted on Maeda Atsuko's g+ - it is a 7-minute message from Maeda Atsuko, and in it she talked a little bit more about her feelings on graduating, as well as her decision to withdraw from this year's Senbatsu Election.

Here is the full translated message:

This is Maeda Atsuko from Team A of AKB48.
On March 25th, I announced my graduation from AKB48 at Saitama Super Arena.
As expected, I am very clumsy and not good at handling many things at once;
I am very disappointed in myself because of this, and I believe this has made all the members, staff and fans worry about me, as well as given them a lot of trouble.  However everyone has been great to me and I feel like I've been a spoilt child taking advantage of everyone's kindness.
I started thinking about graduation quite a while ago, but I didn't tell anyone except Takamina, a few other members and Akimoto-san.  These were not exactly realistic conversations, and I was really worried that if I am not in AKB anymore, what would be left of me?
We won the Record of the Year award last year; we have finally made it to the Tokyo Dome; we participated in NHK Kouhaku Utagassen; slowly but surely our dreams are becoming real, and it's time for the next step.  I'm sure every member is doing a lot of thinking about the future, and they will need all the chances they can get from AKB.  In order for this to happen, I have to work harder.
When I announced my graduation, I was very anxious in front of everyone, like I said, and I'm sure everyone is worried about whether I can be on my own, since until now I have always had members to depend on and always had this place called AKB for me to go back.  But I've made it this far and this is what I want to do.
I would be very happy if you could keep cheering for me.
Like I've been saying - at this point I haven't decided any details on my graduation, and I've been discussing the timing with everyone.  I would like to withdraw from the upcoming AKB Senbatsu Election, and I am sorry for any inconvenience caused.
I really wanted this message to come from myself, so I was given the chance to present it in this fashion.  I don't have a lot of time left as a member of AKB, but I will still be around after graduation.  I would be grateful if you would keep supporting me.  Moreover, please keep cheering for AKB48 with me.
Maeda Atsuko, out.

[Gyoumu Renraku] Concert Agency Promotions

During the last day of the AKB48 [Gyoumu Renraku] concert in Saitama Super Arena, several agency promotions were announced.

AKB48
Iriyama Anna, Yokoyama Yui → Ohta Pro
Yamauchi Suzuran → Hori Pro
Ichikawa Miori → Production Ogi
Nakamata Shiori → Watanabe Pro
Oba Mina, Abe Maria → Japan Music Entertainment
Shimazaki Haruka → Big Apple
Shimada Haruka → office48
Nagao Mariya → Irving
Nakamura Mariko → Shinei Production
Takeuchi Miyu → Oh Enterprise

SKE48
Yagami Kumi → Watanabe Pro
Matsui Rena → Grick
Takayanagi Akane → Avex Entertainment


These girls will transfer our from their parent agencies AKS, Signing with the agencies are not final, they have merely expressed interest in the girls.

Agency transfers is a good thing BTW, it gives the members more opportunities in singing, acting, tv show appearances and more. For example Ohta Pro is one of the biggest talent agencies in Japan, and has helped Maeda Atsuko get a solo single. The same for Hori Pro and Itano Tomomi, and Nagara Pro, a talent agency for enka singers, helping Iwasa Misaki get her solo enka single.

Often, the members in the same agency would also create a subgroup. Ogi Pro is the talent agency for No Sleeves and Watarirouka Hashiritai 7, and Watanabe Pro/Ent is the agency for French Kiss.

AKB48 CAFE & SHOP HAKATA Opens

AKB48 opened its third CAFE&SHOP outlet in Hakata, Fukuoka yesterday on March 20th.

Official Website: http://akb48cafeshops.com/wp/hakata/

The opening ceremony was held the day before, on March 19th, with Katayama Haruka, Sato Amina, Kitahara Rie, and Nakamata Shiori attending. HKT48 members Kodama Haruka, Matsuoka Natsumi, and Sugamoto Yuko were also present at the ceremony.

The AKB48 CAFE&SHOP Hakata is actually located in the Chuo ward, and is quite some distance from the HKT48 Theater. It is the third such outlet following Akihabara and Harajuku, which opened last year in July and September respectively. Another AKB48 CAFE&SHOP is planned to open in Namba,  Osaka on April 4th.

At the shop, one can buy both AKB48 and HKT48 original goods sold exclusively at that branch.

Yamauchi Suzuran to be Regular in [Golf Nadeshiko]

Yamauchi Suzuran will become a regular member for a golf TV show [Golf Nadeshiko], airing from 07 April 2012, 23:30 onward (length of each episode is still unknown) on TV Tokyo.

On top of being an idol and juggling her schoolwork, Ranran is aiming to become a female pro-golfer. In Chiba, Ranran received lessons from Koga Miho, an ex-pro golfer and 12-time winner and 2008 money-list title holder on the JLPGA.

Ranran said, "Since I was young, I've dreamed about being a pro-golfer more than being an idol. I will be a diligent apprentice and learn from Koga-san. And work hard to pass the pro-golfer test."

[Golf Nadeshiko] will start showing from 07 April 2012, 23:30 onward (length of each episode is still unknown) on TV Tokyo.

So, first was Miyazawa Sae with her pro bowler challenge, now we have Ranran with pro golfer. Keeping my fingers crossed that she pass. It's good that she is thinking about herself in the long run. Being an idol is only good short term, once you pass a certain age it's over.

Possible New Puccho CM. Kuchi Utsushi no Puccho?

WARNING!
The images you are about to see contain dangerous doses of YURI. Do not enter without sufficient protection.

Parental Guidance is NOT advised, please ensure personal security before viewing. 

If you thought AKB48 was going to stop at Heavy Rotation, think again. The above images were taken from the latest FLASH magazine, and it looks like AKB48 members are swapping Pucchos mouth to mouth.

Kuchi Utsushi no Puccho? Lol. If you didn't get that, there is a song from Team B's 4th Stage called [Kuchi Utsushi no Chocolate] (Mouth to mouth chocolate).

The few pairings that we see now are:
Maeda Atsuko x Kashiwagi Yuki
Shimazaki Haruka x Oshima Yuko
Shinoda Mariko x Watanabe Mayu
Sashihara Rino x Kato Rena
Itano Tomomi x Takahashi Minami
Kashiwagi Yuki x Itano Tomomi


On March 8th, Shinoda Mariko posted on her Google+ pictures of various AKB48 members' (and non-members too) kissing faces, adding on that they were together at some "recording". Some people have speculated that this will be for a Single's PV but it turns out to be for the Puccho CM.

https://plus.google.com/u/0/105312608513060875034/posts

So...from Heavy Rotation to Kataomoi Finally to this Kuchiutsushi no Puccho, I wonder what's next ^^

Hiramatsu Kanako Fractures Her Right Foot

At today's SKE48 charity performance, Team S's Hiramatsu Kanako tripped and fractured her right foot. She will need 6 weeks to recover and during that period she will not appear in any performance.

Announcement: http://www.ske48.co.jp/news/?id=1331447717

It is unknown if she will participate in the 14~15 April SKE48 concert at Nippon Gaishi Hall. She was seen in crutches during the charity performance today.

[Hong Kong] Furukawa Airi will be Guest Judge for Cosplay Event

Furukawa Airi will be appearing as a guest judge in the cosplay contest in [C3 in Hong Kong].

[C3 in Hong Kong] is a Anime Character Hobby Festival in Hong Kong, think [Anime Festival Asia] in Singapore. It is a 3-day-event, from 09 March 2012 to 11 March 2012, it takes in Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre.

The cosplay contest will take place on the 2nd day, 10 March 2012, from 14:00 onwards.(Hong Kong Time)

The official site for [C3 in Hong Kong] is http://www.c3hk.com.hk/2012/index.php

Maeda Atsuko Wins a Japan Academy Award

On March 2nd 2012, Maeda Atsuko was awarded the Popularity Award at the 35th Japan Academy Awards, for her role in the film [Moshidora].

The popularity award is given to the work and actor who were most supported by the young generation. It's the only prize that is voted by the general public, through the radio program All Night Nippon. Acchan won the award for the actor/actress category, while the motion picture category was won by the movie [Moteki].

In the film Moshidora which Acchan stars in, she plays the role of Kawashima Minami who becomes the manager for a high school baseball team.


Wow Acchan won an Academy Award! Congratulations! Though it's not the American Academy Award but the Japanese one instead. And with her National Idol popularity it's quite expected. Nevertheless an award is still an award. 

AKB48 Breaks Guinness Record With WONDA CM

AKB48 has broken the Guinness World Record again, this time for having the "Most Versions of a TV Commercial for the Same Product Broadcast Within 24 hours – Free-to-air (Terrestrial TV)".

The CM in question is the WONDA x AKB48 [WONDA Morning Shot] series, which had all 90 versions, for all 90 members in AKB48, put on broadcast on 28 February 2012. This beat the previous record of 60 Android au commercials were broadcast on 27 January 2011 which starred the Arashi members.


When it comes down to sheer numbers, I guess no one can stand in AKB48's way. AKB48 also holds the record for the "Pop Group with the Most Amount of Members" last 2010.

AKB, SKE, NMB, HKT Will Hold Charity Performances on March 11th

On March 11th, 2012, the 1 year anniversary of the Tohoku Earthquake, AKB48, SKE48, NMB48, and HKT48 will each hold a charity performance at their respective theaters.

This charity performances is call the [Tohoku Earthquake Reconstruction Support Special Performance]. Normally a performance in the theaters would cost 3,000yen (prices vary between groups and teams), but this time entry is free of charge.

The show will start from 14:30 to 16:00 JST. All members of their respective groups, including Kenkyuusei, will perform.

AKB48: 90 members
SKE48: 68 members
NMB48: 67 members
HKT48: 21 members
*members are subject to change depending on health

AKB48 started the [Dareka no tame ni Project] (What can I do for someone Project) shortly after the earthquake on March 2011. The project has since raised more than 1.25 billion yen for the Japan Red Cross.


Wow a free live performance. But how will they organize the crowd? The AKB48 theater can only fit 250. Are the fans gonna camp outside the Donki (and the sister groups theaters too) from the wee hours of the day? =/


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[Dareka no tame ni] Project Exceeds 1.25 Billion Yen in Donations

Akimoto Sayaka Image Character for adidas [GOLD LINE]

Akimoto Sayaka has been appointed as the image character for adidas new [GOLD LINE] campaign on March 1st, 2012.

Official Website: http://www.supersports.co.jp/goldline/

Looking cool there Sayaka! It's about time she was appointed the image character for a sports brand. Of all the girls in AKB, Sayaka is the most athletic character, and almost always winning in AKB sports competitions. She even took part in the Tokyo Marathon too in 2011 and 2012, and completed it. That's how awesome she is.


Does anybody know what is the song she is dancing in the CM?


The 15s, 30s CM and Making Of for Akimoto Sayaka + Goldline.

AKB48 Crowns 4 Billboard Awards for 2011

Announced on Billboard Japan Music Award, AKB48 was awarded [Artist of the Year 2011], including which, AKB48 has won a total of 4 awards on the award show.

The 4 Billboard Awards that AKB48 won at the awards show are as follows
Billboard JAPAN Artist of the Year 2011
Billboard JAPAN Top Pop Artists 2011
Billboard JAPAN Hot 100 of the Year 2011
Billboard JAPAN Hot 100 Single Sales of the Year 2011

With the new addition of Billboard Japan Music Awards, Captain Takahashi Minami said, "I feel really honoured and at same time I wonder, 'Is it really alright for us to be winning all these awards?'."


Interesting that Takamina said that. Is she worried too about the over-saturation of AKB48 in the Japanese music market? I know I am, and I have a feeling that it will be the cause of AKB48's fall in the future. But 

Nakagawa Haruka to Undergo Surgery for Vocal Cord Nodules

Bad news. In a blog entry earlier today, Nakagawa Haruka wrote that she has vocal cord nodules and would have to undergo surgery to remove it.

Previous cases of vocal chord nodules in AKB48 are Oshima Yuko in 2009 and Itano Tomomi in 2011. Both of them went for surgery and made a full recovery.

The surgery date for Harugon has not been announced.
There is also the recovery length to consider, typically it will take about 2 weeks to a month, during which they should not speak at all.


http://blog.oricon.co.jp/watarirouka/archive/9270/0
Translated by emptystring

I have something to tell everyone!
My throat has not been feeling well and I was recommended surgery, and I've decided now to have the surgery.
I have nodules on my vocal chords and they make it harder for me to speak.
The doctor said the operation is very safe.
I am slightly scared but I want to get better and sing, dance with everyone!
I will be taking some time off but I'll be back soon.
So please wait for me.
Nakagawa Haruka

Take care of your voices girls ;___; 
Vocal cord surgery is a safe process at least according to wikipedia, so there isn't anything to worry about with regards to the surgery. But not speaking for a month will be tough considering her line of work.
Get well soon Harugon! May you have a speedy recovery.