AKB48 sub-unit Not Yet to release new single “Suika BABY”

Oshima Yuko, Sashihara Rino, Kitahara Rie and Yokoyama Yui’s AKB48 sub-unit, Not Yet, announced that they’ll be releasing their 4th single “Suika BABY” on May 30th. It will be their other summer song after the 2nd single, “Naminori Kakigoori“.

The upcoming single will come in 4 types with limited and regular editions. Each limited edition will include the …


Recochoku’s weekly download charts for 05/02~05/08

Recochoku has just updated their weekly charts for the week of May 2nd to May 8th.

Check out the top ranking digital singles, chaku-uta, and music videos for this week after the cut!


Oshima Yuko voices Merida for Disney’s Brave and reaffirms that she is not graduating

On May 8th, Oshima Yuko (23), a member of the popular idol group AKB48, appeared at a publicized post-recording event for Disney’s Brave (opens July 21st in Japan.)  She does the Japanese voiceovers for Merida, the protagonist of the film.  At the event, she expressed her excitement for the upcoming AKB general elections (June 6) and effectively dispelled …


Which female celebrities are getting paid the most per CM?

TV commercials are one of the best ‘popularity barometers’ for celebrities in Japan. However, it’s not just the amount of CM contracts nor the amount of exposure that differentiates a CM Queen (or king) from a ‘normal’ female celebrity, it’s the fee they get paid per CM.

Tabloid ‘Shukan Post‘ once again managed to obtain the top secret list that showed …


AKB48’s Oshima Yuko expresses her mind about ‘AKB48 27th Single General Election’

On May 6th, AKB48 launched a channel on YouTube, where each member express their views and comments regarding the upcoming ‘AKB48 27th Single General Election‘.

In this short video, member Oshima Yuko mentioned that Maeda Atsuko will not be participating in the general election. She then stated, “People are saying that this is the change of generations. In fact, …


AKB48’s Sashihara Rino updates Google+ 300 times in 24 hours

On May 4th, AKB48’s Sashihara Rina (19) began her “300 New Updates in 24 Hours Challenge.”  She announced this on TV Tokyo’s program “Shukan AKB” (Fridays 5:30 PM.)

She began at 6PM and aimed to have 300 new updates on her personal Google+ page.  Her first submission at 6PM read “I might bother everyone, but I will try my best!  I …


Check out the third promotional video for AKB48’s anime ‘AKB0048′

The third promotional video of ‘AKB0048‘ has been revealed through AKB48’s official Youtube channel!

The second video was revealed at the beginning of this month, and it was also announced that a voice actress unit from the animation for ‘NO NAME’, which is a brand new AKB48 unit, will sing the opening and ending themes.

‘AKB0048′ will start airing on …


New unit from AKB48 ‘NO NAME’ to make their debut

It has been revealed a new unit from AKB48 called NO NAME will be making their debut! They will be providing the theme songs for AKB48’s animation ‘AKB0048‘ (scheduled to start airing April 29th). NO NAME includes Watanabe Mayu and the voice actresses of ‘AKB0048′, for a total of nine members.

New unit will sing the opening song “Kibou …


Sashihara Rino makes a surprise appearance at Shibuya109

On April 24th, AKB48’s Sashihara Rino (19) made a surprise appearance at Shibuya109 to promote and sell collections from her collaboration brand with Samantha Thavasa, ‘Honey Sassy’.

Sashihara was appointed for the brand’s muse (or image model) back in February. Amongst other image models from famous celebrities to models, such as another AKB48 member Itano Tomomi …


AKB48’s sister group SNH48 has been officially reported by Japanese media

On April 21st, we reported that AKB48’s sister group SNH48, which is based in Shanghai, would start gearing up for promotions. Now Japanese media have officially reported this new addition to the ‘48 franchise.

The surprising announcement about SNH48 was made during ‘AKB48 Shanghai Fan Meeting‘. Including domestic sister groups, it will be 6th AKB48 sister group and the 3rd non-Japanese sister group, JKT48 from Jakarta Indonesia …


RIAJ reveals digital certifications for March 2012

The Recording Industry Association of Japan (or ‘RIAJ’ for short), has just released the digital recording sales certifications that artists achieved during the month of March.

To announce the certifications, the RIAJ works together with almost all of the digital and mobile download portals in Japan, including recochoku, dwango, music.jp, mu-mo (Avex), oricon ME, and many more. After compiling the data from all the major download portals, the RIAJ then releases the new certifications on the 20th of every month.

You can check out the certifications after the cut!


AKB48’s Sashihara Rino to produce idol festival

AKB48 member Sashihara Rino will make her solo debut releasing single “Soredemo Sukidayo” on May 2nd.  Earlier we revealed the track list and jacket covers. It was also reported, she will produce an idol event for which Idoling!!!, Shiritsu Ebisu Chuugaku, SUPER☆GiRLS, Tokyo Joshiryu, Passpo☆ and Watarirouka Hashiritai7 will appear.

This is one of the events held for those fans who purchase Sashihara’s …


AKB48 to create sister group based in Shanghai, China, SNH48

After JKT48 and TPE48 there will now be SNH48!

Following the mold of JKT48 and TPE48, SNH48 will be an overseas sister group based out of Shanghai, China. SNH stands for Sha Ng Hai and will be produced by AKB48 mastermind Akimoto Yasushi. Nationwide Auditions in China are rumored to be begin in August and they’re aiming to form the first …


Check out the full PV for AKB48’s new single “Manatsu no Sounds good!”

After the PV preview, the full PV for AKB48’s upcoming 26th single “Manatsu no Sounds good!” has just been revealed! The full PV comes in at a lengthy 7 minutes and 8 seconds.

“Manatsu no Sounds good!” features a total of 36 members, which is the largest number of girls picked for a single in the history of the …


AKB48’s ‘Puccho’ mouth to mouth CM criticized by viewers

The Broadcasting Ethics & Program Improvement Organization (BPO) has announced that AKB48’s CM for UHA Mikakuto’s popular soft candy ‘Puccho‘ received criticism from the viewers.

The CM started airing on March 15th, and caused quite a stir as the members of AKB48 shares the candy with one another via mouth-to-mouth. Regarding this CM, BPO received negative comments such as …


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