[caption id="attachment_155500" align="aligncenter" width="328" caption="SKE48 Team S's Matsui Rena (left) and Matsui Jurina (right) shown here in t-shirts bearing the Avex logo"][/caption]

It's just been announced that AKB48's sister group SKE48 will be switching labels to Avex!

Their first single after the switch, "Pareo wa Emerald�, will be released on July 27th.

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The label move was announced on May 28th during Team S's performance in the SKE48 theater, as well as during Team KII's performance in Tokyo Dome City Hall.

Team S's Matsui Jurina and Matsui Rena met with the press prior to the Tokyo Dome City Hall performance, along with Team KII, and answered questions about the move.

Jurina commented, "Avex has a lot of artists that can sing and dance, so we SKE48 will also be aiming higher. We will be working hard so that people can say we are the most energetic idols."

Rena stated, "When we heard about the move, members of French Kiss and DiVA (AKB48 subunits also with Avex) were really happy for us. They said, '(We're) happy that SKE48 will be working in the same label from now on', so we will be studying from our senpais and working a lot harder."

When asked if there were any Avex artists they wanted to meet, Rena replied, "Being also an idol group, I'd like to see TOKYO GIRL'S STYLE's performance live, and stand on the same stage as them." Jurina replied, "I've been learning hip-hop dance for a long time and am really interested in dancing, so I think AAA is really cool. If I can see them live, I think it�ll be a great learning experience."

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In addition, the girls were asked about their thoughts on the currently ongoing third AKB48 Senbatsu General Election. Rena stated, "Rather than my standing, I was really surprised to see many SKE48 members' names this year. I was very proud as a member because I think it means that everyone's hard work this year has been well-received."

Takayanagi Akane stated, "I will be nervous until the final results, but fans have told me 'Don't feel too pressured', so I want to do my best until the end." She then added, "Right now, when you say SKE48, many people will think of 'double Matsui' (Matsui Jurina and Matsui Rena), so I will work hard so that people can think of Takayanagi after them."

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In addition to the move, it was announced that SKE48 will be taking part in the Nagoya stop of Avex's concert event,�a-nation. Jurina commented, "All the other participating artists are senpais, so we will try to show our freshness and perform in way that makes people think, 'SKE, they have a lot of energy'."

Takayanagi said, "There are a lot of fans of different artists at the event, so I hope they can also think we are good."

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Their 6th single, "Pareo wa Emerald", will be released in four different types (three with DVDs and one with just the CD), and the track listing will be announced at a later date.

Source: natalie