37 year old mother joins AKB48

ha? I am a little confused. I thought that AKB was only for teenagers or girls in early 20s? But the media reports that 37 year old mother of two joins AKB48. The collective, whose 90-plus singers and dancers are rotated in and out of the limelight according to their waxing and waning popularity, regularly pump out songs that sell more than a million copies. Homemaker Mariko Tsukamoto, a mother of two, who was picked from a pool of over 5,000 applications including an 82 year-old lazy. (read more one japantoday.com)

AKB48 has added a 37-year-old mother of two to the widely popular all-girl group as it looks to broaden the appeal of its teen-dominated line-up. The management behind one of the most successful brands in showbiz put out advertisements last month seeking older members to branch out of its teen and early-20s demographic. (read more on straitstimes.com)

I thought this was some kind of joke when I read these articles. AKB 48 is usually only for young girls in late teens and early 20s. They are very bubbly and cute. So it was a little surprise but hey whatever they think it would work, I want to say good luck to them!It is good to bring an older everyday woman who is busy raising children to the frontline would be a good way to promote women in certain generations instead of focusing on typical young girls as idols.