AKB member’s tearfully apology

AKB is a very popular #Japanese idol group and they are popular overseas too. So they do have an English website. (www.akb48.co.jp/english/akimoto)

Who created AKB? 

Yasushi Akimoto created the idol group AKB 48. The concept is “idols you can meet everyday” AKB 48 performs at the exclusive AKB48 theater in Akihabara almost everyday and the group was officially formed in 2005 and the rest is history.

Members must be so popular that they can get any men they want to…?! 

The answer is yes and no because they are not allowed to date. Really? You heard me..they are not allowed to date. Minami Minegishi is famous for appearing in media and begged for mercy with tears over her “transgression”..ha? Yes, Minami was accused of dating or possibly having a boyfriend.

Not only that she apologized for her “normal” behavior, she shaved her head to show her sincerity as shaving one’s head is seen as a sincere way of apologizing and it is seen as a powerful act of remorse. Japanese men often shave their heads when they want to be forgiven but it is not very common today. But I had never heard of women shaving their heads…

So did Minami leave the group? Not really, but the agency did demote her to the “training” ranks of the 88-member-strong group..ouch. This is an extreme..don’t you think? No dating means no dating..it is common for Japanese idol groups (especially girls) and they sacrifice their love temporarily in order to become famous in rigid Japanese entertainment industry.

Is it even legal for an employer to prevent his staff from dating? I am not sure. But if that’s the rule AKB members have to follow, I guess that they have to make a choice. They are not going to be AKB forever so it is a matter of them willing to sacrifice several years.

I would never trade my soul for fame but these girls want to become an idol so badly that they probably would have done anything. Then do not date if that’s part of their contract with the agency. It is ridiculous but it is called “RULE”