Former UNLAME Yuka comments on the recent situation:
"It's not really my place to comment, but as someone who used to be affiliated with the company, I can say that it is genuinely a very, very professional company. The managers and senior staff around me were all people who respected the members' wishes, so I don't think it's possible that anyone was forced to do anything.
At a time when the public and even I myself am thinking, "The current AKB is seriously so cool and amazing!" and feeling impressed by what they've achieved, making statements or taking actions that damage that momentum and image is unacceptable as a working professional.
If you think about how the members feel, you wouldn't do something like that."
ORICON reports AKB48 Hanada Mei to be terminated following multiple incidents over the past year. This marks the first contract termination in AKB48's history, rather than a graduation, resignation, dismissal or other form of departure from the group.
• Since December 2025, Hanada Mei repeatedly arrived late while citing poor health as the reason. Management stated that this was the reason she was later placed on hiatus.
• During that period, management discovered that she had been in contact with a specific fan. While Hanada explained that she had only met the fan twice by chance, interviews conducted by management reportedly indicated that she had met the fan on multiple occasions. Maintaining private relationships with specific fans is prohibited, as it compromises member safety, fairness among members, and fans' trust in the group.
• When Hanada Mei expressed a desire to return to AKB48, management says it respected her wishes and repeatedly sought discussions regarding her reinstatement. However, she allegedly refused to participate in those discussions.
• Hanada Mei claimed that management had forced her to shave her head. AKB48 denied the allegation, stating that after confirming with the staff involved, "We would never give such an instruction."
• Hanada Mei requested disciplinary action against members who she claimed had spoken badly about her, as well as the removal of the ban imposed on the fan she had been in contact with. Management stated that no agreement could be be reached regarding these requests.
• Throughout this process, Hanada Mei reportedly communicated with management through her attorney, rather than engaging in direct discussions with the company.
https://t.co/QO3eiLVPLW
26年半ありがとう!!!!!
2026.5.31
嵐
相葉雅紀
松本潤
二宮和也
大野智
櫻井翔
With you
#ARASHI#WeareARASHI#みんなへありがとう
Thank you for 26 and a half years!!!!!
2026.5.31
ARASHI
Masaki Aiba
Jun Matsumoto
Kazunari Ninomiya
Satoshi Ohno
Sho Sakurai
With you
#ARASHI
#WeareARASHI
#ThankYouEveryone
·.⟡┈┈┈┈┈︎ ✧┈┈┈┈⟡.··.⟡┈┈┈┈┈✧┈┈┈┈┈⟡.·
🥐BONJOUR IDOL🥐
🎂8th Anniversary🎂
·.⟡┈┈┈┈┈︎ ✧┈┈┈┈⟡.··.⟡┈┈┈┈┈✧┈┈┈┈┈⟡.·
Today, BONJOUR IDOL is celebrating its 8th anniversary!
We would like to thank you all for your continued support, as well as all the partners and groups who place their trust in us today.
Monsieur Croissant’s adventure in the land of idols continues for a ninth year!
------------------
本日、BONJOUR IDOLは8周年を迎えました!
日頃から応援してくださっているファンの皆様、そして信頼をお寄せいただいているパートナーやグループの皆様に、心より感謝申し上げます。 「ムッシュ・クロワッサン」のアイドル界での冒険は、ついに9年目へと突入します!
#BonjourIdol #BonjourIdol8周年
Akimoto Yasushi: “Recently, both AKB48 and Sakamichi have their Senbatsu and Centers decided by staff. If I made the decisions myself, I’d get backlash.
The kinds of songs fans like are pretty much fixed: they tend to prefer songs like 'Iiwake Maybe'. On the other, something like 'Koisuru Fortune Cookie' is actually the kind of song fans dislike the most. It's hard to do MIX calls to and it leads to getting heavily criticised by fans for it. That's why with '365nichi no Kamihikouki', people might think, 'What is this song?' but I deliberately do that from time to time."
I don't tweet in English often, but I had to share this! My photos of KPOP artists in Paris were published in a booklet for the French retailer Fnac! 😳
Kind of weird to see the booklet in stores, but I’m still proud of it! Even if I'm not into KPOP photos anymore 🥹 #なとフォト
AKB48 3rd Generation 20th Anniversary Concert
Setlist:
M-1. Shonichi
M-2. Hissatsu Teleport
M-3. Beach Sandal
M-4. Futari Nori no Jitensha
M-5. Glass no I LOVE YOU / Namida no Shounan
M-6. Kataomoi no Taikakusen / Tenshi no Shippo
M-7. Kuchi Utsushi no Chocolate / Junjou Shugi
M-8. Confession / Kagami no Naka no Jeanne d'Arc
M-9. Rio no Kakumei / Senaka Kara Dakishimete
M-10. Two years later
M-11. Inochi no Tsukaimichi
M-12. Virgin love
M-13. Tanpopo no Kesshin
EN-1. B Stars
EN-2. Suifu wa Arashi ni Yume wo Miru / Yokosuka Curve
EN-3. Shiroi Shirts
EN-4. Kanpeki Gu~no ne (Evening Concert only)
EN-5. Shonichi (Evening Concert only)
Miyawaki Sakura praises AKB48 Ito Momoka's Gingham Check performance!
"Itomomo's Gingham Check is so cute. She's smiling so much that it makes me smile too. Idols are really great~
I've also danced to it a few times but the choreography is actually quite difficult. Still, I love the costumes.
I wonder if I've ever worn the original costume... Feels like I have but I am not sure."
Post Seven News reports that Shinoda Mariko has married IT CEO Asano Koji, a devoted fan who has supported her for over a decade.
He never hid his admiration for AKB48 or his Oshi. When asked about his ideal type, his answer was always “Shinoda Mariko”. When she first got married, he was mentioned to have been visibly shaken, having liked her for many years.
Following her divorce, the two were introduced through a mutual acquaintance. Now, he fulfilled his dream by dating and marrying his Oshi.
https://t.co/CXRWUfFA6K
I founded BONJOUR IDOL in 2018 with @lemelodychan to keep sharing my passion for idols. I always dreamed of turning it into a company but didn’t know how. 7 years later, with @Kayseurounet, we’re launching it as a production/promotion company 🥹
Let’s bring idols to the world! 🔥