The popular idol group AKB48 announced at the AKB48 Group Summer Festival on Sunday that they are recruiting new “part-time” members — for 1,000 yen (about US$10) an hour. Typically, potential AKB48 candidates must first undergo audition and become trainees before being promoted to regular members. However the “Part-Time AKB” campaign will bypass this long process, similar to Glico’s campaign to recruit a member over 30 years old earlier this year.
Under the “Part-Time AKB” campaign, female candidates of middle school age or older (who are not already affiliated with a production) will compete in a preliminary screening and two auditions. The new members will then be announced in late September. The winners will sign an part-timecontract for 1,000 yen an hour with the AKS management company. They will then perform in live concerts, appear in handshake events and other events, star in television programs and commercials, and do just about everything else as one of the AKB48 members.
The campaign’s official website began accepting applicants at 9:00 p.m. on Sunday (8:00 a.m. EDT)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sAGSqE4svEM
Source: Oricon via Hachima Kikō
More from Anime News Network
Idol supergroup AKB48 abolishes team system, team sayonara concerts to be held this summer
AKB48 idols Anna Iriyama, Rina Kawaei released from hospital
Idols ahoy! AKB48 to hold concerts at Universal Studios Japan every day starting in July
4 new versions of McDonald’s anime shorts with AKB48 idols streamed
Idol singer mega-group AKB48 cancels annual General Election following string of scandals
Disillusionment at Tsukiji’s tourist-target prices led us to a great ramen restaurant in Tokyo
Japan may add Japanese language proficiency, lifestyle classes to permanent foreign resident requirements
Lacquerware supplier to emperor of Japan and Pokémon team up for new tableware
Street Fighter Hadouken Churros to be launched and eaten in Tokyo, Okami pudding on offer too
Sadako now has her own YouTube channel, hopes to upload videos about her daily life
Tokyo Station’s perfect breakfast spot might just be this izakaya Japanese-style pub
Haku is…Chihiro’s dead brother? Studio Ghibli fans blown away by Spirited Away theory
Is the magical Flying Ball that’s trending on Japanese TikTok as easy to use as it looks?
Kyoto samurai house wants to share its history of seppuku, torture and gold coins with visitors
Beautiful Taiwanese flight attendants are a hit with passengers on EVA Air
7-Eleven Japan starts new temporary luggage storage service in over 300 branches
Starbucks teams up with 166-year-old Kyoto doll maker for Year of the Horse decorations【Photos】
Tokyo’s Tsukiji sushi neighborhood asks tour groups to stay away for the rest of the month
Japanese woman mistaken for bear
Return of Totoro sequel short anime announced for Ghibli Park
Starbucks Japan releases new zodiac chilled cup drink for 2026
Is this the most relaxing Starbucks in Japan?
Starbucks on a Shinkansen bullet train platform: 6 tips for using the automated store in Japan
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Japanese train company is letting fans buy its actual ticket gates for their homes
Is China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning affecting tourist crowds in Tokyo’s Asakusa neighborhood?
Starbucks Japan unveils new Christmas goods and a rhinestone tumbler that costs 19,500 yen
Tokyo considering law requiring more trash cans following litter increase in heavily touristed area
Nintendo’s Kirby now delivering orders at Kura Sushi restaurants, but not in Japan
Tokyo event lets you travel back in time, for free, to celebrate 100 years since Showa era start
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s deadliest food claims more victims, but why do people keep eating it for New Year’s?
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
The top 10 annoying foreign tourist behaviors on trains, as chosen by Japanese people【Survey】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
Starbucks Japan reveals new sakura drinkware collection, inspired by evening cherry blossoms
AKB48, Japan’s biggest idol singer group, apologizes for selling “Date Tickets”
Tokyo’s AKB48 idol-themed cafe announces sudden, permanent closure
New single moves AKB48 to second place on all-time Japanese CD sales list, but is it enough?
AKB48 signs removed from exterior of AKB48 Theater building in Akihabara
Japanese idol supergroup AKB48 said to phasing out swimsuit modeling for younger teen members
Idol group AKB48’s new song is the third-best-selling Japanese single CD of all time【Video】
Man who attacked AKB48 members with saw at handshake event is jailed for six years
AKB48’s new idol outfits are so stylish everyone’s talking about the company that makes them
Saga Prefecture broadcasts its appeal by dancing to AKB48 【Video】
New Fukushima school gets uniforms designed by the AKB48 costume designer
AKB48 to hold exclusive show for coffee contest winners, Mr. Sato immediately buys over 300 cans
AKB48’s final original member, who had to shave her head, is leaving the group
AKB48 member tests positive for coronavirus
Foreign man arrested for grabbing former AKB48 idol on Tokyo street, forcing her to ground
Leave a Reply