
Submissions for AKB48’s Kokoro no Placard Video Awards are open, and the first company to submit their entry is GMO Internet Group, who reveals a startling high number of pretty ladies working for them. Just look at those fresh smiling faces! Will we be seeing a GMO idol group sometime in the future?
In 2013 AKB48 released a music video for their song Koi Suru Fortune Cookie which featured 356 members of the AKB staff doing the dance moves. This started a craze for people of all professions from government employees to taxi drivers uploading videos of themselves doing the dance, many of whom can be seen on AKB48’s YouTube channel.
This year the hyper-popular idol group is running an official video contest for their latest single Kokoro no Placard, and submissions are now open. The first upload is from GMO Internet Group, who also created a video last year, and features teams from their divisions all around Japan and the world singing and performing the dance routine. But what’s really got netizens talking is the amount of gorgeous ladies who seem to work at this company. This will probably work as some excellent free advertising for GMO, and given the reaction online we imagine they might be seeing quite an increase in single young men applying for jobs with them in the near future.
▼ Watch GMO’s video entry for the Kokoro no Placard contest.
Let’s introduce netizens’ favourite teams from the video.
First up is Team konkatsu. ‘Konkatsu’ means ‘marriage hunting’ and their sign proclaims that they are ‘brides in training’. Basically these ladies are using the video as a way to advertise that they’re all single and looking for a potential husband to sweep them off their feet, so now’s your change, guys!
Next we have Team nikushoku shojo?, which literally means ‘meat eating girls’. This phrase is usually used to refer to guys who are confident and aggressively seek out female ‘companionship’, while ‘herbivorous’ is used to talk about guys who don’t actively pursue women. So these girls are letting everyone know that they’re on the prowl for prey, but their sign reminds us that they don’t go out to ‘goukon‘ or ‘dating parties’ every night!
Team o-de-mu-ka-e or Team Reception is made up of, you guessed it, receptionists. These four have even matched their outfits, and are showing huge potential for starting up a receptionist idol group.
And last but not least is Team kumapon wo aisuru hitobito, or Team ‘people who love Kumapon’. Kumapon is a coupon site run by GMO with a bear (kuma) as its mascot, so they’re being cute as well as showing company spirit. These girls are super into the dancing, and just look at those smiles!
▼ And as a bonus, here’s GMO’s entry for last year.
Which was your favourite team from the video? Let us know in the comment section below!
Source: IT Soku, AKB48 Official YouTube





AKB48 signs removed from exterior of AKB48 Theater building in Akihabara
Saga Prefecture broadcasts its appeal by dancing to AKB48 【Video】
Japanese students get people dancing to AKB48 all over Singapore【Video】
4 new versions of McDonald’s anime shorts with AKB48 idols streamed
Japanese idol supergroup AKB48 said to phasing out swimsuit modeling for younger teen members
Universal Studios Japan is giving Frieren anime fans the chance to make unforgettable memories.
New Japanese overnight train coming to connect Tokyo with Tohoku in sleep-travel style
Japan now has “edible cat fur” for people who really love felines
7-Eleven’s new green tea rice ball and sweets are only available in Japan’s top tea-growing area
Sanrio Hotel Floria isn’t actually a hotel, but it’s still a must visit for fans traveling in Tokyo
Tokyo’s life-size Gundam is getting a new look before its end-of-summer removal
300-tonne hose washes up on Japanese shore
7-Eleven Japan has a new Creamy Iced Cafe Latte that’s a hit on social media
Japanese university welcomes birth of baby deer on campus, president waives entrance exam[Videos]
Mos Burger adds Kandy Tea Milk to the menu and Japanese social media is here for it
East Japan Railway announces plans to abolish magnetic-strip tickets
New Square Enix Cafe reveals Final Fantasy, Dragon Quest, Nier, and Fullmetal Alchemist menu items
Japan’s cheap beef bowl chain goes upscale with Matsuya Premium, but is it worth the higher price?
Family Mart commits “reverse fraud” in new Giant All-Star Festival, and we couldn’t be happier
New Tokyo sweets shop offers 648 different mochi ice cream dumpling combinations
7-Eleven Japan joins the craze for Korean Gamja Cheese Balls
Shakey’s Japan creates matcha mochi, Kyoto fish, and Kansai Chili Con Carne pizzas
Anne Hathaway creates PR frenzy in Japan after mentioning Tottori in Devil Wears Prada interview
Kanji ice cream becomes a sell-out hit in Japan
Uniqlo reveals third round of massive 100-year-anniversary manga T-shirts for Jump’s Shueisha
Even at twice regular Daiso price, this handy item is still great for summer travel in Japan
New official Ghibli anime food cookbook will teach you how to make Ponyo’s ramen and more
Tokyo’s life-size Gundam anime mecha statue will be removed this summer
Japanese convenience store Lawson launches new “mini supermarket” chain, L Minimart
Japan’s real-world Pokémon hot spring’s first photos are here![Photos]
Kyoto public junior high school becomes first in Japan with a hoodie school uniform
Japanese convenience store shows us how to dress for the rainy season
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
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】
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
Japan’s 5.3 million beautiful Hitachi Nemophila flowers are now in full bloom[Photos]
Pokémon and Ikea Japan cross over into each other’s worlds with collaboration events
Japanese salarymen and OLs make company-wide music video of AKB48’s “Halloween Night” 【Video】
Idol supergroup AKB48 abolishes team system, team sayonara concerts to be held this summer
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?
Idol singer mega-group AKB48 cancels annual General Election following string of scandals
AKB48’s new idol outfits are so stylish everyone’s talking about the company that makes them
Dance contest underway to co-star in AKB48 member’s video, Mr. Sato throws hat into ring
Subpar AKB48 performance in Thailand earns scalding remarks from netizens 【Video】
Weird Cosplay: When AKB48 and Resident Evil Meet AK-47 Assault Rifles
AKB48’s final original member, who had to shave her head, is leaving the group
Government’s Cool Japan Project to fund AKB48 sister group in Philippines
AKB48 member tests positive for coronavirus
AKB48, Japan’s biggest idol singer group, apologizes for selling “Date Tickets”
New arcade game lets you get face-to-face with AKB48 members… and shoot them in the face