AKB48 founder and producer Yasushi Akimoto announced the formation of the Niigata-based idol group NGT48 at the “AKB48 Request Hour Set List Best 1035″ event in Tokyo on Sunday. His aim in creating another local group, he says, is to ultimately form an idol group called “Japan48” by the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. Japan48 will draw its members from each of the local “48 groups.”
NGT48 will be the fifth 48 group after AKB48, SKE48, NMB48, and HKT48. Starting member auditions for the group will begin in March, and the group will debut in October.
On why he chose Niigata, Akimoto said that AKB48, SKE48, and NMB48 are all based on the Pacific Ocean side of Japan’s largest island Honshu, but there was no group on the Sea of Japan side, where Niigata is the largest city.
Akimoto is also looking at other large Japanese cities, such as Sapporo, Sendai, and Okinawa. He hopes to form groups in these locations before the 2020 Olympics.
In addition, Akimoto is progressing in his plans to form a group based in Manila in the Philippines. Jakata, Indonesia and Shanghai, China already host the international 48 groups JKT48 and SNH48, respectively.
Source: Yahoo! Japan via 0takomu
Featured image: Flickr (kndynt2099)
More from Anime News Network
Government’s Cool Japan Project to fund AKB48 sister group in Philippines
Idol manager resigns after attack on singer, company claims no group members broke law
Japan’s most beautiful idol singer faces, with AKB48 barely cracking the top 10【Survey】
Who’s still buying physical media in Japan? Top 20 singles lists for the year reveal the answer
Idol singer mega-group AKB48 cancels annual General Election following string of scandals
New Tokyo sweets shop offers 648 different mochi ice cream dumpling combinations
Japanese rice cooker recipe gives us a tasty new way to enjoy vegetables and wieners
Even at twice regular Daiso price, this handy item is still great for summer travel in Japan
Body of missing American college student found in Kyoto mountains
Colour Hunting: The hot new street photography trend changing how we see Japan
Ghibli’s No Face continues to demonstrate his generous character growth by dispensing soy sauce
Fukushima City on edge as resourceful and violent bear still not found
Japan’s cheap beef bowl chain Matsuya opens gourmet Premium Matsuya with Kobe beef…inside Matsuya
Japanese convenience store shows us how to dress for the rainy season
What’s it like to join Tokyo’s walking-and-talking-with-strangers club for a day?
Uniqlo reveals third round of massive 100-year-anniversary manga T-shirts for Jump’s Shueisha
Kyoto public junior high school becomes first in Japan with a hoodie school uniform
New official Ghibli anime food cookbook will teach you how to make Ponyo’s ramen and more
Starbucks Japan unveils new Frappuccino showcasing “mottainai” culture
Osaka is hosting a “hentai” event, but it’s probably not what you think
Tokyo’s Pokémon Cafe reopens this month with brand-new sweets and Pikachu show
Tourists brave Typhoon Jangmi to queue at two famous sites in Tokyo
Tokyo’s life-size Gundam anime mecha statue will be removed this summer
Ichiraku Ramen-inspired ramen sets from Naruto anime pay homage to Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura
Kanji ice cream becomes a sell-out hit in Japan
Japanese convenience store Lawson launches new “mini supermarket” chain, L Minimart
Japan’s real-world Pokémon hot spring’s first photos are here![Photos]
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
Idols ahoy! AKB48 to hold concerts at Universal Studios Japan every day starting in July
“There are many mentally unwell girls in AKB48” claims ex-member of Japan’s top idol singer group
Cross-dressing talent Matsuko Deluxe: AKB opening the Tokyo Olympics “would embarrass Japan”
AKB48, Japan’s biggest idol singer group, apologizes for selling “Date Tickets”
AKB48 signs removed from exterior of AKB48 Theater building in Akihabara
AKB48 idols Anna Iriyama, Rina Kawaei released from hospital
AKB48 recruits new part-time idols – for US$10 an hour
AKB48’s new idol outfits are so stylish everyone’s talking about the company that makes them
Tokyo’s AKB48 idol-themed cafe announces sudden, permanent closure
AKB48 mega-fan creates labour-saving CD packaging-opening machine【Video】
Idol supergroup AKB48 abolishes team system, team sayonara concerts to be held this summer
AKB48’s final original member, who had to shave her head, is leaving the group