AKB48 election: famous persons’ “Objection!” But they have their favorite member…

(Image: AKB48 official site)

The third AKB48 selection general election was exciting with the largest-ever number of votes and unexpected upsets. About such a situation, voices of famous persons of every field were introduced in TV programs.

June 9, there were many persons in show business at Budokan, the site of the vote counting. As well as Yamasato Ryota (Nankai Candies) known as an AKB fan, Mimura Masakazu (SUMMERS), Yahagi Ken (Ogiyahagi), Bon Mizoguro (Canaria) and so on were in the view.

Also, the press and fans from abroad had come; press people from Thailand happily cried, “I love you Maeda! (Maeda Atsuko)” and a male fan from America declared “Team K! Yokoyama Yui!” is his favorite member.

In the TV program “Akko-ni Omakase” on June 12, in addition to that sheens, interviews with famous persons about AKB election were introduced. Various voices came, from the political world to talents; surprisingly, it was found out that they have their favorite members, too.

Maeda Atsuko and Oshima Yuko gained total 262,735 votes in this AKB election; this number exceeds 163,446 votes Mr. Kan Naoto (the present prime minister) had got in the general election two years ago.

Political commentator Mr. Arima Harumi (53) gave his opinion that politics should follow the example of “AKB48 election”, whether or not he knows such a situation. He insisted that the representative of the Democratic Party is chosen by members’ favor, though it should reflect supporters’ (public’s) voices like AKB election. And “Anyway…” a staff asked Mr. Arima’s favorite member, he answered: “KojiHaru (Kojima Haruna). I like her face and talk very much.”

Mr. Yaku Mitsuru, a cartoonist also acting as a talent, seems to be dissatisfied with AKB election. “It’s strange an election was reported as a ‘national event’,” he said, “How much interested people other than their fan were?” However, “anyway” a staff asked his favorite and he answered, too: “KojiHaru. She’s beautiful.”

Then, what do women think? A Member of the House of Councilors Mihara Junko (46) was asked. “I think AKB election itself was good to have a sense of crisis in this lack of a competitive spirit,” Ms. Mihara appreciated, “However, election should be a one-person one-vote system,” she expressed her opinion. She had been an idol, so she was highly interested and had a good knowledge. She said her favorite member is “Tomo-chin (Itano Tomomi). ‘Cos she’s too cute.”

“Even women have their favorite member!?” In the studio, Wada Akiko showed curiosity; a co actor Akkina (Minami Akina) told: “I have my favorite, too. Mayuyu (Watanabe Mayu) is so cute that I have her photo collection.” Now AKB48 seems to be getting popular without distinction of age or sex.


Translation: Narumi Sato




Original article (Japanese): Techinsight

AKB48 official site