PHOTO BY MASAHITO IMAI

AKB48 trio introduce new song

Friday 17th October, 06:05 AM JST

TOKYO —

Three members of the idol group AKB48 visited the office of tabloid newspaper Sankei Sports to introduce their new song “Big Voice Diamond.”

Mayu Watanabe, 14, said, “I hope the song will be a popular love song.” Tomoni Kasai, 16, added, “The lyrics are easy to remember. I hope many people will sing it at karaoke.” Meanwhile, Yukari Sato, 19, who is hoping to be chosen to sing in NHK’s Red & White Song Contest on New Year’s Eve, said, “My schedule is open for that.”

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Latest 15 of 25 Total Comments Show All

thepro at 02:56 PM JST - 17th October

You're right, I don't go to watch teenage girls perform in Akiba.
tkoind2 at 03:12 PM JST - 17th October

This whole 40 year old guys singing songs along side 14-19 year old girls, complete with hand motions, is a sick sight to see. Something about older Otaku being that obsessed over adolescent girls is just not right. And with all the sexualization of young girls in Japan, is it any wonder the country has such a problem with underage sex, statutory rape and stalking?

Come on people get a clue. Kawaii is fine if they are playing to their own age group and making a big hit with other kids. But most of that Akiba maniac crowd could have kids this age. Just creepy!
tkoind2 at 03:13 PM JST - 17th October

briantokyo. How old are you? What would the folks back home think of your time being a big fan of a teenage girl band? Especially one packaged like these?

Wouldn't play well in my circles. Might lead to an intervention of some kind.
meanmutha at 03:28 PM JST - 17th October

like my mate says. Without the props and make up.. theyre all pretty much the same.
IchyaParadise at 03:38 PM JST - 17th October

tkoind2 says it best! I was looking for the nice way to approach this. Thank you.
briantokyo at 05:23 PM JST - 17th October

tkoind2: I'm in my 20's. The AKB48 girls range from 10 to 20 years old. The "folks back home" would never be bother but such stuff, Europe isn't that old fashioned like you American guys. Age of consent in Europe ranges 13-16.
rurika at 04:50 AM JST - 18th October

Middle-aged men drooling over girls young enough to be their daughters. Mature ladies doing the same with Johnnys boys. Don't tell me they're in it for the music. This whole idol business is creepy and unhealthy.

PS: heterosexual age of consent in Europe ranges from 12 (Vatican city) to 18 (Malta)
Betting at 10:23 AM JST - 18th October

Got to love rjd and the mass stereotyping, certainly complains about it long and loud if someone says anything even remotely percieved to be negative about Japan. Other societies?

These girls aren't tramps? No wonder the geeks in Akihabara have such a good time with tramps like this lining up to take part in the fun.
nodame at 02:33 PM JST - 18th October

This is trampy? Pffft I have seen MUCH worse O.O
ChivBob at 04:28 PM JST - 18th October

People who aren't fans just won't understand why fans are so hyped about them. And c'mon. Trampy? Trust me you haven't seen trampy before.
Sarge at 07:52 PM JST - 18th October

I like their boots.
Black_Jasmine at 11:48 PM JST - 18th October

"briantokyo at 05:23 PM JST - 17th October" You mean the new fashion way is just sleep around since their moms had stoped to change their pampers? Anyway, there are no any contemporary between rock music of old fashionated american society and so modern japanese, sorry. As for me, I always prefer professional music no matter what age or weight is a singer rather to stare on legts of voiceless teenager "idols". But they are pretty, thoose akb48. For 2-3 years they will be ok. It is inaf time to fine a rich husband. And I think that was their main point :)
temporaryVisa at 12:31 AM JST - 19th October

Such an eye sore to judeo-christian values. Funny thing is, their dress style is distinctly western copycat.
NeoJamal at 08:29 AM JST - 19th October

I see zettai ryouiki is still strong IRL
seggahme at 07:57 AM JST - 20th October

i like this song