Female J-Pop group and social phenomenon AKB48, was formed in 2005 in Tokyo under the guidance of producer Yasushi Akimoto. With a membership exceeding 130 performers, it has spawned sister groups like SKE48, NMB48, HKT48, NGT48, and STU48 across Japan and internationally, including in Thailand, China, Vietnam, the Philippines, and Indonesia. The group's name, AKB48, is a nod to its birthplace in Tokyo's Akihabara district, and the project's primary aim is to foster closer connections with fans, achieved through daily performances in their dedicated theatre. AKB48's success is monumental, having sold over 60 million records. Since their breakthrough single "River" in 2009, they've enjoyed an impressive streak of 47 consecutive Number 1 hits, topping both the Oricon and Billboard charts with tracks like "Heart Electric" (2013), “Green Flash” (2015) "Teacher Teacher" (2018) and "Nemohamo Rumor" (根も葉もRumor) (2021), signing with Universal Music Group in 2023 to release tracks "Dōshitemo Kimi ga Suki da" and "Idol Nanka Janakattara" . After announcing auditions for their 19th generation in October that year, the group returned to the top of the charts in 2024 with "Colorcon Wink". Their 67th single, "Nagorizakura", was released on February 25, 2026.
