Nogizaka46 is a group signed to Sony Music Japan, comprising young Japanese singers, dancers, and actresses who are an integral part of the Sakamichi series created by the producer and songwriter Yasushi Akimoto. Among other formations in the franchise are Keyakizaka46, Yoshimotozaka46, and Hinatazaka46, established to become friendly rivals of groups like AKB48, NMB48, and SKE48, and have collectively become one of the best-selling show franchises in Asia. Formed in 2011, Nogizaka46’s image is crafted based on Yasushi's perception of girls attending a chic French high school for young women, evoking connotations of sophistication and grace, with their name derived from the district where it is based. The group's musical catalogue includes twenty-eight singles and five compilation albums. Starting with their third single, each of Nogizaka46's single releases has reached the top position on the weekly Oricon chart, with the group winning 12 Japan Gold Disc Awards since their origin. They released their 5th album, My respect, on January 14, 2026.
