It proves once again just how much contact people had with the girls in general, not just the alleged girls. The more I look at it the more AKS looks like it is run more like a mafia group than a real company, with every faction for themselves when the shit hits the fan.
A petition was just released that was filed with the government on June 18 asking for a further investigation. " The June regular meeting of the Niigata Prefectural Assembly opened on June 18, 2019, and a petition concerning the unrest of the idol group "NGT 48" was submitted. In the petition, a special committee for investigation based on Article 100 of the Local Government Act (Hanjo Committee) has been established, and the appearance of NGT 48 former manager Mr. Etsuro Imamura etc. is sought. The petition was released on the official site of Niigata Prefecture on the 24th. On the issue of assault on former NGT 48 Maho Yamaguchi, the operating company AKS established a third party committee and published a survey report in March. However, the petition book "is too sloppy, there are many parts different from the victim Yamaguchi's complaint, and it is difficult to say that the executives of AKS who attended the briefing session are enough, concealing the case from the beginning Gave an impression like that to the world. On top of that, "Niigata's tax has been put into the past NGT 48's PR activities, too, and many prefectures are not convinced by AKS's response, too" "Third-party committee report If there is a problem with the location and environment of Niigata, there is also a description as if it is a blame for responsibility, "explained that it is necessary to clarify the facts of the case." https://www.j-cast.com/2019/06/25360856.html
Disband them already. Make the remaining girls audition to the rest of the SGs or transfer them to international Sg (lol).
I don't want them to disband but I think it might be a good idea for them to go on a year or so hiatus, and maybe re-debut with a new name. I think it'd be cool if they went by "Niigata48" to show respect to Niigata, and it would work since they seem to be doing away with the teams. Of course, with the "bad seeds" still in the group, it will be hard for people to embrace the group fully. And they'll never live down how management treated Maho. At this point I can't think of anything they could do to rectify the situation. Since she's with a better agency, they have nothing to offer her but an apology which at this point would be too late to be taken seriously.
I'll post the excerpt relating to this announcement from my translation of the 6/30 summary (https://saitowinterstar.com/archives/236) below. If no one else does, I will probably translate the actual message later. ------------ AKS announces their kaizen [continuous improvement] policy and plans going forward https://i.imgur.com/koZmHXy.jpg With regard to strengthening NGT48 members’ security measures They will distribute personal GPS crime-prevention units They will increase the patrols of their security contractor around the theater and members’ homes They will review their emergency communications network They will strengthen their cooperation with the local police Things like information from members about suspicious people will be collected, and based on this collected information, an appropriate and quick response will be made Investigation of the introduction of a biometric (face) authentication system at the ticket reception desks Measures concerning transportation They will occasionally review the routes and methods of transportation They will increase the staff that escort the transports Measures to prevent relationships With consent and cooperation of the members, as well as their families, we have implemented the measures below to prevent relationships. We clarified the definition of private relationships with fans, for instance, “Giving favorable treatment to specific fans in places such as personal areas (private rooms)”, and these prohibitions will be thoroughly adhered to We are constructing a system to check SNS DM replies In the event fans are encountered during your private time, management will be promptly contacted Security cameras will be installed in lanes during handshake events Increased staff support during matomedashi [I believe this is when one person uses a large number of handshake tickets at once] Improving the NGT48 members’ mental health care system Providing counseling to members that want it Strengthen communication with members’ families, and conduct individual interviews Management communication with members We will conduct interviews with the company president, staff, as well as the [theater] managers and managing staff We will hold regular meetings between the staff and NGT48 members Create opportunities to improve awareness in management In order to have a desirable sense of distance with all fans, we are quickly working on making rules and creating opportunities to think about this issue. We will invite lawyers and member/staff participation experts to conduct an SNS class We will improve the crisis-management awareness of the managing staff Writing up the members’ information Firm response for the safety and security of activities Filing of a civil suit regarding the incident To protect members’ honor and privacy, we will take strict measures including carrying out civil and criminal legal measures against anything, from threats to slander, in posts and blogs on SNS, etc.
Here is a newspaper article about the press release. Anomaly 7 articles announced such as the new NGT "connection prevention measures" NGT 48 announced on the official site as "I report it" early on the day, Mayor Hayakawa theatrical manager announced the correspondence about the future. This year, there has been a widespread unrest over the alleged assault on Mayo Yamaguchi, who graduated from NGT 48 in May. As contents to work on in the future, we strengthen security measures of <1> member, <2> transportation measures, > connection prevention measures, <4> member mental care system reinforcement, <5> communication with members, administration <6> The seven measures of creating opportunities for improving awareness in management, as well as <7> the resolute response for the safety and security of activities, were listed along with concrete measures. https://www.nikkansports.com/entertainment/akb48/news/201907010000024.html Another article about AKS (see the AKB48 General thread as well). "A thorough pledge of management system at the AKS new site AKB 48's operating company "AKS" opened its corporate site one day early on. The newly opened site contains a message from the company's president, Yoshiko Natsumi." https://www.nikkansports.com/entertainment/akb48/news/201907010000008.html Here is the original message: The AKB 48 Group, launched 13 years ago, now has approximately 650 members in Japan and abroad, as of 2019. Our growth is nothing but thanks to the support of many people including fans, thank you again from the bottom of my heart. On the other hand, in the group's operation and management, the occurrence of situations causing great concern or inconvenience to everyone is a sign of the lack of governance in line with growth, and a deep reflection It is Furthermore, in order to keep the dream of many women for the next 10 or 20 years and to provide a place where members can shine, it is not only growth but also it is important to mature as a company In order to become a company that can take on social responsibility, we have begun to improve our operation and management system. Members who work hard towards their dreams are treasures for us. In order to meet the expectations of fans who support such members, we will continue to create an environment in which all members can support with confidence the process of growth with love as a whole company. In an era where individuality and individual values are respected, and diverse ways of enjoyment are born at intense speed, you always feel new surprises and pleasures, without losing the attractiveness of the origin of “Idol that can go to see you”, fans We will strive every day to become a strong and kind entertainment company that can watch over a happy sense of distance with members. Thank you for your continued support. July 1, 2019 AKS Co. , Ltd. Representative Director Natsuko Yoshinari https://aks-corp.com/ P.S. I know a lot of you don't like google translate, but I find it gets the main ideas across (if you read creatively).
But are we really sure management is going to keep up with all this? Nothing helped Maho. "We are constructing a system to check SNS DM replies" Hmmm we'll see.
Here are some excerpts from my 7/1 summary translation (https://saitowinterstar.com/archives/244): AKS announces various plans for future improvement AKS: “We want to put these tangible countermeasures into place, and allow resumption of the paused NGT48 activities” Hayakawa: “(Concerning future activities) I am not presently able to make an announcement” https://i.imgur.com/lLpdyXo.jpg From NHK News Web: “NGT48 management company is considering introduction of a facial recognition system as a measure for member safety” https://www3.nhk.or.jp/news/html/20190701/k10011977131000.html From Niigata Nippo: “NGT48 – Official announcement of countermeasures on their homepage – Considering introducing a facial recognition system” https://this.kiji.is/518370134620357729 NGT Official: Improvement Plan https://ngt48.com/news/detail/100003326 AKS corporate site https://aks-corp.com AKS receives financing from independent venture capital group Bダッシュ [Bdash]. Yoshinari will no longer be the 100% shareholder https://i.imgur.com/aMykJ1l.jpg https://i.imgur.com/1N4X2Hn.jpg From Nikkei: “Bダッシュ invests in AKB48 management company” https://www.nikkei.com/article/DGXMZO46780520Q9A630C1TJC000/ Matsumura, who was involved in the firestorm at the press conference, is resigning. https://i.imgur.com/2aQ1qkG.jpg The new [company] officers https://i.imgur.com/8tHnuaa.jpg The previous board members https://i.imgur.com/AYTckeL.jpg Special feature on NHK about the NGT case https://i.imgur.com/TrwSYp4.jpg From NHK News: July 1st, 2019 (Monday) “Idols that are “too close” – What are the risks?” https://www.nhk.or.jp/ohayou/digest/2019/07/0701.html Video https://video.twimg.com/ext_tw_video/1145467469949108225/pu/vid/1280×720/1KxX4ixJPMYPkp4X.mp4 https://video.twimg.com/ext_tw_video/1145462788405387264/pu/vid/1280×720/d6gQudjrt7X0pGAX.mp4 https://video.twimg.com/ext_tw_video/1145463664037646336/pu/vid/1280×720/wreQ2sF6e9ljYnBz.mp4 https://video.twimg.com/ext_tw_video/1145465024875335681/pu/vid/1280×720/B_Bela50r9GMc1Mn.mp4 https://video.twimg.com/ext_tw_video/1145467469949108225/pu/vid/1280×720/1KxX4ixJPMYPkp4X.mp4 Is Inaoka being called to the trail? This seems like Inaoka’s hidden account https://i.imgur.com/8KmIeHU.png https://i.imgur.com/7ZgXbnx.png https://i.imgur.com/6s6mD4Z.png https://i.imgur.com/Ny17kBb.jpg NGT-related articles From Nikkan Sports: “Rebirth of NGT – Publication of seven paragraphs of unprecedented items such as “Relationship preventative measures” https://headlines.yahoo.co.jp/hl?a=20190701-07010024-nksports-ent From Nikkan Sports: “Mashi Oka (who has an IQ of 189) joins the AKS advisory board” https://headlines.yahoo.co.jp/hl?a=20190701-06301340-nksports-ent From Wezzy: “NGT48 not breaking up… The accountability of AKS for the continuation of “Idols you can meet”” https://wezz-y.com/archives/67309 From Sirabee: “NGT48 manager Hayakawa publishes “7 paragraphs for relapse prevention” – This time her highly contentious account receives silence” https://sirabee.com/2019/07/01/20162109584/ From REAL LIVE: “Will he be AKS’s savior? Although in the past Mashi Oka had a contract with Yoshimoto, that activity…” https://www.excite.co.jp/news/article/Real_Live_47063/
=___= what use is there for those measures now? Maho is gone, their reputation is ruined, and the idols' private life is now corporate business. Nothing they will try will look good for them anymore. Besides, what guarantee is there that management would enforce any of these and won't just let their treasured rulebreakers do whatever they want and harming other girls? Conrgatulations Tano and Nishigata, you ruined it for everyone.
In my view it seems that at least whatever war was going on inside AKS is over for now, with whatever faction Yoshinari was not part of emerging on top and pushing her out of power. Whether this is a good thing remains to be seen, but I'm not exactly optimistic.
As long as she is the majority shareholder she can never be pushed out of power against her will. The fact that she chose to sell part of the company she controlled 100% to a venture capital firm means that AKS has probably been losing a LOT of money this year and they needed a big influx of cash to either support operations or because she wants to cash out part of the company's value while it is still worth something.
Regarding AKS' new policy announcement. I guess better late than never. But this is the announcement we were waiting for in January. Why they let things go so far before finally making a commitment like this is a mystery, and to many (including me) a complete blunder. Still, there are people who are going to say "too little too late." and "where was this while Maho was still in the group?" And those people have a point too. But this is the proverbial bed they made for themselves by alienating the general public for almost half a year before (allegedly) taking a stand. (BTW, I found the part about legal action against online slander to be interesting, but...well...I'll leave it at that) Still, and this is my personal stand, I am waiting to hear a re-commitment from the members...all of them. To me they were collectively just as responsible for this mess as anyone. And I am fully aware that have probably been under some kind of gag order all this time. But as a group they violated the trust of the fans, and they need to acknowledge that to completely move forward. At the end of the day it is up to the fans, the public, and the sponsors whether to give this group another chance, so they should be doing everything possible to earn it. Anyway, those are my two cents.
the japaneae way of dealing with problems, they are mostly reluntant to undertake a throurough solution to tackle the deep lying causes, but inclined to make superficial measures to ease off the issue, sometimes even deliberately overloo it or deny its existence (lying, really) and hope for the best. just look at how they dealt with fukushima nuclear disaster
