AKB48-SNH48 split

On June 9, 2016, AKB48 cut ties partnership with SNH48, after the latter was violating a contract with creating Beijing's BEJ48 and Guangzhou's GNZ48. On June 10, 2016, SNH48 management side insisted that they were an independent group from AKB48, they only have technical cooperation. On the same day, AKB48 removed Suzuki Mariya's concurrent position with SNH48, and SNH48-related materials were removed from JKT48's website. It was occured just before SNH48 3rd Senbatsu Election. Following this, SNH48 removed all information from AKB48 and its sister groups from its website.

AKB48 statement

AKB48 statement

"About the operation of overseas sister group in AKB48 group

Thank you very much for always supporting the AKB48 group.

By the way, there is a breach of agreement on the management side of SNH48 in the local area, and it is necessary to review management etc etc. Therefore, in view of this current situation, I will inform you that I deleted all banners and advertisements concerning "SNH48" posted on the AKB48 official website. In addition, we do not know about "BEJ48" (Beijing 48) and "GNZ48" (Guangzhou 48) which are announced in Beijing and Guangzhou, and that there is nothing to do with the AKB48 group at this place we will notify you."

SNH48 statement

SNH48 statement

"On June 9, Japan AKB48 operating official website unilaterally released with SNH48 and its official sister group related content, SNH48 operators formally respond as follows:
     SNH48 is a completely independent, self-operated Chinese localization of large women idol groups and Internet-based thinking star platform, operators and Japan AKB48 transnational sister group technical cooperation, there is no so-called violations, all of our daily Business activities as usual.

     April 20, 2016, SNH48 main operators announced the establishment of the official sister group BEJ48 and GNZ48, also announced the original music content strategy, marking the SNH48 has been fully to the original road, SNH48 launched a series of original EP and original theater performances were A very good reputation and response for the SNH48 in the basic music of the long-term development has laid a solid foundation for the future will continue to adhere to the original road in the music to go on."

Trivia

• On June 10, AKB48 removed Suzuki Mariya's Concurrent Position with SNH48.
• On June 11, AKB48 and AKS founder Kotaro Shiba made a call to STAR48 (SNH48 management), saying that he fully understood and supported SNH48's move towards originality.