In December 2005, producer Yasushi Akimoto created the idol group "AKB 48". With the concept "Idols you can meet everyday", AKB 48 performs at the exclusive AKB48 Theater in Akihabara almost every day. They have already performed at "the 62th Kouhaku uta gassen" in 2011, and even have their own TV program "AKBINGO!", "Weekly AKB", "Naruhodo Highschool" and so on. As of May 2011 there are 18 members on team A, 18 members on team K and 18 members on team B, 23 members on team Trainee with a total of 61.

Yasushi Akimoto Lyricist. Became a writer in broadcasting in high school and ever since, has produced many popular shows like “The Best Ten”. In 1983, he wrote the lyrics for Hibari Misora’s “Kawa no Nagare no Youni” and continued with big hits like Mika Nakashima’s “Will”, Exile’s “Exit” and JERO’s “Umiyuki”. In 1991, he became a movie director starring Keiko Matsuzaka in “Goodbye Mama” . He also participated in producing “Chakushin Ari (One Missed Call)” and “Densen Uta”. In May 2005, he was chosen as a professor at the Kyoto University of Art and Design. In April 2007, he became the chancellor of that university. He has produced TV shows like “Oshare-ism” “Utaban”, “Tonnels no Minasan no Okagedeshita”; as well as having his own radio show “Yasushi Akimoto’s Mature Style” at Tokyo FM. His name appears in the media like magazines and newspapers all the time. In Fall 2007, the novel “Zou no Senaka” was made as a anime (PONY CANYON) and picture book (Kobunsha) and is creating lots of talk.

秋