entertainment

AKB48 resumes handshake events with new security measures

18 Comments

Idol group AKB48 will resume hosting handshake events on Saturday with a large handshake event at the Tokyo Big Sight exhibition center. The official website for the group explained that because staff were addressing operational concerns and security issues, they decided to postpone all handshake events in June. The staff have been working with security firm JSS, and preparations are now complete on the new security measures for handshake and photographing events.

Security personnel will now hand search all bags, and attendees will have to pass through a metal detector. Attendees are limited to bringing one bag per person, and the three dimensions of the bag must not exceed 90 centimeters. Attendees also cannot bring their bags with them when they actually shake hands with the group members.

Additionally, the new AKB48 documentary film, titled "Documentary of AKB48 The Time has come," will cover the May handshake attack incident. The film opens in Japan on Friday. The film, which is the fourth documentary about the idol group, will cover the group’s activities from January 2013 to June 2014, with particular focus on the handshake event incident and reactions from the other members in the second half.

On May 25, a man attacked AKB48 group members Anna Iriyama and Rina Kawaei at a handshake event in Takizawa, Iwate Prefecture. A male part-time staff member was also injured. Kawaei suffered a laceration and bone fracture in her right thumb, while Iriyama suffered a fracture in her right pinky finger and a laceration to the head. The male staff member suffered cuts to his left hand. Both idols underwent surgery and were then released from the hospital. The suspect, identified as 24-year-old Satoru Umeta, allegedly admitted to the charge of attempted murder on Iriyama and Kawaei after he was arrested.

Sources: Anime News Network via Sponichi, Yahoo!

Read more stories from RocketNews24. -- AKB48 idols Anna Iriyama, Rina Kawaei released from hospital -- Four teenagers mug man to buy special attack uniforms for meeting AKB48 -- Restaurant combines delicious sushi with live performances by J-pop idols

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18 Comments
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Be compassionate to the AKB48. They have NO talents and this is the only way to sell their CDs.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

Good to see.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

I really hope that incident is seen as a fluke and things will eventually return to normal as they have since the Akihabara massacre. It's sad to see security measures like this in Japan. I just have to remind myself of the statistics on how safe Japan still is compared to almost everywhere else.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

Like going to the airport.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Nice. :)

0 ( +0 / -0 )

exactly the measures that I prescribed, maybe AKB48 management reading our posts.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

Why not just stop the handshaking? I really do not, as a grown man, feel the need to shake a little girl's hand and really worry about grown men who do. Sorry, but their agency really is putting them through some weird stuff.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

Imagine how dry their hands are from the overuse of hand sanitizer...cuz...U know

0 ( +0 / -0 )

No thanks.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Be compassionate to the AKB48. They have NO talents and this is the only way to sell their CDs.

I've heard that this group is one of the most profitable in the global music industry today. Kind of like the Beatles back in the 1960's. Either they actually do have talent or everyone was/is whacked out on drugs.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Either they actually do have talent or everyone was/is whacked out on drugs.

Only if you consider marketing as a talent. Their manager is a marketing genius.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

I never understood that culture of handshaking. I can understand teens and tweens who have crushes, but older men just creeps me out. And this comes from an older man. (49)

0 ( +0 / -0 )

I'm extremely happy to see the Handshake events are getting back on track again. Good for AKB to bounce back from this. Also, can't wait to see the documentary!!!!

-1 ( +3 / -4 )

Well thank goodness they've taken the appropriate steps and will resume these important gatherings. It's been a long, unhappy month without handshake events to look forward to.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

Finally!

How would the world move on if these events stopped? And what would happen to the CD sales when these middle aged men would no longer buy 40 CDs to try to get one of them tickets?! That wouldn't work out...

Business, at all cost.

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

Not a fan of AKB for many reasons, but I am glad to see business as usual unimpeded by one solitary nut. Too often, reactionism wins.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

kyushubill-- The average median age of all the girls in AKB is 18. Most of the girls are actually young WOMEN, and rather beautiful young women at that. Don't know about you, but I would gladly line up to shake some of their hands and see them smile up close!

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

What about those 'semen handshake' guys? Will security be watching for men who are hiding their hands? Let's face it, Japan is not all that safe when you count in sexual crimes committed by emotionally stunted, porn-obsessed men. We all know the only reason the official statistics are so low is the police try their best to dismiss/dissuade the victims and sometimes ignore the complaints altogether; and in Japan's porn-obsessed culture a lot of people do not consider the lesser sexual offenses like harassment or touching to even be a crime.

-4 ( +0 / -4 )

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