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HKT48, a sister group of mega-popular all-girl idol group AKB48, kicked off its first national tour, "HKT48 National Tour - Zenkoku Toitsu Owattoranken" (We haven't unified the whole country yet) in Kanazawa, Ishikawa Prefecture, on Sunday.
The group is based in Hakata, Fukuoka Prefecture.
The concert started with a folk song, "I've Been Working on the Railroad." TV Asahi reported that fans cheered when the whistle blew and former AKB48 member Rino Sashihara, 21, shouted "All aboard! We're leaving for Ishikawa Prefecture!"
HKT48 sang 28 songs including "Hikaeme I love you!," which is to be released on Wednesday and other songs such as "Soredemo Sukidayo" (I still have feelings for you) by Sashihara and HKT48.
In 2012, Sashihara, who is also a HKT48 co-manager, was demoted and transferred to HKT48 due to her involvement in a dating scandal.
She told reporters afterward: “I was quite anxious about the first performance in the Hokuriku region. However, this concert turned out to be stunning, thanks to everyone’s energy," TV Asahi reported.
© Japan Today
12 Comments
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Riffraff
No, it is the kill switch for the sheeple manure dispenser. I can't think of anything that is broadcast or advertised on this dispenser that I would want to record much less acknowledge the forced marketing promotion. But hey, thanks for pointing out that some people do.
turbotsat
Is that button "Record to Hard Drive" or "Kill Advertisement"?
Riffraff
I discovered this little red button on my TVs remote control, I utilize it a lot.
Pandabelle
I'm not in the habit of telling people what sort of music they should and shouldn't like, 5138008. It's music for whoever likes listening to it, that's all.
5138008
@Pandabelle
"There's a lot of people young and old, male and female who do like them" So sad but true you are right alot of people like them but if your over what....16 you really should grow up and move onto something new this is for kids fools and pervs, FULL STOP.
Time to buy my HKT48 ear plugs and enjoy the show ;0)
Pandabelle
I don't like these x48 groups for sure but I do wish the people constantly putting them down would realize that their appeal is pretty broad based. There's a lot of people young and old, male and female who do like them.
nath
Arashi was a big hit in Hawaii... I would love to bring these girls to Hawaii for a TV special and then take them on tour of America...
Liberty Joe Lowe
No picture of them ??
supercross1985
Sasshi has done great work with HKT48,and the girls have worked so hard,on stage and off.Their TV shows give them all a chance to shine and show their funny side.Popular with fans,management have moved girls like Sakura,Haruppi and Mio into the main AKB groups.
The next big single(38th) will also see Sakura join Watanabe Mayu as centre,and also see Madoka Moriyasu another popular HKT member join in the single along with leader Sasshihara and Haruppi,4 HKT girls in the next AKB single.With their own concert tour,these girls are rising and showing their worth in the huge AKB family.
To each their own,and if you don't like the music,no problem,but for us fans we see the hard work,the friendship and the rivalry,and the evolving story of these girls rise in the AKB family.
djv124
onagagamo, I love that you had to make the very first comment about something AKB-related a---SURPRISE!--Negative one! I am not sure what makes you think that AKB is about sexualization of young girls dressed in school uniforms, especially when a large majority of the things AKB does involves making people happy, both men AND WOMEN. IN fact, this is so wonderful to hear HKT is doing their first national tour! They've worked SO hard for this, and I don't think it's fair to reduce their efforts down to an assumption about what the AKB staff and management and the girls themselves are trying to do with their music and yes, their looks as well. It's true that many of the girls are both young and beautiful, but does this mean they shouldn't flaunt what they have? They are blessed with their looks, and that's not a bad thing. It gives many girls who watch them something to strive for, if that is the desired look they want or think they want. Not only that, but the fact that these girls bust their butts everyday, give up their teenage and young adult lives to do nothing but work, DO TONS OF CHARITY WORK, and aren't paid all that great should be first considered before the obvious criticism of them wearing school uniforms. I mean, it's kind of a moot point by now, don't you think? Congrats to HKT! I am proud of them. I am especially proud of Sasshi for really bringing HKT into the spotlight and making them a solid, wonderful unit. Definitely my favorite out of all the HKT family. I might just have to fly to Japan to check out one of their concert dates!
UK9393
Jesus.
onagagamo
Great! Just what Japan needs; more sexualization of young girls dressed in school uniform!