Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

J-Pop Project News @jpopprojectnews.bsky.social · 17h

2/2 - Her absence has placed a great strain on the other members.
Subsequently, on October 11, management announced that they are recruiting five new members for the new group line-up.

1

J-Pop Project News @jpopprojectnews.bsky.social · 17h

1/2 - Idol group JUGS MAFIA announced on October 9 that they were ending their current structure that day. The stated reason is the sudden absence of their leader, Miu Yazuki, due to poor physical and mental health, with no foreseeable prospect of her return. x.com/jugs_mafia/sta...

1 1

J-Pop Project News @jpopprojectnews.bsky.social · 20h

2/2 - All eight members of the group have been idols or singers, with Satone Kubo (ex-AKB48), Remi Fukumoto (ex-Cherry Bullet) and Kanau Ide (ex-STU48) probably the most well-known. They make their debut on November 15, performing with the other PEAK SPOT groups, "fav me" and "Toi Toi Toi".

1

J-Pop Project News @jpopprojectnews.bsky.social · 20h

1/2 - ASOBISYSTEM have announced "log you", the third idol group from their PEAK SPOT project, which brings together those with previous entertainment experience. prtimes.jp/main/html...

1 2

J-Pop Project News @jpopprojectnews.bsky.social · 1d

STARDUST PROMOTION have announced a new girl group, "Straight Angeli", with a kawaii rock concept. Four of the six members were previously with Stardust's "BREAK TIME GIRLS" from 2018 until end 2024. Their debut single, "STARlight", will be released digitally on November 1. straight-angeli.com/

1 5

J-Pop Project News @jpopprojectnews.bsky.social · 2d

2/2 - This led to the three of them reconnecting. What began as a casual reunion evolved into plans for an anniversary concert as the newly formed group "ID85". The trio will perform songs from their era and share memories, joined by guests who also debuted in 1985.

3

J-Pop Project News @jpopprojectnews.bsky.social · 2d

1/2 - Three idol singers who made their debut in 1985 will reunite for a 40th anniversary concert on October 9-10, brought together by a chance encounter. Naoko Amihama happened to see Noriko Matsumoto's appearance on Miyoko Yoshimoto's YouTube channel and left a comment. encount.press/archiv...

1 3 7

J-Pop Project News @jpopprojectnews.bsky.social · 4d

Avex Music Creative and Star Music Entertainment have launched a joint label called "ASTRHYME RECORDS". The label's first single, "mote mote♡", is also the first solo work from Miku Tanaka since she graduated from HKT48 in 2023.
prtimes.jp/main/html...

1

J-Pop Project News @jpopprojectnews.bsky.social · 4d

VAZ and TWIN PLANET have launched a joint audition for members of a new idol group, who will join 5 members who have already being identified. VAZ are known for influencers who appeal to young people especially on YouTube, while TWIN PLANET are best known for ATARASHII GAKKO! vaz-tp-idol.info/

1

J-Pop Project News @jpopprojectnews.bsky.social · 6d

4/4 - He also confirmed that, unlike AKB48 and NMB48, SKE48 will continue with the team structure, seeing performing as teams as a way of improving the members' performance and MC skills.

1

J-Pop Project News @jpopprojectnews.bsky.social · 6d

3/4 - SKE48’s general manager acknowledged that the new kawaii groups are succeeding with the help of social media, and that to attract new fans SKE48 need to consider their social media strategy.

1 3

J-Pop Project News @jpopprojectnews.bsky.social · 6d

2/4 - He described how SKE48, which has the largest number of members of any '48 group, has a long history of success, several hit songs, and a strong relationship with local media and businesses.

1 1

J-Pop Project News @jpopprojectnews.bsky.social · 6d

1/4 - The "SKE48 Theatre 17th Anniversary Special Performance" was held in Nagoya on October 5, during which 6 of the group's trainees were promoted.
To mark this anniversary, SKE48’s general manager Tetsuya Saito has been talking about them.
ske48.co.jp/news/det...
news.livedoor.com/ar...

1 2

J-Pop Project News @jpopprojectnews.bsky.social · 6d

2/2 - Yuzu Amanatsu (32), who has been on hiatus since May, has now been diagnosed with Graves' disease, while Misako Suzuki (39) was diagnosed with breast cancer (under 2cm in size) two weeks ago, but is continuing activities under her doctor's supervision.

7

J-Pop Project News @jpopprojectnews.bsky.social · 6d

1/2 - Two members of "Band Ja Nai Mon! MAXX NAKAYOSHI" are facing serious health challenges.
banmon.jp/contents/9...
banmon.jp/contents/9...

1 7

J-Pop Project News @jpopprojectnews.bsky.social · 7d

4/4 - The survey about Ayumi Hamasaki came just one day after the singer's 47th birthday, as she continues her Asia Tour. Namie Amuro retired seven years ago, yet these findings suggest it's her music, rather than Ayu's, that is currently more popular with Japanese youth.

4

J-Pop Project News @jpopprojectnews.bsky.social · 7d

3/4 - In contrast, a separate survey showed that 55.9% of high school students actively listen to Namie Amuro's music. Her most popular song proved to be "HERO", the theme for NHK's 2016 Olympic coverage and "PRODUCE 101 JAPAN" - followed by "Hope" and "CAN YOU CELEBRATE?".

1 5

J-Pop Project News @jpopprojectnews.bsky.social · 7d

2/4 - One survey found that an overwhelming 85.3% of girls aged 14-19 don't sing Ayumi Hamasaki's songs at karaoke, with many unfamiliar with either the artist or her music. Among those who do know her music, "M" emerged as the most popular track.

1 5

J-Pop Project News @jpopprojectnews.bsky.social · 7d

1/4 - Recent surveys reveal contrasting fortunes for two J-Pop icons among younger audiences, despite both Namie Amuro and Ayumi Hamasaki being revered as queens of the genre by older women.
wakamono-research.co...
wakamono-research.co...

1 1 9

J-Pop Project News @jpopprojectnews.bsky.social · 9d

Azusa Sekine (29), one of the longest serving Up-Front group members, has announced that she is now married and pregnant. Azusa joined Hello Pro Egg in 2004, and became a founder member of what became Up Up Girls (Kakko Kari). She graduated in 2023, and is now a solo artist. yum-e.jp/news/sekine...

1 9

J-Pop Project News @jpopprojectnews.bsky.social · 9d

4/4 - The deception only came to light when the agencies saw the events were promoting performances that their artists had never agreed to.
Both events will proceed with their remaining line-ups, and organisers are offering refunds to ticket holders. Police have been notified and are investigating.

J-Pop Project News @jpopprojectnews.bsky.social · 9d

3/4 - The organisers arranged the bookings through what they believed was a trusted agency, but they appear to have been negotiated with individuals with no affiliation to Asobi Systems or Yoyogi Animation Academy.

1

J-Pop Project News @jpopprojectnews.bsky.social · 9d

2/4 - ≠ME and ≒JOY will no longer perform at "GIGA・GIGA SONIC", while FRUITS ZIPPER and CUTIE STREET have been removed from "SAMURAI SONIC" - the events run on October 17 and 18.

1

J-Pop Project News @jpopprojectnews.bsky.social · 9d

1/4 - Four major idol groups have been pulled from two upcoming events, after organisers found they had unknowingly signed contracts with imposters claiming to represent the acts. tinyurl.com/mr3x3vks

1 4

J-Pop Project News @jpopprojectnews.bsky.social · 11d

2/2 - Mimi Tsukino, who was with her, took a photo of the vehicle and passed it to the police who investigated. The incident is being regarded as a "hit and run", as the driver claimed no knowledge of it happening, and group management are working with the police and insurance company on the matter.

4