BBC had a story about misconceptions
that foreigners have about Japan, and then used AKB48 as an example
to illustrate one of the myths (Japanese Women are submissive)
Here is the link to the whole story:
http://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-34005681From the BBC story:
And if you think that nothing of this sort could possibly go on in the early 21st Century, then you haven't been paying attention to Japanese pop culture, and the success of Japanese pop behemoth AKB-48.
Yes, 48 young girls (in the original line-up, though the group has since expanded), forbidden from having boyfriends and content instead to smile and dance around in bikinis or mock military uniforms or really whatever a paying public of - critics would argue - socially inadequate young and middle-aged men want to see.