General News Thread

[YKT]

Which female celebrities are getting paid the most per CM?
by HPriest on May 7, 2012 at 3:23 pm


TV commercials are one of the best ‘popularity barometers’ for celebrities in Japan. However, it’s not just the amount of CM contracts nor the amount of exposure that differentiates a CM Queen (or king) from a ‘normal’ female celebrity, it’s the fee they get paid per CM.

Tabloid ‘Shukan Post‘ once again managed to obtain the top secret list that showed how much celebrities are getting paid per CM contract. Naturally, you have to have a certain degree of popularity and an almost flawless image in order to get corporations to invest that much money into the celebrity to represent their brand.

One female celebrity that plowed through the top ranking by increasing her fee more than threefold is none other than child actress Ashida Mana. Last year she ‘only’ received an estimated fee of 20,000,000 Yen ($250,720 USD) per CM, but as of right now she’s already commanding 65,000,000 Yen ($814,840 USD) per CM.

Industry insiders explained that companies are willing to pay her that much, because they can use her to appeal to the two big target groups of children and their mothers. Moreover they won’t have to be concerned about her getting involved in some kind of scandal for many more years to come. Her incredible professionalism that even awes veteran actresses in their forties is the icing on the cake.

Other young talents that at least doubled their CM fees compared to last year are Takei Emi, Gouriki Ayame, and Kutsuna Shiori. Takei improved from 18,000,000 Yen ($225,648 USD) to 38,000,000 Yen ($476,368 USD), Gouriki from 12,000,000 Yen ($150,432 USD) to 24,000,000 Yen ($300,864 USD), and Kutsuna from 10,000,000 Yen ($125,360 USD) to 24,000,000 Yen ($300,864 USD). With this they are the representatives of the up-and-coming actresses in Japan right now.

The two AKB48 members Oshima Yuko (+20,000,000 Yen) and Maeda Atsuko (+20,000,000 Yen) also climbed up the ranking.

However, even well-established CM image celebrities managed to negotiate higher fees thanks to a successful and scandal-free year, including Ueto Aya (+17,000,000 Yen), Anne (+10,000,000 Yen), Ishihara Satomi (+5,000,000 Yen), Sasaki Nozomi (+5,000,000 Yen), and others.

In Ueto’s case it’s somewhat surprising that the whole love and marriage rumors with EXILE’s HIRO didn’t decrease her estimated fee.

Of course, when there are women who climb up the ranking, there’s also have women that lost some market value compared to last year. Ayase Haruka surprisingly is among the latter with a drop of 7,000,000 Yen from 65,000,000 Yen ($814,840 USD) down to 58,000,000 Yen ($727,088 USD), despite her clean slate.

The biggest loser by a wide margin seems to be Miyazaki Aoi who fell from a great second position with 67,000,000 Yen ($839,912 USD) down to an ordinary level of 37,000,000 Yen ($463,832 USD). According to an advertisement firm, this drop is directly related to all the Twitter drama that has been going on with her ex-husband Takaoka Sosuke.

At first, the divorce was actually expected to boost her market value, but then he publicly accused her of adultery, which damaged her pure and innocent image. “However, people still respect her and her acting skills, so she shouldn’t fall down any lower than that,” they said.

You can check out the top ten below, but always remember to take these numbers with a grain of salt.

-

Which female celebrities are getting paid the most per CM in 2012?

01 – 75,000,000 Yen / (940,200 USD) – Yoshinaga Sayuri (last year: 100,000,000 Yen)
02 – 65,000,000 Yen / (814,840 USD) – Ashida Mana (last year: 20,000,000 Yen)
03 – 62,000,000 Yen / (777,232 USD) – Ueto Aya (last year: 45,000,000 Yen)
04 – 58,000,000 Yen / (727,088 USD) – Ayase Haruka (last year: 65,000,000 Yen)
05 – 50,000,000 Yen / (626,800 USD) – Kanno Miho (last year: 50,000,000 Yen)
06 – 45,000,000 Yen / (564,120 USD) – Oshima Yuko (last year: 25,000,000 Yen)
06 – 45,000,000 Yen / (564,120 USD) – Takeuchi Yuko (last year: 45,000,000 Yen)
07 – 44,000,000 Yen / (551,584 USD) – Maeda Atsuko (last year: 24,000,000 Yen)
08 – 43,000,000 Yen / (539,048 USD) – Matsushima Nanako (last year: 30,000,000 Yen)
09 – 42,000,000 Yen / (526,512 USD) – Takashima Aya (last year: -)
09 – 42,000,000 Yen / (526,512 USD) – Dan Rei (last year: 42,000,000 Yen)
10 – 40,000,000 Yen / (501,440 USD) – Ishihara Satomi (last year: 35,000,000 Yen)

(Conversion rate: 1 USD = 79.7703 Yen)

Sources: PostSeven (1,2), Shukan Post (May 18th Edition)

Credit tokyohive

[YKT]

Estimated earnings

　◆ＡＫＢ48推定年収ランキング（氏名、年齢、年収、所属）
1位　前田敦子（20）　　4000万円（前年2000万円）太田プロダクション
2位　篠田麻里子（26）　3800万円（同　2000万円）サムデイ
3位　板野友美（20）　　3500万円（同　1600万円）ホリプロ
4位　大島優子（23）　　3000万円（同　1800万円）太田プロダクション
5位　小嶋陽菜（24）　　3000万円（同　1800万円）プロダクション尾木
※取材を基に、ゆかしメディアが独自作成、敬称略

Source http://media.yucasee.jp/posts/index/11047/

[Seigus]

As we are aware, Takamina recently changed her hairstyle to the one below.



Seems like Takamina was forced to cut her hair due to a fire accident. Her hair caught fire from a candle when she was shopping at a boutique shop in Tokyo on 4th May
Thankfully, our dearest captain didn't sustain any burns.

Source and full article at AKB48 WrapUp:
http://tomkono.blogspot.com/2012/05/minami-takahashi-forced-to-graduate-her.html

[bsmkg]

2012.05.10(Temporarily only Chinese)

Newspapers switched Sing Tao Daily

以上英文翻譯是用Google翻譯的

[bsmkg]

2012.05.10

Newspaper switched from Sun

[bsmkg]

2012.05.10

Newspapers switched 明報

[bsmkg]

2012.04.20
Newspaper switched from Sun


2012.04.26
Newspapers transferred from Sing Tao Daily



2012.04.28
Newspaper switched from Sun


2012.05.03
Newspaper switched from Sun


2012.05.04
Newspaper switched from Sun


2012.05.07
Newspaper switched from sunny reported


2012.05.07
Newspapers transferred from Sing Tao Daily


2012.05.10
Newspaper switched from Ming Pao


2012.05.07
Newspaper switched from Ming Pao

[YKT]

#1 Female Entertainer you want on the Back of your Motorcycle



#1 Haruka Ayase
#2 Yui Aragaki
#3 Masami Nagasawa
#4 Aya Ueto
#5 Keiko Kitagawa
#6 Maki Horikita
#7 Yuriko Yoshitaka
#8 Nozomi Sasaki
#9 Yuko Oshima AKB48
#10 Mariko Shinoda AKB48

cr: npn

http://aramatheydidnt.livejournal.com/3794833.html

[YKT]

AKB Dominates Top 4 In The Ranking of 'Songs Made The Most Profit From Copyright Fee'
JASRAC (Japan artists and songwriters association about copyrights) announced the ranking of songs which have made the most profit from copyright fee, such as for Karaoke or records, in last year.

 Top4 songs of the ranking are dominated by Japan's mega idol group AKB48. According to JASRAC, it's the first time in the history that all top4 songs are from one music act.

 5 of AKB48's song rank in top10, including Heave Rotation placed 1st, Ponytail to Chuchu at 2nd, Beginner at 3rd, Everyday Cachucha placed 4th and Aitakatta placed 6th.

 The song placed 5th is Arigatou by Ikimonogakari, the only non-AKB48 song in top-5.

 Source Sankei

http://tomkono.blogspot.com/2012/05/akb-dominates-top4-in-ranking-of-songs.html


[大明湖坑爹字幕]120523 AKBが独占 史上初の快挙 JASRAC賞 - 视频 - 优酷视频 - 在线观看

Sankei image


Image credit scramble-egg


Edit: caps

[Jul3]

AKB48 Grand Prix Search for the #1 Fan
Whose post about their favorite AKB member is the most supportive in the world?
Fans on Google+ with the support messages that moved the most fans and collected the most +1s will receive a personal greeting video from thier favorite member.
They will also have the chance to be considered for invitation to the Nippon Budokan in Tokyo as an official AKB48 General Election fan reporter.
Join Google+ to get started now!

More on the prizes:

“Video message from your favorite member sent just to you!”

Persons entitled to claim prize: A total of 8 persons, including the 7 persons with the no. 1 ranking for each language and 1 person chosen by drawing from among all persons who submitted a contribution during the participation period, will receive a present of a personal video message from their favorite member via Google+ at a later date.

Entry: May 23rd 6PM – June 7th 12AM (JST)


http://www.akb48plus.com/oshimen/en/

[YKT]

Wall Street Journal

JGB48? Pop Idols To Push Japanese Government Bonds


The members of all-girl pop group AKB48 have the marketing Midas touch in Japan. From canned coffee to lingerie, their golden seal of approval can boost the sales of just about anything.

But the next item on their promotional conveyer belt looks like a tougher prospect: persuading investors to snap up government debt.

The Japanese finance ministry will enlist members of the group to promote “reconstruction bonds” aimed at financing the rebuilding of the areas hit by the earthquake and tsunami last year, a person familiar with the matter told JRT, speaking on condition of anonymity before an official announcement of the campaign on May 29.

The government plans to issue ¥2.682 trillion ($33.7 billion) worth of the bonds in this fiscal year alone, but there’s a snag: demand is relatively weak as interest rates on JGBs have fallen to multi-year lows amid the current global financial turmoil, with investors looking elsewhere for higher returns.

That’s where the girls from Tokyo’s geek district of Akihabara come in: the ministry hopes the sheer star power AKB48 will raise awareness of the bonds, get investors excited and make up for the relatively unattractive interest rates.

The move is part of a broader campaign to use celebrities to stoke interest in the bonds, with Mongolian sumo champion Hakuho the first of four stars to appear in TV commercials, newspaper ads and posters over the next year.

AKB48, which regularly sells over a million copies of its singles on the first day of release, will appear later in the year, the person said, adding that the campaign strategy was proposed by the advertising agency that won the bid. Which of AKB48’s 92 members will appear in the adverts has yet to be decided, the person said.

At first sight, the group’s image may appear a bit too racy for the staid world of Japanese government debt–with short skirts, knee-high socks and sometimes-suggestive pop songs that are designed to appeal directly to their deeply committed, mostly male, core fan base.

But this isn’t the first time the ministry has used unconventional marketing tactics. In 2010, it placed advertisements in magazines aimed at businessmen that claimed investing in government bonds would boost their appeal with the opposite sex.

Still, the new campaign marks a change from last year’s promotional efforts, when the ministry introduced a grinning, block-headed character called “Kokusai Sensei”–-or “government bond teacher”–to extol the virtues of buying sovereign debt.

The marketing froth masks an urgent issue for Japan: the government currently funds around half its annual spending through borrowing, and must find new buyers for its debt as the population ages and retirees draw down their savings. Credit rating agencies warn that, unless the country brings under control its public debt—-the highest in the developed world at around twice annual economic output—-it could face a financial crisis in the future.

–Takashi Nakamichi contributed to this report.

http://blogs.wsj.com/japanrealtime/2012/05/25/jgb48-pop-idols-to-push-japanese-government-bonds/tab/print/

[YKT]

AKB48 members monopolize Oricon’s photo book ranking for first half of 2012
by ustar on June 1, 2012 at 12:02 pm



Oricon has revealed that AKB48 has taken all three spots of the “TOP 3″ of its half-year photo book ranking for 2012!

Coming in first place is Maeda Atsuko’s latest photo book, ‘Bukiyou‘, with over 102,306 units sold. After receiving this news, Maeda commented, “It’s all thanks to everybody. Thank you very much!”

The second and third place spots went to Sashihara Rino’s 1st photo book, ‘Sashiko‘ (100,951 units), and Kashiwagi Yuki’s 2nd photobook, ‘Yu, Yu, Yukirin…‘ (73,879), respectively.

This is AKB48’s 3rd consecutive year to top Oricon’s photo book ranking. ‘AKB48 FASHION BOOK Wagamama Girlfriend‘ took first back in 2010 and ‘AKB 1/48 Idol to Koi Shitara… Koushiki Kouryaku Visual Book‘ placed first last year.

Aside from these 3 photo books, AKB48’s glasses-themed photo book, ‘AKB48 Twenty – Four Hours‘, came in 5th place. Additionally, SKE48 member Matsui Rena’s ‘Kingyo‘ ranked 6th and SKE48’s photo book, ‘Houkago, Nijigen Doukoukai‘, took 9th place.

Check out the full ranking below!

===

01. Maeda Atsuko’s Photo Book, “Bukiyou” (102,306)
02. Sashihara Rino’s 1st Photo Book, “Sashiko” (100,951)
03. Kashiwagi Yuki’s 2nd Photo Book, “Yu, Yu, Yukirin…” (73,879)
04. Sasaki Nozomi’s “Non.non” (71,490)
05. AKB48’s “Twenty-Four Hours” (71,120)
06. Matsui Rena’s Photo Book, “Kingyo” (52,573)
07. Shoujo Jidai’s “Holiday” (33,415)
08. Pia Live Photo Magazine, “2PM ARENA TOUR 2011″ (16,938)
09. SKE48’s Photo Book, “Houkago, Nijigen Doukoukai” (16,749)
10. Nose Neko, “Kago Neko Shiro to 3 Tou no Nakama Tachi” (16,188)

Source: Oricon

http://www.tokyohive.com/2012/06/akb48-members-monopolize-oricons-photo-book-ranking-for-first-half-of-2012/

[YKT]

Members who passed the Wiz~Wizard of Oz~ musical 1st audition according to http://www.parco-play.com/web/play/wiz/audition/

[Jul3]

The AKB48 Art Club are to host their own exhibition from 15th June until 8th July at 3331 Arts Chiyoda.

10 AKB48, 11 SKE48, 12 NMB48, and 2 HKT48 members are involved.

http://www.akb48.co.jp/art/

[mode107]

Huffington Post Article:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/06/12/akb48-japan-music-videos-sensation_n_1589228.html?utm_hp_ref=entertainment

[z3144228]

The Next Big Thing in Music: A 60-Member Band Chosen By Its Fans

http://entertainment.time.com/2012/06/13/the-next-big-thing-in-music-a-60-member-band-chosen-by-its-fans/

[z3144228]

unelected girls will get one magazine photoshot

announcement today

[Seigus]

Just saw this tweet by AKB48 Journal:

Majisuka 3 announced at handshake event today! Start to air at 07/13. Theme is "prison".

EDIT:
Majisuka Gakuen 3 official website
http://www.tv-tokyo.co.jp/majisuka3/

EDIT 2:
News links:
http://headlines.yahoo.co.jp/hl?a=20120617-00000313-oric-ent
http://news.thetv.jp/article/31010/

7月13日（金）スタート　
夜0:12-0:53
テレビ東京系で放送
出演：AKB48、SKE48ほか

Promo images:


The cast includes AKB48 and SKE48 members. As to who the prisoner in the images above is, seems like we will only find out during the broadcast of the first episode on 13 July.

*Discussion of Majisuka Gakuen 3 at Majisuka Gakuen Season 3 Discussion Thread.

[Jul3]

HKT48 second generation auditions have finished.

15 judges decided to pass 34 girls, who have an average age of 13.8

http://www.hkt48.jp/news/2012/06/23a.html

[YKT]

10th Gen and 11th Gen Members Promoted! Team yet to be decided


At today's [Manatsu no Sounds Good] handshake event, it was announced 10th Members Izuta Rina, Kobayashi Marina and Fujita Nana along with 11th Gen members Natori Wakana, Morikawa Ayaka and Kojima Natsuki have been promoted to full time members!

 The team where they will be is yet to be announced but one of them good be taking Acchan or Sasshi's spot in Team A, either that or this is the start of Team 8 formation.

melosnomichi



Edit tgsk's G+

Just a few moments ago, we announced the promotion of the following members. Rina Izuta, Erina Kobayashi, Nana Fujita, Natsuki Kojima, Masana Natori, Ayaka Morikawa.
These six members are finally able to stand on the starting line as  AKB members. Please support them in their future endeavors.

https://plus.google.com/u/0/116244092830131285439/posts/Mh6AphZHyoF


Edit edit scramble egg pics