My translation of the summary from https://jbbs.shitaraba.net/bbs/read.cgi/music/29852/1553736787 for 6/5 (Wednesday). The prefecture of Niigata is not resuming its supporter agreement with NGT48, sees off its appointment to the National Cultural Festival https://i.imgur.com/r2c6w0t.jpg https://i.imgur.com/APDtCPC.jpg (video) From TENY [Television Niigata Network]: "The prefecture of Niigata does not resume it's agreement with NGT" https://streamable.com/gzp7f (rumor) "Yesterday the prefectural governor got into an extremely heated argument with his subordinate office staff, demanding they "renew the contract", and was pestering everyone with questions, however[...]" https://i.imgur.com/d9K8S5H.jpg Yamazaki Mirii, who announced her withdrawal from activities yesterday, changed her Instagram icon to a photo from a job she had with Hasegawa Rena https://i.imgur.com/Ptqy8OK.jpg Murakumo's mobame summary https://i.imgur.com/0qr9lmA.jpg Tano, Nishigata, and Rika mobames Tano: My Aikabu level has gone up! Nishigata: I went and had a personalized color examination! Rika: It's over. The reality is I can't accomplish anything more. I'm tired of looking at reality anymore. https://i.imgur.com/wEag4m2.jpg http://www.jikenjiko-hukabori.com/article/466446150.html (Unverified leak) The reason for non-prosecution: "Essentially, they did not get testimony from Yamaguchi's fellow members, and the prosecutor judged that the trial would not be successful so he reluctantly suspended the indictment of charges" https://i.imgur.com/eDZZ9l0.jpg https://i.imgur.com/gWdzfq8.jpg https://i.imgur.com/Y4E8z4x.jpg A story that arrested [in a different case] former KAT-TUN member Taguchi was in contact with the group that includes the suspects in the Yamaguchi Maho assault case. https://i.imgur.com/QV6tHjf.jpg From Tokyo Sports Web: "Suspect and former KAT-TUN Taguchi in contact with idol hunters" https://headlines.yahoo.co.jp/hl?a=20190605-00000011-tospoweb-ent NGT-related articles From Business Journal: "AKB receives a series of criticisms for the formation of a new group, "The NGT problem is not yet resolved, it's ridiculous"" https://www.excite.co.jp/news/article/Bizjournal_mixi201906_post-15633/ From Daily Sports: "Announcement that the Niigata prefecture's advertising agreement with NGT is not being renewed "They are not welcomed by the citizens" ...this points out the issues with management" https://headlines.yahoo.co.jp/hl?a=20190605-00000065-dal-ent
Sorry, I don't speak Japanese. May anyone tell me, is the agreement/contract/etc stated here for the Cultural Festival or for NGT48 as a whole?
That has to be the death knell for them? Just about every organization in the region have rejected them now.
It's the end of them as a legitimate idol group but some of the members are still selling HS slots so I wouldn't be surprised if AKS and their shady president just sort of milk it to see how long they can get away with keeping them around as HS-only idols.
It's for NGT as a special supporter at the Cultural Festival. The governor expresses hope that they'll be able to work together again in the future, but NGT is still in too much of a mess and they need to finalise the schedule for the Culture Festival.
I've come across this news article published a few hours ago on BIGLOBE. I don't know if it has anything much which is new but the headline translates in Google as "Is NGT 48 finally released from the prefecture tomorrow?": https://news.biglobe.ne.jp/entertainment/0606/zks_190606_5782656343.html There's one paragraph which translates in Google as follows: "It's a shame that as time goes by, the degree of confusion gets deeper, but above all the fact that there is no one who can take responsibility in this matter tells us that it's an impossible situation for a company." I agree with that, I think that NGT48 is in an impossible situation. I think it won't be very long now before I'll have to finally and sadly decide to let go of NGT48 in all aspects of my 48G fandom - but more importantly I think that AKS should also let go of the group very soon.
My translation of the summary from https://jbbs.shitaraba.net/bbs/read.cgi/music/29852/1553736787 for 6/6 (Thursday). Weekly Jitsuwa News article about Maho (take Jitsuwa with a grain of salt) https://i.imgur.com/65nKyxp.jpg (Knowledge about her joining Ken-On) "When concerned staff members received this information, there was an expression of "Oh that's good...", and since then it seems only silence" (reliable source) Even now there are a lot of people who are regretting not being able to lend her a helping hand (Regarding the incident) "As clear evidence with regards to the consequences were not revealed, there is this unending state of uncertainty" (Entertainment officials) (Assumption the management will settle the case quietly) "It is easy to guess at this "conjecture"" (Person from a key broadcast TV organization) A guest appearance in a July Wide na Show special. Appearing alongside Sashihara. Plans for a guest appearance in a Toshiaki Karasawa drama Her schedule is packed through to the end of the year https://i.imgur.com/0xkQm1e.jpg Today's Niigata Nippo "Prefecture does not renew agreement with NGT" https://i.imgur.com/917do3A.jpg Transcript of the Niigata prefectural governor's regular press conference https://i.imgur.com/5rTRe46.jpg July 5th, 2019 Niigata prefectural governor's regular press conference http://www.pref.niigata.lg.jp/kouhou/1356920284325.html Reports that the NGT 1st gens have resumed their lessons Nishigata mobame https://i.imgur.com/1mNs5hR.jpg Nakamura Ayuka mobame https://i.imgur.com/KaVoSHV.jpg Nara Miharu mobame and Photolog https://i.imgur.com/b2flbuO.jpg https://i.imgur.com/N7zGvZS.jpg Ogino talks a bunch about birthday merchandise in her mobame, doesn't at all touch on any sadness at the withdrawal of Yamazaki Mirii https://i.imgur.com/HXI1nfs.jpg The SKE48 management company changes its name to Zest https://i.imgur.com/B3TbC3X.png https://i.imgur.com/q7LgNon.jpg Discussion of Ogino's rise to the top of NGT, that given the number of sold-out handshake slots two years ago, was there some unfair manipulation? https://i.imgur.com/rVvrjKr.jpg Two "undercover" accounts for former Sankei [reporter] Saegusa are found https://i.imgur.com/LlTARK6.jpg Uses the similar phrase "振り上げたこぶし" [something like "a warrior's overhand swing"] They are 'following' Saegusa https://i.imgur.com/7CJ1tf0.jpg https://i.imgur.com/z0KQa3p.jpg One account is らん (@codHkBft4gJW2Rb) https://twitter.com/codHkBft4gJW2Rb Followers are just Saegusa, manager Hayakawa, and Naoto (*an account dedicated to going after Maho's assailants) https://i.imgur.com/VSRuBjO.jpg https://i.imgur.com/GVBLdd7.jpg https://i.imgur.com/ufTvjSL.jpg Account 勤皇の志士 (@daisaku121212) https://mobile.twitter.com/daisaku121212/with_replies and Naoto (@Est400) https://twitter.com/Est400 NGT-related articles From Wezzy: "The Niigata Prefecture ends its contract with NGT, the hometown turns its back on its local idols" https://wezz-y.com/archives/66520 From Niigta Nippo: "Official decision made to cancel the snow carnival - Tokamachi Snow Festival Executive Committee" https://www.niigata-nippo.co.jp/news/national/20190605474194.html From Tokyo Sports Web: "Outlook grim for NGT48 - In the light and darkness surrounding Yamaguchi Maho it is decided to remove them from their Niigata event supporter position" https://headlines.yahoo.co.jp/hl?a=20190606-00000053-tospoweb-ent From REAL LIVE: "Will activities continue to decrease for NGT48? A miserable state of affairs for the members" https://npn.co.jp/article/detail/82839032/ From Weekly Jitsuwa News: "NGT48 approaches a historic dissolution crisis" https://wjn.jp/article/detail/5182909/
She sent two mobame, the second (much longer) one was entirely about Mirii. Spoiler Although she still didn't mention her withdrawal, only the time they were able to spend together before Mirii flew back to Hokkaido.
On other bright news coming in today, we have this: https://www.niigata-nippo.co.jp/news/politics/20190607474530.html NGT's employment as Minami-ku PR ambassadors The City of Niigata not to renew the contracts On the question of the Minami-ku PR ambassador job, which NGT48's Kato Minami and others worked as, it has been decided on the 6th of this month that the contract for the current fiscal year will not be renewed. Acknowledging the series of issues revolving around the assault cause which affected former member Yamaguchi Maho, the contract renewal was at first put on hold, but with the inappropriate remarks made by Kato on a certain social network site also adding to it, the contract deal has in the end been abandoned. Two members, one being Kato, had been appointed as Minami-ku PR ambassadors since 2016, with them participating in the PR campaigns for local specialities. A contract with NGT was expected again for the 2019 fiscal year, with 2,184,000 yen being allocated in the District's PR project funds, which included funds for the PR publicity of tourism facilities. However, the City first put on hold the contract renewal for the 2019 fiscal year, after acknowledging the series of controversies. Then, as a result also of the discovery of the inappropriate remarks from Kato on social media back in May, the contract plans have now been abandoned. The Minami-ku District added that "We have come to the conclusion that, with NGT, it is impossible for us to accomplish our purpose, which is to spread awareness of our District's charms". Also speaking of NGT, although they were serving also in the role of special supporters for the 150th annivesary project of the inauguration of Niigata's port, also held by the City, the City has ultimately showed their plans not to employ them. Meanwhile, on the 5th of this month, the Prefecture made their stance clear that there won't be a renewal of contract with NGT as special supporters for the Popular Cultural Festival. --- Apart from the question of why NGT48 has been revealed to be such a drain of public fundings, as if it's some non-for-profit organization or religious congregation, there is someone saying things straight and crudely once again. As usual it's the voices from within the prefecture that are the most severe, and for a reason. What disappoints me, on the other hand, is that the Governor of Japan's most indebted prefecture never sounded like the sharpest tool in the shed during this whole case, but everyone realized that long ago. Remember it's the same man who as early as January 16 couldn't think up of anything more intelligent to say than: "I can't tell what the impact (of the incident) will be but I want to hope there will be none. One thing for certain is that NGT's existence became more widely known to the public". Talk about lack of perception and foresight (oh, by the way this is the man Katomina's dad shilled for in the elections, just to put it into context...) Funny thing is, in citing the reasons for them to change the trade name they report that, in addition to the fact they intend to handle more projects other than SKE48, it's also expressedly to avoid any misunderstanding that the management's rights are still in AKS's hands. Doesn't change the fact that Yoshinari is still one of the board directors of SKE Co. Ltd., with 20% of the stocks in her possession...
My translation of the summary from https://jbbs.shitaraba.net/bbs/read.cgi/music/29852/1553736787 for 6/7 (Friday). Today's Niigata Nippo: "NGT's appointment as Minami Ward PR ambassadors - City of Niigata does not renew contract" Minami Ward: "We have decided that NGT cannot achieve our goal of transmitting the charms of the Ward" [see @Cisalpine88 post above] https://i.imgur.com/FQpDMY0.jpg A media information document prepared for the AKB Sousenkyou three years ago that is meant to inform about the economic impact on the prefecture of Niigata In the lower left (NSG Group) Niigata Nippo, BSN (TBS group), Niigata Kotsu, KYORAKU https://i.imgur.com/C97ZUVL.jpg The Aikabu service is ending. The management company boss "Riika" is AKS's Yoshinari Natsuko https://i.imgur.com/bbdcW5y.jpg On the radio show "If Maids Dressed in Normal Clothes", the presenter talks passionately about how they were deeply moved by Kuroi Hitsuji at the graduation performance https://i.imgur.com/bT2Bezj.jpg audio http://dotup.org/uploda/dotup.org1866129.mp3 From Tokyo Sports: "SKE management shocks with company name change: The unforeseen repercussions of the Yamaguchi turmoil. An exceptional situation just 3 months after they got underway" https://i.imgur.com/44o60iv.jpg Summary of tweets concerning the room opposite [from Maho's] https://i.imgur.com/sQ0oPZZ.png https://i.imgur.com/UJWKzgW.jpg https://i.imgur.com/fmDHVOs.jpg https://i.imgur.com/hRgDP67.jpg https://i.imgur.com/AnmVV96.jpg https://i.imgur.com/ryLq2Sl.jpg https://i.imgur.com/DLTV6HF.jpg https://i.imgur.com/LO7Sg9B.jpg https://i.imgur.com/TBYeU6E.jpg NGT-related articles From cyzo woman: "Aftermath of the NGT48 turmoil!? Is the SKE48 management company's name change to the avoid confusion of "being smeared with the bad reputation of AKS"?" https://www.cyzowoman.com/2019/06/post_237225_1.html From Yuukan Fuji: "Link between Former NGT Yamaguchi Maho and the "NMB situation" - Is the criticism of the turmoil surrounding AKS a hindrance to the management of the other groups?" https://headlines.yahoo.co.jp/hl?a=20190607-00000013-ykf-ent From SIRABEE: "Big firestorm over the reported withdrawal from activities of NGT48 kenkyuusei Yamazaki Mirii - Management is criticized, "They ought to do some soul-searching"" https://netallica.yahoo.co.jp/news/20190606-79600495-sirabee
It was toxic enough causing a lot of contracts termination, many shows ending, cancellation of the biggest event in 48G, and no single announcement on the mother group.
Bless any girl solely depending on AKB as their income source. Especially the ones that sacrificed school, if there's any.
Bunka Taboo trying to boycott the entire prefecture or something. Gonna keep the heat going. Spoiler: Preserved content in case of account shutdown 元NGT48の山口真帆さんへの暴行騒動で評判ガタ落ち新潟県ですが、安心してください。もともと最低な県です。移住はもちろんのこと、観光もしないほうが吉でしょう。【超タブー46掲載】 (Mod edit: removed oversized photo from behind the spoiler. Please note that oversized photos are against the rules even behind spoilers.)
My translation of the summary from https://jbbs.shitaraba.net/bbs/read.cgi/music/29852/1553736787 for 6/8 (Saturday). Bunshun Niconico story about Nakai Rika's companion "Rikiya" Rikiya was associated with several NGT members besides Rika There was some competition between the members https://i.imgur.com/KrTyGEM.jpg https://i.imgur.com/rOUsp8K.jpg https://i.imgur.com/KAIkPWr.png Bunshun Twitter videos Rikiya https://video.twimg.com/amplify_video/1137319543938748416/vid/1280x720/stu0kaBqo5tFLBDj.mp4 Nakai Rika https://video.twimg.com/amplify_video/1137319558660759552/vid/1280x720/Zj2IBKWeJYM4Ju20.mp4 From Bunshun: "Fallout from the NGT incident - The scoop on idol hunter "Z Corps" leader Mr. Z" https://bunshun.jp/articles/-/12293 Claim by someone that they were blocked by former Sankei [reporter] Saegusa, who denies having "undercover" accounts, at the same time they were also suddenly blocked by the suspicious accounts https://i.imgur.com/nGC1euJ.jpg https://i.imgur.com/VUDM4Pl.png [From a Twitter exchange with] former Sankei [reporter] Saegusa: a photo of Tachibana Takashi, of the "Protecting Citizens from NHK" party, who slandered Yamaguchi Maho https://i.imgur.com/rpYnOgy.jpg https://i.imgur.com/l64msJe.jpg Kato Minami's Instagram exceeds 100,000 comments https://i.imgur.com/EcGlGFb.jpg https://i.imgur.com/LNpLu74.jpg NGT-related articles From Wezzy: "NGT48's Kato Minami dismissed as PR ambassador - "NGT cannot achieve our goal of transmitting our charms"" https://wezz-y.com/archives/66612 From Tokyo Sports Web: "SKE management shocks with company name change - An exceptional situation 3 months after getting underway - Unforeseen repercussions of the Yamaguchi turmoil" https://headlines.yahoo.co.jp/hl?a=20190608-00000002-tospoweb-ent
This is the worrying bit. The fact the mothership was so affected by the incident that they are barely doing anything apart from HS and stage performances. At this point, I don’t get why they just don’t cut the problem at the root (disband NGT) and try go back to normal. Nobody wants anything to do with the group, so it’s basically a leak of money and resources at this point.
Seems like the president of AKS wants to prove that they're right, and they're the boss, and that fans can't dictate to them what they should do. Years of being able to do whatever they want - controlling the fans - has likely made her and others just not care. It's already clear from this incident that they don't care about the well being of the members. They obvious don't care about what the fans want. They refuse to admit that when push comes to shove the fans and the public have more power than they do.
My translation of the summary from https://jbbs.shitaraba.net/bbs/read.cgi/music/29852/1553736787 for 6/9 (Sunday). Nakai Rika mobame: "I AM going to sing and dance one more time! Then I think I never want to be in the spotlight again" https://i.imgur.com/KPrZBaN.png Rika in January, 2018: "I'm going to quit being an idol after two years" https://i.imgur.com/QMOImhJ.jpg From myjitsu: "Another flamewar with NGT48 members! A string of complaints directed at Niigata restaurant" https://myjitsu.jp/archives/85543 [Edit: a couple more items were added late] A statement was released by the group "Ritw" (pronounced ritu), of which Rikiya is a current member. "Rikiya is the model of innocence" https://i.imgur.com/XL9Wyqd.jpg https://i.imgur.com/grs2IqR.jpg Nishigata mobame: "I did some photography.", "When I can't sleep I'm healed by watching videos of 2-year-olds..." https://i.imgur.com/J1fGG5J.jpg