 |
The rivalry between Japan’s top idol groups took another turn as AKB48 Group failed once again to secure a spot on the prestigious NHK Kouhaku Uta Gassen.
This (2024) year, the highly anticipated New Year’s Eve music programme invited Nogizaka46, Sakurazaka46, and LE SSERAFIM, alongside other groups under HYBE, to join the star-studded lineup.
Fans of AKB48 and Hinatazaka46 are left disheartened, seeing their favourite groups excluded from Japan’s biggest annual music showcase.
This marks another missed opportunity for both groups to showcase their talents on a national stage.
The absence of AKB48 from such a monumental event has become a recurring pattern, raising questions about the group’s waning influence.
Meanwhile, the continued inclusion of Nogizaka46 and Sakurazaka46 reaffirms their prominence in the industry, leaving fans speculating about the future trajectory of AKB48. As criticism mounts, supporters hope the iconic group will find a way to reclaim its status.