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| Japan’s First School-Approved Idol Club Debuts in Nagano — Singing, Dancing, and Performing Like Pros |
A high school in Nagano has gone viral for something pretty unexpected — it’s opening an “Idol Club” next spring.
Yep, a full-on, school-approved group where students can sing, dance, and perform just like real idols.
Think Love Live! but in real life, backed by the school itself.
Starting from the next academic year, Nagano Nihon University High School will treat the Idol Club as one of its official “strengthened clubs,” right up there with the baseball and football teams.
Members will train after school and on weekends, performing as the school’s official idols for the three years they’re enrolled.
💃 Lessons, Music, and Real Performances
The club’s members won’t just be casually dancing in the gym — they’ll get professional-level vocal and dance training from instructors, create and release original songs, and perform live at local events, on TV, and even radio.
To join, students need to apply during the school’s open day on 8 November, where they can also join a trial dance lesson.
Experienced singers and dancers might even get recommendation-based admission, but the door’s open for beginners too — regardless of their course or background.
🏫 Giving Local Students a Platform
Principal Yoshihisa Soeya, who came up with the idea, said he wanted to create opportunities for students who love singing and dancing without forcing them to move to big cities like Tokyo or Osaka.
“We want to give young people a chance to thrive right here in Nagano,” he said. “And at the same time, contribute something positive to the local community.”
This makes Nagano Nihon University High School one of the very few in Japan to officially recognise idol activities as part of school life.
🌸 Setting a New Trend?
While another Nagano-area school, Saku Chosei High, briefly offered a performing arts course in 2023, it’s no longer taking new students.
So, for now, this might be the only active high school Idol Club in the entire prefecture.
Fans online have called it a “dream come true” for rural students, and some even joked that the next generation of idols might debut straight from Nagano classrooms.
If all goes well, the Idol Club could become a model for other schools across Japan — blending pop culture passion with education, and turning a small-town dream into a stage big enough for anyone to shine.
Source: Yahoo JP