 |
| SKE48 Addresses Internal Conduct Issue, Miyu Nakasaka to Pause Group Activities (Photo: SKE48) |
SKE48 has found itself under an uncomfortable spotlight after announcing that Team E member Miyu Nakasaka will temporarily refrain from group activities. The update, released on the group’s official site on 8 January, confirmed that an internal issue involving a staff member crossed professional boundaries, prompting swift disciplinary action and a pause in the idol’s schedule.
The unusually detailed statement has left fans both worried and full of questions. According to management, the staff member responsible for overseeing Nakasaka Miyu was found to have been in contact with her beyond the scope of their official duties.
After internal hearings with both parties, the company concluded that some exchanges and actions could be misunderstood or perceived as inappropriate.
As a result, the staff member was disciplined under company rules, while Nakasaka herself will step away from activities for the time being following discussions with management.
The announcement also confirmed immediate changes to her upcoming work. Nakasaka has withdrawn from the February stage production If My Favourite Idol Went to the Budokan, I’d Die, and she is expected to refrain from participating in SKE48 group performances during this hiatus.
Management stressed that future plans will be shared once they are finalised.
Team E 中坂美祐に関するご報告 https://t.co/CN4LS87eKN#SKE48
— SKE48 (@ske48official) January 8, 2026
For many fans, the news came as a shock given Nakasaka’s steady rise within the group. She joined SKE48 after passing the ninth-generation auditions in 2018, later earning a spot in the teen unit Mimifiyu through fan voting in 2024.
In 2025, she reached a major milestone by being selected for SKE48’s 35th single Karma, marking her first senbatsu appearance and signalling growing expectations around her career.
While no specific details were disclosed about the nature of the communications, the fact that both the staff member and the idol received penalties has fuelled widespread speculation online.
Management stopped short of defining the interactions, only stating that they exceeded professional limits and led to misunderstandings.
Netizen reactions have been intense and deeply divided. Some fans expressed frustration that a preventable internal issue has once again disrupted an idol’s momentum, while others criticised the staff member for failing to maintain clear professional boundaries.
There are also voices urging restraint, reminding others that official statements avoided naming specific actions and asking for space until further updates are shared. The lack of concrete detail has only added to the emotional back-and-forth across social platforms.
In its statement, SKE48 issued a formal apology to fans and partners, admitting the situation had damaged trust.
The company also promised stricter staff education, a full review of management systems, and improved reporting structures to ensure members can work in a safer, more transparent environment going forward.
As of now, Miyu Nakasaka’s future remains uncertain. Whether this hiatus will lead to a quiet return or a more permanent decision is something only time will answer. What’s clear is that fans are watching closely.
Do you think SKE48 handled this situation properly, or should the group have said less or more?