https://www.daily.co.jp/gossip/2026/06/23/0020510202.shtml?pg=2
https://www.daily.co.jp/gossip/2026/06/23/0020510202.shtml?pg=2
16 Kommentare
DH Co., Ltd., operator of AKB48, announced on June 23 that it has terminated the exclusive contract with Aoi Hanada (21), who was on activity hiatus. According to DH, the decision was a “comprehensive judgment” following the discovery of multiple private connections with a specific fan, among other factors. This is the first time a member has been removed from the group since its founding.
Hanada had previously announced on social media that she would do a live stream on Showroom at 9:30 PM, but around 8:00 PM she updated her X account, writing, “I might not be able to do the stream…” and posted a video instead.
In the 9-minute-8-second video, Hanada appears wearing a white jacket over a black shirt with a completely shaved head. Reading from a script, she apologized, saying:
“I, while still an active member of AKB48, ended up holding hands with a specific fan on the street during a private meeting. I believe this was a careless action that lacked awareness as an idol. I am truly sorry.”
She continued:
“One of the reasons this happened is that I posted hints about my whereabouts on Weverse several times, and I got carried away in a situation that felt like a game of tag with many fans searching for me. I am also reflecting on that.”
She then claimed that after the connections with the fan were discovered, the management told her: “They brought up the story of Minami Minegishi shaving her head in the past, and said that if I wanted to continue with AKB, I should shave my head to show sincerity.”
She added, choking up: “There were also other incidents that made me feel I couldn’t continue activities with AKB unless I shaved my head. Cutting the hair I had cherished for so long was really painful, but because I desperately wanted to continue with AKB, I made the decision to shave it. I really… have shaved my head.”
She also stated: “I’ve come to think that giving members the option to shave their heads whenever something happens with AKB is wrong.”
DH Co., Ltd., the management company, released a statement before the video was posted, explaining the circumstances leading to the hiatus and contract termination.
Man, Japanese Idol culture is so weird and gross.
Totally forgot that they still exist
Sick shit
Wtf does any of this matter?
Such a disgusting culture, they take advantage of most male being depressed/Isolated and young girls trying to make a name for themselves and create the most toxic relationship possible just to sell the illusion of exclusivity.
The dark side of idol culture in full display once again
Any pics of the skinhead?
Give her new life in the US. Done.
Um… is maliciously translating only half the article to purposely paint the management in a bad light not against the sub rules? This is ridiculous. Shame on you OP
THEY’RE STILL DOING THIS SHIT IN 2026?! Disgusting
Idol culture is sometimes very funny in a ‘what the fuck is wrong with you people?’ Kind of way. More often it’s just ‘what the fuck is wrong with you people’ in a bad way.
Poor girl
hasnt this happened before too? this is the second time i heard of a similar situation…
Wish they’d abandon the shaving part. Fire her? Sure. But physically marking her is at the least toxic and potentially makes her a target in public.
I tried fact checking this and couldn’t find anything due to how botched the name translation was. Her name is Hanada Mei.