Interest
New Poll: Two-Thirds of Japanese Don't Care About AKB48
posted on by Eric Stimson
Although AKB48 is often referred to as a "national" idol group with high name recognition and popularity, a new poll by the online research group Qzoo suggests that interest in AKB48 is waning in Japan. 67.8% — over two-thirds of participants — claimed that they had "no interest" in the idol group. The poll was conducted from July 22 to 25 among 1,376 respondents of both genders and ages spanning from the 20s to the 60s.
A decline in popularity for AKB48 may be a setback for the group's Olympic ambitions, since the festivities surrounding the Games are meant to showcase the host country's musical culture. Their popularity is another reason why they were chosen to perform at Universal Studios Japan this summer. Then again, it's hard to find a musical group that appeals to an entire country.
Source: Shirabee: Tatsuko Atsuki; Image from AKB48 Cafe & Shop Akihabara no Blog
