Oricon has reported on its daily single ranking chart for August 23rd that AKB48’s latest single, “Flying Get“, has sold an astonishing 1,025,952 copies – all on its first day!

For reference, their last hit single “Everyday, Kachuusha” took two days to reach the million mark, which was already a feat within itself. The group sold 942,475 copies of “Everyday, Kachuusha” on the first day alone, but went on to break an Oricon record by selling over 1.52 million copies.
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Okay, I knew they were big, but I didn't know they were THIS BIG!! (aka, "A fanboy and his money are soon parted"):

2011 Oricon music industry report: AKB48 achieved 15% market share of singles

January 20, 2012

This week, Oricon released its annual music market report, which covers sales for singles, albums, DVDs, and Blu-rays. Last month, the company already revealed the rankings for the top-selling artists in various categories, but the new report contains information about the industry as a whole as well. The data also re-confirms the magnitude of idol group AKB48’s success, indicating a 15% market share of the single sales that Oricon tracks.

As announced last month, AKB48′s total artist sales amounted to 16.28 billion yen. This accounted for 5.4% of the entire music market in 2011, which was over 314.1 billion yen.

AKB48 was most successful in the singles category, having released 5 singles that all sold more than a million copies. Their total single sales amounted to nearly 9.59 billion yen, helping push the singles market up 16.9% from the previous year to more than 62.0 billion yen. In other words, AKB48 captured 15.46% of the singles market.

gaijinmark wrote:

(aka, "A fanboy and his money are soon parted"):

Hehe.

Can US48 be far behind?

AKB48 to launch new sister group SNH48 in Shanghai

April 22, 2012

The company that produces AKB48 has announced the formation of a new sister group overseas. The Shanghai-based SNH48 will be the third overseas group in the AKB48 family, following in the footsteps of the Jakarta-based JKT48 and the Taipei-based TPE48.

AKB48 has been very popular in China, with the group’s official online forum in China reportedly boasting more than 2 million members. The group has also visited China multiple times to meet with fans.

Like all of the other AKB48 groups, including JKT48 and TPE48, Akimoto Yasushi will serve as the general producer. Reports say that the first audition for members will be held this fall, with activities to begin in December.

Sources:
Sponichi Annex
Sankei Sports

So, has anybody been following the Minami Minegishi brouhaha?

If not, here's the short version: She was caught by some tabloid rag coming out of some boy band members apartment one morning. As a result she was punished by being sent to AKB48's lower group. She also decided as an act of penance to shave her head and apologize (video here:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UlzrIgacADU&feature=player_embedded)

Here's a rough translation of what she said:

"I am very sorry for worrying the members, you fans, staff members, my family, and many people for the article about me on a weekly magazine that will be released today.

As the first generation member of AKB48 that was formed back in 2005, I was supposed to be in the position where I always had to act as a role model for the junior members. However, what I have done was such a thoughtless and a lack of self-awareness behavior.

Since my mind is still in blank, I did not know what to do or what I can do, but as I just saw the magazine, I could not sit still, so I decided all by myself to shave my head without even telling the members or my agency.

I do not expect that I would be forgiven by doing this, but what I first thought was that I did not want to quit AKB48.

I was unable to think of leaving AKB48 now where the members I love and spent my youth together, and you warm fans are. I know this is being over‐optimistic, but I want to stay as Minegishi Minami of AKB48 if possible.

It was all my fault about this. I am very sorry.

I will leave everything to Akimoto-sensei’s and the management’s judgement. Though I haven’t been able to sort out my feelings, I just wanted to tell you how I was feeling right now.

Thank you."

This whole idol thing is starting to get way out of hand.

^ yep nasty, but a good example on what is still wrong inJapanese society: gender equality, labour rights, protection of minors, bullying etc

EstherM wrote:

^ yep nasty, but a good example on what is still wrong inJapanese society: gender equality, labour rights, protection of minors, bullying etc

It looks like they've taken the video down although I'm sure it's probably out there in other places. To the surprise of almost no one, nothing has been said about the guy involved in all this.

^ maybe he's a bit of nobody and not relevant for the press, maybe since Exile and entourage don't sell the "pure sexy only for fans" fantasy, their management might be more tolerant. Or it's the usual ...