38 Understanding Idols and the Success of AKB48 (Dr. Patrick W. Galbraith)

On this episode of the Japan Station podcast, we're exploring the history of Japanese aidoru (idols) and discussing the dynamics behind one of Japan's most popular idol groups: AKB48.

About Dr. Patrick W. Galbraith

Dr. Patrick W. Galbraith is a lecturer at Senshu University in Tokyo. He is one of the world's leading experts on the topic of Akihabara and the related subcultures that are often associated with this famous district of Tokyo. Galbraith is the author of man y books and articles, including Tokyo Realtime (2010), The Otaku Encyclopedia: An Insider's Guide to the Subculture of Cool Japan (2014), The Moe Manifesto: An Insider's Look at the Worlds of Manga, Anime, and Gaming (2017), and others. His most recent book, published by Duke University Press Books in 2019, is Otaku and the Struggle for Imagination in Japan.

Topics Discussed

• The emergence of idols (aidoru) in Japan during the 1970s
• Japan's Golden Age of idols (1980s)
• Seiko Matsuda
• The role Yasushi Akimoto played in the evolution of the modern idol
• The importance of Onyanko Club in the history of Japanese idols
• What led to the end of Onyanko Club
• How the Latin boy band Menudo helped inspire the interchangeable idol system employed by idol groups such as Morning Musume and AKB48
• The success of Rino Sashihara
• The ingenious marketing strategy of Yasushi Akimoto that has led to the massive success of AKB48
• AKB48's General Election and how it drove CD sales during a time when CD sales were on the decline
• What idols do
• Whether we should think of idols as musicians/singers
• What it means to "idol"
• The connection between idols and fans
• The peculiar location and composition of the AKB48 Theater in Akihabara
• How the success of AKB48 helped spark a surge in the number of independent and "underground" (chika) idols
• The massive variety that exists in the independent idol scene
• How the coronavirus pandemic has affected idol groups and how idols are adapting
• What a chekki is
• Th effects of the coronavirus pandemic on maid cafes in Akihabara
• AKB48 and the Tokyo 2020/2021 Olympics
• How Yasushi Akimoto's idol groups have been evolving in recent years to appeal more to women
• Overwork and exploitation in the world of idols
• The case of Maho Yamaguchi
• Why so many idols have great difficulties after they "sotsugyō" (leave the group)
• The success of Atsuko Maeda
• The short-lived Pink Lady show that aired in the U.S. on NBC in 1980
• And much more!

Note: The conversation on this episode was recorded on April 24, 2020 (JST).

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Links, Videos, Etc.

The book on which much of the conversation heard during this episode was based is called AKB48 and was written by Dr. Patrick W. Galbraith and Dr. Jason G. Karlin. You can purchase it via the Amazon affiliate link below. A Kindle version is available.

• AKB48 (33 1/2 Japan)

AKB48 is part of a series of books published by Bloomsbury that is called 33 1/2 Japan. If you would like to purchase any of these, you can use the Amazon affiliate links below.

• Yoko Kanno's Cowboy Bebop Soundtrack (33 1/3 Japan)
• Joe Hisaishi's Soundtrack for My Neighbor Totoro (33 1/3 Japan)
• Cornelius's Fantasma (33 1/3 Japan)
• Perfume's GAME (33 1/3 Japan)
• Nene's Koza Dabasa (33 1/3 Japan)
• Supercell Featuring Hatsune Miku (33 1/3 Japan)
• Shonen Knife's Happy Hour (33 1/3 Japan)
• Koji Kondo's Super Mario Soundtrack (33 1/3 Japan)

If you would like to purchase Dr. Galbraith's most recent book--Otaku and the Struggle for Imagination in Japani--you can use the Amazon affiliate link below.

• Otaku and the Struggle for Imagination in Japan

Special Thanks

Opening/Closing song: Oedo Controller (大江戸コントローラー) by Yunomi featuring Toriena (Used with permission from Yunomi)
To listen to more of Yunomi's music, check out his Soundcloud page or YouTube channel.

Japan Station cover art: Provided by Erik R.

Featured image: Courtesy of Patrick W. Galbraith

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Full Show Notes

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