Barely a week after one of the most joyous occasions in my AKB48 fandom, my world was shaken with some earth shattering news. Well the scandal wasn't that big of a deal but the aftermath somehow escalated into international news where things got blown severely out of proportion.

It all happened because one of my favourite members, Minegeshi Minami (Miichan), was found leaving a male celebrity's apartment one morning. A tabloid which was famous for breaking all AKB48 related scandal reported it and Miichan rashly shaved her own head to show repentence.

Things have spiralled out of control and it somehow became an issue of gender inequality in Japan and the unreasonable of the infamous love ban rule for Japanese idols.

However let me reiterate some facts about this issue at this point.


It is not a sex scandal.

They didn't even confirm or deny the rumours, the only problem she has admitted to is creating trouble and worry for her fans and her staff members.

Miichan was not forced to shave her head, she did it on her own accord.

Her members did not shame her, in fact they strongly support her despite this scandal.
The fans are also not shaming her, the fans are actually upset with how management has dealt with the issue, specifically the shaved head.
In Japanese culture, the act of head-shaving, also known as marugari, is a self-punishing act after making huge mistakes or unable to accomplish a goal.

So if you are still interested in reading...

I’m Minegishi Minami from Umeda team B of AKB48.

I’m very sorry to have caused enormous worry to members, fans, staffs, my families and a lot of other people with the article in the weekly magaizne that is published today.

(Deep Bow)

As the 1st generation member of AKB48, the group that has formed in 2005, it’s my responsibility to always behave as a good role model to juniors. I deeply regret what I did this time. It was a thoughtless deed and I was completely lacking self-awareness as a senior member.

My brain blanked out and I’m still unable to figure out what to do, what I can do. But after I saw the magazine a little ago, I couldn’t help but doing something. And I decided to shave my head without consulting any member or staff at my agency.

Although I don’t think I would be forgiven by doing this, the first thing that I went through my head was that “I don’t want to leave AKB48.”

This is a place where my dear members, who I spent my blossom of youth together, are. And it’s unimaginable to even think about leaving the group where I’m with so many wonderful and sweet fans.

I understand it’s wishful thinking, but if it’s possible, I would like to still be AKB48′s Minegishi Minami.

This is all my fault.

I’m truly sorry.

I will leave my hereafter to the hands of Akimoto-sensei and management.

Though I haven’t been able to tidy my mind up, but I just wanted to tell my current feeling to you.

Thank you so much for listening to me.

(Deep Bow)

from akb48wrapup

The group's general manager also posted a short write up on google plus

We have received many opinions and questions from the fans regarding the video of Minegishi’s apology. I would like to add further explanations since the we failed to fully express an explanation to you. 

・Why did you have to upload a video like this? 

When we were in a hurry preparing for the streaming and we have received a report that Minegishi really wants to apologize personally with her hair shaved. We felt how strong her will and feeling towards AKB48 was, so we decided to stream the video as we planned. 

・Was it necessary for her to shave her hair? 

Was it necessary? or not? If you ask me, the answer will probably be “No, it wasn’t. However, what I can tell you for sure is that Minegishi surely wanted to convey how strong her feeling was. 

・Couldn’t anybody stop her from shaving her hair? 

I heard that when she came out from the make up room, she had already shaved her hair. It seems that the staff beside her did stop her. However, I heard that she said that people might think of her as a fool, but she really wanted to put her reflection into action, so she cut her bangs using scissors without losing control over herself. 

・Isn’t it unfair that the punishment for each of the members who had scandals were different? 

It would be better if we can establish the common rule. However, we are experiencing a dilemma because it is difficult to conceive a common rule since each member is under a different situation. For example, there was a member who had been warned many times, but did not listen to anyone and caused a scandal. There was also a member who wanted to pursue her dreams and was about to plan on graduating when a scandal about her was exposed. There was also a member whose past incident was reported as a scandal. There was also a member whose scandal was not exposed, but had a huge rule violation behind the scenes. Please do understand that we have to make decisions with consideration to many circumstances. 

・There was a photo of Minegishi, which has been uploaded on the internet, where she looked like she was having fun with the first generation members. Did she really reflect on her actions? 

Before the rehearsals of the theater performance of Team B, I saw Minegishi who came to apologize with an exhausted expression on her face, so I can say that she has reflected on her actions. At the same time, it seemed like she was trying her best not to make people around her feel worried. I think that is the reason why the members of the same generation as her were encouraging Minegishi who was feeling depressed. . We, the managing team, would like to support the members who are trying their best to pursue their dreams by having continuous discussion with them. Tomonobu Togasaki AKB Group Theater General Manager

also from  akb48wrapup

I end this post with Miichan's first solo which abtly sums up her situation right now.

I am me aren't I?

No matter who I am..

People live their lives by their own pace no matter who they are

I'll definitely find it;

a path that only I can walk on

For a little longer I'll slowly continue on