Yasushi Akimoto hopes for the return of AKB48's glory days, "Believe in the unexpected things"

After undergoing renovations for about three months, with a giant LED panel and an overall elegant atmosphere, AKB48 presented the new performance 'Koko kara da' for this new launch, where the general producer Yasushi Akimoto wrote the original performance after about nine years.

Akimoto explained in an interview:

It feels as if the second chapter of AKB has begun, with the thought that 'we will create a new legend from here!' This is something I think very strongly. Although it follows the footsteps of the previous AKB, it is difficult. However, I do not want people to say, 'The old AKB was better.' The staff and I are working hard to make it happen.

He also revealed that he faced difficulties in selecting the songs:

I listened to about 1000 songs. Since this is a theater performance song, it is different from the main songs on the CD. With 16 songs, we can create a story, so there is room for adventure. The sense of anticipation of the general election is part of AKB. I am curious about the audience's reaction to this performance.

Akimoto himself hopes that this new performance carries meaning:

From here we will enter the second golden chapter.' 'If people think, 'I thought AKB's golden age has passed, but it can rise again like this,' I want them to believe in the unexpected things. We will create a golden age again with the current members. I want to pass the baton to the current members. If we can gain fans from this theater, and AKB's songs are played on the street, on the radio, at pachinko places, and everyone sings AKB's songs, that might be a sign of the arrival of a golden age,' he said.