Yasushi Akimoto
Yasushi Akimoto | |
|---|---|
 Yasushi Akimoto on March 14, 2012 | |
| Background information | |
| Born | May 2, 1956 Meguro, Tokyo, Japan |
| Genres | Pop |
| Occupation(s) | Lyricist, record producer, television writer |
| Years active | 1973–present |
Yasushi Akimoto (秋元 康, Akimoto Yasushi, born May 2, 1956) is a Japanese television writer, lyricist, record producer, professor and vice president at Kyoto University of Art and Design.[1] He also created some of Japan's top idol groups, Onyanko Club and the AKB48 franchise.
Career
When Akimoto became a television writer in high school, he produced many television programs, such as Utaban.
Akimoto started as a lyricist with The Alfee in 1981; he has written lyrics for various artists such as Kinki Kids, Tunnels, Onyanko Club, AKB48, SKE48 and SDN48. He also wrote Hibari Misora's last single during her lifetime, "Kawa no Nagare no Yō ni", and Jero's debut single "Umi Yuki".
Akimoto is planning to launch a Taiwan version of AKB48 in summer 2011. The group is temporarily named Taiwan48 or TPE48.[2] In February, there were reports that TPE48 would debut summer of 2011, but there had been no further development since until this announcement. However there are plans to hold auditions for TPE48 in early 2012 and to debut as early as Summer 2012.[3]
He is also working on debuting an Indonesian version of AKB48 called JKT48 [4]. Auditions were held on October 8 and 9, 2011 and the official members were announced early November.[5]
Personal life
In 1988, Akimoto married Onyanko Club member Mamiko Takai.
References
- ^ A Message from the Vice President
- ^ "Taiwan48 idol group to launch in summer". Asia Pacific Arts. 03/01/2011.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ "Yasushi Akimoto to expand the AKB48 franchise overseas to Indonesia and Taiwan". Asia Pacific Arts. 10/06/2011.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ "AKB48 the new talent model from Japan and beyond". PopularTrash. 24/02/2012.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ "Yasushi Akimoto to expand the AKB48 franchise overseas to Indonesia and Taiwan". Asia Pacific Arts. 10/06/2011.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|date=(help)
External links
- Songwriter|Fujipacific Music Inc Template:Ja icon
- Yasushi Akimoto profile
- Yasushi Akimoto on Google+
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