AKB48 Rival Group: Nogizaka46

On June 28th Akimoto Yasushi, producer of popular idol group AKB48, unveiled plans to create "rival group" Nogizaka46.

Nogizaka46 are to be produced by Akimoto and Sony Music Entertainment and will be seen as a "rival group" unlike AKB48's sister groups SKE48, NMB48 and SDN48.

The group's name comes from the SME Nogizaka Building within which final auditions for the group will take place in August. Akimoto has stated that "even with fewer members than AKB48, we will not go down without a fight". Nogizaka46's first generation is expected to include twenty members and the successful candidates will make their appearance on a variety show scheduled to begin in October. The idol group will make their CD debut under Sony Music Entertainment.

Further details of the audition schedule/process can be found at Nogizaka46's official website.