#justiceformahohon

[soimort48]

#JusticeForMahohon

[doctor48md]

So apparently AKS is actively banning/preventing any 48 family members from attending Maho's graduation concert. And apparently they did this without any input from AkiP, who from what both Sashihara and Maho currently has zero input on management anymore and doesn't have any role in the company overall. He knew nothing about what happened. Any thoughts on all of this mess Doc?

Sorry I took so long to answer; I wanted to wait until tonight’s performance was over before I crafted my reply, just in case anyone tried to spring anymore surprises on us this evening. Nothing out of the blue tonight, so my thoughts remain more or less the same since the last major update during Team G’s last performance.

I think with the appearance of the extra guest performers, I would label statement #1 about banning other members from attending the performance as ‘untrue’, at least with regards to NGT48’s members. I understand there has been a comment by a Team 8 member on showroom that seemed to imply that non-NGT48 members were not allowed to attend. Maybe, maybe not; from NGT48’s point of view, it’s seems fair to me that that they shouldn’t get any of the other sister groups involved in their own internal affairs at this point in time. At the same time, Yamaguchi’s faction has made it clear that they want nothing more to do with the organization, sister group colleagues included. If they’re going cut ties with the group, might as well do it quickly and cleanly. Tonight’s the night to do it - leave behind all the emotional baggage, burn every remaining bridge (both within NGT48 and across 48G), and start afresh with a clean slate elsewhere. Inviting/allowing sister group members to attend would only delay and complicate the process.

Regarding Akimoto-sensei’s role in all this - as you have rightly said, we’ve known all this time that his role in actually managing the groups has largely been outsourced over the past few years to other management staff within AKS, KeyHolder, Yoshimoto, N46div, Seed&Flower LLC etc. depending on the groups involved. All he does now is to sign off on major decisions and write lyrics for 48G’s songs. Which is why I’ve never directly named him in my discussions regarding this matter prior to this, and also why I strongly disagreed with all the parties (media, fans, Internet Pitchfork Mob, etc.) who tried to force him to be accountable for what had happened. Sure, maybe he could have made some sort of public statement regarding the matter, but of all the parties to blame, he’s definitely not the first one I’d arrow. As a side note, that was an A+ diplomatic move from Akimoto tonight, to write an exclusive graduation song for Yamaguchi, Sugahara and Hasegawa. He didn’t have to do it, but it was nice that he did.

Tough times lie ahead for NGT48. Their failure to reach an amicable solution that could satisfy Yamaguchi marks a grim end to this fiasco, not to mention the potential threat of future legal action against them should Yamaguchi continue to pursue that route. They’re up against the ropes now, having turned themselves into a punching bag for the media and 48G’s critics. There’s really nothing more they can do at this point that wouldn’t complicate things even further for themselves and for 48G.

Best option for NGT48 now, in my opinion, is to just hunker down and take the hits. Retreat, lie low, and wait out the storm. Hold off any attempts at mainstream releases for at least this year, and don’t try anything fancy or stupid. A ‘restricted contact’ approach should be taken for now in terms of interacting with sister group colleagues as well. Limit NGT48’s involvement in 48G-wide initiatives to the basics only (handshakes, only 1-2 members on Senbatsu A-sides, no concerts), while having 48G’s senior leadership keep a watchful eye on them. On the organizational level, resources and attention have been wisely diverted towards STU48. With the timely launch of their new mobile ship-based theater, and led with an iron fist by Okada Nana, STU48 is in a prime position to act as a viable asset for 48G to continue the successes of the business model started by NGT48.

A drastic internal restructuring and rebranding should be the key focus of NGT48’s efforts in the meantime, including continuous engagement between Management & members to see how best to move forward. Resources from senior sister groups (AKB48, SKE48 and NMB48 - I’ll leave HKT48 out of this since they’re still recovering from losing Sashihara, Yabuki and Miyawaki) should also be deployed towards assisting NGT48 in this matter (preferably in a more behind-the-scenes approach, so as to avoid unwanted backlash from isolationist sister-group fans). Later on, NGT48 must also rework their grassroots initiatives to try and earn back at least some of goodwill they’ve lost.

They say time heals all wounds. For NGT48, I say take all the time you need. I’ll be waiting.

[queerkahei]

Even if you don’t know/ care anything about Ngt48 or Jpop in general please help and sign this petition. This is about more than just entertainment. A girl was assaulted and then made to apologize for being a victim. It will at least show the management that they can’t ignore this situation and that fans won’t except it and hopefully pressure them into doing what should have been done in the first place. I’ll add links explaining what happened in case people don’t know what’s going on.

https://kotaku.com/japanese-pop-idol-apologizes-after-being-allegedly-atta-1831635692

https://twitter.com/smolkenta/status/1082992133328592901?s=21

[galaxy--supernova]

As someone who never followed NGT48 before Maho spoke out and someone who can’t go to her final handshake or graduation concert, the most I can do for this brave woman is keep her in my thoughts and vow that whatever she does in the future, I’ll find some way to support her.

[bits-bobs-and-tweets]

It’s been a good while since the last time I updated, and though I have collected a good bunch of stuff I want to translate, I wanted to begin this year by compiling together translations related to Yamaguchi Maho’s situation. Originally, I thought I’d translate the messages from Kitarie and Yukirin but the fandom has acted fast, providing great translations of the tweets. There are most likely other people keeping tabs at members’ and ex-members’ reactions - if so, I’d happily take a look at those lists and reblog them here.

Mahohon deserves justice, and the lukewarm apology provided by the management after the poor girl was forced to apologize on stage was an infuriating disappointment. Imamura should drag his sorry ass out there and explain himself but guess that ain’t gonna happen, as the management is signaling ‘that is that’ with all this.

****

Mahohon’s original tweets can be found translated here and her showroom translation can be found here. Management’s official statement can be read for example here. Also, here’s Mahohon’s apology translated because everybody should watch it, the girl struggles so much to get the sentences out of her mouth. Esp the part about her being sorry for the people “who have taken care of her”.... yeah. Plain awful.

****

Anyway, the reaction tweets that have been translated so far (that I am aware of):

Kitahara Rie and a version from a different translator

Kashiwagi Yuki

Sashihara Rino (showing the kind of leadership the whole management is lacking right now) & Sashi #2

Yokoyama Yui (her reaction was really weak and I agree with the fans chiding her under her original tweet, she should’ve worded herself differently. People miss Takamina right now for a reason.)

Oota Aika

Ito Raira & Raira #2

Mukaichi Mion

Otaki Yuria

Iriyama Anna

+ at least Iwasa Misaki tweeted about the incident, I’m yet to find an existing translation and may translate this one myself later

[magicmorningmeteora]

Maho wo Kakete: The #JusticeForMahohon Story

I finally say my piece about the Yamaguchi Maho situation. #JusticeForMahohon #NGT48

Greetings, Citizens of the Universe!

Hoo boy, it’s been a while. A lot has happened and there was a topic I’ve been meaning to tackle for a while. (A few actually.)

Heck, this year is a special year as it’s M3 2.0’s 10th Anniversary (and the “completion” of my five-year challenge). However, first thing’s first: Let’s talk about one of the big elephants in the room.

In early January (the…

[asktheimperishabletrio]

Why isn’t this blow up in tumblr already????

Sign the petition here >> http://chng.it/RN2XqzRW

Even the Dailymail wrote a piece of news about it

#JusticeforMahohon

[uchiha-shisuis]

#JusticeForMahohon

Hi guys, I know I’m rarely active here and most of you probably don’t remember following me at all, but please sign this petition:

HERE

It’s to fire a man named Imamura for bad management of a japanese idol group named NGT48. One of the members, Yamaguchi Maho, was assaulted by two men a month ago, and even though they were arrested and she was told that everything would be alright, they’re currently walking around freely and nothing has changed for Maho. One of her own members leaked her private information (her address and schedule) to these men so they knew when to be at her house. She kept silent for an entire month before speaking up because she was afraid this would happen to the other members as well. So please, please sign this petition.

[saotome-michi]

This is extremely fucked up, please call attention to this by: 

Tweeting or facebook posting about this using the hashtag #justiceformahohon You can also add these hashtags #NGT48 (the idol group)  #山口真帆 (her name) 

Signing this petition to show your support! As of now (Jan 11, 2019. 12:25 PM EST) there are 37,655 signatures.

[doctor48md]

#JusticeforMahohon: Minutes to Midnight

We're just about coming up to 4 weeks since this ticking time bomb detonated in AKS's face. A fatal series of missteps by AKS, combined with a fumbling, delayed and vague response, meant that a situation could have easily been resolved behind-the-scenes, has since escalated into a critical PR disaster that has jeopardized the future of 48G as an organization.

I'd thought we were just about to start establishing reasonable solutions to the crisis last week, with the higher-ups putting into action a plan to try to remedy the situation and reach out to Yamaguchi, but the events of the past 24 hours have me on edge. Honestly, I'd been hoping against hope that NGT48 could resolve this crisis in an amicable manner, with a solution that would ideally have been win-win-win for all the parties involved. Recovery, re-integration and closure for Yamaguchi, a revision of existing management policies for the better, and even - forgive my optimism - a chance at reconciliation and rehabilitation for the alleged "masterminds" within the group.

But I've been wrong before, and it seems I'll be wrong again, because it seems that all sides - AKS, Yamaguchi and even the fans - are hell-bent on steering this towards the apocalyptic worst-case lose-lose-lose scenario I'd been fearing since the start. Between all the shit-slinging, rampant speculation and baying for blood, fueled by the fires of vigilantism and mob mentality, it seems diplomacy, due process, and a logical, rational approach are no longer viable options. It's war they want, and it's war they'll get, even if it means burning NGT48 and 48G down to the ground.

Honestly, it's just plain depressing to see it come to this state. NGT48 had a winning formula on its hands, becoming almost a gold-standard for localized idol groups seeking to revitalize ailing prefectural economies. To see everything they've achieved being destroyed like this, with the group being fractured seemingly beyond repair, is disappointing, to say the least.

Well, nothing else I can do but watch and wait. The day I became a fan, I promised myself I’d stick with this group through to the end, no matter what happened. 

Even if it means seeing this trainwreck go up in flames.

[nx4]

河野太郎って呟いたら御本人様がエゴサーチして引用リプしてくださるって本当ですか？笑笑— 笑得大使 #JusticeForMahohon (@beautiful_mofu) 2019年3月25日 ↓ いや、私はそれほど暇ではありません（キッパリ） https://t.co/Luw4Kur2zp— 河野太郎 (@konotarogomame) 2019年3月25日 ↓ ｷﾀ━━━━(ﾟ∀ﾟ)━━━━!!（お忙しい中、反応ありがとうございました🙏） https://t.co/U9qFT0AhXg— 笑得大使 #JusticeForMahohon (@beautiful_mofu) 2019年3月26日

「河野太郎さんって呟いたら本人が飛んでくるって本当ですか？笑」→河野大臣「いや、私はそれほど暇ではありません（キッパリ）」→ほんとに来るんか～いｗｗ : ツイッター速報

[heart-ereki]

I was so worried that management would completely fumble the situation, and you know what? They did. But I really believe that this issue can’t and won’t be swept under the rug. 

I think AKS thought that after they released their statement, everything would quiet down. Actually, the opposite has happened. A petition started less than 24 hours ago by Japanese fans in Niigata already has over 36,000 signatures (here). Big English publications like Time magazine have posted about it. I’ve even seen news articles from Jakarta, Thailand, Turkey, Brazil, France, and Mexico. Perhaps even better than all that, I’ve seen a lot of Japanese celebrities on Twitter and various TV programs (like Sukkiri, one of Japan’s most popular  morning programs) criticize the handling of the incident and speak out in support of Maho. I’ve even seen other idols (like Rana, ex-GEM member) speak out about their similar assault experiences for the first time. Yeah, I’ve seen a lot of witch-hunting and misinformation being spread, and that’s not helping. But there is a really really important dialogue happening right now and we need to keep it up. If we continue to show support and just keep talking, I believe we can change the ending of this story. #justiceformahohon

[comeimust]

#SayZimzalabim #JusticeforMahohon （´∀｀）ノ♡ 欅坂46 日向坂46 Dreamcatcher IZ*ONE LOOΠΔ SNSD MNL48 BAND-MAID BTS RV BP Twice Aimer Aimyon 🍌🍋 etc., multi

#SayZimzalabim #JusticeforMahohon （´∀｀）ノ♡ 欅坂46 日向坂46 Dreamcatcher IZ*ONE LOOΠΔ SNSD MNL48 BAND-MAID BTS RV BP Twice Aimer Aimyon 🍌🍋 etc., multi

📀6. LP Its title makes sense—old long play sound. Again, the bass is so rich-sounding. This is really easy-listening, if you want chill, drink coffee and such. I love the feel and the ambiance I can foresee when I heard this song.

Different genres mix—and it indeed works! —

[magicmorningmeteora]

Happy Valentine's Day!

Oh and of you're wondering about the #JusticeForMaho post, here it is:

In lieu of a regular post, I posted a special Valentine’s Day message on social media.

You can find it as an Instagram Story Highlight…

…and as a Twitter thread (especially since I couldn’t post it all).

(Sorry I didn’t post it here sooner. 😅)

Happy (belated to a good chunk of you) Valentine’s Day, all! 💖

–Magi-Kat

[neko73]

@yamato2217(島袋悠飛@MakeJapanGreatAgain/JusticeForMahohon/ﾌｧﾙｺﾝ🎌)

消費増税が経済に悪影響を与えるという認識は、少しずつ国民同士共有できているようだ。後は、日本には財政問題など存在せず、積極財政が必要であるという認識を、国民同士で共有できればいいのだが・・・

東京新聞:消費増税、反対６０％　全国世論調査　景気対策も反対６１％ https://www.tokyo-np.co.jp/article/politics/list/201906/CK2019060902000135.html

Twitter Web Clientから

https://twitter.com/yamato2217/status/1137967489269112833

[askandanswerbot]

does she have outside work today?

— anna #JusticeForMahohon (@iwatatesahos) Fri Jan 18 11:28:32 +0000 2019

Sure, I'm full so you can eat the rest of leftover

— Danik (@disisdanik_k) Fri Jan 18 11:57:25 +0000 2019