Overseasidol.com — Japanese idol group AKB48 has officially announced the opening of auditions for its 22nd generation members.
The application period begins on April 5, 2026, at 9:00 PM and will run until May 24, 2026, at 11:59 PM (JST).
According to the official announcement, the audition is open to female applicants who are between sixth-grade elementary school students and 19 years old as of May 24, 2026.
Candidates can apply through web forms or LINE, and must be able to participate in all stages of the selection process, appear in various media, and sign a contract if selected.
Applicants living outside Tokyo are expected to relocate promptly if chosen as trainees.
They are also required to regularly attend activities at the AKB48 Theater as part of their training and group commitments.
One of the highlights of this year’s audition is the TikTok entry route, which offers a unique opportunity with no age restrictions.
To participate, applicants simply need to post a video on their personal TikTok account using the hashtag “#私チャレンジ”.
There are no strict rules regarding the content, allowing participants to showcase their creativity freely.
If selected through this method, candidates will receive a direct message from the official AKB48 TikTok account, @akb48_official_tiktok.
Those who receive a scouting message will skip the initial document screening and proceed directly to the interview stage.
Further details, including a separate application form for TikTok applicants, will be provided through official direct messages.
Organizers have emphasized that this route differs from the standard application process, urging participants to follow instructions carefully.
