Overseasidol.com — NHK announced on December 3 that AKB48 will perform at the 76th NHK Kouhaku Uta Gassen on New Year’s Eve.
The group will appear on the Red Team, bringing the total to 21 performers on the red side and 17 on the white side.
This widened gap highlights the absence of several major artists yet to be confirmed, renewing public attention on whether top groups especially Arashi, which will end activities next year will make an appearance.
In this year’s lineup, not only will AKB48’s current members take the stage, but eight iconic former members are also set to join: Maeda Atsuko, Takahashi Minami, Kojima Haruna, Itano Tomomi, Minegishi Minami, Oshima Yuko, Kashiwagi Yuki, and Sashihara Rino.
These figures were central to AKB48’s golden era and remain beloved by fans.
Debuting in 2005 and celebrating their 20th anniversary on December 8, AKB48 last appeared at Kouhaku in 2019 for the 70th edition.
This year marks their 13th appearance and their first comeback to the prestigious stage in six years.
NHK revealed that AKB48 will present a “20th Anniversary Special Stage” that symbolizes the group’s legacy across generations.
Although the song list has not yet been released, a special hit medley featuring both active and former members is already confirmed.
The return of AKB48 with this star-studded lineup is expected to be one of the most anticipated highlights of this year’s Kouhaku.
