AKB48 45th Single Senbatsu Sousenkyo "Bokutachi wa Dare ni Tsuiteikeba Ii"

AKB48 45th Single Senbatsu Sousenkyo (AKB48 45thシングル選抜総選挙; AKB48 45th Single General Election) is an event that will determine the selected members for AKB48's 45th single. It is their eighth annual General Election, during which fans vote for the top 80 members who will participate in the upcoming single. The announcement event titled AKB48 45th Single Senbatsu Sousenkyo "Bokutachi wa dare ni Tsuiteikeba ii" (45thシングル 選抜総選挙～僕たちは誰について行けばいい？～) will take place on 18 June 2016 at HARD OFF ECO Stadium Niigata.

Information

Like the previous year, members would apply for candidacy in order to take part in the election. Members of the following categories were eligible for candidacy:

• Current members of AKB48, SKE48, NMB48, HKT48, and NGT48 (excluding members who would graduate before 23 March 2016).
• Members who were transferred from AKB48 to an overseas sister group.

Between 23 March and 27 March 2016, members were to submit their applications to an election committee representative at their respective theaters. On the other hand, several members chose not to take part as candidates.

Participating Members

A total of 272 members will participate in the election.

AKB48

• AKB48 Team A (17 members)
  • Iriyama Anna, Oya Shizuka, Owada Nana, Kojima Natsuki, Sasaki Yukari, Shimazaki Haruka, Shiroma Miru (NMB48 Team M), Takita Kayoko, Taniguchi Megu, Nakanishi Chiyori, Nakamura Mariko, Hirata Rina, Hiwatashi Yui, Miyazaki Miho, Miyawaki Sakura (HKT48 Team KIV), Yamada Nanami (AKB48 Team 8), Yokoyama Yui

• AKB48 Team K (16 members)
  • Abe Maria, Ichikawa Manami, Kodama Haruka (HKT48 Team H), Shinozaki Ayana, Shimada Haruka, Shimoguchi Hinana, Suzuki Mariya (SNH48 Team SII), Tano Yuuka, Nakano Ikumi (AKB48 Team 8), Fujita Nana, Minegishi Minami, Mukaichi Mion, Mutou Tomu, Mogi Shinobu, Yamamoto Sayaka (NMB48 Team N), Yumoto Ami

• AKB48 Team B (12 members)
  • Oshima Ryoka, Kashiwagi Yuki (NGT48 Team NIII), Kato Rena, Kizaki Yuria, Goto Moe, Sakaguchi Nagisa (AKB48 Team 8), Tatsuya Makiho, Fukuoka Seina, Ma Chia-Ling, Yabuki Nako (HKT48 Team H), Yokoshima Aeri, Watanabe Mayu

• AKB48 Team 4 (17 members)
  • Iino Miyabi, Izuta Rina, Iwatate Saho, Okawa Rio, Omori Miyuu, Okada Ayaka, Okada Nana, Kawamoto Saya, Kitagawa Ryoha (SKE48 Team S), Kitazawa Saki, Kojima Mako, Komiyama Haruka, Sato Kiara, Shibuya Nagisa (NMB48 Team BII), Takahashi Juri, Tomonaga Mio (HKT48 Team KIV), Nishino Miki

• AKB48 Team 8 (44 members)
  • Sakaguchi Nagisa (AKB48 Team B), Yokoyama Yui, Tanikawa Hijiri, Sato Nanami, Hayasaka Tsumugi, Sato Akari, Mougi Kasumi, Okabe Rin, Honda Hitomi, Shimizu Maria, Takahashi Ayane, Yoshikawa Nanase, Oguri Yui, Oda Erina, Sato Shiori, Hidaritomo Ayaka, Yokomichi Yuri, Hattori Yuna, Hashimoto Haruna, Kita Reina, Cho Kurena, Kondo Moeri, Nagano Serika, Ota Nao, Yamada Nanami (AKB48 Team A), Yamamoto Ruka, Onishi Momoka, Hama Sayuna, Nakano Ikumi (AKB48 Team K), Abe Mei, Hitomi Kotone, Tani Yuri, Shitao Miu, Hamamatsu Riona, Gyoten Yurina, Takaoka Kaoru, Hirose Natsuki, Yoshida Karen, Fukuchi Rena, Kuranoo Narumi, Yoshino Miyu, Yaguchi Moka, Shimoaoki Karin, Miyazato Rira

• AKB48 Kenkyuusei (6 members)
  • Kubo Satone, Takahashi Kira, Chiba Erii, Nishikawa Rei, Nomura Nao, Yamabe Ayu

• ? (1 member)
  • Nyan Nyan Kamen
    • During the application period on March 23rd, staff members received an application from Nyan Nyan Kamen, which they believed was submitted by Kojima Haruna under an alternate alias. Although Kojima confirmed that it was not her submission, the application was still passed on April 5th.

SKE48

• SKE48 Team S (14 members)
  • Azuma Rion, Inuzuka Asana, Kitagawa Ryoha (AKB48 Team 4), Goto Risako, Sugiyama Aika, Takeuchi Mai, Noguchi Yume, Nojima Kano, Futamura Haruka, Matsui Jurina, Matsumoto Chikako, Miyamae Ami, Yamauchi Suzuran, Yamada Juna

• SKE48 Team KII (14 members)
  • Aoki Shiori, Arai Yuki, Uchiyama Mikoto, Ego Yuna, Oba Mina, Obata Yuna, Kitano Ruka, Shirai Kotono, Soda Sarina, Takatsuka Natsuki, Takayanagi Akane, Takeuchi Saki, Hidaka Yuzuki, Furuhata Nao

• SKE48 Team E (14 members)
  • Ida Reona, Ichino Narumi, Kamata Natsuki, Kimoto Kanon, Kumazaki Haruka, Goto Rara, Saito Makiko, Sakai Mei, Sato Sumire, Sugawara Maya, Suda Akari, Takatera Sana, Tani Marika, Fukushi Nao

• SKE48 Kenkyuusei (13 members)
  • Aikawa Honoka, Asai Yuka, Isshiki Rena, Ota Ayaka, Kataoka Narumi, Kamimura Ayuka, Kawasaki Narumi, Suenaga Oka, Takahata Yuki, Machi Otoha, Mizuno Airi, Murai Junna, Wada Aina

NMB48

• NMB48 Team N (12 members)
  • Akashi Natsuko, Ishida Yuumi, Ota Yuuri, Kato Yuuka, Kishino Rika, Koga Narumi, Jo Eriko, Suto Ririka, Nishizawa Rurina, Yamao Rina, Yamamoto Sayaka (AKB48 Team K), Yoshida Akari

• NMB48 Team M (16 members)
  • Azuma Yuki, Ishizuka Akari, Uemura Azusa, Uno Mizuki, Okita Ayaka, Kawakami Rena, Kushiro Rina, Shiroma Miru (AKB48 Team A), Takei Sara, Nakano Reina, Fujie Reina, Matsumura Megumi, Mita Mao, Murase Sae, Morita Ayaka, Yagura Fuuko

• NMB48 Team BII (13 members)
  • Ijiri Anna, Iso Kanae, Ichikawa Miori, Ueda Mirei, Odan Mai, Kawakami Chihiro, Kusaka Konomi, Kurokawa Hazuki, Shibuya Nagisa (AKB48 Team 4), Naiki Kokoro, Hayashi Momoka, Matsuoka Chiho, Yabushita Shu

• NMB48 Kenkyuusei (6 members)
  • Ando Erina, Nishinaka Nanami, Hongo Yuzuha, Hori Shion, Muranaka Yuki, Yasuda Momone

HKT48

• HKT48 Team H (18 members)
  • Akiyoshi Yuka, Inoue Yuriya, Ui Mashiro, Ueno Haruka, Okamoto Naoko, Kojina Yui, Kodama Haruka (AKB48 Team K), Komada Hiroka, Sakaguchi Riko, Sashihara Rino, Tashima Meru, Tanaka Natsumi, Tanaka Miku, Matsuoka Natsumi, Yabuki Nako (AKB48 Team B), Yamada Marina, Yamamoto Mao, Wakatabe Haruka

• HKT48 Team KIV (14 members)
  • Imada Mina, Iwahana Shino, Ueki Nao, Kumazawa Serina, Shimono Yuki, Tanaka Yuka, Tomiyoshi Asuka, Tomonaga Mio (AKB48 Team 4), Fukagawa Maiko, Fuchigami Mai, Miyawaki Sakura (AKB48 Team A), Murashige Anna, Motomura Aoi, Moriyasu Madoka

• HKT48 Kenkyuusei (10 members)
  • Aramaki Misaki, Imamura Maria, Kurihara Sae, Sakamoto Erena, Tsutsui Riko, Hokazono Hazuki, Matsuoka Hana, Murakawa Vivian, Yamauchi Yuna, Yamashita Emiri

NGT48

• NGT48 Team NIII (16 members)
  • Ogino Yuka, Oguma Tsugumi, Kashiwagi Yuki (AKB48 Team B), Kato Minami, Kitahara Rie, Sato Anju, Sugahara Riko, Takakura Moeka, Tano Ayaka, Nakai Rika, Nishigata Marina, Hasegawa Rena, Honma Hinata, Murakumo Fuka, Yamaguchi Maho, Yamada Noe

• NGT48 Kenkyuusei (10 members)
  • Otaki Yuria, Kado Yuria, Kusakabe Aina, Seiji Reina, Takahashi Mau, Nakamura Ayuka, Nara Miharu, Nishimura Nanako, Mizusawa Ayaka, Miyajima Aya

SNH48

• SNH48 Team SII (1 member)
  • Suzuki Mariya (AKB48 Team K)

Not Participating

A total of 36 members declined to participate in the election. Members with a star (★) will not participate due to a graduation from their groups. This includes members who would have graduated before the election, as well as members who announced their graduations as the reason for not participating. Members with a star (☆) announced their graduations after the election had passed.

AKB48

• AKB48 Team A (4 members)
  • Ogasawara Mayu, Kojima Haruna, Takahashi Minami (★), Maeda Ami

• AKB48 Team K (3 members)
  • Aigasa Moe, Ishida Haruka (★), Nakata Chisato

• AKB48 Team B (4 members)
  • Umeta Ayano, Kobayashi Kana (★), Takeuchi Miyu, Tanabe Miku

• AKB48 Team 4 (2 members)
  • Nozawa Rena, Murayama Yuiri

• AKB48 Team 8 (3 members)
  • Fujimura Natsuki (★), Yamamoto Ai (★), Iwasaki Moeka (★)
    • Although Iwasaki registered as a candidate, she announced her graduation on April 2. She graduated the next day, and withdrew from the election as a result.

SKE48

• SKE48 Team S (3 members)
  • Oya Masana, Tsuzuki Rika, Yakata Miki

• SKE48 Team KII (3 members)
  • Ishida Anna, Takagi Yumana, Matsumura Kaori

• SKE48 Team E (2 members)
  • Kato Rumi (★), Shibata Aya

NMB48

• NMB48 Team N (3 members)
  • Jonishi Kei, Nishimura Aika (★), Yamaguchi Yuuki

• NMB48 Team M (2 members)
  • Kinoshita Momoka, Tanigawa Airi

• NMB48 Team BII (2 members)
  • Kinoshita Haruna, Watanabe Miyuki (AKB48 Team B) (★)

• NMB48 Kenkyuusei (1 member)
  • Shibata Yui (★)
    • Although Shibata registered as a candidate, she announced her graduation on April 20. She graduated on May 3, and withdrew from the election as a result.

HKT48

• HKT48 Team H (1 member)
  • Anai Chihiro

• HKT48 Team KIV (1 member)
  • Ota Aika

JKT48

• JKT48 Team KIII (1 member)
  • Chikano Rina

• JKT48 Team T (1 member)
  • Nakagawa Haruka (★)

SNH48

• SNH48 Team SII
  • Miyazawa Sae (SKE48 Team S) (★)

The Election

Voting Methods

There are twenty official methods for voting. The voting period will last from May 31 to June 17, 2016.

1. AKB48 Official Fan Club member
2. AKB48 Mobile member
3. AKB48 Official Smartphone App member (for iOS only)
4. AKB48 Mail member
5. AKB48 LIVE!! ON DEMAND member
6. AKB OFFICIAL NET member
7. SKE48 Mobile member
8. SKE48 Mail member
9. SKE48 LIVE!! ON DEMAND member
10. NMB48 Mobile member
11. NMB48 Mail member
12. NMB48 LIVE!! ON DEMAND member
13. HKT48 Mobile member
14. HKT48 Mail member
15. HKT48 LIVE!! ON DEMAND member
16. NGT48 Mobile member
17. NGT48 Mail member
18. NGT48 LIVE!! ON DEMAND member
19. AKB48 group REVIVAL!! ON DEMAND member
20. Serial number ballot included with AKB48's 44th single, "Tsubasa wa Iranai"

Results

A total of 80 members will be chosen to participate in this single, divided into five groups of sixteen.

• Members who rank 1st to 16th will be the senbatsu members and perform the title track.
• Members who rank 17th to 32nd will be members of Under Girls (アンダーガールズ) and perform a coupling track.
• Members who rank 33rd to 48th will be members of Next Girls (ネクストガールズ) and perform a coupling track.
• Members who rank 49th to 64th will be members of Future Girls (フューチャーガールズ) and perform a coupling track.
• Members who rank 65th to 80th will be members of Upcoming Girls (アップカミングガールズ) and perform a coupling track.

Timeline

23 March 2016

• Applications for candidacy are opened at 4 p.m. JST.

27 March 2016

• Applications for candidacy are closed at 10 p.m. JST.

31 May 2016

• Voting period is opened at 10 a.m. JST.

1 June 2016

• AKB48's 44th single, "Tsubasa wa Iranai", is released.

17 June 2016

• Voting period is closed at 3 p.m. JST.

18 June 2016

• AKB48 45th Single Senbatsu Sousenkyo presentation is held at HARD OFF ECO Stadium Niigata.

TBA

• AKB48's 45th single is released.

External Links

• Official Website