generasia:Featured article for 2021 week 41
Sakurazaka46
Sakurazaka46 (櫻坂46), formerly Keyakizaka46 (欅坂46), is a Japanese idol group produced by Akimoto Yasushi signed to Sony Music Entertainment. The group was created on August 21, 2015, becoming Nogizaka46's first sister group under the Sakamichi Series. The group was renamed after their concert on October 13, 2020. Sakurazaka46 is named after Sakurazaka street within Roppongi Hills in Minato, Tokyo.
On April 6, 2016, the group debuted their first single, "Silent Majority". It sold 261,580 copies in the first week and ranked first on the Oricon weekly chart. The single also broke the debut week sales record for female artists, previously held by HKT48 with their single "Suki! Suki! Skip!".
As of 2021, the group has released ten singles, nine of which topped the Oricon Singles Chart and Billboard Japan Hot 100. The group has also released three compilation albums, one of which was released by Hiragana Keyakizaka46, a subgroup who split off into Hinatazaka46. Additionally, the group hosts multiple variety shows, radio programs, and television dramas.
Their third single, "Nagaredama", (11th total) is released this week on October 13th.
