Akimoto Yasushi explains how he got the idea for Keyakizaka46's debut single "Silent Majority"

report from Yahoo Japan News, 18 March 2021 

Music producer Akimoto Yasushi (62) appeared live on NHK’s Gogonama. He spoke about the idol group Keyakizaka46 (now Sakurazaka46), which he produces, and revealed that he used their un-idol-like appeal to create their debut single Silent Majority. 

Normally, the image of an idol is to be cheerful and communicative. But when members came together for the Keyakizaka46 auditions “you wouldn’t think it was an idol audition. They didn’t smile and didn’t make up to people. They were strange girls.”

This unpredictable charm gave him the idea that when parents and teachers told them things they did not believe themselves, modern young people may wonder if they might not be able to express their own ideas. That was the beginning of the group’s debut song Silent Majority.

“Although there were people at the time who criticized the paradox that it was an adult who had them sing ‘Don’t let adults tell you what to do’,” he explained, “I thought that was the way of doing it which would be most effective.”

He said that unlike a singer-songwriter, he wasn’t putting his own ideas into the lyrics, but making lyrics from the point of view of the singers.

Nagahama Neru's final blog post

Thank you very much!     352

Nagahama Neru
2019.07.31


Good evening!
This is now my final blog post.

My graduation event
"Conveying-thanks-with-all-my-might Day"
Has ended without incident!

Now I will take a breather.

From the bottom of my heart, I thank
All of you who have watched over me,
All of you who have sent me your thoughts,
All of you who have concerned yourselves with me.


And thank you very much
For listening to All Night Nippon!

Nagahama Neru: Final handshake event

Handshake Event,   348

Nagahama Neru
2019.07.15


Good evening!


Yesterday was my last handshake event.

Over about four years,
Various things have brought you to meet me,
And to everyone who has come:
Truly, truly, thank you very much!!

Gazing to my heart's content on all the lovely flowers and words,
I thought of you all...
And began to feel quite lonely.

Nagahama Neru blog: Aoi, Utada Hikaru, Shiina Ringo; getting ready for the graduation event

Adults,   347

Nagahama Neru
2019.07.09


Hello!

We're into July.
How is everybody getting on?


Aoi-chan has made her return!!!

I happened to have a chance to talk with her
And she was so nice that being together was calming.
She was the same Aoi-chan I love.

But at the same time
I worried whether I had changed.


A year is so long...!
Truly, truly, you have worked so hard!!

Sugai Yuuka blog: Kakizaki Memi

Thank you 

Sugai Yuuka
2019.06.30


Good evening.

A few days ago, it was announced that Kakizaki Memi of Hinatazaka46 would graduate, and Hamagishi Hiyori would go on hiatus.

Memi-chan entered Hiragana Keyaki as a member of the first generation, so we have been working together since the early days.

When I heard she was graduating, I was shocked.
Even now I still don't want to believe it.

I wanted to carefully write all about her, and there ended up being so much that it never seemed to end.


When we were rehearsing together,
And when I watched her programs, her professional consciousness seemed so strong.

When I went to see the stage play Magia Record,
I remember being moved to the bottom of my heart by the way she had memorized such a huge amount of script, and by how she went out and boldly sang and acted.

I was able to work hard together with her as a member of the same Team Blue in Zambi.

In the fight scene, she really slammed into me, but I was able to withstand it.
At that time, the straight-ahead feeling in her eyes was overpowering.

She's an extremely hard worker and so cute. I respect her.

When Hiragana Keyaki became independent as Hinatazaka,
At out last joint mini-live at a national handshake event,
We had a little wind-up party.

Through our tears, we took a photo together
I remember it still.

Nagahama Neru blog: Thank you to Memi, my precious friend

High boots,   346

Nagahama Neru
2019.06.28


Hello.

How are you!
I recently bought some cute high boots,
But bit by bit the rain has stopped.

Maybe the rainy season is over....



A few days ago, it was announced
That I have been given a graduation event:
"Giving Thanks with All My Might Day."


From little children to adults,
Women and men...as many people as possible,
I'm hoping it will be an event I can enjoy with all of you.
I'm right in the midst of thinking about all this with the entire Keyakizaka team.


I will talk about the details
When they are released!



Pre-sales to fan-club members
Have begun,
Going from today until July 1st.

Since this will be my last event,
I would be happy if you wanted to come.



Also, Memi's graduation has been announced.

Miss Memi...
Thank you for everything you've done.
You have given your all for a very long time!
To start, let's have another long soak, maybe even at a hot spring.
 
Memi
Is the precious friend
Who comes up and collapses against me to be petted.

From now on
Let's go to all kinds of places,
Look at all kinds of things,
And talk about all kinds of subjects!

Nagahama Neru blog: Budoukan

Budoukan,   344

Nagahama Neru
2019.05.14


Good evening!

It's mid-May
And already totally warm.

May has a green image...

Days of the week have colours, too
And times and numbers also have colours.
I wonder if other people get the same feeling.


May 9-10-11
Were our Anniversary Lives at Budoukan.
They were over in a flash, but so much fun!

NIPPON

Nagahama Neru blog: Reiwa; photos with digital camera; answers to questions

Bob,   343

Nagahama Neru
2019.05.01


Hello.


We've burst into the Reiwa Era.
What was everyone doing yesterday
At the moment the date changed?


I can say "Reiwa,"
But I'm still not used to it.
I somehow feel a bit embarrassed...

Just a month ago,
There was no such word in this world.
But as soon as those unexpected kanji became the notation
We're seeing it all the time in magazine headlines
Society's powers of adaptation are amazing.

I'll leave that now.

But it's so exciting!
It feels like New Year's!



Here I'll post the photos I mentioned recently:

Nagahama Neru blog: Oze-chan takes over Kochi Hoshi radio; pics with a digital camera

Digital Camera,  342

Nagahama Neru
2019.04.30


Hello.

Yesterday was an individual handshake event in Yokohama!
Thank you very much
To everyone who came ٩( 'ω' )و

The Kochi Hoshi 3rd-generation main personality
Is Oze-chan!!
I really thank her. 

Oze-chan is so nice.
She speaks to everyone the same way, without distinction 
(It can be weirdly funny)
She's an elder sister with outstanding charm.
Kochi Hoshi looks like becoming a much more enjoyable show...

Nagahama Neru blog: Nagasawa Nanako turns 22

Naako-chan,  341

Nagahama Neru
2019.04.23



Good evening!

Hello! Pakatsu!
We're starting! I am Neru-chan!

(From Kawadashi Cooking)   [note: a YouTube channel]


Tokyo has been extremely hot recently.
It's summer... I want to eat soumen!



I far prefer winter,
But the long evening light
And the early light in the morning
Somehow seem nice.



Today, April 23rd
Is Naako-chan's birthday!

22 years old!
Happy birthday!

Let's have fun times together again this year, eh.

Nagahama Neru blog: New clothes, new music

Bands,     340

Nagahama Neru
2019.04.17


Good evening!

How are you doing?

I recently changed my wardrobe over!
I bought new, lighter clothing!



A few days ago,
I went to see Choice 19,
Omoida Yarou A Team vs. tofubeats.


It was really something.
It gave the feeling of being both
Super cool and super intense.

My manager told me about Omoida Yarou.
I fell in love with them the moment I heard them...

I want to recommend them to everyone!!
I've already sent a Message about them〜(^ν^)


tofubeats are also really outstanding,
I enjoy them a lot.
I went alone, thinking: "Being an adult is fantastic!"



And also that
You really have to come across things at the right time:
People and music and books and films.

But it's also important to look for them yourself!

Nagahama Neru blog: 3rd Anniversary live, Graduation exhibit, photobook

Anniversary Live,  339

Nagahama Neru
2019.04.09


Hello!!

April 4-5-6
Were Keyakizaka46's 3rd Year Anniversary lives.

To all of you who came to Osaka,
Or to live viewings around the country,
Thank you very much!

It's three years since Kekaizaka46's debut
On April 6th.

A short time can feel quite long,
But this really passed in a flash.
Such a full time.

Nagahama Neru blog: Long post about her history with Hiragana/Hinata...and Keyaki.

Hinatazaka,  338

Nagahama Neru
2019.03.26


Good evening!

Today was sunny in Tokyo!
Spring weather!
It was so nice and warm that my feelings even became calmer.


A few days ago,

I happened to come across a place that made me think:
"Hey, haven't I been here before?"

Even in Tokyo,
I've noticed that there are places that give me a nostalgic feeling.
I get a feeling that's somehow a happy sadness.

Life in Tokyo....



Tomorrow,
Hinatazaka46's debut single
Kyun comes out.


For a little while now -- no, for a really long while
I have thought of writing about this.
So when you have the time to read it....



In 2015, as a member of Hiragana Keyaki,
I became an idol.

Nagahama Neru blog: Keyaki House, plus Neru's words

Keyaki House,  336

Nagahama Neru
2019.03.20


Good evening!

There were handshake events last week in Tokyo
And Saturday in Nagoya.

I was so happy you came to see me.
It was a calm and pleasant time. I was enveloped in kindness.
It was really, really enjoyable...

Thank you very much for coming by.


The 21st at Index Osaka
Will be my final national handshake event.
If you like, I definitely want to meet you.


Since I announced my graduation
I have undeservedly received many kind words that made me happy.
I feel I have been drawn to want to
Do better.

Truly, thank you very much.


There are a lot of things
I want to write about in the blog.

But for now...
I wanted to get these to everyone!

Tomita Suzuka blog: Hono-chan, Hinano, sleeping on Miho

Hono-chan

Tomita Suzuka
2019.03.10


Good evening.
It's Tomita Suzuka of Hinatazaka46 (｡•ㅅ•｡)

Today was a national handshake event for the 8th single!

I got up the courage to talk to Tamura Hono-chan...
We did a squishy pose together

I want to call her "Honyo-chan." I wonder if that would be okay (￣▽￣)

Nagahama Neru blog post: Graduation!!!

Announcement,  335

Nagahama Neru
2019.03.07


Good evening!

Today I have
An important announcement for everyone.

Since I was able to join the group in November 2016
Almost 3-1/2 years have passed.

With people I love
In the midst of many new encounters
I have been given day after day of enjoyable activities.

Every day I thought
Am I living a dream from which I will never wake up?


After 16 years in which I wandered around aimlessly
These three years
Have been running and running all the time.
It felt as if I was always in the midst of brilliant lights.

No matter which of my memories I look at,
It's like a fantasy of dazzling enjoyment.



This is a sudden announcement,
But after the 8th single
I will graduate from Keyakizaka46.

Watanabe Miho blog: Feelings about the name-change to Hinatazaka

Acceptance and determination

Watanabe Miho
2019.02.14


Hello, everyone!
It's Watanabe Miho, of Hiragana Keyaki, now changed to Hinatazaka46.
It's a strange feeling.
I'm gradually, gradually getting used to it.
Actually, I'd already thought of changing the opening and ending of my posts.
On the 24th of this month I'll turn 19,
And I was thinking I might change them that day
But it's come a little sooner than I expected ( ᷇࿀ ᷆ )‬
And I still haven't quite decided what to make them.
I'll decide soon!
On the SHOWROOM the day before yesterday a lot of announcements were made.

At first, my head was full of a lot of things,
But after  while I calmed down and was able to think about the situation.

[Things announced on SHOWROOM]
Independent single debut!
The CD will be released on March 27 (pre-orders now!)
Orders for individual handshake events will start February 14
On https://fortunemusic.jp/ ☁︎☁︎

Mechakari tie-up
Will continue, please feel welcome
To borrow as many outfits as you like  ☜

Nagahama Neru blog: TV and Magazine appearances, plus recent photos

Skytree,   334

Nagahama Neru
2019.02.17


Good evening!!


Quick announcements:

In the Weekly Shounen Sunday now on sale
I was given the cover.
Valentine, muffler,
The wintry-feeling feature was fun!!
Be sure to!

On 23 February at 9pm
On TBS
I have been given the chance to appear on
Discovering Wonders of the World!!

The Hitoshi-kun doll in real life!!!!
Some amazing things happened!!
Please be sure to watch this, too.

Nagahama Neru blog: Yonetani Nanami

Nanami-chan,   333

Nagahama Neru
2019.02.10


Good evening!


Today was a special event,
An autograph event.

I met Yone!!

Actually, we recently
Ate together.
But the fact is
Yone is so adorable in a Keyaki uniform.

It was like: "Uwaah! It's Yone!!"

Nagahama Neru blog: With Naako in Kamakura

Instant-print Camera,   332

Nagahama Neru
2019.02.10


Hello.


Yesterday, it snowed in Tokyo.
When I woke up, I was surprised to see how much had piled up.

It seems the cold weather will continue....

A few days ago, I went to Kamakura
With the Princess (Naako-san).

That evening was suddenly my first time in Kamakura.

I took an instant-print camera with me
And was shooting the Princess constantly.

Thank you for always letting me take photos of you....