Updates on AKB48 After the Attack

A few days have passed since the shocking attack on May 25. The attack has received lots of attention and has also been reported in international media. In this post I just want to collect some more information on news and developments from the past days.


First of all: both injured members Iriyama Anna and Kawaei Rina have already been released from the hospital. They were able to leave it on May 26th in the late afternoon and to go home to Tokyo. The staff member who got injured protecting the girls was released a few hours earlier.


The incident has affected other members as well. During the attack Oshima Ryoka, Kuramochi Asuka and Takajo Aki were in the same lane as Annin and Ricchan. Ryoka has written over AKB48's mobile service that she is afraid of dealing with people or going outside.


As for the upcoming events: AKB48 closed its theater until May 31st. The sister groups have held stage shows but under stricter security. Handshake events from AKB48 and their sister groups have been postponed indefinitely. The election and the Oshima Yuko graduation concert on June 7th and 8th will be held as planned.

Management has announced that security will be enhanced for all further events. The number of security staff will be increased and bag controls as well as metal detectors will be established.

Other idol groups have also cancelled events and announced stricter security rules.

Now some might wonder about the attacker. He testified that he just wanted to kill people and it did not matter to him who of the members he attacked.
I don't want to give this person more attention than necessary so I won't report more details here or engage in speculations.




I seriously hope that the injured members get well soon and that also the emotional wounds of all victims and witnesses can somehow be relieved.