JKT48 is an Indonesian-Japanese idol girl group whose name is derived from its based city of Jakarta and the Japanese idol group AKB48. Formed in 2011, the group is the first AKB48 sister group outside Japan and adopts the concept of "idols you can meet", before switching to "idols that will come to meet you" since April 2018. The group opened their own theater on the 4th floor of fX Sudirman shopping mall in early September 2012, where fans can attend daily performances every day except Monday. The theater was built as a close replica to the AKB48 Theater in Akihabara.
JKT48 performs in September 2012
Beby of JKT48 greets fans at an autograph event in 2012.
Image: JKT48 Theater
Image: JKT48 Theater February 2020
AKB48 is a Japanese idol musical girl group named after the Akihabara area in Tokyo, where the group's theater is located. AKB48 has sold more records than any other female musical act in Japanese history. AKB48's producer, Yasushi Akimoto, wanted to form a girl group with its own theater and performing daily so fans could always see them live. This "idols you can meet" concept includes teams which can rotate performances and perform simultaneously at several events and "handshake" events, where fans can meet group members. Akimoto has expanded the AKB48 concept to several girl groups within Japan, and internationally in Mainland China, Indonesia, Thailand, Taiwan, and Philippines.
AKB48 performing at the Nokia Theater (now Peacock Theater) in Los Angeles, California in July 2010
AKB48 Theater in Akihabara, Tokyo
AKB48 preparing for its debut on March 26, 2006
AKB48 live at Japan Expo 2009 (Paris)