AKB48 has taken the pop singing idol phenom and multiplied it into a mass-production, mass-marketing, mass presence affair.
Founded in October 2005 by producer and renowned lyricist Yasushi Akimoto, Teams A, K and B each have 16 young female members who find themselves constantly promoted for media exposure, and for actual meet-the-fans hand-shaking encounters.
When the group isn't appearing before the cameras, at least one of its teams performs daily at a small theater in the district the group's letters represent — Tokyo's Akihabara electronics and geek mecca — where between performances fans have an opportunity to schmooze with the members .
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