Producer Yasushi Akimoto decided to bring the AKB48 concept to Indonesia because the group had begun to develop a fan base in the country. Indonesia's growing economy was seen as a potential market by many Japanese companies, and Akimoto established a partnership with these businesses and the country's largest media conglomerate Media Nusantara Citra to replicate the AKB48 business model.
While JKT48 does not restrict membership by nationality, applicants must be residents of Indonesia. The group has 52 members and released its first studio album Heavy Rotation on 16 February 2013. It performs songs by AKB48 and other sister groups which are translated into Indonesian.
Much like AKB48, the female Japanese idol group formed in 2005 in the Akihabara neighborhood of Tokyo, JKT48 is based on the concept of idols with whom fans can "'meet', or at least develop a similar feeling of intimacy". JKT48 takes its name from the group's base city of Jakarta, Indonesia.[a][2] The country was seen as a potential market for the idol business because of its relatively young population—about half are under the age of 30—and the popularity of Japanese manga series such as Slam Dunk and One Piece. In order to bring the concept of AKB48 to Indonesia, producer Yasushi Akimoto partnered with the country's largest media conglomerate Media Nusantara Citra and Japanese electronic commerce company Rakuten.[3]
In an interview on CNN's TalkAsia program, Akimoto responded to the question of why he selected Indonesia as the first target of AKB48's overseas expansion. He said, "People in Indonesia were interested in AKB48. That is why we decided to try it in Jakarta. Kids watched AKB on the internet and they want to do the same, but they don't know whether they have talent. Also it's difficult [for them] to go to Japan to audition."[4] Rakuten–MNC Chief Marketing Officer Reino Barack recounted his visit to Japan, "When I watched AKB48's theater performance in Akihabara, I sensed the potential for a new business in Indonesia.
The formation of JKT48 was announced on 11 September 2011 at an AKB48 event held at Makuhari Messe in Chiba, Japan.[6] Applicant interviews took place in late September, and final auditions were held 8–9 October.[1] AKB48 member Minami Takahashi also visited Jakarta during the auditions to promote JKT48 among fans of AKB48.[7] Applicants did not have to be Indonesian citizens, but they must reside in the country.[8] Approximately 1,200 girls auditioned for the group, and 51 were selected to proceed to the second round. Finalists were judged based on their dance performance of "Heavy Rotation", from AKB48's single of the same name, and singing a song of their choice.[9] JKT48's 28 first generation's members, ages 12–21, were selected on 2 November.[10] JKT48 made its first public appearance on 17 December on the live music program 100% Ampuh on Global TV and performed "Heavy Rotation", with lyrics translated into Indonesian.[5]
JKT48 has also performed in Japan alongside other AKB48 sister groups. In its first performance in Japan, the group was a surprise guest at 2011 AKB48 Kōhaku Taikō Uta Gassen and performed the Indonesian version of "Aitakatta".[15] It also performed alongside AKB48 and other sister groups at the 62nd NHK Kōhaku Uta Gassen with a total 210 members onstage.[16][17] It also participated in the 2012 AKB48 concerts at Saitama Super Arena and Tokyo Dome.[18][19]
Management began accepting applications for second generation members on 13 August 2012. Of the 4,500 applicants, approximately 200 were selected for interviews the following month. The pool was then narrowed down from 67 to 31 in a selection round held by RCTI television.[20] All 31 finalists were eventually chosen as second generation members at a final audition on 3 November in Japan.[21] Additionally, AKB48 members Aki Takajō and Haruka Nakagawa, whose transfers to JKT48 were announced at the Tokyo Dome concert, officially began their activities with the group on 1 November and made their theater debut on 26 December.[22] Nakagawa became interested in Jakarta during a visit with other members of AKB48 earlier in February.
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