Following an incident in May, where two members of the group AKB48 were attacked with a cutter during a fan meet-and-greet, the band’s management have stepped up security.
At the most recent meet-and-greet a few days ago, fans were subjected to searches and other security measures just to shake the hands of their idols.
While fans agree the band’s safety should come first, 2ch netizens have likened the scene to a slave market, unable to understand what drives fans to support the band even when they are subjected to such humiliation.
From Nathalie.mu:
AKB48 Meet-And-Greet Held Today After Strengthening Of Security Measures
The major meet-and-greet to commemorate the sale of AKB48’s stage disc single, which was postponed after an assault incident that happened in Iwate in May, was held again today, July 5, at the Tokyo Big Site east exhibition hall.
After the incident in which group members Kawaei Rina and Iriyama Anna were injured after being attacked by a man with a cutter at the meet-and-greet even held at the Iwate Industrial Culture Centre APIO in Iwate on May 25, AKB48 has revised and improved its security at meet-and-greets, leading to postponement of later events. In the event held on July 5, strict checks were carried out, such as looking through the contents of fans’ bags when they enter the venue, opening their umbrellas, and drinking any drinks they were carrying in front of security guards as a test. Thanks to the co-operation of fans, this went smoothly.
The meet-and-greet booths were set up so that group members and fans faced each other across railings, while fans lined up in 104 lanes. Although partition walls had been prepared, the front and back of the booths were open, and the booths had been changed so that there was better visibility for the security guards stationed behind the group members, as well as for the manager and the staff. Inside the hall, fans could be seen holding placards that read “we should protect the safety of group members”, which independently endorsed the security measures and encouraged a beautiful event.
Comments from 2ch.net:
カーフブランディング(禿)＠＼(^o^)／:
People still want to shake their hand, even when they go this far?
ジャンピングDDT(大阪府)＠＼(^o^)／:
Kinda makes me feel sick.
Like, I feel a physiological repulsion.
フロントネックロック(WiMAX)＠＼(^o^)／:
Is this the depot at Auschwitz or something?
タイガードライバー(福島県)＠＼(^o^)／:
This is kind of amazing.
I’m surprised. They’re actually paying for this …w
ツームストンパイルドライバー(dion軍)＠＼(^o^)／:
If you’re a fan, then isn’t it a sweeter deal to become a security guard?
フライングニールキック(やわらか銀行)＠＼(^o^)／:
They really did make them go through metal detectors w
Well, anyway it would have been better if they didn’t have to greet them over an acrylic board, right? w
ブラディサンデー(やわらか銀行)＠＼(^o^)／:
So this is a place where people who use and people who are used can meet, eh?
ナガタロックII(愛知県)＠＼(^o^)／:
Trolling pictures.
Kinda seems like a prison in there （´・_・`）
チキンウィングフェースロック(catv?)＠＼(^o^)／:
These people really are brainwashed.
アイアンクロー(チベット自治区)＠＼(^o^)／:
I have seen the city of Sodom.
毒霧(岐阜県)＠＼(^o^)／:
This might be the beginning of the end.
魔神風車固め(茨城県)＠＼(^o^)／:
They still want to go and meet them even if it means getting treated like criminals.
ジャンピングエルボーアタック(大阪府)＠＼(^o^)／:
They really are like a crowd of beggars lining up at a soup kitchen wwwwwww
超竜ボム(やわらか銀行)＠＼(^o^)／:
Only AKB have such ugly business conditions.
オリンピック予選スラム(鹿児島県)＠＼(^o^)／:
LMFAO w
What the hell is enjoyable about going to a place like that?
タイガードライバー(新疆ウイグル自治区)＠＼(^o^)／:
That definitely isn’t any fun…
I guess these guys are just the kind who’ll want to shake their hands even if they get treated like that?
レッドインク(関東・甲信越)＠＼(^o^)／:
Guess it’s kind of a sickness when they’ll go again even when it’s like that.
ビッグブーツ(dion軍)＠＼(^o^)／:
Getting searched is a pain the ass, so they should just let them all go naked.
