The idol group AKB48 appeared on the 76th NHK Kohaku Uta Gassen, which was broadcast live from the NHK Hall in Shibuya, Tokyo on New Year's Eve last year. The exchange between the former members and the host, Hiroiki Ariyoshi, became a hot topic.
Participating for the 13th time, AKB48 celebrated their 20th anniversary with eight alumni appearing: Atsuko Maeda, Takahashi Minami, Kojima Haruna, Itano Tomomi, Minegishi Minami, Oshima Yuko, Kashiwagi Yuki, and Sashihara Rino. Together with current members, they performed a medley of hits including "Flying Get," "Heavy Rotation," "Koi Suru Fortune Cookie," and "Aitakatta."
Before the performance, Ariyoshi said in his sarcastic tone, "The current members must be very upset," to which the other members quickly replied, "No, no, no!"
He continued, "It's been nine years since Maeda and Oshima last appeared on TV together," to which Oshima replied with a smile, "But it doesn't feel like it. It feels like the day before yesterday." Ariyoshi then joked again, adding a touch of sarcasm, "Does it seem like there's some awkwardness between you?", drawing laughter.
He grinned and asked Sashihara, "Can you dance properly?". Sashihara replied, "I'm going to aim for your heart, Ariyoshi!", to which he replied with a wry smile, "I can't take it all..." and cheered her on by saying, "Watch your legs and hips."
Speaking of the former members who appeared on the show, Ariyoshi and the former members previously appeared together on the variety show "Ariyoshi AKB Republic" (2010-2016) which aired on TBS. On social media, viewers commented, "Ariyoshi AKB Republic is back on NHK," "The vibe is like Ariyoshi AKB Republic lol," "I'm crying because I miss Ariyoshi teasing AKB so much," "Ariyoshi looks happy to see AKB on the show," and "The interaction between AKB and Ariyoshi is seriously the best."
