AKB48 has officially announced the creation of JKT48, a new sister group that will be based in Jakarta, Indonesia. Although plans for a Taiwan-based group were previously revealed, it appears that JKT48 will likely be AKB48′s first overseas sister group to officially launch.
The news of JKT48 was announced at an AKB48 event at Makuhari Messe in Chiba on Sunday. The new group will keep the same “idols you can meet” concept, and Akimoto Yasushi will still be the group’s overall producer.
Open auditions for JKT48′s first generation have also been announced, open to girls between the ages of 13 and 18. Applications will be accepted until September 16. The interview round will take place in late September, and the final dancing/singing audition round will be held on October 8-9. The passing members will be announced on the final day.
JKT48 is aiming to debut around the end of 2011. An official website has already launched, along with a Twitter account and Facebook page.
