AKB48 to Expand Services to International Fans

After years of international fans struggling to support and attend AKB48 events, AKS announced they will be expanding their AKB48 Group services to international fans.

A notice was made on the AKB48 Group Ticket Center website that they will be expanding their services to international fans. These services include AKB48 Group Service Member Registration and AKB48 Group Ticket Center website. They also noted that AKB48 official website will have a multi-language support for fans who do not speak/read Japanese. These services will officially launch on Tuesday, June 27th, 2017.

What does this mean of international AKB48 fans? Easier access to ticketed AKB48 Group events! AKS also mentioned that they want to prioritize countermeasures against fraudulent applications and resale of tickets. This new international system will not only allow easier access, but will prevent potential scams and overpriced resale of tickets targeting international fans.
 
Before these services, AKB48 collaborated with buyee.jp to bring an AKB48 Online Group Shop where international fans can purchase goods directly from AKB48. The shop can still be accessed today and is updated with new merchandise constantly.
 
These are baby step into easier access for international AKB48 fans. If these systems are successful combined already proven success of the Online Shop, we can potentially see more services open up to international fans like Fan Mail, Fan Club, and maybe even the re-access of their YouTube channels to US viewers? Time can only tell.
 
Will this help or hurt AKB48? Tell us your thoughts about these new services!

-Alana (Milky Kitty)

Source: https://ticket.akb48-group.com/home/management_notice.php?seqNo=06302&ev=99999