Asuka Kuramochi Explained

Asuka Kuramochi
Native Name:	倉持 明日香
Native Name Lang:	ja
Birth Date:	September 11, 1989
Birth Place:	Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan
Genre:	J-pop
Years Active:	July 2007 - present
Label:	Avex (Avex Trax)^[1] King Records
Associated Acts:	AKB48

is a singer, actress, and a former member of the idol group AKB48 under Team B.^[2]

Career

2007

• On May 27, she passed AKB48 first trainee audition (AKB48 第一回研究生（4期生）オーディション).

2008

• On March 4, it was announced she would become a Team K member at the himawari-group performance.^[3]

2009

• In June–July 2009, she was ranked 21st in the 2009 AKB48 Senbatsu Election.
• During the AKB48 Bunshin no Jutsu Tour / AKB104 Senbatsu Members Sokaku Matsuri on August 23, 2009, it was announced that she is going to be part of Team A

2010

• In May–June 2010, she was ranked 23rd in the 2010 AKB48 Senbatsu Election.
• With new team activities began on May 21, officially became a member of Team A
• On September 8, she debuted with Yuki Kashiwagi and Aki Takajō as French Kiss.

2011

• In May–June 2011, she was ranked 21st in the 2011 AKB48 Senbatsu Election.

2012

• In June 2012, she was ranked 22nd in the 2012 AKB48 Senbatsu Election.
• During 1830m Concert and Tokyo Dome Team Shuffle, it was announced that she is transferred back to Team K
• With new team activities began on November 1, Became a member of Team K again
• In December 2012, she took a brief hiatus due to acute tonsillitis.

2013

• In April 2013, it was announced she would be releasing her first solo single, Itsumo Soba ni, on May 29 under the major label Avex.^[4]
• At AKB48 32nd Single Senbatsu General Election, Kuramochi ranked into 36th place, putting her into Next Girls

2014

• At a AKB48 Group Grand Team Reshuffling Festival, Kuramochi was transferred to Team B and appointed captain

2015

• On July 18, Asuka announced that she will be graduating from AKB48 to pursue a career in sportscasting. Her final performance day was on August 17.^[5]

2016

• Appeared in the MBS/TBS drama, OL Desu ga, Kyabajou Hajimemashita (ＯＬですが、キャバ嬢はじめました) as Nanako Koizumi (小泉菜々子個、Koizumi Nanako). It was her first appearance in the drama since graduating from AKB48

Solo Single Sales

• Itsumo Soba ni Released 29 May 2013 - 31,424+

External links

• • AKB48 official profile
• Asuka Kuramochi official blog「Dear」（March 7, 2011~）
• Asuka Kuramochi official blog 「Dear...」 （Previous blog、May 28, 2010 - March 6, 2011）
• Bisket Entertainment（Watanabe Entertainment）WE!マイページ:倉持明日香
• Asuka Kuramochi (English page) - Google+

Notes and References

1. "The single will be released under Avex in 5 different types." (News: AKB48's Kuramochi Asuka to make her solo debut. ustar. tokyohive. 6Theory Media. April 6, 2013. April 11, 2013.)
2. Web site: http://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/478690/profile/. ja:倉持明日香のプロフィール. Asuka Kuramochi's Profile. 2015-06-06. oricon ME inc.. ja.
3. Web site: http://www.sponichi.co.jp/entertainment/akb48/profile/kuramochiasuka.html. ja:倉持明日香 AKB48名鑑 - スポニチ Sponichi Annex. 2015-06-06. Sports Nippon Newspapers. ja. https://web.archive.org/web/20140726065135/http://www.sponichi.co.jp/entertainment/akb48/profile/kuramochiasuka.html. 2014-07-26. dead.
4. Web site: Kuramochi Asuka Releasing Single on May 29th, Photobook and CM Also Planned. 2013-04-06. 2013-04-06. https://web.archive.org/web/20130424065127/http://japanverse.com/2013/04/kuramochi-asuka-releasing-single-on-may-29th-photobook-and-cm-also-planned/. 2013-04-24. dead.
5. Web site: http://www.sponichi.co.jp/entertainment/akb48/profile/kuramochiasuka.html. ja:倉持明日香、ＡＫＢ卒業宣言「スポーツキャスター目指します！」 Sankei Sports. 2015-07-18. Sankei Sports. ja. https://web.archive.org/web/20140726065135/http://www.sponichi.co.jp/entertainment/akb48/profile/kuramochiasuka.html. 2014-07-26. dead.