Yesterday, it was reported that Hirate Yurina would be joining HYBE‘s NAECO. Today Nikkan Sports reported on the behind the scenes movements that led to her joining this new project.
At the center of it all was the infamous Akimoto Yasushi. The producer of various idol projects such as AKB48 and Hirate‘s former group Keyakizaka46, Akimoto is reportedly deeply invested in supporting the second careers of the idols he has worked with. The list of things he has done for former members of his projects include acting as a bridge between new graduates and entertainment production companies, as well as ensuring that all the members of the now-disbanded group Last Idol are paid until March 2023, despite their disbandment in May of 2022. According to sources close to the negotiations, Akimoto once again stepped in to help introduce Hirate to HYBE.
Source: Nikkan Sports
