AKB48 has terminated 19th generation member Mei Hanada's contract in a first for the long-running idol group, following allegations of misconduct.

In a statement posted to the official AKB48 website on June 23, management company DH explained that they had made the decision because of an incident where Hanada was caught meeting with a fan. Despite claims that she had only come across this individual "by accident" two times, DH has reason to believe that the relationship has continued for much longer after internal consultation.

According to DH, relations with fans outside of live performances is strictly prohibited for AKB48 as it "endangers members, creates an unfair environment and destroys trust from fans." This is perhaps one of the most famous things about the group besides their music, with Minami Minegishi starting a worldwide scandal back in 2013 when she was caught coming out of the hotel of another idol.

Efforts were apparently subsequently made to rehabilitate Hanada into the group, but proceedings had reached a legal stalemate when the decision to terminate her contract was taken. The version of events according to Handa is very different, however: in a nine minute long video posted to X, she expressed her frustration at management's unwillingness to hear her side of the story.

Furthermore, she claims that she was told to shave off all of her hair like Minami Minegishi if she wanted a chance to return. DH vehemently denies this.

Given the conflicting viewpoints, the truth is somewhat difficult to ascertain, but no one can doubt the sincerity in Hanada's voice when she says: "I still had so much I wanted to do [in AKB48]."