A new idol group project “T!P” launched from Tochigi
A new project of a young female idol group has launched from Tochigi Pref. The name of the new group is “T ! P”, which stands for “Tochigi Idol(unit) Project” (“I” is expressed as “!”). http://profile.ameba.jp/gto-idol/
The project started in the radio program of CRT Tochigi Broadcasting Corporation in this May with the concept of “aiming to be a major idol group from Tochigi”. And the first stage of the first generation’s audition’s opening was May 20th-June 30th, and at the final stage by July 27th, three members out of eleven candidates have been successfully chosen to the first generation members.
Tohicgi is home to a lot of popular tourist destinations, such as Nikko, Kinugawa, Ashikaga, and others, however, due to the radiation problem in Fukushima, the prefecture has suffered from a sharp decrease in number of tourists after the disaster in this March, though the number is rising again these days. The group will make much of close relationships with the locals and local culture of the area, yet aiming to become a popular group nationwide, according to its producer. Tochigi already has an girls idol group named “Tochiotome 25”, which debuted at the Shanghai Expo in China in 2010, whose primary concept is “promoting popular strawberry Tochiotome from Tochigi and other Tochigi’s agricultural produces and local culture to the domestic market as well as to China and other international markets ” . http://tochiotome25.com/sub4.html
I do hope these cheeful and energetic young girls will be a reliable trigger and energy source for Tochigi and whole of Japan to regain power and vigor so soon.