No. 1 AKB48

The biggest news in Japan – maybe in all Asia – on June 9 was the winner of the vote to select the most popular member of the all-girl idol collective AKB48.

In a startling upset, 19-year-old Atsuko Maeda, who was “dethroned” from the top position last year by 22-year-old Yuko Oshima, made a comeback to regain her status as the most beloved idol in Japan. Oshima came in second.

“I’m really happy,” Maeda said through a flood of tears. “I’ll do my best.”

The award ceremony took place at the Budokan arena in Tokyo, which was completely packed. It was televised nationally and simulcast to 86 movie theaters throughout Japan. The ceremony was also televised in Hong Kong, Taiwan and South Korea.

The only people allowed to vote are registered members of the AKB48 fan club and people who bought the group’s latest single.

With each single purchased (about $10 each), the buyer gets one vote. Among the 150 candidates in the voting were members of other idol groups belonging to the same talent agency, such as SKE48 from Nagoya and NMB48 from Osaka.