He Nagano Nichidai High School (Nagano Prefecture) surprised by announcing the creation of its own “Idol Club”a new school division that will compete in importance with the traditional baseball and soccer clubs. Starting next academic year, students will be able to join the group and develop as “official idols” during their three years at the school.
The new club will operate as a recognized school activity, with rehearsals after school and on weekends. The members will receive training from professional instructors, produce original songs and participate in events, concerts and television or radio programs. The institution also plans to offer referral income to students with previous experience in singing or dancing, although beginners may also join without course or specialty restrictions.
A project to promote local talent
The campus director, Yoshihisa Soeya (49 years old), explained that the club's objective is to provide opportunities to young people with artistic talent without having to move to big cities. “We want to offer an option so that students can develop in their homeland and contribute to the community through art,” she said.
According to local media, this would be the first officially recognized “idol club” within the prefectural school system. In 2023, another school in the region, Saku Chosei High Schoolhad founded a performing arts course with its own idol group, but the program is currently suspended. Nagano educational authorities confirmed that there is no history of a similar initiative at the departmental level.
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