AKB48 will release their 48th single “Negaigoto no Mochigusare” on May 31, 2017.  This single will be a W-center by ‘next generation’ members Jurina Matsui (SKE48) and Miyawaki Sakura (HKT48 & AKB48).  The titular track will feature 35 members from the 48Group and the single will include a song by the newly formed STU48 as a B-side.  Along with serving as the theme song of the NHK All-Japan School Choir Competition, the single will also contain the voting tickets for the 49th single senbatsu sousenkyo.  This year, the sousenkyo will take place on June 17, 2017 at Toyosaki Seaside Park, Toyosaki Villa SUN Beach in Okinawa.

“Negaigoto no Mochigusare” Senbatsu members

Team A: Iriyama Anna, Yokoyama Yui, Oya Shizuka
Team K: Muto Tomu, Kubo Satone (Draft kenkyuusei), Minegishi Minami, Mukaichi Mion
Team B: Kizaki Yuria, Kashiwagi Yuki, Watanabe Mayu, Kato Rena
Team 4: Kawamoto Saya, Komiyama Haruka, Kojima Mako, Takahashi Juri, Okada Nana
Team 8: Oguri Yui, Oda Erina

Team S: Matsui Jurina (c)
Team KII: Furuhata Nao, Takayanagi Akane
Team E: Suda Akari, Goto Rara

Team N: Yamamoto Sayaka, Ichikawa Miori, Yamamoto Ayaka
Team M: Shiroma Miru, Yoshida Akari

Team H: Sashihara Rino, Kodama Haruka
Team KIV: Tomonaga Mio, Miyawaki Sakura (c)
Team TII: Matsuoka Hana

Team NIII: Nakai Rika, Kitahara Rie

The members can submit their candidacy for the election from Saturday March 25, 2017 (11:00 JST) to Friday March 31, 2017 (24:00 JST).  The voting period will take place from Tuesday May 30, 2017 (10:00 JST) to Friday June 16, 2017.  The ranking system will be the same as recent years:

Senbatsu: (1st to 16th)
Undergirls: (17th to 32nd)
Next Girls: (33rd to 48th)
Future Girls: (49th to 64th)
Upcoming Girls: (65th to 80th)

For more information regarding the 49th single senbatsu sousenkyo, visit the official website.

(via natalie)