# Minami Takahashi

Minami Takahashi (高橋 みなみ, Takahashi Minami, born 8 April 1991) is a Japanese idol, singer, tarento and a former member of the Japanese girl idol group AKB48. She is in Team A of AKB48. She became the first General Director (総監督, sōkantoku) of AKB48 and its sister groups. In an interview with Nippon Television in June 2010, AKB48 producer Yasushi Akimoto says she is the "eldest daughter of the 48 sisters". She is also regarded as "soul of AKB", and her motto "Making efforts will be paid" has inspired many members of AKB48. She is commonly part of the main lineup of AKB48 singles. She was a member of the AKB48 sub-group no3b, alongside fellow AKB48 graduates Minami Minegishi and Haruna Kojima. She has a business alliance with Mama&Son Inc.

## Career

Takahashi was born in Hachiōji, Tokyo. In August 2005, she became one of the 30th HoriPro Talent Contest's 15 final candidates, but she did not win the competition's Grand-Prix prize. In October 2005, she participated in the first AKB48 audition and beat 7,924 other applicants to be chosen as one of the 24 founding members of the group. According to Tomonobu Togasaki, the manager of the AKB48 Theater, she had two unofficial advantages going for her, in that both her birthday (8 April; 1991-04-08) and her height (148 cm) contain the number "48". She debuted with Team A on 8 December 2005.
In 2008, no3b members, including Takahashi, appeared in the TV Tokyo drama Men Dol. She starred as Nami/Kai in this television series.
On 23 August 2009, Takahashi was officially announced as the captain of AKB48's Team A.
Three years later, on 24 August 2012, with Mariko Shinoda replacing her as the captain of Team A, Minami Takahashi was promoted to be the General Director of the entire AKB48 enterprise, including all sister groups.
Takahashi appears regularly in the AKB48 singles as one of the group's key singers. In addition, Minami frequently represents AKB48 on TV programs such as Music Station, and in other of the group's publicity events. She was also scheduled to take part in the AKB48's 3-day live concert event titled "Takamina ni tsuite ikimasu" (たかみなについて行きます, lit. "We will follow Takamina"), which was to have been held on 25–27 March 2011 at the Yokohama Arena but was cancelled due to the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami.
On 25 August 2012, the second day of AKB48 Tokyo Dome Concert, it was announced by Max Hole that Takahashi would make her solo debut with the company, through its Nayutawave Records label. The single, titled "Jane Doe", was released on 3 April 2013. It is the opening theme song for the Fuji Television TV drama Saki, which stars Yukie Nakama. She also released the single "Hito no Tobira" for the 2013 film The Smurfs 2 in which she provides the Japanese voice of Smurfette.
On 8 December 2014, the 9th Anniversary of AKB48 Theater, it was confirmed by Takahashi herself that she would officially leave AKB48 exactly one year later, or 8 December 2015, the 10th Anniversary of the AKB48 Theater. Yui Yokoyama will then succeed her job as the General Director of AKB48.
On 25 October 2015, during the handshake and autograph event at Pacific Yokohama had announced the details of AKB48's 42nd Single and Request Hour 2016. The 42nd Single will be released on 9 December 2015. She will be the Center which will be her final appearance on an AKB48 single.
On 26 to 27 March 2016, her graduation concert titled "Congratulation Takahashi Minami Graduation "148.5 cm Have Seen a Dream" in Yokohama Stadium" was held at Yokohama Stadium, with her last theater performance on 8 April 2016.
On 8 April 2017, Takahshi held her own birthday party titled "Minami Takahashi 26th Birthday Live 2017❤︎199104080127❤︎26❤︎" with the members of no3b reunited.
Since her graduation, Takahashi has been hosting her own radio show "Takahashi Minami no [Korekara Nanisuru?]" (Takahashi Minami's "What are you going to do now?") on Tokyo FM airing every Monday-Thursday at 1:00 p.m. to 2:55 pm, as well as having a solo singer career.

## Personal life

On 1 May 2019, Takahashi announced her marriage to a non-celebrity man 15 years her senior.

## AKB48 general elections

* Ranked 5th in the 2009 general election
* Ranked 6th in the 2010 general election
* Ranked 7th in the 2011 general election
* Ranked 6th in the 2012 general election
* Ranked 8th in the 2013 general election
* Ranked 9th in the 2014 general election
* Ranked 4th in the 2015 general election

## Discography
### Solo singles

| Year | Title | Chart position | Chart position | Oricon sales | Oricon sales |
| Year | Title | Oricon Weekly Singles Chart | Billboard Japan Hot 100 | First week | Total* |
| 2013 | "Jane Doe" | 2 | 1 | 85,493 | 103,066 |
| 2017 | "Kodoku wa Kizutsukanai" | | | | |
* Unofficial figure obtained by adding together Oricon sales numbers for different periods of time when the single charted on Oricon.

### Solo albums

| Year | Title | Chart position | Chart position |
| Year | Title | Oricon Weekly Singles Chart | Billboard Japan Hot 100 |
| 2016 | "Aishi Te mo Ii Desu ka?" (愛してもいいですか?) | 9 | |

### Singles with AKB48

| Year | No. | Title | Role | Notes |
| 2006 | Ind-1 | "Sakura no Hanabiratachi" | A-side, Center | |
| 2006 | Ind-2 | "Skirt, Hirari" | A-side, Center | |
| 2006 | 1 | "Aitakatta" | A-side, Center | |
| 2007 | 2 | "Seifuku ga Jama o Suru" | A-side, Center | |
| 2007 | 3 | "Keibetsu Shiteita Aijō" | A-side, Center | |
| 2007 | 4 | "Bingo!" | A-side, Center | |
| 2007 | 5 | "Boku no Taiyō" | A-side | |
| 2007 | 6 | "Yūhi o Miteiru ka?" | A-side | |
| 2008 | 7 | "Romance, Irane" | A-side | |
| 2008 | 8 | "Sakura no Hanabiratachi 2008" | A-side, Center | |
| 2008 | 9 | "Baby! Baby! Baby!" | A-side | |
| 2008 | 10 | "Ōgoe Diamond" | A-side | |
| 2009 | 11 | "10nen Sakura" | A-side | Also sang on "Sakurairo no Sora no Shita de". |
| 2009 | 12 | "Namida Surprise!" | A-side | |
| 2009 | 13 | "Iiwake Maybe" | A-side | Ranked 5th in 2009 General Election |
| 2009 | 14 | "River" | A-side, Center | |
| 2010 | 15 | "Sakura no Shiori" | A-side | Also sang on "Majisuka Rock 'n' Roll". |
| 2010 | 16 | "Ponytail to Shushu" | A-side, Center | Also sang on "Majijo Teppen Blues" |
| 2010 | 17 | "Heavy Rotation" | A-side | Ranked 6th in 2010 General Election. Also sang on "Yasai Sisters" and "Lucky Seven". |
| 2010 | 18 | "Beginner" | A-side | |
| 2010 | 19 | "Chance no Junban" | B-side | Did not sing on title track; lineup was determined by rock-paper-scissors tournament. Sang on "Yoyakushita Christmas"; and "Kurumi to Dialogue" as Team A. |
| 2011 | 20 | "Sakura no Ki ni Narō" | A-side | |
| 2011 | – | "Dareka no Tame ni – What can I do for someone?" | – | charity single |
| 2011 | 21 | "Everyday, Katyusha" | A-side | Also sang on "Korekara Wonderland" and "Yankee Soul". |
| 2011 | 22 | "Flying Get" | A-side | Ranked 7th in 2011 General Election. Also sang on "Ice no Kuchizuke". |
| 2011 | 23 | "Kaze wa Fuiteiru" | A-side | |
| 2011 | 24 | "Ue kara Mariko" | B-side | Did not sing on title track; lineup was determined by rock-paper-scissors tournament; She sang on "Noël no Yoru"; and on "Rinjin wa Kizutsukanai" as Team A. |
| 2012 | 25 | "Give Me Five!" | A-side (Baby Blossom), Selection 6 | Played lead guitar in Baby Blossom; She also sang "Sweet & Bitter" as part of Selection 6. |
| 2012 | 26 | "Manatsu no Sounds Good!" | A-side | Also sang on "Chōdai, Darling!". |
| 2012 | 27 | "Gingham Check" | A-side | Ranked 6th in 2012 General Election. Also sang on "Yume no Kawa". |
| 2012 | 28 | "Uza" | A-side | Also sang on "Kodoku na Hoshizora" as New Team A. |
| 2012 | 29 | "Eien Pressure" | B-side | Did not sing on title track; lineup was determined by rock-paper-scissors tournament. Sang on "Totteoki Christmas". |
| 2013 | 30 | "So Long!" | A-side | Sang on "Ruby" as Team A. |
| 2013 | – | "Tenohira ga Kataru Koto" | – | charity single |
| 2013 | 31 | "Sayonara Crawl" | A-side | |
| 2013 | 32 | "Koi Suru Fortune Cookie" | A-side | Ranked 8th in 2013 General Election. |
| 2013 | 33 | "Heart Electric" | A-side | Nicknamed Linda. She also sang "Kiss made Countdown" as Team A. |
| 2013 | 34 | "Suzukake no Ki no Michi de "Kimi no Hohoemi o Yume ni Miru" to Itte Shimattara Bokutachi no Kankei wa Dō Kawatte Shimau no ka, Bokunari ni Nan-nichi ka Kangaeta Ue de no Yaya Kihazukashii Ketsuron no Yō na Mono" | B-side | Did not sing on title track; lineup was determined by rock-paper-scissors tournament. Sang on "Mosh & Dive" and "Party is over". |
| 2014 | 35 | "Mae Shika Mukanee" | A-side | |
| 2014 | 36 | "Labrador Retriever" | A-side | |
| 2014 | 37 | Kokoro no Placard | A-side | Ranked 9th in 2014 General Election. |
| 2014 | 38 | "Kibouteki Refrain" | A-side | |
| 2015 | 39 | "Green Flash" | A-side | Raps in this song with Sayaka Yamamoto. Also sang "Majisuka Fight", "Haru no Hikari Chikadzuita Natsu" and "Hakimono to Kasa no Monogatari". |
| 2015 | 40 | "Bokutachi wa Tatakawanai" | A-side | Also sang "Deai no Hi, Wakare no Hi" & "Kimi no Dai Ni Shō" & "Barebare Bushi" |
| 2015 | 41 | "Halloween Night" | A-side | Ranked 4th in 2015 General Election. Also sang "Ippome Ondo" "Yankee Machine Gun" & "Gunzou" |
| 2015 | 42 | "Kuchibiru ni Be My Baby" | A-side, Center | Also sang "365 Nichi no Kamihikōki", "Yasashii Place" and "Senaka Kotoba" which is her graduation song. |
| 2016 | 43 | "Kimi wa Melody" | A-side | Marked as a 10th Anniversary single. |

### Albums with AKB48

* Set List: Greatest Songs 2006–2007
* Kamikyokutachi
* Set List: Greatest Songs Kanzenban
* Koko ni Ita Koto
* 1830m
* Tsugi no Ashiato
* Koko ga Rhodes da, Koko de Tobe!
* 0 to 1 no Aida

### no3b
## Filmography
### Movies

| Year | Title | Role |
| 2007 | Densen Uta | Ai-chan (愛ちゃん) |
| 2011 | Documentary of AKB48: To Be Continued | Herself |
| 2012 | Documentary of AKB48: Show Must Go On | Herself |
| 2013 | Documentary of AKB48: No Flower Without Rain | Herself |
| 2014 | Documentary of AKB48: The Time Has Come | Herself |
| 2015 | Attack on Titan | Scout Soldier |

### Dramas

| Year | Title | Role |
| 2006 | Densha Otoko Deluxe | Herself |
| 2008 | Saito-san (斉藤さん) | Kei Niimi |
| 2008 | Men☆Dol: Ikemen Idol (メン☆ドル 〜イケメンアイドル〜) | Nami/Kai |
| 2010 | Majisuka Gakuen | Minami Ono |
| 2010 | Honto ni Atta Kowai Hanashi (ほんとにあった怖い話 夏の特別編2010 AKB48まるごと浄霊スペシャル2) | Herself |
| 2010 | Sakura Kara no Tegami (桜からの手紙 〜AKB48 それぞれの卒業物語〜) | Minami Takahashi |
| 2011 | Majisuka Gakuen 2 | Female Investigator |
| 2015 | Majisuka Gakuen 4 | Minami |
| 2015 | Majisuka Gakuen 5 | Minami |
| 2016 | AKB Horror Night: Adrenaline's Night (AKBホラーナイト アドレナリンの夜) | Hitomi (Ep.25 – 8) |

### Video games

| Year | Title | Role |
| 2019 | Grimms Notes | Hahn |

### Animation

| Year | Title | Role |
| 2019 | Beyblade Burst GT | Ichika Kindō |

### Musicals

| Year | Title | Role |
| 2009 | AKB48 Kagekidan "Infinity" (AKB歌劇団「∞・Infinity」) | MC |

### Solo Concerts

| Year | Title ! |
| 2015 | Takahashi Minami Mirai he Kekki Shuukai~ Subete no Koto no Zenya~ |
| 2016 | Takahashi Minami 独立宣言 (Dokuritsu Sengen/ Declaration of Independence) |
| 2016 | Takahashi Minami PREMIUM SHOWCASE LIVE＠COTTON CLUB |
| 2016 | Takahashi Minami "Aishi Te mo Ii Desu ka?" (愛してもいいですか?) |
| 2016 | Takahashi Minami 2016 New Year Eve Countdown Concert in Hachioji City, Tokyo |
| 2017 | Takahashi Minami 26th Birthday Live 2017 ❤ 199104080127❤ 26❤ |
| 2017 | Takahashi Minami 2017 National Live House Tour – We will follow Takamina reborn |

### Solo Events

| Year | Title | Role |
| 2016/04 | Girls Award 2016 Spring/ Summer | MC |
| 2016/04 | NHK Kayo Charity Project | MC |
| 2016/06 | Huis Ten Bosch Music Fes | Artist |
| 2016/06 | Cheeky eyes Travel vol.1 in Okinawa | |
| 2015/06 | Leader DIVE! ~Supporting the people meeting the challenges of a new career | Guest |
| 2016/08 | Ultra Teen Fes | MC – Kore nani |
| 2016/09 | Rock Corps supported by JT | Ambassador |
| 2016/10 | Girls Award 2016 Autumn/ Winter | MC |
| 2016/10 | OTONOKO | Artist |
| 2016/12 | Act Against AIDS (The Variety 24) | Artist |
| 2017/01 | Governor Koike's 1st Tokyo Future Vision Roundtable Meeting | Guest |
| 2017/03 | Laguana Music Fes. 2017 | Artist |
| 2017/04 | Governor Koike's 2nd Tokyo Future Vision Roundtable Meeting | Guest |
| 2017/05 | Governor Koike's 3rd Tokyo Future Vision Roundtable Meeting | Guest |
| 2017/06 | Cheeky eyes Travel vol.2 in Kyoto Amanohashidate | |
| 2017/07 | Shitte, Hepatitis Project (Save the Life 2017) | Special Supporter |
| 2017/08 | Governor Koike's 4th Tokyo Future Vision Roundtable Meeting | Guest |
| 2017/09 | Governor Koike's 5th Tokyo Future Vision Roundtable Meeting | Guest |
| 2017/09 | Rock Corps supported by JT | Ambassador & Artist |
| 2017/10 | Toyama College of University Festival LIVE | Artist |
| 2017/11 | 2017 LIVE FOR LIFE「音楽彩 | Artist |
| 2017/11 | 11th Asian International Children's Film Festival | |
| 2017/12 | Griffin's 4th Junon produce Girl Contest | MC |

### Radio

| Year | Title | Role |
| 2009–2016 | No Sleeves no Shukan No Sleeves (ノースリーブスの週刊ノースリー部) | MC |
| 2016 – | Takahashi Minami no Kore Kara Nani Suru? (高橋みなみの『これから、何する？』) | MC |
| 2017 – | Takahashi Minami and Asai Ryo Yobunnokoto (高橋みなみと朝井リョウ ヨブンのこと) | MC |

### Television programs

| Year | Title | Role |
| 2008 | AKB 1ji 59fun! (AKB1じ59ふん!) | Herself |
| 2008 | AKB 0ji 59fun! (AKB0じ59ふん!) | Herself |
| 2008–2016 | AKBingo! | Herself |
| 2008–2010, 2014–2015 | AKB48 Nemousu TV (AKB48ネ申テレビ) | Herself |
| 2009 | Omoikkiri Don! 1155 (おもいッきりDON! 1155) | Herself |
| 2009–2010 | Omoikkiri Pon! (おもいッきりPON!) | Herself |
| 2009–2012 | Shūkan AKB (週刊AKB) | Herself |
| 2010–2011 | Pon! | no3b |
| 2010 | AKB600sec. | Herself |
| 2010– | Mujack! | Herself (MC) |
| 2010–2016 | AKB to ××! (AKBと××!) | Herself |
| 2011 | Documentary of AKB48 – The future 1mm ahead | Self (concurrently as a narrator) |
| 2011–2014 | Shin Dōmoto Kyōdai (新堂本兄弟) | Herself |
| 2012–2014 | AKB Kousagi Dojo (AKB子兎道場) | Herself |
| 2012–2013 | Snack Kissa Eden (スナック喫茶エデン) | Herself (MC) |
| 2013– | Ijime wo Knock Out (いじめをノックアウト) | Herself (MC) |
| 2014–2018 | Mirai Monster (ミライ☆モンスター) | Herself (MC) |
| 2016–2017 | DAM Channel (DAMチャンネル) | Herself (MC) |
| 2016– | Sekai no mura de hakken! Konna tokoro ni nihonjin (世界の村で発見!こんなところに日本人) | Herself |
| 2017–2018 | Ichikara (金曜イチから) | Herself (MC) |

## Other media
### Essays

* リーダー論 (22 December 2015, Kobunsha)

### Photobooks

* B.L.T. U-17 summer (7 August 2008, Tokyo News Tsushinsha)
* たかみな (22 September 2010, Kodansha)
* 写りな、写りな (24 February 2016, Kobunsha)

### Calendar

* たかみな日めくり　努力は必ず報われる (1 November 2016, PHP)