STU48

STU48 is a Japanese idol group and the Setouchi regional sister group of AKB48. It was formed in 2017 to represent the Seto Inland Sea region of Japan. The group’s name stands for Setouchi 48, reflecting its regional focus on the prefectures around the Seto Inland Sea, including Hiroshima, Okayama, Kagawa, and Ehime, among others. STU48 is produced by AKS, the company that manages the AKB48 family, and its activities are centered on promoting tourism, culture, and local exchange within the Setouchi area.

A distinctive aspect of STU48 is its ship-based performance concept. The group has staged concerts aboard ships that travel to multiple ports across the Seto Inland Sea, linking live music with regional promotion. In addition to on-ship performances, STU48 also develops stages in conventional theaters and at events across Japan, with occasional national tours and media appearances.

Membership is organized into generations, with members joining through auditions and reassignments as the lineup changes over time. Like other AKB48 groups, STU48 maintains a rotating roster and conducts regular theater performances, handshake events, and fan interactions.

Discography and activities include multiple singles, music videos, and participation in regional and national events. The group continues to operate as part of the AKB48 group ecosystem, with ongoing activities such as live performances, television appearances, and digital releases aimed at fans in Japan and abroad.