Blogged By: La Tray

Source & Story Credit: Japan Today

Photo Credit: (eastasiafair.com)

Posted: Monday March 5, 2012 @ 3:28 p.m.PST

Popular idol group AKB48 will sing the national anthem before the Central League season-opening baseball game between the Yomiuri Giants and the Yakult Swallows at Tokyo Dome on March 30.

Giants officials said they wanted AKB48 to sing the anthem because the group is having a banner month, not just with its performances but also for the fact that it was chosen by the government to take part in a suicide prevention campaign.

AKB48 member Atsuko Maeda, 20, told reporters that the Giants’ opening game at Tokyo Dome will be the biggest stage for the group.