日本聘用AKB48在海內外作旅遊宣傳

Recently the NHK News on-line reported the following:
玄葉外務大臣は、今月から中国の３つの都市で、原発事故による風評被害の払拭（ふっしょく）を目指したイベントを行うのを前に、人気アイドルグループ「ＡＫＢ４８」に復興をアピールする応援団への就任を要請しました。
東日本大震災と東京電力福島第一原子力発電所の事故のあと、中国では、日本製品への風評被害が続いており、外務省は、今月中旬から来月末にかけて、北京・上海・香港の３都市で、日本産の食品の試食会や販売会、それに景勝地を紹介するイベントを行い、風評被害を払拭し、日本への観光客の誘致を目指すことになりました。そして、被災地をたびたび訪問して被災者を励ます活動を続け、中国でも人気のある「ＡＫＢ４８」に、復興をアピールするための「『元気な日本』応援団」への就任を要請することを決め、玄葉外務大臣が、板野友美さんらメンバー３人に要請状を手渡しました。板野さんは「私たちにも何かできることはないかと考え、毎月、メンバーが被災地に足を伸ばしています。被災地の皆さん、日本の皆さんを、少しでも元気にしていければいいなと思っています」と決意を語りました。また、玄葉大臣は「もっともっと観光客に来てもらえるように、そして、被災地が困っている風評被害を吹き飛ばすために、頑張ってほしい」と激励しました。「ＡＫＢ４８」のメンバーは、３都市でライブやトークショーなどを行い、復興をＰＲすることにしています。

(試譯文)
Foreign Minister Genba had requested the popular idol group "AKB48" to take up office in the cheering party which would advertise revival before he held events in three Chinese cities starting from this month which aimed at eradicating the damage caused by rumors caused by the nuclear power plant disaster.
As a result of the East Japan great earthquake and the incidents happened at the number one nuclear power plant of the Tokyo Electric Power at Fukushima, in China, the damage caused by rumors to Japanese products was continuing. From the middle of this month up to the end of next month, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs would hold Japanese food sampling parties, sales meetings, and events that introduced scenic spots. The occasion would be used to wipe away the damage caused by rumors, and would aim at attracting tourists to Japan from the three cities of Beijing, Shanghai, and Hong Kong this month. Also the activity of visiting stricken area frequently to encourage disaster victims would be continued, it was decided to solicit "AKB48" to take office at the ""fine Japan" cheering party" for advertising the recovery; "AKB48" was also popular in China. Foreign Minister Genba handed the letter of request to its three members including Ms.Tomomi Itano. Ms. Itano said "we are also thinking of whether there is anything that we can do; our members have extended their trips to the stricken area every month. I think it would be good if we can do something for the well being of the people in the stricken area or for all the people in Japan". Also, Minister Genba encouraged them that "I hope you will do the best to blow away the damage caused by rumors which is troubling the stricken area so that I may have more tourists coming". Members of "AKB48" would perform live shows and talk shows etc. in three cities to promote the recovery.

Japan is using its cultural power to help recovering from the earthquake disaster. Probably AKB48 will be visiting Hong Kong in the coming weeks.