Former AKB48 general manager Minami Takahashi has been appointed as a visiting professor at Senzoku Gakuen Music University in Kanagawa Prefecture, effective from the 2026 academic year.

The announcement represents a significant career move for Takahashi, who served as AKB48's general manager (sōsenkyo) from 2012 to 2015 and graduated from the group in 2016. Known affectionately as "Takamina," she was one of AKB48's original members and played a crucial role in the group's early success.

Senzoku Gakuen Music University is a prestigious private music institution known for its comprehensive programs in performance, composition, and music education. The university has previously welcomed entertainment industry professionals as guest lecturers and professors, making Takahashi's appointment part of their ongoing effort to bridge academic music education with real-world industry experience.

Since leaving AKB48, Takahashi has maintained an active career in entertainment, appearing in television dramas, variety shows, and stage productions. Her transition into academia suggests she'll be sharing her extensive experience in the Japanese entertainment industry with the next generation of musicians and performers.

The appointment reflects a growing trend of former idol industry veterans taking on educational roles, bringing practical industry knowledge to formal music education programs.