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HKT48's Sashihara visits hometown

OITA, Japan - Rino Sashihara of the idol group HKT48 receives a bouquet while visiting the Oita city hall in Oita Prefecture, southwestern Japan, on June 14, 2013. Sashihara, who moved from AKB48 to HKT48 in 2012, serves as a tourism envoy for the city, her hometown. She captured the coveted No. 1 spot within AKB48 and its sister groups in the 2013 popularity vote.

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AKB48's annual popularity vote counting held in regional city

People look at posters of members of the AKB48 family of all-girl pop groups taking part in the annual popularity vote, outside JR Niigata Station in Niigata, eastern Japan, on June 18, 2016. The annual vote counting event was held that day in Niigata to announce the most popular members of the AKB48 family, with 272 members participating. Rino Sashihara, 23, of HKT48 based in Fukuoka, garnered the most fan votes for the second year in a row. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

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Sashihara reappointed Oita City's tourism ambassador

Idol group HKT48 member Rino Sashihara poses for photos with Oita Mayor Kiichiro Sato in Oita on May 19, 2015, after she was reappointed as the southwestern Japanese city's tourism ambassador. Sashihara, hailing from the city, began her three-year term on May 13. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo