Some translations from last years election
http://48-family.tum...enbatsu-wrap-up
Election speech
Good evening everyone, my name is Yamamoto Sayaka of NMB48’s Team N. I’d like to thank everyone who have pushed me to such great heights with this stunning placement. Last year I was 28th and part of UG, and this year, I placed 10 places higher, and I am very grateful.
But my goal this year was to make senbatsu, so in that regard, I am disappointed. This past year, I was allowed to participate as a senbatsu member in AKB singles, and I am sure there are people who did not take that well. But I didn’t leave lasting results, just mixing in with my seniors.
I let down my group.
Those pressures were plenty, and I thought ‘Is it necessary to make senbatsu?’ but what I learned from my seniors in senbatsu is a treasure that I will take back to my group. I will bring honor and confidence to this 18th position.
Please don’t say I’m sorry, I am so thankful of everyone. Thank you very much.
G+
Truthfully, I was so worried and nervous, the pressure was insane at the election. My mother would send me little tear emoticons in her mails, and even during the actual thing, I couldn’t hold tears back.
Sad things are sad things.
But even then, everyone’s thoughts are amazing.
It feels like a dream still, but I hope to have been able to accept all your love. I’m ready to go at it once more, so please don’t apologize.
Please cheer on Yamamoto Sayaka this year.
I love everyone who would love someone like me.
Blog
Good evening, it’s Yamamoto Sayaka
Today was the senbatsu election.
I placed in the stunning 18th spot.
Being 28th last year, this achievement is unbelievable and I am blessed.
However, let me be honest here.
I am not satisfied.
This past year, I was given the opportunity to participate in AKB’s songs as a senbatsu member, but I was never able to leave an impression and I thought I had failed others.
That is why I set a goal for myself to make senbatsu, but to make it, I had to place within the top 16.
And thus I placed lots of pressure to perform.
But, thought I didn’t make it, the things I learned will never go to waste.
I was able to feel the love of everyone.
Don’t apologize because I didn’t make senbatsu.
I, am able to perform the music that I love, and have people accept and cheer me on.
That enough, is reason to be happy.
As Shinoda-san said “Come at us as if you want to crush us”
That lit a fire within me.
Since she said that, I allowed myself to say this.
Truthfully, admitting that I am not satisfied is a first for me.
That is why I don’t want to lose.
I will bring honor and pride to this 18th place.
Please cheer on Yamamoto Sayaka from now on too.
P.S Yamada, Milky, Ainyan, Maachun and I were able to rank in this year.
We will lead NMB from now.
Please cheer NMB from now on too.
I'd say that she had a terrific "after the election"-year... bringing pride and honour to this 18th position, not like she was holding back previous years though. She has always been the heart and soul of NMB, setting the standards for performances and workethics for her group members very high... sometimes too high for some girls. This year she was also given real opportunities to leave lasting results in AKB's singles and RH2013 etc, things that a lot of people outside the NMB fandom also have noticed. To the extent that she is mentioned among a few members to represent the heart and soul of the future AKB.
So, lets find out what these lasting impressions brought
Before someone starts to riot about Milky 
NMB brings the most leathal two tops of the 48-family, their competitive nature and need to be better than eachother keeps pushing NMB to new hights all the time. Something that easily could devide the group and kill the effort of "we". They have admitted that the fights are there and why wouldn't there be with two strong girls that both have oppinions of how things should be done, still sober enough to realize that they both bring something unique and complete eachother.
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People have been worried about Sayaka's health lately and today she apologized that she couldn't bring her best to todays AKB HS-event. She had the option, like everyone else, to step down and claim health reasons but instead she worked all day. Stupid girl...
Sister-group girls are in an unfavourable situation with double duty. NMB's situation the last few days... first represent the group with all their might during three days of concerts and then represent AKB the next day during their two day HS event. Espacially the top members of each sister group are under insane pressure and very few days to rest, then if you are feeling sick on top of that...
Well, Yamamoto Sayaka is pure inspiration!
