Niggata local newspaper the Niigata Nippo had an interview with NGT48 and AKS senior management staffs - AKS management person-in-charge + board-member Matsumura Takumi, NGT48 new theater manager Hayakawa Maiko and NGT48 new vice theater manager Okada Tsuyoshi on 22 January 2019.

In regards to NGT48's ongoing public relation crisis about member Yamaguchi Maho's assault incident and the public critique of the management, NGT48 and AKS staff apologize for the turmoil and harming Niggata's image, and explain their arrangement was concern about members' future career. They also insist no member conducted any illegal act.

The management staffs claim Yamaguchi Maho's assailant rent the room opposite to Yamaguchi Maho, and admit there was a security lapse, Hayakawa Maiko said she wants to fix it. Moreover, she expects NGT48's LIVE will get back to normal in February 2019.

At last, Matsumura Takumi told the newspaper the 3rd party committee will be set up next week, and declare the committee will also investigate the staff. 

Original source: The Niigata Nippo