Graduation

Graduation (卒業 Sotsugyou) is a term used to refer to a member of AKB48, SKE48, SDN48, NMB48, HKT48, JKT48, SNH48 or Nogizaka46, that leaves their respective group. The term is used for other idol groups as well.

Graduation Process

Members usually announce their graduation from the group as a surprise announcement at the end of theater performances. The date of the member's final performance is usually decided by management at a later date.

Other methods of graduation announcement include (but are not limited to):

• Announcement at AKB48-related concerts and events (Examples: Maeda Atsuko, Shinoda Mariko)
• Announcement on television programs (Examples: Oshima Yuko, Itano Tomomi)
• Announcement through a newspaper (Example: Kuramochi Asuka)
• Announcement through radio shows (Example: Matsui Rena)
• Announcement through social networking sites (Examples: Akimoto Sayaka, Yagami Kumi)
• Official announcement from management (Example: Sato Natsuki)

Reasons for graduation can vary. Common reasons include:

• Choosing to focus on studies
• Poor health
• Pursuing a career in show-business outside the AKB48 Group
• Personal reasons

The graduation ceremony of members usually consists of a final theater performance, after which the member takes down her picture from the portrait wall of the theater. Senbatsu members often get segments of concerts dedicated to their graduation in addition to the theater ceremony. In rare cases, a full concert can be dedicated to and named after the graduating member if the member is highly significant to the group. This has happened on two occasions:

• AKB48 Ajinomoto Stadium Concert in 2014 was dedicated to and named after Oshima Yuko.
  
• SKE48 Toyota Stadium Concert in 2015 was dedicated to and named after Matsui Rena.
  

In some cases, graduated members are still obligated to attend a handshake event after their final performance.

Other Terms

Withdraw (「辞退」・「活動辞退」)
This term cam be used for members who chose to leave the group after a scandal involving them surfaces, such as Yonezawa Rumi, Hirajima Natsumi, and Masuda Yuka. It can also be used for kenkyuusei scheduled for promotion who want to leave the group anyway, such as Mitsumune Kaoru and Fujimoto Mitsuki. Lastly, the term is used for members who wish leave the group without having a final graduation ceremony.

Dismiss (「解雇」・「契約解除」)
This term is used for members who are forced to leave the group after breaking a rule. This rare occurrence has happened for five cases.

• Kikuchi Ayaka (AKB48 Team B) was dismissed from the group due to a scandal on August 14, 2008.
• Nishikawa Nanami (AKB48 8th Generation Kenkyuusei) was dismissed from the group on July 18, 2009.
• Yanase Aiko (SKE48 3rd Generation Kenkyuusei) had her contract terminated and was dismissed from the group on December 9, 2009.
• Cindy Gulla (JKT48 Team J) was dismissed from the group on February 16, 2014.
• Yamato Rina (Nogizaka46 1st Generation) had her contract terminated and was dismissed from the group on December 15, 2014.

Return

A graduated member can return to the group she graduated or to a sister or rival group. However, this is usually limited due to the age limit of auditions. Currently, a total of 10 members returned to AKB48 Group after their graduation:

• Kikuchi Ayaka, originally a AKB48's 3rd generation member, returned on AKB48's 7th generation
• Muranaka Satomi, originally a AKB48's 4th generation member, returned on AKB48's 8th generation
• Fujimoto Sara, originally a AKB48's 4th generation member, returned on AKB48's 9th generation
• Deguchi Aki, originally a AKB48's 4th generation member, returned on SKE48's 1st generation
• Saeki Mika, originally a AKB48's 4th generation member, returned as a Baito AKB member
• Suzuki Shihori, originally a AKB48's 7th generation member, returned on AKB48's 11th generation
• Nishikawa Nanami, originally a AKB48's 8th generation member, returned on Nogizaka46's 2nd generation
• Jo Eriko, originally a NMB48's 2nd generation member, returned on NMB48's 4.5 generation
• Tojima Hana and Komatani Hitomi, originally AKB48's 1st generation members, returned on SDN48's 3rd generation

Graduated members can also return sporadically to perform on concerts or special theater shows.

Graduated (and Graduating) Members in 2016

Many members have graduated from the AKB48 Group since its formation. A full list of members who have graduated can be found here
Below is a list of members who graduated or announced their graduation in 2016 (some cases in 2014 and 2015) specifically.
Bolded names denote members who have yet to graduate since their announcement.

AKB48

• Takahashi Minami (Team A) (Announced in 2014)
• Takajo Aki (Team K) (Announced in 2015)
• Nagao Mariya (Team K) (Announced in 2015)
• Uchiyama Natsuki (Team B) (Announced in 2015)

SKE48

• Miyazawa Sae (Team S) (Announced in 2015)
• Isohara Kyoka (Team E) (Announced in 2015)

NMB48

• Kotani Riho (Team N) (Announced in 2015)
• Kadowaki Kanako (Team BII) (Announced in 2015)

SNH48

• Miyazawa Sae (Team SII) (Announced in 2015)

Nogizaka46

• Nagashima Seira (1st Generation) (Announced in 2015)

Trivia

• The first member to graduate from the AKB48 group is Team A's Usami Yuki who graduated on March 31, 2006.
• The biggest mass graduation was by SDN48, where all members from the group graduated together on March 31, 2012.