Graduation

Graduation (卒業) is a term used to refer to a member of AKB48, SKE48, NMB48, HKT48, JKT48, SNH48 or Nogizaka46, that leaves their respective group. The same concept is also used for idol groups like Morning Musume '14 and other Hello!Project groups.

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.

Graduation Process

Members usually announce their graduation from the group during the end of theatre performances as a surprise announcement. The last day of performance varies for each graduating member.

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

• Announcement in AKB48-related concerts and events (Example: Maeda Atsuko, Shinoda Mariko, etc.)
• Announcement in mass media (Example: Oshima Yuko, Itano Tomomi, etc.)
• Announcement through social networking services (Example: Akimoto Sayaka, Yagami Kumi, etc.)
• Official announcement from management (Example: Sato Natsuki)

Reasons for graduation can vary, including:

• Studies
• Poor health
• Staying in showbiz outside the AKB48 Group
• Other reasons

For AKB48 members, usually the graduation procedure consists of a final theater performance, after which the member takes down her picture from the portrait wall of the theater.

Important members additionally get parts of or even full concerts dedicated to their graduation. In some cases, graduated members are still obligated to attend a handshake event after the actual graduation ceremony.

Other Terms

'Withdraw' (「辞退」・「活動辞退」)

This term is used for members who want to leave on their own due to scandals (like Yonezawa Rumi, Hirajima Natsumi, and Masuda Yuka) or for kenkyuuseis scheduled for promotion who want to leave (like Mitsumune Kaoru, Fujimoto Mitsuki).

'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 four 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.

Graduated (and Graduating) Members in 2014

AKB48

• Sato Amina (Team K)
• Oshima Yuko (Team K)
• Nonaka Misato (Team B)

SKE48

• Mukaida Manatsu (Team S)
• Sato Seira (Team S)
• Deguchi Aki (Team S)
• Matsumoto Rina (Team KII)
• Kito Momona (Team E)
• Yamamoto Yuka (Kenkyuusei)
• Orito Aisa (Kenkyuusei)

NMB48

• Shimada Rena (Team M)
• Nakagawa Hiromi (Kenkyuusei)
• Shimazaki Momoka (Kenkyuusei)