Hinatazaka46:Captain Kumi Sasaki, Mirei Sasaki, and Mana Takase announce their graduation; all first-generation members leave the group

Captain Kumi Sasaki, Mirei Sasaki, and Mana Takase of the idol group "Hinatazaka46" announced on their blogs that they will be graduating from the group. They will be graduating after the activities for the 13th single "Graduation Photo Only Knows" to be released on January 29th.

The three joined Hinatazaka46 (now known as Keyakizaka46) as first-year students in May 2016. With the graduation of the three, all first-year students will be graduating from Hinatazaka46.

Regarding the reason for her graduation, Sasaki Kumi wrote, "The word 'graduation' had been in my head for many years. It's not that I wanted to quit or anything, but as I saw off so many of my peers and juniors, my heart was dyed in a color I couldn't quite pinpoint, and I thought about that moment that would surely come someday. The reason I decided to graduate was that the group and my juniors have grown so much that I feel they're reliable now, and I felt that everything would be okay, and rather than just being a part of the group, I wanted to watch over them together with Ohisama. That's all there is to it."

Sasaki Mirei wrote, "The thought of graduating has crossed my mind a few times, but being an idol is a job I love, so I've been pushing myself to do it. But now I can come to this answer with confidence. I want to challenge myself to achieve my next dream. The reason I can think that way is because of my experiences here. It is undoubtedly Hinatazaka46 that has made me who I am today. And from now on, I want to watch over my beloved Hinatazaka46 from the outside."

Takase expressed her hopes for the group's future, saying, "I wonder what kind of group Hinatazaka46 will become. They may have a different atmosphere than they have now, and because I can't predict what it will be, I'm looking forward to it! I'd like to support them from behind the scenes."