The graduation ceremony for Koike Minami of the idol group Sakurazaka46 was held on March 20th at the Makuhari Messe Event Hall (Mihama-ku, Chiba City). Koike, the last member of the group's first generation, put an end to her roughly 10 years of idol activities, counting from her predecessor group Keyakizaka46.
Koike-san spent the same amount of time in both groups, about five years with Keyakizaka46 and about five years with Sakurazaka46. In her speech, she reflected on her time with Keyakizaka46, saying, "I was just searching for what I could do for the group, but just when I was starting to be able to incorporate the songs into my life, we decided to change the name. At the time, I remember wishing I had more power, and feeling frustrated that we couldn't carry the weight."
When asked how she felt when they renamed to Sakurazaka46, she recalled, "We were often compared to Keyakizaka46, and we were often asked to perform songs from back then, so there were times when we couldn't fight on our own as Sakurazaka46, and I really felt that this was the thorny path." Even so, she said, "The live stage was the place where I was able to be the most true to myself at any moment and where I truly felt that I loved it," and told Buddies (nickname for Sakurazaka46 fans), "It was a place where I could share my feelings with everyone, and I was able to encounter all kinds of emotions every time."
She then sent a message to her junior third-generation members, saying, "Thank you so much for coming to love Sakurazaka46 and joining us. Thanks to you all joining, I was able to learn what it means to be Sakurazaka46. I've never properly told you this, but I really, really love you all."
She expressed her gratitude to the second-generation members, saying, "When you first joined, you suddenly had to shoulder a lot of pressure, and it was really tough. I've always loved the second-generation members, and I treated them almost like we were in the same year. Even after all the first-generation members graduated, I didn't really feel like I was alone because the second-generation members had a big presence."
She ended her speech by saying, "I feel that Sakurazaka46 is, in a good sense, a group that has no leader. I want all the members to continue to work as they like, without holding back themselves. I would like all the Buddies to continue to watch over Sakurazaka46 now. I look forward to your continued support for Sakurazaka46 in the future."
At the end, she said, "10 years is a long time in numbers, but it feels like an instant. During that time, you all have saved me in so many ways, and I'm really grateful for all your support." As each member presented the Buddies with a flower and a message of appreciation, she told them, "I hope you will continue to be happy," and left the stage.
