AKB48 Members To Graduate

It was announced this past Sunday that 5 girls from the popular Japanese pop idol unit AKB48 will soon end their activities with the group. The 5 AKB48 members who will “graduate” are Tomomi Ooe (大江朝美), Hitomi Komatani( 駒谷ひとみ), Hana Tojima (戸島花), Rina Nakanishi (中西里菜) and Risa Narita( 成田梨紗). Their final appearance will be at the concert held at NHK Hall in Shibuya on November 23rd.

Left – Tomomi Ooe, 19; Right – Hitomi Komatani, 19

The Japanese pop music industry often has a tendency to shuffle and reinvent personnel so this announcement was sort of expected. Especially since the 5 girls are part of the original members who formed the Akihabara based idol troupe when it was “only” 20 girls strong. But don’t feel down as these soon to be AKB48 alumni will still be around Japanese entertainment circle. For example, Rina Nakanishi is already active in another splinter unit called “Chocolove From AKB48″. And Hitomi Komatani has signed up with Japanese entertainment powerhouse Sun Music Production (サンミュージック).

Left – Hana Tojima, 20; Right – Rina Nakanishi, 20

Risa Narita, 17

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