NMB48’s Jo Eriko announced that she will be graduating…again.

NMB48’s Jo Eriko is known for being a big fan of Maeda Atsuko (when Maeda was an AKB48 member and inspired her to audition) and has participated in numerous NMB48 A-sided singles.

When Maeda Atsuko graduated March 2012, there was no doubt that it had a profound effect on Eriko, who then graduated from the group in September 2012 to focus on academics.

But she returned back to NMB48 the following year, starting over as a Kenkyuusei (trainee) and when offered a promotion to Team M in 2014, she declined and chose to stay as a trainee.

In 2015, Eriko would be promoted to Team N and then transferred to Team BII in 2017.

And now Jo Eriko has announced that she will be graduating from NMB48.

Jo wrote:

For the last eight years, my idol life was not a straight and flat road and different compared to everyone else. But you supported me, the fans supported me and I am here now and am able to stand. Thank you very much, thanks to the fans.

I’m already 20-years-old but I decided to take this new opportunity, I have not made it clear yet but I’m thinking about it carefully. I will take part in the tour, so please come by all means. I will do my best right to the end.

Details of Jo Eriko’s final performance will be announced at a later time.

---