Yamaguchi Maho, Sugahara Riko and Hasegawa Rena announced graduation from NGT48, Yamaguchi reads letter of why she is graduating

It was what was rumored and now it has been officially announced that NGT48 Team G vice-captain Yamaguchi Maho, Sugahara Riko and Hasegawa Rena will be graduating from NGT48. The three have been members of NGT48 Team G and their final handshake will be on May 6th and their final graduation performance on May 18th.

But with the mishandling and failure to protect Yamaguchi Maho after her assault and Yamaguchi Maho having the strength to call out the company, Yamaguchi has no doubt won the support of fans and non-fans all over the world.

And before she announced her graduation, Yamaguchi who was at NGT48 Theater for the final Team G performance, read the following letter:

I, Yamaguchi Maho will graduate from NGT48. I wrote my feelings on this sheet of paper, so I would like to share with everyone why I have kept silent.

I love being an idol and this group. I want this group to change, because what I experienced was very painful, and I don’t want my important friends who are members to experience the same feeling, so I was prepared to give up everything.

When I was told about the case, the director told me that because there was no charge, so it is not an incident and I was told that I was at fault for attacking the company. I just want to protect the members and perform at a place where we we can continue to take part in safe, healthy idol activities. But with the group overlook of what happened, it was unquestionable and it was not the place where I can continue idol activity.

I was told by the group, “If you can not overlook what happeened, you should graduate, otherwise there will be no new NGT48”. However, I felt if the environment does not change, I think same thing will happen again. I did my best to endure up to today and I was only able to do a few things. I don’t know what is more important then human life. I sincerely hope for my fellow idols to be safe everyday.

Since I disclosed the incident, (Hasegawa) Rena, (Sugahara) Riko and Mofu (Murakumo Fuka) were still willing to stay close to me, so I decided to make this announcement as I know they have made a decision for their future.

All I can do for NGT48 now is to graduate.

I am very sorry to all the fans. A lot of people supported me, people who were victims and had similar messages contacted me and I saw how they were brave and energetic because of what I have went through. However, I do have feeling that some people may be disappointed by this decision and this result.

In a world where people who do the right thing are not rewarded, I think that in a world where people who do the right thing and lose, this is not how things should be.

I am grateful that a lot of people spent their time supporting me. I do hope in the future, they spend their time doing what makes them happy as they have done to make me happy.

For all the fans who support me, I am sorry I am graduating from the group this way. There were days I sang and danced, took part in handshake events every weekend and we would say “see you”, but my final handshake events will be on May 5th and 6th. I would be happy to continue with our “see you”.

Let’s talk about our dreams there. The final activity day will be my graduation performance with Hasegawa Rena and Sugahara Riko. Sugahara was unable to participate in the live today due to injury and is undergoing the rehabilitation. But we would like to show our smile once again on the stage.

What I can do from now on is not show you a person who is in pain but show you a happy person with a smile and giving energy right back to you. Just as you have helped me, I would like to be able to reach out to people in need.

I hope all members and fans alike will live and smile eat each other. There is only one month left but as a NGT48 member to the end, I think it would be nice if I could see you again with a smile this time. It’s been awhile but I thank you.

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