AKB48 veteran Minegishi Minami announced her graduation, final day set for April 2nd

Minegishi Minami (27), a first generation member of AKB48 announced that she is graduating from the group.

The announcement as made at the AKB48 Theater 14th Anniversary Special Performance in Akihabara.

Minegishi said “On December 8, 2005, it was the first day of the the theater’s opening.  14 years ago, I joined AKB48 and I, Minegishi Minami will be graduating from AKB48.  You may be wondering why I announced my graduation during this time, but I as worried for a long time but no I’m happy with everyone standing on the stage and felt it was time to graduate from AKB48. So, I chose a place that everyone can watch when I made this graduation announcement”.

Minegishi’s final day will be at the April 2nd concert at Yokohama Arena.

AKB48を卒業することを発表させていただきました。いまだに実感が湧かず不思議な気分です。最後の日まで楽しみ尽くしたいと思います。いっぱい思い出作りましょう。4月2日は横浜アリーナでコンサート！ありがたいなぁ…最後のお願い、絶対来てくださいね。 pic.twitter.com/92xzvfGiYV

— 峯岸みなみ (@chan__31) December 8, 2019

みぃちゃんお疲れ様☺️なんかはしゃいでて可愛い pic.twitter.com/NtISjkiSVX

— 指原 莉乃 (@345__chan) December 8, 2019

Minegishi passed the AKB48 opening member audition in 2005 and made here theater debut on December 8th, 14 years ago.  She was part of the group of 20 first year students, many who have graduated such as Maeda Atsuko (28), Takahashi Minami (28), Kojima Haruna (31), Itano Tomomi (28), etc.

Minegishi is known for her romance scandal and posted a video with her having shaved her head as her own personal punishment.  Her official punishment was being demoted to trainee and when she returned to member status, she became the captain of Team 4 and worked hard to train the juniors.

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