Ikimonogakari’s Yamashita Honoka will be leaving the group and retire from the entertainment world

It was announced that guitarist/harmonica player Yamashita Hotaka will be leaving Ikimonogakari and retiring from the entertainment world.

Yamashita will move away from performing arts activities and embark on a new path including creative activities such as as composition and writing.

The last live with the three members is Yokohama Arena on June 10th and 11th.

After leaving, Mizuno Yoshiki and Yoshioka Kiyoe will continue on with the group.

As for the reason of leaving, Yamashita said, “Regarding the reason for withdrawal, I am old enough to think about the destination of each life. How will each person live in the future? It may be a little selfish, but it is a time when I have to be honest with myself. I want to freely explore my life in a place different from the world of Ikimonogakari activities and as a performing artist. I think I’m happy to go on a different path from the work of being on the front stage.

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