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Nogizaka46 members Higuchi Hina (24) and Wada Maaya (24) will be graduating from the group.
The announcement was made on each of their blogs and the official Nogizaka46 website.
Both are first gen members who joined back in August 2011 and both will graduate after their activities of their 30th single (to be released on August 31st).
Higuchi said, “I decided to graduate from Nogizaka46 with the activity of the 30th single. I wanted to make a choice with a will. I’m sorry that I suddenly became a form of expressing my determination. I started to wonder what I want to do and what I should do in my long life. In that situation, I can naturally think positively about myself in the future. Now is the time to graduate, so I felt like it was coming down to what I felt in my heart. I decided to put a period in the life of Nogizaka46 at the same time as Maaya. We met in 2011 and started running, both of us towards one goal in 2022. While it was hard or happy, there was always Maaya next to me. How many times my heart was saved by the brightness and kindness of Maaya … If I didn’t have it. I couldn’t be so strong. I have only a few days left as a member, but I would like to continue to devote myself to providing opportunities for people who have supported me so far to have energy and hope. I would appreciate it if you could watch over me”.
Wada said, “I have a report for you today. I will be graduating from Nogizaka46 with the activities of the 30th single. I am now ready because I was supported and protected by the people who were involved. Thank you very much so far. I was 13 years old at the time of joining, and now I am 24 years old. It was all my youth. I felt that there were painful things during my activities, but when I look back on it now, I’m surprised that everything is repainted with happy memories. I was encouraged by the many words and smiles. It was also in the lyrics and Nogizaka. The warm words and the power of smiles pushed my back. I would like to give back as much as I can during my time. Thank you until the end! I will graduate at the same time as my Hinachima (Higuchi), who I have always been with since the audition. I am a proud to have her as a best friend, who I have always respected. We’ve been doing my best to support each other at all times. She helped me with my school homework, practiced dancing together from the evening until it became bright in the morning, and had a lot of time with regrets, tears, fun thoughts and laughter. We’ve spent the rest of my time together. I want to make a lot of memories for the time left”.
When the two graduate, that will leave only two members from the original first gen left in the group, captains Akimoto Manatsu (28) and Saito Asuka (23).