It is a bad news to AKB48 and AKB48 fans.

Today, AKB48 Team K member Kojima Mako announced she will graduate from AKB48, she made her graduation announcement during Team K solo concert (encore) in Tokyo Dome City on 12 January 2019.

Kojima Mako was one of AKB48 future stars, Kojima Mako, Okada Nana and Nishino Miki were called 14th generation Three Musketeers, she was also a key member of sub unit Tentoumu Chu!. Unlike other AKB48 member, Kojima Mako is one of few members who signs with the talent agency other than AKS, and she is the host of Football Channel streaming show FChan TV.

Kojima Mako joined the idol group in 2012 as Team K research student, and got promoted to Team 4 in 2013, and transferred to Team K in 2014, and then transferred back to Team 4 in 2015, at last she was transferred back to Team K in 2017.

Reference1: AKB48 Theater Manager Hosoi Takahiro's Tweet

Reference2: Nikkan Sports