Ogata Haruna will graduate from Morning Musume ’18 and Hello! Project on June 20.

In a statement made on the Hello! Project website by Ogata and UP-FRONT Representative Director Nishiguchi Takeshi, the reason for her graduation is to be able to focus completely on her university studies. She feels unable to both attend college and be an idol at the same time.

After failing her initial university entrance exams, she was able to secure attendance to a 2 year junior college. After these initial two years, she plans to transfer to a full 4 year university.

Her graduation will take place at the end of Morning Musume’s 2018 spring concert tour at Nippon Budokan. As a result she will not participate in the Pharaoh no Haka ~ Hebi Ou Sneferu musical, originally scheduled to run from June 15 to 17.

Source: Hello! Project