IZ*ONE has announced that their three Japanese members will be halting AKB48 Group activities while they are members of the project group.

Off The Record released an official statement on September 24 and stated, “This is regarding IZ*ONE’s three Japanese members, Miyawaki Sakura, Yabuki Nako, and Honda Hitomi and their future activities.

“As announced in Japan as well, the three members will be halting all AKB48 Group activities for two years and six months until April 2021, and will be focusing completely on their IZ*ONE activities. All of the IZ*ONE members are currently working hard to wrap up preparations for their official debut, and all twelve members will be giving their all to IZ*ONE.”

This means that the three members will be halting their activities as HKT48 members for Miyawaki Sakura and Yabuki Nako, and as an AKB48 member for Honda Hitomi. They will return to their respective groups in 2021 at the conclusion of IZ*ONE’s contract.

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