



AKB48 member Akimoto Sayaka announced, on her official blog, that she would not participate in upcoming Senbatsu general election and that she would graduate from the group.



Below is what she posted on her blog.



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The Senbatsu General Election. Today is the deadline to run as a candidate for the general election.



Until the very last minute, I was thinking in my own way if I would participate, and while I was thinking about it, it also led me to start thinking of when the timing for my graduation would be.



These past 8 years, I've learned and felt a lot of things, and enjoyed the joys of my youth. Because of Akimoto Sensei, staff members, fans, fellow members, family, and other innumerable supports, Akimoto Sayaka is here now. I'm truly grateful.



However, my thoughts that I wanted to step up to a new world while keeping things I learned and experienced from AKB48 in mind, and that I wanted to gain more experiences in order to pursue my future dream to be an actress, got stronger.



Thus, after thinking thoroughly,�I've decided to make an announcement at this point of the general election.



I, Akimoto Sayaka, will graduate from AKB48 without participating in the upcoming Senbatsu general elections.



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Akimoto did not mention the exact date for her graduation.



Source & Image: Akimoto Sayaka's official blog



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