Yoshida Karen says she will graduate from the group.
This was announced during AKB48 Team 4 theater show tonight.
Yoshida Karen says, "I'm relieved to finally tell everyone today. I've been an active member for 8 years and 3 months and I've been able to experience a lot of lovely things. Many times I thought of quitting. To be honest I still want to be part of AKB."
"Ilove AKB48 and Team 8. Honestly, I still want to be in AKB. From now on, I will use these 8 years (spent in AKB) as my power to experience many things that I would not be able to experience otherwise."
"I would like to be reborn as a new me. I am still young and my life is just beginning, so I want to do more and more things I couldn't do before. I would be happy if you would support me on my new path."
"I've been active in AKB48 for 8 years and from now on I want to use the strength those years to be reborn as a new me. I'm still only 20. I want to do many things I haven't been able to before. I'd be happy if you could support me." she added.
Her graduation show is scheduled for September.
Karen joined AKB48 Team 8 as a Fukuoka representative back in 2015.