Mika Saeki (19), a member of AKB48's Team B, is graduating from the group next month. The news came during a performance on Tuesday night at their Akihabara theater, followed by a comment posted on their official blog.
In January, Saeki took a break from AKB48 due to a leg injury that required half a year of treatment. That time has now passed, but due to poor health the treatment did not go smoothly. Thinking about her future, she decided to formally graduate in order to focus on her recovery, so that she can return to show business sooner.
Saeki joined AKB48 as a kenkyuusei in May 2007, then debuted two months later along with Reina Fujie (15). Saeki's final concert with AKB48 will be the one at Nippon Budokan on August 23. The show will include a graduation "ceremony" for both Saeki and Risa Naruse (15), who left Team K in May due to a herniated disc.
