Minami Umezawa, a member of the idol group Nogizaka46, announced on her official blog on February 25th that she will be graduating from the group. She will be graduating after the group's 41st single, "When Did I Run Up the Stairs?", is released on April 8th.
Umezawa updated her blog with the title "Everything seemed beautiful," reporting, "Today I have an announcement for everyone. I will be graduating from Nogizaka46 after the activities for our 41st single."
She continued, "I think it's been many years since the thought of graduation crossed my mind. As I saw off my seniors, peers, and juniors as they graduated, gazing at their dazzling backs, I wondered when I would make this choice. On February 22nd, 2023, the day I received the baton as captain, I completely eliminated the option of graduation from my mind. With the feeling that my life with Nogizaka was starting anew, I faced Nogizaka46 head-on, and I believe I have devoted more time and energy to this than ever before."
"I was simply happy, more than anything, to have been able to fight alongside my dear classmates and juniors, and to have been able to be by their side, during this major turning point for the group over the past few years. Watching my precious juniors become more reliable every day, I felt that they were all beginning to have more confidence and ambition, so I have decided to graduate now," she said, explaining the reason for her decision to graduate.
She then expressed her gratitude to her seniors, staff, fans, and juniors, saying, "I will be holding my graduation concert on May 21st, the final day of the birthday live. It is a time and place that is too good for me, but I want to be proud to stand on stage until the very end of my time as a member of Nogizaka46. Please come and see me. I am looking forward to this last birthday live I will be participating in! I am Nogizaka46, so as Nogizaka46, I will do my best to show the type of Nogizaka that I believe in and love at the live show. I will put my heart into it so that it will be a great live show."
She continued, "I remember on the way home in the car after telling everyone I was graduating, I couldn't stop crying as I watched the lights flashing at regular intervals on the highway. I wondered why I was crying, and then I realized that the time until the end had begun, and I felt lonely." She also wrote, "Even though I was the one who had reached the limited time limit, this is what it means to let go of something important." She also wrote, "Anyway, I want to keep thinking about everyone and Nogizaka until the very last day. Thank you for your support. Well then! See you again!"
Umezawa is 27 years old, born on January 6, 1999. She joined Nogizaka46 as a third-generation member in September 2016. She will become the third captain in February 2023. She will hold her graduation concert at Tokyo Dome (Bunkyo Ward, Tokyo) on May 21.
