Sayaka Kakehashi announces retirement from showbiz
12 Aug - Nogizaka46 member Sayaka Kakehashi recently announced that she will not only graduate from the group soon, but that she will also retire from showbiz.
As reported on ATC, the singer announced the news on 10 August via her official website, saying, "During this break, I consulted a doctor and tried to explore myself overseas and attend a dance school. In my busy days, I saw new sceneries and experienced new things. The feeling gradually changed my thinking."
Sayaka referred the break to her temporary hiatus earlier, when she suffered from facial fracture after falling from the stage at a Tokyo performance in August 2022.
She said that while the people around her wanted her to return to the group and that she tried her best, she honestly believed that she has accomplished what she wanted and has no regrets about leaving.
"Looking back, these six years have been very happy. I will pass the exam on 19 August and on the final review day, I will graduate from Nogizaka46 and retire from the industry," she said.
Sayaka also stated that she will travel abroad again after her graduation and will be very busy soon.
(Photo Source: Sayaka IG)
