Yuko Oshima announced during the AKB48 Unit Matsuri 2014 AKB48ユニット祭り2014 that she intends to leave the group with the Tokyo National Stadium series in March.
Oshima shared “I would like to inform you all that my graduation date has been decided. I will be graduating at National Stadium in March.” The next AKB48 single drops on March 29th and AKB48 will perform on March 29th and 30th at the National Stadium, Oshima did not specify which date she intends to graduate although the safe bet will be on the latest date.
The girls are also likely to make history as the last artists to play at the Tokyo National Stadium as reconstruction work is due to begin in July to prep the venue for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. The Tokyo National Olympic Stadium [国立霞ヶ丘陸上競技場] is located in Shinjuku, Tokyo, Japan, and served as the main stadium for the 1964 Summer Olympics and will serve this function again in the 2020 Summer Olympics. It is currently the stadium where the Japan national football team’s home matches and major football club cup finals are held.
Oshima also announced a special handshake event to coincide with her departure from the group with dates yet to be announced.
- Source: MSN Japan
