Graduation

Graduation (卒業 Sotsugyou) is a term used to refer to a member of AKB48, SKE48, SDN48, NMB48, HKT48, NGT48, JKT48, Nogizaka46, Keyakizaka46, SNH48, GNZ48 and BEJ48, that leaves their respective group. The term is used for other idol groups as well.

Graduation Process

Members usually announce their graduation from the group as a surprise announcement at the end of theater performances. The date of the member's final performance is usually decided by management at a later date.

Other methods of graduation announcement include (but are not limited to):

• Announcement at AKB48-related concerts and events (Examples: Maeda Atsuko, Shinoda Mariko, Kawaei Rina, Takahashi Minami)
• Announcement on television programs (Examples: Oshima Yuko, Itano Tomomi, Miyazawa Sae)
• Announcement through a newspaper (Example: Kuramochi Asuka)
• Announcement through radio shows (Example: Matsui Rena)
• Announcement through social networking sites (Examples: Akimoto Sayaka, Yagami Kumi)
• Official announcement from management (Example: Sato Natsuki)
• Annoncement on press conference (Example : Shimazaki Haruka)

Reasons for graduation can vary. Common reasons include:

• Choosing to focus on studies
• Poor health
• Pursuing a career in show-business outside the AKB48 Group
• Personal reasons

The graduation ceremony of members usually consists of a final theater performance, after which the member takes down her picture from the portrait wall of the theater. Senbatsu members often get segments of concerts dedicated to their graduation in addition to the theater ceremony. In rare cases, a full concert can be dedicated to and named after the graduating member/s if the member is highly significant to the group. This has happened on several occasions:

• AKB48 Ajinomoto Stadium Concert in 2014 was dedicated to and named after Oshima Yuko.
  
• AKB48 Saitama Super Arena Concert in 2015 was dedicated to and named after Kawaei Rina.
  
• SKE48 Toyota Stadium Concert in 2015 was dedicated to and named after Matsui Rena.
  
• AKB48 Tokyo Dome Hall Concert in 2016 was dedicated to and named after Takajo Aki and Nagao Mariya.
  
• SKE48 Nippon Gaishi Hall Concert in 2016 was dedicated to and named after Miyazawa Sae.
  
• AKB48 Yokohama Stadium Concert in 2016 was dedicated to and named after Takahashi Minami.
  
• NMB48 Kobe World Kinen Hall Concert in 2016 was dedicated to and named after Watanabe Miyuki.
  
• SKE48 Zepp Nagoya Concert in 2016 was dedicated to and named after Shibata Aya.
  

In some cases, graduated members are still obligated to attend handshake events after their final performance.

Other Terms

Withdraw (「辞退」・「活動辞退」)
This term cam be used for members who chose to leave the group after a scandal involving them surfaces, such as Yonezawa Rumi, Hirajima Natsumi, and Masuda Yuka. It can also be used for kenkyuusei scheduled for promotion who want to leave the group anyway, such as Mitsumune Kaoru and Fujimoto Mitsuki. Lastly, the term is used for members who wish leave the group without having a final graduation ceremony.

Dismiss (「解雇」・「契約解除」)
This term is used for members who are forced to leave the group after breaking a rule. This rare occurrence has happened for twelve cases.

• Kikuchi Ayaka (AKB48 Team B) was dismissed from the group due to a scandal on August 14, 2008.
• Nishikawa Nanami (AKB48 8th Generation Kenkyuusei) was dismissed from the group on July 18, 2009.
• Yanase Aiko (SKE48 3rd Generation Kenkyuusei) had her contract terminated and was dismissed from the group on December 9, 2009.
• Cindy Gulla (JKT48 Team J) was dismissed from the group on February 16, 2014.
• Yamato Rina (Nogizaka46 1st Generation) had her contract terminated and was dismissed from the group on December 15, 2014.
• Delima Rizky (JKT48 Team J) was dismissed from the group due to a scandal on March 18, 2016.
• Cheng WenLu (SNH48 Team XII) was dismissed from the group on May 16, 2016.
• Otoshima Risa (HKT48 4th Generation Kenkyuusei) was dismissed from the group on July 21, 2016.
• Liu LiWei (SNH48 Team SII) was dismissed from the group on August 14, 2016.
• Shen YueJiao (SNH48 Team SII) was dismissed from the group on August 14, 2016.
• Deng YanQiuFei (SNH48 Team NII) was dismissed from the group on August 14, 2016.
• Qian Yi (SNH48 Team NII) was dismissed from the group on August 14, 2016.

Return

A graduated member can return to the group she graduated or to a sister or rival group. However, this is usually limited due to the age limit of auditions. Currently, a total of 10 members returned to AKB48 Group after their graduation:

• Kikuchi Ayaka, originally a AKB48's 3rd generation member, returned on AKB48's 7th generation
• Muranaka Satomi, originally a AKB48's 4th generation member, returned on AKB48's 8th generation
• Fujimoto Sara, originally a AKB48's 4th generation member, returned on AKB48's 9th generation
• Deguchi Aki, originally a AKB48's 4th generation member, returned on SKE48's 1st generation
• Saeki Mika, originally a AKB48's 4th generation member, returned as a Baito AKB member
• Suzuki Shihori, originally a AKB48's 7th generation member, returned on AKB48's 11th generation
• Nishikawa Nanami, originally a AKB48's 8th generation member, returned on Nogizaka46's 2nd generation
• Jo Eriko, originally a NMB48's 2nd generation member, returned on NMB48's 4.5 generation
• Tojima Hana and Komatani Hitomi, originally AKB48's 1st generation members, returned on SDN48's 3rd generation

Graduated members can also return sporadically to perform on concerts or special theater shows.

Graduated (and Graduating) Members in 2017

Many members have graduated from the AKB48 Group since its formation. A full list of members who have graduated can be found here
Below is a list of members who graduated or announced their graduation in 2017 (some cases in 2016) specifically.
Bolded names denote members who have yet to graduate since their announcement.

AKB48

• Owada Nana (Team A) (Announced in 2016)
• Kojima Haruna (Team A) (Announced in 2016)
• Aigasa Moe (Team K) (Announced in 2016)
• Umeta Ayano (Team B) (Announced in 2016)
• Yokoshima Aeri (Team B)
• Nishino Miki (Team 4) (Announced in 2016)
• Yoshino Miyu (Team 8) (Announced in 2016)

SKE48

• Kawasaki Narumi (Kenkyuusei) (Announced in 2016)

NMB48

• Jonishi Kei (Team N) (Announced in 2016)
• Yabushita Shu (Team N) (Announced in 2016)

HKT48

• Wakatabe Haruka (Team H) (Announced in 2016)

NGT48

• Mizusawa Ayaka (Kenkyuusei) (Announced in 2016)

Nogizaka46

• Hashimoto Nanami (1st Generation) (Announced in 2016)

Trivia

• The first member to graduate from the AKB48 group is Team A's Usami Yuki who graduated on March 31, 2006.
• The biggest mass graduation was by SDN48, where all members from the group graduated together on March 31, 2012.