Miyawaki Sakura To Graduate From HKT48 on June

Miyawaki Sakura, a former member of IZ*ONE, has announced her departure from her long-running party HKT48.

On May 15th, HKT48 announced that Miyawaki Sakura personally requested that she would be leaving the group after ten years.

The official statement in English was released through the group's official Twitter account:

" Announcement of HKT48 Team KIV Sakura Miyawaki's Graduation

Thank you so much for your continued support of HKT48.

As streamed, Sakura Miyawaki has requested her graduation during today's live broadcast.

This is an official announcement regarding her graduation.

Sakura Miyawaki will be finishing her involvement in HKT48 at her graduation concert, planned to be held on Saturday, June 19th.

We apologize for the sudden news, but we hope you will understand.

Her graduation concert details will be released soon after this release. Pelase wait for any further information.

We would like to thank all fans and all involved parties who have supported Sakura Miyawaki through her 10 years of activities starting in 2011 as HKT48's first-generation group member, then AKB48's senbatsu member, and IZ*ONE's member.

We kindly ask for your warm support for Sakura Miyawaki until her graduation day.

HKT48 Management Office "

Miyawaki Sakura was rumored to be signing with HYBE (holding company of Big Hit Entertainment) after the disbandment of IZ*ONE earlier this year. "Nothing has been confirmed," the agency said at the time.

Miyawaki Sakura made her debut in Japan in 2011 as a member of HKT48. She debuted as a member of project group IZ*ONE after placing second on Mnet's project girl group survivor program "Produce 48" in 2018, and she promoted with the group until their disbandment at the end of last month. Days before the official disbandment of the group, Sakura and fellow Japanese members were seen leaving Korea to their home country.

All the best to Miyawaki Sakura in the future of her illustrious career!