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26 Aug – Four former members of HKT48 had left a personal message on the idol group's official blog, several days after it was announced that they would be leaving the group due to 'personal reasons'.
According to Tokyo Hive, full-fledged members Sugamoto Yuko and Taniguchi Airi and research students Eto Sayaka and Nakanishi Ayaka wrote a message on the blog, but none of them indicated the specific reason for them to leave the group.
Sugamoto wrote: "To the fans who supported Yuko, who is negative and a crybaby, thank you. I was happy. I love you all very very much! I'll always always love you!". Taniguchi, on the other hand, wrote: "Since it was decided suddenly, there may be fans who are confused. I'm very sorry to have worried you."
Only Nakanishi's message gave a hint for her withdrawal when she wrote: "I became negligent toward my studies, and I disliked myself for not being able to do the things I used to be able to do. For that reason, I thought that I have to do my best to grow."
Lastly, Eto left the longest message for her withdrawal, saying: "I don't regret leaving HKT48. I am positively thinking about the future. I want to return to being an ordinary girl, and do my best with my studies. I still have a dream. I haven't given up on that dream. My dream is now far, but someday, I will return."
A fifth member, Komori Yui, had also left the group but she was the only one who did not leave a personal message behind.
These five members are the first members from the group to have withdrawn from HKT48, since it their debut in 2011. They were all first generation members who passed the first audition when it was formed by AKB48 producer Akimoto Yasushi.
Currently, Team H would consist of 14 team members and 3 research students.
