Rina Chikano

The Japanese idol girl group AKB48 has many members who have left the group for various reasons such as focusing on solo careers. Some members have left to help launch AKB48's sister groups. The member lineup often changes as when girls get older, they "graduate" from the group, and are replaced by members promoted from the trainees. Others have dropped out of the group without any graduation. Yuki Usami was the first member to graduate from the group on March 31, 2006.