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| Nogizaka46 4th Gen Member Sato Rika Confirms Departure with 41st Single (Photo: ORICON) |
Nogizaka46 member Sato Rika has officially announced her graduation on 16 February 2026, confirming she will leave the group after completing activities for the 41st single, “Saigo ni Kaidan wo Kake Agatta no wa Itsuda?" (最後に階段を駆け上がったのはいつだ?”, set for release on 8 April 2026. The 24-year-old 4th Generation member shared the news through her official blog, marking exactly six years since being assigned to the group.
In her heartfelt post, Sato opened with gratitude, thanking fans who have supported her since her audition days in 2018. She confirmed that graduating with the 41st single has been a decision she carried in her heart for years, admitting the past 12 months were spent quietly preparing for what might be her final seasons as an idol.
Sato Rika’s journey began when she passed the Sakamichi Joint Auditions in August 2018. After training as part of the Sakamichi Kenshuusei programme, she was officially promoted to Nogizaka46’s 4th Generation in February 2020.
For many fans, she symbolised persistence — someone who chased her idol dream for nearly a decade before finally stepping onto the Nogizaka stage.
She reflected on her early years, sharing that before joining the group she struggled with self-confidence and longed to change herself.
Over time, through performances, handshake events, and meeting fans, she said she gradually learned to accept and even like herself.
Listening to Nogizaka songs now, she no longer sees distant seniors — she remembers choreography, stage lights, and the view from the stage. “That makes me very happy,” she wrote.
The decision to graduate, she clarified, was not triggered by another member’s departure. Instead, it was a personal conclusion she reached after years of reflection. She admitted it was a difficult call, one she had been considering seriously for months.
Having fulfilled her long-time dream of becoming an idol, she now wants to explore new ambitions and walk her own path at a slightly slower pace.
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| Yahoo JP |
As expected in the Sakamichi Series world, graduations are a natural part of the cycle.
Members often step away to pursue new challenges or transition into different careers. Sato acknowledged that reality while expressing hope to make every remaining moment count.
She promised to treasure each interaction until her final stage and give her best through the 41st single promotions.
A graduation ceremony has been confirmed, though details will be announced later. Fans are already speculating whether it will be a large-scale concert or a more intimate send-off.
Traditionally, only certain senior members receive massive dome-style graduation lives, so discussions are ongoing across fan communities.
Fan and netizen reactions have been varied. Some expressed sadness, calling her graduation “sudden” despite her reflective tone. Others praised her honesty and maturity, saying her blog felt calm rather than rushed.
Long-time supporters from the Sakamichi Kenshuusei era shared nostalgic messages, recalling her steady growth over the years. Meanwhile, a portion of fans said they had sensed a shift in her mindset over the past year, noticing how she treated each performance like it might be her last.
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| ORICON |
Support messages quickly trended online, with many thanking her for her warmth during meet-and-greet events and for always asking fans what made them support her in the first place — a question she once said she genuinely loved asking.
Born on 9 August 2001 in Iwate Prefecture, Sato Rika also stood out for her technical college background, where she studied programming before fully committing to idol life. That unique profile often made her one of the more quietly distinctive members of the 4th Generation.
With the release of the 41st single approaching, attention now turns to how her final chapter will unfold. Will there be a major graduation live? What kind of stage will she choose for her farewell? And what path will she take next?
What are your thoughts on her graduation? Did you expect this announcement, or does it feel too soon?