It's been announced that former Morning Musume member Mitsui Aika's contract with agency J.P ROOM has ended. As such, she will be retiring from showbiz. 

Mitsui graduated from Morning Musume back in May of 2012, then had been studying abroad in New Zealand from January of 2014. She had continued her activities in showbiz like participating in Hello! Project's concert 'Hello! Project COUNTDOWN PARTY 2015 ~ GOOD BYE & HELLO ! ~' as an OG member of Morning Musume. However, she wanted to "graduate from showbiz and pursue the path of cooking."

On her future activities, she commented, "After graduating from school, I can obtain a working visa for sometime, so I want to do my best with whatever I can do. I kind of have a dream of owning my own shop someday. When that time comes, please come and visit me!" She continued to express, "Everyone, please take care and do your best. Thank you very much."

Source & Image: natalie