Watanabe Asami of former idol group Cheeky Parade, which disbanded last July, has announced her withdrawal from avex and retirement from showbiz on March 31.�

Watanabe wrote on her Instagram account, "Last July, when Cheeky Parade, which was my everything, disbanded, I started anew and thought about various things. When I look back, I just looked forward and ran with all my might the past 12 years."

She continued to express, "Regardless of place, country, or age, I was able to meet a lot of people and received a lot of love that I don't even deserve." She also revealed, "There were times when I felt that this job wasn't for me."�

Finally, she said, "At this point in my life, at 25 years old, when I stopped and thought about my future, I wanted to experience many different things. Although I didn't have any confidence, I was able to look forward and spend 12 years in showbiz all thanks to everyone."�

Source & Image: Oricon