On March 5, former Nogizaka46 member Saito Yuri updated her Instagram account announcing that she will be retiring from showbiz at the end of May. 

Saito announced, "Thank you for all of your support. I have an announcement for everyone. At the end of May, I have decided to leave Nogizaka46 LLC, and retire from work." She expressed, "To everyone I have worked with and everyone who have supported me until now, thank you very much. I feel very happy that I was able to enjoy my work while receiving lots of love from my fans, and able to work in a valuable environment where I learned many things."

On her future, she commented, "I will do my best to face my future and become involved in my hobbies." She also revealed that she will be releasing a calendar and memorial photo book.

Saito plans to keep her social media accounts after retirement. "I will work very hard during the time I have left. Please support me until the very end," she said. 

Saito debuted as a first generation member of Nogizaka46 in 2012. She served as center for the first time in "13nichi no Kinyoubi," which was the coupling track to the group's fifth single "Kimi no Na wa Kibou." After graduating from the group in 2019, she has been focusing on her acting career mainly appearing in stage plays.