Nogizaka46 member Oozono Momoko has announced that she will be graduating from the group after concluding all activities related to their 27th single "Gomen ne Fingers crossed" (released on June 9). 

Oozono passed Nogizaka46's third-generation audition in 2016. She was the center for the first time with Yoda Yuki in the group's 18th single "Nigemizu" released in August of 2017. 

On her blog, Oozono reflected, "Joining Nogizaka46 as a third generation member, I was exposed to kindness, and I was happy. There were many wonderful moments I felt that I wouldn't have experienced if I wasn't in Nogizaka. There were also moments when I cried everyday thinking that I wouldn't have felt so much pain and fear if I wasn't in Nogizaka. During the five years, I felt both emotions." 

She continued to express, "Before I knew it, I started to feel happy to be in Nogizaka46 for the past five years because I met a lot of people that I love. I'm moved to tears when I think about the many kinds of kindness I received." Finally, she said, "Thank you very much for the past five years."

Oozono's final day as a member of Nogizaka46 will be September 4, which is the fifth anniversary day for the third generation members. She will also retire from showbiz on the same day.