SKE48 member Sugiyama Aika has announced that she will be graduating from the group by the end of the year.

This was announced on October 15 during Team S's performance at SKE48 Theater. After graduation, Sugiyama will sign with Zest, Inc. as a choreographer, and will be in charge of the group's choreography and lessons, and will serve as an instructor of Zest's music school. 

During the concert, Sugiyama commented, "There is a little bit more left in the year, so I hope to create a lot of fun memories. This isn't a sad announcement, but a positive one, so I hope everyone will support this path. Please continue to support Sugiyama Aika." 

Sugiyama passed SKE48's seventh generation audition in March of 2015. She was promoted to a member of Team S in November of the same year.