Berryz Kobo's Sugaya Risako has announced that she will be leaving Up-Front Promotion. 

According to Up-Front Promotion's official website, Sugaya wanted to pursue a different path while prioritizing her family. Her management contract with the agency will terminate at the end of the month. 

Sugaya has been with Up-Front Promotion for nearly 20 years. On leaving, she explained, "After suspending my activities, I got married and had two children. When my circumstances changed, I thought about what I wanted to do hereon. Then a thought sprouted in my mind that I want to challenge myself little by little at my own pace on a different path." She specifically mentioned that she wants to try something clothing related with the support of her family. 

When Berryz Kobo went on an indefinite hiatus in March of 2015, Sugaya also suspended her individual activities.