AKB48 member Honda Hitomi has announced her graduation from the group. 

In 2014, when she was just 12 years old, Honda passed the 'AKB48 Team 8 Nationwide Simultaneous Audition' representing Tochigi Prefecture. Then from October of 2018 to April of 2021, she was a part of the South Korean-Japanese idol group IZ*ONE. In recent years, she has been one of the main members of AKB48, and has been making appearances in dramas and variety tv programs. 

On her X (Twitter) account, Honda reflected on her activities in Team 8 and IZ*ONE, "Everything has become my foundation, and I believe they will illuminate me brightly from now on." She also expressed, "Thank you so much for supporting me at any time, even though I am immature, for the past ten years." Finally, she stated, "Without forgetting the love I received from everyone, I will challenge myself to various things and confirm my possibilities." 

Honda's last single as a member of AKB48 will be "Idol Nanka Janakattara" to drop on September 27. Details on her graduation concert will be revealed at a later date.