Sakurazaka46 member and captain Rina Matsuda has announced that she will graduate from the group at the end of 2026.

In a post on her official blog, Matsuda explained that she began considering graduation several years ago and told staff that she hoped to graduate in 2026. On her upcoming departure, she wrote, "Part of me wants it to feel real, but part of me doesn't. I know I'll feel lonely once it does, so for now, I still want to look away from it. After all, I love Sakurazaka46!!!"

Matsuda's graduation ceremony will be held on November 15, the second day of Sakurazaka46's 6th YEAR ANNIVERSARY LIVE at ZOZO Marine Stadium in Chiba.

Matsuda joined Keyakizaka46, the predecessor of Sakurazaka46, as a second-generation member in 2018 after passing the joint Sakamichi audition. She became Sakurazaka46's second captain in November 2022 and currently appears as a Thursday regular on TBS information program THE TIME.