Asuka Kuramochi Announces Graduation from AKB48!

| 48 / 46 Group | Posted by Kai Okudara on Jul.21.2015

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Asuka Kuramochi announced her graduation from AKB48 via a post on her blog on July 19, 2015. She talked about how she felt unprepared when she was made the captain of Team B during the AKB48 Group Dai Sokaku Matsuri on February 24, 2015 at Zepp Diver City but, felt like she had grown considerably while working to serve as a good example to the team during their tour that year. Combined with the appointment of Yuria Kizaki as the new Team B captain on March 26, 2015 at Saitama Super Arena, Kuramochi felt like it was time for her to graduate.

Kuramochi is the daughter of former professional baseball player Akira Kuramochi and while it seems that she didn’t inherit her father’s pitching talent as shown by the video below, she is a big sports fan. She has regularly appeared on several sports programs as a commentator and presenter during her time in AKB48. Kuramochi explained that her love of sports has lead her to want to become a sportscaster, which is the reason that she has announced her graduation.

Asuka Kuramochi joined AKB48 as a 4th generation member in 2007 along side Reina Fujie (NMB48), Shizuka Oya, and Chisato Nakata. She became a member of the sub-unit French Kiss with Yuki Kashiwagi and Aki Takajo, releasing 6 singles and host a TV show “French Kiss no Kiss-tabi” which is currently in its second season. She also released a solo single titled “Itsumo Soba ni” in 2013.