Chuu! Sugoi! Idol: Sakitty will graduate from S/mileage and Hello! Project!!!

I know how everyone got surprised by this sad and also sudden news! I was about to sleep when I saw this news on Sakitty's blog....... As I read down on her blog using my translator, I wasn't sleepy anymore... At first I thought it was some kind of sick joke or something........... So I went to H!P's official site to confirm this and there was the confirmation that I did not want to see! It's already bad enough for H!P this year because of Ai-chan's graduation but now Sakitty too... Below is the translation of the news from "takamaruyo.net".

This is an important announcement concerning S/mileage.

Thanks for always supporting S/mileage.

We have an important announcement about S/mileage’s Ogawa Saki.
Following the Uchouten LOVE Live Event on August 27th at Higashi Betsuin Hall in Nagoya, Ogawa Saki will be graduating from S/mileage and Hello! Project.

Comment from Tsunku

Thank you gratefully for your continual support of Hello! Project and myself.

Let’s get right to the announcement I want to tell you.
From S/mileage, who has recently gained 5 sub-members, Ogawa Saki will be graduating from S/mileage and subsequently from Hello! Project.

Early in May this year
“Earlier, I have been contemplating and consolidating with staffs, about returning to being a normal middle school student. I feel very strongly about this, please let me quit.”
she has made this request.

Even being the youngest in the group, I have entrusted her with her singing skills.
However, now, from here on and out, as a group and each member individually, their strong desires to improve persist. Even as a producer, it’s not in the best interest of the group and members to continue to force a member in doubt to endure more group activities, therefore Ogawa’s request has been accepted.

It was officially announced at first that this unit’s member might increase or decrease,
it was due this is reason that an urgent S/mileage member audition was held in June this year.
Due to various conditions of the group, herself and other parties involved, as well as terms and conditions on contract, it was not until today that this information about her could be reported, please accept my apologizes.

Also, she is still an immature student.
A working adult would understand that abandoning work half way is an inexcusable act,
but please consider her straight and strong feelings, and watch over her with your warm and love.

Therefore, all fans, please take care of S/mileage which is still in its infant stage.

For this hasty written letter as a report, please excuse me

2011/08/24
S/mileage Producer
Tsunku

Comment from Ogawa Saki

Thank you for always supporting me.

As of August 27th 2011 I, Ogawa Saki, will graduate from S/mileage as well as Hello! Project.

Since our major debut last year in May, I have enjoyed every single day as part of S/mileage.

However, somewhere down in my heart, I felt there was a gap between myself and the S/mileage me. I have talked it over with the staff many times and have been constantly worrying about it, and with everyone working their hardest to move forward and myself still uncertain of things, I decided that it was not in the best interest of S/mileage and I will return to being just a normal girl.

I apologize for the last minute announcement.

While there may be feelings of sadness, S/mileage will always be a group with it’s trademark smile!

I’ll be working my hardest to end with a smile until my last event on 8/27, I know there isn’t a lot of time left but I hope you can support me!

The new members will power up S/mileage after I graduate so I hope you’ll continue to support them.

Thank you very much for all your support up til now.

2011/08/24
S/mileage Ogawa Saki

I gathered some of her pictures to easy our pain and sadness a little bit...... Please enjoy..