Rising Star To Retirement

Atsuko Maeda: Former AKB48 Member Announces Retirement from Entertainment

Rising Star to Retirement

Atsuko Maeda, the former "ace" member of the popular Japanese idol group AKB48, announced her retirement from the entertainment industry on Saturday, December 17.

A Decade in the Spotlight

Maeda joined AKB48 in 2005 and quickly rose to prominence as one of the group's most popular members. She held the center position in several of the group's hit singles and also starred in numerous television dramas and movies.

Following her departure from AKB48 in 2012, Maeda continued her acting career, appearing in films such as "Nisekoi: False Love" and "The Lord of the Flies." However, she has now decided to step away from the spotlight.

Maeda did not disclose the specific reasons for her retirement, but she expressed her gratitude to her fans for their support over the past decade.