Maeda Yuuka is going to be graduating from Hello! Project and S/mileage

Maeda Yuuka  is going to be graduating from Hello! Project and S/mileage

When i Heard about the news, i was really surprised that another s/mileage original member will be graduating. And it's not like yuuka doesn't want to stay, but her studies is more important than being a singer, as she said.She loves all the new S/mileage sub-members, who just became official members about a week ago. And when Most Hello! Project stars graduate, most of them continue in the show business; but It says that once Yuuka graduates she will retire from show business. all together.

Yukka's comment on her graduation

Thank you for always supporting me.
I, Maeda Yuuka, as of 2011/12/31, will be graduating from Smileage and Hello! Project.
Just the other day at our event, the 4 sub members became official members which made me really happy, but at the same time made me realize that it was this timing that I had to use to tell you all something very important.
Since becoming a high school student, I have been unable to keep up with my Smileage work and school at the same time and it has bothered me a great deal. I started to think about my future and realized that my desire to attend a university had grown a lot over time. I was wondering if, at this rate, if I would be able to handle both school work and Smileage, I was really only able to give a half-hearted effort on both things… and was always getting help from other people, and I really disliked that part about me. I thought to myself “Things aren’t going to work out if it keeps going like this”.
I need to work a lot harder if I want to attend a university. But that had always been just talk, up til now nothing had really changed…
If I let these feelings continue, it would not be fair to the other members, nor to all the fans that support me.
I thought a lot about it. I may not be very bright but I put all my energy into thinking about this… and came up with this as the only possible option.
As of now with the four new members joining, it has been a joy to spend every day with the members. To the original members, to the new members, and to all of you who have always supported me, I am very very grateful.
Although it may be sad, we have a new single featuring the 7 of us coming out on 12/28, and I will be working my hardest ever to make this the best one yet!
I am very grateful to so many people, and hope to really enjoy these remaining 2 months, and finish with a smile in the Smileage way!
Please continue to support Smileage from here on after.
2011-10-25
Smileage Maeda Yuuka

All Yuuka fans will feel heart broken, or sad. But since she decided to graduate all we can to is continue to support her! Her official Graduation date is 12/31.

S/mileage Official announcement