Nogizaka46 says goodbye to another member
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On September 1 Nogizaka46 held its final stop for their 2019 live tour titled Nogizaka 46 Midsummer Tour 2019 which was also the final performance for long-term member Reika Sakurai. Per usual, it was a somber affair filled with tears and a level of camaraderie shining through as fellow members wished Sakurai one final goodbye. In the encore of the show Sakurai addresses the audience and discusses her emotions as she leaves the group. She expresses how much the group has meant to her but mentions she has a dream and feels that in order to achieve her dream she needs to branch out on her own. Akimoto, owner of the Nogizaka46 brand, came out on stage to recall some of the good times with Sakurai. Reika Sakurai will be the center of the upcoming single “Yoakemade Tsuyogaranakutemoii”, her last, which is already out on YouTube (you can check it out for yourself below). “Yoakemade Tsuyogaranakutemoii” is currently available for pre-order and will be posted below. We wish Sakurai the absolute best in her future endeavors.