Team 8 Okubora Chinatsu Leaves AKB48

As announced on June 18, the newly formed Team 8 has now already one graduation. Okubora Chinatsu who represented Gifu Prefecture left the group that day because she had difficulties balancing her work in AKB48 with her schoolwork.

The Team 8 members began their activities only two months ago. Since the team is supposed to have a member from every prefecture in Japan new auditions will now be held in Gifu Prefecture. Girls aged 12~20 who live in Gifu can apply until July 4th.


Okubora Chinatsu's Message
Original Message

Hello to all fans,
I am Gifu Prefecture representative Okubora Chinatsu. I am sorry for doing so after such a short time, but I have to tell you that I have decided to retire from being an Team 8 member. Since we started our activities a bit more than 2 months have passed, but for me there are a lot of things which, due to my AKB48 activities, I could not do the way I would want to do them for example balancing work and school. And I began to think that if this goes on I could not be myself in front of the fans...In parts I also felt that since I have already started (AKB48) I want to do my best at it, so I worried a lot but please let me retire now from my activities as Team 8 member. I am sorry for this selfishness.
Since I am the represantative for Gifu prefecture, I cause a lot of trouble with this (decision) to all those who supported me in my home region and all fans, but from now on I will cheer for Team 8 as a fan. I will do my best in my own way, so I'd be happy if you continued to support AKB48 and Team 8.