TOKYO (TR) – Idol group ME:1 announced this week that four members will be leaving the 11-member group at the end of the year.
On Monday, an announcement on the group’s web site announced that members Cocoro, Ran, Shizuku and Kokona will be ceasing their activities in ME:I since their exclusive management contract with Lapone Girls Co., Ltd. expires on December 31, 2025.
“We sincerely apologize to our fans, who have always shown us their warm support, for this sudden announcement,” the announcement read. “We ask for your understanding. We would like to express our sincere gratitude to Cocoro, Ran, Shizuku and Kokona for their continued dedication to their activities. We sincerely hope for your continued support.”
It had been previously reported that Cocoro has been feeling unwell since March 29. Meanwhile, Ran has suffered from mental exhaustion since July 1.
In March this year, it was announced that Cocoro was taking a break due to poor health. Three months later, it was announced that Ran would be taking a break due to “mental exhaustion.”
On October 15, Shizuku announced that she was taking a hiatus from the group after reports of her relationship with Shosei Ohira of the male idol group JO1.
Kokona appeared in the final performance of their nationwide tour on December 14.
In August last year, Tsuzumi announced that she would be taking a long-term break from activities due to being diagnosed with adjustment disorder.
