Hinatazaka46: Yamaguchi Haruyo's Graduation Ceremony and New 18th Single Announced Days Apart

Article

Hinatazaka46 fans had two very different, very real pieces of news to process this week — a member's send-off, and a fresh single announcement.

Yamaguchi Haruyo's Graduation Ceremony

Third-generation member Yamaguchi Haruyo's graduation ceremony was held August 23 at Zepp Haneda Tokyo, as the final performance of the group's '3rd Generation LIVE' concert tour. Her graduation was originally announced earlier this year; this ceremony marked her formal send-off from the group.

New 18th Single Announced

Separately, Hinatazaka46 announced its 18th single, titled 'Icha Icha Mushi' (イチャイチャ虫), for release on September 30, 2026. The announcement came via the group's official site, with further details — jacket photos, track listings, and tie-in campaigns — following in subsequent updates.

Two Milestones, Same Week

Neither piece of news depends on the other, but together they capture something true about how a long-running idol group like Hinatazaka46 actually moves forward: honoring a departing member's contribution while the group's next single cycle is already underway.

What To Know

A graduation ceremony and a new single announcement landing in the same week gives fans a genuinely mixed, very real snapshot of how a long-running idol group actually operates day to day — celebrating a departing member's final moments on stage while the group's forward momentum (a new single, a new era) keeps moving at the same time.

A 'graduation ceremony' (卒業セレモニー) held as the finale of a dedicated concert tour, rather than a standalone farewell event, is the standard format Japanese idol groups use to send off a departing member — folding the send-off into an existing tour's last stop treats it as part of the group's ongoing schedule rather than a separate, disruptive occasion.

What Fans Are Saying

• "Sending Haruyo off at the 3rd gen tour finale feels fitting."
• "New single so soon after the graduation, the group keeps moving forward."
• "Icha Icha Mushi is a fun title, curious what the concept is."

Original Japanese

• 「3期生ツアーの最後に卒業セレモニーって、ぴったりだと思う」
• 「卒業のすぐ後に新曲、グループは止まらない」
• 「イチャイチャ虫、タイトルが気になる」

Easy Japanese

アイドルグループ「日向坂46」で、山口陽世さんの卒業セレモニーがありました。新しいシングルも9月30日に発売されます。