Beloved Idol Suddenly Announces Her Exit From Girl Group

After seven years with her group, a beloved star is saying goodbye to her fans.

Suganami Mirei is a founding member of the Japanese idol girl group ≠ME (also known as Noimii). Eleven members of the group were announced on February 24, 2019, and the twelfth member was introduced on April 8, 2019, ahead of their August 4, 2021 stage debut.

On May 11, Mirei and her management released a joint statement announcing that Mirei, who is currently on hiatus, will be officially leaving or “graduating” from the group. On X, the announcement racked with over 13 million views in its first three hours, over 42,000 likes, and many messages from heartbroken fans who are sad to see Mirei go.

菅波美玲 卒業のご報告

— ≠ME_official (@Notequal_ME) May 11, 2026

Mirei apologized for surprising fans with the sudden news, but she didn’t specify why she has chosen this time to leave the group. In her half of the statement, Mirei looked back fondly on her seven years of idol activities with ≠ME, thanking fans and her members who experienced all of those joys, sorrows, and celebrations with her.

Mirei’s graduation concert will take place on June 12, 2026.