Maki Goto to graduate from Hello! Project

[Tokyograph News]

Former Morning Musume member Maki Goto ended her tour on Sunday with a show at Saitama's Sonic City. During the concert, she revealed that she is graduating from Hello! Project. The news comes barely a week after her younger brother Yuki was arrested for theft.

Yuki turned himself into the police on October 20, admitting that he and accomplices broke into a construction site in July to steal one million yen worth of electric cable.

Right after the incident became public, Goto and her management had a discussion. Because of the trouble caused by the scandal, and disagreements over the direction of Goto's career, it was decided that she would no longer be a part of Hello! Project. She will continue her solo career, but hopes to become a serious music artist rather than just an idol. She is reportedly remaining with Up-Front Agency.

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