List of former members of AKB48

Former members of AKB48 are members who were part of the group at one point of time. Members have left for various reasons from focusing on their studies to entering into new careers. The member lineup often changes as when girls get older, they "graduate" from the group, and are replaced by members promoted from the trainees. Yuki Usami was the first member to graduate from the group in March 31, 2006.

In 2014, AKB48 ran a nationwide audition for the position of "Otona AKB" (大人AKB, "Adult AKB"), a woman over 30 years old who would participate in a commercial for the new Glico Papico. Out of over 5000 applicants, the winner was announced on April 16, 2014, as Mariko Tsukamoto, a housewife and mother of two. She would take part in promotions and concerts through August 2014.

These members were transferred from AKB48 to a different group.

These former members did not undergo graduation, but left the group for miscellaneous reasons.

Baito AKB (バイトAKB^?) was a promotional campaign in cooperation with part-time job agency "Baitoru". Aspiring members applied online, and were awarded a part-time contract to work for AKB48 from October 2014 to February 2015. Baito members were awarded byes for the first two rounds of the "2nd 48Group Draft" (ドラフト二期生^?, Dorafuto nikisei) and some were selected into various groups during that event. Others later participated in the auditions for NGT48. Takahashi Kira ((高橋希良^?, Takahashi Kira) is now an AKB48 member, and is thus excluded from this list.

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