Yuzuki Nakashima (22) from the Japanese girl group Sakura Zaka 46 has graduated from university after commuting by plane.
According to the entertainment industry on the 21st, Nakashima recently revealed her university graduation on social media (SNS). Nakashima graduated from Kitakyushu City University last month. Kitakyushu, located in the northern part of Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan, is about 1,000 kilometers from Tokyo. Nakashima frequently traveled between Kitakyushu and the university to balance her activities in the entertainment industry and academics. Her average daily transportation cost was 30,000 yen (about 300,000 won), and it reportedly took about 4 hours.
Nakashima shared, "During the summer of my sophomore year in college, I came to Tokyo alone to participate in the 'Sakura Zaka 46' 3rd generation audition to create experiences for the things I wanted to challenge," reflecting on her debut while studying. She continued, "I left the event venue earlier than others and traveled to and from the airport. At times, it was lonely. I felt isolated and upset."
Nakashima added, "If it were the me before becoming a member of Sakura Zaka 46, I wouldn’t have been able to do it," noting, "There were difficult times, but it was a fulfilling four years. Moving forward, I want to be someone who works for Sakura Zaka 46."
Sakura Zaka 46 debuted in 2020, with YAS, the producer of AKB48, at the helm. Yuzuki Nakashima joined Sakura Zaka 46 as a 3rd generation member in January 2023.