Minami Takahashi declared her graduation last Dec. 8 from AKB48 group and had chosen Yui Yokoyama as her successor. The transferring of responsibilities and turning over of Sonkatsu Megaphone happened last Dec. 8 during the AKB48 10th Anniversary ceremony AKB48 Theater in Akihabara, Tokyo.
The signing of the Declaration of Succession for the position also took part in the ceremony. The Japanese group was formed July 2005 by Yusushi Akimoto when he held an audition for a theater- based female group.
The group's main concept is not just to perform occasionally on screen but to perform regularly on their own theater which made the theater their second home. Their concept of regular performance made them unique.
Takahashi believes that 10th Anniversary is the best turning point that is why she chose to announce her graduation on the ceremony, Arama Japan reported. She also said that she already made many farewells with her comrades and believes that Yokoyama is a wonderful junior that has the same dream as her, to make a solo debut.
During Yokoyama's speech after the turnover, she said that the group's only rival is itself. She challenged the group to become a legend and soar heights in their career higher than before.
The group is divided into five teams; Team A (21 members,) Team K (21 members,) Team B (18 members,) Team 4 (20 members,) and Team 8 (47 members) having 127 members all in all. Takahashi served the group as General Director since August 2012 according to Jpopasia.
