Atsuko Maeda

Atsuko Maeda (前田 敦子, Maeda Atsuko?, born 10 July 1991 in Ichikawa, Chiba) is a former member of the Japanese idol group AKB48. She was part of Team A and was also one of the most prominent members in the group, being voted number one in the 2009 and 2011 Senbatsu Elections. In the 2010 Senbatsu Election, however, she lost to fellow member Yuko Oshima, who was the lead for their 17th Single: Heavy Rotation. She was part of the "Senbatsu" group which consists of AKB48 members that are featured in their most recent singles. On 25 March 2012, a Sunday, she announced her retirement or 'graduation' from the group. She graduated from the group on 27 August 2012 at the AKB48 theater in Akihabara.