A former member of a popular girl group could be retiring from the entertainment industry — or so the rumors say.
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Maeda Atsuko is a Japanese singer, actress, and former member of the idol girl group AKB48. During her time with the group, she was one of the most popular members, referred to as the “Face of AKB”. Maeda joined AKB48 in 2005 as a member of its Team A group and left in 2012. Since leaving AKB48, Maeda has continued her solo singing career and her acting career. Most recently, she appeared in the 2025 romantic thriller film No Matter What, I Love You.
34-year-old Maeda is now marking her 20 years in the entertainment industry with a new photobook, her first one in 14 years.
She announced that this would also be her final photobook, sparking rumors that she’s leaving entertainment for good. These rumors, however, have not been confirmed. On Instagram, Maeda announced the photobook with a set of preview photos from her shoot.
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The photobook, which was shot in Vienna, Austria, will reportedly have “adult love” as its theme. It is scheduled to be released in February 2026.
