Popular Girl Group Trainee Announces Her Departure, Apologizes To Fans

A 17-year-old trainee is withdrawing from her group amid rumors and a “major contract violation.”

Fujisaki Azu is a former third-generation member of HEROINES Kenkyuusei, a trainee group for the Japanese girl group HEROINES. She joined HEROINES Kenkyuusei on April 17, 2025. Now, seven months later, she has left the group. HEROINES Kenkyuusei’s agency, Imaginate Inc., broke the news on November 4:

We have confirmed a major contract violation by member Fujisaki Azu. As such, she will be withdrawing from the group effective November 4, 2025. We kindly ask fans to refrain from speculation, direct contact, or any form of harassment related to this matter.

— Imaginate Inc.

Although the statement didn’t go into detail about the rules Azu had violated, the announcement was made not long after a photo Azu circulated online. One post with this photo, captioned “There you go,” racked up over 63,000 likes on X, drawing attention to the issue after Imaginate Inc. announced Azu’s exit.

今この顔🙄 pic.twitter.com/xbqwtqxC06

— えっけ👶🏻🪽🎀 (@nani__nani_) November 4, 2025

In the photo, Azu holds a tray of snacks and a drink at a movie theater.

In the plastic cup’s reflection, the silhouette of a man, rumored to be her boyfriend, can be seen.

“I sincerely apologize for my thoughtless actions that hurt the fans, members, and everyone involved,” Azu wrote in her own statement via her now-deleted X account. “Thank you so much for everything up until now. I am truly sorry.” 

In response, fans have reportedly rallied behind Azu and criticized dating bans for idols. Imaginate Inc. came under fire for similar reasons earlier this year after scandals struck another girl group, iLiFE!

Girl Group In Chaos As Scandals Strike Three Members In One Week