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Hanada Mei shares statement of her termination from AKB48. She appears to have shaved her head. • Hanada Mei apologised for privately meeting a specific fan and holding hands with him in public, calling it a careless action unbecoming of an idol. • She said she had become caught up in a “hide-and-seek” style interaction with fans after posting clues about her whereabouts on Weverse. • According to Mei, a photo of her holding hands with the fan was submitted to management, leading to discussions about how to handle the situation. • During meetings with management, she claims she was accused of dating the fan, asked sexual questions, and not believed when she denied the allegations. • Mei alleges that management brought up the case of Minegishi Minami and suggested that if she wanted to continue in AKB48, she should shave her head to demonstrate remorse. • Unable to decide immediately, she instead requested a three-week hiatus, but says it was later changed to an indefinite suspension. • Feeling that she could not continue in AKB48 unless she shaved her head, Mei eventually made the decision to do so despite how painful it was for her. • After informing management that she had shaved her head, she says they responded that they had never instructed or required her to do so. • Mei claims she was questioned for hours and repeatedly heard the word “shaved head” during discussions, despite management later denying they requested it. • She states that no senior staff member formally apologised to her or expressed concern after she shaved her head. • Through a lawyer, Mei repeatedly attempted to communicate her feelings and concerns to management, but says most responses simply urged her to meet in person and maintained that she had never been told to shave her head. • Mei says the situation severely affected her mental health, leaving her unable to leave home and experiencing thoughts of wanting to die. • After reaching her limit, she decided to publicly explain what had happened if management’s next response did not address her concerns. • Mei says she was warned that revealing her shaved head could result in contract termination and possible claims for damages. • She revealed the situation anyway because she did not want future AKB48 members to feel pressured into shaving their heads as she felt she had been. • Mei expressed her love for AKB48, saying she never wanted to leave the group and still wished to continue performing alongside the members. • She said she had hoped to participate in upcoming concerts, theatre performances, handshake events and future AKB48 activities. • Mei concluded by apologising to fans who had been waiting for her return and thanked them for supporting her throughout her time in AKB48.