“W-KEYAKI FES. 2022” becomes “HIRAGANA-KEYAKI FES. 2022”

#日向坂46, #櫻坂46 – From 21 to 24 July 2022, the Fuji-Q Highland Conifer Forest was to host the joint concert “W-KEYAKI FES. 2022” of the two Japanese idol groups Hinatazaka46 and Sakurazaka46. However, on 21 July 2022, the five Sakurazaka46 members Sugai Yuuka, Onuma Akiho, Morita Hikaru, Koike Minami and Kobayashi Yui were tested positive for COVID-19. As a result, management Seed & Flower LLC decided to cancel Sakurazaka46’s two concerts on 22 and 24 July 2022. Additionally, on 23 July 2022, the six Sakurazaka46 members Habu Mizuho, Uemura Rina, Endo Hikari, Fujiyoshi Karin, Matsuda Rina and Yamasaki Ten and also Hinatazaka46 member Kageyama Yuuka tested positive for Covid-19. She thus dropped out for the Hinatazaka46 concert on 23 July 2022. 

Hinatazaka46 performed the song “Kataru nara mirai wo…” by Kanji Keyakizaka46 with Saito Kyoko as the center as a tribute to the missing sister groups. Furthermore, Hinatazaka46 Captain Sasaki Kumi read a letter from Sakurazaka46 Captain Sugai Yuuka to the fans and at the end of the concert, at the request of Sasaki Kumi, the fans lit up the arena in three colors: white (Sakurazaka46), sky blue (Hinatazaka46) and green (Hiragana Keyaki) to the song “Hinatazaka”.

The graduation ceremony for Sakurazaka46 members Ozeki Rika and Harada Aoi will be held at a later date to be announced. 

「W-KEYAKI FES. 2022」7月22日(金),24日(日) 櫻坂46公演中止のお知らせ。https://t.co/YxR1ynuqQc

— 櫻坂46 (@sakurazaka46) July 21, 2022

櫻坂46 メンバー 新型コロナウィルス感染に関するご報告。https://t.co/upo48Ehohr

— 櫻坂46 (@sakurazaka46) July 23, 2022