The news is official as Rena Matsui confirms she’ll be leaving the J-pop idol group in only a matter of months.

News outlets around Japan have been reporting an impending graduation announcement from SKE48′s very own Rena Matsui and it seems as if the rumors of her departure hadn’t been exaggerated. At the top of the show this evening Matsui confirmed the rumors on tonights broadcast of All Night Nippon.

Fans lit up the social media ahead of the announcement nearly unanimous on their decision that the rumors were a ploy to gain a ratings boost for the radio talk show. Comments included dry acceptance ”We’ll see if today is finally the day” to righteous indignation “Regarding Rena Matsui. Though she might graduation someday, why would they report it in advance? I think they’re just trying to boost ratings. I don’t think she’ll be announcing it at all.” and even the light hearted “Yeah.. [graduate] from Nogizaka46.”

Rena Matsui [松井玲奈] born July 27, 1991 in Toyohashi, Aichi is a member of the Japanese idol girl group SKE48 and held a concurrent position in Nogizaka46. She originally joined as a member of SKE48′s Team S but on April 2013, she became the leader of team E. She has participated in the main lineup of not only SKE48 but also AKB48 singles. Matsui is often paired with Jurina Matsui of Team S who, despite sharing the same last name, share no familial relation.

More updates as they happen.

All Night Nippon [オールナイトニッポン] is a Japanese radio program broadcast by Nippon Broadcasting System and other radio stations from 1–5 am (JST). It preempts broadcasts from TBS Radio’s programming heard on stations under both JRN and NRN (TBC Radio, CBC Radio, etc.).