Maeda Atsuko Graduation Concert

[Oswald Lemus]

OnMarch 11, 2011, Sasaki and her family lost their home to the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami.[7] After the earthquake, her father sent an application in for her to join the local idol group SCK45, now called SCK GIRLS, because he thought it would cheer her up.

From March 14 to March 23, Sasaki participated in the musical Bokutachi Karen na Shounen Gasshoudan along with Yasuda Kei, Ogawa Makoto and 7 other trainees. On opening day, the Hello Pro Kenshuusei single "Karen na Gasshoudan" was released to promote the musical.

From June 5 to June 15, Sasaki participated in the musical LILIUM -Lilium Shoujo Junketsu Kageki- along with selected Morning Musume '14 members, S/mileage, and fellow trainees Tanabe Nanami and Kaga Kaede. She played the role of "Mimosa", one of the followers of Princess Marguerite (played by Sato Masaki).

On March 2, Sasaki was featured alongside Haga Akane in the Graduation2017 Chuugaku Sotsugyou published by TOKYONEWS magazine&mook, a collection of interviews and gravure photos commemorating her and other idols' graduation from middle school.[11]

On January 30, Sasaki and Morning Musume '18 member Ishida Ayumi were announced as the image characters of "Eagles Girl", the female fans of the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles.[12] They were appointed on Eagles Girl Day, which was held on June 23 during the home game against the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters.[13] They both danced with the Tohoku Golden Angels cheerleading team and received the honor of throwing the ceremonial first pitch.[14]

On July 14, the summer 2018 commercial campaign for PIZZA-LA's "Yokubari Quarter" menu item began, starring Kamikokuryo Moe and Funaki Musubu in a commercial for a fourth time and Sasaki for the first time alongside comedian Degawa Tetsuro.[17][18]

On October 4, Sasaki and Murota Mizuki held the ANGERME Murota MizukiSasaki Rikako FC Event 2018 at Shinagawa Stellar Ball to celebrate the fourth anniversary of their debut as 3rd generation members of ANGERME.[20]

From March 9, Sasaki began starring in PIZZA-LA's "Yokubari Quarter" spring 2019 commercial campaign with Degawa Tetsuro and fellow ANGERME members Kamikokuryo Moe, Funaki Musubu, and Ise Layla.[22][23]

On August 19, she celebrated her 19th birthday at a fanclub event titled ANGERME Sasaki Rikako Birthday Event 2020, which featured two shows at LANDMARK HALL.[28] In compliance with government policy, cheering, crowding, standing, and closeness in the venue were prohibited, and wearing masks were required to enter.

On July 29, it was announced that Sasaki will be halting activities for the time being. On July 25, fellow ANGERME member Ise Layla was diagnosed with COVID-19, and after the confirmation of her diagnose, all members of Hello! Project underwent PCR tests which all of them tested negative for the virus, but Sasaki was classified as a close contact by the public health center. Although there is nothing wrong with her physical condition, she will be refraining from her activities for the time being and will be monitored under the instructions of the public health center and medical institutions.[30]

On August 6, it was announced that all Hello! Project members, managers, and tour staff had underwent PCR tests earlier in the week, and all of them had tested negative. As a result, the Hello! Project 2021 Summer Sapphire & Ruby show at Nakano Sun Plaza on August 8 will proceed as planned. Ise Layla and Sasaki Rikako had also taken PCR tests after their quarantine period, and had also tested negative. They will subsequently return to activities.[31]

On June 2, it was announced that Sasaki had undergone a PCR test due to feeling feverish and lethargic, and subsequently tested positive for COVID-19. As a result, she would temporarily halt activities in order to self-isolate.[32]

On April 6, it was announced in the first day of the ANGERME concert tour 2024 spring "Secret secret" that Sasaki's graduation concert would be held on June 19 at Yokohama Arena, and that ANGERME's 34th single "Bibitaru Ichigeki / Uwasa no Narushii / THANK YOU, HELLO GOOD BYE" would be her last.[33]

On June 19, she officially graduated from ANGERME and Hello! Project at the ANGERME CONCERT 2024 SECRET SECRET Sasaki Rikako FINAL "Aijou no Sekai e, Kimi mo Oide yo" in Yokohama Arena. A day later, on June 20, she released her graduation song "Kimi Dake ja nai sa...friends (Himawari Ver.)" digitally.[35]

Her father, Toshishige, works in the fishing industry in Sendai. Her mother, Estella, is a half Filipino and Spanish who immigrated from the Philippines to Japan 19 years prior to the day her daughter joined Hello Pro Kenshuusei.[36] She has an older sister named Aiko and an older brother named Yousuke.

When Sasaki was introduced as a Hello Pro Kenshuusei member on March 31, 2013, she was about to begin her 6th year in elementary school. When she debuted in S/mileage in October 2014, she was a first year middle school student. She graduated from middle school in March 2017.[37]

Sasaki notably gets along best with her generation mates Murota Mizuki and Aikawa Maho. She is close to Kaga Kaede and Ichioka Reina, and once blogged saying that she loved them.[38] She also is good friends with Morning Musume member Makino Maria. Their pairing name is "Cookie" (クッキー).[39]

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