Members of Morning Musume
Encyclopedia
This page consists of all current and former members of the J-pop
group Morning Musume
.
J-pop
, an abbreviation for Japanese pop, is a musical genre that entered the musical mainstream of Japan in the 1990s. Modern J-pop has its roots in 1960s music, such as The Beatles, and replaced kayōkyoku in the Japanese music scene...
group Morning Musume
Morning Musume
, sometimes referred to as is a Japanese idol girl group, whose act generally revolves around singing and dancing to upbeat melodies. They are the lead group of Hello! Project, which is managed and produced by Tsunku, who composes nearly all the lyrics and melodies of their songs...
.
Current (as of September 2011)
- Risa NiigakiRisa Niigakiis a fifth generation member and current leader of the Japanese pop group Morning Musume. She joined Morning Musume in 2001 along with Ai Takahashi, Asami Konno and Makoto Ogawa. She grew up in Yokohama after moving there at age six. As of 2009, she was the longest-serving sub-leader of Morning...
(新垣里沙) - Sayumi MichishigeSayumi Michishigeis a sixth generation member of the J-pop group Morning Musume and has the third longest tenure of any member in the group ....
(道重さゆみ) - Reina TanakaReina Tanakais one of the sixth generation members of the J-pop group Morning Musume. Her professional first name is spelled in hiragana to distinguish her from the Japanese actress Rena Tanaka, whose name is spelled using the same kanji , who is similarly from Fukuoka Prefecture.- Biography :Tanaka auditioned...
(田中れいな) - Aika MitsuiAika Mitsuiis a member of the J-pop group Morning Musume, joining as a member of the eighth generation from the audition in Japan during December 2006. Mitsui's audition process was documented during the late 2006 episodes of Hello! Morning...
(光井愛佳) - Mizuki FukumuraMizuki Fukumurais a Japanese pop singer. She is a ninth-generation member of Morning Musume. Prior to becoming part of Morning Musume, Fukumura was known as a member of the second generation Shugo Chara Egg!, and for her role of Amulet Heart in the live action segment of the highly acclaimed television series...
(譜久村聖) - Erina IkutaErina Ikutais a ninth generation member of the Japanese pop group Morning Musume. She joined Morning Musume in 2011 along with Riho Sayashi, Kanon Suzuki and Mizuki Fukumura.- Biography :...
(生田衣梨奈) - Riho SayashiRiho SayashiRiho Sayashi is a Japanese pop singer under Hello! Project. She is a ninth generation member of the Japanese pop group Morning Musume, along with Mizuki Fukumura, Erina Ikuta, and Kanon Suzuki....
(鞘師里保) - Kanon SuzukiKanon Suzukiis a Japanese pop singer. She is a ninth-generation member of the Japanese girl idol group Morning Musume.- Biography :In 2010, Kanon Suzuki participated in the Morning Musume ninth-generation auditions....
(鈴木香音) - Haruna IikuboHaruna Iikubois a Japanese fashion model, actress and pop singer. She is a tenth-generation member of the pop group Morning Musume. She is a former model for the Japanese fashion magazine Love Berry.-2009–2011:...
(飯窪 春菜) - Ayumi IshidaAyumi Ishida (Morning Musume member)is a Japanese pop singer. She is a tenth-generation member of the idol group Morning Musume. Prior to joining Morning Musume, Ishida was an official backup dancer for the Avex Trax girl group Dorothy Little Happy.-2011:...
(石田 亜佑美) - Masaki Satō (佐藤 優樹)
- Haruka KudōHaruka Kudō (singer)is a Japanese pop singer. She is a tenth-generation member of the pop group Morning Musume. Prior to joining Morning Musume, Kudō was a Hello! Pro Egg member.-2010:...
(工藤 遥)
First generation (1997)
- Yuko NakazawaYuko Nakazawais a Japanese pop and enka singer, and actress, best known as one of the original members of the all-female J-pop group Morning Musume. She is currently a member of Dream Morning Musume.- Biography :...
(中澤裕子, graduated April 15, 2001) - Aya IshiguroAya Ishigurois a singer, writer, TV personality and fashion designer in Japan, most famous for her participation in pop group Morning Musume. She was born in Hokkaidō, Japan on May 12, 1978.Aya Ishiguro was a runner-up in a 1997 contest to find a new female rock idol...
(石黒彩, graduated January 7, 2000) - Kaori IidaKaori Iidais a Japanese pop singer and actress, associated with Hello! Project and best known as a founding member of the girl band Morning Musume. She has also recorded with the Morning Musume side project band Tanpopo and is currently a solo artist...
(飯田圭織, graduated January 30, 2005) - Natsumi AbeNatsumi Abeis a Japanese singer and actress, a former member of Morning Musume, and currently a member of Dream Morning Musume.-Career:On August 13, 2003, she released her first single, "22 Sai no Watashi," which means "Me, 22 years old," just a few days after her 22nd birthday...
(安倍なつみ, graduated January 25, 2004) - Asuka FukudaAsuka Fukudais a Japanese pop singer, and she was a member of Morning Musume from 1997 until April 18, 1999.In 1997, Fukuda joined Morning Musume along with Yuko Nakazawa, Aya Ishiguro, Natsumi Abe, and Kaori Iida. Although she was the youngest member at that time, she was the first to graduate in April 1999...
(福田明日香, graduated April 18, 1999)
Second generation (1998)
- Kei YasudaKei Yasudais a Japanese singer, musician and actress under the Up Front Agency's Hello! Project. She was a member and co-leader of the pop group Morning Musume. Yasuda, along with Mari Yaguchi and Sayaka Ichii, were the second generation of singers to be recruited into Morning Musume...
(保田圭, graduated May 5, 2003) - Mari YaguchiMari Yaguchi, known professionally by her birth name of is a Japanese pop artist and former member of Hello! Project. She is a former member of Morning Musume and Tanpopo, one of its first sub groups, and also founded Minimoni...
(矢口真里, left April 14, 2005) - Sayaka IchiiSayaka Ichiijoined the girl group Morning Musume in 1998. She, along with Mari Yaguchi and Kei Yasuda, formed the second generation of members. While in Morning Musume, Sayaka Ichii was put into the spin-off group, Petitmoni. Ichii was also part of the Hello Project! Summer Shuffles 2000 group Aoiro 7...
(市井紗耶香, graduated May 21, 2000)
Fourth generation (2000)
- Rika IshikawaRika Ishikawa, is a Japanese pop singer and TV/radio hostess, associated with the Hello! Project banner and best known as a former member of the pop group Morning Musume. She was the leader of the trio v-u-den until June 2008...
(石川梨華, graduated May 7, 2005) - Hitomi YoshizawaHitomi Yoshizawais a former leader of the pop group Morning Musume and current member of the duo Hangry & Angry as Hangry. She is the current leader of the Hello! Project futsal team Gatas Brilhantes H.P...
(吉澤ひとみ, graduated May 6, 2007) - Nozomi TsujiNozomi Tsuji, known professionally by her birth name of is a Japanese tarento and a former member of the pop idol group Morning Musume, its subgroup Mini Moni, and the duo W. She has participated in the shuffle groups 10-nin Matsuri, Odoru 11, and 11Water, H.P...
(辻希美, graduated August 1, 2004) - Ai KagoAi Kagois a Japanese singer, actress, author and former Guinness World Record holder.At age 12, Kago won the 4th National Audition of Morning Musume held by Up-Front Works Agency in 2000, which led to her admission into the extremely popular idol group as a 4th generation member. In the same year, she...
(加護亜依, graduated August 1, 2004)
Fifth generation (2001)
- Ai TakahashiAi Takahashiis a Japanese pop singer formerly associated with Hello! Project, and best known as leader of Morning Musume and Hello!Project until 2011, and former member of its popular subgroup, Mini Moni...
(高橋愛, graduated September 30, 2011) - Asami KonnoAsami Konno, born May 7, 1987, is a Japanese pop singer, best known as former fifth generation member of the all-girl Japanese pop group Morning Musume. She joined the group in the August 2001, along with fellow fifth generation members Ai Takahashi, Makoto Ogawa, and Risa Niigaki.- Biography :Konno joined...
(紺野あさ美, graduated July 23, 2006) - Makoto OgawaMakoto Ogawais a Japanese pop singer and actress best known as a former member of Morning Musume. She joined the group in August 2001 along with fellow fifth generation members Ai Takahashi, Risa Niigaki, and Asami Konno.Ogawa is currently a member of Dream Morning Musume....
(小川麻琴, graduated August 27, 2006) - Risa NiigakiRisa Niigakiis a fifth generation member and current leader of the Japanese pop group Morning Musume. She joined Morning Musume in 2001 along with Ai Takahashi, Asami Konno and Makoto Ogawa. She grew up in Yokohama after moving there at age six. As of 2009, she was the longest-serving sub-leader of Morning...
(新垣里沙)
Sixth generation (2003)
- Miki FujimotoMiki Fujimoto, professionally known by her birth name , is a Japanese pop singer and television actress. After failing the audition to join girl group Morning Musume with the fourth generation members, Fujimoto debuted as solo artist within Hello! Project in 2002 with the single "Aenai Nagai Nichiyōbi"...
(藤本美貴, left June 1, 2007) - Eri KameiEri Kameiwas a member of the Japanese pop group Morning Musume. She joined in late 2003 as a sixth generation member along with Miki Fujimoto, Sayumi Michishige, and Reina Tanaka. She graduated on December 15, 2010 in Yokohama Arena along with Junjun and Linlin....
(亀井絵里, graduated December 15, 2010) - Sayumi MichishigeSayumi Michishigeis a sixth generation member of the J-pop group Morning Musume and has the third longest tenure of any member in the group ....
(道重さゆみ) - Reina TanakaReina Tanakais one of the sixth generation members of the J-pop group Morning Musume. Her professional first name is spelled in hiragana to distinguish her from the Japanese actress Rena Tanaka, whose name is spelled using the same kanji , who is similarly from Fukuoka Prefecture.- Biography :Tanaka auditioned...
(田中れいな)
Eighth generation (2006/2007)
- Aika MitsuiAika Mitsuiis a member of the J-pop group Morning Musume, joining as a member of the eighth generation from the audition in Japan during December 2006. Mitsui's audition process was documented during the late 2006 episodes of Hello! Morning...
(光井愛佳) - Junjun (ジュンジュン, graduated December 15, 2010)
- Linlin (リンリン, graduated December 15, 2010)
Ninth generation (2011)
- Mizuki FukumuraMizuki Fukumurais a Japanese pop singer. She is a ninth-generation member of Morning Musume. Prior to becoming part of Morning Musume, Fukumura was known as a member of the second generation Shugo Chara Egg!, and for her role of Amulet Heart in the live action segment of the highly acclaimed television series...
(譜久村聖) - Erina IkutaErina Ikutais a ninth generation member of the Japanese pop group Morning Musume. She joined Morning Musume in 2011 along with Riho Sayashi, Kanon Suzuki and Mizuki Fukumura.- Biography :...
(生田衣梨奈) - Riho SayashiRiho SayashiRiho Sayashi is a Japanese pop singer under Hello! Project. She is a ninth generation member of the Japanese pop group Morning Musume, along with Mizuki Fukumura, Erina Ikuta, and Kanon Suzuki....
(鞘師里保) - Kanon SuzukiKanon Suzukiis a Japanese pop singer. She is a ninth-generation member of the Japanese girl idol group Morning Musume.- Biography :In 2010, Kanon Suzuki participated in the Morning Musume ninth-generation auditions....
(鈴木香音)
Leaders
| # | Name | Period of time |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | Yuko Nakazawa Yuko Nakazawa is a Japanese pop and enka singer, and actress, best known as one of the original members of the all-female J-pop group Morning Musume. She is currently a member of Dream Morning Musume.- Biography :... |
Formation – April 15, 2001 |
| 2nd | Kaori Iida Kaori Iida is a Japanese pop singer and actress, associated with Hello! Project and best known as a founding member of the girl band Morning Musume. She has also recorded with the Morning Musume side project band Tanpopo and is currently a solo artist... |
April 16, 2001 – January 30, 2005 |
| 3rd | Mari Yaguchi Mari Yaguchi , known professionally by her birth name of is a Japanese pop artist and former member of Hello! Project. She is a former member of Morning Musume and Tanpopo, one of its first sub groups, and also founded Minimoni... |
January 31, 2005 – April 14, 2005 |
| 4th | Hitomi Yoshizawa Hitomi Yoshizawa is a former leader of the pop group Morning Musume and current member of the duo Hangry & Angry as Hangry. She is the current leader of the Hello! Project futsal team Gatas Brilhantes H.P... |
April 15, 2005 – May 6, 2007 |
| 5th | Miki Fujimoto Miki Fujimoto , professionally known by her birth name , is a Japanese pop singer and television actress. After failing the audition to join girl group Morning Musume with the fourth generation members, Fujimoto debuted as solo artist within Hello! Project in 2002 with the single "Aenai Nagai Nichiyōbi"... |
May 7, 2007 – June 1, 2007 |
| 6th | Ai Takahashi Ai Takahashi is a Japanese pop singer formerly associated with Hello! Project, and best known as leader of Morning Musume and Hello!Project until 2011, and former member of its popular subgroup, Mini Moni... |
June 2, 2007 – September 30, 2011 |
| 7th | Risa Niigaki Risa Niigaki is a fifth generation member and current leader of the Japanese pop group Morning Musume. She joined Morning Musume in 2001 along with Ai Takahashi, Asami Konno and Makoto Ogawa. She grew up in Yokohama after moving there at age six. As of 2009, she was the longest-serving sub-leader of Morning... |
October 1, 2011 - present |
Subleaders
This position was established on April 21, 2001, when Kaori Iida became the second leader.| # | Name | Period of time |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | Kei Yasuda Kei Yasuda is a Japanese singer, musician and actress under the Up Front Agency's Hello! Project. She was a member and co-leader of the pop group Morning Musume. Yasuda, along with Mari Yaguchi and Sayaka Ichii, were the second generation of singers to be recruited into Morning Musume... |
April 16, 2001 – May 5, 2003 |
| 2nd | Mari Yaguchi Mari Yaguchi , known professionally by her birth name of is a Japanese pop artist and former member of Hello! Project. She is a former member of Morning Musume and Tanpopo, one of its first sub groups, and also founded Minimoni... |
May 6, 2003 – January 30, 2005 |
| 3rd | Hitomi Yoshizawa Hitomi Yoshizawa is a former leader of the pop group Morning Musume and current member of the duo Hangry & Angry as Hangry. She is the current leader of the Hello! Project futsal team Gatas Brilhantes H.P... |
January 31, 2005 – April 14, 2005 |
| 4th | Miki Fujimoto Miki Fujimoto , professionally known by her birth name , is a Japanese pop singer and television actress. After failing the audition to join girl group Morning Musume with the fourth generation members, Fujimoto debuted as solo artist within Hello! Project in 2002 with the single "Aenai Nagai Nichiyōbi"... |
April 15, 2005 – May 6, 2007 |
| 5th | Ai Takahashi Ai Takahashi is a Japanese pop singer formerly associated with Hello! Project, and best known as leader of Morning Musume and Hello!Project until 2011, and former member of its popular subgroup, Mini Moni... |
May 7, 2007 – June 1, 2007 |
| 6th | Risa Niigaki Risa Niigaki is a fifth generation member and current leader of the Japanese pop group Morning Musume. She joined Morning Musume in 2001 along with Ai Takahashi, Asami Konno and Makoto Ogawa. She grew up in Yokohama after moving there at age six. As of 2009, she was the longest-serving sub-leader of Morning... |
June 2 2007 - September 30, 2011 |
Notable tenures
Members of Morning Musume rarely stay in the group for more than seven years, and to date only seven members have done this.| Member | Tenure | Time in group |
|---|---|---|
| Risa Niigaki Risa Niigaki is a fifth generation member and current leader of the Japanese pop group Morning Musume. She joined Morning Musume in 2001 along with Ai Takahashi, Asami Konno and Makoto Ogawa. She grew up in Yokohama after moving there at age six. As of 2009, she was the longest-serving sub-leader of Morning... |
August 2001 – present | |
| Ai Takahashi Ai Takahashi is a Japanese pop singer formerly associated with Hello! Project, and best known as leader of Morning Musume and Hello!Project until 2011, and former member of its popular subgroup, Mini Moni... |
August 2001 – September 2011 | 10 years, 1 months and 4 days |
| Sayumi Michishige Sayumi Michishige is a sixth generation member of the J-pop group Morning Musume and has the third longest tenure of any member in the group .... |
January 2003 – present | |
| Reina Tanaka Reina Tanaka is one of the sixth generation members of the J-pop group Morning Musume. Her professional first name is spelled in hiragana to distinguish her from the Japanese actress Rena Tanaka, whose name is spelled using the same kanji , who is similarly from Fukuoka Prefecture.- Biography :Tanaka auditioned... |
January 2003 – present | |
| Eri Kamei Eri Kamei was a member of the Japanese pop group Morning Musume. She joined in late 2003 as a sixth generation member along with Miki Fujimoto, Sayumi Michishige, and Reina Tanaka. She graduated on December 15, 2010 in Yokohama Arena along with Junjun and Linlin.... |
January 2003 – December 2010 | 7 years, 10 months and 26 days |
| Kaori Iida Kaori Iida is a Japanese pop singer and actress, associated with Hello! Project and best known as a founding member of the girl band Morning Musume. She has also recorded with the Morning Musume side project band Tanpopo and is currently a solo artist... |
September 1997 – January 2005 | 7 years, 4 months and 23 days |
| Hitomi Yoshizawa Hitomi Yoshizawa is a former leader of the pop group Morning Musume and current member of the duo Hangry & Angry as Hangry. She is the current leader of the Hello! Project futsal team Gatas Brilhantes H.P... |
April 2000 – May 2007 | 7 years and 20 days |
Mentors
Often, when a new member joins the group, a senior member is assigned to be one of the newly-added girls' mentor. The second, fifth, sixth, and eighth generations, however, did not have assigned mentors.- Third generation
- Sayaka IchiiSayaka Ichiijoined the girl group Morning Musume in 1998. She, along with Mari Yaguchi and Kei Yasuda, formed the second generation of members. While in Morning Musume, Sayaka Ichii was put into the spin-off group, Petitmoni. Ichii was also part of the Hello Project! Summer Shuffles 2000 group Aoiro 7...
→ Maki GotoMaki Gotois a Japanese singer, lyricist and former actress. Born and raised in Edogawa, Tokyo, Goto began her musical career in 1999 when she joined Morning Musume as the only third generation member. Her first single with the group, "Love Machine", topped the Oricon singles charts and sold over a million... - Fourth generation
- Kei YasudaKei Yasudais a Japanese singer, musician and actress under the Up Front Agency's Hello! Project. She was a member and co-leader of the pop group Morning Musume. Yasuda, along with Mari Yaguchi and Sayaka Ichii, were the second generation of singers to be recruited into Morning Musume...
→ Rika IshikawaRika Ishikawa, is a Japanese pop singer and TV/radio hostess, associated with the Hello! Project banner and best known as a former member of the pop group Morning Musume. She was the leader of the trio v-u-den until June 2008... - Mari YaguchiMari Yaguchi, known professionally by her birth name of is a Japanese pop artist and former member of Hello! Project. She is a former member of Morning Musume and Tanpopo, one of its first sub groups, and also founded Minimoni...
→ Hitomi YoshizawaHitomi Yoshizawais a former leader of the pop group Morning Musume and current member of the duo Hangry & Angry as Hangry. She is the current leader of the Hello! Project futsal team Gatas Brilhantes H.P... - Kaori IidaKaori Iidais a Japanese pop singer and actress, associated with Hello! Project and best known as a founding member of the girl band Morning Musume. She has also recorded with the Morning Musume side project band Tanpopo and is currently a solo artist...
→ Nozomi TsujiNozomi Tsuji, known professionally by her birth name of is a Japanese tarento and a former member of the pop idol group Morning Musume, its subgroup Mini Moni, and the duo W. She has participated in the shuffle groups 10-nin Matsuri, Odoru 11, and 11Water, H.P... - Maki GotoMaki Gotois a Japanese singer, lyricist and former actress. Born and raised in Edogawa, Tokyo, Goto began her musical career in 1999 when she joined Morning Musume as the only third generation member. Her first single with the group, "Love Machine", topped the Oricon singles charts and sold over a million...
→ Ai KagoAi Kagois a Japanese singer, actress, author and former Guinness World Record holder.At age 12, Kago won the 4th National Audition of Morning Musume held by Up-Front Works Agency in 2000, which led to her admission into the extremely popular idol group as a 4th generation member. In the same year, she... - Seventh generation
- Sayumi MichishigeSayumi Michishigeis a sixth generation member of the J-pop group Morning Musume and has the third longest tenure of any member in the group ....
→ Koharu KusumiKoharu Kusumi, is a former J-pop singer and voice actress, and currently a model. She joined Morning Musume as the only seventh generation member and as the youngest soloist to debut in Hello! Project, being only twelve years old when she joined. Before she joined Morning Musume, she was the captain of her... - Ninth generation
- Aika MitsuiAika Mitsuiis a member of the J-pop group Morning Musume, joining as a member of the eighth generation from the audition in Japan during December 2006. Mitsui's audition process was documented during the late 2006 episodes of Hello! Morning...
→ Mentor to all ninth generation members