generasia:Featured article for 2011 week 12

Morning Musume

Morning Musume (モーニング娘。), sometimes referred to as Momusu (モームス。), and since their expansion into the Chinese market in 2007, the group officially adopted the name Jou An Sao Nu Jou (Zao An Shao Nu Zu, Traditional Chinese:早安少女組。), is a Japanese pop girl group produced by Up-Front Agency and part of Hello! Project as its flagship group. Beginning back in 1997 on a talent show called ASAYAN, it quickly became, and still remains one of Japan's top all girl groups with a number of hit records and albums. They have sold over 16,342,303, copies in Japan alone. They were masterminded and managed by their producer Tsunku who is responsible for the composition of the majority of their songs and lyrics, production of their CD-sleeve covers, designing of their costumes and make-up and their live shows. Currently, they hold the record of having the highest overall single sales (of a female group) on the Oricon charts.

On the 2nd of January 2011, four new members were added as the ninth generation: Ikuta Erina, Sayashi Riho and Suzuki Kanon from the televised audition process, as well as former Egg, Fukumura Mizuki. A week later, Takahashi Ai announced at the Hello! Project 2011 Winter ~Kangei Shinsen Matsuri~ concert that she would be graduating from Morning Musume & Hello! Project at the end of the Morning Musume Autumn concert tour. Niigaki Risa will then take her place as leader with Michishige Sayumi taking the sub-leader position.

"Maji Desu ka Ska!", Morning Musume's 45th single, was released in five versions on March 23, 2011.