Morning Musume
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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.
Contents
Members
Current Members
- Takahashi Ai (高橋愛, leader)
- Niigaki Risa (新垣里沙, sub-leader)
- Kamei Eri (亀井絵里)
- Michishige Sayumi (道重さゆみ)
- Tanaka Reina (田中れいな)
- Mitsui Aika (光井愛佳)
- Junjun (ジュンジュン)
- Linlin (リンリン)
First Generation (1997)
- Nakazawa Yuko (中澤裕子, graduated April 15, 2001)
- Ishiguro Aya (石黒彩, graduated January 7, 2000)
- Iida Kaori (飯田圭織, graduated January 30, 2005)
- Abe Natsumi (安倍なつみ, graduated January 25, 2004)
- Fukuda Asuka (福田明日香, graduated April 18, 1999)
Second Generation (1998)
- Yasuda Kei (保田圭, graduated May 5, 2003)
- Yaguchi Mari (矢口真里, left April 14, 2005)
- Ichii Sayaka (市井紗耶香, graduated May 21, 2000)
Third Generation (1999)
- Goto Maki (後藤真希, graduated September 23, 2002)
Fourth Generation (2000)
- Ishikawa Rika (石川梨華, graduated May 7, 2005)
- Yoshizawa Hitomi (吉澤ひとみ, graduated May 6, 2007)
- Tsuji Nozomi (辻希美, graduated August 1, 2004)
- Kago Ai (加護亜依, graduated August 1, 2004)
Fifth Generation (2001)
- Takahashi Ai (高橋愛)
- Konno Asami (紺野あさ美, graduated July 23, 2006)
- Ogawa Makoto (小川麻琴, graduated August 27, 2006)
- Niigaki Risa (新垣里沙)
Sixth Generation (2003)
- Fujimoto Miki (藤本美貴, left June 1, 2007)
- Kamei Eri (亀井絵里, graduated December 12, 2010)
- Michishige Sayumi (道重さゆみ)
- Tanaka Reina (田中れいな)
Seventh Generation (2005)
- Kusumi Koharu (久住小春, graduated December 6, 2009)
Eighth Generation (2006/2007)
- Mitsui Aika (光井愛佳)
- Junjun (ジュンジュン, graduated December 12, 2010)
- Linlin (リンリン, graduated December 12, 2010)
History
In 1997, Sharam Q held a series of auditions on ASAYAN to find a female vocalist. The number of people who auditioned were eventually whittled down to 11, and Heike Michiyo was chosen as the winner. The five runners up were challenged by Tsunku to form a group and release a single, with the incentive that if they could sell 50,000 records in five days they would receive a record deal. Given the name Morning Musume, they recorded Ai no Tane and successfully completed his challenge.
After releasing their first official single, Morning Coffee, another audition was held and three more members were added to the group. This began a series of additions and 'graduations' which have seen members come and go, some remaining in Hello! Project as solo artists or in other units, and some retiring from the music business. In past years, members also took part in subgroups, such as Sakuragumi and Otomegumi; Tanpopo, Petitmoni, and Minimoni, which released their own singles and albums.
In April 2000, the group began hosting a television variety show called Hello! Morning which further increased its popularity. They also star in a number of their own musicals, which are usually done also every year in the summertime. A massive amount of Morning Musume merchandise has been released such as calendars, photobooks, posters, etc. They have even starred in their own Playstation 2 game called Space Venus.
The group has gone through many changes in recent years with the graduation of the long-time leader and last remaining original member Iida Kaori in January 2005, the sudden resignation of then-leader Yaguchi Mari on April 14, 2005, and the addition of Kusumi Koharu and graduation of Ishikawa Rika in May 2005.
2006 was no different, with the graduations of Konno Asami on July 23, 2006 and Ogawa Makoto on August 27, 2006, as well as the addition of Mitsui Aika on December 10, 2006.
On March 15th, 2007, Tsunku announced that Junjun and Linlin, two "exchange students" from China, will join as members of the 8th generation. Leader Yoshizawa Hitomi graduated from Morning Musume on May 6th, 2007, and Fujimoto Miki became the new leader with Takahashi Ai the sub-leader. However, on June 1st, 2007, it was reported that Fujimoto Miki had left Morning Musume on her own accord, and that Takahashi Ai became the leader and Niigaki Risa took Takahashi's place as sub-leader. Takahashi Ai and Niigaki Risa have now become the longest members to stay in Morning Musume.
On October 24, 2007, an album containing all 34 singles of the group to date was released followed by a DVD Collection of Promotional Videos.
Their 35th single, Mikan, was released on November 21, 2007. It became, and remains, the group's worst-selling single, with a total of fewer than 40,000 copies sold.
Morning Musume, along with Berryz Koubou and °C-ute, perfomed at NHK network's 58th Kouhaku Uta Gassen on New Year's. It is the most-watched show each year in Japan. It is their tenth appearance on the show.
The girls appeared live at Anime Expo in Los Angeles in July of 2009, performing in the US for the very first time (excluding their fanclub tours in Hawaii). They were there as Guests of Honour and their song 3,2,1, BREAKIN' OUT! was used as the convention's theme song. On August 12, 2009 they released their Commemorative 40th single, Nanchatte Renai.
The group is particularly well-known for its ever fluctuating line-up, with "graduations" and auditions occurring nearly each year. 2008 was the only year so far in which no line-up changes occurred and the 9 member line-up had been the longest unchanging line-up so far going over 2 years with no graduations or new members. This was to give the Japanese fans a chance to recognize the names and faces of the current Morning Musume members (past street surveys had suggested that much of the Japanese population could not list a single member in the group, when in earlier years Morning Musume and all of its members had become household names). Kusumi Koharu's graduation from Hello! Project on December 6, 2009 ended the tenure of Morning Musume's most stable line-up. Their single Kimagure Princess, released on October 28, was her last.
2010 will see the release of the group's 42nd single, Onna ga Medatte Naze Ikenai. It will be their first single released as an 8-member group since 2006's Aruiteru. This will also be both Takahashi and Niigaki's 30th single with the group.
On the 8th of August 2010 during the final performance of the H!P Summer concert, Tsunku made a surprise announcement that 6th gen member Kamei Eri and 8th gen Chinese members Junjun & Linlin will graduate from the group at the end of the Autumn concert tour. It was revealed that Eri is to leave to recover from a skin condition and Junjun and Linlin are to return to China and pursue careers in their home country. On the same day it was also announced that auditions would be held to find the 9th generation members to join the group. These girls are to be aged 10 to 17. It was not revealed how many girls would be added to the group.
Discography
Albums
- [1998.07.08] First Time (ファーストタイム)
- [1999.07.28] Second Morning (セカンドモーニング)
- [2000.03.29] 3rd -LOVE Paradise- (3rd-LOVEパラダイス-)
- [2002.03.27] 4th Ikimasshoi! (4th いきまっしょい!)
- [2003.03.26] No.5
- [2004.12.08] Ai no Dai 6 Kan (愛の第6感)
- [2006.02.15] Rainbow 7 (レインボー7)
- [2006.12.13] 7.5 Fuyu Fuyu Morning Musume Mini! (7.5冬冬モーニング娘。ミニ!) (mini-album)
- [2007.03.21] SEXY 8 BEAT
- [2008.11.26] COVER YOU (cover album)
- [2009.03.18] Platinum 9 DISC (プラチナ 9 DISC)
- [2010.03.17] 10 MY ME
Best Albums
- [2001.01.31] Best! Morning Musume 1 (ベスト! モーニング娘。1)
- [2004.03.31] Best! Morning Musume 2 (ベスト! モーニング娘。2)
- [2004.12.15] Morning Musume EARLY SINGLE BOX (モーニング娘。EARLY SINGLE BOX)
- [2007.10.24] Morning Musume ALL SINGLES COMPLETE ~10th ANNIVERSARY~ (モーニング娘。ALL SINGLES COMPLETE ~10th ANNIVERSARY~)
- [2009.10.07] Morning Musume Zen Single Coupling Collection (モーニング娘。 全シングル カップリングコレクション)
- [2010.06.02] Morning Musume Best of Singles Japan Expo Limited Edition (モーニング娘。Morning Musume Best of Singles Japan Expo Limited Edition)
Other Albums
- [1998.09.30] Morning Cop ~Daite Hold on Me!~ OST (モーニング刑事。 抱いてHOLD ON ME!)
- [2000.07.05] Pinch Runner Original Soundtrack (ピンチランナー オリジナルサウンドトラック)
- [2001.08.01] LOVE Century -Yume wa Minakerya Hajimaranai- (LOVEセンチュリー -夢はみなけりゃ始まらない-)
- [2002.07.10] Hawaiian de Kiku Morning Musume Single Collection (ハワイアンで聞くモーニング娘。シングルコレクション)
- [2002.07.17] Morning Musume no Musical "Morning Town" (モーニング娘。のミュージカル「モーニング・タウン」)
- [2003.02.14] Koinu Dan no Monogatari Original Soundtrack (仔犬ダンの物語 オリジナルサウンドトラック)
- [2003.07.02] Morning Musume no Musical "Edokko Chushingura" (モーニング娘。のミュージカル「江戸っ娘。忠臣蔵」)
- [2006.07.26] Ribbon no Kishi The Musical Song Selection (「リボンの騎士 ザ・ミュージカル」ソング・セレクション)
Singles
- [1997.11.03] Ai no Tane (愛の種) (Demo)
- [1998.01.28] Morning Coffee (モーニングコーヒー)
- [1998.05.27] Summer Night Town (サマーナイトタウン)
- [1998.09.09] Daite HOLD ON ME! (抱いてHOLD ON ME!)
- [1999.02.10] Memory Seishun no Hikari (Memory 青春の光)
- [1999.05.12] Manatsu no Kousen (真夏の光線)
- [1999.07.14] Furusato (ふるさと)
- [1999.09.09] LOVE Machine (LOVEマシーン)
- [2000.01.26] Koi no Dance Site (恋のダンスサイト)
- [2000.05.17] Happy Summer Wedding (ハッピーサマーウェディング)
- [2000.09.06] I WISH
- [2000.12.13] Renai Revolution 21 (恋愛レボリューション21)
- [2001.07.25] The☆Pea~ce! (ザ☆ピ~ス!)
- [2001.10.31] Mr. Moonlight ~Ai no Big Band~ (Mr.Moonlight ~愛のビッグバンド~)
- [2002.02.20] Souda! We're ALIVE (そうだ! We're ALIVE)
- [2002.07.24] Do it! Now
- [2002.10.30] Koko ni Iruzee! (ここにいるぜぇ!)
- [2003.02.19] Morning Musume no Hyokkori Hyoutanjima (モーニング娘。のひょっこりひょうたん島)
- [2003.04.23] AS FOR ONE DAY
- [2003.07.30] Shabondama (シャボン玉)
- [2003.11.06] Go Girl ~Koi no Victory~ (Go Girl ~恋のヴィクトリー~)
- [2004.01.21] Ai Araba IT'S ALL RIGHT (愛あらばIT'S ALL RIGHT)
- [2004.05.12] Roman ~MY DEAR BOY~ (浪漫 ~MY DEAR BOY~)
- [2004.07.22] Joshi Kashimashi Monogatari (女子かしまし物語)
- [2004.11.03] Namida ga Tomaranai Houkago (涙が止まらない放課後)
- [2005.01.19] THE Manpower!!! (THE マンパワー!!!)
- [2005.04.27] Osaka Koi no Uta (大阪 恋の歌)
- [2005.07.27] Iroppoi Jirettai (色っぽい じれったい)
- [2005.11.09] Chokkan 2 ~Nogashita Sakana wa Ookiizo!~ (直感2 ~逃した魚は大きいぞ!~)
- [2006.03.15] SEXY BOY ~Soyokaze ni Yorisotte~ (SEXY BOY ~そよ風に寄り添って~)
- [2006.06.21] Ambitious! Yashinteki de Ii jan (Ambitious! 野心的でいいじゃん)
- [2006.11.08] Aruiteru (歩いてる)
- [2007.02.14] Egao YES Nude (笑顔YESヌード)
- [2007.04.25] Kanashimi Twilight (悲しみトワイライト)
- [2007.07.25] Onna ni Sachi Are (女に 幸あれ)
- [2007.11.21] Mikan (みかん)
- [2008.04.16] Resonant Blue (リゾナント ブルー)
- [2008.09.24] Pepper Keibu (ペッパー警部)
- [2009.02.18] Naichau Kamo (泣いちゃうかも)
- [2009.05.13] Shouganai Yume Oibito (しょうがない 夢追い人)
- [2009.08.12] Nanchatte Renai (なんちゃって恋愛)
- [2009.10.28] Kimagure Princess (気まぐれプリンセス)
- [2010.02.10] Onna ga Medatte Naze Ikenai (女が目立って なぜイケナイ)
- [2010.06.09] Seishun Collection (青春コレクション)
- [2010.10.13] untitled
Compilations / Other
- [2000.04.26] Hello! Project - Petit Best ~Ki Ao Aka~ (#8 LOVE Machine (analog remix), #9 Koi no Dance Site (PANDART SASANOOOHA Remix))
- [2001.12.19] Hello! Project - Petit Best 2 ~3, 7, 10~ (#8 Renai Revolution 21 (Chou Chou Chou cool remix))
- [2002.10.30] Hello! Project - CLUB Hello! TRANCE REMIX (#1 The☆Pea~ce! (TRANCE REMIX), #5 DANCE suru no da! (TRANCE REMIX), #7 Furusato (TRANCE REMIX), #8 Ikimasshoi! (TRANCE REMIX), #10 LOVE Machine (TRANCE REMIX), #11 Renai Revolution 21 (TRANCE REMIX), #13 Daite HOLD ON ME! (TRANCE REMIX), #14 Do it! Now (TRANCE REMIX))
- [2002.12.18] Hello! Project - Petit Best 3 (#4 Do it! Now (CRAZY SODA REMIX))
- [2003.12.17] Hello! Project - Petit Best 4 (#17 Shabondama (asia mix))
- [2004.12.22] Hello! Project - Petit Best 5 (#2 Roman ~MY DEAR BOY~ (Let's Have a Dance Remix))
- [2005.12.21] Hello! Project - Petit Best 6 (#2 Iroppoi Jirettai, #15 Chokkan ~Toki to Shite Koi wa~ (LIVE Ver.), #16 HELP!! ~Ecomoni no Acchii Chikyuu wo Samasunda.~ 2005 - Ecomoni & Morning Musume)
- [2006.12.20] Hello! Project - Petit Best 7 (#1 Morning Musume Mega Mix 30 (Radio Edit), #17 Ready Go! - Morning Musume, DEF.DIVA, Berryz Kobo)
- [2007.12.12] Hello! Project - Petit Best 8 (#2 Kanashimi Twilight)
- [2008.12.10] Hello! Project - Petit Best 9 (#1 Resonant Blue)
- [2009.12.02] Hello! Project - Petit Best 10 (#1 Shouganai Yume Oibito)
- [2009.12.23] Various - Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles 5th Anniversary "Songs of Rakuten Eagles" (#2 THE Manpower!!!)
DVDs
- [1999.04.18] Morning Musume Memory Seishun no Hikari
- [2000.06.14] Eizou The Morning Musume Best 10
- [2000.08.30] Morning Musume First Live at Budokan ~Dancing Love Site 2000 Haru~
- [2001.06.27] Morning Musume Live Revolution 21 Haru ~Osaka Jou Hall Saishuu Bi~
- [2001.08.29] GREEN LIVE
- [2001.10.17] LOVE Century -Yume wa Minakerya Hajimaranai-
- [2002.07.24] Single V "Morning Musume Single Medley ~Hawaiian~"
- [2002.07.31] Morning Musume Concert Tour 2002 Haru "LOVE IS ALIVE!" at Saitama Super Arena
- [2002.09.19] Morning Town
- [2002.11.20] Morning Musume LOVE IS ALIVE! 2002 Natsu at Yokohama Arena
- [2002.12.04] Eizou The Morning Musume 2 ~Single M Clips~
- [2003.01.29] Single V "Ganbacchae! / HEY! Mirai"
- [2003.06.25] Morning Musume CONCERT TOUR 2003 Haru "NON STOP!"
- [2003.08.27] Morning Musume no Musical "Edokko Chushingura"
- [2003.12.26] Morning Musume Concert Tour 2003 "15nin de NON STOP!"
- [2004.02.18] Morning Musume Best Shot Vol.1
- [2004.05.28] Morning Musume Best Shot Vol.2
- [2004.07.14] Morning Musume CONCERT TOUR 2004 Haru The BEST of Japan
- [2004.08.25] 2004 Musical - Soshite, Jiken wa Taiikukan de Okotta - HELP!! Acchii Chikyu wo Samasunda.
- [2004.09.14] Morning Musume Best Shot Vol.3
- [2004.12.04] Morning Musume Best Shot Vol.4
- [2004.12.08] Morning Musume Concert Tour "The BEST of Japan Natsu ~ Aki '04"
- [2005.03.24] Eizou The Morning Musume 3 ~Single M Clips~
- [2005.07.05] Morning Musume Concert Tour 2005 Haru ~Dai 6 Kan Hit Mankai!~
- [2005.12.14] Morning Musume Concert Tour 2005 Natsu Aki "Baribari Kyoushitsu ~Koharu-chan Irasshai!~"
- [2006.07.19] Morning Musume Concert Tour 2006 Haru ~Rainbow Seven~
- [2006.11.29] Ribbon no Kishi The Musical
- [2006.12.27] Morning Musume Concert Tour 2006 Aki ~Odore! Morning Curry~
- [2007.07.04] Morning Musume Concert Tour 2007 Haru ~SEXY 8 Beat~
- [2007.05.02] Eizou The Morning Musume 4 ~Single M Clips~
- [2007.07.11] Alo Hello! 2 Morning Musume DVD
- [2007.12.19] DVD Eizou The Morning Musume ALL SINGLES COMPLETE Zen 35 Kyoku ~10th ANNIVERSARY~
- [2008.02.13] Morning Musume Concert Tour 2007 Aki ~Bon Kyu! Bon Kyu! BOMB~
- [2008.07.30] Morning Musume Concert Tour 2008 Haru ~Single Daizenshuu!!~
- [2008.12.03] Cinderella The Musical
- [2008.12.24] Alo Hello! 3 Morning Musume DVD
- [2009.01.28] Morning Musume Concert Tour 2008 Aki ~Resonant LIVE~
- [2009.07.15] Morning Musume Concert Tour 2009 Haru ~Platinum 9 DISCO~
- [2009.08.19] Eizou The Morning Musume 5 ~Single M Clips~
- [2010.01.20] Morning Musume Yomiuri Land EAST LIVE 2009
- [2010.02.24] Morning Musume Concert Tour 2009 Aki ~Nine Smile~
- [2010.06.16] Alo Hello! 4 Morning Musume DVD
- [2010.07.14] Morning Musume Concert Tour 2010 Haru ~Pikappika!~
- [2010.09.15] Fashionable
- [2010.??.??] Morning Musume Concert Tour 2010 Aki ~Rival Survival~
Filmography
- [1998.09.30] Morning Cop ~Daite Hold on Me!~ (モーニング刑事。~抱いてHOLD ON ME!~)
- [2001.02.21] Pinch Runner (ピンチランナー)
- [2002.03.15] Nama Tamago (ナマタマゴ)
- [2003.06.21] Koinu Dan no Monogatari (仔犬ダンの物語)
Awards of the Japanese Academy - Won Popularity Award Most Popular Film see in: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0347353/awards
- [2002.07.17] Tokkaekko (とっかえっ娘)
- [2002.12.31] Hamtaro the Movie 2 (劇場版とっとこハム太郎 ハムハムハムージャ!幻のプリンセス, Gekijo-ban Tottoko Hamutaro Ham-Ham Hamuja Maboroshi no Princess)
Drama
- [2002.12.28] Ore ga Aitsu de Aitsu ga Ore de (おれがあいつであいつがおれで) - Yoshizawa Hitomi, Konno Asami, Takahashi Ai, Niigaki Risa, Ogawa Makoto and Ishikawa Rika
- [2002.??.??] Angel Hearts - Abe Natsumi,Tsuji Nozomi, Kago Ai,Konno Asami, Takahashi Ai, Niigaki Risa and Ogawa Makoto
- [2010.01.15] Hanbun Esper (半分エスパー)
Auditions
Auditions are held periodically to find and add new members to Morning Musume. Follow the links for more details.
- Morning Musume Addition Audition
- Morning Musume 2nd Addition Audition
- Morning Musume 3rd Addition Audition
- Morning Musume LOVE Audition 21
- Morning Musume LOVE Audition 2002
- Morning Musume Lucky 7 Audition
- Morning Musume Audition 2005
- Morning Musume Happy 8 Audition
For other Hello! Project auditions see Hello! Project#Auditions.
Timeline
See also: Morning Musume Events Timeline and Morning Musume Member Count Timeline
1996
- MAY
- 11 - ASAYAN Talent Search - Ishiguro Aya sings "Dancing Junk" (SUPER MONKEY'S 4)
- JUNE
- 09 - ASAYAN Talent Search - Ishiguro Aya sings "Dancing Junk" (SUPER MONKEY'S 4)
- JULY
- 07 - ASAYAN Talent Search - Iida Kaori sings "Body Feels EXIT" (Amuro Namie)
1997 (ASAYAN Sharan Q Auditions)
- APRIL
- 13 - Fukuoka preliminary round (broadcast 11-25 May)
- 27 - ASAYAN broadcast - Talk with Sharan Q about the auditions and clips of Fukuoka audition.
- MAY
- 03 - Tokyo preliminary round (broadcast 1,8,15,22 June)
- Fukuda Asuka sings "Break Out"
- ?? - ASAYAN studio examination (broadcast 18+25 May)
- 11 - ASAYAN broadcast - Fukuoka audition part 1
- 22 - ASAYAN studio examination (broadcast 15+22 June)
- Fukuda Asuka sings "Body Feels EXIT" (Amuro Namie)
- 18 - ASAYAN broadcast - Fukuoka audition part 2
- 24 - Osaka preliminary round (broadcast 6-20 July)
- Nakazawa Yuko sings "La La La" (Ohguro Maki)
- Heike Michiyo sings "Anytime smokin' cigarette" (globe)
- 25 - ASAYAN broadcast - Fukuoka audition part 3. Winners: Kouguchi Azusa/Aoki Akiko/Matsumoto Yumie)
- 03 - Tokyo preliminary round (broadcast 1,8,15,22 June)
- JUNE
- 01 - ASAYAN broadcast - Tokyo Audition part 1
- 08 - ASAYAN broadcast - Tokyo Audition part 2
- 15 - ASAYAN broadcast - Tokyo Audition part 3
- Fukuda Asuka sings "Body Feels EXIT" (Amuro Namie)
- 21 - Sapporo preliminary round (broadcast 27 July+3 Aug)
- Abe Natsumi sings "Face" (globe)
- Iida Kaori sings "STEADY" (SPEED)
- Ishiguro Aya sings "Monku ga Aru Nara Kinasai!" (RieScrAmble)
- 22 - ASAYAN broadcast - Tokyo audition part 4. Winners: Fukuda Asuka/Kawamura Risa/Kabutomori Masayo)
- 29 - ASAYAN broadcast - Fukuoka audition - Nakatomi Kazumi
- JULY
- 03 - ASAYAN studio examination (broadcast 13+20 July)
- Nakazawa Yuko sings "La La La" (Ohguro Maki)
- 06 - ASAYAN broadcast - Osaka audition part 1
- 11 - ASAYAN studio examination (broadcast 27 July+3 Aug)
- Abe Natsumi sings "Face" (globe)
- Iida Kaori sings "Sweet Emotion" (Aikawa Nanase)
- Ishiguro Aya sings "Blue Velvet" (Kudo Shizuka)
- 13 - ASAYAN broadcast - Osaka audition part 2
- Nakazawa Yuko sings "La La La" (Ohguro Maki)
- Heike Michiyo sings "Anytime smokin' cigarette" (globe)
- 20 - ASAYAN broadcast - Osaka audition part 3. Winners: Nakazawa Yuko/Heike Michiyo
- 27 - ASAYAN broadcast - Sapporo audition part 1
- Abe Natsumi sings "Face" (globe)
- Ishiguro Aya sings "Blue Velvet" (Kudo Shizuka)
- Iida Kaori sings "Sweet Emotion" (Aikawa Nanase)
- 28 - Training in temple, day 1
- 29 - Training in temple, day 2
- 30 - Training in temple, day 3
- The 11 finalists go to a temple where they are given cassettes of the song "GET" which they have to learn, as well as other duties such as cleaning.
- 31 - Dance training
- 03 - ASAYAN studio examination (broadcast 13+20 July)
- AUGUST
- 03 - ASAYAN broadcast - Sapporo audition part 2. Winners: Iida Kaori/Ishiguro Aya/Abe Natsumi)
- 03 - Recorded interviews & studio dance performance shown on Aug 24th show
- 04 - Recorded appearance on ASAYAN
- 10 - ASAYAN BROADCAST (showing the girls at home + training in temple)
- 10 - Sharan Q decide the winner and videotape their decision, to be shown to the girls on 31 Aug.
- 14 - Recorded ASAYAN show. Heike Michiyo chosen from final 11 as winner
- 17 - ASAYAN BROADCAST (training in temple)
- 20 - 5 of the 10 "losers" are asked back and Tsunku tells them he wants them to form a group
- 24 - ASAYAN BROADCAST (brief clips of what's happened so far, then the 11 finalists dance in the studio and are interviewed - recorded 3+4 Aug)
- 31 - ASAYAN BROADCAST (recorded Aug 14th)
- The final 11 (Heike Michiyo, Fukuda Asuka, Nakazawa Yuko, Abe Natsumi, Iida Kaori, Ishiguro Aya & 5 others - Matsumoto Yumie, Kawamura Risa, Aoki Akiko, Kabutomori Masayo & Kouguchi Azusa) compete in final stage of audition. Each one sings "GET" then speaks to Tsunku. Afterwards they watch a video of Sharan Q deciding the winner. Heike Michiyo is chosen as the winner.
- SEPTEMBER
- 07 - ASAYAN BROADCAST (recorded Aug 20th)
- Tsunku announces if they sell 50,000 "Ai no Tane" singles in 5 days he'll give them a record deal.
- 08 - Tsunku names the group Morning Musume
- 14 - ASAYAN BROADCAST - Tsunku names the group "Morning Musume" (recorded Sept 8th)
- 21 - ASAYAN BROADCAST
- 23 - Recording Ai no Tane
- 25 - Recording Ai no Tane
- 28 - ASAYAN BROADCAST - voice training & CD jacket photo shoot
- 07 - ASAYAN BROADCAST (recorded Aug 20th)
- OCTOBER
- 05 - ASAYAN BROADCAST - Heike Michiyo update, Ai no Tane recording
- 19 - ASAYAN BROADCAST - Nakazawa Yuko records her solo part for Ai no Tane
- 26 - ASAYAN BROADCAST - Ai no Tane promotion campaign
- NOVEMBER
- 02 - ASAYAN BROADCAST - Ai no Tane promotion campaign & performance
- 03 - Ai no Tane single released
- 03 - Day 1 of selling "Ai no Tane". Event at HMV, Osaka. 16,610 CDs sold
- 05 - Heike Michiyo - "GET" single released
- 06 - Heike Michiyo debut at Nippon Budokan
- 09 - Day 2 of selling "Ai no Tane". Event at HMV, Fukuoka. 9,004 CDs sold
- 09 - ASAYAN broadcast - Ai no Tane promotion campaign
- 16 - ASAYAN broadcast - CD selling in Osaka & Fukuoka
- 23 - ASAYAN broadcast - Ai no Tane promotion campaign & Heike Michiyo "GET" performance
- 24 - Day 3 of selling "Ai no Tane". Event at Sapporo. 14,853 CDs sold
- 30 - Day 4 of selling "Ai no Tane". Event at Nagoya Ball Park. (9,533 CDs sold). 50,000 total.
- 30 - ASAYAN broadcast - CD selling in Sapporo
- DECEMBER
- 02 - Learning 3 songs - どうにかして土曜日 (Dou ni ka Shite Doyoubi), モーニングコーヒー (Morning Coffee), ウソつきあんた (Usotsuki Anta)
- 03 - In recording studio recording the 3 songs
- 04 - Mixing and deciding which one to choose
- 05 - Tsunku chooses Morning Coffee and decides Abe Natsumi to sing main melody
- 07 - ASAYAN broadcast - CD selling event at Nagoya Ball Park. Ai no Tane 50,000 copies sold
- 14 - ASAYAN broadcast - in studio recording 3 songs (recorded Dec 2-5)
- 21 - ASAYAN broadcast - in studio recording 3 songs (recorded Dec 2-5)
- 28 - ASAYAN broadcast - Morning Coffee chosen, posing for photos, dance lesson
1998
- JANUARY
- 11 - ASAYAN broadcast (talk + Ai no Tane perf + selling the CDs)
- 18 - ASAYAN broadcast (We see them at home with their families)
- 25 - ASAYAN broadcast
- 28 - First single - Morning Coffee
- 30 - First performance of Morning Coffee on Music Station
- FEBRUARY
- 01 - ASAYAN broadcast - recording a HEY!HEY!HEY! appearance on 25 Jan for broadcast 9 Feb & recording the 30 Jan Music Station appearance.
- 09 - Morning Coffee performance on HEY!HEY!HEY!
- 28 - Morning Coffee performance on Pop Jam
- MARCH
- 01 - ASAYAN broadcast - photo shoot in Saipan
- 12 - Tsunku announces Morning Musume to get 3 new members
- APRIL
- 20 - Morning Musume meet the 3 new members for first time
- 30 - 8nin Morning Musume 1st appearance in ASAYAN
- MAY
- 03 - ASAYAN broadcast - audition - 3 new members - Ichii Sayaka, Yaguchi Mari and Yasuda Kei (2nd Gen)
- 27 - 2nd single - Summer Night Town
- JULY
- 08 - First album - First Time
- SEPTEMBER
- 09 - 3rd single - Daite Hold On Me!
- 30 - Morning Cop soundtrack album, with Heike Michiyo
1999
- FEBRUARY
- 10 - 4th single - Memory Seishun no Hikari
- APRIL
- 18 - Fukuda Asuka retired to continue her schooling
- MAY
- 12 - 5th single - Manatsu no Kousen
- JULY
- 14 - 6th single - Furusato
- 28 - Second album - Second Morning
- AUGUST
- 22 - Goto Maki joins (3rd Gen)
- SEPTEMBER
- 05 - First performance of LOVE Machine on Asayan
- 09 - 7th single - LOVE Machine
2000
- JANUARY
- 07 - Ishiguro Aya leaves to pursue a career in fashion design
- 26 - 8th single - Koi no Dance Site
- MARCH
- 29 - Third album - 3rd -LOVE Paradise-
- APRIL
- 16 - Four new members-Ishikawa Rika, Kago Ai, Yoshizawa Hitomi, Tsuji Nozomi (4th Gen)
- MAY
- 17 - 9th single - Happy Summer Wedding
- 21 - Ichii Sayaka leaves to begin a singer/songwriter career (in late 2001 she rejoined the music business with CUBIC-CROSS)
- SEPTEMBER
- 06 - 10th single - I WISH
- DECEMBER
- 13 - 11th single - Renai Revolution 21
- 31 - Happy Summer Wedding, LOVE Machine, and I WISH medley performed on 51st Kouhaku Uta Gassen
2001
- JANUARY
- 11 - Space Venus video game is released for Playstation 2
- 31 - First Best Of album - Best! Morning Musume 1
- APRIL
- 15 - Nakazawa Yuko graduates
- JULY
- 25 - 12th single - The Peace!
- AUGUST
- ** 26 - Four new members - Ogawa Makoto, Takahashi Ai, Niigaki Risa, Konno Asami (5th Gen)
- OCTOBER
- 31 - 13th single - Mr. Moonlight ~Ai no Big Band~
2002
- FEBRUARY
- 20 - 14th single - Souda! We're ALIVE
- MARCH
- 27 - Fourth album - 4th Ikimasshoi!
- JULY
- 24 - 15th single - Do it! Now
- SEPTEMBER
- 23 - Goto Maki graduates
- OCTOBER
- 30 - 16th single - Koko ni Iruzee!
2003
- JANUARY
- ** 19 - Four new members chosen - Michishige Sayumi, Tanaka Reina, Kamei Eri, Fujimoto Miki (6th Gen) on the show "Love Audition 2002"
- FEBRUARY
- 19 - 17th single - Morning Musume no Hyokkori Hyoutanjima
- MARCH
- 26 - Fifth album - No.5
- APRIL
- 23 - 18th single - AS FOR ONE DAY
- MAY
- 05 - Yasuda Kei graduates - 4 new members perform Do it! Now onstage at concert
- JUNE
- 29 - The new members first proper performance (Shabondama on 27 Hour TV), but only 14 members as Ogawa Makoto injured her leg
- 30 - 19th single - Shabondama
- SEPTEMBER
- 18 - Morning Musume Otomegumi single Ai no Sono ~Touch My Heart!~, and Morning Musume Sakuragumi single Hare Ame Nochi Suki
- NOVEMBER
- 06 - 20th single - Go Girl ~Koi no Victory~
- DECEMBER
- 31 - Morning Musume performs Go Girl ~Koi no Victory~ at the 54th Kouhaku alongside former Morning Musume member Goto Maki.
2004
- JANUARY
- 21 - 21st single - Ai Araba IT'S ALL RIGHT
- 25 - Abe Natsumi graduates
- FEBRUARY
- 25 - Morning Musume Otomegumi single Yuujou ~Kokoro no Busu ni wa Naranee!~ & Morning Musume Sakuragumi single Sakura Mankai
- MARCH
- 31 - Second Best Of album - Best! Morning Musume 2
- MAY
- 12 - 22nd single - Roman ~MY DEAR BOY~
- JULY
- 22 - 23rd single - Joshi Kashimashi Monogatari
- AUGUST
- 01 - Tsuji Nozomi & Kago Ai graduation
- NOVEMBER
- 03 - 24th single - Namida ga Tomaranai Houkago
- DECEMBER
- 08 - Sixth album - Ai no Dai 6 Kan
- 15 - Morning Musume EARLY SINGLE BOX (box set)
- 31 - Morning Musume performs Ai Araba IT'S ALL RIGHT at the 55th Kouhaku alongside W (Double You), former Morning Musume members Tsuji Nozomi & Kago Ai.
2005
- JANUARY
- 05 - TV show - Musume Document 2005 begins
- 19 - 25th single - THE Manpower!!!
- 30 - Iida Kaori graduation
- APRIL
- 04 - TV show - Musume DOKYU! begins
- 14 - Yaguchi Mari suddenly resigns from Morning Musume
- 27 - 26th single - Osaka Koi no Uta
- MAY
- 01 - One new member chosen in the Morning Musume Audition 2005: Kusumi Koharu (7th gen)
- 07 - Ishikawa Rika graduation
- JULY
- 27 - 27th single - Iroppoi Jirettai - Kusumi Koharu's debut single
- AUGUST
- 20 - Concert Tour 2005 Natsu Aki "Baribari Kyoushitsu ~Koharuchan Irasshai!~" begins
- 27 - Promotional events with the group split into 3 teams to shake hands with 15,000 people in 1 day
- SEPTEMBER
- 15 - Arrives in Hong Kong for a fan club tour
- NOVEMBER
- 09 - 28th single - Chokkan 2 ~Nogashita Sakana wa Ookiizo!~
- DECEMBER
- 31 - Morning Musume performs LOVE Machine at the 56th Kouhaku alongside all former Morning Musume members still active in Hello! Project.
2006
- FEBRUARY
- 15 - Seventh album - Rainbow 7
- 25 - Morning Musume Concert Tour 2006 Haru ~Rainbow Seven~ begins
- MARCH
- 15 - 29th single - SEXY BOY ~Soyokaze ni Yorisotte~
- JUNE
- 21 - 30th single - Ambitious! Yashinteki de Ii Jan
- JULY
- 23 - Konno Asami graduation
- AUGUST
- 01 - Ribbon no Kishi: The Musical begins
- 27 - Ogawa Makoto graduation
- 27 - Happy 8 Audition begins
- SEPTEMBER
- NOVEMBER
- 08 - 31st single - Aruiteru
- DECEMBER
- 10 - One new member chosen in the Morning Musume Happy 8 Audition: Mitsui Aika (8th gen)
- 13 - Mini Album - 7.5 Fuyu Fuyu Morning Musume. Mini!
- 31 - Morning Musume performs a medley alongside GAM at the 57th Kouhaku.
2007
![](/w/images/thumb/9/92/MM_April2007.jpg/250px-MM_April2007.jpg)
- JANUARY
- 24 - Morning Musume 10th anniversary special unit Morning Musume Tanjou 10nen Kinentai releases single Bokura ga Ikiru MY ASIA
- FEBRUARY
- 14 - 32nd single - Egao YES Nude
- MARCH
- 15 - Surprise addition of two Chinese exchange students to Morning Musume: Junjun and Linlin
- 17 - Start of Morning Musume Concert Tour 2007 Spring ~Sexy 8 Beat~
- 21 - 8th album - SEXY 8 BEAT
- 22 - Morning Musume Fan Club Tour in Hawaii begins
- APRIL
- 25 - 33rd single - Kanashimi Twilight
- 29 - Handshaking events in Tokyo and Osaka
- MAY
- 01 - Morning Musume becomes the highest selling female group in Japan
- 06 - Yoshizawa Hitomi graduation
- JUNE
- 01 - Fujimoto Miki resigns from Morning Musume. Takahashi Ai and Niigaki Risa became the new leader and the new sub-leader
- 08 - Takahashi Ai and Kusumi Koharu go as spokepersons in "Nihon TV eco week" opening ceremony.
- JULY
- 25 - 34th single - Onna ni Sachi Are (Debut single of two Chinese members)
- AUGUST
- 8 - 2nd Tanjou single - Itoshiki Tomo e
- SEPTEMBER
- OCTOBER
- 24 - Morning Musume's compilation of all singles for tenth anniversary - Morning Musume ALL SINGLES COMPLETE ~10th Anniversary~
- 26 - Takahashi Ai, Niigaki Risa and Kusumi Koharu arrive in Korea to the compilation of all singles album. Press conference, apperance in MAY BEE radio show with Takahashi and Niigaki
- 27 - Handshake event in Korea with said members. Footage of their promotional activities was broadcasted by M.Net Star Watch on 2007.11.02
- 29 - Morning Musume arrive in Taiwan to promote the compilation of all singles album. FC live event (Performances: LOVE Machine, The Peace!, Renai Revolution 21, Onna ni Sachi Are, Chance! (Kusumi). Broadcasted by Saturday Night Fever on 2007.11.11). Radio appearance by Takahashi, Niigaki, Michishige and Junjun (the rest of the girls stayed at their hotel)
- 30 - Handshake event in Korea with Morning Musume. Footage of their promotional activities was broadcasted by MTV Taiwan on 2007.12.02
- NOVEMBER
- 21 - 35th single - Mikan
- DECEMBER
- 31 - Morning Musume performs a medley named Special LOVE Mix ~Shiawase no Heisei 20 Shuunen Ver.~ alongside Berryz Koubou and °C-ute at the 58th Kouhaku.
2008
- MARCH
- 22 - Start of Morning Musume Concert Tour 2008 Haru ~Single Daizenshuu!!~ tour
- APRIL
- 16 - 36th Single - Resonant Blue. Takahashi Ai, Tanaka Reina and Junjun one day visit to Taiwan for promoting Resonant Blue (released in Taiwan on the same day as Japan) and the 2008 Taiwan concert (one press conference and apperances in three TV shows and one radio show)
- MAY
- 11 - Resonant Blue handshake events
- 24 - Morning Musume 2008 Concert Tour in Taiwan (in TWTC Nangang)
- 26 - Junjun and Linlin travel to China to donate 1,092,607 yen (fundraising done during Biyuuden's Final FC Bus Tour in Enshuu and Morning Musume's 2007 overseas activities) to Shanghai charity for Sichuan victims.
- JUNE
- 1 - Morning Musume 10th Anniversary Live Tour in Korea 2008 (in Olimpic Park, Olimpic Hall - 4,300 seats)
- 28 - Morning Musume concert in Shangai
- AUGUST
- 6 - Morning Musume x Takarazuka Cinderella The Musical begins
- 25 - Morning Musume x Takarazuka Cinderella The Musical ends
- SEPTEMBER
- 2 - Morning Musume Fan Club Tour in Hawaii 2008 begins
- 24 - 37th single - Pepper Keibu
- 27 - Start of Morning Musume Concert Tour 2008 Aki ~Resonant LIVE~ tour
- OCTOBER
- 19 - Pepper Keibu handshake events
- NOVEMBER
- 26 - Cover album - COVER YOU
2009
- JANUARY
- FEBRUARY
- 18 - 38th single - Naichau Kamo
- 21 - Naichau Kamo handshake events (1)
- MARCH
- 1 - Naichau Kamo handshake events (2)
- 18 - 9th studio album - Platinum 9 DISC
- 20 - Start of Morning Musume Concert Tour 2009 Haru ~Platinum 9 DISCO~
- MAY
- 13 - 39th single - Shouganai Yume Oibito
- 19 - Morning Musume becomes the #2 group in Japan with the most singles (39) in Oricon's top 10, only behind SMAP (43)
- 30 - Shouganai Yume Oibito handshake events (1)
- JUNE
- 20 - Shouganai Yume Oibito handshake events (2)
- JULY
- 3 - Morning Musume performs in Anime Expo 2009 (Los Angeles Convention Center)
- 15 - Morning Musume Concert Tour 2009 Haru ~Platinum 9 DISCO~
- AUGUST
- 5 - 40th single (Nanchatte Renai)
- SEPTEMBER
- 5 - Morning Musume in Los Angeles Live Documental on TV Tokyo airs
- 19 - Start of 2009 Fall tour Morning Musume Concert Tour 2009 Aki ~Nine Smile~
- NOVEMBER
- 25 - 41th single Kimagure Princess
- DECEMBER
- 6 - Kusumi Koharu graduates from Morning Musume and Hello! Project
2010
- JANUARY
- 14 - Morning Musume Jc & Jk Female Actress Audition Announced.Up-Front and BS-TBS have agreed to hold auditions in five cities (Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya, Fukuoka and Sapporo) to find a co-star for a stage play this June with Morning Musume.
- 15 - Starts Mano Erina-led dorama, which will feature Morning Musume and S/mileage, titled Hanbun Esper,released on Dohhh-UP!.
- FEBRUARY
- 10 - 42th single Onna ga Medatte Naze Ikenai
- 14 - Morning Musume live at an chinese TV in commemoration of the lunar/chinese new year and sung Onna ga Medatte Naze Ikenai and a chinese song called Jasmine Tea or 茉莉花 (is not the Mano Erina's B-side).
- 24 - Released the DVD: Morning Musume Concert Tour 2009 Autumn ~Nine Smile~ ( Koharu Kusumi's Graduation )
- MARCH
- 17 - Released the 10th Album of Morning Musume 10 My Me
- 17 - The official Morning Musume Twitter account opened, name of account is http://www.twitter.com/morning_musume
- 19 - Start of Morning Musume Concert Tour 2010 Haru ~Pikappika!~
- 21 - Morning Musume appears at an fashion event non-no x BS-TBS Fashion Show Spring Collection White Day Special and performs Renai Revolution 21
- 23 - Announced that all the members of Morning Musume, and C-ute's Nakajima Saki will have a role in the play FASHIONABLE. At the day 11 of June starts until day 27 of June.
- 31 - Morning Musume’s 4th Alo Hello DVD has been announced. The release date is set for 6/16.
- APRIL
- 1 - The title for Morning Musume’s 43rd single has been revealed:Seishun Collection(Youth Collection)the a-side will be used as the theme for the stage play titled FASHIONABLE. The release date is set for 6/9.
- 1 - Morning Musume had been chosen as image girls for a national campaigning in China pro the entrance of dog-guide in all the establishments.
- 5 - Morning Musume have just revealed that they will attend the France Japan Expo in July 2. The c/w to their 43rd single, Seishun Collection titled Tomo will be the theme song for the expo in 2010.
- MAY
- 24 - France Japan Expo opened a website only to promote Morning Musume's show. The first press of tickets was sold out in only 2 hours. Site: http://www.morning-musume-leconcert.com
- JUNE
- 1 - Released the photobook Alo Hello! Morning Musume 2010 that was made in Hawaii.
- 11 - Starts the play FASHIONABLE.
- 27 - The play FASHIONABLE it finishes.
- JULY
- AUGUST
- 8 - Tsunku announces 9th generation auditions.
- 8 - Tsunku also annouces: Junjun, Linlin, and Kamei Eri to graduate from the group in 10/24 lats show of the tour Concert Tour 2010 Fall ~Rival Survival~
- 10 - Morning Musume arrives for taping of a serious TV show in Hunan, China (Jun Jun’s hometown).
- 17 - A Morning Musume event will be the first event to be broadcasted by TBS TV in 3D in 08/25.
External links
- Official Website
- English Wikipedia: Morning Musume
- Japanese Wikipedia: モーニング娘。
- Up-Front Works: complete discography
- projecthello.com: Morning Musume lyrics