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Morning Musume

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Morning Musume '16 promoting "Tsumetai Kaze to Kataomoi / ENDLESS SKY / One and Only" (2016)
Back: Ikuta Erina, Haga Akane, Suzuki Kanon, Iikubo Haruna
Middle: Makino Maria, Oda Sakura, Ishida Ayumi, Ogata Haruna
Front: Nonaka Miki, Kudo Haruka, Fukumura Mizuki, Sato Masaki

Morning Musume (モーニング娘。) is a Japanese pop girl group produced by Tsunku, managed by Up-Front Promotion, and part of Hello! Project as its flagship group. They are also known as "Momusu" (モー娘。) for short, and have adopted the name "Jou An Sao Nu Jou" (pinyin: Zǎo Ān Shào Nǚ Zǔ; traditional Chinese: 早安少女組。) for the Chinese market. Formed in 1997 on the talent show ASAYAN, Morning Musume 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 17,746,446 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.

The group has been known for its ever-changing line-ups, with auditions and graduations creating different styles and dynamics to their music and performances. Beginning in 2014, Morning Musume's name will reflect the present year as a way to help audiences identify member rosters over its seventeen-year history. Currently, the group is identified as Morning Musume '16 (pronounced One-Six).

Members

Current Members

First Generation (1997)

Second Generation (1998)

Third Generation (1999)

  • Goto Maki (後藤真希, graduated September 23, 2002)

Fourth Generation (2000)

Fifth Generation (2001)

Sixth Generation (2003)

Seventh Generation (2005)

Eighth Generation (2006/2007)

  • Mitsui Aika (光井愛佳, graduated May 18, 2012)
  • Junjun (ジュンジュン, graduated December 15, 2010)
  • Linlin (リンリン, graduated December 15, 2010)

Ninth Generation (2011)

Tenth Generation (2011)

Eleventh Generation (2012)

Twelfth Generation (2014)

History

1997–1999

Morning Musume's origins began with Sharam Q's auditions to find a female vocalist, broadcasted on ASAYAN. Although the winner was Heike Michiyo, band member Tsunku called back five of the finalists - Nakazawa Yuko, Ishiguro Aya, Iida Kaori, Abe Natsumi, and Fukuda Asuka - and proposed to them a challenge. If the five could sell 50,000 copies of their debut single, "Ai no Tane", in five days, they will be given a record deal, and their group is named Morning Musume. The challenge was completed, and the group began preparing for their major debut, starting with the single "Morning Coffee" in early 1998.

Not long after, Tsunku announced that three new members would be added to the group, and emerging from the auditions were Yasuda Kei, Yaguchi Mari, and Ichii Sayaka, known as the group's second generation. The group's debut album, First Time, was released, and was followed up by "Daite HOLD ON ME!", which became Morning Musume's first single to hit #1 on the Oricon charts.

1999 began with Morning Musume's first graduation, that of Fukuda Asuka, who decided to return to her studies. Now with only seven members, the group released two more singles, "Manatsu no Kousen" and "Furusato", which was followed by their second album, Second Morning. However, these releases performed poorly sales-wise, and so it was time to add in new members. Although the audition was expected to find two more members, only the young Goto Maki was chosen, and as an eight-piece group again, Morning Musume released their seventh single, "LOVE Machine". The single went on to sell over one million copies, becoming the group's best-selling single to date. Goto quickly became a fan favorite as well as a prominent face within the group.

2000–2002

The new millenium began with Ishiguro Aya's departure from the group, where she would pursue a career in fashion design. Although at seven members again, "Koi no Dance Site" was still a superb follow-up to "LOVE Machine", being the only other single to sell over one million copies. The follow-up album, 3rd -LOVE Paradise-, is also their best-selling original album to date. In the spring, four new members were added - Ishikawa Rika, Yoshizawa Hitomi, Tsuji Nozomi, and Kago Ai - known as the fourth generation. A month after the release of their CD debut, "Happy Summer Wedding", Ichii Sayaka graduated from the group, to pursue her own career in music.

2002–2004

The group's first single for the year, "Souda! We're ALIVE", became their third consecutive #1 single on the Oricon charts. That streak was broken by "Do it! Now", which only reached #3. Not surprisingly, it was the last single for Goto Maki, who graduated from the group in September to continue her solo career. However, the single "Koko ni Iruzee!" managed to reach #1. Near the end of the year, it was announced that Fujimoto Miki, a fellow solo artist in Hello! Project, would be added to Morning Musume's sixth generation. The Morning Musume LOVE Audition 2002 decided three more members to join Fujimoto, and they were Kamei Eri, Michishige Sayumi, and Tanaka Reina.

Although the sixth generation was announced at the beginning of 2003, they did not make their proper debut until Yasuda Kei's graduation in May. The single "Morning Musume no Hyokkori Hyoutanjima" was the group's first cover. After the group's fifth album, No.5, and the single "AS FOR ONE DAY", which reached #1 on the Oricon charts, Yasuda graduated from Morning Musume. This marked the time where Morning Musume had the most number of members, at sixteen before Yasuda's departure. Now at fifteen members, the sixth generation made their CD debut with the single "Shabondama". With so many members, Morning Musume had formed two "splinter" groups, known as Morning Musume Otomegumi and Morning Musume Sakuragumi, to promote activities separately and in smaller numbers. The year-end single "Go Girl ~Koi no Victory~" also coincided with the formation of Hello! Project's futsal team, Gatas Brilhantes H.P..

In 2004, after the release of the single "Ai Araba IT'S ALL RIGHT", Abe Natsumi graduated from Morning Musume to continue her solo career.

2005–2009

2005 opened with a new single, "THE Manpower!!!", and the graduation of Iida Kaori, which took place on January 30, 2005, at the conclusion of Hello! Project's winter tour. Yaguchi Mari became leader and Yoshizawa Hitomi became sub-leader. In February, the Morning Musume Lucky 7 Audition took place, where Tsunku described his search for an "ace" member that would represent the seventh generation. Surprisingly, no new members turned up, but after the follow-up Morning Musume Audition 2005, Kusumi Koharu was selected, and she was inducted into the group in May. Incidentally in April, Yaguchi was caught in a scandal, and in response, she left the group without a proper graduation, though the single "Osaka Koi no Uta" was still released even after this announcement. Yoshizawa became leader and Fujimoto Miki became sub-leader. Ishikawa Rika graduated from the group at the conclusion of their 2005 spring tour, and would continue on as the leader of v-u-den. Now with a ten-member line-up that included Kusumi, Morning Musume released their twenty-seventh single, "Iroppoi Jirettai".

In 2006, Morning Musume released their seventh original album, Rainbow 7, and followed up with their twenty-ninth single, "SEXY BOY ~Soyokaze ni Yorisotte~". During their spring tour, it was announced that Konno Asami and Ogawa Makoto would graduate from the group, both members to further pursue their studies. Konno graduated from Hello! Project on July 23, at the conclusion of Hello! Project's summer tour. During the month of August, the remaining Morning Musume members starred with v-u-den, Abe Natsumi, Tsuji Nozomi, Matsuura Aya, and Takarazuka Revue in Ribbon no Kishi The Musical, an adaptation of Tezuka Osamu's manga. Ogawa graduated at the end of its run on August 27, and took an indefinite hiatus from Hello! Project appearances. With only eight members in the line-up, the Morning Musume Happy 8ki Audition commenced, running from August to December. In that time, Morning Musume's thirty-first single, "Aruiteru", reached #1 on the Oricon charts, a title unachieved ever since "AS FOR ONE DAY" in 2003. At the end of the year, Mitsui Aika was added into the group, and at the 58th Kouhaku Uta Gassen, Morning Musume performed a medley with GAM.

2007 marked Morning Musume's tenth anniversary, and a special group was formed, named Morning Musume Tanjou 10nen Kinentai, to begin promotional activities throughout the year. Yoshizawa Hitomi's graduation was also announced. As spring season came about, Mitsui's CD debut was on the single "Egao YES Nude", and the group released their eighth original album, SEXY 8 BEAT. In March, Tsunku made a surprise announcement on Hello! Morning - two members from China, Junjun and Linlin, would be joining the eighth generation as "exchange students." Currently, those two are the only non-Japanese members to have been part of the group. After the release of the single "Kanashimi Twilight", Yoshizawa graduated on May 6, and Fujimoto Miki and Takahashi Ai took the positions of leader and sub-leader. However, no less than a month later, Fujimoto was caught in scandal - a scene quite parallel to Yaguchi Mari's departure two years back - and she left the group, in addition to taking a temporary hiatus from Hello! Project appearances following her spring concert tour with GAM. Takahashi and Niigaki Risa became leader and sub-leader, now fronting a line-up of nine, beginning with the single "Onna ni Sachi Are". In the autumn season, Morning Musume released their biggest singles compilation to date, a double album featuring all thirty-four singles, with the album covers being recreations of the covers for "Morning Coffee", their debut single, and "LOVE Machine", their best-selling single. The year was concluded with the release of the single "Mikan" and the appearance at the 58th Kouhaku Uta Gassen. Morning Musume performed a special medley with Berryz Kobo and °C-ute under the name "Hello Pro Wonderful All Stars". However, it was their last appearance on the show to date, thus breaking their consecutive ten-year streak.

Morning Musume released their first 2008 single, "Resonant Blue", and continued their 10th anniversary promotions with their spring concert tour, which had a set list containing all their singles to date. In addition to performing in Japan, the group had special stopovers in Shanghai, China and Seoul, South Korea, to further promote the expansion into Asia. For the summer season, Morning Musume collaborated with Takarazuka Revue again to perform Cinderella The Musical, an adaptation of Rogers and Hammerstein's musical with lyrics translated into Japanese. During the autumn season, the group began a series of tributes to legendary songwriter Aku Yuu. Takahashi and Niigaki portrayed Pink Lady in a special titled Hitmaker Aku Yuu Monogatari. The group's thirty-seventh single, "Pepper Keibu", was a cover of the famous Pink Lady song. To top it off, a tribute album titled COVER YOU was released, featuring covers of famous Aku Yuu-penned hits. 2008 marked the first year where there were no changes in Morning Musume's line-up.

2009 was a year teeming with activity. The group released their thirty-eighth single, "Naichau Kamo", and their ninth original album, Platinum 9 DISC. The album was followed up with the single "Shouganai Yume Oibito", which reached #1 on the Oricon charts. Its coupling track, "3, 2, 1 BREAKIN' OUT!", was the theme song for Anime Expo 2009 in Los Angeles, California, which Morning Musume attended as Guests of Honor and which marked their first performance in North America (not counting their fan club visits in Hawaii). The group's fortieth single, "Nanchatte Renai", reached #2 only to Hamasaki Ayumi's "Sunrise / Sunset ~LOVE is ALL~", but was an achievement in sales; selling over 70,000 copies, a feat unachieved since 2005. However, the year concluded with Kusumi Koharu's graduation from Hello! Project, which took place on December 6. "Kimagure Princess" was the last single to feature Morning Musume's most stable line-up.

2010–2014

2010 progressed almost like the year before. The eight-member Morning Musume released their forty-second single, "Onna ga Medatte Naze Ikenai", followed by their tenth original album, 10 MY ME, only a month later. In the spring, Morning Musume attended the Japan Expo 2010 in Paris, France, marking their first performance in Europe. The theme song for the event was "Tomo", the coupling track to their forty-third single "Seishun Collection", which in turn was the theme song for Morning Musume's musical during June, titled Fashionable. However, a surprising twist was made during the summer. Kamei Eri, Junjun, and Linlin would be graduating from Hello! Project, Kamei to tend to her atopic dermatitis and Junjun and Linlin to pursue careers in China. In turn, auditions commenced for the group's ninth generation, who would make their debut at the start of the new year. After another single, "Onna to Otoko no Lullaby Game", and another album, Fantasy! Juuichi, the triple graduation took place on December 15.

Morning Musume's ninth generation was introduced in January. Ikuta Erina, Sayashi Riho, and Suzuki Kanon were the winners selected from the audition, while Fukumura Mizuki made her debut from Hello! Pro Egg. However, only a week later, Takahashi Ai's graduation from Hello! Project was announced, to occur at the end of September. In turn, auditions commenced for Morning Musume's tenth generation. The ninth generation made their CD debut with the single "Maji Desu ka Ska!", which was followed by "Only you", and "Kono Chikyuu no Heiwa wo Honki de Negatterun da yo!", the final single for Takahashi. This line-up would still be featured on their twelfth original album, 12, Smart, released in October.

The tenth generation members were introduced on September 29th. Iikubo Haruna Ishida Ayumi Sato Masaki & Kudo Haruka were introduced the day before then leader Takahashi Ai graduated and appeared again in the final and gave their graduation messages to Ai and also sang with the existing members. Their addition makes the group stand at 12 members, the largest the group has been since 2005. Once Takahashi graduated, she passed leadership of both Morning Musume and Hello! Project to Niigaki Risa her fellow 5th generation member. This now makes Risa the longest serving member of the group and the 1st member to go from youngest in the group at entering to becoming leader. The Tenth generation made their CD debut with the single "Pyocopyoco Ultra", followed by "Renai Hunter", Risa's last single.

On January 3, 2012, at the beginning of the Hello! Project 2012 Winter concert tours, Risa announced her graduation from Morning Musume and Hello! Project, to take place at the end of the 2012 Morning Musume Spring concert tour. Her leadership of Morning Musume will be passed on to Michishige Sayumi after she graduates. Risa stated that she originally planned to graduate at the same time as Takahashi Ai, but decided to stay for a while longer after the tenth generation members were introduced. It was suddenly announced on May 4, 2012 that Mitsui Aika would graduate from Morning Musume, but not Hello! Project, alongside Niigaki Risa at the end of the 2012 Morning Musume Spring concert tour due to worries over possible repeat injury to her ankle.

on July 4th, Morning Musume released their 50th single "One Two Three", the first single released under the leadership of Michishige Sayumi. It became the highest selling single since 2003, selling over 100,000 copies.

On September 14th, Morning Musume held a 15th anniversary event which was a special rehearsal of their upcoming concert tour open to the fans. The eleventh generation was announced at the event, and Oda Sakura, was introduced. Morning Musume released their 51st single "Wakuteka Take a chance" on October 10th.

On January 19th, 2014, Michishige Sayumi and Tanaka Reina have been in Morning Musume for 10 years.

On January 23rd, Morning Musume released their 52nd single Help me!!", the debut single for eleventh generation Oda Sakura. The single reached #1 on the Oricon weekly charts.

On April 17th, Morning Musume released their 53rd single, a double A-side, "Brainstorming / Kimi Sae Ireba Nani mo Iranai" and reached #1 on the Oricon weekly charts. This would be the last single for Tanaka Reina.

On May 21, 2013 Tanaka Reina graduated from Morning Musume and Hello! Project, with her focus shifting to the new band Lovendor. After Reina's graduation 9th generation member Fukumura Mizuki and 10th generation member Iikubo Haruna became joint sub-leaders.

On September 12, Their 54th single "Wagamama Ki no Mama Ai no Joke / Ai no Gundan" ranked #1 on the first week of sales. It is the highest selling Hello! Project single of 2013. And it became Morning Musume's highest selling single since "Koko ni Iruzee!".

On January 1st, 2014, Morning Musume changed their to name to Morning Musume '14 (One Four).

On January 21, Tsunku announced at the au Presentation Spring 2014 that Morning Musume '14 would be part of a commercial along with comedians Morisanchuu, forming a new unit called Morimusu.

On January 29, Morning Musume '14 released their 55th single "Egao no Kimi wa Taiyou sa / Kimi no Kawari wa Iyashinai / What is LOVE?". This was their first single released as Morning Musume '14. The single reached #1 on the Oricon weekly charts, becoming their fourth #1 single in a row – the longest streak of number ones in the group's history.

In February, "Kimi no Kawari wa Iyashinai" was the official cheer song for the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics Japanese Team.

On March 15, the Twelfth generation auditions were announced called Morning Musume '14 <Golden> Audition!

On April 16th, Morning Musume '14 released their 56th single "Toki wo Koe Sora wo Koe / Password is 0", which reached #1 on the Oricon weekly charts.

On April 29, during the Morning Musume '14 Concert Tour Spring ~Evolution~ concert held in Yamaguchi, Michishige Sayumi announced her graduation. She will be graduating at their Fall 2014 concert tour.

On September 30, 2014 the 12th generation members, Ogata Haruna, Nonaka Miki, Haga Akane, and Makino Maria, were introduced at the first Nippon Budoukan performance of the fall Morning Musume concert tour "GIVE ME MORE LOVE ~Michishige Sayumi Sotsugyo Kinen Special~". Their full activities with Morning Musume begin officially in 2015 as Morning Musume '15 (One Five).

On November 26th, Michishige Sayumi officially graduated from Morning Musume and Hello! Project, passing the leadership of Morning Musume to 9th generation member Fukumura Mizuki and 9th Generation member Ikuta Erina and Iikubo Haruna became joint sub-leaders.

2015–present

The now thirteen-member group starts the year off as Morning Musume '15. This is the first lineup in which there are four full generations in the group at the same time. On February 9, it was announced that Morning Musume '15 would be releasing a song for the upcoming Pretty Cure movie, in which Iikubo Haruna, Ishida Ayumi, and Oda Sakura would be providing their voices to 3 spirits whose artwork they designed themselves. That same month it was announced that Iikubo Haruna would be the official mentor to the 12th generation, bringing back the mentor system.

They released their fifty-eighth single, "Seishun Kozou ga Naiteiru / Yuugure wa Ameagari / Ima Koko Kara" as Morning Musume '15 on April 15, 2015. This is the 12th generation's debut single and their first single without Michishige Sayumi.

Their fifty-ninth single, "Oh my wish! / Sukatto My Heart / Imasugu Tobikomu Yuuki", was released on August 19.

On October 29, Sayashi Riho announced that she would graduate from Morning Musume '15 on December 31st during Countdown Live.

On February 7, 2016, Suzuki Kanon announced that she would graduate from Morning Musume '16 at the end of their Spring Tour.

Discography

Albums

Mini-Albums

Best Albums

Soundtrack Albums

Other Albums

Singles

Other Singles

Compilations / Other

Video Releases

Concerts / Live
Music Video Collection
Stage Play
Single V / Event V
Documentary
DVD Magazine

Filmography

Movies

Awards of the Japanese Academy - Won Popularity Award Most Popular Film see in: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0347353/awards

Drama

Works

TV

Programs

Auditions

Auditions are held periodically to find and add new members to Morning Musume. Follow the links for more details.

For other Hello! Project auditions see Hello! Project#Auditions.

Timeline

See also: Morning Musume/Timeline

1996

1997 (ASAYAN Sharan Q Auditions)

Morning Musume. (1997)
  • APRIL
    • 13 - Fukuoka preliminary round (broadcast 11-25 May)
    • 27 - ASAYAN broadcast - Talk with Sharan Q about the auditions and clips of Fukuoka audition.
  • JULY
    • 03 - ASAYAN studio examination (broadcast 13+20 July)
    • 06 - ASAYAN broadcast - Osaka audition part 1
    • 11 - ASAYAN studio examination (broadcast 27 July+3 Aug)
    • 13 - ASAYAN broadcast - Osaka audition part 2
    • 20 - ASAYAN broadcast - Osaka audition part 3. Winners: Nakazawa Yuko/Heike Michiyo
    • 27 - ASAYAN broadcast - Sapporo audition part 1
    • 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
  • 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
  • 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.
      • (Osaka: 16,610, Fukuoka: 9,004, Sapporo: 1,4853, Nagoya: 9,533) "Thank you truly. Our dream of debut has been granted, it is delightful it truly is. Thank you truly."
    • 30 - ASAYAN broadcast - CD selling in Sapporo
  • DECEMBER
    • 02 - Learning 3 songs - "Dou ni ka Shite Doyoubi", "Morning Coffee", and "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

Morning Musume. (1998)
  • JANUARY
  • 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

1999

Morning Musume. (1999)

2000

Morning Musume (2000)
  • SEPTEMBER

2001

Morning Musume (2001)
  • JULY
    • 25 - 12th single - "The Peace!"
    • 31 - Morning Musume becomes the #1 female group with the most consecutive years with a #1 single (4), beating the previous record set by Pink Lady and tied by Princess Princess (3)
  • AUGUST

2002

Morning Musume (2002)
  • JULY
    • 24 - 15th single - "Do it! Now"
    • 30 - Morning Musume becomes the #1 female group in Top 10 singles (16), beating the previous record set by Wink and tied by MAX (15)

2003

Morning Musume (2003)
  • JANUARY
  • MARCH
    • 26 - Fifth album - No.5
  • JUNE

2004

Morning Musume (2004)
  • JANUARY
    • 21 - 21st single - "Ai Araba IT'S ALL RIGHT"
    • 25 - Abe Natsumi graduates
    • 27 - Morning Musume becomes the #1 female group with the most consecutive years with Top 10 singles (7), beating the previous record set by MAX (6)

2005

Morning Musume (2005)
  • SEPTEMBER
    • 15 - Arrives in Hong Kong for a fan club tour
  • DECEMBER
    • 31 - Morning Musume performs "LOVE Machine" at the 56th Kouhaku alongside all former Morning Musume members still active in Hello! Project.

2006

Morning Musume. (post-August after Ogawa Makoto and Konno Asami's Graduation 2006)
  • NOVEMBER
    • 08 - 31st single - "Aruiteru"
    • 14 - Morning Musume becomes the #1 female group with the most #1 singles (10), beating the previous record set by Pink Lady (9)
    • 17 - Along the Jpop duo WaT, Morning Musume sings the open act of 2006 Volleyball World Championships. The song "Ready Go!" was released in the Petit Best 7 as track #17.

2007

Morning Musume 2007 in Kanashimi Twilight outfits. Last single of Fujimoto and Yoshizawa
Morning Musume late 2007 with JunJun and LinLin
  • MAY
    • 01 - Morning Musume becomes the #1 female group in single sales (11,085,000 sold copies), beating the previous record set by Pink Lady (11,037,000 sold copies)
    • 06 - Yoshizawa Hitomi graduation
Takahashi, Niigaki and Kusumi in Korea
Morning Musume in Taiwan
  • 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 Kobo and °C-ute at the 58th Kouhaku.

2008

  • 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)
Junjun and Linlin in Shangai
  • 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
  • OCTOBER
    • 19 - Pepper Keibu handshake events

2009

Morning Musume in Shouganai Yume Oibito outfits
Koharu Kusumi's Graduation
  • FEBRUARY
    • 18 - 38th single - "Naichau Kamo"
    • 21 - "Naichau Kamo" handshake events
  • JUNE
    • 20 - "Shouganai Yume Oibito" handshake events

2010

Morning Musume in Fashion White Day Event
Morning Musume in FASHIONABLE poster
Morning Musume in the Chinese campaigning for the dog-guide
Morning Musume new unit Muten Musume
LinLin, Jun Jun and Kamei Eri Graduation
  • 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!.
  • APRIL
    • 1 - The title for Morning Musume’s 43rd single has been revealed: "Seishun 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.
  • JULY
    • 2 - Morning Musume performs for the very first time in Europe, at Japan Expo, France.
    • 2 - Morning Musume's Japan Expo concert in Paris is broadcasted live over the world through Nico Nico.
  • AUGUST
    • 8 - Tsunku announces 9th generation auditions. The first since 2006 when Mitsui Aika joins the group.
    • 8 - Tsunku also annouces: Junjun, Linlin, and Kamei Eri to graduate from the group in 12/15 last 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).
    • 15 - A Morning Musume event were the very first event to be broadcasted by TBS TV in 3D.
    • 28 - Morning Musume new unit announced Muten Musume. According to Tsunku the unit was made to spread the sushi culture around the world. The unit consists of Morning Musume members using the following characters and names for promotion of a sushi chain in Kansai.
    • 28 - Morning Musume shows as performer and co-host on this Year’s 24 Hour Television Charity Telethon
  • SEPTEMBER
    • 20 - Releases the Morning Musume Calendar 2011
  • DECEMBER
    • 1 - Morning Musume members are co-host and special guests performing "Seishun Collection" also "Onna to Otoko no Lullaby Game" at BS-TBS TV 10th anniversary event
    • 1 - Released Morning Musume's 11th album Fantasy! Juuichi
    • 11 - An iPhone game featuring Morning Musume titled "Morphing Musume" has been released.
    • 15 - Kamei Eri, Junjun and Linlin graduate at Yokohama Arena. The concert is broadcast live in 3D.
    • 17 - Morning Musume are one of the 'Supervisors' at J-MELO (NHK's website) to promote j-music worldwide. the girls have videos to invite and encourage people around the world to record yourself singing in Japanese and send these videos to the site. Someone can be selected and enter the J-MELO as Singer
    • 31 - Morning Musume's official Youtube channel has been opened.

2011

Morning Musume with 9th gen
Morning Musume x Cirque du Soleil Collaboration Promo
Morning Musume 10th members
Takahashi Ai Graduation
  • MAY
    • 08 - 10th Generation Auditions announced
  • JUNE
    • 1 - Annouced the participation of Morning Musume and Takahashi Ai in a movie called Sharehouse. The movie will be released in theaters on 12/11
    • 10 - Morning Musume promoting the new season of Cirque du Soleil in Japan, called KOOZA and make a mini-live after the show until 10/07 as a mini-tour.
    • 13 - 10th Generation Auditions start
    • 15 - 46th single "Only You" released
  • JULY
    • 10 - Morning Musume promoting the new season of Cirque du Soleil ended as well the mini-lives after the shows.
    • 20 - Morning Musume's FC Tour in Hawaii started.
    • 26 - Morning Musume's FC Tour in Hawaii ended.
  • AUGUST
    • 6 - Morning Musume participed of FNS "Uta no Summer Matsuri 2011" event
    • 9 - Morning Musume's PHOTOBOOK Concert Tour 2011 Spring New Genesis Fantasy DX ~Welcome 9th Generation Members~ is released
    • 22 - Morning Musume presents a medley in the charity show 24 HOUR TV!!!, fellow Hello!Project group S/mileage also paticiped of event.
    • 31 - Previews shown of the making of the music video of Hello! Project Mobekimasu single showing Niigaki Risa's first act as leader of the Morning Musume to be at the time of it's release.
  • OCTOBER
    • 12 - Morning Musume releases 12th studio album 12, Smart
    • 17 - According the reputed MADAME NOIRE website, Morning Musume is the #8 at the TOP 10 of Best-selling girl group of all time.

See in: http://madamenoire.com/78021/who-run-the-world-the-top-10-best-selling-girl-groups-of-all-time/3/

  • NOVEMBER
    • 11 - Morning Musume along with the entire Hello! Project participated in a special live called Hello! Project Festival 2011 at Yomiuri Land. The event was streamed over the world by NicoNico website.
    • 25 - Morning Musume participate in this year's Toyota Yuuki no Tsubasa 2011 event.

2012

Morning Musume in Dream Morning Musume Tour, also guestes: Tsuji Nozomi, Goto Maki and Ishiguro Aya
Niigaki Risa Graduation
  • JANUARY
    • 1 - AKB48 becomes the #1 female group in single sales (11,787,800 sold copies), beating the previous record set by Morning Musume (11,774,000 sold copies)
    • 2 - Niigaki Risa announces her graduation at the end of the Spring Tour on May 18 at Nippon Budokan.
    • 11 - All Morning Musume members, except Mitsui Aika, started a dorama called Suugaku♥Joshi Gakuen, alongside other members of Hello! Project, the dorama is co-lead by Tanaka Reina and Michishige Sayumi.
    • 12 - 9th and 10th members have their own on-line talk show, only for the official fanclub, called Ma-Ji-De Pyocopyoco.
    • 25 - The 48th single of group is released, "Pyocopyoco Ultra". This singles is the first with the 10th gen. members.
  • MARCH
    • 6 - Morning Musume and °C-ute take part on this year's NHK J-Melo Spring Fest 2012.
    • 10 - Morning Musume take part, as special guest, in Dream Morning Musume’s Nippon Budokan Show. Former members Ishiguro Aya, Goto Maki, and Tsuji Nozomi are also guests, bringing the total number of active and former members participating in this concert to a record 24.
    • 24 - Morning Musume members, along others UP-Front "talentos", as well former members, passed out food in Iwate on March 24th to those affected by last year’s devastating earthquake.The event was part of the agency’s Tohoku Earthquake Disaster Relief Project, 'Ganbarou Nippon Ai wa Katsu'. The agency passed out 1,200 meals of butadon and pork miso soup by the end of the event. The current members performed "Dekkai Uchuu ni Ai ga Aru" in front of a crowd of 1,500 people.
  • APRIL
    • 2 - The Bags costumized by Morning Musume members last month, goes to the auction, this action is part of the 6th charity event called ROOTOTE the campaign (TOTE AS CANVAS) has focused its profits to children who were victims of the earthquake that hit Japan last year.
    • 7 - 9th and 10th Generation Members started a radio show called "Morning Musume no Morning Gakuen ~Houkago Meeting~" (Morning Musume’s Morning Campus ~AfterSchool Meeting~).
    • 11 - The 49th single is released, "Renai Hunter" is the last one with 5th member Niigaki Risa and with 8th member Mitsui Aika.
    • 17 - Morning Musume becomes #1 overall in Top 10 singles (49), beating the previous record set by the #1 Top 10 solo artist, Hamasaki Ayumi (48)
Morning Musume promoting "One・Two・Three / The Matenrou Show" (2012)
11th member Oda Sakura
  • JUNE
    • 5 - Tsunku announces a new rock unit, centered around Tanaka Reina, one new girl will be co-singer with her and will be chosen by auditions, as well a guitarist.
    • 6 - A Musical play called Stacey's Shoujo Saisatsu Kageki starts. All Morning Musume members are part of the cast,except the current leader, Michishige Sayumi, at the play Tanaka Reina, Sayashi Riho and Kudo Haruka have got the main characters.
    • 15 t0 28 - 9th and 10th along the S/mileage's 2nd generation hold a FC event called Gachi☆Kira, divided in mixed groups, and a last concert with all members at June 1st at Zepp Tokyo.
  • NOVEMBER
    • 14 - The DVD for Morning Musume’s videoclips compilation called Single M Clips 7 is released.

2013

  • FEBRUARY
    • 1 - "Morning Musume 2012 Autumn Concert Tour ~Colorful Character~" Live PB is Released
Morning Musume promoting "Brainstorming / Kimi Sae Ireba Nani mo Iranai" (2013)
  • APRIL
    • 17 - 53rd single "Brainstorming / Kimi Sae Ireba Nani mo Iranai" is released.
    • 18 - The group perform their new single at the TV Show Music Japan
    • 20 - The group perform their new single at the TV Show Music Dragon
    • 23 - After a full week of peaking at the top of the Oricon chart and stabilizing at a #1 position through the past 7 days, Morning Musume have now achieved their 2nd consecutive #1 weekly on the charts after "Help me!!" with their 53rd single titled "Brainstorming / Kimi Sae Ireba Nani mo Iranai", which is the first time it has occurred since 2001.
    • 25 - Two thousand fans went to a special, and surprise, mini-live held at Shibuya, named Morning Musume x ekiato in celebration of the second group #1 this year, and the anniversary of this famous train station in Japan called Tokyuu Toyoko Line.
Tanaka Reina Graduation

2014

  • JANUARY
    • 1 - Morning Musume began the new year with their new group name, Morning Musume '14.
    • 21 - Tsunku announced at the Presentation Spring 2014 that Morning Musume would be part of a commercial along with comedians Morisanchuu, forming a new unit called Morimusu.
    • 29 - Morning Musume '14 released their 55th single "Egao no Kimi wa Taiyou sa / Kimi no Kawari wa Iyashinai / What is LOVE?". This was their first single released as Morning Musume '14. The single peaked at #1 on the Oricon charts, becoming their fourth #1 single in a row – the longest streak of number ones in the group's history.
Morning Musume '14 promoting "Toki wo Koe Sora wo Koe / Password is 0" (2014)
  • MARCH
    • 15 - the 12th generation auditions were re-held as Morning Musume '14 <Golden> Audition!.
    • 30 - NHK BS Premium aired a four hour special on Morning Musume's history and their 55 singles.
  • APRIL
    • 16 - Morning Musume '14 released their 56th single "Toki wo Koe Sora wo Koe / Password is 0," which also peaked at #1 on the Oricon weekly chart.
    • 29 - During the Morning Musume '14 Concert Tour Haru ~Evolution~ concert held in Yamaguchi, Michishige Sayumi announced her graduation. She would be graduating at their Fall 2014 concert tour.
  • MAY
    • 29 - A second in-group unit was formed. The unit, named Zenryoku Yasai Musume, will be promoting KAGOME vegetable juice.
12th Generation Members
  • OCTOBER
    • 5 - Morning Musume '14 performed in New York City in front of 2,000 fans.
    • 15 - Morning Musume '14 released their 57th single "TIKI BUN / Shabadaba Doo~ / Mikaeri Bijin". It is the final single featuring 6th generation member Michishige Sayumi.
    • 29 - Morning Musume '14 released their 14th studio album 14 Shou ~The message~. It was the last album to feature Michishige Sayumi, as well as the last to feature a 6th generation member.
Michishige Sayumi Graduation
  • NOVEMBER
    • 14 - Morning Musume '14 announced that they would be holding an audition for a music video director for one of their future songs. To enter the audition, one must submit a three minute video. The audition was open to any nationality. Both amateurs and professionals were welcome to apply.
    • 26 - Michishige Sayumi graduated, appointing Fukumura Mizuki as the leader of Morning Musume and both Iikubo Haruna and Ikuta Erina were appointed sub-leaders of Morning Musume.
  • DECEMBER
    • 28 - It was announced that Morning Musume's 12th generation members would start their own radio show on FM-FUJI titled Morning Musume. ’15 12ki Nikki and would start airing on January 4, 2015.

2015

  • FEBRUARY
    • 9 - It was announced that Morning Musume '15 would be releasing a song for the upcoming Pretty Cure movie, in which Iikubo Haruna, Ishida Ayumi, and Oda Sakura would be providing their voices to 3 spirits whose artwork they designed themselves.
    • 14 - It was announced that Iikubo Haruna would be the official mentor to the 12th generation, bringing back the mentor system.
Morning Musume '15 promoting "Oh my wish! / Sukatto My Heart / Ima Sugu Tobikomu Yuuki" (2015)
  • OCTOBER
    • 29 - Sayashi Riho announced that she will graduate from Morning Musume '15 on December 31st.
Sayashi Riho Graduation
  • DECEMBER
    • 4 - It was announced that Morning Musume '16 will be the main guest at "Anime Matsuri" in Houston, Texas USA.
    • 16 - Morning Musume '15 performed at Fuji TV's 2015 FNS Kayousai THE LIVE.
    • 29 - Morning Musume '15 released their 60th single, "Tsumetai Kaze to Kataomoi / ENDLESS SKY / One and Only". It is Sayashi Riho's last single as a member of Morning Musume.
    • 31 - Sayashi Riho graduated from Morning Musume at their Countdown Live performance.

2016

  • JANUARY
  • FEBRUARY
    • 7 - Suzuki Kanon's graduation is announced.

External Links

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