generasia:Featured article for 2010 week 46

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 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.

The group's 44th single, Onna to Otoko no Lullaby Game, was released on November 17, 2010.