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Morning Musume Goes International

Call it a new era in Japan-China relations. The man behind Morning Musume has decided to give the group a more international look, and producer Tsunku (38) announced yesterday that the latest addition to the lineup will be two Chinese teenagers.

Read the complete story at Japan-Zone.com

uy, may dagdag na naman sa morning musume. ano kaya ang effect nito sa pagpromote ng japanese music sa china...

nalilito na ako sa dami ng naging members ng morning musume. sino sino na nga ba ang kasali dito?

Kago Ai (19, former Morning Musume, Mini-Moni and currently a member of the pop duo, W) is in trouble again.

After being suspended after tabloid magazine FRIDAY took photos of the singer smoking, another paparazzi magazine “Gendai Weekly” has caught Kago Ai together, holding hands with an older man.  Photos supposedly show Kago with Ishimoto Yasuyuki (37), the owner of the popular cafe “SOMA”.

Supposedly the tabloid has seen Kago smokin in the car but no photos of her smoking were taken. But the tabloid is is also saying that Ishimoto and Kago stayed the night at a room and also confronted both of them.

Apparently Ishimoto claimed that Kago is his cousin and that they were together for a family function.

Source: J!-Ent News

Former Morning Musume Kago Ai fired from agency

Unfortunately for former Morning Musume member Kago Ai (19), things continue to get worse and this time it’s serious and could be the end of her entertainment career for the time being.

According to Kago’s agency Up Front Agency (UFA), the “Weekly Gendai” incident was confirmed by Kago Ai that what the tabloid did print, the incident did take place.

In February, the agency suspended her from entertainment activities back in February 2006 when the teen was photographed smoking by tabloid FRIDAY.  In March, revealing photos of Kago Ai and a 37-year-old businessman (Ishimoto Yasuyuki, owner of popular “SOMA” cafe) were seen holding hands and the tabloid claimed that the idol was smoking in the car.     The tabloid also printed that the two slept at a hotel.  When they were approached by the tabloid, the businessman said that Kago was his cousin.

According to the letter from UFA, the agency gave her a chance for a comeback and even given her jobs such as clerical duties which happened in January 23rd.

Until the incident, the comeback for Kago Ai was stopped and after consulting with her parents about the incident because she is a minor, the agency decided to release her from her contract.

New Look for Tsuji

Former Morning Musume member Tsuji Nozomi (19) has a new image. She is now a member of the female trio "Gyaruru", who played their debut show in Ibaraki Prefecture yesterday.

The trio have taken on the "gyaru" (gal) look that is for some reason still popular among today's teens. With "ganguro" makeup and an extreme fashion sense, these kind of girls can be seen walking the streets of any center of youth culture, such as Tokyo's Shibuya or Harajuku shopping districts.

One of their fashion leaders is Gyaru Sone (21), who joins Tsuji and singer Tokito Ami (19) in the new trio. Despite her petite figure, Sone is known for her incredible appetite and has won several speed eating contests. Yesterday was her debut as a singer.

Tsuji left "Momus" along with Kago Ai (19) in August 2004 to form the duo W. But after being caught smoking underage not once but twice, Kago was finally fired last month. Like Momus, W and many other groups, Gyaruru is the brainchild of producer Tsunku (38), who has them perform the "parapara" style of dancing to their Eurobeat sound. Their debut single, "Boom Boom Mecha Macho" is due for release on June 20.

Source: Japan-Zone.com

Okay, it's finally time for me to stop ragging on Morning Musume. The girl group with the ever-changing lineup has achieved yet another milestone, selling more singles than the legendary idol duo Pink Lady. Their latest single, "Kanashimi Twilight" has entered the latest Oricon chart at No.2 and so far has sold over 50,000 copies.

Visit the Japan-zone.com for the complete story. 

Yoshizawa Hitomi Graduates from Morning Musume

Yoshizawa Hitomi (26) made her final appearance last night as leader of Morning Musume. She characteristically shed no tears as the group finished their spring tour an afternoon and evening show in front of 30,000 fans at the Saitama Super Arena.

Fans also got their first proper look at the group's two new Chinese members, JunJun (19) and LinLin (16).

The fourth member to take on the role of leader, "Yossui" leaves after seven years and one month with the group, the longest run of any member. She suffered tragedy in January when her younger brother Hirota died in a traffic accident at the age of 16, just days after she had announced her planned "graduation" from the group. She performed as scheduled at the Osaka Dome four days later, refusing to shed any public tears. Her toughness is a vital part of her success, and she will be straight into her next job this weekend, filling in for former member Tsuji Nozomi (19), whose poor health forced her to drop out of a stage musical.

Source: Japan-Zone.com

Morning Sickness for ex-Morning Musume

The truth is out about Tsuji Nozomi (19). It turns out that the reason the former Morning Musume member recently dropped out of a planned stage musical is that she is two months pregnant and planning to get married on her 20th birthday.

She and actor Sugiura Taiyou (26) started dating last year and visited each other's family homes at the end of the year. The diminutive Tsuji, who debuted with Morning Musume in 2000 at the age of 12, was always one of the group's most popular members. After she "graduated" from the group in 2004, she formed the duo "W" with Kago Ai (19), only to see that go down in flames when Kago was fired from the Hello! Project in April.

Tsuji was swiftly named to lead a new trio called Gyaruru just two weeks ago, but was diagnosed with an acute stomach ulcer days later. Given the news of her pregnancy, it's likely she is also suffering from morning sickness and will most likely soon be on maternity leave so the future of Gyaruru is unclear. Of the more than two dozen girls who've been members of Morning Musume over the last ten years Tsuji will be just the third to get married.

Sugiura made his break in 2001 playing the lead role in the "Ultraman Cosmos" action hero series on TBS. In 2002 he and his younger brother Takao made their singing debut as the duo Ex. Bold. His latest project is the movie "Zero Kara no Kaze", scheduled for release in December.

Former Morning Musume member Tsuji Nozomi to marry - 2 months pregnant

Mainichi Shimbun reports that former Morning Musume member Tsuji Nozomi (19) will be marrying and that she is two months pregnant.

According to the article, “Nozomi Tsuji, a former member of the all-girl singing group Morning Musume, covered the front pages of the sports tabloid newspapers in Tokyo on Tuesday with news of her surprise plans to marry actor Taiyo Sugiura.”

“Tsuji, 19, joined Morning Musume in 2000 as a fourth-generation member, and graduated from the singing group in 2004. Sugiura, 26, whose real name is Takayasu Sugiura, got his break by starring in the TBS television series Ultraman Cosmos.”

Source: J!-Ent News

Wada Akiko Slams Tsuji

Wada Akiko has called the recent announcements by Tsuji Nozomi (19) "irresponsible". The former Morning Musume member revealed her wedding plans and her pregnancy just days apart. Tsuji and actor Sugiura Taiyou (26) say that their decision to marry was made months ago, but "Akko" (57) - always one to speak her mind - said that the timing was obviously calculated.

Wada, also known as the God Sister, appeared on her weekly Saturday show on NTV just two days after having surgery to remove polyps from her colon. Though clearly not back to full strength, she felt the need to put the young upstart in her place. "She says she's going out with the guy, going to get married, then reveals she's pregnant. It's all too neat," she said. "The kid has no sense of responsibility." Indeed Tsuji's untimely pregnancy has left a lot of people in the lurch. She dropped out of a stage musical and recently graduated MoMus leader Yoshizawa Hitomi (22) had to step in to cover for her. And the future of Gyaruru, a new pop trio that was launched just days before her announcement, is up in the air.

Source: J!-Ent News

Tsuji Nozomi and Sugiura Taiyo press conference

Former Morning Musume member Tsuji Nozomi has shocked Japan with her announcement of getting married and being two months pregnant. In the past month, their has been a build up of promotion for Tsuji with her involvement in theater, voice acting and becoming part of a new musical unit.

At a press conference held on Thursday, Both Sugiura and Tsuji apologized to their agency and fans. Talked about how their wedding has been planned but how Sugiura proposed in March.  She also answered questions about her stopping activity (including Gyaruru and her theater work).  Tsuji also mentioned that she talked about marriage plans with her parents, agency and that they met through a non-entertainment friend (and not Yaguchi Mari as the press originally reported).

There is speculation that the same stern agency (UFA) that fired her friend, (W and Mini Moni) partner and former Morning Musume member Kago Ai may do the same to Tsuji. Her status with Hello! Project is not known.

Source: J!-Ent News

Fujimoto Miki and the Funny Man

The first reported romance for new Morning Musume leader Fujimoto Miki (22) is none other than comedian Shoji Tomoharu (31).

"Mikiti" has been spotted several times spending the night at Shoji's Tokyo apartment by weekly gossip magazine "Friday", who published the photos in today's issue. Friends say they have been dating since at least last autumn. Apart from being a top idol, Fujimoto is also something of an athlete and the "ace striker" for the Hello! Project's futsal team.

Shoji is one half of the popular comedy duo Shinagawa Shoji, regulars on the variety show circuit, and is the one who is always ready to remove his t-shirt and show off his muscular physique. This latest match up between a comedian and a popular female beauty reinforces the image of a romantic boom for Japan's funny men.

Source: Japan-Zone

Yaguchi Mari and Takahashi Ai asked about Fujimoto Miki

Yaguchi Mari, former leader of Morning Musume and resigned after being photographed holding hands with another guy by tabloid FRIDAY was asked about Fujimoto Miki’s (22) alleged romanced with a comedian  Shouji Tomoharu (31).

Yaguchi told the press that she was surprised when she saw the news and didn’t know anything about it but will need to talk to Fujimoto for details.

Watching Yaguchi’s “Damn Yankees” musical were former Morning Musume member/leader Iida Kaori and current sub-leader/member Takahashi Ai who commented about the musical and when asked abut Fujimoto, Takahashi commented that she was also surprised to hear about it.

Source: J!-Ent News

Another Morning Musume scandal? FRIDAY’s target set on Fujimoto Miki

Current member of Morning Musume and group leader Fujimoto Miki (22) is the focus of tabloid FRIDAY as the latest issue shows pictures with her and 31-year-old comedian Shouji Tomoharu.

FRIDAY was the same publication that outed former Morning Musume leader Yaguchi Mari which led to her resigning from the group and the same publication that led to Kago Ai’s suspension.

The publication details the two’s alleged romance and fans worry what will happen to Fujimoto because of the no-relationship policy. With UFA taking a strong stance after the recent problems with former Morning Musume members Kago Ai and Tsuji Nozomi, it is unknown at this time on what their stance will be.

FRIDAY is alleging that Fujimoto Miki stayed at Shouji’s apartment overnight for 3 straight days. Photos of the two coming in and out of a sauna and at a conbini.

Source: J!-ent News

Yet Another Shakeup for Morning Musume

Less than a month after she took over as leader of Morning Musume, Fujimoto Miki (22) has announced that she is going to quit the group. The Up Front Agency says her role as leader, a job she took over when Yoshizawa Hitomi (22) left on May 6, officially came to an end yesterday, June 1. Japan Zone reported here just a week ago about her romance with comedian Shoji Tomoharu (31), and it seems that the revelation in weekly gossip magazine "Friday" is behind her decision. She plans to continue as a singer, a return to the solo career she had for a year from 2002. Takahashi Ai (20) has stepped into Fujimoto's shoes and is the 6th leader of the group.

Source: Japan-Zone.com