List of Morning Musume members

This page consists of all current and former members of the J-pop group Morning Musume.

Table of the members 1997-2015

The group is known for their ever-fluctuating line-up, with "graduations" and auditions held nearly every year. As of January 2016, there have been a total of 38 members altogether (1997–present), 24 graduated members, 2 members which have resigned and 12 generations. There are currently 12 members in Morning Musume'16.

Members

Current (as of January 2016)

Name	Birth date	Age	Join date	Generation	Member colour*[1]	Notes
Mizuki Fukumura	October 30, 1996	19	January 2, 2011	9	Hot Pink	Leader
Erina Ikuta	July 7, 1997	18			Yellow Green[2]	Sub-leader
Kanon Suzuki	August 5, 1998	17			Green	Graduating on end of MM'16 Spring Tour
Haruna Iikubo	November 7, 1994	21	September 29, 2011	10	Honey[2]	Sub-leader
Ayumi Ishida	January 7, 1997	19			Royal Blue
Masaki Sato	May 7, 1999	17			Emerald Green
Haruka Kudo	October 27, 1999	16			Orange
Sakura Oda	March 12, 1999	17	September 14, 2012	11	Lavender
Haruna Ogata	February 15, 1999	17	September 30, 2014	12	Sea Blue
Miki Nonaka	October 7, 1999	16			Purple
Maria Makino	February 2, 2001	15			Light Pink
Akane Haga	March 7, 2002	14			Light Orange

* All colour values are approximate.

First generation (1997) Yuko Nakazawa (中澤裕子, graduated April 15, 2001) Aya Ishiguro (石黒彩, graduated January 7, 2000) Kaori Iida (飯田圭織, graduated January 30, 2005) Natsumi Abe (安倍なつみ, graduated January 25, 2004) Asuka Fukuda (福田明日香, graduated April 18, 1999) Second generation (1998) Kei Yasuda (保田圭, graduated May 5, 2003) Mari Yaguchi (矢口真里, left April 14, 2005) Sayaka Ichii (市井紗耶香, graduated May 21, 2000) Third generation (1999) Maki Goto (後藤真希, graduated September 23, 2002) Fourth generation (2000) Rika Ishikawa (石川梨華, graduated May 7, 2005) Hitomi Yoshizawa (吉澤ひとみ, graduated May 6, 2007) Nozomi Tsuji (辻希美, graduated August 1, 2004) Ai Kago (加護亜依, graduated August 1, 2004) Fifth generation (2001) Ai Takahashi (高橋愛, graduated September 30, 2011) Asami Konno (紺野あさ美, graduated July 23, 2006) Makoto Ogawa (小川麻琴, graduated August 27, 2006) Risa Niigaki (新垣里沙, graduated May 18, 2012) Sixth generation (2003) Miki Fujimoto (藤本美貴, left June 1, 2007) Eri Kamei (亀井絵里, graduated December 15, 2010) Sayumi Michishige (道重さゆみ, graduated November 26, 2014) Reina Tanaka (田中れいな, graduated May 21, 2013)

Seventh generation (2005) Koharu Kusumi (久住小春, graduated December 6, 2009) Eighth generation (2006/2007) Aika Mitsui (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) Mizuki Fukumura (譜久村聖) Erina Ikuta (生田衣梨奈) Riho Sayashi (鞘師里保, graduated December 31, 2015) Kanon Suzuki (鈴木香音, will graduate on May 31, 2016) Tenth generation (2011) Haruna Iikubo (飯窪春菜) Ayumi Ishida (石田亜佑美) Masaki Sato (佐藤優樹) Haruka Kudo (工藤遥) Eleventh generation (2012) Sakura Oda (小田さくら) Twelfth generation (2014) Haruna Ogata (尾形春水) Miki Nonaka (野中美希) Maria Makino (牧野真莉愛) Akane Haga (羽賀朱音)

Leadership

Leaders The group always contains a leader and sub-leader, though neither comes with any responsibility. Takahashi Ai has said that the role merely includes encouraging other to do their best, while Niigaki Risa has said that as sub-leader, "there is nothing I have to do, but I want to support [the leader]"[3] Ai Takahashi has been the longest serving leader with 4 years and 3 months, and Miki Fujimoto owned the spot for the briefest period in the group's history— 26 days. On November 27, 2014, Mizuki Fukumura became the 9th leader of Morning Musume, and the youngest member to become leader. Leader Name Period of time 1st Yuko Nakazawa Formation – April 15, 2001 2nd Kaori Iida April 16, 2001 – January 30, 2005 3rd Mari Yaguchi January 31, 2005 – April 14, 2005 4th Hitomi Yoshizawa April 15, 2005 – May 6, 2007 5th Miki Fujimoto May 7, 2007 – June 1, 2007 6th Ai Takahashi June 2, 2007 – September 30, 2011 7th Risa Niigaki October 1, 2011 - May 18, 2012 8th Sayumi Michishige May 19, 2012 – November 26, 2014 9th Mizuki Fukumura November 27, 2014 – present

Subleaders This position was established on April 16, 2001, when Kaori Iida became the second leader. The position was unoccupied during the time of Risa Nigaki's Leadership and remained so until May 19, 2012. After Sayumi Michishige's elevation, Reina Tanaka became unofficial sub-leader from May 19, 2012 until May 21, 2013. On November 26, 2014, when Mizuki Fukumura became leader, Erina Ikuta became the 9th sub-leader alongside Haruna Ikubo. Sub Leader Name Period of time – Formation – April 15, 2001 1st Kei Yasuda April 16, 2001 – May 5, 2003 2nd Mari Yaguchi May 6, 2003 – January 30, 2005 3rd Hitomi Yoshizawa January 31, 2005 – April 14, 2005 4th Miki Fujimoto April 15, 2005 – May 6, 2007 5th Ai Takahashi May 7, 2007 – June 1, 2007 6th Risa Niigaki June 2, 2007 – September 30, 2011 Vacant October 1, 2011 – May 21, 2013 7th Mizuki Fukumura May 22, 2013 – November 26, 2014 8th Haruna Iikubo May 22, 2013 – Present 9th Erina Ikuta November 27, 2014 – Present

Member Colors

Each Morning Musume member has their own color for outfits and merchandise to distinguish between each member. Over time as each member leaves the group, current or new members have the opportunity to change their current color to a different one which is available. No member has exactly the same color, but some might have colors that look fairly similar to another members.

Current members Generation Member Color 9th Generation Mizuki Fukumura       Hot Pink Erina Ikuta       Yellow Green Kanon Suzuki       Green 10th Generation Haruna Iikubo       Honey Ayumi Ishida       Royal Blue Masaki Sato       Emerald Green Haruka Kudo       Orange 11th Generation Sakura Oda       Lavender 12th Generation Haruna Ogata       Sea Blue Miki Nonaka       Purple Maria Makino       Light Pink Akane Haga       Light Orange

Heritage Members Colors       Light Blue: Sayaka Ichii → Reina Tanaka       Sea Blue: Haruna Ogata       Blue: Ai Kago → Makoto Ogawa → Junjun → Ayumi Ishida       Dark Blue: Kaori Iida       Yellow Green: Risa Niigaki → Erina Ikuta       Teal/      Emerald Green: Linlin → Masaki Sato       Green: Kanon Suzuki       Dark Green: Yuko Nakazawa       Grey: Koharu Kusumi       Light Orange: Akane Haga       Orange: Maki Goto → Eri Kamei → Haruka Kudo       Light Pink: Kei Yasuda → Natsumi Abe → Asami Konno → Sayumi Michishige → Maria Makino       Hot Pink: Nozomi Tsuji → Rika Ishikawa → Mizuki Fukumura       Light Purple/      Lavender: Mari Yaguchi → Aika Mitsui → Sakura Oda       Purple: Yuko Nakazawa → Hitomi Yoshizawa → Erina Ikuta → Miki Nonaka       Red: Natsumi Abe → Kei Yasuda → Miki Fujimoto → Koharu Kusumi → Riho Sayashi       Gold: Maki Goto → Ai Takahashi       Chocolate: Haruna Iikubo       Yellow/      Honey: Kaori Iida → Sayumi Michishige → Ai Takahashi → Haruna Iikubo

Tenures

Morning musume members have tenures which show how long they have been in the group until their graduation/resignation, And how many singles they have been present in before their graduation/resignation. Current Members in Bold

Time in the group As of 8 May 2016 Sayumi Michishige is at 11 years, 10 months, 7 days Risa Niigaki is at 10 years, 8 months, 22 days Reina Tanaka is at 10 years, 4 months, 2 days Ai Takahashi is at 10 years, 1 month, 4 days Eri Kamei is at 7 years, 10 months, 26 days Kaori Iida is at 7 years, 4 months, 23 days. Hitomi Yoshizawa is at 7 years, 20 days Mari Yaguchi is at 6 years, 11 months, 11 days Natsumi Abe is at 6 years, 4 months, 18 days Aika Mitsui is at 5 years, 5 months, 8 days Mizuki Fukumura, Erina Ikuta and Kanon Suzuki are at 5 years, 4 months, and 6 days Rika Ishikawa is at 5 years, 21 days Kei Yasuda is at 5 years, 2 days Makoto Ogawa is at 5 years, 1 day Riho Sayashi is at 4 years, 11 months, and 29 days Asami Konno is at 4 years, 10 months, 27 days Haruna Iikubo, Ayumi Ishida, Masaki Sato and Haruka Kudo are at 4 years, 7 months, and 9 days Koharu Kusumi is at 4 years, 7 months, 5 days Miki Fujimoto is at 4 years, 4 months, 13 days Nozomi Tsuji and Ai Kago are at 4 years, 3 months, 16 days Junjun and Linlin are at 3 years, 9 months Sakura Oda is at 3 years, 7 months, and 24 days Yuko Nakazawa is at 3 years, 7 months, 8 days Maki Goto is at 3 years, 1 month, 1 day Aya Ishiguro is at 2 years, 4 months Sayaka Ichii is at 2 years, 18 days Asuka Fukuda is at 1 year, 7 months, 11 days Haruna Ogata, Miki Nonaka, Maria Makino and Akane Haga are at 1 year, 7 months, and 8 days

Single Tenures As of May, 2016 39 Singles: Michishige Sayumi 37 Singles: Risa Niigaki 35 Singles: Ai Takahashi, Reina Tanaka 26 Singles: Kaori Iida, Eri Kamei 25 Singles: Mari Yaguchi, Hitomi Yoshizawa 22 Singles: Natsumi Abe 18 Singles: Rika Ishikawa, Asami Konno, Makoto Ogawa, Aika Mitsui 17 Singles: Kei Yasuda, Mizuki Fukumura, Erina Ikuta and Kanon Suzuki 16 Singles: Riho Sayashi 15 Singles: Nozomi Tsuji, Ai Kago, Miki Fujimoto, Koharu Kusumi 14 Singles: Haruna Iikubo, Ayumi Ishida, Masaki Sato and Haruka Kudo 12 Singles: Yuko Nakazawa 11 Singles: Junjun, Linlin 10 Singles: Sakura Oda 9 Singles: Maki Goto 8 Singles: Aya Ishiguro, Sayaka Ichii 5 Singles: Asuka Fukuda 4 Singles: Haruna Ogata, Miki Nonaka, Maria Makino and Akane Haga

Notable tenures

Members of Morning Musume rarely stay in the group for more than six years, and to date only nine members have done this.

Member	Tenure	Time in group
Sayumi Michishige	January 2003 – November 2014	11 years, 10 months, 7 days
Risa Niigaki	August 2001 – May 2012	10 years, 8 months and 22 days
Reina Tanaka	January 2003 – May 2013	10 years, 4 months and 2 days
Ai Takahashi	August 2001 – September 2011	10 years, 1 month and 4 days
Eri Kamei	January 2003 – December 2010	7 years, 11 months and 26 days
Kaori Iida	September 1997 – January 2005	7 years, 4 months and 23 days
Hitomi Yoshizawa	April 2000 – May 2007	7 years and 20 days
Mari Yaguchi	May 1998 – April 2005	6 years, 11 months, 11 days
Natsumi Abe	September 1997 – January 2004	6 years, 4 months, 18 days

Mentors

Often, when a new member joins the group, a senior member is assigned to be one of the newly added girls' mentor. The second, fifth, sixth, and eighth generations, however, did not have assigned mentors.^[4]

• Third generation

• Sayaka Ichii → Maki Goto

• Fourth generation

• Kei Yasuda → Rika Ishikawa
• Mari Yaguchi → Hitomi Yoshizawa
• Kaori Iida → Nozomi Tsuji
• Maki Goto → Ai Kago

• Seventh generation

• Sayumi Michishige → Koharu Kusumi

• Eighth generation

• Koharu Kusumi → Aika Mitsui

• Ninth generation

• Aika Mitsui → Mentor to all ninth generation members

• Tenth generation

• Risa Niigaki → Mentor to all tenth generation members

• Twelfth generation

• Haruna Iikubo → Mentor to all twelfth generation members

Trivia

• Two of the ninth generation members, Riho Sayashi and Kanon Suzuki, are the first members to have been born after the group's formation in 1997. Tenth generation members, Sato Masaki and Kudo Haruka were also born after the group's formation. All members that have debuted after the 10th generation have been born after the groups formation.
• Kudo Haruka is the youngest person to ever join Morning Musume at the age of 11 years and 11 months, and auditioning at age 11. She beat Ai Kago's 11-year record which was set at the age of 12.
• They are the main group to have the most graduates (not including Hello Pro Kenshuusei).
• 2008 was the only year so far in which no line-up changes occurred and that line-up has been the longest unchanging lineup so far going over 2 years with no graduations or new members until Koharu Kusumi graduated in December 2009.
• Risa Niigaki is the only leader to have once been the youngest member of Morning Musume.
• Ai Takahashi and Risa Niigaki are the longest serving Leader and Sub-Leader (4 years).
• Morning Musume received eight new members in 2011 (both 9th Gen and 10th Gen of 4 each), ages 11–16 years old, while everyone else in Morning Musume was in their 20's (besides Aika Mitsui).
• Fukumura Mizuki is the first former Hello! Pro Kenshuusei to become sub-leader of Morning Musume, she is also the youngest sub-leader and currently leader of morning musume, she is the youngest leader the group has ever had.
• Five generations in a row have a former Hello! Pro Kenshuusei: the 8th Generation has Linlin, the 9th Generation has Fukumura Mizuki, 10th Generation has Kudo Haruka, 11th Generation has Oda Sakura and 12th Generation has Makino Maria and Haga Akane.
• To date, only four members have been featured in over 30 Singles. 5th Generation Members: Ai Takahashi (35 Singles) and Risa Niigaki (37 Singles) with 6th Generation Members: Sayumi Michishige (39 Singles) and Reina Tanaka (35 Singles).
• Sayumi Michishige has been a part of the most singles, with 39. Michishige is also the longest serving member in Morning Musume.
• 1st Generation Asuka Fukuda is the only former member that has never participated in any type of unit or subgroup during her time in Hello! Project.
• Miki Fujimoto is the only Morning Musume leader not to be leader within a single.
• Ai Takahashi, Risa Niigaki and Sayumi Michishige were the only leaders and sub-leaders that graduated from both Morning Musume and Hello! Project.
• All current members were added to the group in either January or in September.
• With Sayumi Michishige's graduation announced for Morning Musume's Fall 2014 concert tour, the group will consist only of the three most recent generations since the introduction of the 4th generation members in 2000.
• All of the 12th Generation wear glasses.

See also

• Morning Musume auditions
• Hello Pro Kenshūsei

References

1. Ai Takahashi (2011-04-25). "高橋愛ブログ記事". Retrieved 2012-05-08.
   Hello! Project Official Site
2. De View (2012-07-28). モーニング娘。13枚目ニューアルバム9月発売、そしてメンバー・飯窪春菜から重大(!?)発表 (in Japanese). Oricon. Retrieved 2012-07-29.
3. http://www.japantimes.co.jp/culture/2009/03/13/culture/morning-musume-not-ready-to-graduate-yet/#.UsufSvRdU2Z
4. "Music Fighter". 2008-04-18. Missing or empty |series= (help)