Hello! Project Wiki/News/2022

;December 27, 2022 - Fukumura Mizuki to graduate from Morning Musume '23 and Hello! Project
:On December 27, it was announced that Fukumura Mizuki will be graduating from Morning Musume and Hello! Project at the end of the group's upcoming fall concert tour in 2023.
:Fukumura was offered to graduate from the group in 2020 to pursue a new path individually, but due to the , it was difficult to find the right timing and to make future plans, and with Hello! Project celebrating 25 years in 2023, she have expressed her wish to continue as a member until that time. She also expressed that she will spend 2023 watching over the Morning Musume members and completing her activities, with the plans of new members joining the group. After her graduation, she plans to continue her entertainment activities after a period of preparation.
:Fukumura initially joined Hello! Project on June 22, 2008 as a 4th generation member of Hello Pro Egg. In 2010, she participated of the Morning Musume 9ki Audition, in hope to join the 9th generation of Morning Musume, but she was then told by Tsunku that she failed the third round. On January 2, 2011, with the announcement of the winners of the audition, Tsunku made a surprise announcement that Fukumura had actually passed the 9th generation audition, joining the group alongside Ikuta Erina, Sayashi Riho, and Suzuki Kanon. On May 21, 2013, she was appointed sub-leader of the group alongside Iikubo Haruna. On November 27, 2014, following Michishige Sayumi's graduation, she was promoted to leader of Morning Musume. On December 31, 2016, with the announcement that Wada Ayaka would succeed Yajima Maimi as the 6th leader of Hello! Project, it was also announced that Fukumura would become a sub-leader once Wada becomes the leader. On June 19, 2019, following Wada's graduation, Fukumura became the 7th leader of Hello! Project. In addition, on November 10, 2022, she and Ikuta became the longest serving members of Morning Musume, being part of the group for more than 11 years.
:Source: Hello! Project
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;December 20, 2022 - Takeuchi Akari to graduate from ANGERME and Hello! Project
:On December 20, it was announced that Takeuchi Akari will be graduating from ANGERME and Hello! Project in 2023 at the end of the group's upcoming spring concert tour.
:Takeuchi has obtained the qualification of "Seisho Shihan", a fifth-degree associate in calligraphy, and she is currently aiming to become a fifth-degree professor, which allows her to teach calligraphy skills to everyone. Between this, she has seen the growth of the younger members of the group, and she have then decided to spend more time working on mastering calligraphy while continuing her entertainment activities. While searching for the right timing for this, she came to the conclusion that she will graduate from ANGERME and Hello! Project at the end of the group's upcoming concert tour next spring. The exact timing of her graduation will be announced as soon as it is decided.
:Takeuchi initially joined Hello! Project on June 22, 2008 as a 4th generation member of Hello Pro Egg. In 2011, she auditioned to become a member of S/mileage and made it in as a sub-member alongside Nakanishi Kana, Tamura Meimi, Kosuga Fuyuka, and fellow Hello Pro Egg member Katsuta Rina. On October 16 of the same year, she was announced as an official 2nd generation member of the group alongside Nakanishi, Katsuta and Tamura. On November 15, 2015, she was appointed sub-leader of ANGERME alongside Nakanishi. On June 19, 2019, with Wada Ayaka's graduation, she was promoted to leader of the group.
:Prior to her graduation, is currently planning to hold a private calligraphy exhibition, which was one of Takeuchi's biggest goals, next spring.
:Source: Hello! Project
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;December 10, 2022 - Kaga Kaede graduates from Morning Musume '22 and Hello! Project
:On December 10, the Morning Musume '22 25th ANNIVERSARY CONCERT TOUR ~SINGIN' TO THE BEAT~ Kaga Kaede Sotsugyou Special was held at Nippon Budokan, where 13th generation member Kaga Kaede graduated from Morning Musume '22 and Hello! Project.
:Kaga initially joined Hello! Project on November 20, 2012 as a 17th generation member of Hello Pro Kenshuusei. On December 12, 2016, after over four years as a trainee, she debuted as a 13th generation member of Morning Musume alongside Yokoyama Reina. On September 3, 2022, she announced her graduation from Morning Musume '22 and Hello! Project in order to relearn dancing from scratch, and she also aims to work in a dance-related field.
:In the same day of her graduation, she released a photobook produced by actress titled Kaga Kaede Graduation Memorial Photobook. Shortly after her graduation, she released a cover of the song "Give me Love", which she performed at her graduation concert, on December 11. In addition, she is featured in Morning Musume '22's 72nd single "Swing Swing Paradise / Happy birthday to Me!" scheduled to be released on December 21, 2022, which will be also her last single as a member of the group.
:Source: modelpress
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;September 14, 2022 - Morning Musume '22 to hold new member audition
:On September 14, during the Morning Musume '22 Kessei 25 Shuunen Kinen FC Event ~Musume × FAN×Fun! × Dai Kansha-sai!~, it was announced that Morning Musume '22 would be holding a new audition titled Morning Musume 25 Shuunen Kinen Shin Member Audition -Asu wo Tsukuru no wa Kimi- in search for the new 17th generation member(s).
:The audition is open to applicants as of September 14, and the application period would end on October 24, 2022 (at 10am (10:00) JST for web applications). Any girl living in Japan from 5th grade elementary school to 2nd year of high school are eligible to apply. A website of the audition was opened with more details.
:This is the second audition of the group in 2022, with the first being held during the first half of the year jointly with Juice=Juice titled Hello! Project "Morning Musume '22" "Juice=Juice" Goudou Shin Member Audition, in which Sakurai Rio was selected as their sole 16th generation member.
:Source: Hello! Project, Audition website
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;September 7, 2022 - Asakura Kiki to graduate from Tsubaki Factory and Hello! Project
:On September 7, it was announced that Asakura Kiki will be graduating from Tsubaki Factory and Hello! Project in spring 2023. The announcement was first made by Asakura herself in her 2022 birthday event, and later revealed in the episode #443 of Hello! Project Station.
:Asakura have been studying about animals voluntarily, but in order to learn more in earnest, she have decided to attend a veterinary school starting in April 2023. As she does not want to cause inconvenience for Tsubaki Factory's activities, she decided to graduate from the group to study while balancing with her solo activities. Details regarding her future activities and graduation date will be revealed as soon as they are decided.
:Asakura initially joined Hello! Project on November 18, 2014 as a 22nd generation member of Hello Pro Kenshuusei. On April 29, 2015, she was selected to debut in a new unit named Tsubaki Factory alongside five other girls.
:Source: Hello! Project, Hello! Project Station
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;September 3, 2022 - Kaga Kaede to graduate from Morning Musume '22 and Hello! Project
:On September 3, it was announced that Kaga Kaede will be graduating from Morning Musume '22 and Hello! Project with the final concert of the Morning Musume '22 25th ANNIVERSARY CONCERT TOUR ~SINGIN' TO THE BEAT~.
:Through her activities in Hello! Project, Kaga was able to gain more knowledge about dancing in various ways, her interest in dancing grew more and more, and her desire to study it more deeply became stronger. In order to relearn dancing from scratch, she decided to graduate after receiving an opportunity to think about her future. She plans on taking time to study dance first, and aims to work in a dance-related field. Her exact future activities and graduation date will be announced as soon as it is decided.
:Kaga initially joined Hello! Project on November 20, 2012 as a 17th generation member of Hello Pro Kenshuusei. On December 12, 2016, after over four years as a trainee, she debuted as a 13th generation member of Morning Musume alongside Yokoyama Reina.
:October 13 UPDATE: On October 13, it was revealed that Kaga's graduation concert, Morning Musume '22 25th ANNIVERSARY CONCERT TOUR ~SINGIN' TO THE BEAT~ Kaga Kaede Sotsugyou Special, will be held on December 10 at Nippon Budokan.
:Source: Hello! Project, Instagram
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;August 8, 2022 - Two members join Hello Pro Kenshuusei
:On August 8, Shimoitani Yukiho and Kamimura Rena were introduced as 34th generation members of Hello Pro Kenshuusei on Hello Dream.. Both members participated in the Hello! Project "Morning Musume '22" "Juice=Juice" Goudou Shin Member Audition, but failed to pass.
:The members will be formally introduced on stage at the Hello! Project Kenshuusei Happyoukai 2022 9gatsu TIME ~Jikuu~ on September 4.
:Source: Hello! Project
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;June 29, 2022 - New members of Morning Musume '22 and Juice=Juice, and a new Hello Pro Kenshuusei Unit line-up announced
:On June 29, the winners of the Hello! Project "Morning Musume '22" "Juice=Juice" Goudou Shin Member Audition were revealed in a special episode of the Hello! Project Station. They were announced by the leaders of both groups, Fukumura Mizuki and Uemura Akari, who also hosted the episode.
:The new member added as the sole 16th generation of Morning Musume '22 is Sakurai Rio, while the new members added to Juice=Juice are Ishiyama Sakura and Endo Akari. The new members are set to be formally introduced to the public at the Hello! Project 2022 Summer CITY CIRCUIT, which starts on July 9.
:In addition, a new line-up of the Hello Pro Kenshuusei Unit was also announced in the episode, with the new formation consisting of members Matsubara Yulia, Onoda Karin, Hashida Honoka, Murakoshi Ayana and Uemura Hasumi. This formation will be promoting in the unit as Hello Pro Kenshuusei Unit '22.
:Source: Hello! Project (New members announcement, Hello Pro Kenshuusei Unit announcement)
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;June 27, 2022 - New members of Morning Musume '22 and Juice=Juice to be revealed on June 29
:On June 27, it was announced that the winners of the Hello! Project "Morning Musume '22" "Juice=Juice" Goudou Shin Member Audition, who will be joining as new members of Morning Musume '22 or Juice=Juice, will be revealed in a special episode of the Hello! Project Station on June 29 at 10pm JST.
:Source: Hello! Project
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;June 20, 2022 - Morito Chisaki graduates from Morning Musume '22 and Hello! Project
:On June 20, the Morning Musume '22 CONCERT TOUR ~Never Been Better!~ Morito Chisaki Sotsugyou Special was held at Nippon Budokan, where 14th generation member Morito Chisaki graduated from Morning Musume '22 and Hello! Project.
:Morito initially joined Hello! Project on November 5, 2014 as a member of Country Girls. On June 9, 2017, with Country Girls ceasing regular activities and three members, including Morito, being transferred to other Hello! Project groups for their main activities as concurrent members, Morito joined Morning Musume as a sole 14th generation member. On December 26, 2019, Country Girls suspended all activities, and Morito subsequently graduated from the group, but she continued activities in Morning Musume. On February 28, 2022, she announced her graduation from Morning Musume '22 and Hello! Project in order to study abroad, which was something she planned for some time.
:After her graduation, she is planning to study abroad for about one year and a half, and later returning to continue her entertainment activities in Japan under . Shortly after her graduation she released a cover of the song "Mikan", which she performed at her graduation concert, on June 21.
:Source: Pop'n'Roll
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;May 30, 2022 - Inaba Manaka graduates from Juice=Juice and Hello! Project
:On May 30, the Juice=Juice CONCERT TOUR ~terzo~ FINAL Inaba Manaka Sotsugyou Special was held at Nippon Budokan, where Inaba Manaka graduated from Juice=Juice and Hello! Project.
:Inaba initially joined Hello! Project on May 5, 2013 as a 19th generation member of Hello Pro Kenshuusei. On November 5, 2014, she joined as a member of Country Girls, but had to graduate from the group on August 4, 2016 due to health issues. On September 8, 2017, she resumed activities in Hello! Project as an independent artist and as the leader of Hello Pro Kenshuusei Hokkaido. On June 13, 2018, Inaba joined Juice=Juice as a new member, and on December 31, 2021, she was announced as a sub-leader of the group alongside Dambara Ruru. On March 18, 2022, she announced her graduation from Juice=Juice and Hello! Project as she started to wonder about her future and started preparing for what she would do as an individual.
:After her graduation, Inaba plans to continue in the industry and start new activities under , and also venture into new areas. She also released the cover of the song "Moshimo...", which she performed at her graduation concert, on May 31.
:Source: Pop'n'Roll
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;May 3, 2022 - Matsubara Yulia and Onoda Karin win Best Performance Award
:During Hello! Project Kenshuusei Happyoukai 2022 ~Haru no Koukai Jitsuryoku Shindan Test~ held on May 3, Matsubara Yulia and Onoda Karin both won the best performance award. Matsubara got 1237 fan votes for her performance of "Teenage Solution" and "Potsuri to", while Onoda got 1174 fan votes for her performance of "Mugen Climax" and "Kimagure Princess".
:Other trainees who won awards during the event include Ishiyama Sakura, who won the Makoto Award; Kawashima Mifu and Murakoshi Ayana, who won the Miyamoto Karin / Ogata Risa Award; Matsubara Yulia, who also won the Singing Award; and Onoda Karin, who also won the Dance Award.
:Source: Hello! Project
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;April 6, 2022 - Oota Haruka leaves Hello! Project
:On April 6, it was announced at the website that Oota Haruka has left Hello! Project and ended her exclusive contract with the agency in the end of March.
:Oota stated that, as she realized that things that were taken for granted were no longer taken for granted due to the COVID-19 pandemic, she thought about her future and decided to move on towards her next goal. As she decided to go on to university she was able to find a new dream, so she has decided to leave Hello! Project and move towards to her new dream.
:Oota initially joined Hello! Project on July 30, 2016 as one of the successful applicants of the Hello! Project "Hokkaido Gentei" Member Audition, joining the Hello Pro Kenshuusei Hokkaido. On November 23, 2018, she joined ANGERME as a 7th generation member alongside Ise Layla, but on February 28, 2020, she was temporarily suspended from all activities due to rule violations. On October 13, 2020, she chose to withdraw from ANGERME but remained as a member of Hello! Project.
:Source: UP-FRONT PROMOTION
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;March 18, 2022 - Inaba Manaka to graduate from Juice=Juice and Hello! Project
:On March 18, it was announced that Juice=Juice member Inaba Manaka will be graduating from the group and Hello! Project on May 30 with the final concert of the Juice=Juice CONCERT TOUR ~terzo~ at Nippon Budokan.
:Inaba talked about graduating about a half year ago, and after many experiences on Hello! Project in the last 9 years, she started to think about her future and started preparing for what she will do as an individual. After graduating from the group, she is planning to study more about dance, and she is also interested in venturing into the fashion and cosmetics area to expand her potential.
:Inaba initially joined Hello! Project on May 5, 2013 as a 19th generation member of Hello Pro Kenshuusei. On November 5, 2014, she joined as a member of Country Girls, but had to graduate from the group on August 4, 2016 due to health issues. On September 8, 2017, she resumed activities in Hello! Project as an independent artist and as the leader of Hello Pro Kenshuusei Hokkaido. On June 13, 2018, Inaba joined Juice=Juice as a new member, and on December 31, 2021, she was announced as a sub-leader of the group alongside Dambara Ruru.
:Source: Hello! Project
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;March 13, 2022 - OCHA NORMA to make their major debut in July
:On March 13, it was announced that OCHA NORMA will be making their major debut with their debut single on July 13, 2022.
:The announcement was made in the last MC of the first Hello! Project Kenshuusei Happyoukai 2022 3gatsu BREATH ~Ibuki~ recital of the day at Zepp DiverCity, in a surprise announcement by the MC .
:In addition, it was also announced that the Hello! Project Kenshuusei Happyoukai 2022 ~Haru no Koukai Jitsuryoku Shindan Test~ will be held on May 3, 2022 at Nakano Sunplaza.
:Source: Pop'n'Roll, OCHA NORMA tweet
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;February 28, 2022 - Morito Chisaki to graduate from Morning Musume '22 and Hello! Project
:On February 28, it was announced that Morning Musume '22 member Morito Chisaki will be graduating from the group and Hello! Project on June 20 with the final concert of the Morning Musume '22 CONCERT TOUR ~Never Been Better!~ at Nippon Budokan in order to study abroad.
:While she was thinking about her future, she thought about to learn English in earnest, which she had been interested in and had studied little by little on her own, and to become more confident in herself being in a new environment. Morito initially thought about graduating in 2021, but because of the she postponed her decision.
:Morito initially joined Hello! Project on November 5, 2014 as a member of Country Girls. On June 9, 2017, with Country Girls ceasing regular activities and three members, including Morito, being transferred to other Hello! Project groups for their main activities as concurrent members, Morito joined Morning Musume as a sole 14th generation member. On December 26, 2019, Country Girls suspended all activities, and Morito subsequently graduated from the group, but she continued activities in Morning Musume.
:After her graduation, she is planning to study abroad for one year and a half, and later returning to continue her entertainment activities in Japan under .
:Source: Hello! Project
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;February 14, 2022 - Two members join Hello Pro Kenshuusei
:On February 14, Goto Hana and Maeshima Karin were introduced as 33rd generation members of Hello Pro Kenshuusei on Hello Dream.. Both members participated in the Hello! Project Shin Member Audition 2021, but failed to pass.
:The members will be formally introduced on stage at the Hello! Project Kenshuusei Happyoukai 2022 3gatsu BREATH ~Ibuki~ on March 12.
:Source: Hello! Project, Hello! Project Audition tweet
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;January 27, 2022 - Members of Morning Musume '22, Tsubaki Factory, and OCHA NORMA diagnosed with COVID-19
:On January 25, it was reported that during an antigen test routine in the morning, Morning Musume '22 member Fukumura Mizuki had tested positive for COVID-19. After the test result, she contacted the health center and underwent a PCR test at a designated hospital. She is still awaiting her results. Morning Musume '22's appearance at the NHK's show Utacon, which the group was scheduled to appear in the same day, was cancelled. In addition, the last show of the Ogata Risa "bon voyage!" in COTTON CLUB event was also cancelled, since Fukumura had appeared as a special guest on January 24.
:January 27 UPDATE: On January 27, it was announced that several Hello! Project members had tested positive for COVID-19 after routine PCR tests, antigen tests, and daily checks to see if there are any changes in temperature and physical condition. Morning Musume '22 members Fukumura Mizuki and Yokoyama Reina, and Tsubaki Factory member Kasai Yuumi had tested positive by PCR test. Tsubaki Factory member Tanimoto Ami, and OCHA NORMA members Yonemura Kirara and Hiromoto Ruli had tested positive by antigen test. As a result, the January 29 and 30 shows of the Hello! Project 2022 Winter ~LOVE & PEACE~ tour will be cancelled, and the Tsubaki Factory Kishimoto Yumeno×Akiyama Mao×Fukuda Marine FC Event 2022 ~Chou Chou Chou Nen2~ in Osaka will also be cancelled. Yokoyama Reina's appearance on radio show Young Town Douyoubi will be replaced by Nonaka Miki.
:February 2 UPDATE: On February 2, it was announced that the February 5 and 6 Hello! Project 2022 Winter ~LOVE & PEACE~ concerts in Tokyo would be also cancelled following an increase of COVID-19 cases in the country.
:February 9 UPDATE: On February 9, it was announced that Ishiguri Kanami and Hello Pro Kenshuusei will be absent from the February 11 Hello! Project 2022 Winter ~LOVE & PEACE~ shows due to Ishiguri and half of the Kenshuusei members being classified as a close contact to someone who was diagnosed positive with COVID-19.
:Source: Hello! Project (Fukumura Mizuki's diagnosis, Ogata Risa's event, 1/27, 2/2, 2/9), Twitter (Tsubaki Factory FC Event in Osaka, Young Town Doyoubi)
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;January 23, 2022 - Yofu Runo diagnosed with COVID-19
:On January 23, it was reported that during an antigen test routine prior to the Hello! Project 2022 Winter ~LOVE & PEACE~ concert in Aichi, Tsubaki Factory member Yofu Runo had tested positive for COVID-19. The rest of the Hello! Project members, staff and related parties of the tour were also tested, but all of them had received a negative result. 
:However, after several discussions about the possibilities of still holding the concerts, the staff decided that both concerts in Aichi would be cancelled in order to prioritize the health and safety of the audience, performers and the related parties involved with the tour.
:Yofu Runo later took a PCR test that same day which confirmed her diagnosis. She has mild symptoms such as sore throat and red eyes, but is otherwise in a stable condition. She will focus on treatment under the instructions of the public health center and medical institutions. At present, the other Hello! Project members have not seen any changes to their physical condition. Any potential impact on upcoming concerts or events will be communicated as needed in the future.
:Source: Hello! Project (1/23, 1/24), Tsubaki Factory Twitter Account
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;January 7, 2022 - Akiyama Mao diagnosed with COVID-19
:On January 7, it was announced that Tsubaki Factory member Akiyama Mao had been diagnosed with COVID-19, and will therefore be absent from the January 8 and 9 concerts of the Hello! Project 2022 Winter ~LOVE & PEACE~ tour. A member of her family in Osaka had been confirmed to be diagnosed with COVID-19, and so Akiyama Mao had gone to the hospital to take a PCR test, and had tested positive. She is currently in a stable physical condition, but will focus on treatment under the instructions of the public health center and medical institutions.
:On January 8, it was announced that the rest of the Hello! Project members and staff had gone through an antigen test in the morning after receiving news of Akiyama Mao's diagnosis, and all of them had received a negative result. The January 8 show of the Hello! Project 2022 Winter ~LOVE & PEACE~ concert tour will be held as planned.
:January 20 UPDATE: On January 20, it was announced that after receiving treatment and completing the two-week quarantine period, Akiyama Mao had taken a PCR test and received a negative result. She will resume activities starting with the Hello! Project 2022 Winter ~LOVE & PEACE~ concert on January 22.
:Source: Hello! Project (1/7, 1/8, 1/20)
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;January 2, 2022 - Morning Musume '22 and Juice=Juice to hold joint new member audition
:On January 2, during the opening concert of the Hello! Project 2022 Winter ~LOVE & PEACE~ tour, it was announced by Fukumura Mizuki that Morning Musume '22 and Juice=Juice would be holding a holding a joint new member audition titled Hello! Project "Morning Musume '22" "Juice=Juice" Goudou Shin Member Audition. 
:The audition is open to applicants as of January 2, and the application period will end at 10pm (22:00) on February 9, 2021. Any girl living in Japan from 5th grade elementary school to 2nd year of high school are eligible to apply. A website of the audition was opened with more details. 
:Source: Audition website, Hello! Project, Audition Twitter account
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Category:2022