Abe Natsumi

Abe Natsumi (安倍なつみ) is a Japanese singer and actress. She is a former idol under Hello! Project as a founding member of Morning Musume. She was also a solo act during her time in the group and after her graduation. Later, she was also a part of the reunion groups Dream Morning Musume and Morning Musume 20th.
In Morning Musume, she often took the lead in the songs. As a soloist her combined CD and DVD sales exceed 700,000 copies in Japan alone. Abe's highest selling single is "22sai no Watashi".
==Biography==
===Early Life===
Abe Natsumi was born on August 10, 1981 in Muroran, Hokkaido Prefecture.
===1997===
On June 21, 1997, Abe participated in an audition held in Sapporo called Sharam Q Josei Rock Vocalist Audition. She automatically passed to the final, the only contestant to do so.
On July 29, Abe (along with 10 other people) had made it to the second stage of the audition, and was sent to training camp to practice her singing and dancing skills.
On July 31, they performed on stage in front of an audience, dancing as a group doing a choreography they had been practicing.
On August 3, Abe had made it to the final stage and got to sing on stage in the ASAYAN studio. She lost to Heike Michiyo.
On August 20, Abe, along with Nakazawa Yuko, Ishiguro Aya, Iida Kaori, and Fukuda Asuka, had been invited back to the ASAYAN studio. They had a meeting with and a producer asking them if they wanted to debut as a group on the condition of selling 50.000 copies of a single within five days.
On September 7, Tsunku named the group Morning Musume, and they started voice training, shoot the CD cover for their indies single Ai no Tane, recorded the song, recorded and released the PV before embarking on the task in November.The quintet accomplished that task on November 30, after just 4 days."モーニング娘。" (in Japanese). ASAYAN. 1997-09-14."モーニング娘。'14『結成17年目★再評価のワケとは？ 2014年はさらなる“勝負”へ』" (in Japanese). ORICON NEWS. 2014-01-29.
In December, Morning Musume started recording three songs, where one of them would be released as their debut single in January. Iida Kaori was singing the lead vocals on Morning Coffee, but mid-recording Tsunku changed his mind and chose Abe for lead vocals instead.
===1998===
On January 28, 1998, Morning Musume released their major debut single, Morning Coffee.
===2003===
She released her first solo single, "22sai no Watashi," on August 13, just a few days after her 22nd birthday.
Abe also teamed up with Yosumi Keiko, a former member of Rokusenmon, as a so-called "mother and daughter" duo, and released a single to prepare her for her solo efforts.
===2004===
On January 25, she graduated from Morning Musume to pursue a solo career.
On February 4, her first full length album, Hitoribocchi, was released, containing many solo versions of Morning Musume songs.
In October, Abe joined a unit of Hello! Project soloists, Nochiura Natsumi, which included Goto Maki and Matsuura Aya.
Near the end of the year, Abe Natsumi was accused of plagiarizing lines from popular poems and lyrics and publishing them within her own collections. The allegations cited excerpts from Nacchi, her essay book "Album - 1998–2003," and segments from her radio show where she would recite "original poetry." They were matched with works from Aiko, YUKI, Saeko Nishio, Sakaki Izumi, and Komuro Tetsuya.安倍なつみ盗作疑惑 (in Japanese). (Archived)
Abe released a statement after the scandal, in which she admitted that the works she published were not entirely her own. In her apology, she explained that she was in the habit of keeping a notebook where she would write down phrases or ideas that sounded nice to her. When it came time to write, she would look at her notes without thinking about what inspired them, and accidentally plagiarized the works of others.ファンの皆様へ大切なお知らせ (in Japanese). Hello! Project Official Site. December 2004. (archived) As a result of the scandal, Abe was pulled from participation in major music programs, including the annual Kouhaku Uta Gassen where she had been scheduled to appear as a member of Nochiura Natsumi.なっち紅白辞退　１月末まで活動自粛 (in Japanese). Sponichi. 2004.12.02. (archived)
Prior to the scandal, Abe was scheduled to begin promoting the single "Nariyamai Tambourine." However, the release was canceled during her suspension and would not be released until 2008 on Abe's best album.
===2005===
In January, fans organized the Nacchi Ouen Messeji Daihitsu Yousei (なっち応援メッセージ代筆要請 Nacchi Support Message Ghostwriter Request) in an attempt to convince Hello! Project management to allow Abe to return to entertainment activities. They asked for fans to submit postcards with supportive messages throughout the month of January, which they would deliver at the finale of Hello! Project 2005 Winter ~A HAPPY NEW POWER!~. In sum, 1550 messages were sent by fans throughout Japan, China, South Korea, Taiwan. The individual cards were sent to the fanclub after the organizers decided to scrap their planned presentation at the winter concert finale, citing Iida Kaori's impending graduation as an event that deserved more focus.なっちメッセージ企画 (in Japanese). (archived)
Abe returned from suspension in March as she began promoting Nochiura Natsumi Concert Tour 2005 Haru "Triangle Energy". On April 20, she released her comeback single, "Yume Naraba".
In September, she became a member of the Hello! Project special unit DEF.DIVA together with Goto Maki, Ishikawa Rika, and Matsuura Aya. The single, "Takaramono," was also released in November credited as "Sen," who is the main character of the drama "Takaramono," played by Abe.
===2006===
June saw Abe release "The Stress," a cover of the 1989 song by pop idol Chisato Moritaka.
In October, "Amasugita Kajitsu" was released, reaching 5th on the Oricon Chart, the highest place she achieved since "Koi no Telephone GOAL" in 2004.
===2007===
From September 27-30, Abe appeared in the stage play "FAR AWAY" alongside Ayaka and Maeda Yuki.Official Gekijyo Page
On October 6, Abe was prosecuted after causing a traffic accident. According to police, she was making a right turn out of a car park on Sunday evening when she hit a motorbike. Abe was unhurt, but the motorbike rider suffered minor injuries to his elbow and back. At the time, Abe had her driver's license for less than a year and still had a learner's sticker on her car.
===2008===
On January 16, Abe collaborated with ℃-ute member Yajima Maimi for the single 16sai no Koi Nante.
On October 5, Abe performed in an event to mark the 30th anniversary of the Sunshine City building in Ikebukuro. She was joined by other artists who were popular in the 1980s, such as Hiroko Moriguchi and Ayumi Nakamura.
===2009===
On March 31, Abe graduated from Hello! Project along with the rest of Elder Club.
===2010===
From May 13 to June 21, Abe appeared in the musical Little Shop of Horrors playing the role of Audrey.
From December 22-27, Abe appeared in the stage play "Abe Naikaku" alongside Yasuda Kei and Kusumi Koharu.Official Gekijyo Page The play is about the prime minister and politics.
She joined the special unit for former Morning Musume members called Afternoon Musume that promoted Georgia Coffee drinks.
===2011===
On January 28, it was announced that Abe was part of the OG member group Dream Morning Musume.
In May, it was announced that she would star in the drama adaptation of Arakawa Under the Bridge.
Abe played Lucy in the musical Dracula, based on a musical from Graz, Austria. The musical ran from August 20 to September 18.http://l-tike.com/interview/play/dracula-n/
Abe held her fanclub tour M-line club presents Abe Natsumi "Dekkaidoo~♪ Hokkaido!! Tour" from November 26 to 28, for 3 days and 2 nights at Hokkaido. M-line club presents 安倍なつみ“でっかいどぉ～♪北海道!!ツアー”申込受付締切間近！
===2013===
On October 1, she was transferred to .
===2014===
On August 13, Abe released her first self-cover album titled Smile... ♥. This album include a re-arranged and re-recorded version of 10 songs that reflected Abe's history. With the announcement of this album, this was Abe's first solo work in 4 years, her last single being Ameagari no Niji no You ni which was released in September of 2010.
===2015===
On June 17, Abe released her third original album, Dreams.
On November 14, Abe released her her 12th solo photobook, Fin no Hito.
On December 12, Abe performed at Fuji TV's 2015 FNS Kayousai.http://www.fujitv.co.jp/FNS/2015/contents01.html
On December 21, it was reported that Abe would be marrying actor Yamazaki Ikusaburo."なっち、山崎育三郎と結婚！夫婦役で出会った２人が本物夫婦に" (in Japanese). Sankei Sports. 2015-12-21. They first met in July 2011, when they co-starred as a couple in the musical Arashi ga Oka (Wuthering Heights). A tabloid magazine reported a month afterwards in August that the two were dating, but both of their agencies denied they were in a relationship.
On December 29, Abe officially announced on her blog that she had gotten married to Yamazaki that day."2015.12.29。" (in Japanese). Abe Natsumi Official Blog. 2015-12-29.
===2016===
On January 17, it was announced Abe would be leaving the M-line club, along with Fujimoto Miki, as of March."M-line clubからの大切なお知らせ" (in Japanese). M-line club Official Fanclub Website. 2016-01-17.
On February 16, Abe announced she was pregnant with her first child."安倍なつみ、第1子妊娠を発表「家族が増える幸せを二人で実感」" (in Japanese). ORICON STYLE. 2016-02-16. She gave birth to a boy on July 26."安倍なつみ、第1子男児出産 夫・山崎育三郎と「夫婦そろって感動し涙し感謝」" (in Japanese). ORICON NEWS. 2018-07-27.
===2018===
On May 10, Abe announced she is pregnant with her second child and was due to give birth in the fall."安倍なつみ、第2子妊娠を発表「安定期に入りました」 出産は今秋予定" (in Japanese). ORICON NEWS. 2018-05-10.
On October 31, she and her husband made a joint announcement that their second son had been born."安倍なつみが第2子男児出産 夫・山崎育三郎と連名で発表「2人で大切に育てていきます」" (in Japanese). ORICON NEWS. 2018-10-31.
===2021===
On June 17, it was announced that Abe would return to entertainment for the first time in three years by voicing a role in Paw Patrol the Movie.元モー娘。安倍なつみ３年ぶり声優で本格復帰「緊張もしましたがワクワク」 (in Japanese). Nikkan Sports. 2021.06.17.映画声優初！元気でキュートなダックスフンドに命を吹き込む！ 新キャラクター・リバティ役に安倍なつみさん決定！ パウ・パトロール集結のポスタービジュアルも解禁！ (in Japanese.) Paw Patrol the Movie. 2021.06.17.
===2022===
On December 27, Abe announced the birth of her third child.ご報告。 (in Japanese). Abe Natsumi Official Blog. 2022-12-27安倍なつみが第３子を出産　「母子共に健康です！」 (in Japanese). Sanspo. 2022-12-27 
==Profile==
==Discography==
==Publications==
===Solo Photobooks===
#[1999.12.XX] Nacchi (ナッチ)
#[2001.11.11] Natsumi (なつみ)
#[2004.02.25] Deai (出逢い)
#[2005.05.27] Fu
#[2005.11.01] Alo-Hello! Abe Natsumi' (アロハロ!)
#[2006.06.12] Écru
#[2007.03.28] sCene
#[2007.11.25] Cám Ơn
#[2008.08.27] End Of Summer
#[2010.10.30] Natsu-Mi
#[2012.07.14] Subway
#[2015.11.14] Fin no Hito (Finの人)
===Essay Books===
#[2003.04.XX] Album - 1998–2003
#[2003.07.XX] Sensei no Dōyōki Ushitsu Isshoni Utaō! Kuizu Tsuki Dōyō Zenshū (せんせいのどうようきょうしついっしょにうたおう!―クイズつき童謡全集)
#[2003.09.XX] 22 Sai no Nacchi (22歳のなっち)
#[2003.10.XX] Believe
#[2004.05.21] Abe Natsumi Photo & Essay Yōkō (Hikari) (安倍なつみフォト&エッセイ 陽光（ひかり）)
==Works==
===Television===
*[2000] Morning Musume no Heso (モーニング娘。のへそ)
*[2000] Friday Night wa Onegai! Morning (フライデーナイトはお願い!モーニング)
*[2000-2007] Hello! Morning (ハロー！モーニング。)
*[2002-2004] TinTin TOWN (ティンティンTOWN!)
*[2004] Futarigoto (二人ゴト)
===Dramas===
*[1998] Taiyo musume to umi (太陽娘と海)
*[2001] Aiken Rosinante no Sainan ~Mukai Ryūta no Dōbutsu Nikki! (向井荒太の動物日記～愛犬ロシナンテの災難～)
*[2001] Saigo no Natsuyasumi (最後の夏休み )
*[2002] Shinshun Wide Jidaigeki Mibugishiden~Shinsengumi (新春ワイド時代劇 壬生義士伝～新撰組 )
*[2002] Nurseman (ナースマン)
*[2002] Toki wo Kakeru Shoujo (時をかける少女 )
*[2002] Mikeneko Holmes no Hanzaigaku Kouza (三毛猫ホームズの犯罪学講座 )
*[2002] Liliput Oukoku (リリパット王国) (Voice actor)
*[2003] Last Present (ラストプレゼント)
*[2004] Koinu no Waltz (仔犬のワルツ)
*[2005] Takaramono (たからもの)
*[2006] The Hit Parade ~Geinoukai wo Kaeta Otoko, Watanabe Shin Monogatari (ザ・ヒットパレード～芸能界を変えた男・渡辺晋物語～ )
*[2006] Prison Girl (プリズンガール)
*[2006] Konyakusha Kara no Isho ~Tokoutain ni Sasageta 60nen Ai~ (婚約者からの遺書～特攻隊員に捧げた60年愛～ )
*[2007] Natsugumo Agare (夏雲あがれ )
*[2011] Arakawa Under the Bridge (荒川アンダー ザ ブリッジ)
*[2012] ATARU
*[2014] Osu!! Fundoshi Bu! Season 2 ~Nankai Doto hen~ (押忍!!ふんどし部! シーズン2 〜南海怒濤篇〜)
===Radio===
*[2006-10-13] Hello Pro Yanen!! (ハロプロやねん!!)
*[1999-2000] Abe Natsumi no Super Morning Rider (安倍なつみのスーパーモーニングライダー )
*[2001-2003] Morning Musume Abe Natsumi no Airmoni (モーニング娘。安倍なつみのエアモニ。)
*[2005] TBC FUN Field Moretsu Moodush (TBC FUNふぃーるど・モーレツモーダッシュ)
*[2008-2009] InterFM "FIVE STARS" (on Mondays) (インターFM 「FIVE　STARS」)
*[2009-] bayfm FRIDAY NIGHT MEETING (Anata ni Aetara) (安倍なつみ「あなたに会えたら」)
===Theater===
*[2001] Love Century - Yume wa Minakerya Hajimaranai
*[2002] Morning Town
*[2003] Morning Musume Shuen Musical Edokko Chuushingura
*[2004] Okaeri. (おかえり。)
*[2006] Ribbon no Kishi The Musical
*[2006] Hakujaden ~White Lovers~ (白蛇伝～White Lovers～)
*[2007] Gekidan Senior Graffiti Showa Kayo Theater "FAR AWAY"
*[2008] Turandot (トゥーランドット)
*[2009] Sanmon Opera (三文オペラ)
*[2010] Little Shop of Horrors (リトルショップ・オブ・ホラーズ)
*[2010] Abe Naikaku (安倍内閣)
*[2011] Kotekino Kanata (狐笛のかなた)
*[2011] Arashi ga Oka (嵐が丘; Wuthering Heights)
*[2011] Dracula (ドラキュラ)
*[2012] Watashi no Atama no Naka no Keshigomu 4th letter (私の頭の中の消しゴム 4th letter)
*[2012] 100 Sai no Shounen to 12 tsu no Tegami (100歳の少年と12通の手紙)
*[2012] Inori to Kaibutsu ~Wiruviru no San Shimai~ (祈りと怪物〜ウィルヴィルの三姉妹〜)
*[2013] Tsuji hitonari sonogo no futari (辻仁成　その後のふたり)
*[2013] Re: Earl E. (Re:（アール・イー）)
*[2014] Paco〜Paco to Mahou no Ehon〜 from Gama Ouji vs Zarigani Majin (Paco〜パコと魔法の絵本〜 from 「ガマ王子vsザリガニ魔人」)
*[2014] Ano Koro Bokura Ha Penny Lane De (あの頃僕らはペニーレインで)
===Movies===
*[1998] Morning Cop (モーニング刑事。)
*[2000] Pinch Runner (ピンチランナー)
*[2002] Tottoko Hamutarou - Hamu Hamu Hamuuja! Maboroshi no Princess (とっとこハム太郎　ハムハムハムージャ！幻のプリンセス)
*[2002] Tokkaekko (とっかえっ娘。)
*[2003] Koinu Dan no Monogatari (仔犬ダンの物語, "Puppy Dan's Story")
*[2003] Tottoko Hamutarou - Hamu Hamu Grand Prix Aurora Tani no Kiseki - Ribbon-chan Kiki Ippatsu (とっとこハム太郎 ハムハムグランプリン オーロラ谷の奇跡 リボンちゃん危機一髪!)
*[2012] Arakawa Under the Bridge (荒川アンダー ザ ブリッジ)
===DVDs===
*[2010] Morning Musume 1-Ki Member FC Event ~M. -1 Pentagon Triangle~
===Commercials===
*[2000] Glico Mousse Pocky
*[2000] Kanebo Shampoo SALA
*[2004] Calorie Mate Jelly
*[2006] Georgia GABA
*[2006] Sea Cop
*[2006-] Milk Land Hokkaido (narrator only)
==Trivia==
*Attended Hokkaido Noboribetsu High School (currently known as Hokkaido Noboribetsu Seiryou High School).
*Tsuji Nozomi calls her "Nachimi." Nakazawa Yuko and Yasuda Kei sometimes call her "Natsuan." Rinne was the first person to call her "Naccho." Yaguchi Mari calls her "Nacchio."
*Abe has credited her desire to become a singer during her time in middle school when she was feeling depressed after being bullied. She heard JUDY AND MARY's "Chiisa na Koro Kara" playing on the radio. Even now, she still has a great deal of respect for YUKI, the former lead singer of the band.
*Abe got the name of "Natsumi" from a 1979 TV drama series called "Chotto My Way" in which Momoi Kaori played the main character named "Asai Natsumi," and Abe's mother decided to name her daughter "Natsumi."
*As shown on ASAYAN, she originally wasn't the main vocalist for Morning Coffee. Iida Kaori was originally the main vocalist.
*She is pretty good at table tennis.
*She and Iida Kaori were both born in the same hospital. They share the same birthday month with only 2 days apart.
*She is the fourth former Morning Musume member to only graduate from Morning Musume and not Hello! Project. The first being Nakazawa Yuko, the second being Goto Maki, and the third being Yasuda Kei.
*Niigaki Risa is actually her fan.
*She traveled to London in 2013.
*In some episodes of Ayaka's Surprise English Lessons she managed to escape from Ayaka.
*Her sister has the same given name as SI☆NA member Abe Asami.
==Total Sales Count==
Year	Year Sales	Total Sales
2003	148,108 	148,108
2004	239,161 	387,269
2005	117,674 	504,943
2006	128,281 	633,224
2007	54,281 	687,505
2008	21,475 	708,980
2009	5,145 	714,125
2010	6,319 	720,44
2011	550 	720,994
2012	320 	721,314
==Honorary Titles==
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==References==
==External Links==
*Official WEB Site
cs:Abe Natsumi
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Category:Abe Natsumi
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