Hello! Project Wiki/News/2021

;December 31, 2021 - New sub-leaders are appointed for Juice=Juice and Tsubaki Factory
:During the Hello! Project Year-End Party 2021 ~GOOD BYE & HELLO!~ <Tsubaki Factory Premium> on December 31, Niinuma Kisora was appointed as Tsubaki Factory's new sub-leader. The position was left vacant for a year after the departure of Ogata Risa on December 28, 2020.
:Later on during the Hello! Project Year-End Party 2021 ~GOOD BYE & HELLO!~ <Juice=Juice Premium>, Inaba Manaka and Dambara Ruru were also appointed as new sub-leaders for Juice=Juice. Similar to Tsubaki Factory, the position was left vacant after Takagi Sayuki left in early 2021.
--------
;December 30, 2021 - Hirayama Yuki announced as a new member of ANGERME
:On December 30, it was announced that Hirayama Yuki would be promoted from Hello Pro Kenshuusei to ANGERME. No applicants from the Hello! Project Shin Member Audition 2021 were added.
:Hirayama had originally joint Hello Pro Kenshuusei in August 2019 as together with other eight 30th generation members.
:Source: Hello! Project
--------
;December 14, 2021 - New member(s) of ANGERME will be unveiled on December 30th
:The winners who will be joining ANGERME will be announced on December 30, 2021, at the ANGERME Premium concert of the Hello! Project Year-End Party 2021 ~GOOD BYE & HELLO!~.
:Source: Takeuchi Akari's Official Ameblo
--------
;December 13, 2021 - Sato Masaki graduates from Morning Musume '21 and Hello! Project
:On December 13, the Morning Musume '21 Concert Teenage Solution ~Sato Masaki Sotsugyou Special~ was held at Nippon Budokan, where 10th generation member Sato Masaki graduated from Morning Musume '21 and Hello! Project.
:Sato joined Morning Musume on September 29, 2011 after winning the Morning Musume 10ki Member "Genki Jirushi" Audition alongside Iikubo Haruna, Ishida Ayumi, and Kudo Haruka.
:On September 24, 2021, Sato announced her graduation from the group and Hello! Project as she wanted to focus in improving her health condition after being diagnosed with irritable bowel syndrome, which made her absent from several activities since February.
:After her graduation, Sato plans to continue her music activities as a soloist and she also plans to distribute singing videos while monitoring her health. In addition, a solo version of "Egao no Kimi wa Taiyou sa", performed by Sato at the concert, was released digitally on December 14.
:Source: ORICON MUSIC, Hello! Project
--------
;December 12, 2021 - Two winners of the Hello! Project Shin Member Audition 2021 and new Hello! Project's group name announced
:On December 12, it was announced that the Hello! Project's new group would be named OCHA NORMA, and that two new members would join the group: Tashiro Sumire and Tsutsui Roko, two winners of the Hello! Project Shin Member Audition 2021. The announcements were made in the noon recital of the Hello! Project Kenshuusei Happyoukai 2021 12gatsu ~RING~ in Zepp Tokyo by former Juice=Juice member Miyamoto Karin, who made a surprise guest appearance in the live. In the afternoon recital, the new members were introduced for the first time to the public.
:The group name OCHA NORMA was coined by combining the word "ocha" from "ocha no ma" (お茶の間), a place where everyone gathers to relax (similarly like a living room), and the Latin word "norma", which means "standard". The name was thought with the hope that the group would become the standard for the new generation to entertain the audience.
:The group will start activities with the new members at the Hello! Project 2022 Winter ~LOVE & PEACE~ tour on January 2, 2022. In addition, the group's Twitter and Instagram accounts were also unveiled with the announcement.
:Source: modelpress, OCHA NORMA social accounts (Twitter, Instagram)
--------
;November 24, 2021 - Kanazawa Tomoko graduates from Juice=Juice and Hello! Project; Uemura Akari chosen as new leader
:On November 24, Kanazawa Tomoko graduated from Juice=Juice and Hello! Project at the Juice=Juice Concert 2021 ~FAMILIA~ Kanazawa Tomoko Final in Yokohama Arena. 
:She first joined as a member of Hello Pro Kenshuusei on November 20, 2012, being introduced at the Hello Pro Kenshuusei Happyoukai 2012 ~12gatsu no Nama Tamago Show!~ on December 9. In February 2013, she was selected to debut in a new unit named Juice=Juice alongside five other girls, being chosen as the group's subleader on June 13 of the same year. On June 17, 2019, with the graduation of Miyazaki Yuka, Kanazawa was promoted to leader of the group. On September 15, 2021, Kanazawa initially announced that she would be temporarily suspend her activities as she was feeling unwell due to the symptoms of her endometriosis. A few weeks later, on October 6, it was announced that her physical condition was still unstable and she has decided to focus on the treatment and stay away from her activities, leading to her decision to graduate from the group.
:In the concert, Kanazawa performed her solo song "Anata wo Omou Kaerimichi", which was released digitally on November 25, and announced that Uemura Akari will be succeeding her as the new leader of the group.
:After her graduation, she will continue the treatment of her endometriosis and revealed that she's considering continuing her activities as a soloist, but she can not make a concrete decision at the moment so she will decide after her symptoms calm down. In addition, she is featured in Juice=Juice's 15th single "Plastic Love / Familia / Future Smile" scheduled to be released on December 22, 2021, which will be her last single as a member of the group.
:Source: Pop'n'Roll
--------
;November 15, 2021 - Kasahara Momona graduates from ANGERME and Hello! Project
:On November 15, Kasahara Momona graduated from ANGERME and Hello! Project at the ANGERME Concert 2021 "Tougenkyou ~Kasahara Momona Sotsugyou Special~" in Nippon Budokan.
:She first joined as a member of Hello Pro Kenshuusei on May 4, 2015, being introduced at the Hello Pro Kenshuusei Happyoukai 2015 ~Haru no Koukai Jitsuryoku Shindan Test~. On July 16, 2016, she was announced as the sole 5th generation member of ANGERME during the opening Hello! Project 2016 SUMMER concert. On June 21, 2021, Kasahara announced that she would be graduating from ANGERME and Hello! Project by the end of 2021 to move abroad to study singing and dancing.
:In the same day of her graduation, she released her second photobook titled Dear sister, and a solo cover of S/mileage's 2014 song "Chikyuu wa Kyou mo Ai wo Hagukumu", which she performed at her graduation concert.
:Source: Pop'n'Roll
-----
;October 6, 2021 - Kanazawa Tomoko to graduate from Juice=Juice
:On October 6, it was announced on Hello! Project's website that Juice=Juice leader Kanazawa Tomoko will be graduating from the group and Hello! Project on November 24, 2021 at the Juice=Juice Concert 2021 ~FAMILIA~ at Yokohama Arena.
:On September 15, Kanazawa announced that she would be temporarily suspend her activities as she was feeling unwell due to the symptoms of her endometriosis. A few weeks later, on October 6, it was announced that her physical condition is still unstable and she has decided to focus on the treatment and stay away from her activities, leading to her decision to graduate from the group. Although she originally did not intended to graduate at this timing, Kanazawa wanted to graduate from the group at their upcoming concert at Yokohama Arena, and following an improvement of her health, the agency respected her decision and the concert, which was already announced, will be her graduation concert.
:In consideration of her health condition and to preserve her for the graduation concert, she will be absent from the Hello! Project 2021 Aki "Zoku Kachou Fuugetsu" tour as a whole, while other activities will be decided while looking her health condition. In addition, a new Juice=Juice single is set to be released in December, which will be Kanazawa's last single.
:Kanazawa joined Juice=Juice with their formation on February 3, 2013, and later became the group's sub-leader on June 13 of the same year. With the graduation of Miyazaki Yuka in 2019, Kanazawa was promoted to leader of the group on June 12 of that year. After her graduation, she is thinking of continuing her activities as a soloist, but she can not make a concrete decision at the moment so she will decide after her symptoms calm down.
:Source: Hello Project
----
;September 24, 2021 - Sato Masaki to graduate from Morning Musume '21
:On September 24, it was announced on Hello! Project's website that Morning Musume '21 member Sato Masaki will be graduating from the group and Hello! Project on December 13, 2021 at the Morning Musume '21 Concert Teenage Solution ~Sato Masaki Sotsugyou Special~ concert at Nippon Budokan.
:Since February, Sato has been suffering from irritable bowel syndrome, which made her absent from several activities, mainly concerts and events. Her condition has been improving, but it is still interfering with her activities, and she expressed that it is difficult for her to continue activities as a Morning Musume member. As a result of several discussions, she decided to improve her health condition first rather than continue in the group under this situation where she can't make plans for the future. She also had a strong desire of graduating at a Morning Musume concert, and although she is still concerned about her health, she decided that the upcoming concert at Nippon Budokan, which was already planned to happen, will be her graduation concert. 
:Sato will be featured in the group's 70th single, which is set to be released by the end of the year. Following her graduation, she has also expressed desire to continue her music activities as a solo artist, so she is planning to distribute singing videos while monitoring her health.
:Sato Masaki originally joined Morning Musume in September 2011 as a 10th generation member, and has slowly become one of the most popular members in the group.
:Source: Hello Project
----
;September 15, 2021 - Kanazawa Tomoko to temporarily suspend activities
:On September 15, it was announced on Hello! Project's website that Juice=Juice leader Kanazawa Tomoko will be temporarily suspending all her activities. Kanazawa was feeling unwell since the past week prior to the announcement, and after a visit to a doctor it was revealed it was due to her endometriosis. She was first diagnosed with endometriosis in January 2016, and she had been taking medical treatment for since then. Due to her health condition not being stable and her symptoms varying from day to day, she will be halting activities for the time being.
:As her period of rest is currently planned for around three weeks, she will be absent from the "team Tsuki" concerts of the Hello! Project 2021 Aki "Zoku Kachou Fuugetsu" tour from September 23 to October 3. As for the timing of resumption of her activities, it will be announced after monitoring her health conditions and seeking medical advice for a final decision.
:Source: Hello Project
----
;September 13, 2021 - Kasahara Momona's graduation date set to November 15, 2021
:On September 13, it was announced that Kasahara Momona, who had previously announced her graduation from ANGERME and Hello! Project on June 21, would had her final concert with the group on November 15, 2021 at Nippon Budokan.
:As a result of this graduation date, Kasahara Momona's last performance date with "Team Tori" in Hello! Project 2021 Aki "Zoku Kachou Fuugetsu", will be on November 13th at Matsumoto City Municipal Art Center (Nagano). 
:Source: Hello Project (Graduation Concert, Hello! Project 2021 Autumn)
----
;September 11, 2021 - Tsubaki Factory announces their 8th single
:At the end of Ikuze! Tsubaki Factory special 26-hour TV program on September 11, it was announced that Tsubaki Factory will release their 8th single Garakuta DIAMOND / Yakusoku・Renraku・Kinenbi / Namida no Heroine Kouban Geki on November 17, 2021, which will be debut single for new members Kasai Yuumi, Yagi Shiori, Fukuda Marine, and Yofu Runo. 
:Source: Hello Project, BARKS
----
;July 25, 2021 - Ise Layla diagnosed with COVID-19; All Hello! Project members test negative for COVID-19; Sasaki Rikako & Fukumura Mizuki to temporarily halt activities; Yokoyama Reina gets vaccinated for COVID-19
:On July 25, it was announced that Ise Layla was confirmed to be diagnosed with COVID-19. Earlier in the day, it was revealed on ANGERME's Twitter account that she would be absent from the Hello! Project 2021 Summer Sapphire & Ruby concerts of the day due to being in a poor health condition, and it was later revealed on Hello! Project's website that she was diagnosed with COVID-19. She was feeling some symptoms of sore throat and mild fever, and after doing a PCR test, she was confirmed to have tested positive for COVID-19. Her condition is stable and she will concentrate on her treatment under the direction of health centers and medical institutions. Her future appearances in concerts or events will be informed as soon as they are decided.
:July 29 UPDATE: On July 29, it was announced that Sasaki Rikako will be halting activities for the time being. On July 25, fellow ANGERME member Ise Layla was diagnosed with COVID-19, and after the confirmation of her diagnosis, all members of Hello! Project underwent PCR tests. From the results, all of them had tested negative for the virus, but Sasaki was classified as a close contact by the public health center. Although there is nothing wrong with her physical condition, she will be refraining from her activities for the time being and will be monitored under the instructions of the public health center and medical institutions.
:July 29 UPDATE: In related news, it was announced through Twitter that Yokoyama Reina had gotten vaccinated for COVID-19 on July 28, and would be subsequently absent from the July 31 broadcast of MBS Radio show Young Town Doyoubi due to a fever from its side effects. Haga Akane took her place for the broadcast.
:July 30 UPDATE: On July 30, it was announced that Fukumura Mizuki will be temporarily halting her activities due to her being classified as a close contact by the public health center after one member of her family was confirmed to be diagnosed with COVID-19, therefore being absent from the July 31 concert of the Hello! Project 2021 Summer Sapphire & Ruby tour. Although there is nothing wrong with her physical condition, she will be refraining from her activities for the time being and will be monitored under the instructions of the public health center and medical institutions.
:August 6 UPDATE: On August 6, it was announced that all Hello! Project members, managers, and tour staff had underwent PCR tests earlier in the week, and all of them had tested negative. As a result, the Hello! Project 2021 Summer Sapphire & Ruby show at Nakano Sun Plaza on August 8 will proceed as planned. Ise Layla and Sasaki Rikako had also taken PCR tests after their quarantine period, and had also tested negative. They will subsequently return to activities. Fukumura Mizuki had also once again tested negative for the virus, however, another member of her family was confirmed to be diagnosed with COVID-19. As a close contact, she will continue to be absent from activities through August. Although there is nothing wrong with her physical condition, she will be monitored under the instructions of the public health center and medical institutions.
:Source: Hello! Project (Ise Layla, Sasaki Rikako, Fukumura Mizuki, August 6), Twitter (Ise Layla,Yokoyama Reina)
----
;July 20, 2021 - New Hello! Project audition officially announced
:On July 20, 2021, the Hello! Project Shin Member Audition 2021 was officially announced in the official Hello! Project website. The audition was initially announced on July 5 through Hello Dream. with the new members of the upcoming new Hello! Project unit.
:The audition is open to applicants as of July 20, 2021, and the application period will end on August 19, 2021. Any girl living in Japan from 5th grade elementary school to 3rd year of high school are eligible to apply. The audition's main target is to find new members for ANGERME, the new Hello! Project unit, Hello Pro Kenshuusei and Hello Pro Kenshuusei Hokkaido. An official website and a Twitter account for the audition were also opened on July 20 with more details.
:Source: Hello! Project
----
;July 7, 2021 - New members of Juice=Juice and Tsubaki Factory announced
:On July 7, the winners of the Hello! Project "Juice=Juice" "Tsubaki Factory" Goudou Shin Member Audition were announced through Hello! Project Station. They were announced by the leaders of both groups, Kanazawa Tomoko and Yamagishi Riko, which also hosted the episode.
:The new members added to Juice=Juice are Irie Risa, Arisawa Ichika and Ebata Kisaki, while the new members added to Tsubaki Factory are Kasai Yuumi, Yagi Shiori, Fukuda Marine and Yofu Runo. The new members will be starting their activities at the Hello! Project 2021 Summer Sapphire & Ruby tour on July 17.
:Source: Hello! Project
----
;July 5, 2021 - New members of the new Hello! Project group and new Hello! Project audition
:On July 5, it was revealed at Hello Dream. that Nakayama Natsume, Hiromoto Ruli, Nishizaki Miku, and Kitahara Momo were added to the upcoming new Hello! Project group line-up. It was also revealed that the group will be starting activities in the Hello! Project 2021 Summer Sapphire & Ruby tour on July 17 as a unit from Hello Pro Kenshuusei. In addition, a new Hello! Project audition will start on July 20, meaning more members could possibly be added from it.
:Source: Hello! Project, Twitter
----
;June 30, 2021 - New members of Juice=Juice, Tsubaki Factory, and of the new Hello! Project group to be announced in July
:On June 30, it was announced that the winners of the Hello! Project "Juice=Juice" "Tsubaki Factory" Goudou Shin Member Audition and the addition of new members in the upcoming Hello! Project group will be revealed on July 5 and July 7.
:The new members of the upcoming new Hello! Project group will be revealed on July 5 at Hello Dream., while the winners of the Juice=Juice and Tsubaki Factory joint audition will be revealed on July 7 at Hello! Project Station. It was also revealed that the COVID-19 pandemic affected the progress of the Juice=Juice and Tsubaki Factory joint audition and the announcement of the results was delayed because of it. 
:Source: Hello! Project
----
;June 21, 2021 - Kasahara Momona to graduate from ANGERME and Hello! Project
:On June 21, it was announced that Kasahara Momona will be graduating from ANGERME and Hello! Project by the end of 2021. After her graduation, she will leave the entertainment industry in order to move abroad to study singing and dancing. She and the staff talked about her graduation around the end of 2020 and started to take concrete decisions this year. 
:The exact timing of her graduation is currently undecided and more details regarding her graduation will be revealed as soon as decided.
:Source: Hello! Project
----
;May 29, 2021 - Yofu Runo wins Best Performance Award & Nakayama Natsume wins Semi-Best Performance Award
:During Hello! Project Kenshuusei Happyoukai 2021 ~Haru no Koukai Jitsuryoku Shindan Test~ held on May 29, Yofu Runo won the best performance award with 1079 fan votes for her performance of "Kono Sekai wa Suteta mon ja nai". Nakayama Natsume won the semi-best performance Award with 945 votes for her performance of "Kioku no Meiro".
:Other trainees who won awards during the event include Hiromoto Ruli and Onoda Karin, who both won the Ueno Mariko Singing Award; Uemura Hasumi, who won the Mitsubachi Maki Dance Award; Arisawa Ichika, who won the Hashimoto Director Award; Ebata Kisaki, who won the Miyamoto Karin Award; and Kitahara Momo, who won the Makoto Happy Character Award. 
:Source: Hello! Project
----
;May 26, 2021 - Tsubaki Factory's first Budokan concert
:On May 26, 2021, Tsubaki Factory premiered a special video on YouTube to commemorate the release of their album 2nd STEP in which they reacted to concert footage from their Haru・Ranman live tour. During the video, it was announced by Shimizu Saki that Tsubaki Factory will be performing their first concert at Nippon Budokan on October 18, 2021. 
:After the premiere of the special video, Tsubaki Factory held an Instagram Live to share thoughts on the album and the upcoming concert. The special video will be available for viewing on YouTube until May 30, 2021. 
:Source: YouTube
----
;April 23, 2021 - Yamada Ichigo has ended her training
:On April 23, it was announced that Yamada Ichigo had ended her training with Hello Pro Kenshuusei at her own request. She will subsequently not appear at the Hello! Project Kenshuusei Happyoukai 2021 ~Haru no Koukai Jitsuryoku Shindan Test~ which is set to take place in May 3.
:Yamada had joined the program as a new trainee on March 6, 2017 alongside Shimakura Rika, Hibi Marina, Eguchi Saya, Doi Rena, Okamura Minami, Matsunaga Riai, and Nakayama Natsume.
:Source: Hello! Project
----
;April 16, 2021 - Hello! Project takes action against false rumors about Fukumura Mizuki
:On April 16, the official Hello! Project website released a statement addressing malicious rumors spread online about Fukumura Mizuki, which falsely claimed that she had been secretly meeting with some fans and giving them preferential treatment. conducted an investigation and proved that the rumors were completely false. The agency will be seeking appropriate action against the perpetrators, including having their fanclub membership revoked, and legal action in some cases.
:Fukumura Mizuki also revealed on her blog that she rarely goes out due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, and that her work schedule made the rumors completely baseless. She also thanked her fans for believing in her, and actress Mano Erina for her advice and consultation.
:Source: Hello! Project, Morning Musume Qki Official Blog
----
;March 16, 2021 - Kawano Minori and Nishimura Karin have ended their training
:On March 16, it was announced that Kawano Minori and Nishimura Karin have ended their training with Hello Pro Kenshuusei Hokkaido. Both members were on hiatus: Kawano had been on break since January 16, 2019, while Nishimura was on rest since June 28, 2020 due to health issues. 
:Kawano had joined on July 16, 2016 when the program was established as a 1st generation trainee, while Nishimura had joined the program as a new trainee on December 3, 2019.
:Source: Hello! Project
----
;March 10, 2021 - Kiyono Momohime, Okamura Homare, and Ono Mizuho to be absent from concerts
:On March 3, it was announced that Kiyono Momohime has been suffering from sciatic nerve pain since January. After a visit to a doctor, it was advised for her to refrain from dancing for some time and she will be only singing in the performances for the time being. On March 10, it was announced that she had been diagnosed with lumbar myofasciitis and would be subsequently absent from the March 14 and 21 concerts of the Hello! Project 2021 Haru "Kachou Fuugetsu" tour.
:On March 10, it was announced that Okamura Homare was diagnosed with sudden hearing loss. She complained about poor health conditions in the past week and was diagnosed with sudden hearing loss after a consult with a doctor on March 9. As she will need to avoid work that involves loud sounds, she will be absent from the March 14 and 21 concerts of the Hello! Project 2021 Haru "Kachou Fuugetsu" tour and from the Hello! Project Hina Fes 2021. 
:On March 11, it was announced that Ono Mizuho would be absent from the March 13 Hello! Project 2021 Haru "Kachou Fuugetsu" concert as a preventive measure against COVID-19 after someone from her family was confirmed to be infected with the virus. Ono is not showing symptoms of fever or poor physical condition. She, the members who will perform at the concert, and staff took PCR tests which all resulted in them testing negative for the virus.
:On April 27, after consulting with a doctor, it was announced that Okamura Homare would be absent for concerts through May 30 so she can continue treatment and refrain from work that involves loud sounds. Akiyama Mao will replace her for the May 30 concerts. In addition, after consulting with a doctor, it was announced that Kiyono Momohime would be absent for the rest of the Hello! Project 2021 Haru "Kachou Fuugetsu" to refrain from work that involves long distance travel which might worsen her condition.
:Source: Hello! Project (Kiyono Momohime (3/3), Kiyono Momohime (3/10), Okamura Homare (3/10), Ono Mizuho, Kiyono Momohime (4/27), Okamura Homare (4/27))
----
;March 7, 2021 - Members of Hello Pro Kenshuusei Unit to form a new Hello! Project group
:On March 7, it was announced by Hello! Project leader Fukumura Mizuki at the end of Hello! Project Kenshuusei Happyoukai 2021 3gatsu ~Yell~ that the four members of the Hello Pro Kenshuusei Unit will be forming a new Hello! Project group in 2021. So far the confirmed members are Yonemura Kirara, Ishiguri Kanami, Kubota Nanami, and Saito Madoka, who have all been part of Hello Pro Kenshuusei Unit since July 2019. Additional members will be added in the near future, and they will make the decision before the end of the year.
:Source: Hello! Project
----
;February 21, 2021 - Sato Masaki absent from activities due to irritable bowel syndrome
:On February 21, Sato Masaki was absent from a release event due to poor health and severe abdominal pain. It was later announced that she had been diagnosed with irritable bowel syndrome by a doctor. She had also taken a blood test that same day, and results would be announced on February 26. She was subsequently absent from activities until then.
:On March 12, it was announced that she would need two weeks of treatment for her irritable bowel syndrome, and she would be absent from the March 13 Hello! Project 2021 Haru "Kachou Fuugetsu" concert as a result.
:On March 23, it was announced that Sato will remain on rest from the activities until the end of April as the symptoms of her irritable bowel syndrome have not changed. As result, she will be absent from the Hello! Project Hina Fes 2021, from the April 4 to 29 concerts of the Hello! Project 2021 Haru "Kachou Fuugetsu" tour, from the 16th ~That's J-POP~ release commemoration event on March 25 and 30, and from the "Junjou Evidence / Gyuu Saretai Dake na no ni" release event on April 3.
:On April 27, after consulting with a doctor, it was announced that she would be absent for concerts through May 30 so she can continue treatment and refrain from strenuous activities. She will gradually resume other activities.
:Source: Hello! Project (2/21, 3/12, 3/23, 4/27), Twitter (release event absence)
----
;February 12, 2021 - Takagi Sayuki leaves Juice=Juice and Hello! Project
:On February 11, the magazine Shuukan Bunshun reported that Takagi Sayuki was in a relationship and living half-time with singer Yuuri. On the following day, announced that Takagi was terminated from both Juice=Juice and Hello! Project, but she will remain signed under the agency, with her future activities being announced after discussions. It was also announced that she would be not appearing in future scheduled activities with the group from February 13.
:Due to her departure, the release date of the group's 14th single "DOWN TOWN / Ganbarenai yo", currently scheduled to be released on March 24, is under consideration of a postponement and the WithLIVE online individual talk event originally scheduled for February 14 was cancelled.
:Takagi originally joined Hello! Project as the 8th generation of Hello Pro Egg in 2009. She debuted as member of Juice=Juice in February 2013. In June 2019, she was appointed as the group's sub-leader.
:February 15 UPDATE: On February 15, it was announced that the release date of the single "DOWN TOWN / Ganbarenai yo" would be postponed to April 28.
:Source: Hello! Project (Departure announcement, Event cancellation, Single postponement)
----
;January 24, 2021 - BEYOOOOONDS new sub-unit name announced, Hirai Miyo becomes unit leader
:On January 24, it was announced through the official BEYOOOOONDS YouTube channel that the three winners of the Hello! Project "ONLY YOU" Audition have finally received their long-awaited BEYOOOOONDS sub-unit name. Hirai Miyo, Kobayashi Honoka, and Satoyoshi Utano are officially members of the unit SeasoningS. It was also revealed that Hirai Miyo has been officially appointed the leader of SeasoningS.
:The group name "SeasoningS” comes from "Season" as in the four seasons of the year, but also comes from "Seasoning" as in when one adds spices to their dish for flavor. These two meanings represent how the three members add a delicious flavor to their performance and add vivid colors to the group as a whole due to the skills that the members are good at.
:Source: Official BEYOOOOONDS YouTube Channel
----
;January 20, 2021 - Juice=Juice and Tsubaki Factory to hold joint new member audition
:On January 20, it was announced through Hello! Project Station and the official Hello! Project website that Juice=Juice and Tsubaki Factory would be holding a joint new member audition titled Hello! Project "Juice=Juice" "Tsubaki Factory" Goudou Shin Member Audition. The audition is open to applicants as of January 22, 2021, and the application period will end on March 1, 2021. Any girl living in Japan from 6th grade elementary school to 2nd year of high school are eligible to apply. An audition website opened on January 22 with more details. 
:Source: Hello! Project
----
Category:2021