Hello! Project & Morning Musume Leader Fukumura Mizuki graduated on November 29th at Yokohama Arena!

[Amped]

Fukumura Mizuki will graduate from H!P and Morning Musume. at the Autumn 2023 tour.

Upfront statement

Thank you for your continued support of Hello! Project and Morning Musume. '22

Morning Musume. '22 Fukumura Mizuki will graduate from Morning Musume and Hello! Project at the concert tour scheduled for the Fall of 2023.

She was offered to graduate in 2020 to pursue a new path as an individual.
In discussing the timing, it has been difficult to plan ahead due to Corona, and as Hello! Project celebrates its 25th anniversary in 2023, she expressed her wish to continue as the leader of Hello! Project and Morning Musume until that time.
Fukumura also said that she will spend the year of 2023 watching over the group and completing its activities, with plans to add new members.

It has been 15 years since she started her activities with Hello Pro Egg, and 12 years since she joined Morning Musume, making her the longest tenured member of the group.
9 years as leader of Morning Musume, 4 years as leader of Hello Project, and counting.
She has always put Morning Musume first and has been working with us with sincerity.

We will make preparations so that Fukumura will be able to finish her career as a member of Morning Musume to the fullest.

After graduation, we will continue to support her as she continues her entertainment activities after a period of preparation.

We will continue to do our best in the coming year, so please continue to support us and Morning Musume. '22.

Hello! Project Leader and Morning Musume. '22 Leader Fukumura Mizuki's statement

Dear all

Thank you for your continued warm support.

I, Fukumura Mizuki, will graduate from Morning Musume and Hello! Project after next year's Fall tour.

I was able to enter the world of Hello Project, which was my dream, and since joining Morning Musume, I have always set goals in line with my position.

In this context, I have seen my seniors and peers graduate, assumed leadership at the age of 18, and seen my juniors graduate.

I have learned so much and experienced so many things in the process, and work in the midst of so much love.

Every period was many times harder than I had imagined, but I never felt pain or discomfort because the time I spent with the members and the fans was the most enjoyable, important, and precious time of my life.
Thank you so very much.

Ever since I was a member of the Hello Pro Egg, I have been told to stand out and be in front of the crowd! I was brought up to do my best to seize the opportunity to continue to grow from the moment I joined Morning Musume, but over the years, I have increasingly felt the need to see more of the younger members growing and shining.

The new members, who had been working hard and looking somewhat uneasy, have found themselves using their individuality and personality as weapons, and are showing us that they are having fun and shining.
Seeing them like that makes me happy.

I still have dreams that I want to fulfill as a member of Morning Musume.
But it has also been my dream for a long time to pass this dream on to the younger members.

All of our favorite members stretch out and have fun in their own way, sometimes overcoming together and feeling a sense of accomplishment while reaching for the next step.

I am confident that they will continue to be such a group.

To be honest, I am partly relieved to be able to announce my graduation now.

After graduation, I will take some time off to challenge myself and learn new things, and I hope to be able to work in a job where I can use what I have learned as much as possible.

For me, Morning Musume has been a precious existence and treasure for half of my life. I will do my best to repay my fans, the group, everyone involved, and Tsunku for all the happiness I have received so far in the year leading up to my graduation.
I appreciate your support!

http://www.helloproject.com/news/15488/

[TotallyUncool]

I hope that this is a move that she really wants to make, and that she will do well with.

This is going to be a huge change - and H!P needs to bring in a powerful 17th gen!

[CaptainBerryzGiraffe]

Damn, end of an Era (Almost)... I have a feeling Ayumi and Erika announcements are on the way as well...

[Shabranikuduu]

I was honestly expecting basically anybody else from 9th-11th gen to graduate before her. I hope she has the time of her life during her last year and is able to move forward with activities she wants to pursue.

[JonCC]

Long lead time to graduation gives her a chance for a prolonged goodbye: FC events, photobook, announce future projects, be there when next gen arrives...
Always glad when they tell us far in advance.

[Zunu]

I suppose it was inevitable, and probably a welcome direction for her, but I'm still saddened by the news. At least by waiting until fall she'll cement her position as the longest tenured individual ever in Hello! Project, beating out both Momochi and Takechan.

[Doraleous]

Shit day, end of an era.

[Moh]

Y'all I can't do this anymore.

[Idol Tenshoku Ondo]

I thought she'd stay until she was 30. Well, for what it's worth I'm looking forward to a new Morning Musume era.
I was reading a thread and somebody said Gyuu Saretai Dake na no ni was supposed to be a grad song, looks like they were right on the money.

[rikkikow]

"Too many teardrops for one heart to be cryin’ 
Too many teardrops for one heart to carry on
You’re way out on top now"

Spoiler: show

Even without A H!PS win.