weekly singles chart since "Shouganai Yume Oibito", which was released in 2009. "Help me!!" also had the best first day sales since 2003.

On March 16, the Morning Musume 12ki Member "Mirai Shoujo" Audition were announced. The application deadline was April 30. It was later announced that no one passed the audition. However, all finalists from the audition were offered positions in Hello Pro Kenshuusei.

On April 23, "Brainstorming / Kimi Sae Ireba Nani mo Iranai" ranked #1 on Oricon's weekly singles chart and became Morning Musume's second consecutive weekly #1, which was previously achieved with "Mr.Moonlight ~Ai no Big Band~" in 2001. The single also became the first since "Aruiteru" to have every day of the first week ranked at #1.

On May 21, the day of Tanaka Reina's graduation,Fukumura Mizuki and Iikubo Haruna were appointed sub-leaders of Morning Musume.[31]

On September 12, "Wagamama Ki no Mama Ai no Joke / Ai no Gundan", ranked #1 on the first week of sales. It was the highest selling Hello! Project single of 2013. And it became Morning Musume's highest selling single since "Koko ni Iruzee!", which was released in 2002.

On October 30, Morning Musume was appointed as Nippon! Call Project Ambassadors by the Japanese Olympic Committee to support Team Japan at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia.[32] Tsunku would also be producing a special cheer song.

2014 Edit

On January 1, Morning Musume began the new year with their new group name, Morning Musume '14.[33]

On January 21, Tsunku announced at a press event held by au, a mobile phone company,