performances, such as when a current member inherits lines from a graduated member, and new recordings are decided by management by listening to all the group members' voices and choosing one that suits it best.[151]

Activities Outside Japan Edit

In addition to already having official fanclubs in Hong Kong, South Korea, and Hawaii, Hello! Project and Morning Musume began actively extending its fan base outside of Japan and primarily into the rest of Asia starting from the middle of 2007 and into 2008.

In March 2007, Morning Musume inducted its first two non-Japanese members from China, Li Chun (Junjun) of Hunan and Qian Lin (Linlin) of Hangzhou. The duo left in 2010 after the group failed to break into China due to piracy levels, leading to the group focusing on Europeanand American fans and performing at anime conventions.[8]

In addition to the unveiling of Hello! Project's Taiwanese website in 2007, Hello! Project also launched the Taiwan H.P. New Star Audition as well. The audition aimed at recruiting new members to join Hello! Project as Hello Pro Egg members. At this audition, Morning Musume also performed as well.

The TV show Morning Musume New Star aired on Taiwan's TTV network every Saturday and Sunday at 6:30 pm with re-runs Monday to Thursday at 10:15 pm. It ended in mid-August 2008 for re-runs.

On May 24, 2008, Morning Musume held their first concert overseas in Taipei, Taiwan.[152] This was followed by two concerts in Seoul, Korea on June 1,[153] and a concert in Shanghai, China on June 28 as an Expo 2010 pre-event.[154]

In