the Morning Musume 10ki Member "Genki Jirushi" Audition were announced as Iikubo Haruna, Ishida Ayumi, Sato Masaki, and Kudo Haruka.[27]

Once Takahashi Ai graduated, she passed on the leadership role of both Morning Musume and Hello! Project to Niigaki Risa, the only remaining 5th generation member.

2012 Edit

At the beginning of the year, leader and 5th generation member Niigaki Risa announced she would be graduating from Morning Musume and Hello! Project in May.

On January 5, Morning Musume lost the record of having the highest overall single sales (of a female group) on the Oricon charts to AKB48. They were then currently tied with the most number one singles.

On January 25, the 10th generation's debut single "Pyocopyoco Ultra" was released. It became their lowest selling single, selling only 34,050 copies.

On AprilYoyogi Stadium along side names as ICONIQ, Kato Miliyah and Korean Pop Group Wonder Girls.[30]

On August 8, Morning Musume's 50th single, "One•Two•Three / The Matenrou Show", became Morning Musume's best selling single since "Go Girl ~Koi no Victory~" in 2003. It was also the first single since "Ai Araba IT'S ALL RIGHT" to sell over 100,000 copies.

On September 14, during Morning Musume Tanjou 15 Shuunen Kinen Concert Tour 2012 Aki ~Colorful Character~ rehearsal, it was revealed that Hello Pro Kenshuusei member Oda Sakura was the sole winner of the 11th generation audition.

2013 Edit

On January 19, both Michishige Sayumi and Tanaka Reina celebrated 10 full years as members of Morning Musume.

On January 30, Morning Musume's single "Help me!!" became the first Hello! Project single to reach #1 on Oricon's