#18 What it Means to Shoulder the Tradition that is Morning Musume。- Extended Interview with New Morning Musume｡’15 Leader, Mizuki Fukumura（3/3）

2015.02.04

Message to the 12th Generation
How does Fukumura feel about the newest four 12th generation members?

Fukumura “To be honest, there’s still a lot I don’t know. I don’t know how far they can push themselves, or what I can say to motivate them, or how much they like Morning Musume。I think they’re trying really hard, but I’m sure if I told them off the cuff, ‘Formation dance. Now,’ there’s no way they could do it. Even we would have been like, ‘What’s a formation dance?’ That’s how we started out. So we had finally reached the point where we could do that but then we lost a member and gained four more. It’s hard for all of us but the 12th generation members have to learn everything from scratch. And it’s hard to say just how hard a task that is because the conditions have changed compared to when we joined the group, and I often find myself at a loss as to what I should do for them as leader.
I’ll do whatever it takes to have them ready by our spring tour, though.”

Lastly, I asked Fukumura what feelings she would like to impart on the 12th generation members.

Fukumura “When I joined Morning Musume。I just knew that I loved the group and that working my butt off was about the only thing I could do. Now I’m thinking about what I want to achieve in this one year and I have a desire to do as much work as I can with Morning Musume｡’15. With nine of us who feel the same way and four 12th generationers who are giving their all, I think Morning Musume｡’15 will be a solid group. What I want from the 12th generation members is for them to just not lose sight of that drive to keep trying, and more than anything, I want them to always put Morning Musume｡’15 first.”

譜久村聖

A lot of the readers of this column are from overseas and even as writer I’m awed by the passionate response I get from everyone throughout the world whenever I write about Morning Musume｡. Only time will tell as to how the Mizuki Fukumura-led Morning Musume｡’15 will continue to grow and develop as a group, but I hope that with this column I can continue to keep you all updated along the way.

⇒ #18 What it Means to Shoulder the Tradition that is Morning Musume。- Extended Interview with New Morning Musume。’15 Leader, Mizuki Fukumura - TOP

A new article alternate Wednesdays!
*Next update: the 18th of February

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Columnist: Sakurai Takamasa

Contents Media Producer, author, journalist, specially-appointed professor of Digital Hollywood University, Digital Hollywood University graduate school, Sakurai Takamasa is a cultural diplomat who produces events and gives lectures in 130 cities in 25 countries. He acts as a cultural diplomat pioneer with anime and Harajuku Fashion. He is frequently invited as a guest to various Japanese events held worldwide. Having written several books including: "Nihon ga Suki sugiru Chugokujin Joshi" (PHP Shinsho), "Sekai Kawaii Kakumei" (PHP Shinsho), "Anime Bunka Gaiko "(Chikuma Shinsho), he is a radio personality who also regularly writes columns for various newspapers, magazines and web magazines.

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