Sugaya Risako

Risako Sugaya (菅谷 梨沙子, Sugaya Risako, born April 4, 1994 in Zushi, Kanagawa, Japan) is a Japanese pop singer, idol, gravure model and a member of Japanese musical group Berryz Koubou.

2002
In 2002, Sugaya successfully passed the Hello! Project Kids Audition. Her debut within the Hello! Project world came with the premiere of the first Mini Moni feature film, as part of 4Kids, a shuffles group formed exclusively for the movie.

2003
In 2003, Sugaya starred in the movie Hotaru no Hoshi (蛍の星), as Hikari, a fragile elementary school student who, with the help of her caring teacher, has a chance to be momentarily reunited with her deceased mother and overcome her emotional problems. She also starred in the drama, Shonan Kawarayane Monogatari.

That year also marked her first appearance on Kōhaku Uta Gassen, as one of Matsuura Aya's backup dancers, during the 54th edition of the renowned NHK New Year program.

2004
In early 2004, Sugaya became part of the newly formed group Berryz Koubou. Inside the group she, along with fellow member Natsuyaki Miyabi and, to a certain extent, Tsugunaga Momoko and Kumai Yurina, is one of the central performers.

Being a member of Berryz Koubou, she also participates in the band's weekly radio show Berryz Koubou Kiritsu! Rei! Chakuseki!.

She has also, like other Hello! Project members, appeared in the Musume Dokyu! segments, namely episodes 39, 40, 54, 55, and 56.

Additionally, Sugaya has done a commercial for the Nihon Shokuniku Shōhi Sōgō Center in October 2003.

2006
In August 2006, Sugaya was interviewed by MC Goto Maki in the 12th installment of the online only show Hello! Pro Hour. Shelater re-appeared along Tsugunaga Momoko on the 20th and last episode of Hello! Pro Hour.

On October 12, 2006, Sugaya became the first member of Berryz Koubou and the youngest of all Hello! Project to release a solo photobook, which was, even prior to its release, met with mixed feelings both by Japanese and foreign fans. She herself admitted, in an interview with Sanspo.com, to first having doubts regarding the photoshoot, but claims to have had a pleasant experience and hopes her fans enjoy the various facets of her personality.

On December 31, 2006, Sugaya once again took the stage at the 57th edition of Kōhaku Uta Gassen as a backup dancer in Morning Musume's performance of Aruiteru, along with the remaining members of Berryz Koubou, Country Musume and °C-ute.

Profile

 * Real Name: Sugaya Risako (菅谷梨沙子)
 * Nickname: Rii, Risako, Sugu-san, Rii-chan
 * Birth Date: April 04, 1994
 * Birthplace: Kanagawa, Japan
 * Blood Type: A
 * Height: 161cm (5'3.5")
 * Hobby: Drawing, making small things
 * Habit: Clutching the remote control while watching TV
 * Strong point: Being bright and cheerful
 * Weak point: Not cleaning up afterwards
 * Favorite color: Pink, light blue, white
 * Favorite flower: Lavender, rose, hibiscus
 * Favorite season: Spring, summer, fall, winter
 * Favorite word: "Arigatou" (thanks)
 * Favorite song: "Namida no Umi de Dakaretai ~SEA OF LOVE~" (Southern All Stars)
 * Favorite book: "Inagawa Junji no Kowai Hanashi," "Crayon Oukoku"
 * Favorite movie: Disney movies
 * Favorite food: Curry, steak, mabo tofu
 * Least favorite food: Avocado, scallops, sazae
 * Scared of: Big dogs
 * Disliked thing/thing to do: Big dogs, rides
 * Charm point: Eyes

Q&A

 * [2010.01] Nation Junior Magazine (Thailand)
 * 1. Is it hard for teenagers working in the entertainment industry?:
 * Sometimes when we have a show at the same time I've arranged to hang out with my friends.
 * 2. Where do you see yourself in 50 years?:
 * Living a laid-back life, I guess.

1st Event (2008.05.21)

 * Zutto Suki de Ii Desu ka (ずっと好きでいいですか) by Matsuura Aya
 * Minimoni Hinamatsuri! (ミニモニ. ひなまつり！) by Minimoni
 * Tsukiatteru no ni Kataomoi(付き合っているのに片思い) by Berryz Koubou

2nd Event (2008.09.17)

 * Kokuhaku no Funsui Hiroba(告白の噴水広場) by Berryz Koubou
 * Koisuru Angel Heart(恋する♡エンジェル♡ハート) by v-u-den

3rd Event (2009.04.27)

 * Natsu Remember You(夏 Remember you) by Berryz Koubou

4th Event (2010.01.14)

 * Watashi ga Suru Koto nai Hodo Zenbu Shite Kureru Kare (私がすることない程 全部してくれる) by Berryz Koubou
 * Seishun Oodoori (青春大通り) by Berryz Koubou
 * Semi (蝉) by Berryz Koubou
 * Suna wo Kamu You ni...NAMIDA (砂を噛むように・・・NAMIDA) by Matsuura Aya
 * Nanni mo Iwazu ni I Love You (なんにも言わずに I LOVE YOU) by v-u-den

Drama

 * [2002-09] Shonan Kawarayane Monogatari (湘南瓦屋根物語) (on TV Tokyo)

CM

 * [2003-10] Japan Meat Information Service Center (日本食肉消費総合センター)

Movies

 * [2002-12] Minimoni ja Movie Okashi na Daibouken! (ミニモニ. じゃム→ビ→お菓子な大冒険！)
 * [2004-07] Hotaru no Hoshi (ほたるの星 ) (ENG: Fireflies River of Light)

Photobooks

 * [2006.10.11] Risako
 * [2007.07.20] pure+
 * [2008.02.06] Ring3 ~Rin Rin Rin~ (Ring3～リンリンリンッ！～)
 * [2009.11.27] Risou (梨想)

Q&A

 * [2010.01] Nation Junior Magazine (Thailand)
 * 1. Is it hard for teenagers working in the entertainment industry?:
 * Sometimes when we have a show at the same time I've arranged to hang out with my friends.
 * 2. Where do you see yourself in 50 years?:
 * Living a laid-back life, I guess.

Trivia

 * Is extremely good at Puyo Puyo, and has beaten Kajiwara from Music Fighter in the game.
 * Her best friend within Berryz Koubou was Ishimura Maiha until her graduation in 2005. It is rumored that she is still very close to her, although within the group she has gotten closer to Kumai Yurina.
 * At her initial Hello! Project Kids audition, she appeared with a broken arm.
 * She has some Canadian blood as one of her Grandparents was Canadian.
 * She has younger brother.
 * Hello! Project Kids Audition song: Minimoni. Hinamatsuri! Minimoni
 * From Sono ~Sono Subete no Ai ni~: her good subject is Art and her favorite food is Miso Noodle.
 * Once time, a boy of her class confessed his love to her in front of everyone in the classroom.
 * She said her favorite Berryz song is "Himitsu no U.ta.hi.me".
 * Is good friends with Suzuki Airi from C-ute.
 * Was the first Hello! Project Kid to get a photobook.
 * Her favorite artist is UNJASH.
 * She has been noted to muddle out her name while introducing herself at times, from saying it too fast. At times, "Sugaaskkodesu" or "Sugayaskkodesu" is usually what comes out. She has been asked to repeat her name on TV programs, and was also criticized for it on the final episode of Gyao's Hello Pro Hour.
 * Along with Yajima Maimi, she is one of two Hello! Project Kids with substantial magazine presence.