Matsuura Aya

Matsuura Aya (松浦亜弥, born June 25, 1986 in Himeji, Hyōgo Prefecture, Japan) is was a soloist under Hello! Project until she graduated from Hello! Project on March 31, 2009. She has been on many TV Shows and has been a spokesperson in many commercials, including Pretz, Gogo no Kocha, and Pocky. She announced on her blog, on August 26, 2009, that her upcoming tour will be her last for two or three years.

2000
Matsuura Aya auditioned in 2000 for the 4th Morning Musume & Heike Michiyo Protegee Audition, and was selected along with Sheki-Dol to become a part of what was later known as Hello! Project.

2001
She debuted in 2001 with the single "Dokki Doki! LOVE Mail". Her debut public performance with Hello! Project was at the April 2001 Morning Musume Live Revolution 21 Haru concert.

2002
Her debut album, First KISS, followed in 2002 after a number of single releases. She then quickly became a favorite amongst Hello! Project fans. Maintaining that sweet and bubbly feel that is evident in all Hello! Project artists, Matsuura is a solid example of solo talent for those who go for this particular flavor of J-Pop, which is certainly not without its fans. It has made her one of the most popular and successful solo artists in the Hello! Project.

2005
To date, Matsuura has released four albums and a collection of singles that have achieved respectable placings on the Oricon chart, though so far she has yet to make it to the top spot. She previously had a radio show called Let's do it!! and now has a new radio show Matsuura Aya no All Night Nippon that started on March 30, 2005. She has also participated in various shuffle units with other Hello! Project artists. In other works, Matsuura has appeared in many CMs, doramas, a few films, and starred in a musical called Sougen no Hito in 2003, for which she also did the soundtrack.

2006
On September 30, 2006, she was the main protagonist in the movie, Sukeban Deka Codename = Asamiya Saki, opposite Ishikawa Rika. She was aslo a co-host of the musical variety show Utawara Hot Hit 10.

In 2006, Matsuura and Fujimoto Miki formed a new unit named GAM, September 2006. Their first single, “Thanks!” reached the #2 position on the Oricon.

On October 9, 2006 both concerts she was supposed to hold that day were canceled due to her not feeling well. Soon several unsourced rumours emerged considering the possibility she might be suffering from Temporomandibular joint disorder. Following the cancellation of the two concerts, Matsuura’s management confirmed the rumors, reported the young idol had been taking painkillers to continue working and scheduled a press conference to discuss her condition. On the following day Matsuura made a public statement on PBS apologizing to her fans and expressing her desire to get back to her singing career as soon as possible.

Since her press conference, Matsuura returned to her normal hosting duties on her weekly radio show, “Matsuura Aya no All Night Nippon” and returned to singing in a limited capacity, as demonstrated on her appearance on Hey! Hey! Hey! Music Champ on October 23, 2006.

2008
On March 8, 2008, Matsuura—as a secret guest—performed at the opening ceremony of the Fourth Special Olympics Japan Winter National Games, a national event in preparation of the 2009 Special Olympics World Winter Games held in Boise, Idaho. She performed the song “Kizuna”, which was released on May 21, 2008 as her 20th single.

It was officially announced on October 19, 2008 that Matsuura would be graduating from Hello! Project along with the rest of Elder Club. Before her graduation, Matsuura released her fifth studio album, Omoi Afurete, on January 21, 2009, and her 21st single, “Chocolate Damashii”, was released on February 11 that same year for Valentine’s Day.

2009
Matsuura finally graduated from Hello! Project on March 31, 2009.

On August 26, 2009, Ayaya launched her own blog called Ayablog and spectacularly announced that her upcoming tour will be her last for two or three years

2010
Matsuura Aya opened up a Twitter account. The account was confirmed via her managers account. The account was opened on 9/29. 

Profile

 * Name: Matsuura Aya (松浦亜弥)
 * Nickname: Ayaya　（あやや）
 * Birth Date: June 25, 1986
 * Blood Type: B
 * Birth Place: Hyougo Prefecture, Japan
 * Height: 157.5 cm / 5'2"
 * Hobbies: Shopping
 * Special skill: Tennis
 * Favorite colors: White, black, pink, color of tears
 * Favorite word: Love
 * Favorite season: Autumn
 * Favorite food: Rice, miso soup, fruits
 * Disliked food: broccoli, cauliflower, celery, parsley
 * Hello! Project Groups:
 * Gomattou (2002–2003)
 * Nochiura Natsumi (2004–2005)
 * DEF.DIVA (2005–2006)
 * GAM (2006–2008)
 * Concert Units:
 * Hello! Project Akagumi (2005)
 * Elder Club (2006–2009)
 * Shuffle Units:
 * 2001: 3-nin Matsuri
 * 2002: Odoru 11
 * 2003: SALT5
 * 2004: H.P. All Stars
 * Other:
 * Gatas Brilhantes H.P.

Trivia

 * She is one of the most active H!P members in acting, having also been in over half a dozen TV dramas.
 * She became one of the increasing number of Hello! Project acts to perform overseas, with a solo concert in Shanghai.
 * It is a common misconception that Matsuura originally auditioned to be a part of Morning Musume, which she did not. After being chosen from that audition, Matsuura began her solo career. (In time, she would become one of Hello! Project’s biggest acts).

Albums

 * [2002.01.01] First KISS (ファーストKISS)
 * [2003.01.29] T.W.O
 * [2003.03.05] Sougen no Hito Original Cast Ban (ミュージカル『草原の人』オリジナルキャスト盤) (musical soundtrack)
 * [2004.01.01] ×3
 * [2005.03.24] Matsuura Aya Best 1 (松浦亜弥ベスト1) (best album)
 * [2006.11.29] Naked Songs
 * [2007.10.10] Double Rainbow (ダブル レインボウ)
 * [2009.01.21] Omoi Afurete (想いあふれて)
 * [2010.11.24] Click You Link Me

Singles

 * [2001.04.11] Dokki Doki! LOVE Mail (ドッキドキ! LOVE メール)
 * [2001.06.13] Tropica~l Koishite~ru (トロピカ~ル恋して~る)
 * [2001.09.05] LOVE Namida Iro (LOVE涙色)
 * [2001.11.28] 100 Kai no KISS (100回のKISS)
 * [2002.02.06] ♡Momoiro Kataomoi♡ (♡桃色片想い♡)
 * [2002.05.29] Yeah! Meccha Holiday (Yeah! めっちゃホリディ)
 * [2002.09.19] The Bigaku (The 美学)
 * [2002.12.11] Sougen no Hito (草原の人)
 * [2003.03.12] Ne~e? (ね~え?)
 * [2003.06.04] GOOD BYE Natsuo (GOOD BYE 夏男)
 * [2003.09.26] THE LAST NIGHT
 * [2004.01.28] Kiseki no Kaori Dance. (奇跡の香りダンス. )
 * [2004.03.10] Hyacinth (風信子)
 * [2004.07.14] YOUR SONG ~Seishun Sensei~ (YOUR SONG ~青春宣誓~)
 * [2004.10.20] Watarasebashi (渡良瀬橋)
 * [2004.11.26] Tensai! LET'S GO Ayayamu (天才! LET'S GO あややム) (Ayaya with Ecohamuzu)
 * [2005.02.23] Zutto Suki de Ii desu ka (ずっと好きでいいですか)
 * [2005.09.21] Ki ga Tsukeba Anata (気がつけば あなた)
 * [2006.02.01] Suna wo Kamu You ni... NAMIDA (砂を噛むように···NAMIDA)
 * [2007.08.29] Egao (笑顔)
 * [2008.05.21] Kizuna (きずな)
 * [2009.02.11] Chocolate Damashii (チョコレート魂)

DVDs

 * [2002.08.07] Matsuura Aya FIRST CONCERT TOUR 2002 Haru "FIRST DATE" at Tokyo International Forum
 * [2002.10.09] Matsuura Single M Clips 1
 * [2003.02.19] Yeah! Meccha Live at Nakano Sunplaza
 * [2003.02.26] Alo Hello! Matsuura Aya DVD
 * [2003.09.18] Concert Tour 2003 Haru ~Matsu Ring PINK~
 * [2004.02.04] Matsuura Aya Concert Tour 2003 Aki ~Ayaya Hit Parade!~
 * [2004.04.14] Matsuura Aya Single V Clips 2
 * [2004.07.07] Alo Hello! 2 Matsuura Aya DVD
 * [2004.08.11] Matsuura Aya Concert Tour 2004 Haru ~Watashi to Watashi to Anata~
 * [2004.12.01] Matsuura Aya Concert Tour 2004 Aki ~Matsu◇Crystal◇Yoyogi Special~
 * [2005.07.20] Matsuura Aya Concert Tour 2005 Haru 101 Kaime no KISS ~HAND IN HAND~
 * [2005.12.07] Hello☆Pro Party~! 2005 ~Matsuura Aya Captain Kouen~ (Matsuura Aya, W, Melon Kinenbi)
 * [2006.03.29] Suna wo Kamu You ni... NAMIDA ~Studio Live~
 * [2006.09.06] Matsuura Aya Concert Tour 2006 Haru ~OTONA no NAMIDA~
 * [2006.10.25] Live in Shanghai
 * [2007.01.17] Matsuura Aya Concert Tour 2006 Aki "Shinka no Kisetsu..."
 * [2008.01.23] Matsuura Aya Concert Tour 2007 Aki ~Double Rainbow~
 * [2008.09.24] Matsuura Aya Concert Tour 2008 Haru "AYA The Witch"
 * [2009.12.23] Matsuura Aya Concert Tour 2009 Aki ~Omoi Afurete~

Films

 * [2003] Ao no Honoo
 * [2006] Sukeban Deka Codename Asamiya Saki (スケバン刑事　コードネーム＝麻宮サキ)

TV

 * [2001] Saigo no Kazoku
 * [2002] 亜弥のDNA (Aya no DNA)
 * [2002] Tenshi no Utagoe ~Shounibyou no Kiseki~
 * [2003] Futari ~Watashitachi ga Eranda Michi~
 * [2003] Namahousou wa Tomaranai
 * [2003] VICTORY! Futto Girls no Seishun
 * [2004] Aijou Ippon!
 * [2006] Inochi no Kiseki
 * [2009] THE QUIZ SHOW

Musicals

 * [2003] Musical Sougen no Hito (ミュージカル 草原の人)
 * [2004] Musical Real Audition!! (ミュージカル リアルオーディション!!)
 * [2006] Ribbon no Kishi: The Musical (リボンの騎士 ザ・ミュージカル)
 * [2007] Sukedachi (すけだち )
 * [2008] Mariya - Honki de Only You (本気でオンリーユー)

Radio

 * Let's do it !!
 * 松浦亜弥のオールナイトニッポン (Matsuura Aya no All Night Nippon) [hp://ttwww.allnightnippon.com/matsuura/]
 * InterFM : FIVE STARS (on Tuesday only)

Commercials

 * Pretz (2002 – 2006, Ezaki Glico)
 * Tessera (2002 – 2004, Shiseido)
 * Gogo no Kocha (2003 – 2008, Kirin Beverage)
 * Colorio Printer (2003 – 2005, Epson)
 * Sega PuyoPuyo Fever (2004)
 * Papico (2004 – 2006, Ezaki Glico)
 * Pocky (2004 – 2005, Ezaki Glico)
 * Sky PerfecTV! (2004 – 2005, SKY Perfect Communications)
 * Super Mild (2004 – 2005, Shiseido)
 * Scooter Let's 4 (2004 – 2005, Suzuki)
 * Nissin Yakisoba UFO (2005 – 2006, Nissin)
 * Aoyama Trading (Youfuku Aoyama) (2005 – 2008)
 * Youpack (2005 – 2006, Japan Post)
 * Scooter Address V50 (2006, Suzuki)
 * Expressway ETC (2007, Organization for Road System Enhancement) -- song only
 * Center-in (2007, Unicharm)
 * Fried Chicken (2008, FamilyMart) -- also the song "Kichin to Chicken" lyrics and music by Fujioka Fujimaki, a folk song duo.
 * Mezamashi Gohan (2009, MAFF)
 * Top "Clear Liquid" (since 2009, Lion)
 * Vitamin Water (since 2009, Suntory), etc.

Video games

 * Guitar Freaks 8th mix / Drummania 7th mix (Momoiro Kataomoi, covered by Yu Uchida)
 * Donkey Konga (Japanese version, Momoiro Kataomoi covered by an unknown artist)
 * Daigasso! Band Brothers (Yeah! Meccha Holiday, instrumental)
 * Go-Go-Tea Miniature Golf (Kirin Beverage)
 * Donkey Konga 2 (Japanese Version, Yeah! Meccha Holiday)

Solo

 * [2001.12.01] Matsuura Aya 1st Photobook (松浦亜弥 1st写真集?)
 * [2003.02.14] Alo-Hello! (アロハロ!?)
 * [2004.01.15] Ma'! Chura (まっ!ちゅら?)
 * [2004.06.25] Alo-Hello! 2 (アロハロ!2?)
 * [2005.03.19] A

Group

 * [2005.07.06] Nochiura Natsumi Live "TRIANGLE ENERGY" (後浦なつみライブ「TRIANGLE ENERGY」) (With Nochiura Natsumi)
 * [2005.10.11] AYA MATSUURA & COUNTRY MUSUME. - Hello! Project 2005 Natsu no Kayou Show '05 Selection! Collection! (AYA MATSUURA & COUNTRY MUSUME. ―Hello!Project2005夏の歌謡ショー 05’セレクション!コレクション!) (With Country Musume)
 * [2003.04.11] Ayaya to Mikitty (アヤヤとミキティ?)

Concerts

 * [2002.06.04] First Date ( ファースト・デート)
 * [2003.09.30] Matsuura Aya in Hello! Project Natsu (松浦亜弥 in Hello! Project 2003夏)
 * [2004.03.13] Matsuura Aya in Hello! Project 2004 Winter (松浦亜弥 in Hello! Project 2004 Winter)
 * [2004.09.28] Matsuura Aya in Hello! Project 2004 Summer (松浦亜弥 in Hello! Project 2004 summer)
 * [2006.04.14] Goto Maki & Matsuura Aya in Hello! Project 2006 Winter (後藤真希&松浦亜弥in Hello!Project 2006 Winter) (With Goto Maki)

Movie

 * [2006.09.29] Sukeban Deka Codename Asamiya Saki OFFICIAL PHOTO BOOK (スケバン刑事　コードネーム＝麻宮サキ　ＯＦＦＩＣＩＡＬ　ＰＨＯＴＯ　ＢＯＯＫ)

Essay Books

 * [2002] Bromides
 * [2002.06.25] Matsuura Aya Sugao no Memorial (松浦亜弥 素顔のメモリアル)
 * [2002.09.01] Matsuura Aya no AYA.YA Waarudo Meccha Ayaya! (松浦亜弥のAYA・YAワールドめっちゃあやや!)
 * [2003.06.25] Matsuura Aya Love (松浦亜弥Love)
 * [2003.07.26] Ayaya ni Naritai (あややになりたい)
 * [2004.03.27] Aya to Ayaya (亜弥とあやや) (With Onuki Nobuaki)
 * [2004.07.07] AYA MATSUURA Concert Tour 2004 Spring ~Watashi to Watashi to Anata~ Photobook (AYA MATSUURA Concert Tour 2004 Spring~私と私とあなた~Photobook)

Fan sites

 * Celebrity Desktop - Aya Matsuura
 * Aya Matsuura French fan site
 * Aya Matsuura Forum