Ishikawa Rika

Ishikawa Rika (石川梨華) is a Japanese pop singer signed under J.P. Room. She is a former member of Hello! Project, having graduated from the label along with the rest of the Elder Club. Before her graduation, Ishikawa Rika had been a soloist within Hello! Project, having been the leader of the trio v-u-den, a member Morning Musume and its first sub-group Tanpopo, one half of Ecomoni and a member of ROMANS.

She has participated in the shuffle units 3nin Matsuri, Sexy 8, 7AIR and H.P. All Stars. She was also a member of the Morning Musume splinter group, Morning Musume Otome Gumi. She joined Hello! Project in 2000 as one of the four girls chosen to be the fourth generation of Morning Musume. She is a part of Dream Morning Musume.

Early Life
Ishikawa Rika was born on January 19, 1985 in Yokosuka, Kanagawa, Japan to a couple whose names are undisclosed.

2000
Ishikawa auditioned for Morning Musume while it was holding its fourth generation auditions. She succeeded and entered the fourth generation with three other girl:; Yoshizawa Hitomi, Tsuji Nozomi, and Kago Ai. The fourth generation's debut single was Morning Musume's 9th single, "Happy Summer Wedding". Ishikawa Rika breifly became a replacement member for the 2000 shuffle unit, Aoiro 7.

2001
In 2001, Ishikawa was added to the then-semi-dormant Hello! Project group Country Musume. It was hoped that she could help get the fairly quiet group back onto its feet and allow her fans to spill over to the group to aid in its sales. At the same time as this, Ishikawa was added as a second generation member to the first official Morning Musume sub-group, Tanpopo.

As Ishikawa was working hard within both these groups, she was also performing as a full recording member of Morning Musume and in 2001 she received a prominent part in Morning Musume's twelfth single "The☆Peace!". The part was not a singing part but rather a spoken part near the end that focused entirely on her. The song became a personal favorite of Ishikawa as the monologue spoken by her towards the end of the song became one of her favorite moments of being in Morning Musume.

Ishikawa also took part in her first shuffle unit recording as a part of 3nin Matsuri alongside her fellow Morning Musume member Kago Ai and Hello! Project soloist Matsuura Aya.

2002
Ishikawa continued her duties within Morning Musume, Tanpopo and Country Musume during 2002, taking part in the 2002 shuffle unit Sexy 8. Sexy 8 won the competition that the Hello! Project shuffle units competed in every year; selling the most copies of their singles out of the three shuffle groups.

2003
In a surprise move by Tsunku, Morning Musume was split into two halves - Morning Musume Otome Gumi and Morning Musume Sakura Gumi - so that the large group could perform in smaller towns that could not hold the larger numbers the full ensemble needed. Ishikawa was placed into Otome Gumi and released two single with the group before the groups merged together and formed Morning Musume once more. Ishikawa was included in the 2003 Elemental Shuffle Groups as a member of 7AIR.

It was in 2003 that Ishikawa ended her duties as leader within Tanpopo and as a member of Country Musume. She instead joined the short-lived ROMANS group in 2003, releasing only one single, "Sexy Night ~Wasurerarenai Kare~", on August 20, 2003 before disbanding the same year.

2004
In May, it was announced that Ishikawa would be graduating from Morning Musume. She would graduate during the 2005 Morning Musume concert tour.

In the second quarter of 2004, the formation of a new Hello! Project group Ecomoni was announced. Ishikawa was to be partnered with Morning Musume's Michishige Sayumi in the hopes that their group could promote environmental awareness. The group was originally supposed to be a temporary Hello! Project group, existing only for the duration of the Acchi Chikyuu wo Samasunda (熱っちぃ地球を冷ますんだ, Cool Down the Hot Earth) environmental festival, lasting from June 19, 2004 to June 20, 2004. After the festival, instead of disbanding the group, Ecomoni started to appear on Japanese TV, especially on the program Oha Suta (おはスタ).

In August, the formation of another Hello! Project group involving Ishikawa was announced. Ishikawa was going to be the leader of a new group v-u-den, alongside Hello Pro Kenshuusei member Okada Yui and ''Tsunku♂ Produce Hello! Project Shin Unit Audition'' winner Miyoshi Erika. The group released their debut single "Koi no Nukegara" on September 23, 2004. The new group also starred in their own television show Majokko Rikachan no Magical v-u-den (魔女っ娘. 梨華ちゃんのマジカル美勇伝) between October 4, 2004 and December 24, 2004.

2005
On May 7, Ishikawa graduated from Morning Musume at Nippon Budokan to concentrate her efforts on v-u-den. The group released four more singles which was then followed by their debut album, "Suite Room Number 1", in November 2005.

2008
It was announced that on June 29, 2008 v-u-den would be disbanding after four years of being one of the most active Hello! Project groups in regards to single and album releases. On April 23, 2008 v-u-den released their final single, Nanni mo Iwazu ni I LOVE YOU and officially disbanded after their last concert during their v-u-densetsu 5 tour. Ishikawa was to go on with her career as a member of Ongaku Gatas and as a player for Gatas Brilhantes H.P.. Ongaku Gatas released their first album "1st GOODSAL" on February 6 and their third single on August 10.

On October 12, 2008 it was announced that Ishikawa was going to be paired up with fellow ex-Morning Musume member Yoshizawa Hitomi in the new unit Hangry & Angry in collaboration with a Harajuku fashion store of the same name. Hangry & Angry made their first United States performance at Sakura-Con in Seattle, Washington in April 2009.

2010
On January 1, 2010 Ishikawa opened up an official blog.

On February 9, 2010, It was announced Ishikawa and Hello Pro Kenshuusei members Kikkawa Yuu and Sengoku Minami will be in a stage play titled Tiger Breathing. The play ran from 5/7-11.

On July 9, 2010, It was announced that Ishikawa would have an FC-exclusive solo event titled Ishikawa Rika Casual Dinner Show.  The event had two shows (times are only for shows, the dinner will take place much earlier) on 8/21 Flamingo the Arusha – 14:00/ 18:30.

From October 8-10, 2010, Ishikawa appeared as one half of HANGRY & ANGRY at the New York Anime Festival (NYAF). She participated in the h.Naoto fashion show and panel.

On September 2,2010, It was announced Ishikawa and Yoshizawa Hitomi would have an FC exclusive event titled Ishikawa Rika & Yoshizawa Hitomi FC Event. The event took place at Yokohama BLITZ on the following dates: 10/25 – 19:00 and at 10/27 – 19. 

2011
On January 28, 2011, it was announced that Ishikawa was part of the OG member group Dream Morning Musume and that they would be releasing the groups first album, called "Dreams. 1", on April 20th, 2011. On July 04, 2011 Okai Chisato and Ishikawa were in a mini drama titled ''Tokusou Shirei! Aichi Police''.

On November 9th, she opened an Ameba blog.

2012
In April 2012, Ishikawa starred in the movie Atsuhime Number 1 where she played the role of a Shogun's wife travelling through a time slipped into the future, present day Japan.

In short previews of Suugaku♥Joshi Gakuen, it was revealed that Ishikawa plays Machida Nina's big sister.

2013
On February 12, Hello! Project Fanclub News announced that Ishikawa will participate in a stageplay titled Moshimo Kokumin ga Shusho o Erandara along with Takahashi Ai, S/mileage members Wada Ayaka and Fukuda Kanon, and Hello Pro Kenshuusei members Miyamoto Karin and Uemura Akari. There were 11 showings and it ran from April 24th through the 30th.

Sometime in late 2013, Ishikawa was transferred to J.P. Room.

2014
On August 5, Ishikawa revealed that she is in a relationship with Nogami Ryoma, a professional pitcher for the baseball team Saitama Seibu Lions. It has been reported that they have been dating since the end of last year.

Personal Life
Family= Ishikawa has two sisters, Mie and Yuria.

When Ishikawa joined Morning Musume, she was a third year middle school student.
 * -|Education=

Here is a list of nicknames that was used to refer to Ishikawa Rika:
 * -|Nicknames=
 * Charmy: Official nickname, given her since joining Morning Musume. Used by members and fans.

Profile
Stats=
 * Name: Ishikawa Rika (石川梨華)
 * Nickname: Charmy, Rika-chan, Rikacchi, Rikami
 * Birth Date:
 * Birth Place: Yokosuka, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan
 * Blood Type: A
 * Height: 157.3cm
 * Foot size: 22.5 cm
 * Western Zodiac: Capricorn
 * Eastern Zodiac: Rat
 * Hello! Project Status:
 * 2000-04-16: Member
 * 2005-05-07: Graduated Morning Musume
 * 2009-03-31: Graduated
 * Up-Front Agency Status:
 * 2000-04-16: Member
 * 2013: Transferred to J.P. Room
 * J.P. Room Status:
 * 2013: Member
 * Years in Morning Musume: 5 Years
 * Former Morning Musume Color: Dark Pink
 * Former Otome Gumi Color: Yellow
 * Hello! Project Groups:
 * [2000–2005] Morning Musume
 * [2003] ROMANS
 * [2004–2008] v-u-den
 * [2004–2007] Ecomoni
 * [2005–2006] DEF.DIVA
 * Subgroups:
 * [2000–2002] Tanpopo
 * [2003–2004] Morning Musume Otome Gumi
 * [2005] Hello! Project Akagumi
 * Shuffle Groups:
 * [2000] Aoiro 7 (Second Generation)
 * [2001] 3nin Matsuri
 * [2002] Sexy 8
 * [2003] 7AIR
 * [2004] H.P. All Stars
 * Other Groups:
 * [2007–] Ongaku Gatas
 * [2008–] Hangry & Angry
 * [2009–] M-Line
 * [2011–] Dream Morning Musume
 * [2011] Ganbarou Nippon Ai wa Katsu Singers
 * [2012–] ABCHO
 * -|Q&A=
 * Hobbies: Shopping, tennis, nail art and earrings
 * Favorite colors: Pink, white, black
 * Favorite food:: Shiratama dumplings with red beans, cheese, sweets, meat
 * Favorite season: Summer
 * Favorite flowers: Dandelions
 * Dislikes: Birds
 * Special skill: Y balance, yo-yo

Singles

 * [2001.04.18] Hajimete no Happy Birthday (Country Musume ni Ishikawa Rika (Morning Musume))
 * [2001.10.17] Koibito wa Kokoro no Ouendan (Country Musume ni Ishikawa Rika (Morning Musume))
 * [2002.04.17] Iroppoi Onna ~SEXY BABY~ (Country Musume ni Ishikawa Rika (Morning Musume))
 * [2002.11.13] BYE BYE Saigo no Yoru (Country Musume ni Ishikawa Rika (Morning Musume))

Solo Songs

 * [2001] Rikaishite &gt; Onna no Ko (理解して＞女の子) (Fanclub solo CD)
 * [2004.02.18] Morning Coffee (モーニングコーヒー) (Morning Musume cover)
 * [2008.04.23] Omoide wa Kanata (思い出は彼方; Distant Memories)

Solo DVDs

 * [2005.04.09] Morning Musume Ishikawa Rika Sotsugyou Memorial (モーニング娘. 石川梨華 卒業メモリアル)
 * [2007.03.07] Alo-Hello! Ishikawa Rika DVD (アロハロ！石川梨華)
 * [2009.02.11] Rika Ishikawa MOST CRISIS! in Hawaii
 * [2010.01.06] RIKA

Solo Photobooks

 * 1) [2001.08.02] Rika Ishikawa
 * 2) [2002.06.22] Ishikawa Rika (石川梨華)
 * 3) [2003.12.24] I
 * 4) [2004.12.10] Hanabi hana-bi (華美 hana-bi)
 * 5) [2005.07.01] Ishikawa Rika Shiawase no Ashiato Happpy! (石川梨華 幸せのあしあと ハッピー！)
 * 6) [2006.12.16] Oui, mon amour
 * 7) [2007.08.22] Abyuu (アビュー)
 * 8) [2008.02.20] Kazahana (風華)
 * 9) [2009.01.19] Karen (華恋)
 * 10) [2009.12.24] 24 Twenty Four
 * 11) [2011.01.19] Lucky☆
 * 12) [2012.01.27] Hana Gokoro ~hanagocoro~ (華心~hanagocoro~)

Digital Photobooks

 * [2008.04.04] KAREN (華恋)

Concert Photobooks

 * [2007.01.28] Rika Ishikawa Hello! Project 2007 Winter Concert

Movies

 * [2000] Pinch Runner (ピンチランナー)
 * [2002] Tokkaekko (とっかえっ娘. )
 * [2003] Koinu Dan no Monogatari (子犬ダンの物語 )
 * [2003] Seishun Haka-san Ryōri Jyuku & 17sai ~Tabidachi no Futari~ ( 「青春ばかちん料理塾」&「17才～旅立ちのふたり」ビジュアルブック?)
 * [2004] Tottoko Hamtaro Hamu Hamu Hapa Radaicho!
 * [2006] Sukeban Deka:Codename = Asamiya Saki (スケバン刑事 コードネーム=麻宮サキ)
 * [2012] Atsuhime number 1 (篤姫ナンバー1)

TV Shows

 * [2000] Morning Musume no Heso (モーニング娘. のへそ)
 * [2000] Friday Night wa Onegai! Morning (フライデーナイトはお願い!モーニング)
 * [2000-2007] Hello! Morning (ハロー!モーニング)
 * [2004] Futarigoto (二人ゴト)
 * [2004] Majokko Rika-chan no Magical v-u-den (魔女っ娘. 梨華ちゃんのマジカル美勇伝?)
 * [2005] Musume DOKYU! (娘DOKYU!)
 * [2013] Koisuru Drive (恋するドライブ)

TV Dramas

 * [2002.01.02] Haikara-san ga Tooru (はいからさんが通る)
 * [2002.08.17] Tou-san no Natsu Matsuri (父さんの夏まつり)
 * [2002.12.28] Ore ga Aitsu de Aitsu ga Ore de (おれがあいつであいつがおれで)
 * [2003.12.21] LAST PRESENT (ラストプレセント)
 * [2004.02.23] Ranpo R (乱歩Ｒ)
 * [2005.01.02] Shinshun Wide Jidaigeki "Kunitori Monogatari" (新春ワイド時代劇『国盗り物語』)
 * [2010] Choo Choo Cheers Kohen (チューチューチアーズ後編)
 * [2011.05.09] Getsuyou Golden (月曜ゴールデン)
 * [2011] Tokusou Shirei! Aichi Police (特捜指令！アイチ★ポリス) (as Rika)
 * [2012] Suugaku♥Joshi Gakuen (数学♥女子学園)
 * [2013] Counter no Futari Season 2 (カウンターのふたり シーズン2)
 * [2013] Tsuri Keiji 4 (釣り刑事4)
 * [2014] Sekai no Nihonjin Tsuma wa Mita! (世界の日本人妻は見た！)

Commercials

 * [2000] Glico Mousse Pocky
 * [2003] J Beef "Oniku Suki Suki"
 * [2004] Elleseine
 * [2012-] KICONA

Ads

 * [2012-] Premium Tsubaki-chan

Music Videos

 * [2012] Tsunku - Shoppai ne

Internet

 * [2008–2009] DogaDoga7 (ドガドガ7)

Radio

 * [2000.10.03 - 2003.09.23] OH-SO-RO Editorial dandelion!
 * [2003.04.03 – 2004.03.27] MBS Young Town Dōyōbi
 * [2004.04.02 - 2006.09.21] v-u-den☆Ishikawa Rika no Chanka☆Charmy!
 * [2005.02.18 – 2005.03.11] Hello Pro Yanen!!
 * [2005.04.03 – 2005.04.10 / 2005.05.8- ] B.B.L.
 * [2006.08.06] v-u-den Beauty Hour 21

Theater

 * [2007.05.04-22] Itsu no Hi Kimi Kaeru (いつの日君帰る)
 * [2009.05.08-17] Tokyo Alice (東京アリス)
 * [2009.07.25-08.21] Opera do Marandoro (オペラ・ド・マランドロ)
 * [2010.05.07-11] Tiger Breathing (タイガーブリージング)
 * [2010.07.28-08.01] Natsu uta nikki (夏唄日記)
 * [2010.12.30-31] Hatsukoi wa shi no kaori! ~Ai wa kagerou no yo ni satsujin jiken (初恋は死の香り！〜愛はかげろうのように殺人事件)
 * [2012.04.07-26] Sasameyuki (細雪)
 * [2013.03.03-20] Mito komon (水戸黄門)
 * [2013.04.24-30] Moshimo Kokumin ga Shusho wo Erandara (もしも国民が首相を選んだら)

Trivia

 * Ishikawa has been in the most Hello! Project units out of all the members.
 * Her Morning Musume mentor was Yasuda Kei.
 * She considers her mother her rival because she always says to Ishikawa that she used to be cuter.
 * One of her nicknames as a child was "Chimu", due to the fact that she used to be chubby (muchimuchi).
 * Her favorite baseball team is the Hanshin Tigers.
 * She previously suffered from severe ornithophobia (fear of birds), which was frequently made fun of during her appearances on Utaban. During a 2005 New Year's Day special, however, she seemed to respond well to hypnotherapy, and she has mostly outgrown her fear since then.
 * She, Iida Kaori and Yasuda Kei were the only non-H!P members (next to Sakurada Dori) to appear in the Drama Suugaku♥Joshi Gakuen.
 * She is best friends with Shibata Ayumi. Also known to get along well with Yasuda Kei and Yaguchi Mari. Ayaka has also stated that they often hang out together, along with Yoshizawa Hitomi and Satoda Mai.
 * She hates injections, and stated that she has it tough, since she has small, hard-to-find blood vessels.
 * She is known to have a very noticeable chin. Abe Natsumi sometimes calls her "Ago-chan" ("ago" means "chin"). Yoshizawa Hitomi constantly teases her about her chin as well.
 * While she was the host in Hello!Morning, she had the nickname "Charmy", due to her charming and narcissistic personality.
 * She is quite knowledgeable about baseball due to the fact that her father is a big baseball fan.
 * She has the same bust size as Okada Yui.
 * She wanted to leave Hello! Project to become a gravure model.
 * She is the seventh former Morning Musume member to only graduate from Morning Musume and not Hello! Project. The first being Nakazawa Yuko, the second being Goto Maki, the third being Yasuda Kei, the fourth being Abe Natsumi, the fifth being Tsuji Nozomi and Kago Ai, and the sixth being Iida Kaori.
 * AKB48 Team B member Kashiwagi Yuki is a huge fan of Ishikawa, and was her reason to become an idol. Yuki finally met Ishikawa, and both got along well with each other.
 * She shares a birthday with the singer Utada Hikaru.
 * She has a sister named Ishikawa Mie.