Abe Natsumi

Abe Natsumi (安倍なつみ), Legal name Yamazaki Natsumi (山崎なつみ), born August 10, 1981 in Muroran, Hokkaido, Japan, is a Japanese singer and actress, and a former member of Morning Musume. In Morning Musume, she often took the lead in the songs. As a soloist her combined CD and DVD sales exceed 700,000 copies in Japan alone. Abe Natsumi's highest selling single is 22sai no Watashi. She's a part of Hello! Project OG and Dream Morning Musume.

Early Life
Abe Natsumi was born on August 10, 1981 in Muroran, Hokkaido Prefecture.

1997
Abe Natsumi was one of 5 runners-up in a talent contest for a new Japanese rock idol. After the contest, musician and producer Tsunku offered Abe and four of the other runners-up (Iida Kaori, Nakazawa Yuko, Ishiguro Aya, and Fukuda Asuka) the chance to be taken under his wing on one condition: They sell 50,000 CDs of their song "Ai no Tane" in 5 days. The quintet accomplished that task in four days, and thus, Morning Musume was born.

1998
Morning Musume's first official single, "Morning Coffee," was released on January 28.

2003
She released her first solo single, "22 Sai no Watashi," on August 13, just a few days after her 22nd birthday.

Abe also teamed up with Yosumi Keiko, a former member of Rokusenmon, as a so-called "mother and daughter" duo, and released a single to prepare her for her solo efforts. To date she has released two albums, one mini album, and ten solo singles.

2004
On January 25, she graduated from Morning Musume to pursue a solo career.

On February 4, her first full length album, Hitoribocchi, was released, containing many solo versions of Morning Musume songs.

Near the end of the year, Abe Natsumi was accused of plagiarizing some poetry works which were included in her poetry collection books and recited in her radio program many times. The poems were published in the book NATCHI, which was released on June 1, 2000. Some of the works she published were from famous producer Komuro Tetsuya and the singer aiko.

The song that was already recorded and supposed to be released as a single was Nariyamai Tambourine, wasn't released due to Abe being suspended. The song was eventually released in 2008 on Abe's best album.

2005
After the scandal, Abe started her career again in March, forming Nochiura Natsumi, a temporary unit that also included Goto Maki and Matsuura Aya.

In September, she became a member of the Hello! Project special unit DEF.DIVA together with Goto Maki, Ishikawa Rika, and Matsuura Aya. The single, "Takaramono," was also released in November credited as "Sen," who is the main character of the drama "Takaramono," played by Abe.

2006
June saw Abe release "The Stress," a cover of the 1989 song by pop idol Chisato Moritaka.

In October, "Amasugita Kajitsu" was released, reaching 5th on the Oricon Chart, the highest place she achieved since "Koi no Telephone Goal" in 2004.

2007
From September 27-30, Abe appeared in the stage play "FAR AWAY" alongside Kimura Ayaka and Maeda Yuki.

On October 6, Abe was prosecuted after causing a traffic accident. According to police, she was making a right turn out of a car park on Sunday evening when she hit a motorbike. Abe was unhurt, but the motorbike rider suffered minor injuries to his elbow and back. At the time, Abe had her driver's license for less than a year and still had a learner's sticker on her car.

2008
On January 16, Abe collaborated with ℃-ute member Yajima Maimi for the single 16sai no Koi Nante.

On October 5, Abe performed in an event to mark the 30th anniversary of the Sunshine City building in Ikebukuro. She was joined by other artists who were popular in the 1980s, such as Hiroko Moriguchi and Ayumi Nakamura.

2009
On March 31, Abe graduated from Hello! Project along with the rest of Elder Club.

2010
From December 22-27, Abe appeared in the stage play "Abe Naikaku" alongside Yasuda Kei and Kusumi Koharu. The play is about the prime minister and politics.

She joined the special unit for former Morning Musume members called Afternoon Musume that promoted Georgia Coffee drinks.

2011
On January 28, it was announced that Abe was part of the OG member group Dream Morning Musume.

Abe held a fan club tour from March 20-22, for 3 days and 2 nights at Hokkaido. 

In May, it was announced that she would star in the drama adaptation of Arakawa Under the Bridge.

Abe played Lucy in the musical Dracula, based on a musical from Graz, Austria. The musical ran from August 20 to September 18. 

2013
On October 1, she was transferred to.

2014
On August 13, Abe released her first self-cover album titled Smile... ♥. This album include a re-arranged and re-recorded version of 10 songs that reflected Abe's history. With the announcement of this album, this was Abe's first solo work in 4 years, her last single being Ameagari no Niji no You ni which was released in September of 2010.

2015
On June 17, Abe released her third original album, Dreams.

On November 14, Abe released her her 12th solo photobook, Fin no Hito.

On December 12, Abe performed at Fuji TV's 2015 FNS Kayousai.

On December 21, it was reported that Abe would be marrying actor Yamazaki Ikusaburo. They first met in July 2011, when they co-starred as a couple in the musical Arashi ga Oka (Wuthering Heights). A tabloid magazine reported a month afterwards in August that the two were dating, but both of their agencies denied they were in a relationship.

On December 29, Abe officially announced on her blog that she married Yamazaki that day.

2016
On January 17, it was announced Abe would be leaving the M-line club, along with Fujimoto Miki, as of March.

On February 16, Abe announced she was pregnant with her first child,  and she gave birth to a son on July 26.

Profile
Stats=
 * Name: Abe Natsumi (安倍なつみ)
 * Nickname: Nacchi (ナッチ)
 * Birthdate:
 * Birthplace: Muroran, Hokkaido, Japan
 * Blood type: A
 * Height: 152 cm
 * Eye Color: Brown
 * Hair Color: Black
 * Hello! Project Status:
 * 1997-09-07: Member
 * 1997-09-07: Morning Musume Member
 * 2004-01-25: Graduated Morning Musume
 * 2004-11-30: Suspended
 * 2005-02-07: Member
 * 2009-03-31: Graduated
 * UP-FRONT PROMOTION Status:
 * 1997-09-07: Member
 * 2004-11-30: Suspended
 * 2005-02-07: Member
 * 2013-10-01: Transferred to
 *  Status:
 * 2013-10-01: Member
 * Years in Morning Musume: 6 Years
 * Morning Musume Color:
 * Red (1998)
 * Light Pink
 * Nochiura Natsumi Color: Red
 * Dream Morning Musume Color: Red
 * Eastern Zodiac: Rooster
 * Western Zodiac: Leo
 * Audition Song: "FACE" by globe
 * Hello! Project Groups:
 * Morning Musume (1997-2004)
 * Nochiura Natsumi (2004-2005)
 * DEF.DIVA (2005-2006)
 * Shuffle Units:
 * Kiiro 5 (2000)
 * 10nin Matsuri (2001)
 * Odoru 11 (2002)
 * SALT5 (2003)
 * H.P. All Stars (2004)
 * Subgroups:
 * Morning Musume Sakura Gumi (2003-2004)
 * Morning Musume Tanjou 10nen Kinentai (2006-2007)
 * Other:
 * M-Line (2009-2016)
 * Afternoon Musume (2010)
 * Dream Morning Musume (2011-present)
 * Ganbarou Nippon Ai wa Katsu Singers (2011)
 * -|Q&A=
 * Hobbies: Looking at different fashions, Singing, Smiling, Talking, Poetry, Cooking, Sleeping
 * Favorite words: Freedom, life, love, heart
 * Favorite colors: Baby pink, Blue, sparkling colors
 * Favorite flowers: Sunflowers, gerberas, cherry blossoms
 * Favorite season: Autumn
 * Favorite food: Sushi
 * Disliked food: Cilantro, pickles, wasabi
 * Favorite song: 22sai no Watashi

Morning Musume

 * Ai no Tane
 * Morning Coffee
 * Summer Night Town
 * Daite HOLD ON ME!
 * Memory Seishun no Hikari
 * Manatsu no Kousen
 * Furusato
 * LOVE Machine
 * Koi no Dance Site
 * Happy Summer Wedding
 * I WISH
 * Ren'ai Revolution 21
 * The☆Peace!
 * Mr.Moonlight ~Ai no Big Band~
 * Souda! We're ALIVE
 * Morning Musume Single Medley ~Hawaiian~  (Takagi Boo with Morning Musume, Coconuts Musume, Fujimoto Miki, and Ishii Rika)
 * Do it! Now
 * Koko ni Iruzee!
 * Morning Musume no Hyokkori Hyoutanjima
 * AS FOR ONE DAY
 * Shabondama
 * Go Girl ~Koi no Victory~
 * Ai Araba IT'S ALL RIGHT

DEF.DIVA

 * Suki Sugite Baka Mitai
 * LET'S GO Rakuten Eagles

Morning Musume Tanjou 10nen Kinentai

 * Bokura ga Ikiru MY ASIA
 * Itoshiki Tomo e

Kiiro 5

 * Kiiroi Osora de BOOM BOOM BOOM

10nin Matsuri

 * Dancing! Natsu Matsuri

Odoru 11

 * Shiawase Kyouryuu Ondo

SALT5

 * GET UP! Rapper

Morning Musume Sakura Gumi

 * Hare Ame Nochi Suki♥

Nochiura Natsumi

 * Ren'ai Sentai Shitsu Ranger

H.P. ALL STARS

 * ALL FOR ONE & ONE FOR ALL!

Ganbarou Nippon Ai wa Katsu Singers

 * Ai wa Katsu

Dream Morning Musume

 * Shining Butterfly

Albums

 * [2004.02.04] Hitoribocchi (一人ぼっち)
 * [2006.03.29] 2nd ~Shimiwataru Omoi~ (2nd～染みわたる想い～)
 * [2015.06.17] Dreams

Mini-Albums

 * [2007.03.14] 25 ~Vingt-Cinq~ (25～ヴァンサンク～)

Best-Of Albums

 * [2008.12.10] Abe Natsumi ~Best Selection~ 15 Shoku no Nigaoe Tachi (安倍なつみ 〜Best Selection〜 15色の似顔絵たち)

Cover Albums

 * [2014.08.13] Smile... ♥
 * [2014.10.22] TOWARD THE LIGHT -Classical & Crossover-

Other Albums

 * [2006.11.18] Musical "Hakujaden ~White Lovers~" Song Selection (ミュージカル「白蛇伝～White Lovers～」ソング・セレクション) (musical album)

Singles

 * [2003.05.01] Haha to Musume no Duet Song (with Yosumi Keiko) (母と娘のデュエットソング)
 * [2003.08.13] 22sai no Watashi (22歳の私)
 * [2003.11.19] Mirakururun Grand Purin! / Pi~hyara Kouta (as Purin-chan with Minihamus) (ミラクルルン グランプリン！/ピ〜ヒャラ小唄)
 * [2004.06.02] Datte Ikitekanakucha (だって 生きてかなくちゃ)
 * [2004.08.11] Koi no Telephone GOAL (恋のテレフォン GOAL)
 * [2005.04.19] Yume Naraba (夢ならば)
 * [2005.08.31] Koi no Hana (恋の花)
 * [2005.11.30] Takaramono (as Sen) (たからもの)
 * [2006.04.12] Sweet Holic (スイートホリック)
 * [2006.06.28] The Stress (ザ・ストレス)
 * [2006.10.04] Amasugita Kajitsu (甘すぎた果実)
 * [2007.05.09] Too far away ~Onna no Kokoro~ (Too far away ～女のこころ～)
 * [2007.10.24] Iki wo Kasanemashou (息を重ねましょう)
 * [2008.01.16] 16sai no Koi Nante (with Yajima Maimi) (16歳の恋なんて)
 * [2008.12.03] Screen (スクリーン)
 * [2010.09.15] Ameagari no Niji no you ni (雨上がりの虹のように)

Digital Singles

 * [2013.08.13] Best Friend (2013.8.10 Birthday Live ver.)

Fanclub CDs

 * [2001.02.14] Manastu no Tanjoubi (真夏の誕生日)

Concert DVDs

 * Main article: Abe Natsumi Concerts


 * [2004.10.27] Abe Natsumi First Concert Tour 2004 ~Anata Iro~ (安倍なつみファーストコンサートツアー2004 ～あなた色～)
 * [2006.01.25] Abe Natsumi Concert Tour 2005 Aki ~24 Carat~ (安倍なつみコンサートツアー2005秋 ～24カラット～)
 * [2006.08.23] Abe Natsumi Concert Tour 2006 Haru ~Otomechikku Bank~ (安倍なつみコンサートツアー2006春 ～おとめちっくBａｎｋ～)
 * [2006.12.27] NATSUMI ABE ACOUSTIC LIVE at Shibuya O-EAST
 * [2007.07.11] Abe Natsumi Concert Tour 2007 Haru ~25 Vingt-Cinq~ (安倍なつみコンサートツアー２００７春　２５～ヴァンサンク～)
 * [2008.02.06] Abe Natsumi Special Live 2007 Aki ~Acoustic Nacchi~ (安倍なつみ Special Live 2007秋 ～Acousticなっち～)
 * [2008.11.05] Abe Natsumi Birthday Special Concert
 * [2009.01.28] Abe Natsumi Concert Tour 2008 Aki ~Angelic~ (安倍なつみコンサートツアー2008秋 ～Angelic～)
 * [2009.11.11] Abe Natsumi Summer Live Tour 2009 ~Yappari Sneaker ga Suki~ -Tour FINAL- "Arata na Chikai" (安倍なつみ Summer Live Tour 2009～やっぱりスニーカーがすき！～Tour FINAL “新たな誓い”)
 * [2011.03.02] Abe Natsumi Fall Tour 2010 ~Autumn Voice~ (安倍なつみ　秋ツアー2010～Autumn Voice～)
 * [2012.08.10] Abe Natsumi Birthday Live 2012 ~thanks all~ (安倍なつみ Birthday Live2012 ～thanks all～)
 * [2013.12.18] Birthday Live2013 +♪The Beating♪+

Other DVDs

 * [2005.11.02] Alo-Hello! Abe Natsumi DVD (アロハロ! 安倍なつみ DVD)
 * [2006.12.20] Abe Natsumi Single V Clips 1 (安倍なつみ シングルVクリップス①)
 * [2007.03.28] Alo-Hello! 2 Abe Natsumi DVD (アロハロ! 2 安倍なつみ DVD)
 * [2008.09.03] Nacchural.
 * [2010.11.03] Natsumi (夏海)

Solo Photobooks

 * 1) [1999.12.XX] Nacchi (ナッチ)
 * 2) [2001.11.11] Natsumi (なつみ)
 * 3) [2004.02.25] Deai (出逢い)
 * 4) [2005.05.27] Fu
 * 5) [2005.11.01] Alo-Hello! Abe Natsumi' (アロハロ!)
 * 6) [2006.06.12] Écru
 * 7) [2007.03.28] sCene
 * 8) [2007.11.25] Cám Ơn
 * 9) [2008.08.27] End Of Summer
 * 10) [2010.10.30] Natsu-Mi
 * 11) [2012.07.14] Subway
 * 12) [2015.11.14] Fin no Hito (Finの人)

Concert Photobooks

 * [2004.09.28] Natsumi Abe in Hello! Project 2004 Summer

Group Photobooks

 * [2003.09.XX] Pocket Morning Musume (Vol.2) (ポケットモーニング娘. (Vol.2))
 * [2005.05.25] Natsumi Abe & Berryz Koubou - Hello! Project 2005 Summer
 * [2005.07.06] Nochiura Natsumi Triangle Energy (後浦なつみ Triangle Energy)
 * [2006.04.XX] Natsumi Abe & v-u-den - Hello! Project 2006 Winter

Essay books

 * 1) [2003.04.XX] Album - 1998–2003
 * 2) [2003.07.XX] Sensei no Dōyōki Ushitsu Isshoni Utaō! Kuizu Tsuki Dōyō Zenshū (せんせいのどうようきょうしついっしょにうたおう!―クイズつき童謡全集)
 * 3) [2003.09.XX] 22 Sai no Nacchi (22歳のなっち)
 * 4) [2003.10.XX] Believe
 * 5) [2004.05.21] Abe Natsumi Photo & Essay Yōkō (Hikari) (安倍なつみフォト&エッセイ 陽光（ひかり）)

Digital Photobooks

 * [2007.03.21] sCene. Natsumi Abe Photobook -if Hen- (sCene. 安倍なつみ写真集 -if編-)
 * [2007.12.09] sCene. Natsumi Abe Photobook -Maybe Hen- (sCene. 安倍なつみ写真集 -Maybe編-)

Calendars

 * [2003.10.XX] Natsumi Abe 2004 Calendar
 * [2004.09.XX] Natsumi Abe 2005 Calendar
 * [2005.10.12] Natsumi Abe 2006 Calendar
 * [2006.10.XX] Natsumi Abe 2007 Calendar
 * [2010.08.XX] Natsumi Abe 2010 Calendar

Television

 * [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. )
 * [2002-2004] TinTin TOWN (ティンティンTOWN!)
 * [2004] Futarigoto (二人ゴト)

Dramas

 * [1998] Taiyo musume to umi (太陽娘と海)
 * [2001] Aiken Rosinante no Sainan ~Mukai Ryūta no Dōbutsu Nikki! (向井荒太の動物日記～愛犬ロシナンテの災難～)
 * [2001] Saigo no Natsuyasumi (最後の夏休み )
 * [2002] Shinshun Wide Jidaigeki Mibugishiden~Shinsengumi (新春ワイド時代劇 壬生義士伝～新撰組 )
 * [2002] Nurseman (ナースマン)
 * [2002] Toki wo Kakeru Shoujo (時をかける少女 )
 * [2002] Mikeneko Holmes no Hanzaigaku Kouza (三毛猫ホームズの犯罪学講座 )
 * [2002] Liliput Oukoku (リリパット王国) (Voice actor)
 * [2003] Last Present (ラストプレゼント)
 * [2004] Koinu no Waltz (仔犬のワルツ)
 * [2005] Takaramono (たからもの)
 * [2006] The Hit Parade ~Geinoukai wo Kaeta Otoko, Watanabe Shin Monogatari (ザ・ヒットパレード～芸能界を変えた男・渡辺晋物語～ )
 * [2006] Prison Girl (プリズンガール)
 * [2006] Konyakusha Kara no Isho ~Tokoutain ni Sasageta 60nen Ai~ (婚約者からの遺書～特攻隊員に捧げた60年愛～ )
 * [2007] Natsugumo Agare (夏雲あがれ )
 * [2011] Arakawa Under the Bridge (荒川アンダー ザ ブリッジ)
 * [2012] ATARU
 * [2014] Osu!! Fundoshi Bu! Season 2 ~Nankai Doto hen~ (押忍!!ふんどし部! シーズン2 〜南海怒濤篇〜)

Radio

 * [2006-10-13] Hello Pro Yanen!! (ハロプロやねん!!)
 * [1999-2000] Abe Natsumi no Super Morning Rider (安倍なつみのスーパーモーニングライダー )
 * [2001-2003] Airmoni. (エアモニ. )
 * [2005] TBC FUN Field Moretsu Moodush (TBC FUNふぃーるど・モーレツモーダッシュ)
 * [2008-2009] InterFM "FIVE STARS" (on Mondays) (インターFM 「FIVE　STARS」)
 * [2009-] bayfm FRIDAY NIGHT MEETING (Anata ni Aetara) (安倍なつみ「あなたに会えたら」)

Theater

 * [2001] Love Century - Yume wa Minakerya Hajimaranai (LOVEセンチュリー -夢はみなけりゃ始まらない)
 * [2002] Morning Town (モーニングタウン)
 * [2003] Morning Musume Shuen Musical Edokko Chuushingura
 * [2004] Okaeri. (おかえり. )
 * [2006] Ribbon no Kishi The Musical
 * [2006] Hakujaden ~White Lovers~ (白蛇伝～White Lovers～)
 * [2007] FAR AWAY
 * [2008] Turandot (トゥーランドット)
 * [2009] Sanmon Opera (三文オペラ)
 * [2010] Little Shop of Horrors (リトルショップ・オブ・ホラーズ)
 * [2010] Abe Naikaku (安倍内閣)
 * [2011] Kotekino Kanata (狐笛のかなた)
 * [2011] Arashi ga Oka (嵐が丘; Wuthering Heights)
 * [2011] Dracula (ドラキュラ)
 * [2012] Watashi no Atama no Naka no Keshigomu 4th letter (私の頭の中の消しゴム 4th letter)
 * [2012] 100 Sai no Shounen to 12 tsu no Tegami (100歳の少年と12通の手紙)
 * [2012] Inori to Kaibutsu ~Wiruviru no San Shimai~ (祈りと怪物〜ウィルヴィルの三姉妹〜)
 * [2013] Tsuji hitonari sonogo no futari (辻仁成　その後のふたり)
 * [2013] Re: Earl E. (Re:（アール・イー）)
 * [2014] Paco〜Paco to Mahou no Ehon〜 from Gama Ouji vs Zarigani Majin (Paco〜パコと魔法の絵本〜 from 「ガマ王子vsザリガニ魔人」)
 * [2014] Ano Koro Bokura Ha Penny Lane De (あの頃僕らはペニーレインで)

Movies

 * [1998] Morning Cop (モーニング刑事. )
 * [2000] Pinch Runner (ピンチランナー)
 * [2002] Tottoko Hamutarou - Hamu Hamu Hamuuja! Maboroshi no Princess (とっとこハム太郎　ハムハムハムージャ！幻のプリンセス)
 * [2002] Tokkaekko (とっかえっ娘. )
 * [2003] Koinu Dan no Monogatari (仔犬ダンの物語, "Puppy Dan's Story")
 * [2003] Tottoko Hamutarou - Hamu Hamu Grand Prix Aurora Tani no Kiseki - Ribbon-chan Kiki Ippatsu (とっとこハム太郎 ハムハムグランプリン オーロラ谷の奇跡 リボンちゃん危機一髪!)
 * [2012] Arakawa Under the Bridge (荒川アンダー ザ ブリッジ)

Commercials

 * [2000] Glico Mousse Pocky
 * [2000] Kanebo Shampoo SALA
 * [2004] Calorie Mate Jelly
 * [2006] Georgia GABA
 * [2006] Sea Cop
 * [2006-] Milk Land Hokkaido (narrator only)

Trivia

 * Attended Hokkaido Noboribetsu High School (currently known as Hokkaido Noboribetsu Seiryou High School).
 * Tsuji Nozomi calls her "Nachimi." Nakazawa Yuko and Yasuda Kei sometimes call her "Natsuan." Rinne was the first person to call her "Naccho." Yaguchi Mari calls her "Nacchio."
 * Abe has credited her desire to become a singer during her time in middle school when she was feeling depressed after being bullied. She heard JUDY AND MARY's "Chiisa na Koro Kara" playing on the radio. Even now, she still has a great deal of respect for YUKI, the former lead singer of the band.
 * Abe got the name of "Natsumi" from a 1979 TV drama series called "Chotto My Way" in which Momoi Kaori played the main character named "Asai Natsumi," and Abe's mother decided to name her daughter "Natsumi."
 * As shown on ASAYAN, she originally wasn't the main vocalist for Morning Coffee. Iida Kaori was original main vocalist, but Tsunku changed his mind, and the rest is history.
 * She is pretty good at table tennis.
 * She and Iida Kaori were both born in the same hospital. They share the same birthday month with only 2 days apart.
 * She is the fourth former Morning Musume member to only graduate from Morning Musume and not Hello! Project. The first being Nakazawa Yuko, the second being Goto Maki, and the third being Yasuda Kei.
 * Niigaki Risa is actually her fan.
 * She traveled to London in 2013.
 * In episodes of Ayaka's Surprise English Lessons she managed to escape from Ayaka.