Yasuda Kei

Yasuda Kei (保田圭), her legal name being Kozaki Kei (小崎圭), is a Japanese singer, musician, and actress formerly under Hello! Project as a member and sub-leader of Morning Musume. She was also a member of Dream Morning Musume.

Early Life
Yasuda Kei was born on December 6, 1980 in Futtsu, Chiba Prefecture to a couple whose name are undisclosed.

1998
In 1998, she, along with Yaguchi Mari and Ichii Sayaka, were chosen to be a part of the second generation of singers to be recruited into Morning Musume.

After the second generation joined, Morning Musume went on to produce one album and three more singles until Fukuda Asuka decided to graduate to further pursue her studies. Yasuda was given almost all of Fukuda's lines in future performances of these early songs. She had also collaborated with other Morning Musume members in special projects during these early days. One of the more notable ones was when she co-wrote and co-sang with Abe Natsumi the song "Sanpo" for a radio contest. It became wildly popular and a petition was circulated to make it an official single, though that never did happen.

2001
Yasuda and Ichii sang a particularly catchy duet known as "Otome no Shinrigaku" (Girl's Psychology) for Morning Musume's second album. In response to the popularity, Tsunku decided to group them together with the third generation member, Goto Maki to create Morning Musume subgroup Petitmoni (also known as Pucchimoni) in 2001. Their first single, "Chokotto LOVE", has sold over a million copies since its release date.

After Ichii graduated from Morning Musume and Petitmoni, fourth generation member Yoshizawa Hitomi was placed into the subgroup. Yasuda had taken on the role of leader of Petitmoni and the group continued to produce three singles and an album.

After Morning Musume's then-leader Nakazawa Yuko graduated in 2001, Yasuda (who was the oldest member of the group at the time) became a co-leader along with Iida Kaori.

2003
Yasuda graduated in mid-2003, to concentrate on an acting career. At the same time when Morning Musume's 6th generation became full-fledged members. Tsunku commented that this one-time sixteen-member formation will be the largest Morning Musume will ever be. During her graduation concert, Yasuda sang a remixed rock version of "Never Forget", which was also Fukuda's graduation song. Additionally, as a special gift, Tsunku gave Yasuda a CD of her own soloist version of "AS FOR ONE DAY", her last single with Morning Musume.

Following Yasuda's graduation, Iida was given the title of leader of Morning Musume and Yaguchi was given the title of sub-leader. Petitmoni's leadership was handed over to Yoshizawa, and two members were added (fifth generation Morning Musume member Ogawa Makoto and Coconuts Musume's Ayaka Kimura) and Goto was removed. This new line up of Petitmoni never had another release, but a few of their songs were featured on compilation albums.

2004
Yasuda is still in Hello! Project after graduation and has acted in dramas outside of H!P. Within H!P, she has collaborated with Nakazawa Yuko and other H!P artists on 2 Folk Songs albums, performed and MCed in Abe's first solo concert, sang backup for Goto Maki's single "Daite Yo! Please Go On," and had hosted Morning Musume's weekly TV show Hello! Morning until Ishikawa Rika took that position. Yasuda had participated in the H.P. All Stars single "ALL FOR ONE &amp; ONE FOR ALL!" and the Puripuri Pink shuffle unit. Puripuri Pink was a new type of shuffle unit, since it was the first unit to feature graduated Morning Musume members, who were usually not included in the shuffles.

During a promotional appearance on Utaban in 2004, Yasuda revealed that she has been learning psychology, how to play golf, how to play the flute, and also that she is pursuing a career in the theater.

2007
From January 31 to February 7, Yasuda appeared in the stage play "Shinjuku no Onna" with fellow former Morning Musume member Tsuji Nozomi.

From May 23 to June 17, Yasuda appeared in the stage play "Youkihi no Kanpouyaku".

From August 15-19, Yasuda appeared in the stage play "Chigaimasu Sisters" alongside Kimura Ayaka.

2008
From December 4-7, Yasuda appeared in the stage play "Lemon Star" alongside Shibata Ayumi.

2009
From April 23 to May 2, she appeared in the stage play "Mikoto Mannequin" alongside Shibata Ayumi, Noto Arisa, and Miyoshi Erika.

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

On May 25, 2009, she took the photos for the Hello! Pro Eggs photobook that would be sold in June at the Shinjin Kouen ~Nakano STEP~ concert. 

On September 21, Kei had to have surgery to remove her tonsils. On her blog she revealed that she has had chronic tonsillitis since the time of her debut and and as a result has gotten fevers since then.

From December 2-6, Yasuda appeared in the stage play "Romantic no Yoroshiku" alongside Yajima Maimi and Nakajima Saki.

2010
From July 20-25, Yasuda appeared in the stage play "Boku ni Niai no Karada".

In September of 2010, She joined the unit Afternoon Musume with 7 of her fellow OG members.

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

2011
On January 28, 2011, It was announced that Yasuda was part of the OG member group Dream Morning Musume and that they will be releasing the groups first album, called "Dorimusu ①", on April 20, 2011.

On April 11, 2011, It was announced that her and two other Dream Morning Musume members Yaguchi Mari and Nakazawa Yuko will be holding casual dinner shows on both Osaka and Tokyo.

2012
Yasuda, Natsuyaki Miyabi, and Sudo Maasa will perform in a comedy play titled B・B ~bumpy buddy~. It will be performed on May 15, 2012.

2013
On February 15, theuflicks channel release the first episode of UF Licks show, where Yasuda, along with, was the host for the episode. At the end of the event, she revealed that she will attend Forest For Rest ~SATOYAMA e Ikou~ SATOYAMA movement in YOKOHAMA on March 2nd and 3rd.

On May 2, it was announced that she will be getting married to Kozaki Yoichi.

On May 29, Yasuda and Kozaki Yoichi registered their marriage and are now legally married.

On August 7, it was announced that Yasuda's father was reported missing. At an event, Yasuda said she hasn't been able to contact him in any way since May and filed a missing persons report with the police department in July. The police are currently searching for the man.

On December 14 and 15 Yasuda Kei and Ogawa Makoto hosted a Christmas Dinner show titled Yasuda Kei Ogawa Makoto Christmas Dinner Show 2013

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

2017
On July 28, Yasuda announced that she was expecting her first child. She gave birth to her son on January 7, 2018.

Personal Life
Name Meaning= Yasuda's given name, "Kei", means square jewel (圭; kei). It's a feminine Japanese given name and surname.

Profile
Stats=
 * Birth/Stage Name: Yasuda Kei (保田圭)
 * Legal Name: Kozaki Kei (小崎圭)
 * Date Married: May 29, 2012
 * Nickname: Kei-chan (圭ーちゃん), Kemeko, Yasusu, "Aunty", Yasuda-daimyoujin (Yasuda-high-priestess)
 * Birth Date:
 * Birth Place: Futtsu, Chiba Prefecture, Japan
 * Blood Type: A
 * Height: 158.5 cm
 * Western Zodiac: Sagittarius
 * Eastern Zodiac: Monkey
 * Hello! Project Status:
 * 1998-05-03: Member
 * 2003-05-05: Graduated Morning Musume
 * 2009-03-31: Graduated
 * Years in Morning Musume: 5 Years
 * Former Morning Musume Color:
 * Light Pink (1998)
 * Red
 * Dream Morning Musume Color: Yellow-Green
 * Hello! Project Group:
 * Morning Musume (1998-2003)
 * Subgroup:
 * Petitmoni (1999-2002)
 * Concert Unit:
 * Hello! Project Shirogumi (2005)
 * Elder Club (2006-2009)
 * Shuffle Unit:
 * Kiiro 5 (2000)
 * 10-nin Matsuri (2001)
 * Odoru 11 (2002)
 * H.P. All Stars (2004)
 * Puripuri Pink (2005)
 * Current Units:
 * Afternoon Musume (2010- )
 * Dream Morning Musume (2011-)
 * -|Q&A=
 * Measurements: 30,26,35
 * Assets: Voice, humor
 * Hobbies: Enjoying movies, drawing, organizing photos/photography, and kanji drills
 * Special skills: Playing electronic organ, flute, and saxophone
 * Favorite colors: Red, pink
 * Favorite flowers: Roses, margarets, sunflowers
 * Favorite seasons: Summer because I like the seas and the festivals &lt;3
 * Favorite food: Yakiniku, soft roe, kimchee, nattou/soba, chocolate
 * Disliked food: Shallots, milk, cheesecake
 * Favorite movies: Pulp Fiction, Charlie's Angels, Schindler's List, etc.
 * Favorite words: Going my way, love
 * Favorite song: Sekai ni Hitotsu Dake no Hana
 * Favorite childhood song: "Red Shoes"
 * Favorite Part of Japan: Tokyo
 * Game played when a child: Red Rover.
 * Admirable Japanese person: My mother because she is a really good mom, I hope to be like her when I become a mother someday
 * Image of Japan: A pure one (i.e. Japanese food, kimonos, ect)
 * Best part about being in Morning Musume: I was able to give my best in many ways and meet many people
 * If never part of Morning Musume: I'd be married by now (you get married quick in the country)
 * Message to the world: Reduce the traffic! (in Tokyo mostly)

Discography Participated In
Singles=
 * Morning Musume
 * 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


 * Petitmoni
 * Chokotto LOVE
 * Seishun Jidai 1.2.3! / Bicycle Daiseikou!
 * BABY! Koi ni KNOCK OUT!
 * Pittari Shitai X'mas!


 * Kiiro 5
 * Kiiroi Osora de BOOM BOOM BOOM


 * 10nin Matsuri
 * Dancing! Natsu Matsuri


 * Odoru 11
 * Shiawase Kyouryuu Ondo


 * H.P. ALL STARS
 * ALL FOR ONE & ONE FOR ALL!


 * Puripuri Pink
 * Hitoshirezu Mune wo Kanaderu Yoru no Aki


 * Ganbarou Nippon Ai wa Katsu Singers
 * Ai wa Katsu


 * Dream Morning Musume
 * Shining Butterfly


 * -|Solo=
 * Uta Doki!
 * Ihoujin (Strange)
 * Ai no memory
 * Tentou Mushi No Samba
 * Oyoge! Taiyakikun 
 * Aijin
 * Anata
 * Tori no Uta
 * Sayonara no Mukou Gawa
 * Mirai Yosouzu II
 * Joukyou Monogatari
 * Kazarijanai no yo Namida wa 
 * Manatsu no Dekigoto (accompanied by Hirayama Miki)
 * Goodbye My Love (accompanied by Hirayama Miki)
 * Young Man (with Yaguchi Mari)
 * Genki wo Dashite (with Yaguchi Mari)
 * Moshimo Piano ga Hiketanara (accompanied Takayama Gen)
 * Tabi no Yado (accompanied by Takayama Gen)
 * Imouto (accompanied by Takayama Gen)
 * Shiretoko Ryojou (accompanied by Inaba Akira)
 * Wakarete Mo Suki Na Hito (Encore) (accompanied by Horiuchi Takao)
 * Fushigi na Peach Pie (with Abe Natsumi)
 * Ano Subarashii Ai wo Mou Ichido (with Goto Maki accompanied by Sugita Jirou)
 * Shirube Nai Tabi (accompanied by Inaba Akira)


 * Hello! Days
 * Vol.6
 * The Rose
 * Vol.12 (Kemeko no Heya)
 * Senkou Hanabi
 * Kingyo Hanabi (with Yaguchi Mari)


 * Other
 * Never Forget
 * Best Friend
 * Sanpo (with Abe Natsumi)
 * Cutey Honey


 * -|Group Songs=
 * [2002.03.27] Hajimete no Rock Concert (with Iida Kaori, Yaguchi Mari, Goto Maki, Tsuji Nozomi, and Ogawa Makoto
 * [2003.03.26] YES! POCKY GIRL (with POCKY GIRLS)
 * [2003.03.26] "Sugoku Suki na no ni…ne" (with Iida Kaori, Abe Natsumi, Yaguchi Mari, Ishikawa Rika, and Yoshizawa Hitomi)
 * [2011.04.20] Roman ~MY DEAR BOY~ (Morning Musume cover; with Abe Natsumi, Yaguchi Mari, Yoshizawa Hitomi, and Ogawa Makoto)
 * [2011.04.20] Morning Coffee (2011 Dreamusu Ver.) (Morning Musume cover; with Nakazawa Yuko, Iida Kaori, Abe Natsumi, and Yaguchi Mari)
 * [2011.04.20] SEXY BOY ~Soyokaze ni Yorisotte~ (Morning Musume cover; with Nakazawa Yuko, Iida Kaori, Abe Natsumi, and Yaguchi Mari)

Solo Photobooks

 * 1) [2002.03.02] Kei

Books

 * [2014.04.20] Bibusukon - Saikai Musume. No Konkatsu Monogatari -

Movies

 * [1998] Morning Cop ~Daite HOLD ON ME!~ (モーニング刑事. ～抱いてHOLD ON ME!～)
 * [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)

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)
 * [2002-2004] Hello Kids (ハローキッズ)
 * [2002] Bishojo kyoiku II (美少女教育II)
 * [2004] Futarigoto (二人ゴト)
 * [2007] Uta Doki! ~Pop Classics~ (歌ドキッ! 〜ポップクラシックス〜)

TV Dramas

 * [2002] Kochira hon ikegami sho (こちら本池上署)
 * [2002] Mikeneko Holmes no Hanzaigaku Kouza (三毛猫ホームズの犯罪学講座)
 * [2004] Tokio-chichi he no Dengon (トキオ 父への伝言)
 * [2005] Nijyuushi no Hitomi (二十四の瞳)
 * [2006] Shinjuku no haha monogatari (新宿の母物語)
 * [2007] Sousa Ikka - Ken atari han, Takako no manako (捜査一課･見当たり班　鷹子の眼)
 * [2012] Suugaku♥Joshi Gakuen (数学♥女子学園)
 * [2012] Mikkai no yado 9 hoseki no amai wana (密会の宿9 宝石の甘い罠)
 * [2012] Shiawase no jikan (幸せの時間)
 * [2013] Sho kyoto renzoku satsujin jiken x Gekai hatomura shugoro (小京都連続殺人事件×外科医 鳩村周五郎)

Theater

 * [2004] Rashomon ~Onnatachi no Maboroshi~ (羅生門～女たちのまぼろし～)
 * [2006] Natsu no Yoru no Yume (夏ノ夜ノ夢; Shakespeare's "Midsummer Night's Dream")
 * [2006] Otona no Mugicha Dai kyu hai me Kouen "Nemurenaito" (大人の麦茶第九杯目公演「ネムレナイト」)
 * [2006] MAMA LOVES mambo IV
 * [2007] Showa kayo shiata shinjuku no onna (昭和歌謡シアター新宿の女)
 * [2007] Yokihi no kanpoyaku (楊貴妃の漢方薬)
 * [2007] Shinjuku no Onna (新宿の女)
 * [2007] Chigaimasu sisters (ちがいますシスターズ)
 * [2007] COASTER（Coaster） (COASTER（コースター）)
 * [2008] Shishi tachi (志士たち)
 * [2008] THE do tsubo!!! (THEどツボッ!!)
 * [2008] Lemon Star (レモンスター)
 * [2009] Mikoto Mannequin (ミコトマネキン)
 * [2009] Every Little Thing '09 (エブリ リトル シング '09)
 * [2009] Romantic ni yoroshiku (ロマンチックにヨロシク)
 * [2010] Momoiro shoten e yokoso (桃色書店へようこそ)
 * [2010] Murder Factory (マーダーファクトリー)
 * [2010] Nemure nu yoru no 1 x 8 requiem ~Naked police academy~ (眠れぬ夜の1×8レクイエム〜ネイキットポリスアカデミー〜)
 * [2010] Boku ni Niai no Karada (僕に似合いの身体)
 * [2010] Ii hi, risutora (いい日、リストラ)
 * [2010] Jinsei wa Show Time! (人生はショータイム！)
 * [2010] Genji monogatari x Oguro Maki songs ~Boku wa jūnihitoe ni koi wo suru~ (源氏物語×大黒摩季songs〜僕は十二単に恋をする〜)
 * [2010] Amakara (あまから)
 * [2010] Abe Naikaku (安倍内閣)
 * [2011] Sarachi 5 (更地5)
 * [2011] Nemureru mori no bijo (眠れる森の美女)
 * [2012] Sarachi 6 (更地6)
 * [2012] B・B~bumpy buddy~
 * [2012] Tabidachi ~Ashoro yori~ (旅立ち〜足寄より〜)
 * [2012] Aoge ba (あおげば)
 * [2013] I.have.a.dream (アイ・ハヴ・ア・ドリーム)
 * [2014] Bokutachi Karen na Shounen Gasshoudan

Radio

 * [1998-1999] Morning Musume no onegai MORNING CALL! (モーニング娘. のお願いMORNING CALL!)
 * [1999-2000] Pucchimoni Diver (プッチモニダイバー)
 * [2001-2002] Pucchimoni Driver V3 (プッチモニダイバーV3)
 * [2000-2002; 2009–] Young Town Doyoubi (ヤングタウン土曜日)
 * [2016–2017] HELLO! DRIVE! (HELLO! DRIVE! -ハロドラ-) (Wednesdays)

Internet

 * [2013-] UF LICKS

Commercials

 * [2000] Glico Mousse Pocky
 * [2013] Fuku Pika (フクピカ)

Trivia

 * Yasuda is skilled in several musical instruments, including the saxophone and the piano.
 * She has made several appearances on TV and in concert accompanying herself or others.
 * On a variety show she mentioned that when she finally would get a solo part of a song, she'd work really hard on that certain part when they would shoot the MV's or whenever they performed the song on variety shows. However, she was very frustrated on how producers would usually center Abe Natsumi on the camera for most of the time even if all of Morning Musume was singing togethor. She says a way that she could get on camera was if she slyly appeared behind Abe when the camera was focused on her. Tsugunaga Momoko noted that she and others who were kouhai's of Morning Musume would analyze these occurrences and implement them when they also appeared on stage.
 * On that same variety show she mentioned that Goto Maki  and Abe Natsumi received many presents and letters during their handshake events however, Yasuda would only get 2 or few.
 * Yasuda attended Kimitsu Shogyo (Commercial) High School in Futtsu City, Chiba Prefecture, but dropped out to pursue her dreams in the entertainment industry.
 * She worked in a McDonald's restaurant in her hometown, until 1998.
 * She is the third oldest girl to join Morning Musume after its formation and the oldest to join under normal circumstances (Fujimoto Miki of the 6th generation was added to Morning Musume after failing the 4th generation audition and was brought back as a soloist before being added, and 8th generation member Junjun was added after an audition that was not even known by the members of the group themselves.).
 * She was famously known as the "grandma" of Morning Musume, and is the frequent target of jokes from TV hosts and other members.
 * Is best friends with Yaguchi Mari.
 * Had a youkai Yasuda Doll made for her on Utaban.
 * She is the third former Morning Musume member to only graduate from Morning Musume and not Hello! Project. The first being Nakazawa Yuko and the second being Goto Maki.
 * Appears in the TV Drama Suugaku♥Joshi Gakuen together with Iida Kaori as the Devil Sisters.
 * She was the only Morning Musume sub-leader who never became leader.
 * She is the last 2nd Generation member to get married.
 * Her son (born on January 7, 2018), shares his birthday with fellow Morning Musume member Ishida Ayumi (January 7, 1997) who was born 21 years prior.