Matsuura Aya

Matsuura Aya (松浦亜弥; Legal Name: Tachibana Aya (橘亜弥); born June 25, 1986 in Himeji, Hyōgo Prefecture, Japan) was a soloist under Hello! Project until she graduated 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 &amp; 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 also 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 graduated from Hello! Project on March 31, 2009.

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

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

2011
Matsuura was diagnosed with endometriosis.

On November 9 she annouced a Best Of, for 10 Anniversary of her as a Hello! Project soloist.

2012
On December 31, it was announced that Matsuura will be getting married to W-inds lead vocalist Tachibana Keita.

2013
On August 4, Matsuura and Tachibana submitted their marriage applicationa and officially became legally married. They will have a wedding ceremony in Hawaii in the Fall.

On October 1, she was transferred to UP-FRONT CREATE.

Profile

 * Birth/Stage Name: Matsuura Aya (松浦亜弥)
 * Legal Name: Tachibana Aya (橘亜弥)
 * Nickname: Ayaya (あやや), Ayarin.
 * Birth Date:
 * Blood Type: B
 * Birth Place: Himeji, Hyogo Prefecture, Japan
 * Height: 157.5 cm (5'2")
 * Hobbies: Shopping
 * Disliked hobbies: Horseback riding
 * Special skill: Tennis,horseback riding the reason I can ride the horse nicely.I kept trying and trying until my cute brown pony speeds up.
 * Dream:To become a Gravure Idol like Ogura Yuko.She's so nice.
 * Disliked dream:To make mochi in my house outdoors.
 * Favorite colors: White, black, pink, color of tears
 * Favorite word: Love
 * Favorite season: Autumn
 * Favorite artists: ℃-ute, Buono!
 * Favorite song: Sakura Chirari, The Bigaku
 * Disliked song: Namida no Iro, Kiss me Aishiteru
 * Favorite food: Rice, miso soup, fruits
 * Disliked food: broccoli, cauliflower, celery, parsley
 * People who inspired her: Ogura Yuko
 * Disliked people: Kitade Nana
 * Hello! Project Groups:
 * Gomattou (2002–2003)
 * Nochiura Natsumi (2004–2005)
 * DEF.DIVA (2005–2006)
 * GAM (2006–2008)Matsuura_Aya_5891.jpg
 * Concert Units:
 * Hello! Project Akagumi (2005)
 * Elder Club (2006–2009)
 * Shuffle Units:
 * 2001: 3nin Matsuri
 * 2002: Odoru 11
 * 2003: SALT5
 * 2004: H.P. All Stars
 * Other:
 * Gatas Brilhantes H.P.
 * Ganbarou Nippon Ai wa Katsu Singers (2011)

Albums

 * [2002.01.01] First KISS (ファーストKISS)
 * [2003.01.29] T・W・O
 * [2004.01.01] ×3
 * [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

Best Albums

 * [2005.03.24] Matsuura Aya Best 1 (松浦亜弥ベスト1)
 * [2011.12.21] Matsuura Aya 10TH ANNIVERSARY BEST (松浦亜弥 10TH ANNIVERSARY BEST)

Other Albums

 * [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)

Singles

 * 1) [2001.04.11] Dokki Doki! LOVE Mail (ドッキドキ! LOVE メール)
 * 2) [2001.06.13] Tropica~l Koishite~ru (トロピカ~ル恋して~る)
 * 3) [2001.09.05] LOVE Namida Iro (LOVE涙色)
 * 4) [2001.11.28] 100 Kai no KISS (100回のKISS)
 * 5) [2002.02.06] ♡Momoiro Kataomoi♡ (♡桃色片想い♡)
 * 6) [2002.05.29] Yeah! Meccha Holiday (Yeah! めっちゃホリディ)
 * 7) [2002.09.19] The Bigaku (The 美学)
 * 8) [2002.12.11] Sougen no Hito (草原の人)
 * 9) [2003.03.12] Ne~e? (ね~え?)
 * 10) [2003.06.04] GOOD BYE Natsuo (GOOD BYE 夏男)
 * 11) [2003.09.26] THE LAST NIGHT
 * 12) [2004.01.28] Kiseki no Kaori Dance. (奇跡の香りダンス. )
 * 13) [2004.03.10] Hyacinth (風信子)
 * 14) [2004.07.14] YOUR SONG ~Seishun Sensei~ (YOUR SONG ~青春宣誓~)
 * 15) [2004.10.20] Watarasebashi (渡良瀬橋)
 * 16) [2005.02.23] Zutto Suki de Ii desu ka (ずっと好きでいいですか)
 * 17) [2005.09.21] Ki ga Tsukeba Anata (気がつけば あなた)
 * 18) [2006.02.01] Suna wo Kamu You ni... NAMIDA (砂を噛むように···NAMIDA)
 * 19) [2007.08.29] Egao (笑顔)
 * 20) [2008.05.21] Kizuna (きずな)
 * 21) [2009.02.11] Chocolate Damashii (チョコレート魂)

Digital Singles

 * [2011.03.30] Futari Osaka (ふたり大阪)

Other Singles

 * [2004.11.26] Tensai! LET'S GO Ayayamu (with Ecomoni as Ayayamu with Ecohamzu)

PV Compilation DVDs

 * [2002.10.09] Matsuura Single M Clips 1
 * [2004.04.14] Matsuura Aya Single V Clips 2

Concert DVDs
To see the entire list of concerts go here.
 * [2002.08.07] Matsuura Aya First Concert Tour 2002 Haru "First Date"
 * [2003.02.19] Yeah! Meccha Live at Nakano Sunplaza
 * [2003.09.18] Concert Tour 2003 Haru ~Matsu Ring PINK~
 * [2004.02.04] Matsuura Aya Concert Tour 2003 Aki ~Ayaya Hit Parade!~
 * [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"
 * [2008.11.XX] Matsuura Aya Fan Club Event 2008
 * [2009.11.XX] Matsuura Aya Maniac Live Vol.2
 * [2009.12.23] Matsuura Aya Concert Tour 2009 Aki ~Omoi Afurete~
 * [2010.10.XX] Matsuura Aya Maniac Live Vol.3
 * [2012.05.XX] Matsuura Aya Maniac Live Vol.4
 * [2013.11.XX] Matsuura Aya Maniac Live Vol.5

Discography Participated In
Singles=
 * GAM
 * Thanks!
 * Melodies
 * Lu Lu Lu


 * DEF.DIVA
 * Suki Sugite Baka Mitai
 * LET'S GO Rakuten Eagles


 * 3nin Matsuri
 * Chu! Natsu Party


 * Odoru 11
 * Shiawase Kyouryuu Ondo


 * Gomattou
 * SHALL WE LOVE?


 * SALT5
 * GET UP! Rapper


 * H.P. All Stars
 * ALL FOR ONE & ONE FOR ALL!


 * Nochiura Natsumi
 * Ren'ai Sentai Shitsu Ranger


 * Ganbarou Nippon Ai wa Katsu Singers
 * Ai wa Katsu

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] Aya no DNA (亜弥の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!
 * [2004] Futarigoto (二人ゴト)
 * [2006] Inochi no Kiseki
 * [2009] THE QUIZ SHOW
 * [2011] Sakura to Satsuki (サクラとさつき)

Theater

 * [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

 * [2001-2005] Matsuura Aya Let's do it!
 * [2001-2002] Tsunkuban (Koratsu Matsuura Corner)
 * [2002-2003] Young Town Doyoubi
 * [2005-2006] Matsuura Aya no All Night Nippon
 * [2007-2009] FIVE STARS (DJ on Tuesday's)

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.
 * JT Roots Aroma Impact III (since 2010)

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)
 * Castlevania Judgement (Japanese Version,Voice of Maria)

Solo

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

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)

Image DVDs

 * [2003.02.26] Alo Hello! Matsuura Aya DVD
 * [2004.07.07] Alo Hello! 2 Matsuura Aya DVD

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).
 * She is the first Hello! Project soloist to release 5 singles in the Year.
 * She is best friends with Fujimoto Miki and Goto Maki.