1st Generation Morning Musume

1st Gen ・・ 1st Gen ・ 1st Gen ・ 2nd Gen ・・ 3rd Gen

The 1st Generation Morning Musume members formed the group in September 1997 after being chosen by Tsunku from among the runner-up auditionees of the Sharam Q Josei Rock Vocalist Audition broadcast through ASAYAN.

This generation consists of 5 members:

• Nakazawa Yuko (中澤裕子)
• Ishiguro Aya (石黒彩)
• Iida Kaori (飯田圭織)
• Abe Natsumi (安倍なつみ)
• Fukuda Asuka (福田明日香)

Timeline[]

• September 7, 1997: Tsunku announces if they sell 50,000 copies of "Ai no Tane" in 5 days he'll give them a record deal.
• September 14, 1997: Morning Musume is formed with Nakazawa Yuko as the leader.
• April 18, 1999: Fukuda Asuka leaves Morning Musume and Hello! Project.
• January 7, 2000: Ishiguro Aya leaves Morning Musume and Hello! Project.
• April 15, 2001: Nakazawa Yuko graduates from Morning Musume.
• April 16, 2001: Iida Kaori becomes the new leader of Morning Musume.
• January 25, 2004: Abe Natsumi graduates from Morning Musume.
• January 30, 2005: Iida Kaori graduates from Morning Musume.