Yamaki Risa's Chronology and Q&A

Yamaki Risa's self-reported chronology

1997 Born on the 14th of October

Around 2000 Started learning the piano at the age of 3 due to brother's influence

2005 2nd year of primary school. Got into drawing. Dreamed of being a mangaka in the future.

2009 6th year of primary school. Got 4th place at a competition at the borough level! By the way, the event was the 50 metre breaststroke.

2010 1st year of middle school. Joined the dance club. Danced at the night festivities for the cultural festival. There, encountered Morning Musume。's 'Kimagure Princess', became a H!P fan.

2013 1st year of senior high. Applied for the 1st round of Morning Musume。-san's 12th gen auditions. Made it to the final judging, but there were no qualified candidates. Became a Kenshuusei after worrying over it.

2014 2nd year of senior high. Selected for Country Girls.

Yamaki Risa's one question one answer

1. Favourite food?
Manju, corn soup, tapioca, udon (cold)

2. Food you hate?
Celery, horned turbans, sea urchin

3. When was the time when you got the worst scolding so far?
When we were in primary school and secretly brought sweets, but the teacher found out

4. When was the time when you got the best praise so far?
When I took responsibility on something that everyone else felt was a burden and accomplished it

5. The only thing I can boast to people about is?
Hair-tending implements!

6. Something you've gotten into recently is?
Blogging

7. Favourite H!P song?
'Kimagure Princess'. Since it was the song that made me start thinking about wanting to join H!P.

8. Who is the H!P senpai you look up to?
Michishige Sayumi-san. Since she was a really lovely goddess. I truly admire the sight of her sacrificing her life for the sake of the group with a sense of responsibility that goes beyond others.

Morning Musume。´15 August 2015 Nationwide Handshake Events: Sato Masaki

The Musume are at it again, going around the country to promote their latest single. This time, they're promoting their 59th single 'Oh my wish! / Sukatto My Heart / Imasugu Tobikomu Yuuki'.

What's also the norm for this promotion campaign is that the members hijack the official Musume Twitter account, and we get to follow the girls along as they go around the country.

Not a lot of tweets from Maachan, but just like her time last year in Tokyo, I suspect that the manager accompanying her had their hands full. Maachan was also in Hokkaido for the handshake events earlier this year. 

【滋賀／佐藤】 家から着て来ました！ まだ頭ボサボサ、すみません… #morningmusume15 pic.twitter.com/Eqa72pQckC

— モーニング娘。'15マネージャー (@MorningMusumeMg) 2015, 8月 19

【Shiga／Sato】
I've arrived from home！

My hair's still a mess、 sorry…

【滋賀／佐藤】 おはようござぃます まーちゃんだょ❤️ 京都で八つ橋かぃました~ 今日まーちゃんは… 大津PARCO 11時からなのですっっ⁉︎ 握手会なのですっっ⁉︎ まっててくださぃましぃ~ #morningmusume15 pic.twitter.com/5st7s9L4Df

— モーニング娘。'15マネージャー (@MorningMusumeMg) 2015, 8月 20

【Shiga／Sato】
Good morning
This is Maachan
I bought yatsuhashi from Kyoto~

For Maachan, today…
Otsu PARCO
From 11 in the morning⁉︎
There's a handshake event⁉︎
I'll be waiting~

【滋賀／佐藤】 滋賀での握手会終了しました！ 琵琶湖にて。 写真、左奥に水鳥が⁉︎⁉︎ 「こっちおいでぇーーー」と必死の呼び掛け。 #morningmusume15 pic.twitter.com/VyQDz9VzCY

— モーニング娘。'15マネージャー (@MorningMusumeMg) 2015, 8月 20

【Shiga／Sato】
Done with the handshake events in Shiga！

At Lake Biwa。
In the left side of the photo、 there's a waterfowl⁉︎⁉︎
I frantically called out 「Come hereーーー」。

【兵庫／佐藤】 お客さんからたくさんオススメのお土産を聞いたのに、聞き間違えたくさんですみませんm(_ _)m さぁ、果たして佐藤は大阪に何を持っていくのか⁉︎ 野中、神戸でも見つけたよ！ #morningumusume15 pic.twitter.com/JyDe6x5BRr

— モーニング娘。'15マネージャー (@MorningMusumeMg) 2015, 8月 20

【Hyogo／Sato】
I asked the attendees about all sorts of souvenirs、but I apologise for mishearing a lot of them m(_ _)m
So、 what will Sato get from Osaka in the end⁉︎

Nonaka、 I found one in Kobe as well！

Momochi、 active as an idol for over 10 years 「There were times when it was tough」

[...]

――You were formed in November last year、 and you made your major début March this year。 Have there been any changes in the relationship between Momochi-senpai ＋ the 4 juniors？
Tsugunaga　Everyone's gotten better （laughs）。 They were hesitant to talk to me at first、 and they'd get red in the face、 but recently that doesn't happen at all。 The other day、 we were holding a live performance at Osaka、 and the １st performance ended early。 And then Risa-chan indirectly pestered me、 「How about going for a meal now、 can't you ask our manager？」。 She's pushing around the PM（Playing Manager） （laughs）。
Yamaki　I thought that if we didn't have the PM's permission、 we wouldn't be able to go for a meal～ （laughs）！

――How do the 4 of you juniors view Momochi-senpai？
Inaba　She's always been like that from the very start、 but it was moving to see her truly act as an idol every day。 It's amazing how her pinky's raised even in the dressing room （laughs）。
Yamaki　But、 when you see her taking a nap、 we get a sense of the activities that we've never seen up to now, which makes me happy。
Morito　On-stage、 I make sure to learn from her example as she's really good at MC-ing and singing。 I respect her ability to deal with things even when there are unexpected changes。 While all of us are frantically writing on paper、 Momochi-senpai can cope immediately。
Ozeki　What I respect about Momochi-senpai is that she can pro-actively talk even with me、 who's 10 years younger than her。 Even though a 13 year old like me would seem like a child in the eyes of a 23 year old…。 But when we chat、 the things that were popular when we were small were unexpectedly the same。
Tsugunaga　Wait a minute、 what do you mean 'unexpectedly'（laughs）！ 

――Tsugunaga-san, as an idol who's been active for over 10 years、 you've survived through the unsparing age known as the Idol Warring States Period、 but what do you think about the current idol scene?
Tsugunaga　It makes me happy that a lot of idols appeared and roused up the idol world。 When we do events in together with them、 there are girls that say 「Watching Momochi-san made us want to become idols」、 which made me remember the time I auditioned after watching Morning Musume。-san。 Continuing that connection、 I wish that Japan will always have an eye on idols。 There are few countries in the world with an idol culture、 so we're welcomed overseas even more passionately than how we're received in Japan。

――Having been active for so long、 there must have been adversities and ups and downs…。
Tsugunaga　However、 I don't think that there's an occupation as great as being an idol。 For singers and actresses、 it's hard to do really well if you lack absolute ability、 but idols have the ability to bring together people、 like we receive support by showing that we're doing our best。 I'm no good at doing repetitive things、 so I love being an idol who can challenge all sorts of things。 To the extent that I'd like to be an idol my whole life！　……If those around me will permit it（laughs）。

――For the 4 juniors、what advice would you give for them to survive as idols？
Tsugunaga　If anything, I want them to fully enjoy being idols。 While your close friends are hanging out、 we can't even hang out at a festival。 But on the other hand、 I think that we get to do things that normal students wouldn't be able to do。
Yamaki　　That was a bit of a shock。 I'm so moved that I could cry…。
Inaba　It's because she's been doing this for over 10 years that her words carry such weight。But for us now、 we may want to hang out、 but this work is enjoyable、 so there often are times when I can't wait to get on-stage。
Tsugunaga　That's amazing！　Thought I had a quite a lot of tough times though……（laughs）。

――Coexisting with other idols、 what do you think is Country Girls' forte？
Ozeki　Hello！ Project has recently had a lot of cool, stylish songs、 but Country Girls has a lot of songs with a cute concept。
Morito　And so、 it makes us happy that people think that we're all cute、 perhaps because of our cute songs。
Yamaki　Despite there being great-senpai groups、 our forte might be that we're close and in a good way, we don't have a hierarchy。
Inaba　We're a new type of group。 We've got Momochi-senpai、 and Satoda Mai-san as supervisor。
Tsugunaga　For the longest time、 thanks to Satoda-san continuing on as the group “Country Musume。” by herself、 we now sing songs from the Country Musume。 era、 so I'm thankful that we've got plenty of songs。 As our supervisor now、 she sends photos from New York、 so it weighs on our mind。 There are a lot of things that can't be conveyed through messages、 so if we could get cook up some sort of reason from now on、 I'd like to go and meet up in New York！ （laughs）

[...]

―― Is there anything that you'd like to try doing in the future？
Yamaki　　In order to become a group that can gain currency in the world, we changed our name to “Country Girls”、 so we'd like to have a live performance overseas someday！
Inaba　Firstly, I'd like to complete a nationwide concert tour on our own。 We're currently doing a live concert tour、 but Tsubaki Factory is also going around together with us。
Morito　I've got no overwhelming goals、but I'd like to be able to hold our own hall tour！
Ozeki　For my personal ambition、 I'd like to inherit Country Musume。's concept of “Part-time farming part-time entertaining”。 Doing agriculture in the countryside、 and returning to Tokyo for activities。
Tsugunaga　No matter what sort of activities we have to do as a group、 I'd like us to do each and every thing with all we've got。 Even when the 5 of us are riding a train nowadays、 there aren't any people murmuring things like  「It's Country Girls！」 around us、 so firstly… I know、 we'll do our best so that about ６0 percent of people would murmur！（laughs）

Source: Oricon

Morning Musume。´15 August 2015 Nationwide Handshake Events: Sayashi Riho

The Musume are at it again, going around the country to promote their latest single. This time, they're promoting their 59th single 'Oh my wish! / Sukatto My Heart / Imasugu Tobikomu Yuuki'.

What's also the norm for this promotion campaign is that the members hijack the official Musume Twitter account, and we get to follow the girls along as they go around the country.

Unfortunately for Sayashi watchers, no food was spilt this time around, unlike last year. Sayuloss must have made her less clumsy, as she does fine earlier this year as well.

【岩手／鞘師】 おはようございます！ 鞘師、岩手に上陸！ 10時と朝早いですが、イオンモール盛岡南でお待ちしています＼(^o^)／ #morningmusume15 pic.twitter.com/jSZmxy9i4V

— モーニング娘。'15マネージャー (@MorningMusumeMg) 2015, 8月 20

【Iwate／Sayashi】
Good morning！
Sayashi、 has disembarked at Iwate！
10 in the morning might be early、 but I'll be waiting at AEon Mall Morioka Minami ＼(^o^)／

【岩手／鞘師】 まもなくイベント開始！ #morningmusume15 pic.twitter.com/1LjzYlotAo

— モーニング娘。'15マネージャー (@MorningMusumeMg) 2015, 8月 20

【Iwate／Sayashi】
The event's about to start soon！

【岩手／鞘師】 岩手のみなさん、ありがとうございました！たくさん来てくださって感謝です！ さあ、お昼ご飯タイムです！ 前沢牛頂きます(*^^*) 加熱機能がついてるので、 熱々で食べられるそうな♪ #morningmusume15 pic.twitter.com/exsLNMRW2D

— モーニング娘。'15マネージャー (@MorningMusumeMg) 2015, 8月 20

【Iwate／Sayashi】
Everyone from Iwate、 thank you very much！ I'm grateful that lots of you came！
Well then、time for lunch！
I got Maesawa beef (*^^*)
There's a heating function、
So it looks like I'll be able to eat it hot ♪

Comments from 12th gen & leader Fuku-chan at their tour wrap-up in Budokan

Wrapping up the final leg of the Morning Musume。´15's Spring GRADATION tour at the Nippon Budokan, the 12th gen who were announced there in September last year have now been part of a performance at the Budokan. Here are their comments to the fans.

Haga Akane:
We, the 12th gen, were introduced at Budokan last year, but today, being able to participate in our first Budokan performance as members of Morning Musume。, I truly enjoyed it. Thank you very much for today.

Makino Maria: 
Standing on the Budokan stage like this today, it brings back memories of when I joined, through the announcement of the 12th gen members. Becoming a member of Morning Musume。is Maria's greatest joy. Thank you very much for today.

Nonaka Miki: 
Just as Akane-chan and Maria-chan said, this Budokan is the place where the 12th gen made our first appearance, and being able to perform here today fills me with happiness. But, there's still room for Nonaka to grow, so please watch over me warmly. “Morning musume。 It is fantastic! ” (Note: The preceding quote was said in English) . Thank you very much for the truly enjoyable time today.

Ogata Haruna: 
When this tour started, I honestly wasn't used to introducing myself as a member of 'Morning Musume。´15', but having received support from the fans, and having talked a lot with the members, this was a tour that fired up my feelings of being part of Morning Musume。 Morning Musume。´15's Ogata Haruna will continue to do my best, so I beg for everyone's kind support. Thank you so very much for today.

This also represented the first tour for Fukumura Mizuki as the 9th leader

'As the final day, getting to stand here, at the Nippon Budokan, it truly makes me happy. Thank you very much. When the decision for this Nippon Budokan performance was made, I was uneasy, I felt worried, was it too soon for us? But I strongly felt that we shouldn't let this chance slip by, I believed that Morning Musume。could go that far, so we've been doing our best with all we have the whole time. We've gone to various places from the first day of the tour, and we've been supported by all sorts of fans, which built up our confidence. And finally getting to see this lovely view at the Nippon Budokan at the end, I'm truly glad. (Overcome with emotion at the sight of pink glowsticks shining from the audience seats) Pink... I'm happy. Thank you very much. However, we're still getting started, so I think I'd like to have more of the colours of all 13 of us, so please light up glowsticks in our 13 colours. Thank you so very much.

Source: Barks

Morning Musume。´15 August 2015 Nationwide Handshake Events: Ishida Ayumi

The Musume are at it again, going around the country to promote their latest single. This time, they're promoting their 59th single 'Oh my wish! / Sukatto My Heart / Imasugu Tobikomu Yuuki'.

What's also the norm for this promotion campaign is that the members hijack the official Musume Twitter account, and we get to follow the girls along as they go around the country.

Ayumi finds more places to stick her head in this time around, continuing on from her previous sojourn earlier this year and last year.

【山形/石田】 おはようございます！ 朝１番の笑顔！ 急ですがここで問題です。山形について、私が１番最初にやったことはなんでしょう？答えはイベントで発表しよっかな～！待ってます！！ #morningmusume15 pic.twitter.com/nsxuxLxw2b

— モーニング娘。'15マネージャー (@MorningMusumeMg) 2015, 8月 20

【Yamagata/Ishida】
Good morning！
My first smile of the morning！
This is rushed, but here's a question。 When I get to Yamagata、 what's the very first thing that I'll do？ I'll announce the answer at the event～！ Wait for it！！

【山形/石田】 山形でのイベント終わりました！青空の下、超気持ちよかった！ お土産どうしよう、でもゆっくりする暇もなく(*_*) 山形ありがとうございました！ #morningmusume15 pic.twitter.com/WepBFezssd

— モーニング娘。'15マネージャー (@MorningMusumeMg) 2015, 8月 20

【Yamagata/Ishida】
The event at Yamagata has ended！ It felt really great、 being under the blue sky！
What should I do about souvenirs、 I've got no free time (*_*)
Yamagata, thank you very much！

【山形/石田】 イベントでも話しましたが、山形に来て１番最初にやったこと、正解の写真をお見せします！ 石田亜佑美を探せ #morningmusume15 pic.twitter.com/aCV8PCuiEg

— モーニング娘。'15マネージャー (@MorningMusumeMg) 2015, 8月 20

【Yamagata/Ishida】
I talked about it in the event、 but for the very first thing I did when I got to Yamagata、 I'll show you a photo of the correct answer！

Look for Ishida Ayumi

New Faces: Voice they like (H!P Maruwakari Winter 2015)

The HaroPuro MaruWakari Books are released in conjunction with the twice-yearly Hello! Con tours. The contents usually take the form of questionnaires to the members, asking about other members.
This one, which came out for the 2015 Winter Hello! Cons, would be Berryz' last as well as Country Girls' first. It also pre-dates Kobushi Factory, who were announced at that Hello! Con itself. Thus, the usual questionnaires are supplemented with a Berryz Kobo special as well as a new faces special (MM 12ki, S/mileage 3ki, the 5 new Country Girls).

This part of the questionnaire comes from the 'new faces' segment, where we get to know more about the new girls and what they think about other H!P members and senpai. Remember that this book pre-dates Kobushi Factory and Tsubaki Factory, but don't worry, they get their turn in the 2015 Summer Maruwakari Book.

Q4. I like this senpai's singing

Ogata Haruna: Sayashi Riho-san. She's really cool. Among what she's done, I liked 'Shabondama' and 'Kirari to Hikaru Hoshi' in particular.

Nonaka Miki: Sugaya Risako-san. Her singing is distinct and cool! I'd like to try singing like that someday.

Makino Maria: Suzuki Airi-san. I really like Suzuki-san's singing.

Haga Akane: Oda Sakura-san! Her clear voice is attractive.

Murota Mizuki: Suzuki Airi-san. Her voice is really clear, I would like to always listen to it!

Aikawa Maho: Fukuda Kanon-san. I particularly liked it when she sang 'Watashi no Kokoro' solo.

Sasaki Rikako: Natsuyaki Miyabi-san, Oda Sakura-san, Kudo Haruka-san, Tamura Meimi-san. I think it's amazing how they can bring out both powerful voices and cute voices.

Yamaki Risa: Sugaya Risako-san. I like her low tones,they're irresistible. I want to become able to sing like Sugaya-san. I always listen to Oda Sakura-san's solo parts repeatedly. Though I like her singing voice as well, I like her voice itself.

Inaba Manaka: Oda Sakura-san. She's always singing, and she's really stoic when it comes to singing, and seeing her practice countless times until she's satisfied, she really is someone who loves singing ♪

Morito Chisaki: Sayashi Riho-san. I really look up to her! Just her singing really has a great impact.

Shimamura Uta: Sugaya Risako-san. Her un-Japanese voice is lovely. I'd like to listen to her perform songs from all sorts of genres.

Ozeki Mai: Oda Sakura-san. Within me there's this image that it's got to be Oda-san if you're talking about singing. Oda-san's my goal!

Notes and observations:

• The Suppin Utahime Oda-chan leads the way with 5 mentions. Risako gets mentioned 3 times, while Airi amd RihoRIho get mentioned twice.
• By group:
  Morning Musume。´15: 8 mentions
  Berryz Kobo: 4 mentions
  ℃-ute: 2 mentions
  ANGERME: 2 mentions

Other questions from this book