A first single for four new members
The event in Tokyo marked the first promotional release appearance for 18th-generation members Sugihara, Yasuda, Suzuki and Ishikawa. Their double A-side is also the final Morning Musume single for Sakura Oda before her scheduled December 11 graduation.
Four different ambitions
Sugihara said she wants to learn as much as possible in her first year. Suzuki hopes eventually to stand at the center of a formation, Yasuda named Tokyo Dome as a group goal, and Ishikawa emphasized building skills through larger stages.
Who is helping them adjust
Homare Okamura and Mei Yamazaki are serving as mentors for the four newcomers. Yamazaki said teaching has produced discoveries for her too, framing the lineup change as an internal transfer of performance knowledge rather than only a debut photo opportunity.
Update note: Original source-reviewed Japanese music briefing identifying each new member, the release milestone and their distinct stated goals.
Original headline: モーニング娘。’２６ 中学生の新メンバーたちが意気込み「キラキラ輝くアイドルになりたい」
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September 30 report on the four middle-school-age members' first release-event goals.
Complete event report confirming the single, member names, individual goals and mentoring arrangement.
Dated Tokyo Sports report reviewed and cross-checked against a complete event report. Attribution does not mean independent verification. The original publisher may require a subscription.