Morning Musume gets 4 new members

Morning Musume’s new members, from left: Kanon Suzuki, Erina Ikuta, Riho Sayashi and Mizuki Fukumura stand with group leader Ai Takahashi

TOKYO — Four new members of pop group Morning Musume were introduced at an event called “Hello! Project 2011” in Tokyo on Monday. All 32 past and present members of the group were on hand to welcome the newcomers.
After a grueling selection process, during which around 9,000 girls applied to join the band, the final four were Erina Ikuta, 13, Riho Sayashi, 12, Kanon Suzuki, 12, and Mizuki Fukumura, 14.
In front of 2,000 fans, Ikuta said, “It’s been a long climb to the top and I can’t wait to give it my best,” to which current group leader Ai Takahashi, 24, said: “I’m jealous. We’re an entire generation apart.”
It has not yet been decided when the four new members will begin performing with the band.