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Riho Sayashi on the Strength of ‘Not Pushing Too Hard,’ Learned After Walking Away from Idol Stardom at 17: Billboard Japan Women in Music Interview
Riho Sayashi has described how she rebuilt her music career at her own pace after leaving Morning Musume at 17, following years of intense expectations as one of the group’s leading members. Her gradual return led to a major-label debut in 2025, and she now combines music with acting in a television drama.
Sayashi first restarted independently, using the time to decide what she wanted to express and build a live career step by step. She says her partnership with avex came when she felt ready, bringing more collaborators and creative possibilities. She remains committed to ensuring each song begins with an idea she wants to convey, and credits former bandmates and supporters for helping her through her early career.
In short
- Sayashi left Morning Musume at 17 and later rebuilt her career independently.
- She made her major-label debut with avex in 2025.
- She values moving at her own pace and keeping her voice in each song.
Explained simply
Morning Musume is a long-running Japanese pop group whose members perform as part of a changing line-up. Riho Sayashi joined as a teenager and became one of its leading performers, working within a demanding idol system that places strong expectations on young singers.
Sayashi’s career also sits within a wider conversation about how performers balance public expectations with their own artistic aims. After leaving the group, she took time to develop her music independently before working with the record company avex, while also pursuing acting.
Asia Entertainment Music World