Who Is Riho Sayashi?

On October 29, 2015, Riho Sayashi became the next member of then girl group Morning Musume 15 to announce her graduation. She will graduate on December 31, 2015. This is also the day of Hello! Project’s countdown concert. It is called Hello! Project Countdown Party 2015 Goodbye & Hello! Sayashi states the reason for her graduation came about when she had many opportunities to think about her future in 2015. She realized that there were things that she needed to experience so that she could grow strongly as a human being. Sayashi also expressed via her personal blog that she decided to graduate from Morning Musume at this time because she was able to see how the 12^th generation members were able to grow. According to Sayashi, her plans are to go abroad to study English and dancing. As she looked back at her five year stay in Morning Musume, she thanked the group’s producer Tsunku, the staff members, all the remaining members of Morning Musume 15 and the fans. She also issued an apology for her sudden announcement. Author’s note: the first writing of this biography goes all the way back to 2015.

Although she had only two months left until graduation as of the first writing, Sayashi said that she would fulfill her remaining days in Morning Musume 15 with the members. She said that she would give it her best effort until the end of 2015 and encouraged the fans to continue to support her. Sayashi who was only 17 at the time has had an interesting life so far.

Who is Riho Sayashi?

Riho Sayashi is a Japanese pop music singer who is associated with Hello! Project, the huge label that is not a record label, but it is the “umbrella” name for the many female music artists assigned to it. She was a 9^th generation member of the girl group Morning Musume 15. Of the most recent members to join the group, Sayashi has been among the most popular of these girls. After the graduation of Risa Niigaki in May 2012, Sayashi has become one of Morning Musume 15’s central figures and one of their main vocalists.

Sayashi was born on May 28, 1998 in Hiroshima, Japan. In 2004, she would enroll in Actor’s School Hiroshima. This school focuses on singing, acting, and dancing so that the students can prepare for a future acting career. Sayashi would take part in several concerts organized by the school as a 12^th generation member and she would have quite a fan base prior to joining Morning Musume.

Attempt at modeling and joining Morning Musume

In July 2007, Sayashi attempted to start a career as a fashion model. At the time, she was auditioning in Osaka. In 2010, she became one of the five winners of JC & JK Joyuu Audition and she also got her chance to act in Morning Musume’s Fashionable stage play. Late in 2010, Sayashi would audition for Morning Musume’s 9^th generation and she would pass it! It would be on January 2, 2011 during a Hello! Project Winter Concert that Sayashi would be announced as a 9^th generation member. Joining her would be now band leader Mizuki Fukumura, Erina Ikuta, and Kanon Suzuki. This group of girls would make their stage debut on the same day.

Career of Riho Sayashi (2011-2015)

On March 27, 2011, Sayashi would be chosen to replace singer Erina Mano on the radio show called “Mano Deli.” The show would be renamed “Riho Sayashi.” The show would last until December 28, 2014. In April 2011, Sayashi would make her single debut with Morning Musume called Maji Desu ka Ska! In July 2011, injuries would cause Sayashi to miss six weeks of events. On July 20, 2012, it was made public that Sayashi and former S/Mileage member Ayaka Wada would form the unit called Peaberry. This unit released the single called Cabbage Hakusho / Forest Time with the unit Harvest on November 7, 2012. Sayashi would also do a solo performance of the single Furusato. On May 28, 2013, there was a birthday event organized for Sayashi who turned 15. Guests that were at the event included Mizuki Fukumura, Ayumi Ishida, and Sakura Oda. In November 2014, Sayashi was chosen to be on the show called Youngtown Doyoubi, eventually replacing Sayumi Michishige as a regular member on the show. On October 29, 2015, Sayashi announced that she will be graduating from Morning Musume 15 at the end of 2015. She expressed that she would like to study English and dance abroad. She will still be a part of Hello! Project. Just days after her graduation, Sayashi recorded a video of her speaking in English for her international fans. She got some help from former member Aika Mitsui. Sayashi graduated from Morning Musume 15 on December 31, 2015. Note: the group’s name is now Morning Musume 23.

Interesting Facts About This Former 9th Generation Member

• Sayashi has a younger sister and younger brother.
• Her uncle is a former baseball player for Hiroshima Carps.
• Sayashi’s ancestors were artisans in the city of Hyogo.
• Her pet fish is named Kuroe Sayashi and her hamsters are Omochi 1 and Omochi 2.
• Her best friend in Morning Musume is Kanon Suzuki.
• Has said that she would like to go anywhere with Mizuki Fukumura.
• She has the ability to paint without looking!
• She has an art collection at home.
• She moved to Tokyo from Hiroshima to be in Morning Musume.
• She has the ability to bend her thumbs all the way back.
• Sayashi has said that she would like to be a nail artist.
• Wants to appear in a commercial about cider.
• She was the lead vocalist with Reina Tanaka until Tanaka graduated.
• Example is her favorite word in English.
• When she moved to Tokyo, she became very touched when she received a text message from Niigaki telling her not to hesitate asking for help if she needed it.
• She is very shy when she meets new people and tries to make new friends.
• She was kissed by Sayumi Michishige during her graduation concert.
• She is a big fan of former member Ai Takahashi.
• Sayashi likes Starbucks Coffee and drinks it with no milk or sugar.

More Recent Work by Sayashi

As of July 2019, there is some interesting news regarding the work that Sayashi has been doing recently. On a July 6, 2019 broadcast of the radio show called “Young Town Doyoubi,” Haruna Iikubo revealed that Sayashi has been doing freelance work since she left the talent agency Up-Front Promotion. As of April 1, 2020, Sayashi has an account on Instagram. She now has a regular column with the publishing company called Wani Books as of July 10, 2020. Sayashi had plans to hold her very first one-man solo LIVE concert since her departure from Hello! Project on May 28, 2021 which also was her 23^rd birthday. However, it was postponed until August 9^th of that year due to a state of emergency having been declared. As a result, RIHO SAYASHI 1st LIVE 2021 DAYBREAK took place in August 2021 instead. On July 13, 2021, it was announced that Sayashi would release her first solo mini album called DAYBREAK under her own label “Savo-r” on August 4, 2021. She released her second mini album called Reflection on January 12, 2022.