Former member of the female idol group Morning Musume and solo artist Sayumi Michishige (36) retired from the entertainment industry on August 14 after her concert at Zepp DiverCity Tokyo. The final performance, which marked the culmination of a nationwide tour covering six cities with ten shows, served as a heartfelt expression of gratitude at the close of her 22-year idol career.
Decision to Retire for Health Reasons
On January 19, 2025, Michishige announced her retirement on Instagram. She revealed that she had been diagnosed with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) in 2023, explaining, “I began to feel that it was difficult, that I had reached my limit,” and decided to step away for health reasons. She allowed a six-month notice period, determined to “respond to the fans with full effort until the very end,” and embarked on her final tour with that resolve.
From Underachiever to Legendary Leader
Born on July 13, 1989, in Yamaguchi Prefecture, Michishige joined Morning Musume on January 19, 2003, after being selected from about 14,000 applicants as a 6th generation member alongside Reina Tanaka and Eri Kamei. The trio would later be known as the “legendary 6th generation.”
Initially regarded as an underachiever due to her struggles with singing and dancing, she established her “sharp-tongued idol” persona through her solo radio program starting in October 2006 and appearances with Sanma Akashiya. She rose to prominence as a variety show personality and became the group’s 8th leader in 2012. In 2014, she graduated from Morning Musume after a record 4,329 days with the group.
Comeback and New Stage Performances
After her graduation, she took a two-year, four-month hiatus before resuming activities in 2017. She began regularly staging a unique performance show titled “SAYUMINGLANDOLL,” blending sound, light, visuals, and illusions into an original world. Over the years, she presented seven themed productions: “Rebirth,” “Destiny,” “Tokyo,” “Hope,” “Future,” “Fairy Tale,” and the final chapter, “SAMSALA.”
A Farewell Tour Filled with Gratitude
Following her retirement announcement, she embarked on her final tour, “SAYUMINGLANDOLL SAMSALA,” starting at Hulic Hall Tokyo on July 13 and traveling to Miyagi, Aichi, Yamaguchi, and Osaka. The tour was realized at her own strong request, as she wanted to personally thank her fans in each location.
Debuting at age 13 in 2003 as Morning Musume’s first member born in the Heisei era, her retirement marks the end of an era for many fans. At the time of her retirement announcement at age 36, Michishige conveyed a positive message: “It may be selfish of me, but I want to laugh and have fun with my beloved fans.”
Throughout her 22-year career, the path of growth and transformation she demonstrated continued to inspire and move countless people. Even while facing the difficult decision to retire for health reasons, Sayumi Michishige remained by her fans’ side with a smile until the end. Her entertainment career quietly came to a close with the Tokyo performance on August 14.
