Mari Yaguchi leaves Morning Musume

Mari Yaguchi, leader of the all-girl J-pop group Morning Musume, left the group on Thursday to concentrate on a solo career, the 22-year announced. Her move was spurred by a photograph and article appearing in the April 15 issue of the weekly magazine “Friday,” describing her relationship with an actor. Officials at the entertainment office to which she belongs said she had reported that she had been interviewed, and had applied to leave the group. She explained her decision in an online message.

“I think I’ve betrayed myself as an idol. I’ve lost the qualification to lead the other members of Morning Musume, ” she said. Yaguchi has pulled out of the current concert tour and will reportedly start a solo career.

The new leader of Morning Musume will be 20-year-old Hitomi Yoshizawa.

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