Younger-Sister Group Member Announces Major Transfer

It has been announced that Kojima Hana, a former member of AMEFURASSHI, which disbanded in March this year, will join Hello! Project's BEYOOOOONDS as a new member.

Last night, BEYOOOOONDS released a video on its official YouTube channel showing the announcement of the new member. The footage, which captured the existing members welcoming Hana while expressing their surprise, has become a major topic of discussion among fans.

Hana made her entertainment industry debut at the age of 10 as a member of Stardust's 3B Junior. From her early years, she attracted attention for her exceptional dance talent. Combined with the vocal skills she later developed, she came to be regarded as a highly promising and accomplished performer.

Shortly after beginning her activities in 2014, she appeared on stage at MCZ's concert at the National Stadium. The following year, she also performed alongside MCZ as a member of 3B Junior at the group's large-scale live event at Ecopa Stadium.

She later became an original member of Namie Joshi Hatsu Kumiai, the group formed by Ayaka, further strengthening her close connection with MCZ over the years.

According to media reports, after AMEFURASSHI disbanded in March, Hana was uncertain about her future path. She consulted former Juice=Juice member Miyamoto Karin, with whom she had maintained a friendship for some time. Following that advice, she decided to audition for Up-Front Promotion and successfully earned a place in the organization.

It is extremely rare for an idol affiliated with a major entertainment agency to transfer to another major agency through an official process, making the move a notable topic within the industry.

In addition, this marks the first time in Hello! Project history that a performer with as much as twelve years of experience has joined one of its groups as a mid-career addition.

Reaction to the news has been overwhelmingly positive from both Stardust and Hello! Project fan communities. New forms of interaction have also emerged between the two fandoms. For example, when former AMEFURASSHI fans asked about Hello! Project cheering customs and concert etiquette, BEYOOOOONDS fans responded with detailed explanations and warm welcomes.

Renewed attention has also been directed toward Hana's performance of Juice=Juice's "More mi Amore" at the Momoiro Uta Gassen held on New Year's Eve last year.

We are looking forward to Hana's future success and hope that, now as a key member of Hello! Project, she will once again have opportunities to perform alongside Ayaka and her former colleagues.