Morning Musume '26 is adding another new face to the group. The veteran Japanese idol ensemble will announce a second 18th generation member in a special YouTube premiere video airing tonight at 8 PM (May 28).

This marks the second addition to the group's latest generation. In March, the group welcomed Akina Sugihara, a member of the Hello! Project trainees, bringing the lineup to nine members. The identity of tonight's new recruit will finally be revealed during the broadcast.

Morning Musume '26 currently operates with eight established members: Miki Nonaka, Sakura Oda, Maria Makino, Hommare Okamura, Aiko Yamasaki, Rio Sakurai, Haruka Inoue, and Akane Yumiketa. With Sugihara's addition and tonight's announcement, the group continues its tradition of refreshing its roster while maintaining its core identity.

The group has remained one of Japan's most enduring idol acts since forming in 1997. Originally created by members who didn't make it through an earlier audition, Morning Musume '26 achieved massive success with hits like "LOVEマシーン" (Love Machine), which became their first million-seller in 1999. They've maintained relevance by updating their artist name every January—hence the '26 designation for this year—and regularly bringing in new members to keep the group dynamic.

Recent months have been active for the group, with their 77th single released in May alongside a special edition featuring footage from their spring tour on Blu-ray. Tonight's reveal adds to the momentum as the group enters its latest chapter with fresh talent joining the ranks.