Graduations (i.e. a girl leaving the group) play a large role in the Morning Musume universe. Every year or so, a member will graduate from the group to persue different ventures. Sometimes these ventures are outside of the entertainment business, but usually, the graduating member stays within the Hello! Project (the larger operation Morning Musume is a part of) fold. Special concerts are held to commemorate the graduation.

This past year has seen a larger number of graduations than usual. In the case of Tsuji & Kago, they left the group to concentrate on their own unit, as mentioned by dokidokisuru.