Are Morning Musume bad for Japan's image?

[Weslicious]

Semi serious discussion.

I've noticed that a lot of their Japanese fanbase are older 'Gentlemen'. Japan also has the thing with young girls making swimsuit video's, which gives rise to the West having that image of Pedophile Japanese men in business suits fantasizing about little girls.
Do you personally feel that as a collective MM further re-inforce this stereotype?
It can't be denied that there have been 12 year olds in the group whilst the manager is fully aware of some of the audience's they'll be performing in front of. Some past members have already lashed out (Smoking/Pregnancies etc).

So, what do you think of Morning Musume from a non fan perspective?