9nine

9nine is a Japanese idol group formed in 2005 and associated with Sony Music. Pronounced as "nine," the group started with an auditioned lineup of nine members before evolving into a smaller, performance-oriented idol pop act. After a label change in 2010, 9nine sharpened its "performance girls unit" identity, blending idol appeal with a more stage-focused presentation. The group’s official website is 9nine-fan.net. Its history has been marked by lineup changes and reinvention, but the concept has stayed recognizable. The current members are Uki Satake (佐武宇綺), Sayaka Nishiwaki (西脇彩華), Kanae Yoshii (吉井香奈恵), who joined in 2010, and Hirona Murata (村田寛奈), who also joined in 2010. This later-era lineup helped define 9nine’s stable performance-driven identity after earlier transitions. Former members include Azusa Matsuzawa (松沢 梓), who left in January 2007; Miwako Wagatsuma (我妻 三輪子), who left in January 2007; Rubi Katou (加藤 瑠美), who left in December 2007; Marie Ashida (芦田 万莉恵), who left on March 27, 2009 and served as ex-leader; Mai Yoshida (吉田 茉以), who left on March 27, 2009; Midori Yamaoka (山岡 みどり), who left on March 27, 2009; Madoka Shimogaki (下垣 真香), who joined in 2007 and left on August 31, 2010; Moe Miura (三浦 萌), who left on August 31, 2010; and Umika Kawashima (川島 海荷), who joined in 2007 and left on July 23, 2016.