, known professionally by her birth name (born June 17, 1987) is a Japanese media personality, singer, and blogger. In 2000, she began her career as a singer for Japanese girl band Morning Musume. Tsuji later found success with related groups Mini Moni and W. She has participated in the shuffle groups 10-nin Matsuri, Odoru 11, and 11Water, H.P. All Stars, as well as being a member of the Morning Musume splinter group Morning Musume Otomegumi Early life Tsuji was born in Tokyo, Japan. She is the second and youngest child of two daughters. Career 2000–2004: Morning Musume and Mini Moni In 2000, when Tsuji was twelve years old, she auditioned for the pop group Morning Musume. Group producer Tsunku originally planned on selecting only three members; Rika Ishikawa, Hitomi Yoshizawa, and Ai Kago were chosen. He made the decision to add Tsuji as a fourth member, creating Morning Musume's fourth generation. "Happy Summer Wedding" was released on May 17, 2000, marking Tsuji's debut just one month before turning age thirteen. In January 2001, she formed Mini Moni with Mari Yaguchi and Ai Kago. As the youngest two members of the group, she and Kago assumed the roles of the hyperactive troublemakers of Morning Musume. The two were featured in a May 2002 duo compilation photobook, Tsuji Kago. Fans took to them quickly, dubbing them "The Twins", based on their similar looks and personalities. They both retained these personalities for their initial years with Morning Musume, but by 2003, younger members had joined the group; Kago and Tsuji resorted to maintaining their strong friendship. They were also known as "Two Top" on the television comedy show Mecha-Mecha Iketeru!: during a special "final exam" episode featuring Morning Musume, the two were both the least knowledgeable when given surprise pop quizzes on several grade school problems, Tsuji being the least knowledgeable and Kago being second, resulting in Tsuji being crowned Bakajo, which means "idiot girl". From January 2003 to June 2003, she was a temporary world record holder in the Guinness World Records for spinning the largest Hula Hoop (12.5 m). She regained the title in January 2004 and simultaneously held it with Kago until September 2005, when Ashrita Furman of Brooklyn, New York City surpassed their record. Tsuji was also goalkeeper for Gatas Brilhantes H.P., the Hello! Project futsal team. In November 2003, the 16-year-old Tsuji released her first solo photobook,