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| Takane no Nadeshiko Captain Momiyama Himeri Pauses Activities After Trust Issue Statement (Photo: Twitter/Instagram) |
Just as Takane no Nadeshiko were gearing up for what many fans saw as their next big chapter, the group has been hit by unexpected news. The nine-member J-pop idol group confirmed that their captain, Momiyama Himeri (21), will be taking a break from activities, citing behaviour that “damaged the relationship of trust with the agency”.
The announcement was posted on the group’s official website on the 22nd, only days after the release events for their long-awaited first album.
Unsurprisingly, the timing has left fans reeling, with social media quickly filling up with shock, confusion, and debate.
What happened?
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According to the official statement, images from several years ago showing Momiyama Himeri together with another person resurfaced and spread on social media.
After the agency confirmed the facts with her directly, it was clarified that she no longer has any connection with the individual shown in the photos.
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However, the agency stated that the issue lay not in the current situation, but in the lack of prior reporting or consultation at the time, which they deemed to have harmed the trust between artist and management.
籾山ひめりの活動に関するご報告https://t.co/oh6YL0kfNH
— 高嶺のなでしこ (@takanenofficial) December 22, 2025
Following discussions with Momiyama herself, the decision was made for her to suspend activities.
The statement also included an apology to fans and industry partners for the sudden announcement, adding that future plans will be discussed with Momiyama Himeri and shared at a later date.
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As news spread, reactions were immediate and mixed. Some fans praised the agency for issuing a clear and swift explanation, while others questioned whether the response was too severe, especially given that the images were from years before Momiyama Himeri joined her current group.
Comments ranged from understanding the agency’s stance on internal rules, to frustration over what many see as an overly strict standard being applied to past personal matters.
For long-time supporters, the situation also reopened fresh memories of earlier disruptions the group faced this year.
The shock has been amplified by the fact that Takane no Nadeshiko were in the middle of a high point.
Just five days earlier, the group held a packed release event for their first album, “Miageru Tabi ni, Koi wo Suru.”, drawing around 700 fans. Several members openly described the event as a milestone they had been working towards since debut.
During the same event, a surprise video message from senior singer Matsumoto Iyo — affectionately referred to by the group as their “official mum” — played on screen, encouraging the members and praising their growth.
As captain, Momiyama Himeri publicly expressed gratitude and promised to lead the group forward, making the sudden pause all the more bittersweet in hindsight.
Leadership gap and what comes next
Momiyama Himeri has been a central figure in guiding Takane no Nadeshiko, both on stage and behind the scenes.
Her absence raises questions about how the group will restructure roles in the short term, especially as they continue album promotions without their captain present.
For now, the agency has asked for continued support for the remaining members while discussions about Momiyama Himeri’s future are ongoing. Fans, meanwhile, are watching closely, hoping for clarity — and ultimately, stability — as the group navigates yet another unexpected turn in an already eventful year.