Started in 1976, the Horipro Scout Caravan has uncovered many talented young women over the years.� The 35th Scout Caravan auditions closed on the 29th, with Akita Prefecture native Yasuda Seia (14) as its Grand Prix finalist.� Yasuda beat out 24,212 other hopefuls in Tokyo this weekend for the coveted prize.

At the closing press conference, Yasuda was quoted as saying, "I never thought I would be chosen and just wanted to go home with a smile on my face.� I felt like my heart would burst."� Yasuda began learning tap and hip-hop dance this year and hopes to become a model and actress in the future like her idol, former Scout Caravan winner Fukuda Kyoko.

Source: �Yomiura Online