Morning Musume.'26 has announced that Hello! Pro Kenshuusei member Hanano Ishikawa will join the group as a new member.

Ishikawa becomes the second 18th-generation member following the addition of Meisa Sugihara earlier this year. The announcement was made through a YouTube video released on May 28.

Born on September 9, 2013, the 12-year-old from Hiroshima Prefecture joined the Hello! Pro Kenshuusei program in February 2025.

Earlier this month, she won the Best Performance Award at 'Hello! Project Kenshuusei Happyoukai 2026 Spring Public Ability Evaluation Test' after performing OCHA NORMA's "Onna no Aisou wa Buki Janai."

Her hobbies are "checking the refrigerator" and eating, while her favorite music genres are J-pop and K-pop. Her personal motto is, "Step by step, in my own way!"