Bokunojpop.com

A great announcement has been made for Maki Goto fans! The former Morning Musume member is back in the idol realm as of June 19th, 2008.

Known to fans as Gocchin, she has been signed with Avex Entertainment within the sub-label Rhythm Zone; other Japanese artists included in this part of Avex are Koda Kumi, m-flo, Crystal Kay and EXILE. Rhythm Zone major focus is rhythm and R&B style music.

Avex also leads the careers of other amazing Japanese artists such as BoA, Ayumi Hamasaki, AAA and Namie Amuro.

After her announcement in 2007 of her graduation from Hello! Project, she took a sabbatical in LA, USA. Durring this stay she attended dance lessons and updated her blog periodically. She then left LA and headed to Hawaii, in which her blog suddenly stopped updating. Rumor had it that she would be joining another label but it wasn’t assumed that it would be this fast, as during this time her brother Yuki Goto (former EE-Jump member) was arrested and sentenced to 8 years in prison for theft.

Gocchin coments (thank you to Hello! Online for the translation)

“For a singer, it's most important to love to sing, and because of that, I've decided on a new direction for my future. Nearly 10 years after my debut, I've met with Avex. I feel like I have new motivation and great potential now. I love singing even more now, and most of all, I want to share the songs I love with everybody. I'm going to work my hardest, so please give me your support.

Goto Maki"

Her official website:

http://rhythmzone.net/maki/index.html

Congratulations Maki and good luck! We’ll be watching and listening!