Former Morning Musume and Hello! Project member Kago Ai (20) has released an essay book titled “ＬＩＶＥ〜未成年白書〜”.  The troubled singer who was fired from her agency back in March 2007, made her return to the entertainment industry in April.

When asked about her smoking (Kago said when she made her return that she would stop but was admitted smoking again not too long after declaring that she was going to stop), Kago told media that it is not that easy to stop.

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Japantoday.com reported, “Ex-Morning Musume member Ai Kago, 20, who was fired by her agency for smoking when she was a minor, confessed on her official blog this week that she smoked during her stay in Hong Kong to make a movie. On May 16, before leaving for Hong Kong, Kago had declared she would never smoke again.”

“She wrote on the blog: “Sorry guys. I was offered a cigarette after dinner. I hesitated but in the end I smoked it. I was so determined not to smoke when I left Japan. This is not good. I hate myself.”

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Japantoday.com reported, “At Narita airport, Kago said, “Since I have never worked on a serious film production, it was a good lesson for me in Hong Kong.” Asked if her revelation that she had cut her wrists was a publicity stunt, she answered: “I’m sorry for causing so much trouble and confusion. It was not a publicity stunt. I just didn’t want to keep the fact secret.”

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JapanToday.com reported, “Former Morning Musume singer Ai Kago, 20, said Friday that she regretted cutting her wrists. Kago was speaking at a press conference at Narita Airport in Chiba Prefecture before leaving for Hong Kong to film “Super Chef.” Kago, who was fired by her management company for underage smoking, has only recently resumed her showbiz activities.”

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In the latest Wai Wai translated from an article from “Asahi Geinou”, “Sacked in disgrace for being caught smoking while underage — only cigarettes, mind you — fallen idol Ai Kago stunned Japan’s entertainment world watchers with a revealing interview announcing her comeback, and Asahi Geino (4/24) says that’s not all she might be about to reveal.”

“Kago’s talent agency fired her in spring last year when the paparazzi caught her on camera for the third time as she puffed away on a cigarette, even though she hadn’t reached the legal age for smoking of 20.”

“Fickle though it seems compared to the antics of some young stars in Hollywood, that’s the reality facing young celebrities in Japan’s hypersensitive entertainment world, where image is absolutely everything.”

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JapanToday.com reported, “In an interview for Nashimoto’s website, Kago said, “I was 17 at that time (when I was caught smoking the first time). I wasn’t a sensible person at all. But time has passed and I turned 20 in February. I need to talk about it this time.”

“Asked about her boyfriend, who was 18 years older than her when they were dating at that time, and who was photographed together with her in a car, she said, “On the day I was photographed smoking in his car with him, my parents got divorced. Because I was depressed, he took me out. He always told me not to smoke but I couldn’t help it because I was stressed out a lot at that time.”

“Kago also said she tried to commit suicide by cutting her wrists after being fired by her agency.”

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