:shocked
http://www.sanspo.com/geino/news/20150909/geo15090905060003-n1.html
http://tokyogirlsupdate.com/tsunku-graduation-20150958618.html
According to his new book Dakara Ikiru (Therefore I Will Live), Tsunku confesses that he stepped down from being H!P's producer right after Morning Musume's New York concert in October of last year, but is still active as a songwriter.
It also just occurred to me that the iconic "Produced by Tsunku" line that's been on the majority of H!P media has been absent from many of this year's releases, including Momusu's releases...and apparently he's not listed in the credits of the Gradation concert DVD (https://twitter.com/kitaoji_/status/641145553921830912).
...
Personally I can't quite put into words how I feel about this revelation...but I think this image macro will always be relevant:
(http://i.imgur.com/15D0y.jpg)