This was posted at JPopsuki regarding CDJapan and Oricon:

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Bp5qE3tIUAAmmr5.jpg
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Bp5qLu-IMAA84bJ.jpg

I'm not sure what the exact source is, though, aside from it originating from a Johnny's fan inquiry somewhere.

^Just on their website it still says at the bottom in a little icon "CDJAPAN Supports Oricon Music Charts" which is why I'm confused a little.

However, if I HAVE to be in Japan to have my purchase count, well I don't have money to run off overseas just to grab the latest JPOP/JROCK release which I want to buy every time an artist I like puts out an album or concert Bluray. I'm very shocked by this. Seems like Japan's trying to seclude themselves off internationally while Korea's more into trying to grab that attention now that there is the large international fan base.

EDIT: Nevermind. I clicked on that icon and this came up.>> http://www.cdjapan.co.jp/guide/help/product/oricon

Actually CDJapan is not listed on the Retail Suppliers system (HMV, amazon, TOWER.jp...) that provided when you click on the button "buy now" from Namie's official website/source.
http://i676.photobucket.com/albums/v...ps83a7ab3f.jpg
http://dimension-point.jp/#ballada
So for the last few years, I have been buying Namie's album/BVD from HMV.

^But they said ANY shop, so wouldn't HMV count on the list? Wouldn't Oricon still omit purchases sent overseas from them too? TBH, with this news I'm starting to feel like "why bother if it doesn't even count at all in Japan's eyes". If they really don't count then I can purchase Namie, Ayu, Kuu, Laruku etc stuff all I want, but they're not seeing anything from it unless I happen to be in Japan at the time.

Also, I heard HMV Japan folds the bonus posters when they ship the items. If I do buy an album or single with a poster included I want it neatly rolled, so there's no damage or creases in them. I frame mine and put em on my wall, and the lady at Staples where I take mine to be framed said they can do it, but it won't look right as they can't take the scuff marks, creases etc out of the posters during the framing process.

This news makes me feel like walking into the stores when I do go over there with a TON of cash (if I was as wealthy as Bill Gates) and buying like several thousand copies of everything I like just to screw with Oricon and their 'accuracy in Japan' BS. LOL

Oricon is such a xenophobe lol really, their excuse is ridiculous

Actually, Neowing = CDJapan (Japanese version of the store) ^^ So yes, they are listed.

Thank you for your answer :) That's a little bit more than I expected :D In general, what do you think are my chances to even get a really good seat (if I'm crazy enough to pay) to the show, do those even go on sale to the general public, or only to the fan club? Also, I might change my plans and try to go to one of the Yoyogi shows in November (that way I won't have to pay for train to Osaka), any idea of are those tickets even harder to get, and would the price go even higher?

What's up with the weird effect on her vocals on SWEET 19 BLUES new vocal ver.?

Hi, does anyone know if it is still possible to buy her concert tix for the hiroshima show? Need advise as this will be my first time going to a concert in japan if manage to get the tix..

I don't really buy any J-Pop (too expensive for my wallet) but Oricon should have informed CDJapan of that change of their policy imo. Pretty stupid behavior on their part. :/

yeah, drdolce. Oricon is pretty useless now :-/

Loving the new 'GISELe' cover. And holy shit she's been on the cover of like 12 magazines for 'Ballada' only, I think that's more than usual lol. And there is still more to come.^^

The question has become not rather "Which magazines has she been on?" but "Which magazines has she NOT been on?"
Maybe they should just call em Namiegazines instead. :P (yeah i know. Bad joke lol)

I love seeing her on the cover of tonnes of different magazines and looking awesome on all of them at the same time ^^

Magazine invasion, lol. I'm lovin it.

So true

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Bpm5cmyCUAE2Tkp.jpg

IIRC Japanese artists usually do more promo with best albums more than original ones. FEEL didn't have as much magazines appearances right?

Ballada being a ballad best album delivers its "best" status goods that's for sure.

It's nice to see namie on a lot of mags.

Could someone translate, or is there already somewhere a translation of Namie's interview on MORE magazine August issue :) ?

I just watched Ballada DVD, and I discover that there is a hidden video (sorry if that's been discovered already). It shows the making of the Album Cover shooting, Sweet 19 Blues, HimAWArI, Four Seasons and Can you celebrate? making videos, with arigatou instrumental as background music.

To see it, you have to click on the golden coat of arms.

Has anyone here seen Helter Skelter?

https://fbcdn-sphotos-g-a.akamaihd.n...08395854_n.jpg

daaamn

^what does that have to do with namie though? xD

^ cause in the movie, the lead actress (a model), was at her prime and on every single magazine cover

If that was what Gustavo was getting at :P

Namie is on the August Edition of BLENDA

http://i.imgur.com/RkiLpDo.jpg

omg what is this early-2000's realness

^Nice. ♥♥♥♥♥

Not her best cover, but it's still really nice
I love her with long hair

I like that BLENDA cover! :D

Has anyone actually been to one of her concerts before? its like going through the temple of doom only to get NOWHERE.

She's on like EVERY magazine right now. It's pretty amazing if you go to the bookstore.

I'd be making a mess of them. Grab one, read the article, put it back, grab the next one, repeat til I'd gone through them all. LOL

I was last year at the FEEL tour. How can I help? ^^

Oy Tony I do believe you might just be my new bff. Ill inbox you.

I feel the same way, would love to go either one of the Yoyogi dates in November, but seems mission impossible :(

I went to both Tokyo dates for her 2012 Dome Tour, tickets we're fairly easy to get, for the first date I got tickets from Yahoo Auction Jpn through a middleman, then while I was there I decided to try to go to the 2nd date as well and got tickets from the reseller shop (which was really pricy.. but seats were better atleast)

(Was also suppose to go to the okinawa special, that got cancelled because of a typhoon, i'm still sour over that lol)

I thought so xD

I absolutely love the BLENDA cover! Namie's look is so fabulous. :heart

Yeah, it was cause of the beginning scenes where Lilico is in ALL magazine covers :laugh But the parallel ends here I truly hope so hahaha

Which middleman service did you use ? :)

I used Rinkya, service was good but kinda pricy, there are several other ones out there as well. You'd be cheaper off finding a middleman person instead of a service like that... but it worked for me so:)

Bought ballada today.
Cd only, they gave me the obi version at the tsutaya in shibuya. A mess. I'm ok with that, a jewel case won't be destroyed during my travels as much as paper.
I also saw many magazines with her on it, i recognized her rigor mortis stare from miles away.

I actually really like my CD+BD version first press digipack, it's really nice, I wish I would have the BEST FICTION one too but I got it late lol.

When did the first press digipack thing started? with PLAY or with BEST FICTION?

It's nice to see that she gets an A BEST treatment for that. How many magazines is it so far? Even BEST FICTION or Checkmate! didn't recieve it!

^I'm pretty sure PLAY didn't have a digipack.

*Sees a death stare at the magazine cover* "OH LOOK, NAMIE!" :D

I'm on the point that I just want to have really really REALLY good seat, first or second row next to stage or something like that, cos I don't see the point going to Japan and being somewhere in the "back" :no

I'm crazy enough to pay a good money for that, I just want to have some insurance from a trustable source that I will surely have a ticket when I go :)

I saw all the digi packs at tsutaya (except for ballada....) and was so tempted to buy them. But ¥3000 for a relatively old album and new albums are the exact same price? Now I know why japanese music markets are so front loaded.

As soon as I can, I'm off to book off and clearing Namie's discography.

Can someone guide me through the process of going through a middleman via yahoo auctions in order to get namie tickets? Im clueless, how do you even find a middle man on that site?

I finally bought Sweet 19 Blues!!~~~~~~
And the digipacks of Past<Future and Best Ficition. It was less than 1500 yen total :O

Second this, SOMEONE HELP US :D

Kind of random, but I'm not at all happy with the fact that Nao'ymt probably won't write any more songs for Namie. I mean, seeing as Contrail is the only song he composed in FEEL, it's pretty obvious that she'll probably stick to her new "set" of writers and just like with TK, there won't be anymore Nao'ymt songs. I mean, it's just natural for this to happen, but I love almost everything Nao'ymt does (and not only with Namie) and he really did make a lot of Namie's best recent songs (in my opinion). I'd also be very disappointed if Contrail is the last song he wrote for her, because it's probably my least favorite song by him.

Yeah, I hope Nao'myt does more songs for Namie. I actually wasn't a fan of his at all around the Queen of Hip Pop period but then loved his stuff on Past <Future. And I LOVE Contrail.

(I'd even be up for a TK song too)

I LOVE Nao'ymt songs for Namie
I'll be so sad if he doens't write anymore (especially since I can't stand this new direction she's taken with her music)

I want her to make more songs with Zedd. Heaven isn't enough. I need MORE!

100% Agree

Heaven became my favorite Namie song along with Dr, it really showcased how convincing she could do mainstream music. Zedd's productions always give such a nostalgic and atmospheric vibe, it fits her perfectly.

Heresy! Don't talk such nonsense. I hated Heaven, lol. Generic as hell:P
I really hope Nao'ymt stays around, I love his songs for Namie!

I need more stuff like Alive. I LOVE FEEL (my fave album from Namie, ever), but I prefer songs like Alive <3

Speaking about Alive, I completely changed my mind about it!
I always think it's so funny I used to complain 'cause I found it so boring and uninspired, and now I think it's a strong piece indeed, lol.

^Alive is my favorite song on the album. The same people that made that song, made this about a month later.

Alive is amazing imo. I really love that song. It blew me away at once when I heard it. :)

It's really not that complicated :) If you use a service such a Rinkya, you just bid/ buyout the concert ticket you want. All you really need is to have a cellphone, and a 'ticketboard' account (very easy registration, http://portal.tickebo.jp/pc/en/)
and as I said you will need a cellphone in Japan with access to the email the seller will send the ticket to when you win. And you can download it then from tickebo... Which is like 1-2 weeks before the concert date..
Anyway this is how I did it:)

My favourite FEEL track is still Hand On Me! :love

Heaven its the best song that Zedd made, he is not so good in my opinion

My favorite will forever be Stardust in my Eyes, followed by Alive and La La La :yes

I never remember the composers or writers of songs by anyone most of the time. LOL

Well, it's not hard if you have a favorite producer/DJ lol. I always Stan for any song made for my favorite artists from Zedd or DAISHI DANCE.

Little promo, I made a new thread about asking people help me to get a ticket to Namies Live Style tour this year :)
http://www.ahsforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=120447

Producers and DJs aren't something I've ever been familiar with or followed. Same with composers; well except for Classical music. I mostly just hear it -> Like it -> Listen to it. :D :P

As for Namie, I'm still waiting around for a few of those CM songs she's done this year to get full song releases. Single or album's fine with me either way, but in the meantime, there's lots of other artists I like releasing awesome stuff too. :D

Ballada was able to enter on Gaon Monthly (foreign albums) on June. It sold 482 copies and was #18 =)

source: Gaon

ps: For those who don't know Gaon is a national chart for Korea similar to the Billboard charts of the United States and the Oricon charts of Japan

Koreans like J-Pop, maybe they're tired of their typical K-Pop groups

Congrats to Namie for being able to chart on Gaon Charts! :)

For some reason I always hated the beginning of In the Spotlight, so I never listened to
the full song but now I can't get over the song.

^ I agree, the beginning is kinda lame, but the beat in the verses are hot as hell

And sorry if this has been posted before, but looks like Dimension Point is releasing something besides Namie stuff...

http://dimension-point.jp/#twerk

lol

^TWERKIN'? Seriously? What the... :'D

It looks a little out of the place lol :

http://s13.postimg.org/ag3ruzylj/Sans_titre_1.jpg

Twerk 'Em All lol Japan what are you doing! Harlem Shake is included on it lol!

Hahahaha, I thought it was someting related to Namie, but is just a compilation

lol

http://aramajapan.com/ranking/favori...goo-asks/2912/

i wasn't expecting uncontrolled and past < future to be that low?? ignoring best albums YES @ concentration 20 slaying

I feel a little bit amazed that SWEET 19 BLUES won the poll tbh. I honestly didn't expect her 90s era to be that popular! :D Not that it really bothers me, I love SWEET 19 BLUES a lot myself. It's one of my favorite J-Pop albums I've ever listened to♥ And those other albums are awesome too♥

The tweark compilation... LOL

The older releases are expected, as it was her most popular era, and Best Fiction is very well known, but P<F in #14??? What??

P<F is my favorite J-Pop album so this makes me a little sad, but i guess it didn't really connect with the Japanese audience. It was ahead of it's time tbh.

actually I'm surprised about FEEL's votes, I didnt expect it would receive that much hahaha

I'm quite content that S19B got 1st place.

Even though P<F sold very well, it didn't have any real hits and only one single that did just alright. FEEL atleast had Contrail which did pretty well digitally. And it's the newest album so naturally people vote for it

Japan seems to be trapped in the past because even DANCE TRACKS VOL. 1 made the top 5 lol

Not surprised with S19B at #1

You know, I only own two physical albums by Namie, and they are P<F, cause it's AMAZING, and S19B, cause there is a Japanese neighbourhood here in Sao Paulo and there are some shops selling old CDs and stuff, and more than once I saw S19B copies for like 3 dolars (5 reais) :laugh I couldn't not get it

My 3 favorites albums are 8, 9,10 and 11 lol: FEEL, STYLE, PLAY and Queen of Hip Pop

I wouldn't take that poll seriously lol, they asked like 3 people.

Hi may I know if anyone will be attending her concert in hiroshima? Need help buying tix and might be attending alone

That poll has to be inaccurate. P<F should be top 3 simply because of Defend Love.

It should be 1# simply cause of Dr. and Wild tbh.

It should be #1 album of the century simply cause of Defend Love :P

No shame lol

http://hk.apple.nextmedia.com/enews/...40720/52712819

Li Bingbing's newly released CM

Namie's FEEL CM from last year

http://static.apple.nextmedia.com/im...59224_2992.jpg
http://static.apple.nextmedia.com/im...59221_7a87.jpg

http://static.apple.nextmedia.com/im...59217_ed96.jpg
http://static.apple.nextmedia.com/im...59214_546b.jpg

http://static.apple.nextmedia.com/im...59209_d884.jpg
http://static.apple.nextmedia.com/im...59212_5bf3.jpg

omg that is such a plagiarism

China...of course lol

O_O wow

It's a country that has such a strong culture of faking stuff that people can't even tell a real apple store from a fake one. I'm not surprised.

I will give a pass since its Bingbing Li

omg they even took her photos with identical poses and displayed them identically, and you can even see the blurred original Shibuya billboard :roflmao But yeah, no surprise at all

What does she say at 3:58 before Live Style 2006?
http://www.jpopsuki.tv/video/Namie-A...7449f86ca84327

Wikipedia says 181920 is supposed to be pronounced "One Eight One Nine Two Zero". Really? All this time I've been saying "eighteen, nineteen, twenty".

^ ? Really? I think that is wrong because all the songs on it are from when she was 18, 19, and 20 years old.