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Excerpt:

Hikaru's "Flavor of Life" also holds the record for the most successful single of all time in Japan in terms of units sold across all formats with total sales now in excess of 7.7 million. The previous biggest selling single in Japan was the 1975 release "Oyoge, Taiyaki-Kun" by Masato Shimon, which sold 4.5 million units, according to Oricon, which compiles the Japanese charts.

Hikaru additionally holds the record for the best selling album of all time in Japan with her debut, "First Love," which has sold nearly eight million copies, according to Oricon.

Jean Francois Cecillon, chairman and CEO of EMI Music Intl., said: "Utada Hikaru has once again led the Japanese music market into new areas of growth and success. 'Flavor of Life' has firmly established a new form of hit single —one where consumers can purchase music in whatever ways they choose. In the new music environment we must deliver multiple products for multiple consumers."

Read it: 'Flavor' single claims digital crown
Utada Hikaru tune sells 7 mil units