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translated by Delirium-zer0

After A Severe Battle, Ayu's 10th Anniversary Single Gets First Place

15 April 2008, 6:00

The conclusion to the dead-heat race for first place on the Daily Charts has unfolded. Ayumi Hamasaki's 10th Anniversary single "Mirrorcle World", with sales of about 146,000 units in its first week and beating "Baka-Character" unit Shuuchishin's self-titled single by a slim margin, has become the first 10th Anniversary single by a female artist to reach the #1 spot. Hamasaki joyfully comments, "I'm thankful to all my fans. I think I'll still be making songs 11 and 12 years from now."

Hamasaki confessed to having lost hearing in her left ear due to an inner ear problem in January, but the first day of her national tour began on Saturday, April 5th. Despite worries of her health condition, Ayu is continuing her life. "Mirrorcle World" has the same release date as her debut single "poker face" (1998), which made its first appearance on the weekly chart on April 21st.

Hamasaki's 10 straight years of Number One singles began with the April 26, 1999 release of "LOVE~Destiny~/LOVE~since1999~." As far as #1 Single records go, Akina Nakamori had 9 straight years of #1s (1982's "SECOND LOVE" until 1990's "Dear Freind"), and Ayu is the winning female artist for this generation. Incidentally, first place overall goes to the male artist B'z who have had #1s for 18 years.

Again, this time, Hamasaki has broken the record of total number of #1 singles for a female artist, which is 30, and this record ties in with the aforementioned number of years with #1 singles, giving Hamasaki two shining achievements.

Having achieved this wonderful accomplishment, Hamasaki comments, "Thank you for giving my 10th Anniversary single the #1 spot! And I'm very glad to hear that this #1 single gives me a 10-year record of continued #1's! These past 10 years have given me many new experiences, so it's been a substantial decade. I am thankful to everyone - everyone in my staff, who have supported me up till now, all of the writers, and to all my fans. I think I'll still be making songs 11 and 12 years from now so please stick around!"

Although the weekly single ranking has attracted so much attention, Hamasaki shows the dignity of a queen.

FEMALE ARTISTS: Consecutive Years With #1 Singles:

1. Ayumi Hamasaki - 10 years (1999-2008)
2. Akina Nakamori - 9 years (1982-1990)
3. Utada Hikaru - 7 years (1999-2005)
4. (tie) Seiko Matsuda - 6 years (1980-1985)
4. (tie) Morning Musume. - 6 years (1998-2003)

http://www.ayu-mi-x.com/modules.php?...iewtopic&t=726


credits: Delirium-zer0@ayu-mi-x