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Originally Posted by TeamAyu2004
^ but none of those artist still sell like Ayumi. also, some dont even make music anymore...
as for utada... her last album sold over a million copies, while her last best only sold about 440K... i would say thats a HUGE decline.
but she she were to come back I could see her outselling everyone on the list... something like namie is doing now.
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I think the difference is that Utada releases much less frequently than Ayu, has had huge periods of no releases (especially by Japanese pop standards), takes more time with her music. Utada generates a buzz with any new release.
Ayu has been very active in 2012, possibly one of her most active in recent memory (by the time again is released, 22 original songs) and casual listeners can't keep up with what she is releasing and when. This is enhanced when there is little to no promotion.
Granted, FIVE to Party Queen was a pretty big gap for Ayu's standards, and she wouldn't be doing this campaign if it wasn't her 15th anniversary. The fans have been spoiled, but constant releases won't generate higher sales for someone like Ayu who is in a decline. This worked in her prime (2001), but not now.
These releases are for her fans - not for sales.
The only way I see Ayu coming out of a sales decline is to do what Utada does - disappear for at least a year, then come back with a huge song. Ayu needs that buzz again to drive her sales up. Aggressive promotion is not going to do much.