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Fewer Japanese releases hit the 1-million mark in 2002

by Steve McClure

Reflecting the depressed state of the world's second-largest music market, only one single--female vocalist Ayumi Hamasaki's "H" (Avex)--shipped more than 1 million copies in the period between Feb. 1 and Nov. 30, according to the Recording Industry Assn. of Japan (RIM).

In the corresponding period last year, there were five 1 million-shipping singles in Japan, the RIAJ noted in a statement released Dec. 9. Similarly, 11 albums--all by domestic artists--shipped more than 1 million copies each during the February-November period, compared with 21 last year. They included Utada Hikaru's Deep River (Toshiba-EMI), Kazumasa Oda's Jiko Best (BMG Funhouse), and RIP Slyme's Tokyo Classic (Warner Music Japan).

Two artists--male vocalist Keisuke Kuwata (Victor Entertainment) and female singer Misia (BMG Funhouse/Avex)--each shipped 2 million units of their current albums.

Japanese labels are hoping that strong year-end sales and several releases by major acts early in the new year will boost their results before March 31, 2003, the end of the business year for most record companies here.

From Billboard, 21 December 2002