Am I the only one not surprised about Ayu's sales? After all, it's her eighth year in the business. It's only natural in Japanese pop culture, especially with female artists, for popularity to decrease. It's been happening since the 70s. That her latest album manages to make it into the top 10 is an amazing feat, in my opinion. The only other female J-pop artist to have as much staying power is Yumi Matsutoya (in the 80s and early 90s) and perhaps Hikki (though she hasn't released an album every year).
It's also the digital age. People in Japan prefer to download music via i-pods and cellular phones. This is only physical sales. There is so much sales unaccounted for by the Oricon chart:
http://www.riaj.or.jp/whatsnew/w060920_3.html.
Anyway, sales is not equal to quality. I did not like Startin', but I think Blue Bird (it's not so much conventional as it is nostalgic) is one of the best A-sides I've heard this year. And last year's best single release from Ayu was her lowest selling (Bold & Delicious), in my opinion.
I don't think there's anything wrong with criticizing artists. Don't we all have the freedom to speak here? If
Kingofpop wants to criticize Koda Kumi, then so be it. Ayu is criticized A LOT in this forum. Maybe he shouldn't have used tabloids to reinforce his opinion. He should have just said plainly "I think Koda Kumi is vulgar and disgusting".
Personally, though I don't agree. I think it's Koda Kumi's sexiness that distinguishes her. (But she's far from a pioneer. Silva - who seems to have disappeared - was the first to mix sexiness and J-pop with an R&B flavor. And Namie Amuro was the first to make it popular).