List of best-selling music artists in Japan

The top music artists in Japan include Japanese artists with claims of 15 million or more record sales or with over 2 million subscribers. Japan is the largest physical music market in the world and the second largest overall behind the United States, and the biggest in Asia, according to International Federation of the Phonographic Industry.^[1][2]

This is a dynamic list and may never be able to satisfy particular standards for completeness. You can help by adding missing items with reliable sources.

Sources that provide the sales an artist or record company claim via press release, rather than certified or reported by reliable third parties such as Oricon, are denoted by a "†".

Oricon Charts

Oricon provides accumulated physical sales of all entries on its singles and albums charts (started in 1968 and 1970, respectively).^[3] Note that Oricon does not count sales of the records that did not enter or fell off of the charts, unlike Nielsen SoundScan. Therefore, it generally shows fewer numbers than reported sales via record labels, and may not reflect the real sales obtained by these artists. In addition, it excludes recording artists like Michiya Mihashi,^[4] Hibari Misora, Yujiro Ishihara, and Hachiro Kasuga who had garnered most of commercial success before Oricon was established in the late 1960s. The reported numbers like Mihashi's 100 million and Misora's 68 million records,^[5][6] are highly doubtful and cannot be confirmed by Oricon and RIAJ.

The best-selling artist according to Oricon are B'z (more than 86 million), who is also the best-selling artist by a number of albums sold (46.5 million).^[7] The best-selling artists by number of singles sold are AKB48 (50.8 million),^[8] B'z (35.8 million) in second place,^[9] Mr. Children (28.45 million) in third place,^[10] and Southern All Stars (25.179 million) in fourth place.^[11] Ayumi Hamasaki holds the record for being the best-selling solo artist and being the only solo artist to sell more than 50 million in total.^[12]

The list excludes sales of albums or singles recorded by artists in collaboration with others as part of a singular artist or group's total.

Artists by sales

50 million or more records

• 
  B'z
• 
  Ayumi Hamasaki
• 
  AKB48

Artist	Years active	Genre	Sales
B'z	1988–present	Hard rock / Pop rock / Blues rock	86.25 million[13]
Ayumi Hamasaki	1998–present	Pop / Dance / Electronic / Rock	64.50 million[13]
AKB48	2005–present	J-pop / Electropop / Dance-pop	60.05 million[13]
Mr. Children	1989–1997, 1998–present	Pop rock / Power pop / Progressive pop	60.01 million[13]

30 million to 49 million records

• 
  Yumi Matsutoya
• 
  Glay
• 
  Arashi
• 
  Hikaru Utada
• 
  SMAP

Artist	Years active	Genre	Sales
Dreams Come True	1988–present	J-pop / R&B / New wave / City pop	44.94 million[13]
Yumi Matsutoya[note 1]	1968–present	Pop rock / Jazz fusion / Folk rock / Kayōkyoku	39.39 million[14][15]
Glay	1988–present	Pop rock / Power pop / Progressive rock	38.80 million[13]
Arashi	1999–2020 (Hiatus)	Pop / rock / R&B	38.44 million[13]
ZARD	1991–2007	Pop rock / R&B / Soft rock / AOR	37.63 million[13]
Southern All Stars	1975–present	Soft rock / Pop rock / Folk rock / Blues rock	37.61 million[14]
Hikaru Utada	1998–2010, 2016–present	J-pop / R&B / Dance / Electronica	37.34 million[13]
SMAP	1991–2016	J-pop / R&B	37.20 million[14]
Namie Amuro	1992–2018	Pop / R&B / Hip hop / EDM / Eurobeat	36.18 million[16]
CHAGE and ASKA	1979–1996, 1999–2009	Folk rock / Soft rock	31 million[17]
X Japan	1982–1997, 2007–present	Heavy metal	30 million†[18]
Seiko Matsuda	1980–present	Pop / Kayōkyoku	30 million†[19]

20 million to 29 million records

• 
  L'Arc-en-Ciel
• 
  Koda Kumi
• 
  Akina Nakamori
• 
  Masaharu Fukuyama
• 
  Exile

Artist	Years active	Genre	Sales
L'Arc-en-Ciel	1991–present	Alternative rock / Pop rock / Post-punk	29.27 million[20]
Globe	1995–2018	Synthpop / Eurobeat / Trance	28.94 million[20]
KinKi Kids	1997–present	Pop	28.38 million[20]
Koda Kumi	2000–present	J-pop / pop / R&B	27.5 million [21]
Akina Nakamori	1982–present	Pop / Kayōkyoku	25.34 million[22]
Tube	1985–present	Power pop / Surf rock / Blues rock	24.55 million
Masaharu Fukuyama	1990–present	Pop / Rock	24.10 million[23]
Exile	2001–present	J-pop / R&B / Dance / House	23.44 million[20]
Every Little Thing	1996–present	Pop rock / Soft rock / Synthpop	22.72 million[20]
Maki Ohguro	1989–present	Pop / Dance-pop / New Wave	22.67 million[20]
Morning Musume	1997–present	J-pop / Electropop / Dance-pop	22.47 million
Miyuki Nakajima	1975–present	Kayōkyoku / Folk / Rock / Enka	21.96 million
TRF	1993–present	J-pop / Hi-NRG / Rave / Techno	21.71 million[24]
Tsuyoshi Nagabuchi	1977–present	Rock / Folk	21.64 million[23]
Noriyuki Makihara	1990–present	Pop	21 million[23]
Spitz	1987–present	Alternative rock / Pop rock	20.68 million[25]
Speed	1996–2000, 2008–2012	Pop / Dance / R&B / Hip hop	20 million†[26]
Misia	1998–present	R&B / Pop / Soul / Dance	20 million†[27]

10 million to 19 million records

• 
  Hiroshi Itsuki
• 
  Mariya Takeuchi
• 
  Puffy AmiYumi
• 
  Nogizaka46

Artist	Years active	Genre	Sales
Hiroshi Itsuki	1965–present	Enka / Pop	19.24 million[28]
Kome Kome Club	1982–1997, 2006–present	Pop rock / Psychedelic soul / Funk rock / Rakugo	18.66 million
Pink Lady	1976–1981, 1996–1997, 2003–2005, 2010–2017	Pop / Kayōkyoku / Disco	17 million[29]
Kanjani8	2004–present	Pop / Rock / Enka / Kayōkyoku	17.00 million[30]
Toshinobu Kubota	1981–present	R&B / Pop / Soul / Neo soul	16.33 million
Kyosuke Himuro	1978–2016	Rock / Pop	16.25 million
Momoe Yamaguchi	1973–1980	Pop / Kayōkyoku	16.22 million[22]
Dragon Ash	1996–Present	Rap rock / Alternative rock	16 million
Mariya Takeuchi	1978–Present	Pop / Funk / Soul / Disco	16 million
Yōsui Inoue	1969–present	Rock / Folk	15.809 million
Hiromi Gō	1972–present	Pop / Kayōkyoku / R&B	15.78 million[22]
Kenji Sawada	1969–present	Pop / Rock	15.71 million[20]
Mai Kuraki	1999–present	Pop / R&B	15.5 million
The Checkers	1981–1992	Rock 'n' roll / Rockabilly / Pop rock / Doo-wop	15.38 million[20]
Miki Imai	1986–present	Pop	15.31 million
Judy and Mary	1992–2001	Pop rock / Art punk / Alternative rock	15 million
Puffy AmiYumi	1995–present	Dance rock / Pop rock / Pop punk / Power pop	15 million
Shizuka Kudo	1987–Present	Pop / Kayōkyoku	15 million[31]
Miho Nakayama	1985–present	Pop / Kayōkyoku	14.97 million[22]
Nogizaka46	2011–present	Pop	14.60 million[30]
Mariah Carey	1988–present	Pop / Soul / R&B / Dance	14.5 million[30]
Kyōko Koizumi	1982–present	Pop	14.26 million[22]
Shinichi Mori	1966–present	Enka / Kayōkyoku	14.10 million[32]
Hideki Saijo	1972–2018	Pop	13.30 million[33]
Tomoyasu Hotei	1988–present	Rock	12.71 million[34]
Misato Watanabe	1985–present	Pop / Funk / Rock	12.70 million[22]
Toshihiko Tahara	1980–present	Pop	12.70 million[22]
Masahiko Kondo	1980–present	Pop / Kayōkyoku	12.67 million[22]
Hikaru Genji	1987–1996	Pop	12.22 million[22]
Tomomi Kahara	1995–2006, 2013–present	Pop / Adult contemporary / Pop rock / Dance-pop	12.19 million[22]
V6	1995–2021	Pop / Rock	12.12 million[22]
Sandaime J Soul Brothers	2010–present	J-Pop / Dance / R&B	11.15 million†[35][36]
Orange Range	2001–present	Rap rock / Alternative rock / Pop rock / Power pop	11 million
Princess Princess	1983–1996	J-pop / J-rock / Glam Rock	11 million[37]
The Alfee	1974–present	Pop rock / Hard rock / Punk rock	10+ million
Luna Sea	1989–2000, 2010–present	Progressive rock / Alternative rock / Hard rock / Punk rock	10+ million†
Chemistry	2001–present	J-pop / R&B	10 million
MAX	1995–present	J-pop	10 million
Shiina Ringo	1998–present	J-pop / J-rock	10 million
KAT-TUN	2006–present	J-pop	10 million
aiko	1998–present	J-pop	10 million
Hiromi Iwasaki	1975–present	Pop / Kayōkyoku	10 million[37]

5 million to 9 million records

• 
  Ami Suzuki
• 
  SKE48
• 
  TVXQ
• 
  BoA

Artist	Years active	Genre	Sales
Goro Noguchi	1971–present	Kayōkyoku / Pop	9.50 million[22]
Ami Suzuki	1998–2001, 2004–present	Pop / Dance-pop / EDM / Electro house	8.83 million[22]
Hitomi	1992–present	Rock / Pop / Electronic	8.70 million
TOKIO	1994–present	Power pop / Pop rock	8.19 million[22]
SKE48	2008–present	Pop	8.15 million[30]
KAT-TUN	1994–present	Pop / Rock	8.05 million[30]
TVXQ	2003–present	Pop / Dance / R&B / Electronic / Rock	7.80 million†[38]
BoA	2000–present	K-pop / J-pop / Dance-pop / R&B	7.75 million[30]
Ketsumeishi	1993–present	Hip hop / Reggae / R&B	7.60 million
Wink	1988–1996	Pop	7.49 million[22]
NMB48	2011–present	Pop	7.35 million[30]
Celine Dion	1981–present	Pop / Rock	7.150 million[39][40][41]
DA PUMP	1996–present	J-Pop / EDM / Eurodance / Hip hop	7 million
Ai Otsuka	2003–present	Pop	6.60 million
Naoko Kawai	1980–1996	Kayōkyoku	6.53 million[22]
Madonna	1979–present	Pop / dance / electronica	6.450 million[39][42]
Avril Lavigne	1999–present	Pop/Punk	6.4 million[39][41]
Perfume	2000–present	Pop, Techno, Bitpop, Electropop, Dance-pop, Synthpop	6 million
Mari Amachi	1971–1977, 1979–present	Kayōkyoku	5.96 million[22]
Hiroko Yakushimaru	1978–present	Kayōkyoku	5.85 million[22]
Gackt	1993–present	Rock	5.70 million
Yoko Minamino	1984–present	Pop	5.63 million[22]
Shonentai	1985–present	Pop	5.48 million[22]
Candies	1973–1978	Pop / Folk pop	5.45 million[22]
Shibugakitai	1982–1988	Pop	5.43 million[22]
Backstreet Boys	1993–present	Pop / Dance-pop	5.4 million[39]
Lady Gaga	2008–present	Pop	5.40 million[43][44]
Yōko Oginome	1983–present	Kayōkyoku	5.38 million[22]
Crystal Kay	1999–present	Pop, R&B	5.2 million
Def Tech	2002–2007, 2010–present	Jawaiian Reggae	5 million
Rip Slyme	1994–present	Hip hop	5 million
Yui	2004–present	Pop / Rock	5 million

Best-selling Western acts

See also: Big in Japan (phrase)

See also: List of best-selling singles by Western acts in Japan

The long-standing second world's biggest music market have seen record sales dominated by their local music acts.^[45]

A selected group of Western acts have achieved certified units of over 4 million since Japan's music certification system inception by RIAJ in 1989. Various of them debuted before that tracking system, selling millions of their catalogue along with thousand of copies for individual titles alone; ranging from Madonna to Michael Jackson according to Oricon's chart book figures.^[46] By other estimates, Western acts like the 1970s band, The Nolans have claimed sales of 12 million in the country during their height of career,^[47] while according to Jeff Rovin in Julio! (1985) many of Julio Iglesias' albums sold over two million copies in the country.^[48]

Highest certified Western artists by RIAJ (1989–present)

Artist	Certified sales (in millions)	Refs.
Mariah Carey	14.5 million	[39][42][49]
Celine Dion*	7.150 million	[39][40][41]
Madonna	6.450 million	[39][42]
Avril Lavigne	6.4 million	[39][41]
Backstreet Boys	5.4 million	[39]
Lady Gaga	5.4 million	[39][42]
The Beatles	4.950 million	[39]
Michael Jackson	4.650 million	[39][42]
Enya	4.6 million	[39]
Bon Jovi	4.4 million	[39][42]
Whitney Houston	4.3 million	[39][50]

‡	Indicates a debutant artist prior RIAJ's certification program (e. 1989)

Note: *Dion's "international" debut is considered to be dated in 1990, with her first English-recording album. It is the decade when she also entered the Japanese charts.

Best-selling artist sales by year

Year	Artist	Album Sales	Single Sales	Total Sales
1999	Hikaru Utada	7,365,830	5,383,770	12,749,600
2000	Ayumi Hamasaki	5,267,350	3,914,920	9,182,270
2001	Ayumi Hamasaki	5,311,950	5,067,910	10,379,860
2002	Hikaru Utada	3,526,780	2,410,990	5,667,770
2003	Ayumi Hamasaki	2,774,474	1,056,148	3,830,622
2004	Hikaru Utada	3,537,845	365,206	3,903,051
2005	Orange Range	3,479,539	2,242,257	5,721,796
2006	Koda Kumi	2,411,470	1,281,022	3,692,492
2007	Koda Kumi	1,318,072	534,035	1,852,107
2008	Exile	4,363,967	678,458	5,042,425
2009	Arashi	1,432,781	2,213,423	3,646,204
2010	Arashi	1,395,807	3,778,313	5,174,120
2011	AKB48	829,645	6,871,281	7,700,926
2012	AKB48	1,029,954	6,954,599	7,984,553
2013	AKB48	-	5,961,213	5,961,213
2014	AKB48	1,041,355	6,241,987	7,283,342
2015	AKB48	1,468,279	5,062,100	6,530,379
2016	AKB48	-	5,413,328	5,413,328
2017	AKB48	632,615	4,715,415	5,348,030
2018	AKB48	611,056	5,677,095	6,288,151
2019	Arashi	2,100,438	709,813	2,810,251
2020	Arashi	822,459	1,147,865	1,970,324

Notes

1. Includes releases under her maiden name, Yumi Arai.

See also

• List of best-selling singles in Japan
• List of best-selling albums in Japan

References

1. Smirke, Richard (March 20, 2011). "IFPI 2011 Report: Global Recorded Music Sales Fall 8.4%; Eminem, Lady Gaga Top Int'l Sellers". billboard.biz. Retrieved February 5, 2012.
2. "The International Federation of the Phonographic Industry Releases Its 2014 Data on the World Music Market". aramajapan.com. 2015-04-22. Retrieved April 22, 2015.
3. Yamamoto, Takao (producer) (January 13, 2012). "ミュージックステーション2時間スペシャル　アーティスト総売上ランキング". Music Station (in Japanese). All-Nippon News Network. TV Asahi.
4. 三橋美智也（みはしみちや）. goo (in Japanese). Archived from the original on July 10, 2009.
5. "Mihashi Michiya" (in Japanese). goo. Archived from the original on 2009-07-10. Retrieved 2009-02-12.
6. Ap (1989-06-25). "Hibari Misora, Japanese Singer, 52". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2023-02-24.
7. "B'z、通算28作目のアルバム首位 歴代1位記録を更新" (in Japanese). Oricon. 2017-12-05. Retrieved 2018-11-20.
8. AKB48、総選挙シングルで通算&連続40作目首位 総売上枚数が5000万枚突破. Oricon News (in Japanese). Oricon. September 25, 2018. Retrieved September 25, 2018.
9. "【オリコン】AKB48、シングル総売上日本一3615.8万枚 秋元氏総売上は1億枚突破". Oricon Style (in Japanese). Oricon. December 9, 2015. Retrieved December 25, 2015.
10. "【オリコン】AKB48、女性初の20作目ミリオン シングル総売上枚数は歴代2位". Oricon Style (in Japanese). Oricon. May 27, 2014. Retrieved May 27, 2014.
11. "【オリコン】AKB48、史上初の通算16作目ミリオン B'zの記録を13年ぶり更新". Oricon Style (in Japanese). Oricon. December 17, 2013. Retrieved January 28, 2014.
12. Orr, Gillian (March 25, 2014). "Why has Japan's CD market suddenly gone into decline?". The Independent. Retrieved September 25, 2014.
13. 【オリコン“平成セールス”ランキング】シングルはSMAP、アルバムは宇多田ヒカルが1位 “平成No.1”アーティスト別セールスのB’zからはコメント到着. Oricon News (in Japanese). Oricon. April 11, 2019. Retrieved April 11, 2019.
14. Miyasako, Hiroyuki (host); Hotohara, Tōru (host) (March 22, 2018). アメトーーク！『B’z芸人』 [Ame Talk! "B'z Geinin"]. Ame Talk. TV Asahi.
15. "The Queen of Japanese Pop: Celebrating 50 Years of Matsutōya Yumi". nippon.com. July 5, 2022.
16. 引退目前の安室奈美恵、歴代1位記録を振り返る. Oricon News (in Japanese). Oricon. September 13, 2018. Retrieved September 25, 2018.
17. Schley, Matt (May 19, 2014). "J-pop star arrested on drug charges". Otaku USA. Retrieved May 6, 2018.
18. "Aaron, Charles (October 10, 2014). "X Japan's Incredible Ride: Meet Rock's Most Flamboyant Survivors". Rolling Stone. Retrieved February 12, 2018.
19. Hindes, Andrew (August 20, 1997). "'Armageddon' suits singer". Variety. Retrieved May 6, 2018.
20. "Music Station Pits the Top 25 Showa Acts Against the Top 25 Heisei Acts". aramajapan.com. September 2, 2015. Retrieved February 11, 2018.
21. "AVEX USA". AVEX USA. Retrieved 2023-02-24.
22. Yamamoto, Takao (producer) (2011). MUSIC STATION（Mステ）史上最強アイドルBEST50 [Music Station "Strongest Idols in History Best 50"]. Music Station (in Japanese). TV Asahi.
23. 【オリコン】福山雅治、シングル18作目首位 歴代1位記録3部門を自ら更新. Oricon News (in Japanese). Oricon. September 19, 2017. Retrieved February 12, 2018.
24. “寄せ集め集団”がCD売上2170万枚！リーダーDJ KOOが心がけている｢たったひとつのこと｣. dime.jp (in Japanese). Shogakukan. February 24, 2016. Archived from the original on September 27, 2018. Retrieved September 27, 2018.
25. Yamamoto, Takao (producer) (March 29, 2013). ミュージックステーション2時間スペシャル　アーティスト総売上ランキング [Music Station 2-Hour Special "Artist Total Sales Ranking"]. Music Station (in Japanese). TV Asahi.
26. Herskovitz, Jon (October 11, 1999). "Top Japanese girl group Speed coming to a halt". Variety. Retrieved September 26, 2018.
27. "CD総売り上げ2000万枚以上！MISIAデビュー15周年を記念したベスト盤の収録曲が明らかに". Tokyo Pop Line. January 1, 2013. Retrieved December 18, 2017.
28. "【オリコン】福山雅治、初の結婚ソング首位 22年目で男性ソロ歴代1位の総売上2127万枚. Oricon News (in Japanese). Oricon. September 6, 2011. Retrieved February 12, 2018.
29. Billboard Magazine September 1980. 1980-09-20. Retrieved September 26, 2018.
30. "RIAJ: Gold Disc Certifications" (in Japanese). Recording Industry Association of Japan. Retrieved February 11, 2018.
31. "ミュージックステーション 2013/08/16(金)20:00放送 テレビ朝日 TVでた蔵". TV Data Zoo. Retrieved December 26, 2017.
32. ""- YouTube" 【オリコン【国内】男性アーティスト総売上ランキングTOP15 1979-2020. ランキングタイム! (in Japanese). January 2, 2020. Retrieved June 7, 2020.
33. 西城秀樹さん、「YOUNG MAN」などヒット曲多数 男性ソロ歴代6位のシングル総売上1159万枚. Oricon News (in Japanese). Oricon. May 17, 2018. Retrieved September 27, 2018.
34. "【最新版】国内で最も売れたアーティストトータルセールスベスト200組・・・nammyblog vol.190". nammyのチャート日誌 (in Japanese). Retrieved 2020-08-13.
35. "Japan's Best Selling Male Groups 2010-19". Tumblr. December 29, 2019. Archived from the original on December 31, 2019. Retrieved December 31, 2019.
36. "Earthquake Bird Star and J-Pop Icon Naoki Kobayashi on the Movies That Changed His Life". Esquire. September 24, 2019. Retrieved December 31, 2019.
37. ""- YouTube" 【オリコン【国内】女性アーティスト総売上ランキングTOP15 1983-2020. ランキングタイム! (in Japanese). January 13, 2020. Retrieved June 7, 2020.
38. Park, Si-soo (December 29, 2013). "K-pop charts in 2014 unpredictable". The Korea Times. Retrieved September 27, 2018.
39. "RIAJ: Gold Disc Certifications" (in Japanese). Recording Industry Association of Japan. Retrieved November 8, 2015.
40. 年度別ミリオンセラー一覧 1995年 [1995 million-seller list] (in Japanese). Recording Industry Association of Japan. Archived from the original on November 3, 2013. Retrieved November 8, 2015.
41. "RIAJ: Digital Certifications (July 2010)" (in Japanese). Recording Industry Association of Japan. Archived from the original on September 15, 2013. Retrieved November 8, 2015.
42. "RIAJ: Digital Certifications" (in Japanese). Recording Industry Association of Japan. Retrieved November 8, 2015.
43. "Certifications". RIAJ. Retrieved 22 April 2018.
44. "Certifications". RIAJ. Retrieved 22 April 2018.
45. Brasor, Philip (January 28, 2018). "Big in Japan? Artists from abroad may find it more difficult to draw a crowd". The Japan Times. Archived from the original on June 2, 2017. Retrieved January 4, 2023.
46. Oricon Album Chart Book: Complete Edition 1970–2005. Roppongi, Tokyo: Oricon Charts. 2006. ISBN 4-87131-077-9.
47. London Daily Telegraph (July 5, 2013). "Fame brought misfortune for feelgood sister act". Irish Independent. Retrieved December 30, 2022.
48. Rovin, Jeff (1985). Julio!. Bantam Books. p. 97. ISBN 0553254391. Retrieved August 28, 2023. Each new Julio Iglesias album sells over two million copies in Japan , which is more records than most native artists sell
49. "年度別ミリオンセラー一覧 (Million Seller List by Year)" (in Japanese). Recording Industry Association of Japan. Retrieved November 8, 2015.
50. "RIAJ: Digital Certifications (January 2014)" (in Japanese). Recording Industry Association of Japan. Retrieved November 8, 2015.

Further reading

• Okamoto, Satoshi (2011). Single Chart Book: Complete Edition 1968-2010 (in Japanese). Roppongi, Tokyo: Oricon Entertainment. ISBN 978-4-87131-088-8.
• Okamoto, Satoshi (2006). オリコン・アルバム・チャートブック(完全版): 1970~2005 [Album Chart Book: Complete Edition 1970-2005] (in Japanese). Roppongi, Tokyo: Oricon Entertainment. ISBN 978-4-87131-077-2.

External links

• Yamachan Land (Japanese) — Japanese chart archives of selected best-selling artists (last updated December 2007)