List of best-selling music artists in Japan explained

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]}

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

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
AKB48	2005–present		60.05 million
Mr. Children	1989–1997, 1998–present	Pop rock / Power pop / Progressive pop	60.01 million

30 million to 49 million records

Artist	Years active	Genre	Sales
Dreams Come True	1988–present	J-pop / R&B / New wave / City pop	44.94 million
Yumi Matsutoya^[14]	1968–present	Pop rock / Jazz fusion / Folk rock / Kayōkyoku	39.39 million^[15]
Glay	1988–present	Pop rock / Power pop / Progressive rock	38.80 million
Arashi	1999–2020 (Hiatus)	Pop / rock / R&B	38.44 million
ZARD	1991–2007	Pop rock / R&B / Soft rock / AOR	37.63 million
Southern All Stars	1975–present	Soft rock / Pop rock / Folk rock / Blues rock	37.61 million^[16]
Hikaru Utada	1998–2010, 2016–present	J-pop / R&B / Dance / Electronica	37.34 million
SMAP	1991–2016	J-pop / R&B	37.20 million
Namie Amuro	1992–2018	Pop / R&B / Hip hop / EDM / Eurobeat	36.18 million^[17]
CHAGE and ASKA	1979–1996, 1999–2009	Folk rock / Soft rock	31 million^[18]
X Japan	1982–1997, 2007–present	Heavy metal	30 million†^[19]
Seiko Matsuda	1980–present	Pop / Kayōkyoku	30 million†^[20]

20 million to 29 million records

Artist	Years active	Genre	Sales
L'Arc-en-Ciel	1991–present	Alternative rock / Pop rock / Post-punk	29.27 million^[21]
Globe	1995–2018	Synthpop / Eurobeat / Trance	28.94 million
KinKi Kids	1997–present	Pop	28.38 million
Koda Kumi	2000–present	J-pop / pop / R&B	27.5 million ^[22]
Akina Nakamori	1982–present	Pop / Kayōkyoku	25.34 million^[23]
Tube	1985–present	Power pop / Surf rock / Blues rock	24.55 million
Masaharu Fukuyama	1990–present	Pop / Rock	24.10 million^[24]
Exile	2001–present	J-pop / R&B / Dance / House	23.44 million
Every Little Thing	1996–present	Pop rock / Soft rock / Synthpop	22.72 million
Maki Ohguro	1989–present	Pop / Dance-pop / New Wave	22.67 million
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^[25]
Tsuyoshi Nagabuchi	1977–present	Rock / Folk	21.64 million
Noriyuki Makihara	1990–present	Pop	21 million
Spitz	1987–present	Alternative rock / Pop rock	20.68 million^[26]
Speed	1996–2000, 2008–2012	Pop / Dance / R&B / Hip hop	20 million†^[27] <	--19.54 million^[28] -->
Misia	1998–present	R&B / Pop / Soul / Dance	20 million†^[29]

10 million to 19 million records

Artist	Years active	Genre	Sales
Hiroshi Itsuki	1965–present	Enka / Pop	19.24 million^[30]
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<	--15 million singles, 2.25 million albums-->^[31]
Kanjani8	2004–present	Pop / Rock / Enka / Kayōkyoku	17.00 million<	--17.00 million certified physical sales as of September 2018-->
Toshinobu Kubota	1981–present		16.33 million
Kyosuke Himuro	1978–2016	Rock / Pop	16.25 million
Momoe Yamaguchi	1973–1980	Pop / Kayōkyoku	16.22 million
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
Kenji Sawada	1969–present	Pop / Rock	15.71 million
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
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^[32]
Miho Nakayama	1985–present	Pop / Kayōkyoku	14.97 million
Nogizaka46	2011–present	Pop	14.60 million<	--14.60 million certified physical sales as of September 2018-->
Mariah Carey	1988–present	Pop / Soul / R&B / Dance	14.5 million^[33]
Kyōko Koizumi	1982–present	Pop	14.26 million
Shinichi Mori	1966–present	Enka / Kayōkyoku	14.10 million^[34]
Hideki Saijo	1972–2018	Pop	13.30 million^[35]
Tomoyasu Hotei	1988–present	Rock	12.71 million^[36]
Misato Watanabe	1985–present	Pop / Funk / Rock	12.70 million
Toshihiko Tahara	1980–present	Pop	12.70 million
Masahiko Kondo	1980–present	Pop / Kayōkyoku	12.67 million
Hikaru Genji	1987–1996	Pop	12.22 million
Tomomi Kahara	1995–2006, 2013–present	Pop / Adult contemporary / Pop rock / Dance-pop	12.19 million
V6	1995–2021	Pop / Rock	12.12 million
Sandaime J Soul Brothers	2010–present	J-Pop / Dance / R&B	11.15 million†^[37] ^[38]
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	">"Web site: - YouTube. ja:【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 . January 13, 2020 . June 7, 2020 . Japanese . ランキングタイム!.
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	"/>

5 million to 9 million records

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

The long-standing second world's biggest music market have seen record sales dominated by their local music acts.^[43]

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.^[44] 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,^[45] while according to Jeff Rovin in Julio! (1985) many of Julio Iglesias' albums sold over two million copies in the country.^[46]

Highest certified Western artists by RIAJ (1989–present)!Artist!Certified sales
(in millions)!

Mariah Carey	14.5 million	^[47]
Celine Dion	7.150 million	^[48]
Madonna	6.450 million
Avril Lavigne	6.4 million
Backstreet Boys	5.4 million
Lady Gaga	5.4 million
The Beatles	4.950 million	^[49]
Michael Jackson	4.650 million	^[50]
Enya	4.6 million
Bon Jovi	4.4 million
Whitney Houston	4.3 million	^[51]

‡

Indicates a debutant artist prior RIAJ's certification program (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

See also

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

Further reading

• Book: Okamoto , Satoshi . Single Chart Book: Complete Edition 1968-2010 . 2011 . Oricon Entertainment . . Japanese . 978-4-87131-088-8 .
• Book: Okamoto , Satoshi . ja: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 . 2006 . Oricon Entertainment . Roppongi, Tokyo . Japanese . 978-4-87131-077-2 .

External links

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

Notes and References

1. Web site: IFPI 2011 Report: Global Recorded Music Sales Fall 8.4%; Eminem, Lady Gaga Top Int'l Sellers . billboard.biz . Richard . Smirke . March 20, 2011 . February 5, 2012.
2. Web site: The International Federation of the Phonographic Industry Releases Its 2014 Data on the World Music Market . April 22, 2015 . aramajapan.com . 2015-04-22.
3. 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 . . Yamamoto, Takao (producer) . . . January 13, 2012 . Japanese.
4. Web site: http://music.goo.ne.jp/artist/ARTLISD1147250/index.html . ja:三橋美智也（みはしみちや）. goo . Japanese . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20090710155112/http://music.goo.ne.jp/artist/ARTLISD1147250/index.html . July 10, 2009.
5. Web site: Mihashi Michiya . goo . 2009-02-12 . ja . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20090710155112/http://music.goo.ne.jp/artist/ARTLISD1147250/index.html . 2009-07-10.
6. News: Ap . 1989-06-25 . Hibari Misora, Japanese Singer, 52 . en-US . The New York Times . 2023-02-24 . 0362-4331.
7. Web site: B'z、通算28作目のアルバム首位 歴代1位記録を更新. Oricon. 2017-12-05. 2018-11-20. ja.
8. Web site: https://www.oricon.co.jp/news/2120189/full/ . ja: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 . September 25, 2018 . September 25, 2018 . Oricon News . . ja.
9. Web site: 【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 . December 9, 2015 . December 25, 2015 . Oricon Style . . Japanese.
10. Web site: 【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 . May 27, 2014. May 27, 2014 . Oricon Style . . Japanese.
11. Web site: 【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 . December 17, 2013 . January 28, 2014 . Oricon Style . . Japanese.
12. News: Why has Japan's CD market suddenly gone into decline?. . Gillian . Orr . March 25, 2014 . September 25, 2014.
13. Web site: https://www.oricon.co.jp/confidence/special/52827/2/#link1 . ja:【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 . April 11, 2019 . April 11, 2019 . Oricon News . . ja.
14. Includes releases under her maiden name, Yumi Arai.
15. Web site: The Queen of Japanese Pop: Celebrating 50 Years of Matsutōya Yumi. July 5, 2022. nippon.com.
16. ja: アメトーーク！『B’z芸人』 . Ame Talk! "B'z Geinin" . Ame Talk . Miyasako . Hiroyuki (host) . Hiroyuki Miyasako . Hotohara . Tōru (host) . . March 22, 2018.
17. Web site: https://www.oricon.co.jp/confidence/special/51781/ . ja:引退目前の安室奈美恵、歴代1位記録を振り返る . September 13, 2018 . September 25, 2018 . Oricon News . . ja.
18. Web site: J-pop star arrested on drug charges . . Matt . Schley . May 19, 2014 . May 6, 2018.
19. " X Japan's Incredible Ride: Meet Rock's Most Flamboyant Survivors . . Charles . Aaron . October 10, 2014 . February 12, 2018.
20. Web site: 'Armageddon' suits singer . Andrew . Hindes . . August 20, 1997 . May 6, 2018.
21. Web site: Music Station Pits the Top 25 Showa Acts Against the Top 25 Heisei Acts . September 2, 2015 . aramajapan.com . February 11, 2018.
22. Web site: AVEX USA . 2023-02-24 . AVEX USA . en.
23. ja:MUSIC STATION（Mステ）史上最強アイドルBEST50 . Music Station "Strongest Idols in History Best 50" . . Yamamoto . Takao (producer) . . 2011 . ja . September 26, 2018-->.
24. Web site: https://www.oricon.co.jp/news/2097437/full/ . ja:【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 . September 19, 2017 . February 12, 2018 . Japanese . Oricon . Oricon News.
25. Web site: https://dime.jp/genre/236610/ . ja:“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｣ . February 24, 2016 . September 27, 2018 . Japanese . Shogakukan . dime.jp . September 27, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180927165008/https://dime.jp/genre/236610/ . dead .
26. ja: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" . . Yamamoto . Takao (producer) . . March 29, 2013 . ja . September 26, 2018-->.
27. Web site: Top Japanese girl group Speed coming to a halt . Herskovitz . Jon . October 11, 1999 . September 26, 2018 . Variety.
28. Web site: https://mantan-web.jp/article/20121105dog00m200033000c.html . ja:AKB48：CD総売り上げ2000万枚突破　SPEED抜き女性グループ歴代首位に . November 6, 2012 . September 26, 2018 . Mantan . ja.
29. Web site: 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 . December 18, 2017.
30. "Web site: https://www.oricon.co.jp/news/2001456/full/ . ja:【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 . September 6, 2011 . February 12, 2018 . Japanese . Oricon . Oricon News.
31. Book: Billboard Magazine September 1980 . September 26, 2018 . 1980-09-20.
32. Web site: 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 . December 26, 2017.
33. Web site: RIAJ: Gold Disc Certifications . ja . . February 11, 2018.
34. "Web site: - YouTube. ja:【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 . January 2, 2020 . June 7, 2020 . Japanese . ランキングタイム!.
35. Web site: https://www.oricon.co.jp/news/2111628/full/ . ja: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 . May 17, 2018 . September 27, 2018 . . Oricon News . ja.
36. Web site: 【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. 2020-08-13. nammyのチャート日誌. ja.
37. News: Japan's Best Selling Male Groups 2010-19 . December 29, 2019 . Tumblr . December 31, 2019 . December 31, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20191231160015/https://whitesukai.tumblr.com/image/189948076414 . dead .
38. News: Earthquake Bird Star and J-Pop Icon Naoki Kobayashi on the Movies That Changed His Life . September 24, 2019. Esquire . December 31, 2019.
39. Web site: K-pop charts in 2014 unpredictable . Park . Si-soo . December 29, 2013 . September 27, 2018 . The Korea Times.
40. Web site: http://www.riaj.or.jp/data/others/million_list/1995.html . ja:年度別ミリオンセラー一覧 1995年 . 1995 million-seller list. ja. Recording Industry Association of Japan. November 8, 2015. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20131103052144/http://www.riaj.or.jp/data/others/million_list/1995.html. November 3, 2013.
41. Web site: Certifications. RIAJ. 22 April 2018.
42. Web site: Certifications. RIAJ. 22 April 2018.
43. Web site: Big in Japan? Artists from abroad may find it more difficult to draw a crowd. The Japan Times. January 28, 2018. January 4, 2023. Philip. Brasor. subscription. June 2, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170602090358/https://www.japantimes.co.jp/culture/2017/01/28/music/big-japan-artists-abroad-may-find-difficult-draw-crowd/#.WTEqDnbP3IU.
44. Book: Oricon Album Chart Book: Complete Edition 1970–2005.. Roppongi, Tokyo. Oricon Charts. 2006. 4-87131-077-9.
45. Web site: Fame brought misfortune for feelgood sister act. Irish Independent. July 5, 2013. December 30, 2022. London Daily Telegraph.
46. Book: Rovin, Jeff. Julio!. Bantam Books. 1985. August 28, 2023. Jeff Rovin. 0553254391. 97. Each new Julio Iglesias album sells over two million copies in Japan, which is more records than most native artists sell.
47. Web site: 年度別ミリオンセラー一覧 (Million Seller List by Year). Recording Industry Association of Japan. ja. November 8, 2015.
48. Web site: RIAJ: Digital Certifications (July 2010). ja. Recording Industry Association of Japan. November 8, 2015. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20130915104730/http://www.riaj.or.jp/data/others/chart/w100820.html. September 15, 2013.
49. Web site: RIAJ: Gold Disc Certifications. ja. Recording Industry Association of Japan. November 8, 2015.
50. Web site: RIAJ: Digital Certifications. ja. Recording Industry Association of Japan. November 8, 2015.
51. Web site: RIAJ: Digital Certifications (January 2014). ja. Recording Industry Association of Japan. November 8, 2015.