Billboard Japan and Oricon download charts

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"Hero" by Namie Amuro (left) topped the first Billboard Japan Download Songs in October 2017, whereas "Anata" by Hikaru Utada (right) topped the first Oricon Digital Singles chart in December 2017.

In Japan, record charts for paid download songs and albums are published separately by competitors Billboard Japan and Oricon. Although Billboard Japan has factored downloads since 2010, Oricon were the first to launch a download-only chart in November 2016, with the Digital Albums Chart; [a] a year later, they opened the accompanying Digital Singles (Single Track) Chart. [b] Also that year, Billboard Japan launched the Top Download Songs and Top Download Albums charts simultaneously. Both publications share several parts of their methodology, and the year-end number ones have been the same for both since their inceptions.

Contents

Background

Unlike other markets, physical music formats in Japan have remained dominant over digital distribution, even into the 21st century. In 2022, physical media accounted for 11% of music industry revenue in the United States; in contrast, it made up 66% in Japan. [1]

Although physical media was still dominant, digital figures in Japan were gradually growing. [2] While subscription-based streaming services such as Spotify struggled to pick up like it had elsewhere, [3] the digital download format chaku-uta (ringtones, either a shortened or full-length version of a song) gained traction. The boy band Greeeen, who primarily marketed themselves via chaku-uta, achieved over one million downloads with "Ai Uta" (2007), but only reached number 24 on Oricon's CD-only Singles Chart. [4] The Recording Industry Association of Japan (RIAJ) began tracking digital downloads in August 2005. [5]

Chaku-uta went out of relevance in the 2010s, [6] but the song rankings from digital download services still differed from the CD record charts. The top four positions on Oricon's 2017 year-end chart were occupied by the girl idol group AKB48, whereas the ranking of the download service RecoChoku  [ ja ] featured Gen Hoshino's "Koi" and Mr. Children's "Hanabi" in top positions. [2] The physical sales of groups such as AKB48 were swayed by the inclusion of goods, such as concert tickets, with CDs. [7] Journalist Sōichirō Matsutani, writing for Bunshun Online , believed that this sales tactic resulted in Oricon's CD-only charts failing to accurately portray which songs were actually receiving the most listens. [7]

History

Billboard Japan

Billboard Japan introduced download numbers from iTunes into the Japan Hot 100 chart at the end of 2010. [8] In February 2016, they introduced further download services by partnering with GfK Japan, who Musicman reported would provide data for 80% of the download market share. [9] Billboard Japan launched dedicated sub-charts for digital download songs and albums – the Top Download Songs and Albums charts – on October 4, 2017, alongside the Top Streaming Songs chart. Namie Amuro's "Hero" was the inaugural number-one on the download songs chart, and Ariana Grande's The Best was the inaugural number-one album. [10]

Oricon

Even with the growing popularity of download services, Oricon continued to exclusively publish their CD-only charts. Circa 2008, there was discussion within the company to launch a chaku-uta chart, but such meetings were unfruitful. Oricon CEO Sōkō Koike blamed their lack of a secondary data provider independent from record labels. [4] Later in 2015, Koike reiterated that they would not introduce downloads into their single chart. He believed that a chart factoring downloads would lack social relevance when artists such as Johnny & Associates groups have policies to not release songs digitally, but said that they would continue to experiment. [11]

On November 9, 2016, Oricon launched the Digital Albums Chart, based upon four download services. The inaugural number-one was Fantôme by Hikaru Utada. [12] A year later, they launched the Digital Singles Chart on December 19, 2017, with "Anata", also by Utada, as the first number-one. [13]

Methodology and differences

Oricon's digital charts are published weekly and rank the top 50 records in Japan; [14] [15] the Digital Songs Chart also has a daily issue, which ranks the top 20 releases. [16] The Billboard Japan charts are published weekly and rank the top 100 records. [17] [18]

Billboard Japan receives data from Gfk Media and NielsenIQ for five download providers – Amazon, iTunes, Mora, Mu-Mo  [ ja ], and RecoChoku [19] – whereas Oricon independently collects from seven: those used by Billboard, in addition to OriMusic (their own store) and Music.jp. [20] [c] Since collecting download numbers requires permission from the record label, Billboard Japan calculates an estimate based upon iTunes numbers for labels and artists they are not partnered with, collected by the Los Angeles-based Luminate. [19] At the time of the Digital Albums Chart's establishment, Oricon were in agreement with 35 labels to collect download data. [12]

Year-end number ones

Key
†Highest download count across all years

Songs

List of year-end number ones on the Oricon and Billboard Japan download songs charts, with artist and number of downloads
YearSongArtistDownloads [d] Ref.
2017 [e] "Koi" Gen Hoshino Not reported [21]
2018"Lemon" Kenshi Yonezu 1,796,953 † [22] [23]
20191,074,530 [24] [25]
2020"Gurenge" Lisa 942,691 [26] [27]
2021"Dry Flower  [ ja ]" Yuuri 461,154 [28] [29]
2022"Zankyōsanka" Aimer 408,183 [30] [31]
2023"Idol" Yoasobi 557,295 [32] [33]
2024"Bling-Bang-Bang-Born" Creepy Nuts 373,980 [34] [35]

Albums

List of year-end number ones on the Oricon and Billboard Japan download albums charts, with artist and number of downloads
YearSongArtistDownloads [d] Ref.
2017 Mr.Children 1992-2002 Thanksgiving 25   [ ja ] Mr. Children 172,631 [36] [37]
2018 The Greatest Showman Various artists113,097 [38] [39]
2019 Pop Virus Gen Hoshino 73,502 [40] [41]
2020 Stray Sheep Kenshi Yonezu 197,583 † [42] [43]
2021 The Book Yoasobi 100,656 [44] [45]
2022 Uta's Songs: One Piece Film Red Ado 108,337 [46] [47]
2023 Kessoku Band Kessoku Band 70,132 [48] [49]
2024No. O: Ring Number_i 39,364 [50] [51]

Notes

  1. ↑ Orikon Dejitaru Arubamu Rankingu (Japanese: オリコンデジタルアルバムランキング)
  2. ↑ Dejitaru Shinguru (Tankyoku) Rankingu (Japanese: デジタルシングル (単曲) ランキング)
  3. ↑ Oricon also lists D-Music, Music Store, and Murket, which are owned by RecoChoku. Murket includes the online stores for 13 artists and labels. [20]
  4. 1 2 Taken from Oricon
  5. ↑ Only published by Billboard Japan

References

  1. ↑ "Market Intelligence — Japan Music Market". International Trade Administration (ITA). March 31, 2023. Archived from the original on October 9, 2024. Retrieved November 28, 2025.
  2. 1 2 Kawamura, Norihiro (January 30, 2018). オリコンがランキング改革 CD売り上げでは流行追えず. Asahi Shimbun Digital (in Japanese). Archived from the original on January 30, 2018. Retrieved November 28, 2025.
  3. ↑ Warnock, Eleanor (May 18, 2018). "It's Slow Streaming for Music Services in Japan". Tokyo Review. Archived from the original on August 11, 2025. Retrieved November 28, 2025.
  4. 1 2 配信シングル急成長、格付け異変. Asahi Shimbun Digital (in Japanese). March 8, 2008. Archived from the original on August 17, 2025. Retrieved November 28, 2025.
  5. ↑ Tsuda, Hiromu (June 20, 2006). 日本レコード協会、着うた・着うたフルのダウンロード数公表. Keitai Watch (in Japanese). Impress Corporation. Archived from the original on July 17, 2025. Retrieved November 28, 2025.
  6. ↑ Iizuka, Yamato (June 3, 2021). あれほど人気だった"着うた"は、ナゼ消滅したのか? 開発者が語る「スマホになじまない理由」. AERA Digital  [ ja ] (in Japanese). Archived from the original on January 15, 2025. Retrieved November 28, 2025.
  7. 1 2 Matsutani, Sōichirō (December 27, 2020). 紅白落選も必然だった…AKB48が急速に「オワコン化」してしまった4つの理由. Bunshun Online . Archived from the original on October 9, 2024. Retrieved November 28, 2025.
  8. ↑ Japan Hot100がリニューアル. Billboard Japan (in Japanese). 2013. Archived from the original on October 1, 2025. Retrieved November 28, 2025.
  9. ↑ GfK、Billboard JAPANに国内ダウンロードデータの提供を開始. Musicman  [ ja ] (in Japanese). February 16, 2016. Archived from the original on November 28, 2025. Retrieved November 28, 2025.
  10. ↑ ビルボードジャパンがダウンロードおよびストリーミングチャートの公表をスタート. Billboard Japan (in Japanese). October 4, 2017. Archived from the original on July 9, 2025. Retrieved November 28, 2025.
  11. ↑ Kawamura, Norihiro; Kanba, Ryōsuke (May 5, 2015). オリコン50年「ランキングに不純物は入れたくない」. Asahi Shimbun Digital (in Japanese). Archived from the original on June 4, 2015. Retrieved November 28, 2025.
  12. 1 2 オリコン 新ランキング発表 アルバムDL数を集計…初回首位は宇多田ヒカル (in Japanese). Oricon. November 9, 2016. Archived from the original on August 3, 2025. Retrieved November 28, 2025.
  13. ↑ 【オリコン】新ランキング発表 シングル単曲DL数を集計…宇多田ヒカルが首位 (in Japanese). Oricon. December 19, 2017. Archived from the original on January 14, 2025. Retrieved November 28, 2025.
  14. ↑ 週間　デジタルシングル (単曲) ランキング (in Japanese). Oricon. n.d. Retrieved November 28, 2025.
  15. ↑ 週間　デジタルアルバムランキング (in Japanese). Oricon. n.d. Retrieved November 28, 2025.
  16. ↑ デイリー　デジタルシングル (単曲) ランキング (in Japanese). Oricon. n.d. Retrieved November 28, 2025.
  17. ↑ "Billboard Japan Top Download Songs". Billboard Japan (in Japanese). n.d. Retrieved November 28, 2025.
  18. ↑ "Billboard Japan Top Download Albums". Billboard Japan (in Japanese). n.d. Retrieved November 28, 2025.
  19. 1 2 【Billboard JAPAN Chart】よくある質問. Billboard Japan (in Japanese). n.d. Archived from the original on July 17, 2025. Retrieved November 28, 2025.Click MORE next to ダウンロード数をどのように集計していますか。
  20. 1 2 オリコン合算ランキングの集計方法について (in Japanese). Oricon. n.d. Archived from the original on October 4, 2024. Retrieved November 28, 2025.
  21. ↑ "Billboard Japan Top Download Songs Year End". Billboard Japan (in Japanese). 2017. Archived from the original on August 21, 2025. Retrieved November 28, 2025.
  22. ↑ 【オリコン年間デジタルランキング 2018】米津玄師がシングル首位、『グレイテスト・ショーマン』がアルバム首位 (in Japanese). Oricon. December 21, 2018. Archived from the original on December 25, 2024. Retrieved November 28, 2025.
  23. ↑ "Billboard Japan Top Download Songs Year End". Billboard Japan (in Japanese). 2018. Archived from the original on July 20, 2025. Retrieved November 28, 2025.
  24. ↑ 【オリコン年間ランキング 2019】嵐が18年ぶり200億円超えで総合首位、米津玄師、あいみょん、髭男がデジタルシーンを席巻 (in Japanese). Oricon. December 23, 2019. Archived from the original on April 23, 2025. Retrieved November 28, 2025.
  25. ↑ "Billboard Japan Top Download Songs Year End". Billboard Japan (in Japanese). 2019. Archived from the original on August 25, 2025. Retrieved November 28, 2025.
  26. ↑ 【オリコン年間ランキング2020】嵐、総合で通算9度目の首位獲得 (in Japanese). Oricon. December 25, 2020. Archived from the original on October 1, 2025. Retrieved November 28, 2025.
  27. ↑ "Billboard Japan Top Download Songs Year End". Billboard Japan (in Japanese). 2020. Archived from the original on April 9, 2023. Retrieved November 28, 2025.
  28. ↑ 【オリコン年間ランキング2021】Snow Man、唯一のミリオン達成で「シングル」年間1位 (in Japanese). Oricon. December 22, 2021. Archived from the original on September 13, 2025. Retrieved November 28, 2025.
  29. ↑ "Billboard Japan Top Download Songs Year End". Billboard Japan (in Japanese). 2021. Archived from the original on May 7, 2025. Retrieved November 28, 2025.
  30. ↑ 【オリコン年間ランキング2022】King & Prince、今年度唯一のミリオン達成で自身初の「シングル」首位　Snow Man初の「アルバム」1位 (in Japanese). Oricon. December 22, 2022. Archived from the original on October 6, 2025. Retrieved November 28, 2025.
  31. ↑ "Billboard Japan Top Download Songs Year End". Billboard Japan (in Japanese). 2022. Archived from the original on August 24, 2025. Retrieved November 28, 2025.
  32. ↑ 【オリコン年間ランキング2023】King & Prince、「シングル」「アルバム」ともにミリオン達成で「音楽」3ジャンルで首位　YOASOBI「アイドル」が３冠 (in Japanese). Oricon. December 20, 2023. Archived from the original on August 25, 2025. Retrieved November 28, 2025.
  33. ↑ "Billboard Japan Top Download Songs Year End". Billboard Japan (in Japanese). 2023. Archived from the original on December 15, 2024. Retrieved November 28, 2025.
  34. ↑ 【オリコン年間ランキング2024】Snow Man、「作品別売上数部門」で史上最多の6冠を達成！　Creepy Nuts「Bling-Bang-Bang-Born」が3冠、Number_i『No.O -ring-』も首位に (in Japanese). Oricon. December 20, 2023. Archived from the original on August 22, 2025. Retrieved November 28, 2025.
  35. ↑ "Billboard Japan Top Download Songs Year End". Billboard Japan (in Japanese). 2024. Archived from the original on July 23, 2025. Retrieved November 28, 2025.
  36. ↑ 【第50回 オリコン年間ランキング 2017】嵐が総合売上5年連続首位、AKB48がシングル年間V8達成! (in Japanese). Oricon. December 23, 2017. Archived from the original on December 2, 2024. Retrieved November 28, 2025.
  37. ↑ "Billboard Japan Top Download Albums Year End". Billboard Japan (in Japanese). 2017. Archived from the original on October 11, 2025. Retrieved November 28, 2025.
  38. ↑ 【オリコン年間デジタルランキング 2018】米津玄師がシングル首位、『グレイテスト・ショーマン』がアルバム首位 (in Japanese). Oricon. December 21, 2018. Archived from the original on November 27, 2024. Retrieved November 28, 2025.
  39. ↑ "Billboard Japan Top Download Albums Year End". Billboard Japan (in Japanese). 2018. Archived from the original on April 14, 2023. Retrieved November 28, 2025.
  40. ↑ 【オリコン年間ランキング 2019】嵐が18年ぶり200億円超えで総合首位、米津玄師、あいみょん、髭男がデジタルシーンを席巻 (in Japanese). Oricon. December 23, 2019. Archived from the original on February 7, 2025. Retrieved November 28, 2025.
  41. ↑ "Billboard Japan Top Download Albums Year End". Billboard Japan (in Japanese). 2019. Archived from the original on August 29, 2025. Retrieved November 28, 2025.
  42. ↑ 【オリコン年間ランキング2020】嵐、総合で通算9度目の首位獲得 (in Japanese). Oricon. December 25, 2020. Archived from the original on May 23, 2025. Retrieved November 28, 2025.
  43. ↑ "Billboard Japan Top Download Albums Year End". Billboard Japan (in Japanese). 2020. Archived from the original on April 9, 2023. Retrieved November 28, 2025.
  44. ↑ 【オリコン年間ランキング2021】Snow Man、唯一のミリオン達成で「シングル」年間1位 (in Japanese). Oricon. December 22, 2021. Archived from the original on August 24, 2025. Retrieved November 28, 2025.
  45. ↑ "Billboard Japan Top Download Albums Year End". Billboard Japan (in Japanese). 2021. Archived from the original on November 28, 2023. Retrieved November 28, 2025.
  46. ↑ 【オリコン年間ランキング2022】King & Prince、今年度唯一のミリオン達成で自身初の「シングル」首位　Snow Man初の「アルバム」1位 (in Japanese). Oricon. December 22, 2022. Archived from the original on October 8, 2025. Retrieved November 28, 2025.
  47. ↑ "Billboard Japan Top Download Albums Year End". Billboard Japan (in Japanese). 2022. Archived from the original on May 22, 2024. Retrieved November 28, 2025.
  48. ↑ 【オリコン年間ランキング2023】King & Prince、「シングル」「アルバム」ともにミリオン達成で「音楽」3ジャンルで首位　YOASOBI「アイドル」が3冠 (in Japanese). Oricon. December 20, 2023. Archived from the original on August 25, 2025. Retrieved November 28, 2025.
  49. ↑ "Billboard Japan Top Download Albums Year End". Billboard Japan (in Japanese). 2023. Archived from the original on December 7, 2023. Retrieved November 28, 2025.
  50. ↑ 【オリコン年間ランキング2024】Snow Man、「作品別売上数部門」で史上最多の6冠を達成！　Creepy Nuts「Bling-Bang-Bang-Born」が3冠、Number_i『No.O -ring-』も首位に (in Japanese). Oricon. December 20, 2024. Archived from the original on August 22, 2025. Retrieved November 28, 2025.
  51. ↑ "Billboard Japan Top Download Albums Year End". Billboard Japan (in Japanese). 2024. Archived from the original on October 11, 2025. Retrieved November 28, 2025.
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