M (song)

Last updated

According to Hamasaki, the melodies composed by her staff for "M" did not fit her image for the song because they were too "warm"—she had envisioned a melody with a "cold" feeling. That, according to Hamasaki, meant a melody that was "difficult to grasp" and started in a lower key before progressing to a higher key. [3] The song is written in common time and begins in the key of C major before progressing to the key of C-sharp major. [7] The song uses piano, electric guitar, triangle, and various stringed instruments.

"M", unlike Hamasaki's antecedent songs, does not follow the verse-chorus form; rather, the song opens with an introduction that is followed by a brief instrumental bridge that precedes two verses. [8] The verses are followed by a pre-chorus after which comes an instrumental bridge; that is followed by a repetition of the pre-chorus and the verse. The chorus and a repetition of it follow; the chorus and its repetition are separated by another instrumental bridge. Finally, a second verse is sung before the repetition of the introduction, at which point the song ends. [9]

Music video

A scene from the music video Scene from M.jpg
A scene from the music video

The music video for "M", directed by Wataru Takeishi, [10] opens with Hamasaki singing the introduction against a stained-glass window. The first instrumental bridge follows, during which is seen the exterior of a cathedral. When the first verse starts, the doors of the cathedral open and glowing particles sweep into the cathedral; at the start of the second instrumental bridge, the particles merge and Hamasaki appears in a wedding gown, at the intersection of the transept and the aisle, also in this scene she is wearing blue contacts. When the chorus starts, Hamasaki is seen outside the cathedral (no longer in a gown) singing with her band; subsequent scenes switch between Hamasaki singing outside the cathedral and standing inside. At the end of the video, the glowing particles sweep out of the cathedral and the gown-clad Hamasaki disappears. [11]

Critical response

"M" was positively reviewed by music critics. Jeff from Random.Access.Reviews stated that "M" was his favorite song on I am... . He commented "It's a very chilled but introspective-sounding song (I can't be certain how introspective it is), a bit folksy at times but nice to listen to, plus it has some wild guitar work later on, reminiscent of Guns 'N Roses of olde." Jeff commented that the globally acclaimed remix by Above & Beyond was great. [12] Neil Z. Yeung called "M" the most moving and emotionally impactful song of the whole record. [13] Michael McCarthy of Lollipop said that Hamasaki's delivery is intense and emotional in "M' and the rest of the record's ballads. [14]

Chart performance and sales

"M" debuted at the number-one position on the weekly Oricon Singles Chart on its first week of release, selling 541,350 copies, beating out "Ren'ai Revolution 21" by Morning Musume. [15] The single remained atop the charts the second week; however, the total sales for that week had dropped to 185,290. [16] The sales rose the third week: the single sold 246,150 copies; however, it was only able to reach the number-two position, as Every Little Thing's single "Fragile/Jirenma" debuted that week with 278,120 copies. [17] By the fourth week, "M" remained at the number-two position with 95,770 copies sold. [18] It remained in the Top 10 the following three weeks, dropping from the number-five position to the number-seven position. [19] [20] [21] It remained in the Top 30 for two more weeks; it reached the twenty-third position before dropping out. [22] [23] By the end of its nine-week run in the Oricon Top 30, "M" sold 1,279,830 copies, [24] making it the best-selling single from I am... and adding to Hamasaki's million-selling singles. [25] "M" reached number-one on the Japanese Count Down TV Chart hosted by Tokyo Broadcasting System (TBS) for two weeks, and remained on the chart for seventeen weeks. [26] The single is also Oricon's last single to win the number-one spot on the montly singles chart for two consecutive months in the 20th century. [27] [28]

By the end of 2001, "M" was ranked at number two on Oricon's annual singles chart, just behind Hikaru Utada's "Can You Keep a Secret?"; it sold 1,319,070 units by the end of the year. [29] Despite this, "M" only ranked at 27th place on TBS' annual singles chart. [30] In the ranking of copyright royalty distribution amounts (domestic works) by the Japanese Society for Rights of Authors, Composers and Publishers (JASRAC), the song "M" ranked 7th for the year 2001. [31] Since its release, the single is listed as the 113th best-selling single of all time in Japan. [32]

Promotion

The song was aired extensively as a commercial song for TU-KA, in which she appeared, and a "limited edition Ayu model" leopard print cell phone was released in honor of the leopard print she had shown on the jacket of "Surreal" from Duty released three months earlier. [33] [34] [35] The other commercial features the remix and promotes the TU-KA funstyle mobile phone; the "𝓜 "funstyle Mix" used in the commercial for TU-KA's music data distribution service "funstyle" was specially re-edited for the funstyle sound source and later recorded as the "𝓜 "RANK-M Mix". [36] She also appeared on a TV program at the time wearing an image of the Virgin Mary as she did in her music videos and jacket. [37]

Accolades

"M" won the award for "Song of the year" at the 2001 Japan Gold Disc Awards. [38] In early 2014, in honor of Hamasaki's sixteenth-year career milestone, Japanese website Goo.ne.jp hosted a poll for fans to rank their favorite songs by Hamasaki out of thirty positions; the poll was held in only twenty-four hours, and thousands submitted their votes. [39] As a result, "M" was ranked at number two, behind "Seasons", with 93.2 percent of the votes. [39]

Additionally, the Above & Beyond remix is considered a vocal trance classic, [40] ranking at number 653 in Trance Top 1000 in 2011, [41] and number 177 in A State of Trance Top 1000 in 2021. [42]

Track listings

"M"
Ayumi Hamasaki - M cover.jpg
Single by Ayumi Hamasaki
from the album A Best and I am...
ReleasedDecember 13, 2000 (2000-12-13)
Recorded2000
Genre
Length4:26
Label Avex Trax
Composer(s) Crea
Lyricist(s) Ayumi Hamasaki
Producer(s) Max Matsuura
Ayumi Hamasaki singles chronology
"Audience"
(2000)
"M"
(2000)
"Evolution"
(2001)
Ayumi Hamasaki German
singles chronology
"Connected"
(2003)
"M"
(2003)
"Depend on You"
(2004)

Personnel

Charts

Certifications

RegionCertification Certified units/sales
Japan (RIAJ) [51]
Physical sales
Million1,319,070 [52]
Japan (RIAJ) [53]
Digital downloads
Platinum250,000*
Streaming
Japan (RIAJ) [54] Gold50,000,000

* Sales figures based on certification alone.
Streaming-only figures based on certification alone.

Release history

CountryRelease date
JapanDecember 13, 2000 [49]
EuropeOctober 27, 2003

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ayumi Hamasaki</span> Japanese singer, songwriter, and actress (born 1978)

Ayumi Hamasaki is a Japanese singer-songwriter and producer. Nicknamed the "Empress of Pop" on account of her influence throughout Asia, she is widely recognized for her versatile music production, songwriting, and live performances. Hamasaki is the best-selling solo artist in Japan, and a cultural icon of the Heisei era.

<i>A Song for ××</i> 1999 studio album by Ayumi Hamasaki

A Song for ×× is the debut studio album by Japanese singer Ayumi Hamasaki, released on New Year's Day 1999 by Avex Trax. It was entirely written by Hamasaki herself, while the production was handled by Japanese musician Max Matsuura. Primarily a pop rock album, it features musical composition and arrangements by Yasuhiko Hoshino, Mitsuru Igarashi of Every Little Thing fame, and others. In this album, Hamasaki wrote about her confusion and uncertainty about life, expressed her expectations and hopes for the future, and expressed her gratitude to the fans who love her.

<i>Duty</i> (album) 2000 studio album by Ayumi Hamasaki

Duty is the third studio album by Japanese recording artist Ayumi Hamasaki. It was released on September 27, 2000, by Avex Trax. Duty is Hamasaki's first studio album inside the 2000s decade, and her third consecutive studio album to be fully produced by Japanese musician and businessman Max Matsuura. The album's composing and arrangement was handled by several music collaborators, such as Ken Harada, Kazuhito Kikuchi, Dai Nagao, HΛL, among many others. Hamasaki contributed to the album as the primary and background vocalist, and songwriter to every song. Three different formats were released to promote the album: a standalone CD, a limited edition Playbutton, and a digital download. The cover art portray Hamasaki wearing a leopard-print catsuit.

<i>Rainbow</i> (Ayumi Hamasaki album) 2002 studio album by Ayumi Hamasaki

Rainbow is the fifth studio album by Japanese recording artist Ayumi Hamasaki, released on 18 December 2002 by Avex Trax. Production of Rainbow had commenced after the release of Hamasaki's fourth studio album I Am... that January; All lyrics were written by Hamasaki, and Japanese producer Max Matsuura returned to produce the album. The album was Hamasaki's first to feature conversational English lyrics, where in her previous works she had only used single words.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Carols (song)</span> 2004 single by Ayumi Hamasaki

"Carols" is the thirty-fourth single released by Japanese recording artist Ayumi Hamasaki. It was released on September 29, 2004, by Avex Trax. It was released on the same day as her ARENA TOUR 2003~2004 A DVD. "Carols" was used as the Panasonic Digital Camera "LUMIX FX7" CM song. It was the last single to be released from her sixth studio album, My Story (2004).

<i>(Miss)understood</i> 2006 studio album by Ayumi Hamasaki

(Miss)understood is the seventh studio album by Japanese singer-songwriter Ayumi Hamasaki. It was released on New Year's Day 2006, by Avex Trax. Hamasaki acted as the album's sole lyricist, as she had on all of her preceding albums. (Miss)understood marked new musical directions for Hamasaki: she explored new influences such as funk and used gospel choruses in some of the songs, foreign to her previous works. This was the result of her having heard compositions by Geo from the German-based pop music project Sweetbox and asking him for his works. Subsequently, Hamasaki rewrote the lyrics entirely to fit (Miss)understood.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vogue (Ayumi Hamasaki song)</span> 2000 single by Ayumi Hamasaki

"Vogue" is a song recorded by Japanese recording artist Ayumi Hamasaki for her third studio album, Duty (2000). It was written by Hamasaki, while production was handled by Max Matsuura. It premiered on April 26, 2000 as the lead single from the album. Her third consecutive lead single to be produced by Matsuura, the song is part of a trilogy from Duty; the other two singles being "Far Away" and "Seasons".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Far Away (Ayumi Hamasaki song)</span> 2000 song by Ayumi Hamasaki

"Far Away" is a song recorded by Japanese recording artist Ayumi Hamasaki for her third studio album, Duty (2000). It was written by Hamasaki, while production was handled by Max Matsuura. It premiered on May 17, 2000, as the second single from the album. The song is part of a trilogy from Duty; the other two singles being "Vogue" and "Seasons".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Seasons (Ayumi Hamasaki song)</span> 2000 single by Ayumi Hamasaki

"Seasons" is a song by Japanese recording artist Ayumi Hamasaki for her third studio album, Duty (2000). It was written by Hamasaki, while production was handled by Avex Trax chairman Max Matsuura. It premiered on June 7, 2000, as the third single from the album. The song is the final part of a trilogy from Duty; the other two singles from the trilogy being "Vogue" and "Far Away".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Audience (Ayumi Hamasaki song)</span> 2000 single by Ayumi Hamasaki

"Audience" is a song by Japanese recording artist Ayumi Hamasaki from her third studio album Duty (2000). It was released as the album's fifth and final single on 1 November 2000 by Avex Trax. Hamasaki wrote the track and Max Matsuura Lewis produced it. Dai Nagao and HΛL composed both the single and album version. The single artwork was shot by Japanese photographer Toru Kumazawa and features duplicate clones of Hamasaki, resembling an audience. Musically, "Audience" is a dance–pop and disco song.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Evolution (Ayumi Hamasaki song)</span> 2001 single by Ayumi Hamasaki

"Evolution" is the 20th single by Japanese recording artist and lyricist Ayumi Hamasaki, released on January 31, 2001, by Avex Trax as the second single from her fourth studio album I Am... (2002).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">H (Ayumi Hamasaki EP)</span> 2002 EP by Ayumi Hamasaki

H is an EP by Japanese recording artist Ayumi Hamasaki, featuring songs later included on her fifth studio album Rainbow (2002). The EP contains the songs "Independent," "July 1st" and "Hanabi," all written and co-composed by Hamasaki, alongside composer Dai Nagao and producer Max Matsuura. Hamasaki had written and recorded the three songs when she was still hurt and influenced by the events of the September 11 attacks and the completion of her fourth studio album I Am... (2002).

<i>Guilty</i> (Ayumi Hamasaki album) 2008 studio album by Ayumi Hamasaki

Guilty is the ninth studio album by Japanese recording artist Ayumi Hamasaki. It was released on New Year's Day 2008 by Avex Trax. Guilty marks Hamasaki's ninth consecutive album to be fully produced by Japanese producer and manager Max Matsuura, while she contributes to the album as the lead vocalist, background vocalist, and songwriter to all songs. Recorded in Japanese with minor phrases in English, Guilty is a rock album with numerous musical elements such as pop rock, heavy metal, synthrock, and power ballad melodies.

<i>A Complete: All Singles</i> 2008 greatest hits album by Ayumi Hamasaki

A Complete: All Singles is a greatest hits album by Japanese singer Ayumi Hamasaki. Avex Trax released it on September 10, 2008 in a variety of formats, and was created to commemorate the singer's tenth anniversary since the release of her 1998 single "Poker Face". The album is divided into three sections, each highlighting a single released by Hamasaki from her debut in 1998 to her most recent single, "Talkin' 2 Myself" in 2007. Additionally, the compilation includes two new songs: the stand-alone single "Mirrorcle World" and a re-recorded version of "Who...".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rule/Sparkle</span> 2009 single by Ayumi Hamasaki

"Rule"/"Sparkle" is a double A-side single by Japanese recording artist Ayumi Hamasaki from her tenth studio album, Next Level (2009). The song was released on a CD and DVD format on February 25, 2009 as the second single from the album. With "Rule" composed by Miki Wantanabe and "Sparkle" composed by Kazuhiro Hara, both songs were written by Hamasaki and produced by long-time collaborator Max Matsuura. "Rule" was used as the international theme song for the 2009 film Dragonball Evolution.

<i>Next Level</i> (Ayumi Hamasaki album) 2009 studio album by Ayumi Hamasaki

Next Level is the tenth studio album by Japanese recording artist Ayumi Hamasaki. It was released through Avex Trax on March 25, 2009 in five physical formats, and for digital consumption. The album was solely produced by Avex Trax owner Max Matsuura, whereas the album's content was written by Hamasaki herself. Additionally, it marks a return for several composers that helped construct her previous records, including Dai Nagao, CMJK, Kazuhiro Hara, HΛL, amongst others. Stylistically, Next Level is a departure from her previous albums, focusing on electronic music with elements of rock and dance.

<i>Rock n Roll Circus</i> 2010 studio album by Ayumi Hamasaki

Rock 'n' Roll Circus is the eleventh studio album by Japanese recording artist Ayumi Hamasaki. It was released on April 14, 2010, by Avex Trax. It was also released just a little over a year after her 2009 album, Next Level. Rock 'n' Roll Circus marks Hamasaki's eleventh consecutive album to be fully produced by Japanese producer and manager Max Matsuura, while she contributes to the album as the lead vocalist, background vocalist, and songwriter to all songs. Recorded in Japanese with minor phrases in English, Rock 'n' Roll Circus is a rock album with numerous musical elements such as electropop, J-pop, rock, pop ballad, and dance music.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Terminal (Ayumi Hamasaki song)</span> 2014 single by Ayumi Hamasaki

"Terminal" is a song by Japanese musician Ayumi Hamasaki. Produced by Dutch trance DJ Armin van Buuren, the song was released as a single from her fifteenth studio album Colours on October 1, 2014.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ohia no Ki</span> 2020 single by Ayumi Hamasaki

"Ohia no Ki" is a song by Japanese singer-songwriter Ayumi Hamasaki. It was released as a digital single only on July 5, 2020, following the airing of the final episode of M Aisubeki Hito ga Ite. The song is Hamasaki's first new release in almost two years and her first digital single since 2016's "We Are the Queens".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dreamed a Dream</span> 2020 single by Ayumi Hamasaki

"Dreamed a Dream" is a song by Japanese singer-songwriter Ayumi Hamasaki. It was released as a digital single only on July 31, 2020.

References

  1. The title of this single is properly rendered thus: Ayumi Hamasaki - M symbol.gif Whenever the title of this single appears on any track listing released by Avex, the aforementioned symbol is used.
  2. 1 2 Shikano Atsushi. Rockin'on Japan . February 2001. Volume 165.
  3. 1 2 3 J-Point. December 22, 2000. Volume 75.
  4. Barry Walters of the Village Voice speculates that the "Maria" in question is Mary Magdalene; however, "Maria" in Japanese most often refers to the Virgin Mary.
  5. "Interview with Ayu". U Weekly SG. February 2002. Retrieved July 5, 2008.
  6. In the lyrics, words for "love" appear five times in total: ai (愛, love) appears four times and koi (恋, love) appears once. Also, the Japanese word for "couple", futari (ふたり, couple, literally two people) appears twice.
  7. According to musical theory, this would be a shift to the parallel key.
  8. The sheet music of "M" from Ayumi Hamasaki - Piano Solo - New Piano Sounds Top 25. Volume 7. ISBN   978-4-89638-944-9
  9. By "repetition" is meant a repetition of the melody, not the lyrics.
  10. "Music Video" (in Japanese).
  11. "ayumi hamasaki / M". YouTube . Retrieved December 4, 2024.
  12. "Ayumi Hamasaki - "i am" review". Random Access Reviews. 2002. Retrieved August 5, 2024.
  13. Z. Yeung, Neil. "Ayumi Hamasaki - I Am..." AllMusic . Retrieved December 14, 2023.
  14. McCarthy, Michael (August 2, 2002). "Hamasaki - I Am... - Review". Lollipop Magazine. Retrieved December 14, 2023.
  15. Oricon Style Staff (December 25, 2000). "Oricon Singles Chart – Chart Week December 25, 2000". Oricon; published through Yahoo! GeoCities (in Japanese). Archived from the original on March 31, 2019. Retrieved March 22, 2024.
  16. Oricon Style Staff (January 1, 2001). "Oricon Singles Chart – Chart Week January 1, 2001". Oricon; published through Yahoo! GeoCities (in Japanese). Archived from the original on March 31, 2019. Retrieved March 22, 2024.
  17. Oricon Style Staff (January 15, 2001). "Oricon Singles Chart – Chart Week January 15, 2001". Oricon; published through Yahoo! GeoCities (in Japanese). Archived from the original on March 31, 2019. Retrieved March 22, 2024.
  18. Oricon Style Staff (January 22, 2001). "Oricon Singles Chart – Chart Week January 22, 2001". Oricon; published through Yahoo! GeoCities (in Japanese). Archived from the original on March 31, 2019. Retrieved March 22, 2024.
  19. Oricon Style Staff (January 29, 2001). "Oricon Singles Chart – Chart Week January 29, 2001". Oricon; published through Yahoo! GeoCities (in Japanese). Archived from the original on March 31, 2019. Retrieved March 22, 2024.
  20. Oricon Style Staff (February 5, 2001). "Oricon Singles Chart – Chart Week February 5, 2001". Oricon; published through Yahoo! GeoCities (in Japanese). Archived from the original on March 31, 2019. Retrieved March 22, 2024.
  21. Oricon Style Staff (February 12, 2001). "Oricon Singles Chart – Chart Week February 12, 2001". Oricon; published through Yahoo! GeoCities (in Japanese). Archived from the original on March 31, 2019. Retrieved March 22, 2024.
  22. Oricon Weekly Charts for the third week of February 2001. Oricon. Retrieved July 5, 2008.
  23. Oricon Weekly Charts for the third week of February 2001. Oricon. Retrieved July 5, 2008.
  24. According to the total of the sales while "M" was in Oricon Top 30 charts. Oricon does not publish the sales or positions below thirty; therefore, it is possible that "M" sold more.
  25. "浜崎あゆみ ミリオンセラー" . Retrieved July 31, 2024.
  26. 1 2 "CDTV PowerWeb:! Ayumi Hamasaki - M". TBS. Archived from the original on June 20, 2006. Retrieved December 4, 2024.
  27. 1 2 "オリコン(oricon)「2000年12月」の月間シングルCDランキング" . Retrieved December 4, 2024.
  28. "オリコン(oricon)「2001年01月」の月間シングルCDランキング" . Retrieved December 4, 2024.
  29. 1 2 "2001年 シングル年間TOP100" (in Japanese). Oricon (published via GeoCities). Archived from the original on January 29, 2016. Retrieved December 13, 2023.
  30. 1 2 "CDTV PowerWeb! 2001 Annual Singles Chart". Count Down TV; published through Tokyo Broadcasting System (TBS) (in Japanese). 2001. Archived from the original on September 18, 2006. Retrieved November 30, 2024.
  31. "2002年 国内作品分配額ベスト10(金・銀・銅賞関連)". JASRAC. Archived from the original on August 4, 2003. Retrieved December 4, 2024.
  32. 1 2 "オリコンCDシングル歴代売上ランキング" (in Japanese). Retrieved November 18, 2023.
  33. "浜崎あゆみ「M」TU-KA 2000年". YouTube . Retrieved December 4, 2024.
  34. "「浜崎あゆみ」オリジナルデザインケータイ新登場!" (in Japanese). TU-KA. November 27, 2000. Archived from the original on April 9, 2001. Retrieved December 14, 2023.
  35. "ツーカー東京・東海、浜崎あゆみデザインのケータイ" (in Japanese). TU-KA . Retrieved December 14, 2023.
  36. "ツーカーは浜崎あゆみだけではない" (in Japanese). ITmedia. Retrieved December 14, 2023.
  37. "浜崎あゆみ _ M _ 2000年". Bilibili (in Japanese). Retrieved December 14, 2023.
  38. "THE JAPAN GOLD DISK AWARD 2001" (in Japanese). RIAJ. Archived from the original on December 20, 2003. Retrieved March 7, 2024.
  39. 1 2 Aramajapan Staff (2014). "What are Ayumi Hamasai's most popular songs?". goo.ne.jp; published by Aramajapan.com. Retrieved July 15, 2022.
  40. "The 100 Best Vocal Trance Classics (1997-2011)". Armada Music. Retrieved 15 July 2022.
  41. "Trance Top 1000 2011". TranceFamilySF. Archived from the original on 27 August 2019. Retrieved 2022-07-15.
  42. "Armin Van Buuren's All-Time A State of Trance Top 1000 List!". A State of Trance. Retrieved 15 July 2022.
  43. M (Japanese maxi-CD single liner notes). Ayumi Hamasaki. Avex Trax. 2000. AVCD-30197.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  44. M (Japanese 2×12-inch vinyl discs). Ayumi Hamasaki. Avex Trax. 2001. AVJK-3040, AVJK-3041.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  45. M (Part 1) (German 12-inch vinyl sleeve). Ayumi Hamasaki. Drizzly Records. 2003. DRIZ3002-1.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  46. M (Part 2) (German 12-inch vinyl sleeve). Ayumi Hamasaki. Drizzly Records. 2003. DRIZ3002-2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  47. M (German maxi-single liner notes). Ayumi Hamasaki. Drizzly Records. 2003. DRIZ3002-CD, 376.3002.3.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  48. Takeuchi Cullen, Lisa. "Empress of Pop". TIME . Retrieved July 5, 2008.
  49. 1 2 "M | 浜崎あゆみ" [M | Ayumi Hamasaki] (in Japanese). Oricon . Retrieved October 9, 2023.
  50. "2000年代シングル売上ランキング" (in Japanese). Retrieved August 5, 2024.
  51. "Japanese certifications – Ayumi Hamasaki – M" (in Japanese). Recording Industry Association of Japan.Select 2001年1月 on the drop-down menu
  52. "オリコンランキング情報サービス「you大樹」" [Oricon Ranking Information Service 'You Big Tree']. Oricon . Retrieved August 26, 2014.
  53. "Japanese digital certifications – Ayumi Hamasaki – M" (in Japanese). Recording Industry Association of Japan.Select 2014年1月 on the drop-down menu
  54. "Japanese single streaming certifications – Ayumi Hamasaki – M" (in Japanese). Recording Industry Association of Japan . Retrieved September 27, 2023.Select 2023年8月 on the drop-down menu