We’re back with this week’s edition of Oricon Flashback. This is where we look back on what topped Oricon this week 5, 10, 15, and 20 years ago. Think of it as a way to reminisce and learn about the past of Japanese music.

12/28/98

Album:

SPEED – MOMENT (first week sales: 1,253,920)

Single:

Inaba Koshi – Tooku Made (first week sales: 418,640)

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12/29/03

Album:

Ayumi Hamasaki – Memorial address (first week sales: 524,028)

Single:

MONGOL800 – Yorokobi no Uta (second week sales: 51,733 / second consecutive week at #1)

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12/29/08

Album:

Mr.Children – SUPERMARKET FANTASY (second week sales: 177,581 / second consecutive week at #1)

Single:

Ayumi Hamasaki – Days / GREEN 127,650

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12/30/13

Album:

Kobukuro – One Song From Two Hearts (first week sales: 99,398)

Single / Billboard Hot 100:

SMAP – Shareotsu / Hello (first week sales: 207,665)