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.

Latest numbers for the fall dramas are in! Check out the updated ratings chart below.

Today Tower Records Japan have chosen to announce the releases which stand at the top of their Bestseller lists for the year 2015.  These rankings reflect the combined total sales of the Japanese, Imported, Limited, Analog, etc. versions of each Album/DVD sold through Tower Records stores from December 1st of last year through November 30th of this year.

The Japanese Year-End chart was topped by Arashi’s “Japonism”, while the Foreign Year-End chart has been topped by The Beatles’s remastered compilation album “1”. The Jazz category was ruled by Diana Krall’s “Wallflower”, with Goto Midori’s interpretation of J.S. Bach’s Sonatas and Partitas taking the top spot in the Classical category. As for Music DVDs, Arashi once again topped the ranking with their “ARASHI BLAST in Hawaii”; meanwhile, the top Soundtrack album of the year was that of the latest “Wild Speed Sky Mission” (“Fast & Furious”) film.  Finally, the top selling single at Tower Records’ stores was AKB48’s “Bokutachi wa Tatakawanai”, while the highest selling indie album was Suiyoubi no Campanella’s “Watashi wo Onigashima ni Tsuretette”.

Congratulations of course go to all of the victors, and the full Top 20s for the Japanese Album chart, the Western Album chart, and more will follow after the cut.

This week’s guests were [Alexandros] and Superfly.

[Alexandros] – Girl A

Superfly – Kuroi Shizuku

This week’s episode of Music Fair was a special episode dedicated to Masahiko Kondo in honor of his 35th anniversary.

Masahiko Kondo – Sneaker Blues / Andalucia ni Akogarete

Masahiko Kondo x Takamizawa Toshihiko x Marty Friedman – Midnight Shuffle

Masahiko Kondo x Yokoyama Ken – Orokamono

Masahiko Kondo – Otona no Ryuugi

Last month we reported that a special tribute version of Spitz’s classic album “Hachimitsu” was set to be released on December 23rd.  Now additional information has been published regarding which of the already announced acts will be handling each song that will be included on the release.

In addition, Universal Music Japan has also published a digest video for the album to their official Youtube channel, providing us with an idea of what each artist has done with their chosen song.

You’ll find both this set of previews and the full track list for “JUST LIKE HONEY ~”Hachimitsu” 20th Anniversary Tribute” right below the cut, so please do read on just a bit futher.

After quite a lengthy wait it has been announced that singer/songwriter KAN will be releasing a brand new studio album titled “6×9=53” on February 3rd of next year.  This record will be KAN’s first collection of new material released since 2010’s “Kanchigai mo Hanahadashii Watashi no Jinsei”, the nearly six year gap marking his longest time between albums.

“6×9=53” will include new versions of  KAN’s previously released singles “Listen to the Music” and “Sakura Night Fever” as well as eight new songs for a total of ten tracks.  In addition, the album is planned to be released in two different versions, the Limited pressing set to include a DVD that will contain an hour-long documentary video centering around the album’s recording process.

Read on below for a look at the album’s track list and a summary of just who will be collaborating with KAN on the record.

THE BED ROOM TAPE is the solo project of Nabowa’s guitarist Kageyama Kanade. On December 2, he released his new EP, “YARN.” The opening track is a collaboration with Kawatani Enon, the frontman of Gesu no Kiwami Otome. and indigo la End. The music video was recently released for this track, titled “Inochi no Hi.” Enon lends his vocals to a jazz-influenced track with a lazy day feel. The visuals for this clip have a similar relaxed vibe. Check it out after the jump, along with more info on this release!