This week’s guest was MY FIRST STORY.

MY FIRST STORY – Kokuhaku / Weight of my pride (Pay money To my Pain)

Fresh off of the release of a new physical single last month, Sandaime J SOUL BROTHERS is back with a brand new digital single titled “JSB IN BLACK“. Their 4th single overall, it is available globally on the favored streaming platforms.

The digital track is being used as the official theme song for the groups latest concert dome tour Sandaime J SOUL BROTHERS LIVE TOUR 2021 “THIS IS JSB”. The tour kicked off July 16th and is planned to conclude on August 21st.

J Soul Brother’s official YouTube channel has uploaded a lyric video for the track. The video features a new photo of the group wearing sleek black suits. Check it out below!

Hey, Arama Japan! It’s Friday, so it’s Open Post time! Feel free to chat with your fellow readers about whatever you like! Enjoy!

Earlier this week, Oyamada Keigo, better known by his stage name Cornelius, was announced as one of the composers of the music for the Opening Ceremony of the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. Almost immediately, social media became abuzz about his bullying past.

In a number of magazine interviews in the 90s, Cornelius looked back on his bullying of a mentally disabled classmate, from elementary school through high school. His torment of his peer included tying him up, trapping him in a box, duct taping a cardboard box around his head and then pouring chalk dust inside, making him eat his own feces, forcing him to walk around school with his penis exposed, and forcing him to masturbate in front of other students, among other things. These reflections were not looked back on regretfully, but instead were seen as funny childhood moments. He spoke of them in a boastful nature.

This resurfacing of Cornelius’ bullying past seems to have gotten to him, because he is now somewhat regretful, having released an apology statement. Read Cornelius’ full apology below.

We’re back with a special edition of Arama! Japan Playlist: 2021 Mid Year Staff Selections! This playlist is composed of me and Hannah‘s favorite songs from the first half of 2021 (minus my Johnny’s songs because they don’t stream). There’s something here for everyone, including Mukai Taichi, Sakurazaka46, Sandaime J SOUL BROTHERS, ZOC, Lucky Kilimanjaro, Ken Hirai, KID FRESINO, and Oomori Seiko. Check it out below!

On July 17 at 2 PM JST, “Ongaku no Hi 2021” will air. The show will feature performances by the likes of Tokyo Jihen, SixTONES, MISIA, AI, T.M.Revolution, Official HIGE DANdism, BiSH, Sandaime J SOUL BROTHERS, Hikawa Kiyoshi, DISH//, Leo Ieiri, and Coldplay.

There is a live stream of the show and Arama! Japan will be hosting a chat on Discord so that readers can chat with each other during the show! See more below!

As previously reported, Matsumoto Takashi is currently celebrating his 50th anniversary as a songwriter. As part of this celebration, he has his own NHK music special, “NHK MUSIC SPECIAL Matsumoto Takashi 50nen ~Jidai to Hito wo Tsunaida Sakushika~.”

In this special, Takashi discusses his career and is joined by several guests involved in his tribute album, including Kameda Seiji, Kawasaki Takaya, Ikeda Elaiza, and Daichi Miura. KinKi Kids also makes an appearance.

Kawasaki Takaya – Kimi wa Tennen Shoku

Ikeda Elaiza – Woman “W no Higeki” Yori

Daichi Miura – Candy

KinKi Kids – Glass no Shonen / 99%

This week, BTS retook the top spot on the Hot 100 single chart with their digital single “Butter”, with 13,229 points, topping the chart for the third non-consecutive week.

BTS also topped the Hot Albums chart for the third consecutive week with their best album “BTS, THE BEST.”

YOASOBI retook the top spot on the Artist 100 chart.

Ayase topped the Hot 100 Lyricists chart for the second consecutive week.

Ayase also topped the Hot 100 Composers chart for the second consecutive week.

BTS also topped the Streaming Songs chart for the seventh consecutive week with “Butter.”

YOASOBI also topped the Download Songs chart with their new digital single “Sangenshoku.”

SHINee topped the Download Albums chart with their new mini album “SUPERSTAR.”