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.

One of Japan’s biggest YouTube stars isn’t even a real person. Ever since Kizuna Ai burst onto the scene in late 2016 she has become a sensation among YouTube fans, amassing well over 1.5 million subscribers.

Many of her videos consist of the usual fare among YouTube “stars”, reaction videos, dance routines, and even “Let’s Play” for various video games. Kizuna not actually being real herself is the major draw to her videos, along with her cute personality. While primarily speaks in Japanese in almost all of her videos, English subtitles are available for international fans.

Today marks the release of girl group Keyakizaka46‘s 6th single Glass no ware!

The single has 4 different limited edition CD+DVDs, plus a regular CD only version and Special edition. Each version of the single comes with it’s own exclusive b-side. Highlights include a solo song by Yurina Hirate titled Yoake no Kodoku (Limited edition A), and a duet by Yui Imaizumi & Yui Kobayashi under the unit name “Yuichanzu” titled Zenmai Shikake no Yume (Limited edition C)

An additional b-side titled Mou Mori e Kaerou ka? will be included on every version of the single, it also received it’s very own MV.

This week, Arashi topped the Oricon single chart with their new single “Find The Answer”, selling 395,205 copies in its first week.

JUJU topped the Oricon album chart with her new album “I”, selling 28,987 copies in its first week.

Yonezu Kenshi topped the Oricon digital single chart for the second consecutive week with his single “Lemon”, selling 119,351 copies in its second week.

The “Greatest Showman” soundtrack topped the Oricon digital album chart for the second consecutive week, selling 13,807 copies in its 12th week.

Former singer misono seems to be on a mission to be the worlds biggest stunt queen. In a recent blog update the little Koda sister made a dramatic entry where she was apparently being “invaded by death”.

The trouble started when she traveled to Bali Indonesia in February, which allegedly re-sparked a mysterious disease that was currently dormant in the singers body. She claimed that as of January 2018 for the first time in her life the disease was cured completely. When she returned home she suddenly started to feel different, and her physical condition became worse.

She went on to say “I wonder what I should do…“, and “I feel depressed. I guess I should just withdraw myself and be all alone in the house“.

Singer Miliyah Kato has released the lead promotional song from her upcoming mini-album titled I HATE YOU E.P. 

This is her second mini-album overall, and the very first to have it’s own physical release. Back in December 2014 she released a four track Christmas E.P that was only available digitally. For this album Kato collaborated with a different producer for each track, she provided the lyrics as usual.

The lead song I HATE YOU was produced by the Sknow, other collaborators include RIKI, Seiho, and Chaki Zulu. 5 songs and 1 interlude make up the tracklist.

I HATE YOU‘s MV begins with Kato laying in a bed, promoting her own telephone hotline and home shopping network which serves as the main premise for the video. Periodically the scene changes to Kato performing on a music show with her wearing a sleek vintage Shizuka Kudo-esq outfit.

I HATE YOU E.P will hit store shelves on March 21st, 2018, it’ll be released in a standard CD only and limited edition CD+DVD. The tracklist for the album and full MV for I HATE YOU can be seen below!

Hello, Arama! Japan readers and welcome to this week’s installment of #1 Song Review! Last week saw Mr.Children defeat TWICE. TWICE is back again this week, facing off against two newcomers. Find out what various staff members thought of the songs that topped the singles charts this week and share your thoughts on them too!

Earlier this year, folk/pop duo Kobukuro announced that they would be releasing a new single, their first in nearly a year, on April 11th.  Now that this date has drawn closer, the pair have chosen to unveil all of the details about this upcoming release.

Titled “ONE TIMES ONE”, the lead song has already been selected as the next CM track for Asahi‘s “Mogitate” brand, while B-side “Baton” is currently being used as the CM Song for Ono Pharmaceuticals.  The single’s Limited Edition will include a number of bonus tracks, all of them live recordings from the group’s recent concert tours, as well as a unique tattoo seal.

Read on below to find not only the cover and complete track list for “ONE TIMES ONE”, but also the special ‘image movie’ for “Baton”.