Three songs from 2017 were certified Platinum this month for selling 250,000 copies: Che’Nelle’s “Destiny”, BUMP OF CHICKEN’s “Ribbon”, and Austin Mahone’s “Dirty Work.”

One songs from 2017 was certified Gold this month for selling 100,000 copies: Leo Ieiri’s “Zutto, Futari de.”

Last we heard from popular rock band back number, they announced that they would be releasing a new single titled “Mabataki” on December 20th.  Now, well in advance of this date, the group have published the short version of the lead track’s music video to their label’s Youtube channel.

The PV for this mid-tempo winter tune combines footage of the track’s performance inside a warehouse with a series of scenes which are meant to represent the worldview of the lyrics.  Of note, these shots were taken by four different photographers, each aiming to convey a range of different feelings.

You’ll find the rather emotional PV for “Mabataki” if you read on below.

Back in October we reported that rock band Straightener and singer/songwriter Motohiro Hata would be releasing a collaboration single titled “Akari” on November 15th.  Now that the single’s release date has passed, the two acts have finally published the track’s full PV to Youtube.

This music video is composed primarily of footage from Akari’s recording sessions, featuring shots of both singers at their microphones as well as a panoramic view of the whole band performance.  These images were then cut together with various snapshots of a nighttime cityscape in an attempt to match the song’s wintry atmosphere.

You’ll find the full-length music video for “Akari” right after the jump.

Akari Suda, the leader of Team E of SKE48, made an appearance on variety talk show ‘Sunday Japon’ on Nov, 19. The topic of the segment Suda was in was about the four idols who had sued their agency for unpaid wages. The D-topia controversy was previously covered here.

From November 17 – 19, this year’s edition of Internationaux de France took place in Grenoble. This was the fifth event in the International Skating Union’s 2017 – 2018 Grand Prix Series. Shoma Uno came in second at this event, making him the only entry out of Japan’s three at this event to medal.

Shoma came in second place with a total score of 273.32, 10.39 points behind Spain’s Javier Fernandez. Shoma’s short program received a score of 93.92, putting him in second place behind Javier, whose short program received a score of 107.86. Shoma fell during his opening jump, a quad flip. “It was really tough,” he said. “I didn’t think I would be able to execute my jumps. I was just doing it out of a sense of responsibility.”

Shoma’s free skate was the top one of the event, with a score of 179.40, ahead of Javier’s second place free skate, which received a score of 175.85.

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.

This week’s performer was Ging Nang BOYZ. The talk guest was Kanjani8.

Ging Nang BOYZ – Angel Baby

This week’s guests were Ayaka Hirahara, Miyamoto Emiri, Aoyama Hideki, Fujisawa Norimasa, Kiyozuka Shinya, Miyazawa Emma, and Kazureza. Ayaka, Emiri, and Hideki also performed with Kanjani8.

Ayaka Hirahara x Miyamoto Emiri x Aoyama Hideki x Kanjani8 – Jupiter