Billboard JAPAN Launches New Charts Ranking Japanese Hit Songs Around the Globe

Billboard Japan
·3 min read

On September 14, 2023, Billboard JAPAN launched a new weekly music chart which ranks Japanese hits around the world called “Global Japan Songs Excl. Japan” as well as five country specific “Japan Songs” charts.

“Global Japan Songs Excl. Japan” ranks the top 20 Japanese songs based on streaming and/or sales activity from more than 200 territories around the world, excluding Japan, as tracked by Luminate. The ranking is based on a weighted formula incorporating official-only streams on both subscription and ad-supported tiers of leading audio and video music services, plus download sales from top music retailers across the globe.

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YOASOBI’s “Idol” tops the inaugural “Global Japan Songs Excl. Japan” chart dated September 14. The duo comprised of Ayase and ikura comments, “We’re happy our music is being listened to not only in Japan but also around the world. We’re also very proud that one of our songs has the honor of being the first No. 1 hit according to this inaugural global chart. We look forward to delivering many more songs with confidence to our fans in Japan and around the world. Thank you.”

“It is thrilling to watch the global evolution of Billboard with our newly added Japanese charts,” said Silvio Pietroluongo, EVP of Charts & Data Partnerships at Billboard. “Capturing Japan’s most popular songs and artists, is part of our commitment to bring awareness to the breadth of popular music around the world which continually unites fans everywhere.”

Fans can also view country-specific weekly ranking of Japanese hit songs in South Korea, Singapore, India, France, and the United Kingdom with the newly launched “Japan Songs” charts. Based on a weighted formula unique for each territory, the charts rank the Top 20 Japanese songs based on streaming and/or sales activity in each territory as tracked by Luminate. These charts will enable visualization of Japanese hit songs and trends, which differ from country to country. Additional charts for the United States, Brazil, Taiwan, Germany, and South Africa are set to launch at a later date.

“Ever since Silvio informed us about the concept of a global chart in the mid-2010s and data collection began in full-swing, we’ve continued negotiations to create customized charts for Japan, and are now ready to launch them at last. These charts have never been seen before in this country, or perhaps anywhere else in the world.” shared Seiji Isozaki, General Manager of the Billboard Division at Hanshin Contents Link.

“There are many artists who aim to expand their global reach in various ways. There are also fans all over the world who listen to their music. We hope these charts help deliver the many J-pop songs waiting to be heard to a wider audience” he continued. “When we launched the Japan Hot 100, we coined the phrase: “Hit charts are fun.” We’d like to reiterate these words and enjoy these new charts together with you all.”

Since the launch of the Japan charts in 2008, Billboard JAPAN has constantly updated its Japan Hot 100 by adding new relevant data and launching new charts that reflect music trends. New charts will continue to be released to help drive a wide variety of music discoveries and revitalize the Japanese market.

Global Japan Songs Excl. Japan Top 10 dated September 14, 2023

1. “Idol,” YOASOBI
2. “NIGHT DANCER,” imase
3. “SPECIALZ,” King Gnu
4. “Shinunoga E-Wa,” Fujii Kaze
5. “Where Our Blue Is,” Tatsuya Kitani
6. “KICK BACK,” Kenshi Yonezu
7. “Racing into the Night,” YOASOBI
8. “Young Girl A,” Shiina Mota
9. “NEW DANCE,” XG
10. “Mayonaka no Door~stay with me,” Miki Matsubara

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