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YesAsia 2018 Bestsellers - Japanese Music

Written by YumCha! Editorial Team Tell a Friend

For 2018, we've split the J-pop music charts into releases by Japanese and Korean artists to provide more detailed rankings. EXO became our top-selling artist in Japanese music for the first time thanks to the strong sales of Countdown, the best-selling Japanese album of the year. Twice claimed the top two singles of 2018 and the #5 album.

Other big K-pop names like BTS, SHINee, Monsta X, GOT7 and BLACKPINK continued to rank high. BTS, in particular, is the second highest-selling artist with an album, a single and three concerts charting in the top ten. Seventeen, NCT 127, Red Velvet, Dreamcatcher, GFriend, Mamamoo and EXID all made their Japan debuts in 2018 and shook up the top spots.

Utada Hikaru's 20th anniversary album Hatsukoi is the only Japanese artist album in the top ten overall. The top ten singles by Japanese artists are Johnny's across the board with KinKi Kids leading the way for the first time. Though Arashi ceded the top spot, the group is well represented as the highest-selling Japanese artist with three singles in the top ten, the top-selling concert for the eighth consecutive year, and their 2017 album staying on the chart. Amuro Namie's final album also continued to chart along with new releases by Dir En Grey, Hamasaki Ayumi, Perfume and Johnny's groups Hey! Say! JUMP and Kanjani8.

The below rankings are based on Japanese music sales on YesAsia.com from January 1 to December 31, 2018.

BEST-SELLING J-POP ALBUMS OF 2018


BEST-SELLING J-POP SINGLES OF 2018



BEST-SELLING ARTISTS

1. EXO
2. BTS
 3. SHINee
 4. Twice
 5. Arashi
6. Monsta X
 7. BLACKPINK
 8. Amuro Namie
 9. Hey! Say! JUMP
10. Seventeen



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Published January 9, 2019


Mentioned Products

  1. 1 HYBRID FUNK (Original Edition) (Japan Version) ENDRECHERI | ENDLICHERI ENDLICHERI | Domoto Tsuyoshi HYBRID FUNK (Original Edition) (Japan Version) US$25.75
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    Usually ships within 7 days

  2. 2 UP&DOWN [JAPANESE VERSION] [Type A] (SINGLE+DVD) (First Press Limited Edition) (Japan Version) EXID UP&DOWN [JAPANESE VERSION] [Type A] (SINGLE+DVD) (First Press Limited Edition) (Japan Version) US$23.25
  3. 3 What - Japanese Ver.- [Type A] (SINGLE+DVD) (First Press Limited Edition) (Japan Version) Dreamcatcher What - Japanese Ver.- [Type A] (SINGLE+DVD) (First Press Limited Edition) (Japan Version) US$18.99
  4. 4 SEVENTEEN Japan 1st Mini Album - WE MAKE YOU [TYPE A] (ALBUM + PHOTOBOOK) (First Press Limited Edition) (Japan Version) Seventeen SEVENTEEN Japan 1st Mini Album - WE MAKE YOU [TYPE A] (ALBUM + PHOTOBOOK) (First Press Limited Edition) (Japan Version) US$22.99
    Customer Review Rated Bad 10 - 10 out of 10 (1)

  5. 5 Livin' It Up [Type A] (SINGLE+DVD) (First Press Limited Edition) (Japan Version) Monsta X Livin' It Up [Type A] (SINGLE+DVD) (First Press Limited Edition) (Japan Version) US$20.75
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    Usually ships within 7 days

  6. 6 Decalcomanie -Japanese ver.- [Type A] (SINGLE+DVD) (First Press Limited Edition) (Japan Version) Mamamoo Decalcomanie -Japanese ver.- [Type A] (SINGLE+DVD) (First Press Limited Edition) (Japan Version) US$20.25
  7. 7 Hatsukoi (Japan Version) Utada Hikaru Hatsukoi (Japan Version) US$24.25
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    Usually ships within 7 days

  8. 8 2017 BTS LIVE TRILOGY EPISODE III THE WINGS TOUR IN JAPAN - SPECIAL EDITION - at KYOCERA DOME [BLU-RAY] (First Press Limited Edition) (Japan Version) BTS 2017 BTS LIVE TRILOGY EPISODE III THE WINGS TOUR IN JAPAN - SPECIAL EDITION - at KYOCERA DOME [BLU-RAY] (First Press Limited Edition) (Japan Version) US$78.49
  9. 9 Kimi no Uta (SINGLE + DVD) (First Press Limited Edition) (Japan Version) Arashi Kimi no Uta (SINGLE + DVD) (First Press Limited Edition) (Japan Version) US$16.99
  10. 10 Natsu Hayate (SINGLE+DVD) (First Press Limited Edition) (Japan Version) Arashi Natsu Hayate (SINGLE+DVD) (First Press Limited Edition) (Japan Version) US$16.99
  11. 11 Re: BLACKPINK (ALBUM+DVD) (Japan Version) BLACKPINK Re: BLACKPINK (ALBUM+DVD) (Japan Version) US$47.25
    Customer Review Rated Bad 10 - 10 out of 10 (1)

  12. 12 TAEMIN (ALBUM + DVD + PHOTO BOOKLET) (First Press Limited Edition) (Japan Version) Tae Min (SHINee) TAEMIN (ALBUM + DVD + PHOTO BOOKLET) (First Press Limited Edition) (Japan Version) US$36.99
  13. 13 Finally (3CD+BLU-RAY) (Japan Version) Amuro Namie Finally (3CD+BLU-RAY) (Japan Version) US$43.49
     Add to Cart   Save for later 
    Usually ships within 7 days

  14. 14 FAKE LOVE/ Airplane pt.2 [TYPE A] (SINGLE +DVD) (First Press Limited Edition)(Japan Version) BTS FAKE LOVE/ Airplane pt.2 [TYPE A] (SINGLE +DVD) (First Press Limited Edition)(Japan Version) US$18.75
  15. 15 Find The Answer (Normal Edition) (Japan Version) Arashi Find The Answer (Normal Edition) (Japan Version) US$11.75
     Add to Cart   Save for later 
    Usually ships within 7 days

  16. 16 Aitai, Aitai, Aenai [Type A] (SINGLE+DVD) (First Press Limited Edition) (Japan Version) DOMOTO Aitai, Aitai, Aenai [Type A] (SINGLE+DVD) (First Press Limited Edition) (Japan Version)
    64% off
     US$5.99
     Add to Cart   Save for later 
    Usually ships within 1 to 2 days

  17. 17 VESTIGE OF SCRATCHES [3CD] (Normal Edition) (Japan Version) DIR EN GREY VESTIGE OF SCRATCHES [3CD] (Normal Edition) (Japan Version) US$33.75
  18. 18 Ask Yourself (SINGLE+DVD) (First Press Limited Edition) (Japan Version) KAT-TUN Ask Yourself (SINGLE+DVD) (First Press Limited Edition) (Japan Version) US$17.99
  19. 19 Cinderella Girl (Normal Edition) (Japan Version) King & Prince Cinderella Girl (Normal Edition) (Japan Version) US$10.75
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    Usually ships within 7 days

  20. 20 ARASHI LIVE TOUR 2017-2018 "untitled" [BLU-RAY] (Normal Edition) (Japan Version) Arashi ARASHI LIVE TOUR 2017-2018 "untitled" [BLU-RAY] (Normal Edition) (Japan Version) US$46.49
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    Usually ships within 7 to 14 days

  21. 21 LPS [TYPE A] (SINGLE+DVD) (First Press Limited Edition) (Japan Version) NEWS LPS [TYPE A] (SINGLE+DVD) (First Press Limited Edition) (Japan Version) US$16.99
  22. 22 namie amuro Final Tour 2018 -Finally- [BLU-RAY] (2 Concerts + Nagoya Dome Live) (First Press Limited Edition) (Japan Version) Amuro Namie namie amuro Final Tour 2018 -Finally- [BLU-RAY] (2 Concerts + Nagoya Dome Live) (First Press Limited Edition) (Japan Version) US$75.49
  23. 23 TROUBLE [Jacket A] (ALBUM +DVD) (Taiwan Version) Hamasaki Ayumi TROUBLE [Jacket A] (ALBUM +DVD) (Taiwan Version) US$25.49
  24. 24 THE New Era [Type A] (SINGLE+DVD) (First Press Limited Edition) (Japan Version) GOT7 THE New Era [Type A] (SINGLE+DVD) (First Press Limited Edition) (Japan Version) US$21.99
     Add to Cart   Save for later 
    Usually ships within 7 days

  25. 25 Maewomuke (First Press Normal Edition) (Japan Version) Hey! Say! JUMP Maewomuke (First Press Normal Edition) (Japan Version) US$12.49
  26. 26 FACE YOURSELF [Type A] (ALBUM+BLU-RAY] (First Press Limited Edition) (Japan Version) BTS FACE YOURSELF [Type A] (ALBUM+BLU-RAY] (First Press Limited Edition) (Japan Version) US$39.99
  27. 27 The Insulated World (2CD) (First Press Limited Edition) (Japan Version) DIR EN GREY The Insulated World (2CD) (First Press Limited Edition) (Japan Version) US$30.75
    Customer Review Rated Bad 10 - 10 out of 10 (1)

  28. 28 SPOTLIGHT [Type A] (SINGLE+DVD) (First Press Limited Edition) (Japan Version) Monsta X SPOTLIGHT [Type A] (SINGLE+DVD) (First Press Limited Edition) (Japan Version) US$20.75
     Add to Cart   Save for later 
    Usually ships within 7 days

  29. 29 SHINee WORLD THE BEST 2018 - FROM NOW ON - in TOKYO DOME [BLU-RAY] (First Press Limited Edition) (Japan Version) SHINee SHINee WORLD THE BEST 2018 - FROM NOW ON - in TOKYO DOME [BLU-RAY] (First Press Limited Edition) (Japan Version) US$69.99
  30. 30 COSMIC☆HUMAN [Type 1] (SINGLE+DVD) (First Press Limited Edition) (Japan Version) Hey! Say! JUMP COSMIC☆HUMAN [Type 1] (SINGLE+DVD) (First Press Limited Edition) (Japan Version) US$15.99
  31. 31 GR8EST (2CD+2DVD) (Deluxe Edition) (Japan Version) SUPER EIGHT GR8EST (2CD+2DVD) (Deluxe Edition) (Japan Version) US$74.25
  32. 32 Countdown (ALBUM+DVD) (Normal Edition) (Taiwan Version) EXO Countdown (ALBUM+DVD) (Normal Edition) (Taiwan Version) US$27.25
     Add to Cart   Save for later 
    Usually ships within 30 days

  33. 33 2017 BTS LIVE TRILOGY EPISODE III THE WINGS TOUR - JAPAN EDITION - [BLU-RAY + PHOTOBOOK] (First Press Limited Edition) (Japan Version) BTS 2017 BTS LIVE TRILOGY EPISODE III THE WINGS TOUR - JAPAN EDITION - [BLU-RAY + PHOTOBOOK] (First Press Limited Edition) (Japan Version) US$67.99
  34. 34 「untitled」 (ALBUM+DVD) (First Press Limited Edition) (Japan Version) Arashi 「untitled」 (ALBUM+DVD) (First Press Limited Edition) (Japan Version)
    70% off
     US$8.99
     Add to Cart   Save for later 
    Usually ships within 1 to 2 days

  35. 35 Chain (ALBUM+DVD) (First Press Limited Edition) (Taiwan Version) NCT 127 Chain (ALBUM+DVD) (First Press Limited Edition) (Taiwan Version) US$23.25
  36. 36 Future Pop (ALBUM+BLU-RAY) (Limited Edition) (Japan Version) Perfume Future Pop (ALBUM+BLU-RAY) (Limited Edition) (Japan Version) US$38.99
     Add to Cart   Save for later 
    Usually ships within 7 days

  37. 37 Hey! Say! JUMP I/Oth Anniversary Tour 2017-2018 [TYPE A] (3DVD) (First Press Limited Edition) (Japan Version) Hey! Say! JUMP Hey! Say! JUMP I/Oth Anniversary Tour 2017-2018 [TYPE A] (3DVD) (First Press Limited Edition) (Japan Version) US$53.99
  38. 38 SHINee THE BEST FROM NOW ON [TYPE A] [2CD + BLU-RAY + PHOTO BOOKLET] (First Press Limited Edition) (Japan Version) SHINee SHINee THE BEST FROM NOW ON [TYPE A] [2CD + BLU-RAY + PHOTO BOOKLET] (First Press Limited Edition) (Japan Version) US$52.75
  39. 39 PIECE [Type A] (ALBUM+DVD) (First Press Limited Edition) (Japan Version) Monsta X PIECE [Type A] (ALBUM+DVD) (First Press Limited Edition) (Japan Version) US$34.49
     Add to Cart   Save for later 
    Usually ships within 7 days

  40. 40 BTS JAPAN OFFICIAL FANMEETING VOL 4 [Happy Ever After] (3DVD+ Photobook + Postcard + Photo Card) (First Press Limited Edition) (Japan Version) BTS BTS JAPAN OFFICIAL FANMEETING VOL 4 [Happy Ever After] (3DVD+ Photobook + Postcard + Photo Card) (First Press Limited Edition) (Japan Version) US$69.99
  41. 41 SENSE or LOVE (ALBUM+DVD) (First Press Limited Edition) (Japan Version) Hey! Say! JUMP SENSE or LOVE (ALBUM+DVD) (First Press Limited Edition) (Japan Version) US$34.99
  42. 42 TAEMIN THE 1st Stage Nippon Budokan [BLU-RAY] (First Press Limited Edition) (Japan Version) Tae Min (SHINee) TAEMIN THE 1st Stage Nippon Budokan [BLU-RAY] (First Press Limited Edition) (Japan Version) US$49.99
    Customer Review Rated Bad 10 - 10 out of 10 (1)

  43. 43 KinKi Kids CONCERT 20.2.21 -Everything happens for a reason- [BLU-RAY+CD] (First Press Limited Edition) (Japan Version) DOMOTO KinKi Kids CONCERT 20.2.21 -Everything happens for a reason- [BLU-RAY+CD] (First Press Limited Edition) (Japan Version) US$71.99
  44. 44 Topaz Love / DESTINY (Normal Edition) (Japan Version) DOMOTO Topaz Love / DESTINY (Normal Edition) (Japan Version) US$11.49
     Add to Cart   Save for later 
    Usually ships within 7 days

  45. 45 Memoria / Yoru (Time for the moon night) [TYPE A] (SINGLE+DVD) (First Press Limited Edition) (Japan Version) GFRIEND Memoria / Yoru (Time for the moon night) [TYPE A] (SINGLE+DVD) (First Press Limited Edition) (Japan Version) US$18.99
  46. 46 #Cookie Jar (Taiwan Version) Red Velvet #Cookie Jar (Taiwan Version) US$14.49
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