Curious who’s dominating the Japanese music scene? BOYNEXTDOOR just snagged their first No. 1 on the Japan Hot 100 with ‘Count to Love’! But they’re not the only ones making waves. Find out which other artists, including Mrs. GREEN APPLE and HUNTR/X, are shaking up the charts. Who do you think will hold their spot next week?
This week, the dynamic Japan Hot 100 chart witnessed a thrilling shift in its leadership, as the burgeoning K-pop sensation, BOYNEXTDOOR, triumphantly secured their inaugural No. 1 position. Their track, “Count to Love,” marked a significant milestone for the group, debuting at the pinnacle of the prestigious Billboard Japan tally released on August 27, signaling their burgeoning influence in the highly competitive global music landscape.
The success of “Count to Love” is underpinned by impressive figures across various metrics. Hailing from their second single, “BOYLIFE,” the song’s CD version, released on August 20, shattered expectations by topping physical sales with an astounding 431,795 copies. This figure not only showcased a substantial leap past their previous single “AND” but also highlighted strong performance in other areas, including a respectable No. 5 in radio airplay, No. 37 for video views, No. 32 for downloads, and No. 52 for streaming, demonstrating a well-rounded chart presence for the K-pop act.
While BOYNEXTDOOR celebrated their debut at the top, the consistent excellence of Mrs. GREEN APPLE continued to resonate within the J-pop scene. Their hit “Summer Shadow” steadfastly held its ground at No. 2, mirroring its debut position from the previous week. This track is a testament to the prolific nature of the three-man band, marking their fifth new song in an impressive five-month consecutive release streak, now in its second year, and prominently featured in Kirin Beverage’s Gogo no Kocha commercials.
Despite a dip in streaming and download figures for “Summer Shadow,” Mrs. GREEN APPLE demonstrated their enduring appeal, particularly in radio airplay, which surged by approximately 2.3 times compared to the preceding week. The band further solidified their dominance on the music charts with two additional tracks, “KUSUSHIKI” and “Lilac,” comfortably residing within the top 10 at No. 9 and No. 10 respectively, underscoring their profound impact on the Japan Hot 100.
Adding another layer of intrigue to the bustling Japan Hot 100, HANA’s “Blue Jeans” maintained its strong presence at No. 3. This captivating song has consistently held the top spot for streaming for an impressive six consecutive weeks since its debut. After a brief slip to No. 2 in video views last week, it impressively reclaimed its No. 1 position on the current chart, fueled by a remarkable surge in CD sales, which climbed by approximately 1.8 times week-over-week, from 1,400 to 2,533 copies, following the girl group’s first fan meeting.
Beyond the leading contenders, the week also welcomed several new and exciting entries into the top tier of the music charts. Emerging artists made their mark with KID PHENOMENON debuting “Sparkle Summer” at No. 4, SWEET STEADY entering with “YAKIMOCHI” at No. 5, and Lienel securing a notable No. 7 with “Chozetsu SUMMER de baka ni nare.” These fresh faces highlight the vibrant and ever-evolving nature of the Japanese music landscape.
Further down the Japan Hot 100, HUNTR/X’s highly anticipated track “Golden” finally broke into the top 30, landing at No. 25. Featured prominently in a Netflix film, this hit has been a formidable force on global music platforms, dominating other Billboard Japan charts, including the Hot 100 and Global 200. Its steady ascent in Japan, with streaming up 114% and downloads up 108% from the previous week, reflects its growing popularity, steadily climbing from its July 30 debut at 71-50-41-31-25.
The latest Billboard Japan Hot 100 chart, encompassing the week from August 18 to 24, vividly illustrates the dynamic interplay of established artists and rising stars. From the explosive debut of K-pop groups like BOYNEXTDOOR to the enduring power of J-pop stalwarts like Mrs. GREEN APPLE and the cross-cultural appeal of global music acts like HUNTR/X, the chart continues to be a vibrant barometer of musical taste and commercial success in Japan. This weekly tally provides invaluable insights into current trends and future directions in the diverse world of music charts.