As reported here the other day, Japan’s population is still on the decrease, and its fertility rate is a very low 1.37 babies per woman. It is generally believed that a birth rate of about 2.11 is required to maintain a stable population, but Japan is very far from this level. The government [...]

Oricon Top 10 Singles of 2009

(Rank, Artist, Song Name, Purchase Info.)

To say this list is dominated by Arashi and ‘Johnny’s’ acts would be an understatement. Arashi have sealed 4 of the top 5 singles of the year, while Johnny’s acts KAT-TUN and Kanjani8 picked up a further 3, giving the company 8 of the top [...]

Oricon Top 10 Albums of 2009

(Rank, Artist, Album Name, Purchase Info.)

1. Arashi, All the Best! 1999-2009 BUY: JAPAN / OVERSEAS

2. Mr. Children, Supermarket Fantasy BUY: JAPAN / OVERSEAS

3. GReeeeN, Shio, Kosho BUY: JAPAN / OVERSEAS

4. Exile, Ai Subeki Mirai e BUY: JAPAN /

Oricon Chart for Week of Dec 21 – Dec 27:

(Rank, Artist, Album Name, No. of Units, Last Week, Purchase Info.)

1. Ikimono Gakari, Hajimari no Uta, 200,286, NEW BUY: JAPAN / OVERSEAS

2. flumpool, What’s flumpool!?, 90,102, NEW BUY: JAPAN / OVERSEAS

3. Amuro Namie, Past/Future, 87,210, 1 BUY:

Oricon Singles Chart for the Week of Dec 21 – Dec 27:

(Rank, Artist, Song Name, No. of Units, Last week, Purchase Info.)

1. Kanjani 8, Gift – Shiro, 116,814, NEW BUY

2. Kanjani 8, Gift – Aka, 114,402, NEW BUY

3. Kanjani 8, Gift – Midori, 114,001, NEW [...]

According to government estimates, the population of Japan fell by approximately 75,000 in 2009, based on births and deaths registered in Japan between January and October. During 2009, there was a decrease in births, down 22,000 to 1,069,000 and an increase in deaths, up 2,000 to 1,144,000 compared with 2008. These both continued trends [...]

Here are the top 10 rated Japanese dramas on television in 2009. The list is dominated by historical, medical and police procedural dramas.

Top 10 Japanese Dramas of 2009

(Program, Channel, Rating)

1. Tenchijin, NHK, 26.0

2. Jin, TBS, 25.3

3. Mr. Brain, TBS, 24.8

4. Code Blue, Fuji, 23.1

5. Aibo Season 7, Asahi, 21.7

6.

Japanese Box Office: Dec 26 to Jan 1

(Rank, Movie Name, Weekend Box Office (US$), Cume (US$) (Note: US$1=90.42 yen))

1. Avatar, $6,611,848, $14,553,033

2. Nodame Cantabile: The Final Score – Part 1, $3,011,040, $14,092,110

3. Up, $2,589,434, $32,043,966

4. One Piece Film: Strong World, $2,576,258, $32,238,129

5. Kamen Rider Double & Decade: Movie War 2010, [...]

あけましておめでとうございます！

Just a short post to wish everyone a happy new year. I’m looking forward to a big year in many ways, and hope that everyone that reads this will also enjoy a wonderful, prosperous year in 2010.

Contrary to many news reports, this is NOT the start of a new decade… (I even included a FT [...]