Japan: music market size 2023

The music industry in Japan recorded 337.2 billion Japanese yen in sales generated via recorded and digital music in 2023. As a breakdown by format shows, recorded audio music continued to be the largest format, followed by streams.

Music industry in Japan

Music holds a cherished place in Japan's society. One notable aspect of the Japanese music market is the enduring popularity of physical formats like CDs, which have maintained significance despite global trends favoring digital streaming. The popularity of CDs is partly due to the strong fandom culture that drives fans to support their favorite idols or bands through physical item purchases. Despite the enduring popularity of CDs, Japan's music industry has seen a shift towards streaming services in recent years, as evidenced by the increasing sales value of music streaming. This shift in revenue stream prompts traditional music companies to expand into new areas and also to diversify their business into non-music sectors.

Music-related media usage trends in Japan

In Japan, television once held a significant influence over music popularity, driving CD sales through numerous music programs. However, the average television viewing time has been decreasing annually, while the time people spend on social media has been increasing. This change has impacted people's engagement with music. The internet and social media platforms have made it easier for anyone to share their music, leading to an increase in the number of artists whose songs achieve hit status and debut via platforms like TikTok. Additionally, there has been a shift in the type of music that becomes popular with the rise of music streaming. The ability to listen to music anytime has widened the gap between release times and success, emphasizing the importance of sustained popularity for hits.