Charts: TVXQ, AKB48

Major releases by two of the currently most popular artists hit the sales charts this week. Korean group TVXQ set a new record with their album “BEST SELECTION 2010,” while idol group AKB48 found a big hit with their single “Sakura no Shiori.”

“BEST SELECTION 2010″ sold nearly 413,000 copies in its first week, becoming their first #1 album in Japan. This has also set the record for the highest opening-week sales by a foreign group, a record that was previously set by Bon Jovi in 1995 (379,000 copies). Just three weeks ago, TVXQ had set a similar record on the singles chart with their “BREAK OUT!”

Other new albums in the top ten were released by AAA, Minori Chihara, The Birthday, May J., and Aobozu.

On the singles chart, AKB48′s “Sakura no Shiori” sold 318,000 copies. The last girl group to break the 300,000 mark in the first week was Morning Musume, with their “Mr.Moonlight ~Ai no BIG BAND~” in 2001.

fripSide, YUKI, Ebisu Muscats, Angelo, and Yuya Matsushita also made the top ten with their new songs.

Source:
Oricon