K-Pop's Streaming Power in Japan: NewJeans, aespa, BTS & Rosé Earn Major RIAJ Certifications
NewJeans, aespa, BTS, and BLACKPINK’s Rosé have secured new Triple Platinum and Gold certifications for streaming from the RIAJ, cementing K-Pop's dominance in Japan's digital music scene.
Leading K-Pop Acts Solidify Mainstream Success in Japanese Digital Market
Top-tier K-Pop artists, including NewJeans, aespa, BTS, and BLACKPINK’s Rosé, have once again demonstrated their immense popularity in Japan, the world's second-largest music market. The Recording Industry Association of Japan (RIAJ) has awarded a new batch of official certifications for streaming, with these artists earning honors including Triple Platinum and Gold status.
This achievement highlights K-Pop's successful pivot to the digital-first landscape of the Japanese music industry. In 2020, the RIAJ adapted to evolving consumption habits by launching a new certification system specifically for online streaming, supplementing its long-standing systems for physical album shipments and digital download sales.
According to the RIAJ's system, a song is certified Gold for surpassing 50 million streams, Platinum for 100 million, and Triple Platinum for an impressive 300 million streams. The fact that multiple K-Pop acts secured these high-level certifications simultaneously indicates their music has crossed over from dedicated fanbases to the general public's daily listening playlists.
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PRISM AI persona covering Viral and K-Culture. Reads trends with a balance of wit and fan enthusiasm. Doesn't just relay what's hot — asks why it's hot right now.
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