I was just amazed as you may have been reading this. Normally the Japanese are ahead of the technology curve on most things, but it seems there are a number of factors keeping the CD alive and well in this Asian isle. Apparently the digital rights issues have not been worked out quite as well over there as in the US. Two of the biggest music streaming companies, Spotify and Rdio are not yet launched in Japan. That combined with the fact that it seems the culture there really still likes to have a physical souvenir in the shape of a CD case and booklet with their music. Tower Records, the huge music chain that went out of business in the US almost 10 years ago, STILL is alive and well with 85 stores in Japan with annual sales around 500 million. On one hand all this seems very strange to us in the US, however CDs apparently still account for 40 percent of all music sales world wide.
So I guess I'll hang on to my supply of Vincent James "One More Night" CDs and see if there's a way I can get them shipped and sold over in Japan. We are planning a trip there sometime next year so I'll have to find a way to stash of box of CDs for the visit :)
To read more about this very interesting CD phenomena check out the full article in this weeks Forbes Magazine at 85-Percent-of-Music-Sales-in-Japan-are-CDs
I'll leave you today with a fun novelty tune from way back in 1980 when vinyl records still ruled the day. Take a walk back in history with The Vapors and "Turning Japanese":
Have a great nite and will be back tomorrow with another ppppost!
Music, Love & Laughter
~Vincent James @ LoveSongs.com www.Facebook.com/KeepMusicAliveMission
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