2018 in Japanese music
Number ones
Awards
Albums released
=January=
=February=
=March=
= April =
=May=
| class="wikitable"
! Date ! Album ! Artist ! Genre ! Labels |
| 2
| Neo-soul |
| 9
| Magic{{cite web|script-title=ja:MAGIC(初回生産限定盤/DVD付) |trans-title=Magic (Limited edition/DVD)|url=https://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/687614/products/1275821/1/|website=Oricon News|publisher=Oricon|access-date=December 7, 2018|language=ja}} | Exo-CBX | J-pop |
| rowspan="2" | 23
| Chain{{cite web|url=https://nct-jp.net/news/detail.php?id=1060084|title=2018/5/23（水）JAPAN DEBUT MINI ALBUM「Chain」『NCT 127 JAPAN Showcase Tour "chain"』会場限定特典決定！！|publisher=NCT Official Japan|access-date=March 18, 2019|language=ja}} | NCT 127 | J-pop |
| Kyō Kara Watashitachi wa: GFriend 1st Best{{Cite news |title=GFRIEND「今日から私たちは...日本デビュー」 韓国で今年初の"グランドスラム"達成 |language=ja-JP |work=ORICON NEWS |url=https://www.oricon.co.jp/news/2112066/full/ |url-status=live |access-date=June 11, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612141532/https://www.oricon.co.jp/news/2112066/full/ |archive-date=June 12, 2018}} |
=June=
=July=
=August=
=September=
=October=
=November=
=December=
Debuting and returning artists
=Debuting groups=
{{main|List of Japanese musical groups (2010s)#2018}}
=Debuting soloists=
{{div col|colwidth=25em}}
- Aina the End
- Shuta Sueyoshi{{cite web|script-title=ja:Shuta Sueyoshi（AAA）、初のソロアルバム発売＆ソロツアー開催|url=https://www.barks.jp/news/?id=1000148502|website=barks.jp|publisher=Japan Music Network|access-date=November 1, 2017|language=ja|date=July 7, 2018}}
- Ryuji Imaichi{{cite web|script-title=ja:RYUJI IMAICHI、堂々たるR&B路線へーーソロ第一弾「ONE DAY」の音楽性を読む|url=https://realsound.jp/2018/01/post-151385.html|website=Real Sound|publisher=realsound.jp|access-date=February 21, 2018|language=ja|date=January 25, 2018}}
- Taiki Yamazaki{{cite web|script-title=ja:「キュウレンジャー」山崎大輝CDデビュー、同日発売の写真集は「あくまで理想の僕」|trans-title=[Kyuranger] Yamazaki Taiki's CD debut, photo album "Akumade Risō no Boku" to be released on the same day|url=https://natalie.mu/eiga/news/264503|website=Natalie|publisher=Natasha, Inc.|access-date=February 21, 2018|language=ja|date=January 10, 2018}}
- Minori Suzuki{{cite web|script-title=ja:明日で20歳の鈴木みのり「ラーメン大好き小泉さん」OP曲でソロデビュー決定
|url=https://natalie.mu/music/news/250929|website=Natalie|publisher=Natasha, Inc.|access-date=February 21, 2018|language=ja|date=September 20, 2017}}
- Mai Fuchigami{{cite web|script-title=ja:渕上舞がランティスよりソロアーティストデビュー。デビューアルバム「Fly High Myway!」を1月24日（水）にリリース|url=http://moca-news.net/article/20171117/2017111711000a_/01/|website=Moca News|publisher=Moca News|access-date=July 7, 2018|language=ja|date=November 17, 2017}}
- Misako Uno{{cite web|script-title=ja:AAA・宇野実彩子、2018年2月14日にソロデビュー＆3月に写真集の発売が決定！|trans-title=AAA's Uno Misako, solo debut on 14 February 2018 & photo album release in March|url=http://top.tsite.jp/entertainment/j-pop/i/38095041/index|website=T-Site News|publisher=TSUTAYA Co.|language=ja|date=February 21, 2018}}
- Ryucheru{{cite web|title=RYUCHELL Serves Looks in Debut Music Video "Hands up!! If you're Awesome"|url=http://aramajapan.com/news/musicvideo/ryuchell-serves-looks-debut-music-video-hands-youre-awesome/85396/|website=Arama Japan|publisher=aramajapan.com|access-date=February 21, 2018|date=February 14, 2018}}
- Rika Tachibana{{cite web|script-title=ja:声優・立花理香、CDデビュー決定! 来年2月にミニアルバムをリリース|url=https://news.mynavi.jp/article/20171103-a144/|website=Mynavi News|publisher=Mynavi Corporation|access-date=July 7, 2018|language=ja|date=November 3, 2017}}
- Kiyoe Yoshioka{{cite web|script-title=ja:いきものがかり吉岡聖恵、ソロアルバム「うたいろ」ジャケット公開|trans-title=Ikimonogakari's Yoshioka Kiyoe reveals jacket cover for her solo album "Utairo"|url=https://natalie.mu/music/news/250929|website=Natalie|publisher=Natasha, Inc.|access-date=February 24, 2019|language=ja|date=September 21, 2018}}
- Kaori Ishihara{{cite web|url=https://www.animatetimes.com/news/details.php?id=1513748663|script-title=ja:人気声優・石原夏織さんのデビューシングルが、2018年3月21日発売決定！ ラジオ新番組も元日放送スタート|date=December 20, 2017|access-date=July 7, 2018|work=Animate Times|language=ja}}
- Shigeru Joshima{{cite web|url=https://natalie.mu/music/news/279265|script-title=ja:島茂子、1stシングル「戯言」発売記念の無料リサイタル開催
|date=April 4, 2018|access-date=February 24, 2019|website=Natalie|publisher=Natasha, Inc.|language=ja}}
- Haruka Yamazaki{{cite web|url=http://mahoushoujyo-anime.com/news/detail/?id=1058161|script-title=ja:エンディングテーマのアーティストが山崎はるかさんに決定！|date=February 3, 2018|access-date=July 7, 2018|website=Mahoushoujyo|language=ja}}
- Yuma Uchida{{cite web|url=https://www.animatetimes.com/news/details.php?id=1521093854|script-title=ja:人気声優・内田雄馬さんがアーティストデビュー！ 1stシングル「NEW WORLD」が5月30日発売決定、表題曲の試聴もスタート |date=March 15, 2018|access-date=September 20, 2018|website=Animate Times|publisher=AnimateLAB Corporation|language=ja}}
- Makoto Furukawa{{cite web|url=https://okmusic.jp/news/243747|script-title=ja:祝・アーティストデビュー！怪盗・古川慎にハートを盗まれるのは君|date=February 5, 2018|access-date=July 7, 2018|website=OK Music|publisher=Japan Music Network|language=ja}}
- Ryusei Yokohama{{cite web|url=https://www.oricon.co.jp/news/2113636/full/|script-title=ja:横浜流星、ソロ歌手デビュー GReeeeNプロデューサーJIN太鼓判「自信があります」|date=June 15, 2018|access-date=September 20, 2018|work=Oricon News|publisher=Oricon|language=ja}}
- Yuka Ozaki{{cite web|url=https://www.oricon.co.jp/news/2111534/full/|script-title=ja:『けもフレ』声優・尾崎由香、8・1ソロデビュー MV&ジャケ写は沖縄で撮影
|date=May 16, 2018|access-date=September 20, 2018|work=Oricon News|publisher=Oricon|language=ja}}
- Reona{{cite web|url=https://www.crunchyroll.com/anime-news/2018/05/20-1/reona-performs-ending-theme-for-happy-sugar-life-tv-anime|title=ReoNa Performs Ending Theme for "Happy Sugar Life" TV Anime|date=May 21, 2018|access-date=February 24, 2019|work=Crunchyroll |last=Chapman |first=Paul }}
- Chiaki Satō{{cite web|url=https://aramajapan.com/news/newrelease/kinoko-teikokus-sato-chiaki-goes-solo/90149/|title=Kinoko Teikoku's Sato Chiaki Goes Solo|date=July 28, 2018|access-date=February 24, 2019|website=Arama Japan|publisher=aramajapan.com }}
- Yuka Ozaki{{cite web|url=https://www.cdjournal.com/main/news/ozaki-yuka/80063|script-title=ja:尾崎由香、ソロ・デビュー・シングル「LET'S GO JUMP☆」を8月にリリース 全曲試聴動画公開|date=July 26, 2018|access-date=February 24, 2019|work=CDJournal |language=ja }}
- Akari Nanawo{{cite web|url=https://tower.jp/article/feature_item/2018/05/10/0701|script-title=ja:ナナヲアカリ、メジャーデビューシングル『ワンルームシュガーライフ/なんとかなるくない?/愛の歌なんて』8月22日発売|date=May 10, 2018|access-date=December 7, 2018|work=Tower Records Online|publisher=Tower Records Japan|language=ja }}
- Chiaki Ito{{cite web|url=https://mdpr.jp/music/detail/1787411|script-title=ja:伊藤千晃、ソロでの音楽活動本格化を発表|date=August 21, 2018|access-date=February 24, 2019|work=Modelpress |language=ja }}
- Meimi Tamura{{cite web|url=http://www.billboard-japan.com/d_news/detail/69308/2|script-title=ja:田村芽実、ソロ・デビュー曲などを初披露＆つんく♂からのメッセージで大喜び|date=October 31, 2018|access-date=February 24, 2019|work=Billboard Japan |language=ja }}
- Halca
- Taemin
- Key
{{div col end}}
=Returning from hiatus=
{{div col|colwidth=25em}}
- Ayami Mutō
- Eir Aoi{{cite web|title=Singer Eir Aoi Returns From Hiatus|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2018-02-07/singer-eir-aoi-returns-from-hiatus/.127492|publisher=Anime News Network|access-date=February 24, 2019|date=February 8, 2018}}
- KAT-TUN{{cite web|url=https://natalie.mu/music/news/263625/|script-title=ja:KAT-TUN活動再開！ドラマ主題歌＆東京ドーム公演決定|date=January 1, 2018|access-date=July 7, 2018|work=Natalie|publisher=Natasha Inc.|language=ja}}{{cite web|title=KAT-TUN announces Comeback!|url=https://aramajapan.com/news/music/kat-tun-announces-comeback/83873/|website=Arama Japan|publisher=aramajapan.com|access-date=January 3, 2018|date=May 11, 2018}}
- Ami Wajima{{cite web|script-title=ja:ホリプロ・グループが新会社設立 May'n・大橋彩香ら所属、海外展開を促進|url=https://www.oricon.co.jp/news/2113853/full/|website=Oricon News|publisher=Oricon|access-date=February 24, 2019|language=ja|date=June 18, 2018}}
- Ellegarden{{cite web|title=ELLEGARDEN to return from hiatus after a decade-long absence|url=https://aramajapan.com/news/ellegarden-to-return-from-hiatus-after-a-decade-long-absence/88121/|website=Arama Japan|publisher=aramajapan.com|access-date=July 7, 2018|date=May 11, 2018}}
- Hilcrhyme{{cite web|script-title=ja:Ｈｉｌｃｒｈｙｍｅが活動再開へ…メンバーの大麻逮捕で活動停止中|url=https://www.sanspo.com/geino/news/20180413/geo18041319060029-n1.html|publisher=Sankei Sports|access-date=February 24, 2019|date=April 13, 2018}}
- Ikimonogakari{{cite web|title=J-pop band Ikimonogakari to re-form|url=https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20181102/p2g/00m/0et/088000c|publisher=Mainichi Shimbun|access-date=October 4, 2018|date=October 2, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181102141122/https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20181102/p2g/00m/0et/088000c|archive-date=November 2, 2018|url-status=dead}}
- Charisma.com{{cite web|url=https://natalie.mu/music/news/298919|script-title=ja:Charisma.comが活動再開、11月にWWWワンマン|date=September 9, 2018|access-date=February 24, 2018|work=Natalie|publisher=Natasha Inc.|language=ja}}
{{div col end}}
Disbanding and retiring artists
=Disbanding=
{{div col|colwidth=25em}}
- Idol Renaissance{{cite web|script-title=ja:アイドルネッサンス運営より皆様への大切なお知らせ|trans-title=Important announcement from Idol Renaissance management|url=http://idolrenaissance.com/info/#post73326|website=Idol Renaissance|publisher=Sony Music Artists Inc.|access-date=February 21, 2018|language=ja|date=January 20, 2018}}
- La PomPon
- Mix Speaker's,Inc.{{cite web|url=https://natalie.mu/music/news/245788|script-title=ja:Mix Speaker's,Inc.が2018年2月に解散|date=August 23, 2017|access-date=September 20, 2018|work=Natalie|publisher=Natasha Inc.|language=ja}}
- GEM{{cite web|script-title=ja:GEM、3月末で解散を発表 金澤有希「とても悲しく、悔しい」|trans-title=GEM to disband at the end of March. Yūki Kanazawa "It is very sad and disappointing" |url=https://www.oricon.co.jp/news/2104073/full/|website=Oricon News|publisher=Oricon|access-date=February 21, 2018|language=ja|date=January 15, 2018}}
- Chelsy{{cite web|url=https://natalie.mu/music/news/271186|script-title=ja:Chelsyが解散、新宿LOFTでラストライブ|date=February 26, 2018|access-date=September 20, 2018|work=Natalie|publisher=Natasha Inc.|language=ja}}
- Cheeky Parade{{cite web |url=https://www.daily.co.jp/gossip/2018/02/24/0011015050.shtml|script-title=ja:Ｌａ ＰｏｍＰｏｎが解散発表 メンバーの今後は未定|work=Daily Sports |publisher=Daily Sports |date=February 24, 2018 |access-date=April 13, 2018 }}
- Chatmonchy{{cite web|title=Chatmonchy To Disband In July|url=http://www.jpopasia.com/feed/22468/chatmonchy-to-disband-in-july/|website=jpopasia.com|publisher=JpopAsia|access-date=February 21, 2018|date=November 26, 2017}}{{Unreliable source?|reason=See unreliable sources list on WP:KO/RS|date=November 2024}}
- Ciao Bella Cinquetti{{cite web|url=https://natalie.mu/music/news/279562|script-title=ja:チャオ ベッラ チンクエッティ、8月の単独ライブで解散|date=May 24, 2018|access-date=July 26, 2018|work=Natalie|publisher=Natasha Inc.|language=ja}}
- Tackey & Tsubasa{{cite web|url=https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20180913/p2g/00m/0dm/001000c|title=Japanese idol duo Tackey & Tsubasa disband after 16 years|date=September 13, 2018|access-date=September 20, 2018|work=The Mainichi|publisher=Mainichi Shimbun|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180920122541/https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20180913/p2g/00m/0dm/001000c|archive-date=September 20, 2018|url-status=dead}}
- Passpo{{cite web|url=https://natalie.mu/music/news/282768|script-title=ja:PASSPO☆、9月の中野サンプラザ公演をもって解散|date=May 18, 2018|access-date=July 26, 2018|work=Natalie|publisher=Natasha Inc.|language=ja}}
- Babyraids Japan{{cite web|script-title=ja:ベイビーレイズJAPAN、9・24で解散を発表 6年の活動に幕|url=https://www.oricon.co.jp/news/2116254/full/|website=Oricon News|publisher=Oricon|access-date=September 20, 2018|language=ja|date=July 25, 2018}}
- Vanilla Beans{{cite web|url=https://www.sanspo.com/geino/news/20180802/geo18080210260017-n1.html|script-title=ja:女性デュオ、バニラビーンズが解散発表 レナ「とても幸せな１１年間でした！」|date=August 2, 2018|access-date=September 20, 2018|work=sanspo.com|publisher=Sankei Digital Inc|language=ja}}
- X21{{cite web|url=https://www.oricon.co.jp/news/2120966/full/|script-title=ja:X21、解散を発表 国民的美少女コンテスト出身者グループ結成6年で11・30に幕下ろす|date=October 7, 2018|access-date=December 7, 2018|work=Oricon News|publisher=Oricon|language=ja}}
- Aqua Timez{{cite web|url=https://natalie.mu/music/news/281342|script-title=ja:Aqua Timezが2018年をもって解散|date=May 8, 2018|access-date=July 7, 2018|work=Natalie|publisher=Natasha Inc.|language=ja}}
- Secret
- Tahiti
{{div col end}}
=Retiring=
{{div col|colwidth=25em}}
- Tetsuya Komuro{{cite web|first=Daisuke|last=Kikuchi|title=Famed producer Tetsuya Komuro quits music industry over alleged affair|url=https://www.japantimes.co.jp/culture/2018/01/19/entertainment-news/famed-producer-tetsuya-komuro-quits-music-industry-alleged-affair/|website=The Japan Times|access-date=February 21, 2018|date=January 19, 2018}}
- Namie Amuro{{cite web|title=J-pop diva Namie Amuro plans to exit showbiz next September after 25-year career|url=https://www.japantimes.co.jp/culture/2017/09/21/entertainment-news/j-pop-diva-namie-amuro-plans-exit-show-biz-next-september-25-year-career/|website=The Japan Times|access-date=February 21, 2018|date=September 21, 2018}}
- Chiyo Okumura{{cite web|script-title=ja:奥村チヨが引退へ…ファンへ感謝「大変幸福でした」|url=http://www.sanspo.com/geino/news/20180107/geo18010705010009-n1.html|website=sanspo.com|publisher=Sankei Sports|access-date=February 21, 2018|language=ja|date=January 7, 2018}}
- Hideaki Takizawa (Tackey & Tsubasa)
- Hitomi Yoshizawa{{cite web|script-title=ja:吉澤ひとみ引退「裏切るような結果となってしまったこと、本当に申し訳ございませんでした」|url=https://www.hochi.co.jp/entertainment/20180928-OHT1T50232.html|website=hochi.co.jp|publisher=Sports Hochi|date=September 29, 2018|access-date=September 29, 2018|language=ja}}
{{div col end}}
=Going on hiatus=
{{div col|colwidth=25em}}
- Charisma.com{{cite web|url=https://natalie.mu/music/news/260166|script-title=ja:Charisma.comが無期限活動休止、ゴンチは脱退＆アーティスト活動引退|date=December 8, 2017|access-date=July 26, 2018|work=Natalie|publisher=Natasha Inc.|language=ja}}
- Folks{{cite web|url=https://natalie.mu/music/news/265707|script-title=ja:FOLKS、3月の自主企画をもって無期限活動休止「再スタートするために」|date=January 18, 2018|access-date=July 7, 2018|work=Natalie|publisher=Natasha Inc.|language=ja}}
- Tsubasa Imai (Tackey & Tsubasa){{cite web|url=https://www.hochi.co.jp/entertainment/20180328-OHT1T50306.html|script-title=ja:今井翼、メニエール病再発で入院 活動休止し治療に専念|date=March 29, 2018|access-date=July 7, 2018|publisher=Sports Hochi|language=ja}}
- Chris Hart{{cite web|url=https://www.asahi.com/articles/ASKD532RLKD5UCVL001.html|script-title=ja:歌手クリス・ハートさん、活動休止へ 育児・勉強に専念|date=December 5, 2017|access-date=July 7, 2018|publisher=Asahi Shimbun|language=ja}}
- Mao Denda{{cite web|url=https://natalie.mu/music/news/267868|script-title=ja:傳田真央、5月開催のライブをもって活動休止|date=January 18, 2018|access-date=February 2, 2018|work=Natalie|publisher=Natasha Inc.|language=ja}}
- Jero{{cite web|url=https://www.nikkansports.com/entertainment/news/201805120000121.html|script-title=ja:ジェロ無期限活動休止、コンピューターの仕事に就く|date=May 12, 2018|access-date=July 7, 2018|publisher=Nikkan Sports|language=ja}}
- Yumi Hara{{cite web|last=Pineda|first=Rafael Antonio|title=The iDOLM@STER's Yumi Hara Puts Singing Career on Hiatus|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2017-12-14/the-idolm@ster-yumi-hara-puts-singing-career-on-hiatus/.125264|publisher=Anime News Network|date=December 14, 2017|access-date=July 7, 2018}}
- Keito Okamoto (Hey! Say! JUMP){{cite web|url=https://www.sponichi.co.jp/entertainment/news/2018/06/24/kiji/20180623s00041000526000c.html|script-title=ja:Ｈｅｙ！Ｓａｙ！ＪＵＭＰ岡本圭人が活動休止 米演劇学校へ２年間留学 脱退否定も９月から８人体制|date=June 24, 2018|access-date=July 7, 2018|work=Sponichi Annex|publisher=Sports Nippon|language=ja}}
- Nobuo Uematsu{{cite web|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2018/09/20/final-fantasy-composer-nobuo-uematsu-stopping-work-due-to-health-problems|title=Final Fantasy Composer Nobuo Uematsu Stopping Work Due to Health Problems|last=O'Brien|first=Lucy|date=September 19, 2018|website=IGN|access-date=February 24, 2019}}
- Shiori Niiyama{{cite web|url=https://natalie.mu/music/news/304530|script-title=ja:新山詩織が活動休止を発表「新たな夢に向かって頑張ります」|date=October 30, 2018|access-date=February 24, 2018|work=Natalie|publisher=Natasha Inc.|language=ja}}
- Rice{{cite web|url=https://natalie.mu/music/news/287499|script-title=ja:rice、2018年をもって無期限活動休止「見つめ直す時間を下さい」|date=June 20, 2018|access-date=July 26, 2018|work=Natalie|publisher=Natasha Inc.|language=ja}}
- Sads{{cite web|url=https://natalie.mu/music/news/287760|script-title=ja:sads、2018年をもって活動休止|date=June 21, 2018|access-date=July 26, 2018|work=Natalie|publisher=Natasha Inc.|language=ja}}
{{div col end}}
Deaths
- January 26 – Junji Yayoshi, guitarist and record producer (b. 1968)
- January 31 – Itokin, MC and track maker (b. 1979)
- April 24 – Doji Morita, singer-songwriter (b. 1953)
- April 27 – Yukiji Asaoka, singer and actress (b. 1935)
- May 16 – Hideki Saijo, singer and actor (b. 1955)
- October 12 – Takehisa Kosugi, composer and violinist (b. 1938)
- November 14 – Masahiro Sayama, jazz pianist (b. 1953)
- November 25 – Norio Maeda, jazz pianist, composer, and conductor (b. 1934)