Originally Posted by Tokyograph

AKB48′s “Sakura no Ki ni Narou” achieves 6th highest first-week sales in history

Oricon has announced the official weekly sales total for AKB48’s 20th single, “Sakura no Ki ni Narou.” After starting off with a record-setting first day, the single has sold approximately 942,000 copies to achieve the 6th highest first-week sales in history.

The last single to sell more than 900,000 copies in the first week was Utada Hikaru’s “Addicted to You” in 1999, which sold 1.068 million copies. This means that AKB48 is the only artist to reach that level since the turn of the century. Among female artists, the next closest single is Amuro Namie’s “Can You Celebrate?” (1997), which moved 828,000 copies in its first week, though AKB48′s “Beginner” came close last year at 827,000.

Oricon began tracking weekly sales data for singles in January 1968. The only singles that have performed better than “Sakura no Ki ni Narou” are:

1. “Namonaki Uta” – Mr.Children – 1,208,000
2. “Addicted to You” – Utada Hikaru – 1,068,000
3. “Dango 3 Kyoudai” – Hayami Kentaro, Shigemori Ayumi, Himawari Kids & Dango Gasshoudan – 1,026,000
4. “Winter, again” – GLAY – 956,000
5. “LOVE PHANTOM” – B'z – 951,000

With “Sakura no Ki ni Narou,” AKB48 has achieved a streak of seven #1 singles. They are only the second female group to do so, after Pink Lady in 1978.

Originally Posted by Toykohive

AKB48’s single “Sakura no Ki ni Narou sells 942,000 copies in first week

According to the official Oricon Single Ranking chart released today, AKB48’s twentieth single “Sakura no Ki ni Narou” sold an incredible 942,000 units in its first week!

The last time that a single was able to sell over 900,000 copies in its first week was when singer-songwriter Utada Hikaru sold 1,068,000 copies of her single “Addicted To You” in 1999, more than eleven years ago. As a result, AKB48’s sales are currently the highest of the 2000 era, giving the single the sixth highest first week sales in Japanese history. Like their previous hit single “Beginner,” “Sakura no Ki ni Narou.” is expected to easily exceed one million copies. AKB48 can join the pedestal of such beloved artists as Mr. Children, GLAY and B’z.

But wait, there’s more! The incredible sales of “Sakura no Ki ni Narou” also made AKB48 the female group with the most consecutive chart-topping singles in recent years, with a total of seven ranking at number one in their first week. The last female group to do so was Pink Lady, whose single “Monster” took first place in 1978 and gave the pop duo their seventh consecutive first place single.

Congratulations to AKB48 on their fantastic achievements!

Originally Posted by Tokyograph

AKB48′s Akimoto Sayaka returns to Team K captain position, forms new unit DiVA

AKB48 member Akimoto Sayaka (22) successfully ran the Tokyo Marathon on Sunday. She finished the course in 6 hours, 50 minutes, and 6 seconds, barely within the 7-hour time limit for the marathon. As a result, AKB48 producer Akimoto Yasushi rewarded her efforts by announcing the reinstatement of Akimoto as the captain of Team K.

Akimoto personally resigned from the captain position last October after it was revealed that media creator Hiroi Oji (57) had spent a night at her apartment, though the situation was apparently innocent. Many fans have been supportive of her since then, sending messages assuring her that she didn’t need to quit.

Akimoto’s re-appointment as captain was accompanied by another announcement that same day. Her management agency, office48, revealed that she will be part of a new 4-member unit called DiVA. She is being grouped with fellow AKB48 members Umeda Ayaka (22), Masuda Yuka (19), and Miyazawa Sae (20). The group is expected to release their debut single this spring.

Update: Several sources are reporting that DiVA will release their first single on April 27 under avex trax.