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Originally Posted by tokyoxjapanxfan

Actually, when idols are succeeding, it means all the other companies try to achieve similar success by having their own idol groups.

If solo artists are succeeding, all the other companies try to get their own big solo artist.

If trio's are in, same thing.

The Japanese music industry follows trends within its own market. That's why when Ayu was "it" other companies tried to achieve her success and the market was inundated with solo artists. Koda doing sexy = everyone doing sexy.

Prior to AKB's success, all these little idol groups, while in existence, weren't being pushed by their labels.

So if idols start declining in sales and popularity, there's certainly a chance that labels will take notice and shift focus.

Pretty interesting point indeed. Let's see what happens into 2016 and beyond, especially onto 2020 (the year of the Olympics in Tokyo!)...