[News] Utada Hikaru named the most influencial artist of the decade by Japan Times

[Paparazzi]

^ no, there most likely would have still been A BEST. isn't it in almost all recording contracts to release a best at the end of or during the duration of each contract? Ayumi's contracts, like most Avex contracts, end every 3 albums.

So her first contract would be A Song for XX - Duty, thus "A BEST" was born.

Her second contract was I am... to Memorial address, and "A BALLADS" came soon before "Memorial address"

Third contract was from MY STORY to Secret.. A BEST 2 came out right after secret.

GUILTY - NEXT LEVEL - Preceding Album has "A COMPLETE" within it's contract.

So that being said, i don't think Utada influenced Avex's decision to release A BEST, just their decision on when to release it.