[article] 18th annual Gold Disc Awards

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Female pop artist Ayumi Hamasaki (Avex) was named domestic artist of the year at the Recording Industry Assn. of Japan's 18th annual Gold Disc Awards ceremony, held March 10 in Tokyo. The awards are based on net shipments for the period Jan. 1-Dec. 31, 2003. Hamasaki--who won the same award at the 2001 and 2002 Gold Disc ceremonies--won on the strength of shipping 4.5 million units (albums and singles) during that period. Chinese pop/traditional crossover act 12 Girls Band (Platia Entertainment) won the international artist of the year honor.

There were 10 winners in the best new domestic artist category and five in the best new international artist category. The latter included Russian female duo T.a.t.u. (Universal Music K.K.) and Jamaica's Sean Paul (Warner Music Japan). The ceremony was broadcast live nationwide on NHK satellite TV.

From Billboard, 27 March 2004