Fuyumi Sakamoto's New Album

Enka singer Fuyumi Sakamoto's album "Love Songs ~Mata Kimi ni Koishiteru~" reached a major milestone this week. Since its release in October 2009, the album has sold a total of 202,000 copies. This makes Sakamoto the first female enka singer to have an album reach 200,000 in sales since Teresa Teng accomplished it in 1989.

Although there have been hit singles in the enka and kayokyoku genres in recent years, it is difficult for full albums to sell strongly, even when they include a popular song. In Sakamoto's case, her single "Mata Kimi ni Koishiteru" did significantly boost her album sales. Released in January 2009, the song initially charted outside the top ten. However, after Sakamoto's appearance at last year's Kohaku Uta Gassen and the song's increased usage on television, the single climbed to #3 on the weekly charts in April 2010. Along with it, the album, which initially ranked #75 in its first week last October, entered the top ten in April and peaked at #3 in May.