J-pop singer-songwriter Motohiro Hata has set the record for most weeks on the Billboard Japan Hot 100 as his hit song from 2014 “Himawari No Yakusoku” returns on the latest chart dated April 16 to 22 at No. 92, marking its 150th week on the tally.
The Billboard Japan Hot 100 combines physical and digital sales, radio airplay, Twitter mentions, video views, look-ups and audio/lyric streaming counts.
“Himawari No Yakusoku” bowed at No. 91 on the Japan Hot 100 for the week dated July 28 to Aug. 3, 2014. The single was released Aug. 6, meaning the song debuted on the chart before its release, fueled by radio airplay and Twitter mentions. When the single went on sale the following week, the song soared to No. 2, boosted by additional points from physical sales and look-ups — the number of times a CD has been ripped to a computer.
The song glided along in the top 10 for six consecutive weeks, showing strength in physical sales, where it also stayed in the top 10 for 10 weeks in a row since its release. The Recording Industry Association of Japan certified that the single sold a million copies as of November 2016.
“Himawari No Yakusoku” was written as the theme song for the 2014 animated Doraemon movie, Stand By Me Doraemon, which was released in Japanese theaters in August and won the 38th Japan Academy Film Prize Animation of the Year award.
The relationship between Doraemon and Nobita is depicted from a first-person point of view in the song, a bittersweet ballad that illustrates the value of being with someone you hold dear and wanting to be of help to each other.
Just like the manga character it was based on, the song has become widely known and loved, a modern classic that even those who haven’t seen the movie are familiar with. It has been performed many times on TV and used in commercials, and is now a favorite choice at graduation-related events and weddings.
On Wednesday (May 2), Moto’s independent label, Hobbyless Records, will release a limited-edition 7-inch vinyl single of the song.