Chart Music companies do not exist only in English speaking countries.  Oricon Incorporated was started in 1999 as a corporate company that provides ranking information involved with the music industry.  The company was originally established in 1967 under the name of Original Confidence Incorporated, which was started by Soko Noike.  The company quickly became known for its music charts.  Oricon was originally established as a spin-off company of Original Confidence.  However, Oricon took off much more quickly than Original Confidence did and it took over the music charts for Original Confidence in April 2002.  Oricon has been managed by the family of Soko Noike since his death in 2001.

The Oricon music charts are organized using ranking information that is received from the surrounding 3,020 retail outlets.  The charts also provide data information for the sales of DVDs, video games, and other entertainment devices.  The data is categorized on a week-by-week basis.  The results of the music and electronic sales are reported to the public every Tuesday by being announced in Oricon’s publication ‘Oricon Style’, as well as on Oricon’s website.  Among the music data, the results of a television commercial survey are also listed.

Oricon receives the data collections recorded every Monday from outlets or other shops.  However, music sold in independent stores is not recorded through Oricon.  For example, music sold in convenience stores or small kiosks are not able to give reports to Oricon.  Therefore, speculation has been considered as to whether Oricon’s records are truly accurate if all song reports are not listed on the charts.  Prior to the data collection being organized electronically, all sales were faxed to Oricon from the stores.

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