Japan Album Releases Also Postponed

The disasters in Japan have also affected releases of new records.

Most of the new albums set for release in March have been postponed until April or beyond, including new efforts by idol stalwarts Seiko Matsuda (Universal) and Yuki (Sony), K-pop superstars Kara and Big Bang (both Universal), all-female hard rock band Chatmonchy (Sony), techno standard bearer Denki Groove (Sony), and the “visual-kei” glam rockers L’Arc-en-Ciel (Sony).

The reasons for the delays are mostly logistical.

The effects of the earthquake/tsunami have harmed manufacturing, distribution and retail functions throughout Japan, even if Tokyo, the heart of the archipelago’s music business, was relatively unscathed.

Sony alone is reportedly delaying the release of several hundred titles.

Universal is delaying about 50 releases, and Warner Music Japan is holding back on 45 CDs and DVDs.

Because domestic tours are pegged to album releases, tours have been delayed, too.

Another reason for the delay is that Japan record companies still use traditional broadcast media to advertise new releases, and for the past several weeks TV and radio have been dominated by news about the disaster.