What is the most popular goup in Japan right now? -

I was wondering what group/band/solo artist was the most popular in Japan right now. Also, I was wondering if Orange Range was more popular or NewS?

the killers. Jamiroquai

Orange Range and News have a different group and spectrum of fans. Orange Range is more for the high school and senior high folks whilst News is more for the middle schoolers who loves boyish bands from johnnys junior. Currently, the famous groups and bands and solos are Tohoshinki (from korea), lea dizon (solo), Kat-tun (band), Otsuka Ai, SEAMO, Yuna Ito...

Here is the Top 10 Chart 1st Beautiful World 宇多田ヒカル http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F5lCJRXGa... 2nd ↓ 1 NICE TIME BAGDAD CAFE THE trench town http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oMZbuxGZY... 3rd ↑ 7 光る翼ビューティフルハミングバード 4th ↓ 2 Genius Party 二千花 5th ↓ 3 I’ll Remember You AI 6th ↑ 10 DEPARTURE Freeasy Beats 7th ↑ 8 風の詩を聴かせて桑田佳祐 8th ↓ 5 Cherry Cherry Chara 9th ← 9 Green Days 槇原敬之 10th ↑ 11 プレイボーイ革命 Crazy Ken Band

The All-time most popular group in Japan is SMAP w/o question. They have fans in different age group and both male/female fans. Their SMAP X SMAP is all time highest ranking variety show. All members are voted most popular stars by some local magazines recently. Their members dorama always able to receive very high rating. Their CD always hit Top20 of Oricon Chart. And their TV commercials are always among the top10 most popular ones. And all 5 members are among the stars w/ highest annual income. From inside to outside Japan, no one doesn t know SMAP. Yes, KAT-TUN, NewS, Arashi and Orange Range are popular, too. But NewS rarely have group activities and too much scandals in the past few years that somehow slow down their way to success. Orange Range is popular, but seems doesn t receive as much attention as Johnny s groups do. Arashi have many works in different area recently, their members each have movie/tv drama/cd/variety show.....A local magazine voted them as National Idol, seems they are starting to get closer to SMAP (but of course, there s still a long way to go before they can reach SMAP s level.) KAT-TUN is also said to be the next group possible to reach SMAP s level, but they are still too young, not enough experience, and their attraction to the audience is sort of cool down a bit due to excessive exposure last year and Jin s temp departure from the group last Oct. So at this point right now, I would say SMAP is still at the peak of the whole entertainment industry.