Shrinking music software market and expanding concert market

「In the live and concert market, total attendance in 2025 was 59.99 million, up 1.0% year on year, setting a new record for the second consecutive year. Market size, measured by total sales, also expanded further to ¥644.3 billion, up 5.3%. As opportunities to engage with music through digital distribution have increased, expectations for and enthusiasm around live experiences have risen further.」

「2025年通期の音楽ソフト（オーディオレコード及び音楽ビデオ合計）の生産金額が2,157億円（前年比5.1％増）となりました。」

「In the live and concert market, the total number of performances in 2024 was 34,251, down 0.9% year on year, while total attendance was 59.38 million, up 5.4%, reaching a record high. Market size, measured by total sales, also expanded 19.1% to ¥612.1 billion. As opportunities to engage with music through streaming and other channels have increased, expectations for and enthusiasm around live experiences have risen further.」

「The production value of music software in 2024 was ¥205.1 billion, a 7.1% decline from the previous year. Meanwhile, the live and concert market recorded 34,251 performances, down 0.9%, and total attendance of 59.38 million, up 5.4%, with attendance reaching a record high. Market size, measured by total sales, expanded sharply to ¥612.1 billion, up 19.1%, substantially exceeding pre-pandemic levels.」

「In the music and artist-related markets, the production value of music software (audio recordings and music videos combined) in the first half of 2024 was ¥89.8 billion, down 23.2% year on year, while streaming distribution was ¥56.3 billion, up 8.9% (Source: Recording Industry Association of Japan). In the live and concert market, the number of performances in the first half of 2024 was 16,104, down 1.7% year on year, and attendance was 27.29 million, down 0.2%, broadly unchanged from the previous year. The market size, however, expanded 18.9% to ¥284.0 billion, with both metrics exceeding pre-pandemic levels and the market returning to a growth trajectory.」

「In the live and concert market, the number of performances in 2023 was 34,545, up 6.8% year on year, and attendance was 56.32 million, up 16.6%. Both exceeded pre-pandemic levels, and the market returned to a growth trajectory, helped by the operation of newly opened venues and the expansion of performances by overseas artists.」

「In the music and artist-related markets, the production value of music software (audio recordings and music videos combined) in 2023 was ¥220.7 billion, up 9.1% year on year, continuing to increase (Source: Recording Industry Association of Japan). Music distribution also continued to expand, driven by increased use of streaming services, and the market expanded on the back of solid music demand. In the live and concert market, the number of performances in the first half of 2023 was 16,375, up 14.6% year on year, and attendance was 27.35 million, up 35.0%. Both exceeded pre-pandemic levels, and the market returned to a growth trajectory, helped by the operation of newly opened venues and the expansion of performances by overseas artists (Source: Concert Promoters Association of Japan).」

「In the music and artist-related markets, the production value of music software (audio recordings and music videos combined) in the first half of 2023 was ¥116.9 billion, up 20.2% year on year, showing a steady recovery (Source: Recording Industry Association of Japan). Music distribution also remained strong, driven by increased use of streaming services, and the market expanded on the back of solid music demand.」

「In the live and concert market, the number of performances in 2022 was 32,338, up 22.6% year on year, and attendance was 48.31 million, up 111.5%. As capacity restrictions were eased, performances at large venues resumed in earnest, accelerating the pace of recovery, with the number of performances exceeding the pre-pandemic level.」

「In the live and concert market, the number of performances in the first half of 2022 (January to June) was 14,283, up 49.3% year on year, while attendance was 20.25 million, up 184.3%. As capacity restrictions were eased, performances at large venues resumed in earnest, accelerating the pace of recovery.」

「In 2022, the production value of music software (audio recordings and music videos combined) was ¥202.3 billion, up 4.5% year on year (Source: Recording Industry Association of Japan). Music distribution also remained strong, driven by increased use of streaming services, and the market expanded on the back of solid music demand. In the live and concert market, the number of performances in the first half of 2022 was 14,283, up 49.3% year on year, while attendance was 20.25 million, up 184.3%. As capacity restrictions were eased, performances at large venues resumed in earnest, accelerating the pace of recovery.」

「In 2021, the production value of music software (audio recordings and music videos combined) was ¥193.3 billion, down 0.5% year on year, while music distribution sales were ¥89.5 billion, up 14.4%.」

「The number of live and concert performances in 2021 rose sharply to 26,383, up 148.0% year on year, recovering to approximately 80% of the pre-pandemic level. Attendance, however, remained 22.84 million, 53.9% below the 2019 pre-pandemic level, as capacity restrictions continued to have an effect, although it was up 110.2% year on year (Source: Concert Promoters Association of Japan). Live performances and concerts are also increasingly resuming after sufficient infection-control measures are put in place, and both the number of performances and attendance are expected to increase.」

「In 2021, the production value of music software (audio recordings and music videos combined) was ¥193.3 billion, down 0.5% year on year, while music distribution sales were ¥89.5 billion, up 14.4%.」

「The live and concert market was severely affected by COVID-19. As many live performances and concerts were cancelled or postponed amid calls to refrain from holding events, the number of performances in 2020 fell to 43,372, down 68.1% year on year, and attendance fell to 14.8 million, down 82.1%, due to capacity restrictions. As a result, the market contracted to ¥110.6 billion, down 82.4% (Source: Live Entertainment Research Committee). Although gradually, live performances and concerts have begun to resume as restrictions on event capacity are eased, provided that sufficient infection-control measures are taken, and both the number of performances and attendance have started to increase.」

「In 2021, the production value of music software (audio recordings and music videos combined) was ¥88.0 billion, up 5.8% year on year, while music distribution sales were ¥43.8 billion, up 5.5%. Music distribution continued to expand as use of streaming services at home and elsewhere increased, while the music software market, which had declined sharply, also turned to growth.」

「Although live performances and concerts have gradually begun to resume after sufficient infection-control measures are put in place, the outlook remains uncertain due to the resurgence of infections and the repeated issuance of states of emergency.」

「In 2020, the production value of music software (audio recordings and music videos combined) was ¥194.4 billion, down 15.2% year on year, while music distribution sales were ¥78.2 billion, up 10.8%. Music software declined sharply due to the postponement of releases and other factors, but music distribution continued to expand as use of streaming services at home and elsewhere increased. The live and concert market was severely affected by COVID-19, and many live performances and concerts were cancelled or postponed amid calls to refrain from holding events. As a result, the market contracted to ¥77.9 billion in 2020, down 78.7%.」

「Within the music market, the impact of COVID-19 has been particularly significant on traditional entertainment formats, led by live performances and concerts. Meanwhile, the business environment is changing as paid live streaming and subscription-based streaming become more widespread and expand, accelerating the shift to digital, making it increasingly important to accurately capture these changes and maintain and improve competitiveness.」

「Production value of music software, comprising audio recordings and music videos, declined 27.7% year on year to ¥83.2 billion in the first half of 2020, while sales of music distribution increased 11.0% to ¥37.7 billion (source: Recording Industry Association of Japan). The live performance and concert market contracted 66.1% to ¥53.3 billion in the first half of 2020, as many live performances and concerts were canceled or postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic (source: All Japan Concert & Live Entertainment Promoters Association).」

「Production value of music software, comprising audio recordings and music videos, declined 4.7% year on year to ¥229.1 billion in 2019, while sales of music distribution increased 9.6% to ¥70.6 billion. In particular, use of streaming services for music distribution expanded rapidly, forming a new market. The live performance and concert market continued to expand, reaching ¥366.5 billion in 2019, up 6.3% year on year. However, in the near term, many live performances and concerts have been canceled or postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, significantly affecting the concert market.」

「The live performance and concert market continued to expand, reaching ¥157.3 billion in the first half of 2019, up 9.4% year on year. However, in the near term, many live performances and concerts have been canceled or postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, significantly affecting the concert market.」

「Regarding market trends related to music and artists, production value of music software, comprising audio recordings and music videos, declined 4.7% year on year to ¥229.1 billion in 2019 (source: Recording Industry Association of Japan). Meanwhile, use of streaming services for music distribution expanded rapidly, forming a new market. The live performance and concert market continued to expand, reaching ¥157.3 billion in the first half of 2019, up 9.4% year on year (source: All Japan Concert & Live Entertainment Promoters Association). Although the overall music market remained solid, users' preferences have shifted from ownership-based consumption to experience-based consumption, making it increasingly important to accurately capture the changing business environment and maintain and improve competitiveness.」

「Regarding market trends related to music and artists, production value of music software, comprising audio recordings and music videos, increased 1.9% year on year to ¥115.0 billion in the first half of 2019, while sales of music distribution increased 5.9% to ¥34.0 billion (source: Recording Industry Association of Japan). In particular, use of streaming services for music distribution expanded rapidly and drove market growth.」

「Regarding market trends related to music and artists, production value of music software, comprising audio recordings and music videos, increased 3.6% year on year to ¥240.3 billion in 2018, while sales of music distribution increased 12.5% to ¥64.4 billion (source: Recording Industry Association of Japan). In particular, use of streaming services for music distribution expanded rapidly and drove market growth. Similarly, annual attendance at live performances and concerts in 2018 increased 1.7% to 48.62 million, while the market size expanded 3.7% to ¥344.8 billion (source: All Japan Concert & Live Entertainment Promoters Association).」

「Regarding market trends related to music and artists, production value of music software, comprising audio recordings and music videos, increased 3.6% year on year to ¥240.3 billion in 2018, while sales of music distribution increased 12.5% to ¥64.4 billion (source: Recording Industry Association of Japan). In particular, use of streaming services for music distribution expanded rapidly and drove market growth. Similarly, annual attendance at live performances and concerts in 2018 increased 1.7% to 48.62 million, while the market size expanded 3.7% to ¥344.8 billion.」

「Regarding market trends related to music and artists, production value of music software, comprising audio recordings and music videos, increased 3.6% year on year to ¥240.3 billion in 2018. The concert market in the first half of 2018 also expanded 10.9% to ¥143,812 million. Both markets expanded and remained solid as the number of people paying to listen to music increased.」

「Regarding market trends related to music and artists, production value of music software, comprising audio recordings and music videos, increased 0.7% year on year to ¥117,358 million in the first half of 2018, while the concert market expanded 10.9% to ¥143,812 million. Both markets expanded and remained solid as the number of people paying to listen to music increased.」

「Regarding market trends related to music and artists, production value of music software, comprising audio recordings and music videos, declined 5.5% year on year to ¥232.0 billion in 2017. Meanwhile, the concert market continued to expand, reaching ¥332.4 billion in 2017, up 7.2% year on year. As the overall music market remained solid, the main focus of music consumption is considered to be shifting from music software to concerts as experiential consumption.」

「Regarding market trends related to music and artists, production value of music software, comprising audio recordings and music videos, continued to decline in 2017, falling 5.5% year on year to ¥232.0 billion (source: Recording Industry Association of Japan). Meanwhile, the concert market expanded to ¥129.7 billion in the six months from January through June 2017, up 15.7% year on year (source: All Japan Concert & Live Entertainment Promoters Association). The market as a whole remained solid, and the main focus of music consumption is considered to be shifting toward concerts as experiential consumption.」

「Regarding market trends related to music and artists, production value of music software, comprising audio recordings and music videos, continued to decline in the first half of 2017, falling 5.6% year on year to ¥116,502 million (source: Recording Industry Association of Japan). Meanwhile, the concert market expanded 15.7% to ¥129,709 million (source: All Japan Concert & Live Entertainment Promoters Association), and the market as a whole remained solid.」

「Production volume of music software, comprising audio recordings and music videos, declined 5.1% year on year to 212,293 thousand units, while sales value decreased 3.5% to ¥245,657 million. Meanwhile, sales of paid music downloads increased 12.3% year on year to ¥52,886 million, rising for the third consecutive year.」

「Regarding market trends related to music and artists, production volume of music software, comprising audio recordings and music videos, totaled 106,118 thousand units in the first half of 2016, down 5.1% year on year, while production value declined 4.6% to ¥123,439 million (source: Recording Industry Association of Japan). Meanwhile, the concert market continued to expand, with its market size in 2015 increasing 15.9% year on year to ¥318,634 million (source: All Japan Concert & Live Entertainment Promoters Association), indicating resilient demand for music and artists.」

「Regarding market trends related to music and artists, production volume of music software, comprising audio recordings and music videos, totaled 106,118 thousand units in the first half of 2016, down 5.1% year on year, while production value declined 4.6% to ¥123,439 million (source: Recording Industry Association of Japan). Meanwhile, the concert market continued to expand, with its market size in 2015 increasing 15.9% year on year to ¥318,634 million (source: All Japan Concert & Live Entertainment Promoters Association), indicating resilient demand for music and artists.」

「Regarding market trends related to music and artists, production volume of music software, comprising audio recordings and music videos, totaled 106,118 thousand units in the first half of 2016, down 5.1% year on year, while production value declined 4.6% to ¥123,439 million (source: Recording Industry Association of Japan). Meanwhile, the concert market continued to expand, with its market size in 2015 increasing 15.9% year on year to ¥318,634 million (source: All Japan Concert & Live Entertainment Promoters Association), indicating resilient demand for music and artists.」