In 1981 (Shà Âwa 56), Japanese music was released on records and performed in concerts, and there were charts, awards, contests and festivals.
During that year, Japan continued to have the second largest music market in the world, eleven percent of all record sales took place in that country, and the value of tapes and records made there was $1.15 billion.
The Tokyo Music Festival was held on 29 March 1981. The 23rd (Japanese: 大éªå½éÂÂãÂÂã§ã¹ãÂÂã£ãÂÂã«) was held from 8 to 28 April 1981. The 21st Yamaha Popular Song Contest was held on 10 May 1981. The 22nd Yamaha Popular Song Contest was held on 4 October 1981. The 12th World Popular Song Festival was held on 1 November 1981. The 12th Japan Music Awards were held on 12 November 1981. The final of the 10th FNS Music Festival was held on 15 December 1981. The 23rd Japan Record Awards were held on 31 December 1981. The NHK Kà Âhaku Uta Gassen was held on 31 December 1981.
The 30th Otaka prize was won by Toshi Ichiyanagi and Atsutada Otaka.
The economic recession adversely affected concerts. Pioneer Live Special concerts were held in 1981.
Oricon
The following reached number 1 on the weekly Oricon Singles Chart:
The Best Ten
The following reached number 1 on The Best Ten chart:
Music Labo
The following reached number 1 on the Music Labo chart:
Oricon
The following reached number 1 on the Oricon chart:
Music Labo
The following reached number 1 on the Music Labo chart:
Cash Box of Japan
The following reached number 1 on the Cash Box of Japan chart:
The music of Station (1981), by Ryudo Uzaki, won the 36th Mainichi Film Award for Best Music (awarded in 1981), and the Japan Academy Film Prize for Best Music (awarded in 1982).
was first broadcast on 4 April 1981. was first broadcast on 7 April 1981. (Also translated "NHK Song Hall" and "NHK Kayo Hall").
Eyes of the Mind, by Casiopea, reached number 33 on the Billboard Jazz LPs chart.
Pink Lady disbanded on 31 March 1981.
The song by the was recorded on 14 November 1981.
The Sayonara Nichigeki Western Carnival (Japanese: ãµã¨ãÂÂã©æÂ¥åÂÂã¦ã¨ã¹ã¿ã³ãÂȋ«ã¼ãÂÂãÂÂã« ã 俺ãÂÂã¡ã¯走ãÂÂç¶ÂãÂÂã¦ãÂÂãÂÂ!) event took place in 1981. Cf. (1958 to 1977).