Billboard JAPAN has released its 2018 mid-year sales report which were compiled between 1 January 2018 to 1 July 2018. Japanese idol group AKB48 have taken the first place in the best-selling artist ranking by total sales of 5.5 billion yen in first half of 2018, it was followed by Nogizaka46 with 2.8 billion yen, and Sandaime J Soul Brothers from EXILE TRIBE with 1.96 billion yen.

TOP 10 Best-Selling Album in First Half of 2018

1. Bokutachi wa, Ano Hi no Yoake wo Shitteiru (AKB48): 614 thousand copies
2. FACE YOURSELF (BTS): 330 thousand copies
3. Finally (Amuro Namie): 323 thousand copies
4. GR8EST (Kanjani8): 318 thousand copies
5. Yummy!! (Kis-My-Ft2): 242 thousand copies
6. Everybody!! (WANIMA): 237 thousand copies
7. FUTURE (Sandaime J Soul Brothers from EXILE TRIBE): 215 thousand copies
8. Hatsukoi (Utada Hikaru): 207 thousand copies
9. Yuming kara no, Koi no Uta. (Matsutoya Yumi): 189 thousand copies
10. Hashiridasu Shunkan (Hiragana Keyaki): 165 thousand copies

TOP 10 Best-Selling Single in First Half of 2018

1. Teacher Teacher (AKB48): 2.923 million copies
2. Synchronicity (Nogizaka46): 1.388 million copies
3. Ja-Ba-Ja (AKB48): 1.263 million copies
4. Glass wo ware! (Keyakizaka46): 1.089 million copies
5. Cinderella Girl (King & Prince): 0.701 million copies
6. Find The Answer (ARASHI): 0.463 million copies
7. Muishiki no Iro (SKE48) 0.455 million copies
8. Candy Pop (TWICE) 0.39 million copies
9. Wake Me Up (TWICE) 0.383 million copies
10. Lemon (Yonezu Kenshi) 0.335 million copies