In 1981 (Shōwa 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,[1][2] eleven percent of all record sales took place in that country,[3] and the value of tapes and records made there was $1.15 billion.
[5][6][7] The 23rd Osaka International Festival (Japanese: 大阪国際フェスティバル) was held from 8 to 28 April 1981.
[19] Oricon The following reached number 1 on the weekly Oricon Singles Chart:[20][21] The Best Ten The following reached number 1 on The Best Ten 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),[38] and the 5th Japan Academy Film Prize for Best Music (awarded in 1982).
Eyes of the Mind, by Casiopea, reached number 33 on the Billboard Jazz LPs chart.