[1][2] Total sales of the singles he has written exceed 100 million copies, making him the best-selling lyricist in Japan.

[3] Akimoto created the Chakushin Ari (One Missed Call) horror franchise, which began with his novel of the same name and was first brought to film in 2003 before being remade by Hollywood in 2008.

Akimoto started as a lyricist with The Alfee in 1981; he has written lyrics for various artists such as Kinki Kids, Tunnels, Onyanko Club, AKB48, SKE48, SDN48, NMB48, HKT48, NGT48, STU48, Nogizaka46 and Keyakizaka46.

[citation needed] Akimoto also got involved in female professional wrestling, introducing wrestler Cutie Suzuki.

[8] A petition against his appointment has been created due his representing the "decline" of the Japanese entertainment industry, with 11,000 signatures as of March 23.

[10] In 2016, Japanese idol girl group multimedia project between Yasushi Akimoto, Aniplex, and Sony Music Records called 22/7 was formed.