FROM "WALL STREET JOURNAL" A BLOG BY "KANA INAGAKI"!! *blog credit given*

September 6, 2010, 6:15 PM JST.Korean Boy Bands, Anime: Saving Japan’s Music Biz?.Search Japan South Korean  pop band Tong Vfang Xien Qi, known better in Japan as Tohoshinki.It’s not easy trying to make money in Japan’s music industry. For years now, much of the revenue from higher-margin CD sales has been robbed by the bursting growth of digital music downloads and pirates.

So it may have come as a surprise when music talent management company Avex Group Holdings early last week raised its net profit forecast for the
Avex shares registered a fresh 2010 high on Thursday and shares are up 64% year-toApril-September period a hefty six-fold to 3 billion yen. That compares with the 476 million yen net loss it booked for the same period a year earlier.

And it’s not only the company that’s bullish — investors liked the sound of it too.
-date versus a 12% decline in the broader Nikkei Stock Average.
The reasons are even more intriguing: a boost in CD and DVD sales linked to mega-hit animated series “One Piece” and the hugely popular South Korean boy band Tong Vfang Xien Qi, known better in Japan as Tohoshinki.

Earlier this year, the five-member South Korean pop group, which made a debut here in 2005, devastated fans with an announcement that it would cease group activities in Japan and focus on solo work. Fortunately for Avex, that sparked sales of a Tohoshinki greatest hits album and solo singles.

“I have to admit this bad luck has also brought us good luck,” said Avex spokesperson Taishi Arashida. “These guys are clearly beyond the conventional South Korean boom.”