Major Japanese newspapers gave front-page treatment to BTS as the K-pop supergroup returned to Tokyo for their highly anticipated world tour concerts.
The group’s “Arirang IN Tokyo” performances at Tokyo Dome created such a buzz that leading sports publications including Nikkan Sports, Sports Nippon, Sports Hochi, Sankei Sports, and Daily Sports all featured the event prominently across two consecutive days.
Convenience stores near the venue experienced a rush of concertgoers eager to grab copies of these newspapers. The publications sold out quickly in the early morning hours.
Historic Reunion After Seven Years
Japanese media coverage emphasized several key themes: the group’s “complete reunion after seven years,” the “Tokyo Dome frenzy,” and the emotional “reconnection with ARMY” (the group’s dedicated fanbase).
This marked the first time all members performed together in Japan since their “Love Yourself: Speak Yourself” world tour concluded approximately seven years earlier. Both Tokyo Dome shows reached complete capacity, with every ticket sold.
Album Breaks Records in Japan
The group’s fifth full-length album “Arirang” demonstrated remarkable commercial success. According to certification data from the Recording Industry Association of Japan, the album surpassed 750,000 copies shipped, earning Triple Platinum status in merely 11 days following its release.
This achievement represents the group’s second Triple Platinum certification in Japan, following their fourth Japanese studio release “Map of the Soul: 7 ~The Journey~.” The speed of certification made it the first album—domestic or international—to reach Triple Platinum in Japan this year.
The Recording Industry Association of Japan awards Gold Disc certifications monthly based on cumulative shipment volumes: Gold (100,000+), Platinum (250,000+), Double Platinum (500,000+), Triple Platinum (750,000+), and Million (1,000,000+).
Chart Dominance Continues
The group also maintained strong presence on Japan’s Oricon rankings. Five tracks appeared on the “Weekly Streaming Rising Chart,” with new songs “2.0” and “Hooligan” claiming the #1 and #3 positions respectively.