COVID-19 may be leading to increased streaming in Japan
According to a new survey, Japan’s transition from CD and downloads to streaming may have increased substancially due to COVID-19.
CDs are still the favourite format of Japan, but streaming is quickly becoming more relevant, with stats to show this in 2019.
COVID-19 may be spurring this movement even more according to a survey of labels, managers, producers and other industry figures conducted by Music Ally in April and May.
The results show 10.9% of respondants reporting significant growth in streams, and 36.4% seeing modest growth, along with zero cases of significant delines.
![MusicAllyJapan_Survey01](https://routenote.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/MusicAllyJapan_Survey01-700x284.png)
This is as expected a very different story for physical music sale of CDs and vinyl records, as well as downloads. 65% report a decline in physical sales, with 32.7% saying significant and 32.7% modest, and less than 2% reporting any kind of incline. This data supports evidence of the markets shift towards streaming platforms.
![MusicAllyJapan_Survey02](https://routenote.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/MusicAllyJapan_Survey02-700x291.png)
![MusicAllyJapan_Survey05](https://routenote.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/MusicAllyJapan_Survey05-700x298.png)
Further questions indiciate an increase in primarily catalogue streams at 38.2%, followed by playlist streams at 34.5%.
![MusicAllyJapan_Survey03](https://routenote.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/MusicAllyJapan_Survey03-700x365.png)
COVID-19 may also be pushing older demographics to take up streaming.
![MusicAllyJapan_Survey04](https://routenote.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/MusicAllyJapan_Survey04-700x341.png)
Where should you be sending your music to reach Japanese markets?