Japan's best-selling single finally gets CD release, Guinness record

[Tokyograph News]

The children's song "Oyoge! Taiyaki-kun" (sung by Masato Shimon) has recently seen a comeback in popularity, thanks to new stuffed toys that began appearing in UFO catchers last year. First released in 1975, the song sold an estimated 4.55 million copies during its time.

With new toys and merchandise on the way this April, Pony Canyon also decided to re-release the song, this time on CD. It goes on sale on March 5 with the same features as the original release, including the cover art, bonus illustration, and B-side (Kenichi Nagira's "Ippon Demo Ninjin"). The only new addition is a DVD that includes an animation that aired on Fuji TV's kids show "Hirake! Ponkikki."

While Pony Canyon was preparing for the re-release, staff members suggested submitting the song for inclusion in the Guinness Book of World Records. They contacted the Japanese branch, asking if there was a "children's song" or "food song" category. When the branch asked the head office in England, they found out that the song qualified for the title of "Japan's best-selling single."

Although the song's success was well-known throughout Japan, no one had ever submitted it to Guinness before. At last, it will be officially recognized in the 2009 edition of the Guinness book. A certification ceremony will take place later this month.

The 64-year-old Shimon, who is now retired, received only 50,000 yen for the original recording in 1975. In response to the good news about the song, Pony Canyon relayed that he had no comment.

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[Sano]

Wow that's really cool, but I haven't even heard the song... yet.