Most popular Japanese music artists + biggest increases in the last year

[abra]

Nikkei's female idol rankings have already been posted, but today Nikkei published another article discussing the most popular artists in Japan and those who've increased the most since the previous measurement. See the rankings below:

Most popular artists:
1. Arashi
2. Kuwata Keisuke (Southern All-Stars)
3. Yonezu Kenshi
4. Southern All-Stars
5. Fukuyama Masaharu (actor/singer)
6. TOKIO
7. DAIGO
8. KinKi Kids
9. Sakurai Kazutoshi (Mr.Children)
10. Hoshino Gen

This is the 9th consecutive year Arashi topped the list. Kenshi rose from fourth. The rest of the top 10 are basically veteran artists, mainly rock artists with some Johnny's and actors.
At 12th place, the highest-ranked female artist is legendary soloist Matsutoya Yumi who remains commercially successful almost 50 years after her debut.
Note that Nakajima Miyuki and Utada Hikaru had apparently been excluded from the survey by february, but they both ranked in the top 10 in the preliminary november ranking.

Rising (group) [prev score -> new score]:
1. LiSA [7.7 -> 15.2]
2. Aimyon [18.3 -> 24.8]
3. Shiraishi Mai (Nogizaka46) [26.1 -> 29.4]
4. MAN WITH A MISSION [7.6 -> 10.7]
5. Sumika [3.5 -> 6.5]
6. Hori Miona (Nogizaka46)[6.1 -> 9.1]
7. Kashiwagi Yuki (AKB48)[14.5 -> 17.5]
8. BiSH [4.0 -> 6.8]
9. Sasaki Ayaka (Momoiro Clover Z) [12.2 -> 15.0]
9. Yamashita Mizuki (Nogizaka46) [7.1 -> 9.9]

LiSA almost doubled her score thanks to the phenomenal success of Gurenge, rising 7.5 points. Aimyeon also enjoyed another strong year, propelled by her popularity among women in their 10s and 20s. Shiraishi Mai, Japan's top female idol, kept gaining popularity as she's moving from Nogizaka into modelling and other ventures. She will be missed but the positive performance of other members indicate a bright future for the group. AKB48's Yukirin and Momoiro Clover Z's Aarin consolidated their positions among Japan's top idols and could well rise again next year. FiNALLY, BiSH saw an increase in public interest and recognition after rising to relevance in the idol industry a few years back.



Note: Both Official Higedandism and King Gnu ranked for the first time this year, with 23.2 points and 16.8 points respectively and would have ranked at #1 and #2 on the rising list if first-time rankers were included.

 

[demasta]

I believe #10 for the popular artists is Hoshino Gen

 

[abra]

I believe #10 for the popular artists is Hoshino Gen

Thanks, I checked now and it's him!
I should've suspected it.

 

[Lurkette]

10. is indeed Hoshino Gen. Aimyon is also the appropriate romanization, not Aimyeon.

 

[kimsguardian]

yaay mayan for top3 but sadly no utada hikaru

 

[xonoxon]

arashi omg stable in #1, insane