For context, BMSG is the company behind the extremely popular boy group BE:FIRST. Their statement has been making the rounds on twitter today.
They’ve declared their intention to transform the industry to stop the unsustainable overemphasis on CD sales. It has caused environmental problems such as plastic waste because extra services are attached to CDs. BMSG seem to want to drive, not just business changes, but cultural changes.
Do you guys agree and see similar issues in the industry? Do you think the industry is at a turning point since a big player has now raised this issue? Or will nothing really change?
The statement: [https://twitter.com/BMSG\_official/status/1757328923686576252](https://twitter.com/BMSG_official/status/1757328923686576252)
​
deepl machine translation (with manual refinements):
>2024.02.13
>
>**Recommendations from BMSG to keep the music industry from becoming unsustainable**
>
>BMSG, now in its fourth year of operation, has decided to create a small stir in the contemporary CD business, which has long been a challenge for us, with BE:FIRST’s concept single. We fear that if we do not take concrete action now, the music industry itself will become unsustainable.
>
>We would like to thank the record companies, retailers, and above all, our fans, who have always given us their support and assistance. Without you, our music activities would not be possible. Please allow us to express our gratitude once again. We know some of this may be difficult for you to hear, but we still have to point it out.
>
>The music industry today, especially the CD business, has a big and complicated problem: Many artists and idols suffer from the same profit-sharing structure and budget allocations that have not changed since the 1990s, and as a result of the continued targeting of CD sales as a benchmark in a changing era, the transition to streaming has been delayed and opportunities have been missed. The environmental impact has also reached a point where it can no longer be ignored, and for more than a decade now, the amount of unopened CDs being thrown away has been in the news frequently. The music industry’s failure to take concrete steps to address this issue is a problem that needs to be addressed again.
>
>However, the act of forcibly changing a system that has already been established in society as a whole can be a double-edged sword that will cause others to suffer. We thought that the only thing a newly established small business could do would be to raise the issue and howl about it from afar…. But that is now a thing of the past.
>
>Let us explain more concretely what we are doing with BE:FIRST’s concept single. First, we will reduce the use of plastic in the production of the CD. We are also piloting a system of selling merchandise directly to those who consume it, rather than attaching various extras to the CD.
>
>We will never change our desire to deliver packaged products that we have put our hearts and souls into to as many people as possible. Therefore, we will not suddenly stop selling CDs or drastically reduce the contents of the CDs. Our goal is to gradually change the business structure of the Japanese music industry, change public opinion, and create a new normal while delivering CDs in an appropriate form. We are prepared for a long road ahead. There will be times when we take two steps forward and one step back. But at the same time, we have a feeling that it may be just around the corner.
>
>We are convinced that we will be closer to happiness in the long term and in all directions if we work together with you to create a new system, without relying on the old system.
>
>Also, please do not misunderstand. We are sincerely grateful for all the support and actions that have been and will be taken by our fans. But we want you to know one fact. When you buy CDs in large quantities as a show of support, this is a principle of behavior born of the distorted system that has permeated the 2010s. And for artists and idols, it is a risk not only to the present but also to the future.
>
>Your support is the most precious thing of all. To be honest, we would be so happy jumping up and down if one of our artists sold a lot of CDs, as the number of CDs sold is even reflected in the charts. We are aiming to sell a lot of copies of this album as well.
>
>But that is why we have all been so negligent until now, unable to act, even though we are all aware of the problem. As a result, we have created an excessive oligopoly market and a common sense that is out of date. The state of sales, the state of charts, and environmental issues. It is true that society as a whole should be aware that it is now the year 2024.
>
>The goal is not to lower CD sales. We believe that social dependence and presence on the number of copies is the problem.
>
>BE:FIRST, who received approximately 1.7 million ticket bids for this tour, and we at BMSG, the agency that created them, choose to use that influence not only for ourselves, but for society as a whole and the music industry. We will not give up on championing ideals while living in reality. Also, as an aside, it is us, the copyright holder of all the songs, who will benefit the most richly from the proceeds of BE:FIRST’s CD sales. We hope you can understand the urgency of the situation and the sense of crisis in the Japanese music industry given that we are communicating from this position.
>
>We also understand the current situation of the Japanese music industry, where not all idols and artists can make the same choices. Some of our new artists are still willing to devote a lot of resources to CD sales measures and related communication with their fans as part of their ongoing work, and our team sincerely appreciates the support they have received. While there is no surefire best for fans, artists and idols alike, we strive to find the best for each and every occasion.
>
>In the midst of all this, BE:FIRST’s various achievements and, above all, the sold-out 2-day Tokyo Dome concert, have finally put us in a position to do so, and we feel a responsibility to push forward, even if only a little. We hope that idols and artists with responsibility and influence, their offices, and all related companies will think about this issue again, and that it will lead to concrete action. We will never give up on creating a situation where everyone involved in music can pursue their dreams with pride.
by WG696