Eleven years in and STILL collecting platinum. TWICE has earned a new RIAJ Platinum certification for streaming in Japan! The Recording Industry Association of Japan (RIAJ) has awarded TWICE yet another Platinum certification β cementing their position as one of the most successful K-pop acts in Japanese music history.
While newer groups chase first-week sales records and YouTube views, TWICE is quietly stacking the kind of industry-certified milestones that prove lasting commercial power. This isn’t hype β it’s verified, sustained, platinum-level dominance in the world’s second-largest music market.
TWICE: The Certification at a Glance
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Artist | TWICE |
| Certification | Platinum (Streaming) |
| Certifying Body | RIAJ (Recording Industry Association of Japan) |
| Country | Japan π―π΅ |
| Type | Streaming certification |
| Threshold | 100 million streams (RIAJ Platinum standard) |
| Announcement | August 2026 |
What Is an RIAJ Platinum Certification?
The Recording Industry Association of Japan (RIAJ) is the official body that certifies music sales and streaming achievements in Japan β equivalent to the RIAA in the United States or the BPI in the United Kingdom.
| RIAJ Streaming Thresholds | Streams Required |
|---|---|
| π₯ Gold | 50 million streams |
| π₯ Platinum | 100 million streams |
| π₯ Diamond | 500 million streams |
Earning a Platinum streaming certification from RIAJ means the song has been streamed over 100 million times on Japanese streaming platforms β an enormous achievement that reflects genuine, sustained listener demand in one of the world’s most competitive music markets.

TWICE’s Complete RIAJ Certification History
TWICE has been accumulating Japanese certifications since their Japan debut in 2017. This latest Platinum adds to an already impressive collection:
| Category | Total Certifications | Key Achievements |
|---|---|---|
| Streaming Platinum | Multiple songs certified | Sustained streaming power across years |
| Physical Sales | Multiple Platinum/Gold | Japanese singles + albums |
| Downloads | Multiple certifications | Digital single purchases |
| Total RIAJ Certifications | One of the highest among K-pop acts | Consistently earning new certifications |
TWICE’s RIAJ portfolio spans physical sales, digital downloads, AND streaming β making them one of the few K-pop acts certified across all three categories in Japan. Most groups dominate one category; TWICE dominates all three.
Why Japan Matters for K-Pop β The Second-Largest Music Market
Japan is the world’s second-largest music market after the United States β and in many ways, it’s the HARDER market to crack. Japanese consumers are notoriously loyal to domestic artists, and breaking through requires dedicated Japanese-language releases, extensive touring, and years of relationship-building.
| Japan Music Market | Detail |
|---|---|
| Global Ranking | No. 2 (behind US) |
| Annual Revenue | ~$7+ billion |
| Dominant Format | Physical CDs (Japan is the world’s largest physical music market) |
| Streaming Growth | Rapidly expanding β but physical still dominant |
| K-Pop Share | Growing but competitive against J-Pop titans |
| Key Platforms | Line Music, Spotify Japan, Apple Music Japan, AWA |
For TWICE to earn streaming Platinum in this market β where physical sales still dominate and streaming is relatively newer β demonstrates that their music has genuine, repeated playback appeal among Japanese listeners.
TWICE in Japan β A Decade of Dominance
Twice debuted in Japan in 2017 and are signed with Warner Music Japan. Their Japanese journey has been nothing short of extraordinary:
| Year | Japan Milestone |
|---|---|
| 2017 | Japan debut β “#TWICE” compilation album |
| 2017 | First Japanese single “One More Time” |
| 2018 | “Candy Pop,” “Wake Me Up,” “BDZ” β triple-hit year |
| 2019 | “#TWICE2” + “Breakthrough” + “&TWICE” |
| 2020 | “Fanfare” β continued charting despite pandemic |
| 2021 | “Kura Kura” + “#TWICE4” |
| 2022 | “Celebrate” β 5th anniversary Japan best album |
| 2023 | Japanese arena/dome tours β massive attendance |
| 2024 | Continued touring + new Japanese releases |
| 2025 | Sustained streaming growth on Japanese platforms |
| 2026 | New RIAJ Platinum streaming certification |
TWICE has released more original Japanese songs than almost any other K-pop group β not just translated versions of Korean hits, but fully original Japanese-language tracks produced specifically for the Japanese market.
How TWICE Compares to Other K-Pop Acts in Japan
TWICE’s RIAJ certifications place them among the most successful K-pop acts in Japanese history:
| K-Pop Act | RIAJ Certifications | Japan Strength |
|---|---|---|
| TWICE | Multiple Platinum (streaming + physical) | One of the most certified K-pop acts ever |
| BTS | Multiple certifications | Strong streaming + physical |
| BLACKPINK | Streaming certifications | Digital-focused success |
| SEVENTEEN | Growing certification count | Dome tour power |
| Stray Kids | Emerging Japan presence | Building streaming numbers |
| IVE | Rising fast in Japan | Recent certification gains |
TWICE’s unique advantage is their longevity in the Japanese market. While other groups may spike with individual releases, TWICE has maintained consistent certification-worthy performance across nearly a decade β a testament to the deep relationship they’ve built with Japanese ONCEs.
Who Is TWICE? β Quick Profile
Twice (Korean: νΈμμ΄μ€; Japanese: γγ₯γ―γ€γΉ) is a South Korean girl group formed by JYP Entertainment through the 2015 reality show Sixteen. The group is composed of nine members: Nayeon, Jeongyeon, Momo, Sana, Jihyo, Mina, Dahyun, Chaeyoung, and Tzuyu.
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Group | TWICE (νΈμμ΄μ€) |
| Agency | JYP Entertainment |
| Japan Label | Warner Music Japan |
| Debut | October 20, 2015 (Korea) / June 28, 2017 (Japan) |
| Fandom | ONCE (μμ€) |
| Members | 9 β Nayeon, Jeongyeon, Momo, Sana, Jihyo, Mina, Dahyun, Chaeyoung, Tzuyu |
| Japanese Members | Momo, Sana, Mina (3 of 9) |
| Years Active | 11 years |
The Japanese Connection β Three Native Members
TWICE’s success in Japan is significantly boosted by having three Japanese members β Momo, Sana, and Mina. Their native fluency, cultural understanding, and individual popularity in Japan give TWICE an authentic connection to the market that most K-pop groups simply cannot replicate.
| Japanese Member | Hometown | Japan Appeal |
|---|---|---|
| Momo | Kyotanabe, Kyoto | Dance icon β viral moments on Japanese variety |
| Sana | TennΕji, Osaka | “Shy Shy Shy” β one of the most iconic K-pop moments in Japan |
| Mina | Kobe, Hyogo | Ballet-trained elegance β beloved by Japanese media |
TWICE’s 2026 β Still Going Strong at 11 Years
This RIAJ certification arrives during TWICE’s 11th year of activity β a longevity milestone that few K-pop groups achieve while maintaining commercial relevance:
| 2026 Activity | Detail |
|---|---|
| Girl Group Brand Ranking | No. 5 in June 2026 rankings |
| RIAJ Platinum (Japan) | New streaming certification β August 2026 |
| Active group promotions | Continued Korean + Japanese activities |
| Individual activities | Members pursuing solo projects alongside group work |
| Concert touring | Ongoing domestic and international performances |
| Contract renewal | All 9 members renewed with JYP Entertainment |
The fact that TWICE ranked No. 5 in the June 2026 Girl Group Brand Reputation Rankings β behind only IVE, BLACKPINK, ILLIT, and aespa β proves that even in their 11th year, they remain one of the most recognized and beloved girl groups in K-pop.
TWICE’s Most Iconic Japanese Songs
For ONCEs and new fans wondering which TWICE songs dominate Japanese streaming, here are their biggest J-pop hits:
| Song | Year | Why It’s Iconic |
|---|---|---|
| “One More Time” | 2017 | Japan debut single β set the template |
| “Candy Pop” | 2018 | First Japan million-seller single |
| “Wake Me Up” | 2018 | Oricon No. 1 β powerful dance track |
| “BDZ” | 2018 | First Japanese studio album |
| “Breakthrough” | 2019 | Critically acclaimed β mature concept |
| “Fanfare” | 2020 | Pandemic-era hit β cheerful energy |
| “Kura Kura” | 2021 | Moody, atmospheric departure |
| “Celebrate” | 2022 | 5th anniversary celebration single |
| “Hare Hare” | 2023 | Summer anthem β festival staple |
Each of these songs was composed specifically for the Japanese market β not a translated version of a Korean hit. This dedicated approach to Japanese releases is a key reason TWICE’s streaming numbers are high enough to earn RIAJ Platinum certifications.
The Streaming Landscape in Japan β Why This Matters More Now
Japan has historically been a physical-sales-dominated market, with CD purchases driving the majority of music industry revenue. However, streaming has been growing rapidly in recent years:
| Year | Japan Streaming Trend | Impact on K-Pop |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | Streaming begins significant growth | Early K-pop streaming gains |
| 2020 | Pandemic accelerates digital adoption | More listeners shift to streaming |
| 2022 | Streaming revenue surpasses digital downloads | K-pop streaming numbers spike |
| 2024 | Line Music + Spotify Japan dominant | K-pop acts earn more streaming certifications |
| 2026 | Streaming now a major revenue driver | TWICE earns Platinum streaming cert |
TWICE earning a streaming Platinum in 2026 reflects both their enduring popularity AND the maturation of Japan’s streaming ecosystem. As more Japanese listeners adopt streaming platforms, TWICE’s catalog β built over nine years of Japanese releases β naturally accumulates massive play counts.
ONCE Power β The Fandom Behind the Streams
RIAJ certifications aren’t based on fan voting or social media engagement β they’re based on raw, verified streaming data from licensed platforms. This means TWICE’s Platinum certification represents genuine listener behavior, not organized fan campaigns.
| What RIAJ Platinum Proves | Detail |
|---|---|
| 100M+ real streams | Not views, not votes β actual music playback |
| Sustained listening | Not a one-week spike β accumulated over time |
| Japanese audience | Specifically Japanese platform streams counted |
| Organic demand | RIAJ doesn’t count manipulated or artificial streams |
| Catalog strength | Older songs continue accumulating streams years after release |
This is the ultimate validation β a national music industry body certifying that TWICE’s music has been played over 100 million times by Japanese listeners. No hype, no fanfare, just pure musical demand.
The K-Pop Girl Group RIAJ Race β Where TWICE Stands
Among K-pop girl groups in Japan, TWICE’s certification count puts them in elite company:
| Girl Group | Japan Debut | RIAJ Status | Key Strength |
|---|---|---|---|
| TWICE | 2017 | Multiple Platinum (streaming + physical) | Most certified K-pop GG in Japan |
| BLACKPINK | 2017 | Streaming certifications | Digital-first approach |
| IZ*ONE | 2018 | Multiple certifications (disbanded) | Was dominant during active period |
| IVE | 2023 (Japan debut) | Rising certification count | Fastest-growing recent entry |
| LE SSERAFIM | 2022 | Growing presence | Sakura + Kazuha boost Japan appeal |
| aespa | 2024 (Japan expansion) | Building certification catalog | SM Japan strategy expanding |
TWICE’s advantage is clear: nine years of Japanese releases, three Japanese members, consistent touring, and a catalog deep enough to sustain streaming Platinum certifications well into 2026 and beyond.
The Contract Renewal Factor β Why TWICE’s Longevity Is Unprecedented
In 2022, all nine TWICE members made history by renewing their contracts with JYP Entertainment β a virtually unprecedented event in K-pop, where group disbandments at the 7-year contract mark are the norm. This renewal guaranteed that TWICE would continue as a full group, enabling the kind of long-term Japanese market cultivation that produces streaming Platinum certifications.
| Why the Renewal Matters | Impact on Japan Success |
|---|---|
| Continued group activities | Japanese fans retain emotional connection |
| No member departures | Complete lineup maintains brand consistency |
| Long-term touring plans | Regular Japan concerts sustain listener engagement |
| New Japanese releases | Continued original J-pop content |
| Catalog growth | Every new song adds to streaming potential |
Without the 2022 contract renewal, TWICE might have disbanded β and their Japanese streaming numbers would have plateaued. Instead, renewal enabled continued growth, new releases, and the sustained engagement that ultimately earned this latest RIAJ Platinum.
For a complete overview of TWICE’s career, Japanese discography, and achievements, visit the official TWICE Wikipedia page.
The Bottom Line
TWICE has earned a new RIAJ Platinum certification for streaming in Japan β adding to their already extensive collection of Japanese industry certifications that spans physical sales, downloads, and streaming.
In an industry obsessed with first-week records and 24-hour view counts, TWICE’s RIAJ Platinum is a reminder that the most meaningful achievements are the ones that accumulate quietly over time. One hundred million streams weren’t generated in a day β they were built across years of dedicated Japanese releases, three Japanese members connecting authentically with the market, and a fandom that never stopped pressing play.
Eleven years. Nine members. One hundred million streams. Platinum certified. TWICE’s Japanese legacy isn’t just impressive β it’s unmatched. π―π΅ππ
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