Japan is the second largest music market in the world. America has countless numbers of successful artists globally. However, the list of American artists that have sold at least 1 million copies of an album is surprisingly short. In fact, only 17 albums by American artists have ever sold 1 million copies in Japan. Interesting to note that 13 of the 18 are from female artists, 4 from male artists and 1 from a male/female duo. Mariah Carey leads all artists with 6 albums selling at least 1 million copies.
Only 4 British artists have ever sold over 1 million – Eric Clapton, The Beatles, Enya and Queen.
Backstreet Boys
- The Hits: Chapter One (2001)
Bon Jovi
- Cross Road (1994)
- These Days (1995)
Mariah Carey
- Emotions (1991)
- Music Box (1993)
- Merry Christmas (1994)
- Daydream (1995)
- Butterfly (1997)
- Number 1’s (1998)
The Carpenters
- 22 Hits of the Carpenters (1995)
Lauryn Hill
- The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill (1999)
Lady Gaga
- The Fame (2011)
Avril Lavigne
- Let Go (2002)
- Under My Skin (2004)
- The Best Damn Thing (2007)
Whitney Houston / Various Artists
- The Bodyguard Motion Picture Soundtrack (1992)
TLC
- FanMail (1999)
John Scatman
- Scatman’s World (1995)