Earlier this July, Mrs. GREEN APPLE surpassed 10 billion cumulative domestic streams across their entire catalog, becoming the first artist in J-pop history to reach the milestone. To commemorate the achievement, Billboard Japan presented the band with a special plaque, and the trio shared words of appreciation to everyone who has listened to their music.
The band has released a long list of hits that have accumulated 100 million domestic streams each, including “Ao to Natsu” (their most-streamed track with over 900 million streams), “Tenbyo no Uta (feat. Sonoko Inoue),” “Dancehall,” “Que Sera Sera,” and “Lilac.” As of November 2025, they hold a record-setting 31 songs that have surpassed this milestone — the most of any artist on record (according to Billboard Japan). This year alone, new releases such as “Darling,” “KUSUSHIKI,” “Heaven,” and “breakfast” have all passed the 100-million mark.
2025 marks the group’s 10th anniversary, and under the banner of “MGA MAGICAL 10 YEARS,” they’ve been celebrating alongside their fanbase (JAM’S) and listeners nationwide. They’ve made a strong impact this year, with their anniversary concert, MGA MAGICAL 10 YEARS ANNIVERSARY LIVE ～FJORD～, drawing a total of 100,000 attendees in two days, and a range of initiatives launched nationwide to highlight their anniversary best-of album 10. Meanwhile, each member has also expanded into individual activities such as acting and hosting work, earning wide support that extends from music to variety entertainment.
Now in the midst of the largest tour of their career, the five-dome run entitled DOME TOUR 2025 “BABEL no TOH,” the three members — Motoki Omori (vocals and guitar), Hiloto Wakai (guitar), and Ryoka Fujisawa (keyboards) — made time between an exceptionally packed schedule to chat with Billboard Japan, to express their gratitude to reach 10 billion streams.
You’ve become the first act to surpass 10 billion domestic streams in Japan. Congratulations!
Motoki Omori: The number is so massive that it still doesn’t quite feel real, but knowing that so many people are listening truly motivates us in what we do. We’re genuinely grateful.
Ryoka Fujisawa: None of us have ever even seen a number like 10 billion. There’s still a part of me that can’t fully grasp it, but we’ve been hearing from so many listeners across different generations who are enjoying Mrs. GREEN APPLE right now. That means everything. Thank you so much.
Hiloto Wakai: I feel the same as the other two — the number 10 billion is overwhelming. But more than anything, the fact that our music is truly reaching each and every person who listens makes me incredibly happy.
This year, you celebrated your 10th anniversary with events across Japan and a series of six consecutive monthly releases. There was so much excitement on the charts and across social media. What kinds of messages have you heard from listeners?
Fujisawa: We approached everything with the hope that people could enjoy our 10th anniversary in many different ways, so we put out a lot of things and organized various projects. We heard from families, from friends who went together, and from people who came alone — so many different kinds of listeners were able to enjoy it. Receiving those messages made us really happy.
Your dome tour “BABEL no TOH” has only just begun, but how does it feel so far?
Wakai: For us, this tour is a real challenge, so we were honestly a bit nervous (before it started). But seeing how much everyone is enjoying it has put us at ease, and it feels like we’re on a tour that’s incredibly rewarding.
In November, you’ll become the first Japanese act to release two films simultaneously along with an IMAX® screening of your concert film. And in December, the 10th-anniversary exhibition MGA MAGICAL 10 YEARS EXHIBITION Wonder Museum is coming up as well. What would you like visitors to take away from these projects?
Omori: In the past few years, a lot of people have discovered us for the first time. So both for those who have supported us from the beginning and those who just recently started listening, this is a chance to share the essential part of what Mrs. GREEN APPLE values. Whether it’s the concert film, the documentary, or the exhibition, each one is entertainment — but they’re also things made from who we are at our core, something genuinely alive. So more than anything, we just want as many people as possible to see them.
The announcement that Phase 2 will conclude within the year came as a big surprise to many. With the time remaining, what do you hope to continue expressing through the end of this phase?
Fujisawa: Phase 2 has really been driven by the desire to meet as many people as possible and to bring Mrs. GREEN APPLE to many listeners. So through the end of the year, we want to continue delivering a bright, energetic Mrs. GREEN APPLE — both in who we are and in our music.
Wakai: We still have the tour ahead, so I hope everyone continues to enjoy Mrs. GREEN APPLE’s Phase 2 in different forms.
Omori: In the new year, we’ll shift into Phase 3 — but that doesn’t mean some drastic change is coming. It’s simply one of our own markers, a way of organizing our direction. So just like always, we’ll keep making music in a way that people can enjoy. And we hope to spend the rest of our 10th anniversary expressing our gratitude to as many people as possible.
–This interview by Mariko Ikitake first appeared on Billboard Japan