Japan

"Japan" is a song performed by British recording artist Alesha. Written and produced by Alesha for her eponymous ninth studio album, Alesha (2014), "Japan" is a synthpop song that draws influence from electronic dance music. Lyrically, "Japan" is about the fear of losing inhibitions and letting one's self fall in love. Following the success of Alesha's comeback single "Witch", "Japan" was released on July 21, 2014. It entered the singles chart at number two, Alesha's first top-two hit in three years and the second top-three single from her self-titled album.

Critics responded positively to "Japan," who labeled it a "surefire summer hit" and praised the track's spoken bridge. The video, filmed in London, Osaka and Tokyo, was directed by production studio Big TV. It co-starred two young, relatively unknown Japanese actors as the relationship described in the lyrics. Alesha performed "Japan" on her 2014 world tour Alesha: Renaissance Live.

Track listing

 * CD / 7" vinyl (online exclusives)
 * 1) "Japan"
 * 2) "Tremors"


 * Digital EP
 * 1) "Japan"
 * 2) "Witch" (Apollo 54 Remix)
 * 3) "Hong Kong Garden"


 * Digital remix EP
 * 1) "Japan"
 * 2) "Japan" (Christian Stone Cherry Blossom Remix)
 * 3) "Japan" (Graeme Sinden Remix)
 * 4) "Japan" (Monsieur Adi Remix)
 * 5) "Japan" (Steven Redant Tokyo Radio Remix)
 * 6) "Japan" (Steven Redant Osaka Remix)

Chart performance
"Japan" entered the official singles chart at number two behind JUSTYCE's third consecutive number one hit "Addict", becoming Alesha's twelfth single to chart at number two and the second top three single from Alesha. With 96,773 copies sold, the single boasted a higher first-week sales frame than its predecessor "Witch" (featuring Malaya). In its second week, "Japan" slipped to number four with a further 67,142 copies shifted, earning a silver certification. Following changes to sales certifications in June 2013 and again in August 2014, "Japan" became Alesha's first single to miss out on a platinum certification since 2007.

The single matched its number two peak on the digital chart, falling behind Paulo Araujo's "Fruits EP". Like on the official chart, "Japan" slipped two places the following week. "Japan" peaked at number three on the official airplay chart; it entered the top ten at number nine in its fourth week on the chart before spending two weeks in the top five and a fourth week in the top ten.