Do B-side songs ever enter the charts?

OK, now that the 15th single senbatsu is announced (congrats, Asuka!), I'd like to ask a newbie question: Do B-side songs ever enter the charts?

A more general form of this question is actually: what other charts "matter" in Japan? In the US, for example, we have Billboard top 40 etc. And from time to time songs that are not the "main" song in an album or single manage to chart. Are there similar charts in Japan?

I'm wondering because all I ever read in the forums seem to be the single sales numbers (Oricon sales?). Since Nogizaka46 singles, in particular, usually have strong B-side songs (at least IMHO), I'm wondering whether any of these songs ever enter the charts. Similarly, I'm wondering whether individual songs from an album ever enter the charts.

Any information on this is greatly appreciated!

 

IC, thanks for the explanation.
Do the B-side songs get radio/TV airtime? I mean, if a particular song sits really well with the fans and lots of people ask radio DJs to play the songs, it will also be a good thing for the UG, for example.

 

I would say no.

That's why getting into senbatsu is so important for the girls. It is the song that's being promoted. The rest is just something extra for those who buy the CD, like photos and the HS tickets.

 

Depends on the artist really, Kana Nishino has tons of cerified b-sides/album tracks

 

Or perhaps it depends also on the management? Or it only works for non-idols?

 

well it's always interesting. For example a LOT of people seem to like Kikakke from the new album, but since it is labeled as an album song and not an A-Side, it won't get the same popularity.

 

It depends if they're promoted or not. B-sides can do well with tie-ins and promotion e.g. 365-nichi no Kamihikouki. That was practically a double-a-side single though.

 

That's exactly my point. If songs like Kikakke do not get the same exposure as an A-side, then it's really a waste. The same goes to UG songs in the singles (Shitto no Kenri, anybody?).

Just my personal experience: being a rather late follower of AKB48, I missed some of their B-sides from their earlier singles that (IMHO) are just as good as the A-sides. Some of these made it into their albums, but some seems to simply fade away due to under-exposure. Luckily, I've been following Nogi virtually from the very beginning so that I don't miss any (I think) of their B-sides.

Well, perhaps in this case it's because management knew that Kuchibiru is not really that strong?

 

Of course music taste is personal, but there are quite some songs, which are as good as the main single. In my case I liked Poppipappapa more than Ima Hana.

Yeah I know, but it's still not a song you will see in the top 5 charts. As an A-Side yes. Since I have been following Nogizaka I always saw the main A-Side single in top 5. Atleast top 10 on iTunes. Not the Nanase solo, no UG song. Always the main single. well yeah. I listen to the songs I like. Maybe it's just bad that the song won't get as many performances. You can't make everyone happy

 

@Obelovic I'm late, but if you're a recent entrant you wouldn't know that B-sides were actually pretty strong in the past - at their height, B-sides for AKB48 would actually enter the digital rankings, and ESPECIALLY the karaoke ones (you can tell because in the medleys they made, several B-sides are included with the A-sides)