Hello! Project's Station '25 ~YT · TV · Radio · Magazines~

[Nayoko-Kihara]

Seems like poor planning to me (spreading a chunk of fans' money thin), but since i'm not in the business there's a high chance I am just being silly.

[jeiwa42]

That's what I was thinking too...I mean...is Japan a weekly salary kind of country? I know in the US it's weekly, but in other places (e.g. the Philippines) I know it's semi-monthly (the month's 15th and 30th day). If it's a weekly case, then I guess it could still work in their favor...but it's still pushing it. People have bills =( Though, if anything, this might give it more longevity because some fans will just get the singles at a later date, thus kinda evening out the sales instead of a major first week sale and then a sudden flop? Just spit-ballin' here...

[Jessi]

In Japan you get paid once a month.

[Sohee]

Eh, there are plenty of part-time places that pay every twice a month or even weekly if you want. Of course, if you work at a company as contract employee you'll get paid monthly. Probably. But with the increasing amount of freeters (people who aren't contract employees and do part-times) and such, there are most likely a handful of people who get paid twice a month or something like that.

That aside though, this is smart marketing. And these are different groups with different fans so it shouldn't make that much of a difference in sales tbh.

[Celedam]

I know in the US it's weekly

No, it varies from company to company. And even then, in most cases, only hourly employees get paid weekly. Salaried employees typically get paid either bi-weekly or semi-monthly (i.e., the 15th and the end of the month).

[jeiwa42]

^ Oh...I just assumed since almost everyone I've ever asked about work gets paid weekly that its more common here in the US to get paid weekly...then again most of those people get paid wages (as in per hour) and not salaries.

In any case ^^ I guess you're right...I'm probably over-estimating how many people like all the groups in H!P since I have this image that H!P fans typically like at least more than 1 group (even if there is a bias towards certain groups).

[sukibeam]

I've only ever been paid biweekly, both part time and full time jobs. I think it really depends on the employer, but most people I know are biweekly on Fridays here in the US. I've known very few people who get paid every week.

I could see the release schedule hurting sales though. Japanese Harowota do tend to like multiple groups, so they may only splurge on one group and buy other groups' stuff later. Then again, most of the fans have had time to save up in prep for these singles so...

[Jessi]

I know in the US it's weekly

No, it varies from company to company. And even then, in most cases, only hourly employees get paid weekly. Salaried employees typically get paid either bi-weekly or semi-monthly (i.e., the 15th and the end of the month).

Ive only ever gotten paid bi-weekly and have never heard of someone getting paid weekly... and I also live in the US... New York specifically...

[Starra]

Seems like poor planning to me (spreading a chunk of fans' money thin), but since i'm not in the business there's a high chance I am just being silly.

This doesn't apply to everyone, but some fans only support one group. Or even if they support multiple groups, if this happens, they're probably gonna throw their money at the group they support the most, or the group with their kamioshi (or whoever's the closest) in it.

In Japan I think it's more common to support one group rather than several, but of course there are exceptions.

Also since singles are announced a couple of months in advance (usually), I assume people save up for them too.

I'm sure some fans won't be able to afford all that they want to buy, but honestly, I doubt it'll hinder sales that much.

[JonCC]

This doesn't apply to everyone, but some fans only support one group.

AKB prety much proved this.
Their various incarnations have released week after week on multiple occasions and on the whole they've all sold fine.

Plus, it makes for a fun four weeks of activity. Lots of events, plenty of variety.
If you were deciding to visit Japan for the express purpose of Hello! Project, those four weeks would certainly be a great time to do it.