GReeeeN: Japanese Pop Group Records First Song To Rack Up 1 Million Downloads Via Mobile

Mobile music's on the move in a very big way.

A Japanese pop group made up of anonymous dental students has recorded the first song ever to rack up 1 million downloads to mobile phones over mobile networks.

According to the Sept. 3 issue of Business Week, the group, called GReeeeN, has a major hit with its song Aiuta (Love Song).

Of course, we are talking Japan, where carriers have spent billions to make it possible to download songs at ultra-fast speeds. In fact, according to BW, 90% of all music downloads travel over mobile networks - and takes about 15 to 20 seconds to download a song. Here in the US, by comparison, users with iPhones can't even download songs from iTunes wirelessly. They have to hard wire their phone to their computers to do that.

Factor in ringtones and ring videos, and Universal Music Japan has sold roughly 3 million copies of Aiuta - and only about 250,000 CDs. The music video for the song is featured above.

Turns out GReeeen won't even reveal who they are. They're waiting to reveal their identities until they pass their dental exams next year.

Something tells me the student loans won't be a problem.

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Rick Mathieson.com