So yeah, I’ve been MIA a bit lately (we won’t get into that or we’ll be here until Chinese Democracy II releases). I haven’t been doing much in the way of anything regular because I don’t want the pressure of expectation, but at the same time, I’m paying for this domain so I might as well use it at least a little.

So today we’re going to do something fun and simple- showcasing all the Japanese CDs in my collection. My CD collection thankfully isn’t in the thousands (yet), so don’t worry, it won’t be a marathon.

But first, why are Japanese CDs so desirable? Well, there are certainly audiophiles that will swear by the sound quality of Japanese pressings, but no, that is not the reason why I buy them.

Instead, Japanese CDs will often feature bonus tracks not on the other worldwide releases as, interestingly, it is cheaper for a Japanese person to import a CD then buy the local pressing.

So let’s get to it then. From A to Z, below is every one of my Japanese import CDs as of the time of publishing (11/06/2024). For the sake of not repeating myself, if I don’t mention any exclusive bonus tracks, assume the release does not have any.

Alice Cooper – A Fistful of Alice

A great live album, the Japanese edition with extra tracks includes 3-4 bonus songs (depending on what region your domestic version is), including the rarely performed “Clones (We’re All)” from Flush The Fashion. I also have a Japanese import of the regular edition without the bonus tracks, because that exists, for some reason.

Bon Jovi – Dry County

In the UK “Dry County” was a CD1/CD2 deal, but in Japan you get all the b-sides on the one disc. And it was those b-sides, specifically the live covers of “It’s Only Rock & Roll” (with vocals by Jon and Richie) and “Waltzing Matilda” (with lead vocals by Tico Torres), that were the reason I bought this one.

Vanessa Carlton – Ordinary Day

Bought for a live version of “A Thousand Miles” (though B-side “Swindler” is also pretty good). This Japanese single in particular features three extra bonus tracks- “Paradise” (Piano & vocals only), “Ordinary Day” (Piano & vocals only) and “A Thousand Miles” (Piano & vocals only, live in Tokyo) – as well as the video for “Ordinary Day” on the enhanced section (though this last one isn’t exclusive).

Edward Furlong – Hold On Tight

Definitely one of the most unique and rare CDs in my collection. This is, as the cover suggests, an album by John Connor actor Edward Furlong from 1992. This was a Japan-exclusive release.

Peter Gabriel – The third self-titled one, commonly known as Melt

An opportunity purchase in a Discogs lot, I was very happy to stumble across it available as I had been searching for it for a while.

Hollywood Vampires – Rise

Now this is how you do a Japanese release! The bonus tracks here amount to two discs’ worth of an exclusive live album. This is definitely one of my favourite CDs in my collection.

Iron Maiden – Purgatory/Maiden Japan (The First Ten Years Series)

It’s a shame you don’t get the live version of “Wrathchild” that appeared on some of the EP’s releases, alas, but having 80% of Maiden Japan on CD is still not something you can stroll into your local store and pick up. Plus the Listen With Nicko’s are always a blast.

Iron Maiden – The X Factor

Not only is this a great album, but the Japanese pressing comes with a bonus disc with three extra awesome songs from the album’s writing sessions. While they were available elsewhere as b-sides, it’s nice having them all on the one disc, and this is the only CD release I’m aware of for “I Live My Way” to boot.

Iron Maiden – Best of the Beast (2CD Edition)

Ah, the very beginning. This was the very first CD I ever bought for myself. The Japanese pressing came with an additional booklet with an A-Z of Iron Maiden that I wish I could read.

Iron Maiden – Virtual XI

I had to complete the set, of course, and match my The X Factor. Here you get two live tracks from the 1995 tour. Available elsewhere as b-sides, but still cool to have here.

Iron Maiden – Out of the Silent Planet

I bought this one in a Discogs lot. There were so many Maiden CD singles available, but I resolved to limit myself to just one this time. The live b-sides from the Ed Hunter Tour were the reason I picked this one.

Killers – Murder One

One of Paul Di’Anno’s solo ventures after Iron Maiden, it’s a pretty solid album all in all.

Sabaton – Live From The Sabaton Cruise

This live album was a Japan-only release (but was later repackaged on the Heroes Deluxe Edition). Across the CDs it features six of the ten tracks from Heroes, as well as a cover of Amon Amarth’s “Twilight of the Thunder God”.

Sabaton – The Last Stand

Now this is one of my favourites. There’s so much packed into this two-disc package. First you get the Japanese bonus track, the cover of Twisted Sister’s “Burn in Hell”, then you get the two Deluxe Edition bonus tracks, awesome covers of Stan Ridgeway’s “Camouflage” and Judas Priest’s “All Guns Blazing”. But that’s not all, as this is actually the Limited Edition, which also gives you a bonus DVD of a concert from France 2016. The only song from this era this edition doesn’t include is the cover of Iron Maiden’s “Afraid To Shoot Strangers”, which is exclusive to the top-of-the-range Earbook Edition.

Sultans of Ping F.C – Casual Sex in the Cineplex

This is a special one. You can read the background to it here, but as soon as I saw this in the Discogs seller’s available items I knew I couldn’t pass it up. And you get two bonus tracks too with the Japanese pressing.

Various Artists – Humanary Stew: A Tribute To Alice Cooper

This is a great tribute album. Featuring Bruce Dickinson, Glenn Hughes, Ronnie James Dio, Joe Elliot, Dee Snider and lots more. There are so many awesome covers on here.

Soundtracks

I file my soundtracks separate from my regular music (for lack of a better term), so that’s how I’ll be doing it for this post as well.

Capcom Sound Team – Biohazard 2

The Resident Evil 2 soundtrack (in Japan, the Resident Evil series goes by the name Biohazard instead) is awesome, and I love the added coolness factor of having the Japanese name on there.

Capcom Sound Team – Biohazard 2 Complete Track

Part 2, essentially, of the Resident Evil 2 soundtrack, this one’s a Japan-only release that included all the music not on the first soundtrack disc, as well as some of the game’s sound effects on a second mini-CD. I think this CD still holds the honour of being the most expensive single-album music purchase I’ve made.

Patrick Doyle – Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

One of my favourite Harry Potter soundtracks. I particularly love the three original songs performed by fictional band The Weird Sisters (featuring members of Radiohead, Pulp and others).

John Williams – Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones

One of many John Williams’ awesome scores, the bonus track “On The Conveyor Belt” isn’t exclusive to the Japanese edition, but it’s still very welcome here.

Hans Zimmer – Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End

Though it’s hard to pick a favourite movie from the series, I think this is mine, both in general and in regards to the score. There’s plenty of it to love here, including the battle suite from the maelstrom in 10 minutes of glory. There isn’t any additional music with the Japanese version, but you do get this exclusive striking alternate cover art.

So that’s all of them (for now). I’m sure I’ll continue to source these imports for the rare songs on them, and maybe we’ll have an update post in a year or so.

But in the meantime, what are some of your favourite Japanese bonus tracks?