Japanese singer-songwriter KENSHI YONEZU has reached another historic milestone in the United States, as his 2017 single “Peace Sign” has officially been certified Gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). The latest certification marks his third RIAA certification, the most ever achieved by an artist performing in Japanese. With this latest honor, Yonezu becomes the only artist in history to receive three RIAA certifications for Japanese-language recordings, further expanding the global reach of Japanese music in the American market.
“Peace Sign” surpassed 500,000 units in the United States through combined sales and streaming to earn Gold status in May 2026. The achievement arrives during the 10th anniversary of the global hit anime My Hero Academia, for which the song served as the Season 2 opening theme, adding symbolic weight to the certification.
The milestone follows Yonezu’s groundbreaking run with “KICK BACK,” the opening theme for CHAINSAW MAN, which became the first Japanese-language song ever certified Gold by the RIAA in 2023 and the first Japanese-language song ever certified Platinum in 2025. With “Peace Sign” now achieving Gold, Yonezu extends his own record, standing alone as the most RIAA-certified Japanese-language artist in history.
At a time when global audiences increasingly embrace non-English music, Yonezu’s continued success signals a defining shift: Japanese-language songs are not only crossing borders — they are establishing sustained commercial longevity in the world’s largest music market.
Originally released on June 21, 2017, “Peace Sign” quickly became an anthem among anime fans worldwide. Its official music video has since surpassed 330 million views on YouTube, and the track remains a centerpiece of Yonezu’s live performances, drawing explosive audience reactions throughout his 2025 world tour spanning Asia, Europe, and North America, which attracted 440,000 attendees. Nearly a decade after its release, the song continues to gain new listeners, underscoring its lasting cultural and streaming impact.
The single artwork, illustrated by Yonezu himself and inspired by My Hero Academia, reflects his multidisciplinary creative identity as both musician and visual artist.
Kenshi Yonezu is one of Japan’s most influential contemporary artists. Beginning his career under the alias Hachi in the Vocaloid scene, he emerged as a solo artist in 2012 and has since become a defining voice in modern J-pop and global streaming culture. His 2018 single “Lemon” became one of the most successful Japanese songs of all time, surpassing 970 million YouTube views. Across his catalog, he has achieved 18 music videos exceeding 100 million views, amassed over 8.6 million YouTube subscribers, earned Top 5 global chart placements including Billboard Global rankings, secured a Top 10 placement on the IFPI Global Album Chart, and received recognition in RIAA’s “Class of 2023.”
With three RIAA certifications now under his belt, Yonezu continues redefining the global possibilities for Japanese-language music.
