"To Be Free" is a song recorded by Japanese boy band Arashi

Arashi

is a Japanese boy band formed under the Japanese talent agency Johnny & Associates, which announced the formation of the group on November 3, 1999 in Honolulu, Hawaii...

. It was released on July 7, 2010 by their record label J Storm

J Storm

is a Japanese music and film company owned by Johnny & Associates. It was established on November 12, 2001, initially as a label for the Johnny's group, Arashi, after which it was named ....

. The song was used as a theme song of the commercials for Mitsuya Cider

Mitsuya Cider

is a Japanese carbonated soft drink, created in 1884 and now produced by Asahi Soft Drinks. While branded as a "cider", the East Asian use of "cider" refers to a very different drink – the basic flavor can be described as a cross between Sprite and Ginger Ale, though Asahi has come out with...

 which starred Arashi member Sho Sakurai

Sho Sakurai

is a Japanese idol, singer, songwriter, actor, newscaster, host and former radio host. He is a member of Japanese boy band Arashi....

. Only one version of the physical single was released, containing the song's instrumental track and a DVD.

Track list

Chart performance

The single sold around 180,000 copies on the first day of its release on July 7, 2010, debuting at number one on the Oricon

Oricon

, established in 1999, is the holding company at the head of a Japanese corporate group that supplies statistics and information on music and the music industry in Japan. It started as , which was founded by Sōkō Koike in November 1967 and became known for its music charts. Oricon Inc...

daily singles chart. On July 13, 2010, "To Be Free" placed at number-one on the Oricon weekly singles chart, becoming the group's twentieth consecutive number-one single since their 2004 single "Pikanchi Double

Pikanchi Double

"Pikanchi Double" is the twelfth single of the Japanese boy band Arashi. The single was released in two editions: a regular edition containing the karaoke versions of all the songs released in the single, and a limited edition with a deluxe cover art and a bonus track.-Single information:"Pikanchi...

". Together with member Satoshi Ohno

Satoshi Ohno

is a Japanese idol, singer, actor, artist, and radio host. He is the lead vocalist and leader of Japanese boy band Arashi, hence his nickname ....

's solo single , which was released on the same day as "To Be Free" and placed at number-two, Arashi and Ohno accomplished the rare feat of a group and a solo artist from the group simultaneously taking the top two spots for the first time in nearly ten years.

"To Be Free" remained number-one on the Billboard

Billboard (magazine)

Billboard is a weekly American magazine devoted to the music industry, and is one of the oldest trade magazines in the world. It maintains several internationally recognized music charts that track the most popular songs and albums in various categories on a weekly basis...

Japan Hot 100

Japan Hot 100

The Japan Hot 100 is a music singles chart in Japan. It is compiled by Billboard and Hanshin Contents Link ever since February 2008. The chart is updated every Wednesday at billboard-japan.com and every Thursday at billboard.com ....

 chart for two consecutive weeks. According to Oricon, "To Be Free" is the tenth best-selling single of 2010 in Japan.

Charts

Chart (2010)	Peak position
Billboard Billboard (magazine) Billboard is a weekly American magazine devoted to the music industry, and is one of the oldest trade magazines in the world. It maintains several internationally recognized music charts that track the most popular songs and albums in various categories on a weekly basis... Japan Hot 100 Japan Hot 100 The Japan Hot 100 is a music singles chart in Japan. It is compiled by Billboard and Hanshin Contents Link ever since February 2008. The chart is updated every Wednesday at billboard-japan.com and every Thursday at billboard.com ....	1
Billboard Yearly Japan Hot 100	9
Japan Oricon Oricon , established in 1999, is the holding company at the head of a Japanese corporate group that supplies statistics and information on music and the music industry in Japan. It started as , which was founded by Sōkō Koike in November 1967 and became known for its music charts. Oricon Inc... Daily Singles Chart	1
Japan Oricon Weekly Singles Chart	1
Japan Oricon Yearly Singles Chart	10

Sales and certifications

Country	Provider	Sales	Certification
Japan	RIAJ Recording Industry Association of Japan The Recording Industry Association of Japan is an industry trade group composed of Japanese corporations involved the music industry...	516,142	Double Platinum

Chart procession and succession

Release history

Region	Date	Format	Distributor
Japan		CD+DVD DualDisc DualDisc was a type of double-sided optical disc product developed by a group of record companies including EMI Music, Universal Music Group, Sony/BMG Music Entertainment, Warner Music Group, and 5.1 Entertainment Group and later under the aegis of the Recording Industry Association of America...  (JACA-5227)	J Storm J Storm is a Japanese music and film company owned by Johnny & Associates. It was established on November 12, 2001, initially as a label for the Johnny's group, Arashi, after which it was named ....
South Korea		CD+DVD (SMJTCD357B)	SM Entertainment SM Entertainment S.M. Entertainment is an independent Korean record label, talent agency, producer, and publisher of pop music, founded by Lee Soo-man in South Korea...
Taiwan		CD+DVD (JAJSG27030/A)	Avex Taiwan
Hong Kong		CD+DVD	Avex Asia