The Very Best of Japan is a compilation album by the British band Japan, released worldwide in 2006 by EMI Music.
Although not the first Japan compilation to collect recordings from the band's career on both Hansa Records and Virgin Records, it is certainly the most comprehensive and includes all nine of their UK top 40 hit singles as well as two other singles that made the top 50, released between the years 1981 and 1983; "The Art of Parties" (#48, 1981), "Quiet Life"(#19, 1981), "Visions of China" (#32, 1981), "European Son (Remix)" (#31, 1981), "Ghosts" (#5, 1982), "Cantonese Boy" (#24, 1982), "I Second That Emotion (Remix)" (#9, 1982), "Life in Tokyo (Remix)" (#28, 1982), "Nightporter (Remix)" (#29, 1982), "All Tomorrow's Parties (Remix)" (#38, 1983) and "Canton" (Live) (#42, 1983).
The Very Best of Japan includes both the single and album versions of their biggest commercial hit "Ghosts", the 12" mix of "The Art of Parties" as well as the Steve Nye remix of "Taking Islands in Africa", originally released as the B-side of the "Visions of China" 7" single in 1981.
The album was accompanied by a DVD release, which includes seven promo videos as well as the Oil on Canvas concert recorded in 1982.
Track listing
All tracks written by David Sylvian unless otherwise noted.
"The Art of Parties" is mistitled. The version included here is the extended 12" single version. The original version was released as a single only 7"/12". A rerecorded version is available on the album Tin Drum.
"Visions of China" is taken from the album Tin Drum.
The original version of "Taking Islands in Africa" is available on the album Gentlemen Take Polaroids.
This version of "European Son" was first released in the UK on the album Assemblage.