# Why is it that some CD released have bonus tracks on them when released in Japan? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [August 1, 2002, 9:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-it-that-some-cd-released-have-bonus-tracks-on-them-when-released-in-japan/121846 "2002-08-01T09:44:29Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![StarlaDear13](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a9adbd/32.png) [@StarlaDear13](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StarlaDear13)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2002, 9:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-it-that-some-cd-released-have-bonus-tracks-on-them-when-released-in-japan/121846/1 "2002-08-01T09:44:29Z")
Why is it that some CD released have bonus tracks on them when released in Japan? I’ve noticed this alot, and it’s only in Japan, no where else. So what’s up? Why do they get extra music? ---
**Author:** ![Richard\_Pearse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/richard_pearse/32/13144_2.png) [@Richard\_Pearse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Richard_Pearse)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2002, 11:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-it-that-some-cd-released-have-bonus-tracks-on-them-when-released-in-japan/121846/2 "2002-08-01T11:35:21Z")
It happens in Australia too. I think it may be to encourage you to buy the locally produced CD rather than buying a (possably) cheaper import. ---
**Author:** ![Nightsong](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nightsong/32/3083_2.png) [@Nightsong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nightsong)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2002, 2:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-it-that-some-cd-released-have-bonus-tracks-on-them-when-released-in-japan/121846/3 "2002-08-01T14:16:31Z")
They show up in the U.S. also: my WAG is that it’s to make the consumer feel like they’re getting something for free, and encourage them to buy that particular CD instead of a cheaper (but with less stuff on it) one. Although, if there were big differences in what kinds of bonus tracks you get depending on where you are, that would be interesting, and provide more insight as to the purposes for the bonus tracks. Would the bounus tracks on the CDs released near the artist’s hometown be local performances? Would they change those to be the most popular song from their latest tour to go through the area, for the ones released in another city? (Etc.) * * * \<\< There is no spoon. \>\> ---
**Author:** ![KGS](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/90ced4/32.png) [@KGS](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KGS)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2002, 2:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-it-that-some-cd-released-have-bonus-tracks-on-them-when-released-in-japan/121846/4 "2002-08-01T14:23:07Z")
It’s a conspiracy. Actually, the way I had it explained to me was, it’s because Japanese CDs are so damn expensive. The extra tracks are added as a consolation, or something like that. Some 90’s metal bands (e.g. Angra, Trouble) never had their CDs released in the U.S. initially, due to lack of demand. When the CDs were finally reissued and released in the U.S., they were given bonus tracks similar to the Japanese versions. But I still think it’s a conspiracy. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Great\_Unwashed](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_great_unwashed/32/4791_2.png) [@The\_Great\_Unwashed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Great_Unwashed)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2002, 2:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-it-that-some-cd-released-have-bonus-tracks-on-them-when-released-in-japan/121846/5 "2002-08-01T14:50:55Z")
KGS may have a point. I have replaced much of my vinyl collection onto CD, and, in one instance, I have owned and played to worn out 5 copies of Sgt Pepper’s (the last being on CD). Now, a certain proportion of revenue is earmarked for the artist- and “playing” rights. But didn’t I buy those the first time I bought a copy? Don’t I just want to update the media? I think in anticipation of a class-action suit (that would probably fail anyway) the record companies added “bonus” tracks, or encouraged superfluous “reengineerings” so they could “rightfully” claim that this was a different record. A similar argument holds for cross-market price differentiation. Who knows. IANAL. ---
**Author:** ![mazzer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/eada6e/32.png) [@mazzer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mazzer)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2002, 3:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-it-that-some-cd-released-have-bonus-tracks-on-them-when-released-in-japan/121846/6 "2002-08-01T15:32:47Z")
Also, dedicated fans from the U.S. will buy the Japanese, UK, or Australian version as an import, simply for the extra tracks. It makes sense to produce another version of a popular product: completists will want it. ---
**Author:** ![ftg](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ftg/32/2801_2.png) [@ftg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ftg)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2002, 5:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-it-that-some-cd-released-have-bonus-tracks-on-them-when-released-in-japan/121846/7 "2002-08-01T17:30:23Z")
I don’t think it is at all country-specific. Each record company’s affiliate in each country acts somewhat independently. So you get extra/missing/out-of-order tracks with different covers all the time. This goes a long way back. The US Capitol version of the Beatles’ releases weren’t the same as the British originals. (Even the Canadian versions are different from the US.) The early Rolling Stones US/British discography differs quite a bit. Etc. As for Japan, the affiliates are probably a lot more independent and local standards as to what constitutes a “full length” album might prevail. Record companies for the most part don’t expect people to buy import versions. In fact, they are probably not happy with it.