June 13, 2026 is almost here, and if you have not been paying attention to Japan’s biggest music event of the year, now is the time to start. MUSIC AWARDS JAPAN 2026, the country’s largest international music awards ceremony, returns to TOYOTA ARENA TOKYO and SGC Hall Ariake this Saturday with a nominee list that reads like a who-is-who of the Japanese music industry. From breakout rookie HANA dominating multiple categories to global sensations XG and Ado representing Japan on the world stage, this year’s MAJ is shaping up to be an absolute spectacle.
What Makes MUSIC AWARDS JAPAN 2026 So Special
Now in its second year, MUSIC AWARDS JAPAN has quickly established itself as the premier awards show for Japanese music. Built around the concept of “Connecting with the world, illuminating the future of music,” the 2026 edition spans an incredible 77 categories across genres and national borders. The winners are selected through votes by approximately 5,000 music industry professionals from Japan and around the world, giving the awards a level of credibility that fan-voted shows simply cannot match.
The nomination announcement event held on April 30 in Tokyo featured this year’s MAJ Ambassadors, Kento Nakajima and Mei Hata, who expressed their excitement about the stacked lineup. Nakajima specifically called out the Best J-POP Song Award as being “stacked with classic hits,” while also mentioning his love for Chainsaw Man themes “IRIS OUT” and “JANE DOE” by Kenshi Yonezu.
The Six Major Categories You Need to Watch
The competition in the six major categories is fierce this year, and the results could spark some serious debates in the J-Pop community.
Song of the Year
The Song of the Year category features five nominees that have dominated charts and playlists across Japan:
- HANA – “Blue Jeans”
- Kenshi Yonezu – “IRIS OUT”
- Sakanaction – “Kaiju”
- Aina the End – “Kakumei Douchu – On The Way”
- M!LK – “Suki Sugite Metsu!”
HANA’s “Blue Jeans” has been the breakout hit of 2026, becoming a cultural phenomenon that transcends age groups. Kenshi Yonezu, who needs no introduction, continues his reign as one of Japan’s most influential artists with “IRIS OUT,” which also serves as a Chainsaw Man theme song. Sakanaction’s “Kaiju” brings their signature electronic-rock fusion, while Aina the End and M!LK represent the new generation of J-Pop talent.
Artist of the Year
The Artist of the Year race is equally competitive, with five acts that have made massive waves both domestically and internationally:
- Fujii Kaze
- HANA
- Mrs. GREEN APPLE
- Sakanaction
- Kenshi Yonezu
Fujii Kaze’s album “Prema” has been a critical and commercial success, showcasing his evolution as an artist. Mrs. GREEN APPLE’s album “10” celebrates a decade of their musical journey. The fact that HANA appears in both Song of the Year and Artist of the Year categories shows just how dominant this newcomer has been.
Album of the Year
The Album of the Year nominees represent some of the most important releases in recent Japanese music history:
- Mrs. GREEN APPLE – “10”
- Various Artists – “Dear Jubilee -RADWIMPS TRIBUTE-“
- Gen Hoshino – “Gen”
- Fujii Kaze – “Prema”
- Southern All Stars – “THANK YOU SO MUCH”
The RADWIMPS tribute album is particularly noteworthy, celebrating one of Japan’s most beloved rock bands through covers by various artists. Gen Hoshino’s “Gen” and Southern All Stars’ “THANK YOU SO MUCH” round out a category that spans multiple generations of Japanese music.
Best Global Hit from Japan
This category celebrates Japanese artists who have made the biggest impact on the global stage:
- XG – “HYPNOTIZE”
- Kenshi Yonezu – “IRIS OUT”
- Kenshi Yonezu ft. Hikaru Utada – “JANE DOE”
- LiSA – “ReawakeR (feat. Felix of Stray Kids)”
- Ado – “Ussewa”
XG’s inclusion is a no-brainer given their massive international following. The collaboration between Kenshi Yonezu and Hikaru Utada on “JANE DOE” represents a dream team of Japanese music. LiSA’s collaboration with Felix from Stray Kids bridges the anime music world and K-Pop, while Ado’s “Ussewa” continues its legendary run as one of the most iconic Japanese songs of the digital era.
Where to Watch
The Grand Ceremony covering the major categories will be broadcast live on NHK, with the red carpet event airing on NHK BS. The Premiere Ceremony, covering all other categories, will be broadcast on TOKYO MX. Both ceremonies will also be streamed worldwide on YouTube (excluding certain regions), as well as on Lemino, ABEMA, and radiko.
The Premiere Ceremony at SGC Hall Ariake features performers including Hiromi Uehara, STUTS, and other artists representing Japan and Asian nations, starting from 1:00 PM local time.
Why This Matters for Japanese Music
MUSIC AWARDS JAPAN represents something that the Japanese music industry has needed for a long time: a platform that celebrates both domestic excellence and international reach. As MAJ Ambassador Mei Hata noted, she hopes “the beauty of the Japanese language, its lyrics, its wordplay, can reach people around the world.” With artists like XG, Ado, and Fujii Kaze already gaining international recognition, that future is happening right now.
The inclusion of the Best Song Asia category, featuring artists from Indonesia (Silet Open Up), the Philippines (Cup of Joe), and South Korea (PLAVE, WOODZ, HUNTR/X), shows MAJ’s commitment to connecting Japanese music with the broader Asian music scene.
What Do You Think?
With the ceremony just two days away, the big question is: who do you think will take home the top prizes? Will HANA’s incredible rookie year earn her Artist of the Year? Can Kenshi Yonezu sweep with both “IRIS OUT” and “JANE DOE”? And will XG’s “HYPNOTIZE” win Best Global Hit from Japan?
Drop your predictions in the comments below. Who are you rooting for at MUSIC AWARDS JAPAN 2026?
