Sakanaction Takes Home Eight Awards, Including Song of the Year for “Kaiju”
MUSIC AWARDS JAPAN 2026 delivered one of the most dramatic nights in Japanese music history on June 13 at Toyota Arena Tokyo, as alternative rock band Sakanaction walked away with eight awards — the most of any artist — while Mrs. GREEN APPLE secured Artist of the Year for the second consecutive year and Kenshi Yonezu swept every regional Japanese Song category with his monster hit “IRIS OUT.”
The ceremony, which moved from Kyoto to Tokyo for its second edition, expanded to 78 categories spanning every genre of Japanese music. Winners were decided by a final vote of approximately 5,000 music industry professionals, making it Japan’s largest and most comprehensive music awards event.
How Sakanaction’s “Kaiju” Became the Song of the Year
Written as the opening theme for the anime Orb: On the Movements of the Earth, Sakanaction’s “Kaiju” dominated the night beyond just Song of the Year. The track also won Best Rock Song, Best Anime Song, Best Music Video, and Best Cover Artwork. The band themselves added Best Rock Band/Solo Artist and two of the newly introduced live production staff awards for lighting and sound.
Frontman Ichiro Yamaguchi, accepting Song of the Year from presenter Masahiro Motoki, broke down in tears. “Kaiju” was the first song he wrote after returning from a hiatus caused by his battle with depression, and he admitted the recognition “has given me the courage to believe that I can keep going.”
Yamaguchi was particularly passionate about the new live production categories. Speaking to press after the ceremony, he argued that recognizing PA engineers, lighting staff, and live crews encourages labels and promoters to invest in better sound and staging — ultimately serving the fans. Bands with outstanding live performances, he added, “should be competing on the world stage.”
Mrs. GREEN APPLE Goes Back-to-Back as Artist of the Year
Mrs. GREEN APPLE proved their dominance was no fluke, retaining the Artist of the Year trophy for the second year running. Nominated in eight categories and winning multiple awards including Best Pop/Rock Band/Solo Artist, the trio has cemented their position as one of Japan’s most commercially successful and critically acclaimed acts of the decade.
Their album “10” also competed for Album of the Year against heavyweights like Fujii Kaze’s “Prema” — which ultimately took the top album prize — Gen Hoshino’s self-titled “Gen,” Southern All Stars’ “Thank You So Much,” and the Radwimps tribute album “Dear Jubilee.”
Kenshi Yonezu: 18 Nominations, Global Sweep
Kenshi Yonezu entered the night as the most-nominated artist with 18 nominations — his single “IRIS OUT” alone accounting for nine. He converted that into a clean sweep of all four regional Japanese Song categories covering Asia, Europe, North America, and Latin America, plus Best J-Pop Song. Under his Vocaloid producer alias Hachi, he also won Best Digital Culture Artist.
While Yonezu didn’t match Sakanaction’s trophy count, his global reach was undeniable. His collaboration with Hikaru Utada on “Jane Doe” was also nominated for Top Global Hit from Japan, alongside XG’s “Hypnotize” (which won the category), Ado’s “Usseewa,” and LiSA featuring Felix (Stray Kids) with “Reawaker.”
Fujii Kaze’s “Prema” Wins Album of the Year
Fujii Kaze took home the coveted Album of the Year award for “Prema,” his critically acclaimed sophomore album that has dominated streaming charts across Asia. The win solidifies his reputation as one of Japan’s most important musical exports, following his massive global tours and viral performances.
Kaze was also nominated for Artist of the Year alongside Mrs. GREEN APPLE, Sakanaction, Kenshi Yonezu, and breakthrough group Hana — who won New Artist of the Year for their debut single “Blue Jeans.”
XG, Ado, and the Global Stage
XG’s “Hypnotize” winning Top Global Hit from Japan confirms what fans already knew — the seven-member girl group has become Japan’s most internationally successful act, blending hip-hop, R&B, and pop into a sound that transcends borders. The category pitted them against Kenshi Yonezu and Hikaru Utada, Ado, LiSA, and Huntrix, making the win especially impressive.
Ado, who was nominated for her iconic track “Usseewa” in the same category, continues to prove that her raw, unfiltered vocal style resonates far beyond Japan’s borders. Although she didn’t take home a trophy this year, her presence in the Top Global Hit category alongside industry giants signals her growing international influence.
What Do You Think?
Did Sakanaction deserve Song of the Year for “Kaiju,” or should Kenshi Yonezu’s “IRIS OUT” have taken the crown? Was Mrs. GREEN APPLE the right choice for Artist of the Year again, or should Fujii Kaze or Hana have taken the title? And which artist are you most excited to see on tour this year? Drop your thoughts in the comments below!
