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| MUSIC AWARDS JAPAN 2025: All Nominations & Categories Announced |
Mark your calendars for 21–22 May, because the ROHM Theatre Kyoto is about to turn into Japan’s hottest music hotspot. MUSIC AWARDS JAPAN returns this spring with a clear mission: shine a spotlight on homegrown talent for the world to see, and give overseas artists a passport into the Japanese scene.
Both nights will be live‑streamed on YouTube—so you can catch every award and performance, wherever you are.
Key Categories & Nominees
Song of the Year
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- ROSÉ & Bruno Mars – “APT.”
- Creepy Nuts – “Bling‑Bang‑Bang‑Born”
- YOASOBI – “Idol”
- Fujii Kaze – “Michi Teyu Ku”
- Mrs. GREEN APPLE – “Lilac”
Artist of the Year
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Creepy Nuts · Mrs. GREEN APPLE · Vaundy · YOASOBI · Fujii Kaze
New Artist of the Year
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FRUITS ZIPPER · Number_i · Omoinotake · tuki. · Kocchi no Kento
Album of the Year
.jpg "MUSIC AWARDS JAPAN Nominations Announced") |
Mrs. GREEN APPLE – ANTENNA · Yonezu Kenshi – LOST CORNER · Fujii Kaze – LOVE ALL SERVE ALL · Vaundy – replica · Utada Hikaru – SCIENCE FICTION
Going Global
Top Global Hit From Japan and Top Japanese Songs across Asia, Europe, North America and Latin America categories remind us how tracks like “Idol,” “Bling‑Bang‑Bang‑Born” and “It’s Going Down Now” have broken domestic borders.
Genre Spotlights
From Best Domestic Rock Artist (King Gnu, ONE OK ROCK, Official HIGE DANdism…) to Best Domestic Hip‑Hop/Rap (Awich, Creepy Nuts, XG…), the spread is wild—and there’s even a Best Vocaloid Culture Award and Best Enka Kayokyoku nods for Enka stalwarts like Yamauchi Keisuke.
Fan‑Powered Prizes
Spotify‑driven Listeners’ Choice for both Domestic and International Songs shows that Number_i’s “GOAT,” Megan Thee Stallion & RM’s “Neva Play,” NewJeans’ “Supernatural” and more have serious street cred.
International Lineup
Big names are in the running for Best International pop, rock, R&B and hip‑hop too—Taylor Swift, Beyoncé, Billie Eilish, Green Day, Kendrick Lamar, Snoop Dogg… the list reads like a festival poster.
What to Watch
- Will Rodrigo’s production chops snag Album of the Year with Utada’s SCIENCE FICTION?
- Can an anime‑favourite track like YOASOBI’s “Idol” sweep multiple categories?
- Are we about to see a breakthrough from a new face like FRUITS ZIPPER?
One thing’s for sure: Kyoto in late May is where you’ll want to be (or at least glued to your YouTube feed). Stay tuned for when winners get crowned—and maybe pick up a few fresh tracks along the way.