MUSIC AWARDS JAPAN has unveiled the nominees for all 50 categories to be honored at the inaugural event set for May 21 and 22 in Kyoto.
The finalists were selected from the approximately 3,000 entries revealed in March, through a preliminary vote by artists, creatives, media-related and other music industry professionals, with some awards open to general listeners. After a final vote including overseas voting members, the winners will be announced at the award ceremony next month.
In the six main categories — Song of the Year, Album of the Year, Artist of the Year, New Artist of the Year, Top Global Hit from Japan, Best Song Asia — artists and acts that have graced the charts and excited music listeners are up for awards: Creepy Nuts (“Bling-Bang-Bang-Born”), YOASOBI (“Idol”), Mrs. GREEN APPLE (“Lilac,” ANTENNA), Fujii Kaze (“Michi Teyu Ku (Overflowing),” LOVE ALL SERVE ALL), Rosé & Bruno Mars (“APT.”), Kenshi Yonezu (LOST CORNER), FRUITS ZIPPER, Kocchi no Kento, Number_i, and aespa (“Supernova”), to name just a few.
Kazutoyo Koyabu, Asuka Kijima, Ko Matsushima, the Founder of arne inc. and music critic Tomonori Shiba took to the stage at the event announcing the nominees. Koyabu, a popular comedian and musician, noted, “These are artists that even an old guy like me has heard of,” while Kijima, a model and actress, said, “Everyone will be satisfied no matter who wins, because they’re all outstanding artists.” The nominees in the Top Global Hit from Japan category selected by overseas listeners include a diverse range of tracks, such as songs featured in games, anime show openers, songs familiar from TikTok, and tracks by artists with a notable global presence. Check out all the nominees at the official MUSIC AWARDS JAPAN website.
Find the nominees of the six main categories below:
Song of the Year
(Recognition for the song with the most outstanding musical creativity and artistry.)
Rosé & Bruno Mars “APT.”
Creepy Nuts “Bling-Bang-Bang-Born”
YOASOBI “Idol”
Fujii Kaze “Michi Teyu Ku (Overflowing)”
Mrs. GREEN APPLE “Lilac”
Album of the Year
(Recognition for the album with the most outstanding musical creativity and artistry.)
Mrs. GREEN APPLE, ANTENNA
Kenshi Yonezu, LOST CORNER
Fujii Kaze, LOVE ALL SERVE ALL
Vaundy, replica
Hikaru Utada, SCIENCE FICTION
Artist of the Year
(Recognition for the artist with the most outstanding musical creativity and artistry.)
Creepy Nuts
Mrs. GREEN APPLE
Vaundy
YOASOBI
Fujii Kaze
New Artist of the Year
Recognition for the new artist who demonstrated outstanding musical creativity and artistry.
FRUITS ZIPPER
Number_i
Omoinotake
tuki.
Kocchi no Kento
Top Global Hit From Japan
(Recognition for the Japanese song that became a global hit.)
Lotus Juice/Azumi Takahashi “It’s Going Down Now”
XG “WOKE UP”
YOASOBI “Idol”
Fujii Kaze “Shinunoga E-wa”
Miki Matsubara “Mayonaka no Door – stay with me”
Best Song Asia
(Recognition for the Asian hit song that was popular across Asian countries.)
Bernadya “Satu Bulan” (Indonesia)
REGINA SONG “the cutest pair” (Singapore)
aespa “Supernova” (South Korea)
PLAVE “WAY 4 LUV” (South Korea)
JEFF SATUR “GHOST” (Thailand)
MUSIC AWARDS JAPAN 2025 KYOTO
Date of the ceremony: Wednesday, May 21 and Thursday, May 22, 2025
MAJ Week: From Saturday, May 17 to Friday, May 23, 2025
Venue: ROHM Theatre Kyoto, Kyoto, Japan
Domestic live broadcast of May 22 event on NHK; global stream of events on both days on YouTube scheduled (some regions excluded).
