MUSIC AWARDS JAPAN 2026 Reveals Entries, Names Kento Nakajima & Mei Hata as Ambassadors

The entry lineup has been announced for MUSIC AWARDS JAPAN 2026, the largest international music awards in Japan, with the ceremony set for June 13, and Kento Nakajima and Mei Hata have been named as ambassadors for the awards.

In its second year, MAJ has expanded further from last year, with 78 categories across the full program, including the six major categories such as Song of the Year and Artist of the Year. The complete lineup spans 21 categories in the song category, 11 in the international song category, 11 in the artist category, MAJ Timeless Echo, four in the album category, two in the live category, four in the live staff category, seven in the creator category, two in the general voting category, one each in the music tech category and analog record category, and seven in the co-creation category — a varied roster that crosses genre boundaries.

Approximately 2,000 entries in total were announced. Among the six major categories, Song of the Year received 100 entries including Kenshi Yonezu’s “IRIS OUT” and HANA’s “Blue Jeans”; Artist of the Year features 100 artists including Mrs. GREEN APPLE and Fujii Kaze; and New Artist of the Year includes 50 acts such as STARGLOW and BILLY BOO, encompassing many of the works and artists that defined the 2025 music scene. 

Album of the Year received 100 entries including Snow Man’s first best album THE BEST 2020 – 2025 and RADWIMPS’ tribute album Dear Jubilee -RADWIMPS TRIBUTE-. Best Global Hit from Japan, which honors domestic songs that have become hits around the world, received 100 entries including AiNA THE END’s “On The Way” and Creepy Nuts’ “Otonoke,” while Best Song Asia features 21 entries including Tabola Bale’s “Silet Open Up” and Fourtwnty ‘s “Mangu Ft. Charita Utami.” The full entry list is available on the MAJ official website (https://www.musicawardsjapan.com/).



At the entry announcement event held in Tokyo on March 19, special supporter Kazutoyo Koyabu hosted, with guests M!LK (Taichi Shiozaki and Jinto Yoshida), Nogizaka46 (Mao Ioki, Teresa Ikeda, and Satsuki Sugawara), and musician Masanori Takumi taking the stage. Both M!LK and Nogizaka46 were selected as entries for Song of the Year and Artist of the Year. On seeing the entry list, Yoshida commented, “Seeing our name among all these acts feels new. I’m really looking forward to the ceremony.” Shiozaki then expressed his excitement by striking the pose from the group’s viral hit “Sukisugite Metsu!,” declaring, “Ureshisugite Metsu!” (roughly meaning “I’ll perish from being too happy.”) Ikeda from Nogizaka46, which had three songs entered for Song of the Year, expressed her joy and gratitude, saying, “We’re deeply honored and truly grateful to have been entered.”

Kento Nakajima and Mei Hata have also been named MUSIC AWARDS JAPAN 2026 Ambassadors. “There have been so many moments in my daily life where music has been there to support me,” said Hata, who appeared at the announcement event in person. “It’s become one of the things I can’t imagine living without. I look forward to enjoying this award together with everyone as we help bring Japanese and Asian music to the world.” Appearing via video message, Nakajima said, “I want to help make this awards ceremony — which brings together so many wonderful artists and songs representing Japan’s music scene — as exciting as possible in my role as ambassador.”


Further details were also announced for events taking place during the awards week running from June 5 to June 13. In addition to stages featuring performances by a variety of artists, seminars and showcases by music industry professionals from Japan and abroad will also be held. Confirmed events span a variety of genres, including Lis-ani! Live on Tokyo Anime Music Highlights, an anime music festival with full live band performances; Billboard JAPAN / Spotify presents Women In Music – EQUAL STAGE, featuring stages by women artists from Japan and abroad; and an enka/kayokyoku live concert, which was also held last year.

Voting by music industry figures in Japan and abroad opened on March 19, covering all entered works. Simultaneously, public voting has also begun for three general voting categories open to everyday listeners: Best of Listeners’ Choice: Japanese Song powered by Spotify, Best of Listeners’ Choice: International Song powered by Spotify, and Best Global Hit From Japan. Nominees will be announced on Apr. 30, after which a final vote will be held before winners are revealed at the June 13 ceremony. The approximately 2,000 entered works are also available to stream on Spotify via a playlist called “museum.”