“MUSIC AWARDS JAPAN” is returning in 2026, with the show moving to Tokyo from Kyoto. The show will be consolidated from two days to one, with that day being June 13.
The first part of the show, the Premiere Ceremony, which focuses on smaller awards, will take place the afternoon of June 13 at the soon to open TOKYO DREAM PARK. The second part of the show, the Grand Ceremony, where the major awards will be presented, will take place that evening at the recently opened TOYOTA ARENA TOKYO.
Starting on June 8, “MUSIC AWARDS JAPAN 2026” will host a variety of performances, seminars, and showcases by music industry professionals from Japan and abroad.
The nominees for this year’s show will have to have been released in the period between January 1 and December 31, 2025, a change from last year’s show which saw nominees spanning across numerous decades.
In addition, 14 new categories have been introduced for “MUSIC AWARDS JAPAN 2026”:
Best Dance & Vocal Song (Group / Solo)
Best Boys Idol Culture Song (Group / Solo)
Best Girls Idol Culture Song (Group / Solo)
Best Long-Running Song
Best Dance & Vocal Artist (Group / Solo)
Best Boys Idol Culture Artist (Group / Solo)
Best Girls Idol Culture Artist (Group / Solo)
Best Digital Culture Artist
Best KPop Artist
Best Longtime Hit Album
Largest Live Audience (International)
Best Music Video Director
Special Award: Music Tech
Best Analog Record Sales
These new categories were created to give a more accurate view of the current state of the Japanese music scene.
