Brianna Fox-Priest
June 9, 2025 The American Music Awards has been around for 50 years and is celebrating more cross-cultural collaborations and international artists, but did you know Japan just had its very own music awards show?
The inaugural Music Awards Japan (MAJ) 2025, held on May 21–22 at Kyoto’s ROHM Theatre, marked a significant milestone in Ja
pan’s music industry. Organized by the Japan Culture and Entertainment Industry Promotion Association (CEIPA), this two-day event aimed to celebrate the diversity and global reach of Japanese music, featuring over 50 award categories and a lineup of stellar performances by artists big in the anime industry and beyond.
Major Winners and Highlights
Hip-hop duo Creepy Nuts emerged as the evening’s standout, clinching multiple awards including Song of the Year, Best Japanese Song, Top Japanese Song in North America, and Best Japanese Hip Hop/Rap Artist. Their electrifying live performance of “Bling-Bang-Bang-Born” was a highlight of the ceremony.
Mrs. GREEN APPLE was honored as Artist of the Year and Best Japanese Song Artist, and also received the Karaoke Special Prize for their song “Lilac.” King Gnu secured Best Domestic Rock Artist and Best Japanese Rock Song for “SPECIALZ.” Utada Hikaru received accolades for Best Japanese R&B/Contemporary Artist and Best Domestic R&B/Contemporary Song with her classic “Automatic.” Atarashii Gakko! was recognized as Best Japanese Dance Pop Artist and Best Dance Performance. Fujii Kaze took home Best Japanese Singer-Songwriter Artist.
The event also spotlighted international talent, with the Special Award for Popular Music presented to artists like SEVENTEEN (South Korea), Jeff Satur (Thailand), and Zhou Shen (China), acknowledging their significant contributions to the Asian music scene.
Unforgettable Performances
The MAJ 2025 featured a series of memorable performances. Yoasobi captivated the audience with “Players,” while Fujii Kaze delivered a soulful rendition of “Michiteyuku.” Creepy Nuts energized the crowd with “Bling-Bang-Bang-Born,” and Hikaru Utada’s pre-recorded performance of “Electricity” added a touch of elegance to the evening.
Other notable performances included Chanmina’s dynamic set featuring “Harenchi,” “King,” “Bijin,” and “Work Hard,” as well as appearances by Eikichi Yazawa, Awich, and Ai, showcasing the rich tapestry of Japan’s music landscape.
A New Era for Japanese Music
The success of the first Music Awards Japan underscores the country’s commitment to celebrating and promoting its musical heritage on a global stage. By honoring both domestic and international artists, the MAJ 2025 has set a precedent for future events, fostering a sense of unity and appreciation across diverse musical genres.
For fans of J-pop and anime music, the MAJ 2025 offered a glimpse into the evolving soundscape of Japan’s music industry, highlighting the artists and songs that are shaping its future. We hope to see future installments that celebrate the wide variety of Japanese music and artists.
For a complete list of winners and more information, visit the official Music Awards Japan website: https://www.musicawardsjapan.com/
You can also watch special performances on their official YouTube channel here.
