South Korean pop singers and groups who have been fixtures of NHK's "Kohaku Uta Gassen" music show in recent years have been dropped from this year's show to be broadcast on New Year's Eve, according to a list of performers announced Monday.
Announcing the lineup of 50 individual and group performers, NHK said the "Korean wave" performers were dropped "considering public opinion and (their) activities this year."
Diplomatic relations between Seoul and Tokyo soured when South Korean President Lee Myung Bak in August visited Takeshima, a group of islets controlled by South Korea and claimed by Japan.
Last year, Korean girls' groups Kara and Girls' Generation and male duo Tohoshinki (TVXQ) performed at the music extravaganza.
This year's list includes Saori Yuki, who gained prominence outside Japan after collaborating with U.S. jazz ensemble Pink Martini.
Kyary Pamyu Pamyu, a singer and model known for her unique fashion taste, is appearing for the first time.