The weekly Shukan Bunshun released a survey in early November highlighting the acts its readers wanted to see perform on NHK's yearend "Kohaku Uta Gassen" music program. They chose Namie Amuro as the artist they wanted to see the most, likely because she announced her plans to retire from the entertainment business in September next year.
When NHK first announced the lineup for the 68th edition of the New Year's Eve show, Amuro's name wasn't on the list. But fans got their wish last week when NHK revealed the singer would take part in the spectacle after all.
Amuro's inclusion has given "Kohaku" the kind of buzz it needs in the run-up to its broadcast. Ratings for the show have been slipping year after year, and other programs have proven to be entertaining alternatives to NHK's musical tradition — this year, you can watch Bob Sapp wrestle a bear on TBS, how can Arashi top that!? Despite the apparent dip in relevance, though, people still seem to care about who ends up making the "Kohaku" cut — even if they don't tune in.