Pop outfits Little Glee Monster, Hey! Say! Jump and Twice will grace the stage for the first time at this year's "Kohaku Uta Gassen," with NHK appearing to court new viewers for its annual end-of-year musical extravaganza.

Other artists making "Kohaku" debuts include singers Midori Oka, Daichi Miura and Tortoise Matsumoto (in his first solo appearance), and rock acts Shishamo, Elephant Kashimashi, Wanima and Takehara Pistol.

Enka singer Hiroshi Itsuki will be the night's veteran, with 46 appearances already under his belt, while Sayuri Ishikawa is set to mark her 40th appearance.