Music Nov 15, 2019
Da Pump, Arashi, Twice among lineup for 70th 'Kohaku Uta Gassen' music show
by Kalynn Erickson
Alongside perennials will be acts making their first appearances on the music battle show, such as Foorin, King Gnu and Kis-My-Ft2
Entertainment News Nov 14, 2018
NHK unveils lineup for year-end music show — without K-pop group BTS
Public broadcaster NHK announced Wednesday the lineup for its annual New Year's Eve music extravaganza, but K-pop group BTS — under fire recently for a controversial T-shirt worn by one of its members — was not included. Popular groups like Da Pump and Ikimonogakari, which ...
National / Media | Japan Pulse Jan 6, 2018
Blackface, suicide and celebrity abuse: Welcome to 2018!
by Patrick St. Michel
We're one week into 2018 and it seems Japan has an image problem. You can thank the country's New Year's Eve TV block for the bulk of that. The controversy marathon began with popular comedy special "Downtown no Gaki no Tsukai ya Arahende!," which, hours ...
Music | Sound Off Dec 28, 2017
Namie Amuro saves 'Kohaku' ... for now
by Patrick St. Michel
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 ...
Music Nov 16, 2017
Twice and Daichi Miura among 10 debuts at this year's 'Kohaku'
by Alyssa I. Smith
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 ...
Music Dec 24, 2016
SMAP shuns NHK 'Kohaku' request, opts for signature variety show for band's final appearance
SMAP turns down a request to appear on NHK’s famous year-end music program, opting instead for their signature variety show to be their final appearance before breaking up.
National / Media Jan 2, 2016
NHK sees ratings for 'Kohaku' music show sink to lowest ever
Ratings for “Kohaku Uta Gassen” (“Red and White Song Battle”) skid to just 39.2 percent on New Year’s Eve — the lowest in the year-end music extravaganza’s history.
Music Nov 27, 2015
NHK released the lineup Thursday for the 66th edition of its annual "Kohaku Uta Gassen" yearend song contest. The contest, which airs on the network from 7:15 p.m. until 11:45 p.m. on Dec. 31, is set to include a total of 51 performing acts this ...
National / Media | MEDIA MIX Jan 17, 2015
Snark levels were on full blast for 'Kohaku'
by Philip Brasor
The 2014 edition of NHK's venerated song contest, "Kohaku Uta Gassen," broadcast on Dec. 31, was remarkable for several reasons, though the performance that generated the most remarks was the one by the equally venerated pop-rock group Southern All Stars, their first on the ...
Music Dec 30, 2014
'Kohaku' rallies the J-pop acts, but don't count enka out just yet
by Daisuke Kikuchi
On New Year's Eve, many families in Japan inevitably wind up gathered around the TV to watch a selection of holiday programming. One of the most popular shows is NHK's "Kohaku Uta Gassen." Celebrating its 65th anniversary this year, the song contest pits a men's ...
National / Media | MEDIA MIX Jan 22, 2012
Can showbiz really sever yakuza ties?
by Philip Brasor
Last August, comedian and TV emcee Shinsuke Shimada retired from show business following allegations that he'd been palling around with an underworld figure. His withdrawal came on the eve of the implementation of a well-publicized police crackdown on organizations that work with antisocial elements, ...