Entertainment News Nov 17, 2020
NiziU and Babymetal to perform for first time on NHK's 'Kohaku' music show
The popular New Year's Eve extravaganza will be held without an audience for the first time due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Film | Wide Angle Jan 10, 2020
NHK raises the dead for 'Kohaku' to mixed reviews
by Patrick St. Michel
After NHK brought deceased enka singer Hibari Misora back to the 'Kohaku Uta Gassen' stage, reaction from viewers was mixed.
Entertainment News Jan 3, 2020
NHK's annual 'Kohaku' music show sees ratings fall to record low
NHK's "Kohaku" song festival on New Year's Eve saw its viewer share fall to a record low despite special appearances by stars including comedian Takeshi Kitano and American rock band Kiss, a survey by a TV research firm showed Thursday. The average rating for the ...
TV | Wide Angle Dec 27, 2019
Pucker up for this year's 'Kohaku,' and brace yourself for a kiss to remember
by Jordan Allen
NHK's 'Kohaku Uta Gassen' New Year's Eve television song contest is embracing something a little different this year, with an international metal crossover act.
Music Dec 13, 2019
Sending Japan's 'Paprika' out to the world
by Patrick St. Michel
The biggest Japanese children's song of recent years gets an official English translation, in the hope of boosting diversity and interest in the language.
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.