MUSIC AWARDS JAPAN 2026 confirmed — the stage moves to Tokyo. From the new home, TOYOTA ARENA TOKYO, Japanese music goes global
Japan’s largest international music awards, MUSIC AWARDS JAPAN (MAJ), has officially announced its 2026 edition. Established under the concept “Connecting with the world and lighting the future of music,” the award is organized in collaboration by five leading organizations representing Japan’s music industry: Nihon Record Kyokai, Nihon Ongaku Jigyosha Kyokai, Nihon Ongaku Seisakusha Renmei, Nihon Ongaku Shuppansha Kyokai, and the Concert Promoters Association. Following its inaugural 2025 edition, MAJ aims for further expansion in 2026. Notably, the awards ceremony will relocate from Kyoto (2025) to Tokyo’s TOYOTA ARENA TOKYO, marking a new step toward sharing Japanese music with global audiences.
International music awards “MUSIC AWARDS JAPAN 2026” to scale up with Tokyo hosting
MUSIC AWARDS JAPAN is Japan’s largest international music awards, aiming to showcase the appeal of Japan’s diverse music culture to the world, elevate Japanese music as a culture to be proud of globally, and promote overseas artists’ entry into the Japanese market. The awards ceremony, “MUSIC AWARDS JAPAN 2026,” has been set for TOYOTA ARENA TOKYO, which is slated to open in October 2025.
The stage is TOYOTA ARENA TOKYO: moving from Kyoto to Tokyo with a global outlook
Executive Committee Chair Tatsuya Nomura stated that moving the awards—born in 2025 at ROHM Theatre Kyoto—to Tokyo in 2026 is “a decision made with a medium- to long-term perspective to establish a hub for sharing the music of Japan and Asia with the world.” The 2026 edition is planned to expand beyond the inaugural event in 2025. In addition to stages for performances by a wide range of artists, TOYOTA ARENA TOKYO is expected to host seminars and showcases featuring music-industry professionals from Japan and overseas. To honor artists, creators, and staff, the awards’ categories are currently being reviewed and redesigned.
2025 awards ceremony streamed worldwide on YouTube — looking back at the fever-pitched Kyoto edition
The inaugural “MUSIC AWARDS JAPAN 2025” was held on Wednesday–Thursday, May 21–22, 2025, at ROHM Theatre Kyoto. The ceremony has been available for worldwide streaming on YouTube since July 24, 2025 (with some regional restrictions).
Two nights of ceremonies highlighted by star MCs and artists
The streamed program covers the two-night ceremony announcing winners across 62 categories, determined by more than 5,000 voters from across the music industry.
On the first day, the “Premiere Ceremony” (held May 21) was hosted by Hiroe Igeta, Kasumi Mori, and Atsushi Yanaka (Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra). On the second day, the “Grand Ceremony” (held May 22) announced the six major categories, with Masaki Suda serving as MC. Performances by leading artists included AI, Hikaru Utada, Creepy Nuts, Fujii Kaze, Mrs. GREEN APPLE, YOASOBI, and Eikichi Yazawa. In particular, the opening show “RYDEEN REBOOT” drew significant buzz on social media. A highlights reel looking back at the ceremony was also released, with further details available via MAJ’s official site and social channels (X, YouTube, etc.).
Pioneering the future of music with MAJ
Under the concept “Connecting with the world and lighting the future of music,” MAJ drew entries from a total of 3,000 works and artists for its 2025 edition, energizing the music scene as a whole. In 2026, with TOYOTA ARENA TOKYO as its new stage, the awards will pursue even more global reach. As an international music awards platform building a historic foundation for Japanese music to soar worldwide, MAJ’s future developments are set to draw significant attention.
