Perhaps the biggest indicator that the Music Awards Japan (MAJ) had leveled up for its second edition was the surprise appearance of one of the country’s most recognizable faces.
Ahead of the two awards ceremonies on June 13, MAJ organizers held a gala in the ballroom of Shibuya’s Cerulean Tower. The room was filled to the brim with industry types, media and a smattering of entertainers. Everyone snapped to attention, however, when Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi took the stage.
“Let us work together to raise Japanese music to the highest levels of the world stage,” said the premier (and avid heavy metal fan), emphasizing the government’s strategic support of the music industry’s international expansion. “Let us do everything we can to secure a place in the global market.“
Takaichi was then whisked away to fly abroad for the G7 Summit, but her message underscored MAJ’s goal: to not just celebrate Japanese music but export it.
MAJ, launched in Kyoto last year by the Japan Culture and Entertainment Industry Promotion Association and billed as Japan’s answer to the Grammys, moved to Toyota Arena Tokyo for its second edition, reflecting its growing scale and international ambitions.
As for the awards themselves, red glass statuettes dubbed “Rubies,” several of last year’s major honorees successfully defended their titles.
Trio Mrs. Green Apple was named artist of the year for the second time, while singer-songwriter Kaze Fujii received another Ruby for album of the year, this time for “Prema,” his English-language debut. Both acts performed during the grand ceremony.
Sakanaction provided one of the evening’s most emotional moments. Accepting the song of the year award for “Kaiju” (“Monster“), front man Ichiro Yamaguchi reflected on the song’s significance.
“Sakanaction went on hiatus three years ago because I was suffering from depression,” he told the audience. “During that time, I was supported by the other members, the fans and Team Sakanaction, and I managed to persevere and make a comeback.
“The first song I wrote after the break was ’Kaiju.’ The fact that this song has received such positive feedback has given me courage and made me feel like I can still keep going. Thank you so much.”
The rock five-piece opened the grand ceremony with a performance of “Kaiju” and left as the most decorated act, collecting eight awards across MAJ’s expanded 78-category program, voted on by roughly 5,000 musicians, producers and industry experts.
Other standouts of the evening included Kenshi Yonezu, who topped the nominations with 18 nods — nine of them for his single “Iris Out.” He went on to win five awards, including best J-pop song. The singer also appeared in a pretaped performance reminiscent of his “Kohaku” segment earlier this…
