As we continue the countdown to MUSIC AWARDS JAPAN 2026 happening at the newly opened TOYOTA ARENA TOKYO on 13 June, the full lineup of nominees spotlighting some of the regions greatest artists have just dropped.
This year's edition marks the second installment of MUSIC AWARDS JAPAN, continuing to be a prominent figure in championing artists in Asia, through recognition and appreciation for exceedingly amazing musical talents. This year's awards features six major categories including Songs of the Year, Artist of the Year, New Artist of the Year, Album of the Year, Best Global Hit from Japan, and Best Song Asia.
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From TOKYO NODE atop Toranomon Hills, MAJ ambassadors Kento Nakajima and Mei Hata unveiled the full list of nominees across all categories, including songs, artists, and albums.
Here are the full list of nominees under each category:
Song of the Year Nominees:
- HANA — 'Blue Jeans'
- Kenshi Yonezu — 'IRIS OUT'
- Sakanaction — 'Kaiju'
- AiNA THE END — 'On The Way'
- M!LK — 'Sukisugite Metsu!'
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Artist of the Year Nominees:
- Fujii Kaze
- HANA
- Mrs. GREEN APPLE
- Sakanaction
- Kenshi Yonezu
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New Artist Of The Year Nominees:
- CANDY TUNE
- HANA
- luv
- STARGLOW
- Brandy Senki
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Album of the Year Nominees:
- Mrs. GREEN APPLE — 10
- Various Artists — Dear Jubilee - RADWIMPS TRIBUTE -
- Hoshino Gen — Gen
- Fujii Kaze — Prema
- Southern All Stars —THANK YOU SO MUCH
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Best Global Hit from Japan Nominees:
- XG — 'Hypnotize'
- Kenshi Yonezu — 'IRIS OUT'
- Kenshi Yonezu And Hikaru Utada — 'JANE DOE'
- LiSA — 'ReawakeR（feat. Felix of Stray Kids)'
- Ado — 'Useewa'
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Best Song Asia
- Silet Open Up — 'Tabola Bale' (Indonesia)
- Cup of Joe — 'Multo' (Philippines)
- PLAVE — 'Dash' (South Korea)
- WOODZ — 'Drowning' (South Korea)
- HUNTR/X — 'Golden' (South Korea)
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With a diverse pool of nominees spanning genres, generations, and regions, MUSIC AWARDS JAPAN 2026 continues to spotlight the evolving sound of Asia’s music scene on a global stage. As anticipation builds toward the ceremony in June, the awards promise not only to celebrate excellence, but also to bring together artists and fans in a shared moment of recognition for the creativity shaping the industry today.
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