The MUSIC AWARDS JAPAN 2025 day 1 winners have been revealed. Held at ROHM Theatre Kyoto, the premiere ceremony marked the start of the two-day event, recognising winners across 40 categories.
Billed as Japan’s largest internationally-focused music awards, the inaugural edition brought together artists from across genres and generations, celebrating standout releases from both domestic and global acts.
Among the most prominent wins, Creepy Nuts made a historic sweep, taking home seven awards for their hit ‘Bling-Bang-Bang-Born’. The duo were awarded Best Japanese Song, Best Domestic Hip-Hop/Rap Song, Best Domestic Dance Pop Song, and Best Viral Song, alongside regional honours for Top Japanese Song in Europe, North America, and Latin America. The track’s dominance marks a significant moment for Japanese hip-hop’s global recognition.
Speaking on stage, R-Shitei described the sweep as “an incredible honour”, acknowledging the novelty of the awards and joking, “I’m sure when our video kept getting played, some people were like, ‘Okay, enough already!’ But if it means our music was listened to that much, then I’m truly honoured”. DJ Matsunaga added, “It carries an artistic weight. Winning seven awards—this is an extraordinary situation”.
R-Shitei also offered a message to fans around the world:
“We have so many songs beyond just ‘Bling-Bang-Bang-Born’. We’d love to bring them on tour to different countries. When that time comes, let’s enjoy and have fun together through music.”
YOASOBI also picked up multiple honours, winning Best Anime Song and Best Music Video for ‘Idol’, while Mrs. GREEN APPLE were awarded Best Japanese Song Artist.
Elsewhere, Hitsujibungaku were double winners, picking up Best Domestic Alternative Artist and Best Domestic Alternative Song for ‘more than words’. Bassist Yurika Kasai described the track as “a challenge” born from confronting the band’s identity and creative direction, while vocalist Moeka Shiozuka added:
“I’ve been creating music by turning inward and exploring my own feelings, so knowing that there are people out there listening really encourages me.”
ATARASHII GAKKO! also claimed two trophies: Best Domestic Dance Pop Artist and Best Dance Performance for ‘Otona Blue’. Accepting the award, SUZUKA called dance a powerful way to express what words can’t:
“Dancing is a primitive, yet powerful form of communication. It’s a way to express emotions and nuances that can’t be put into words, to dedicate one’s feelings—it’s something truly irresistible.”
WEDNESDAY CAMPANELLA, who recently announced their 2025 European tour, received Best Dance/Electronic Song for ‘Edison’, the viral 2022 track that marked a new chapter for the group. Accepting the award, producer Kenmochi Hidefumi credited both current vocalist Utaha and former member KOM_I, saying:
“We, WEDNESDAY CAMPANELLA, have made it this far thanks to meeting two incredible vocalists… Even though we went through the major turning point of a change in lead vocalists, we’re deeply grateful that people continue to listen to our music without change.”
The Best Cross-Border Collaboration Song went to ‘Feelin’ Go(o)d’ by Fujii Kaze and A. G. Cook, while Hikaru Utada earned Best Domestic R&B/Contemporary Song (‘Automatic’) and Artist.
On the global side, ROSÉ and Bruno Mars took Best Overseas Pop Song for ‘APT.’, Kendrick Lamar won Best Overseas Hip-Hop/Rap Song for ‘Not Like Us’, and Billie Eilish received Best Overseas Alternative Song for ‘BIRDS OF A FEATHER’.
Boy band WEST. received the Largest Live Audience Award, while the Association of Musical Electronics Industry (AMEI) earned the Award in Music Technology.
Other notable wins included:
- Vaundy – ‘Kaijuu no Hanauta’ for Best Domestic Singer-Songwriter Song
- FRUITS ZIPPER – ‘Watashi no Ichiban Kawaii Tokoro’ for Best Idol Culture Song
- Nujabes – ‘aruarian dance’ for Best Instrumental Song
- DJ Nobu – Best DJ
- RIKON – ‘Love is more Mellow’ for Best Radio-Break Song
- Ryuichi Sakamoto – ‘Opus’ for Best Classical Album
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The show opened with Masayuki Nakano (BOOM BOOM SATELLITES) performing ‘KICK IT OUT’ as THE SPELLBOUND alongside Yusuke Kobayashi (THE NOVEMBERS), setting the tone for the night with a fitting tribute to the late Michiyuki Kawashima. Other performances came from artists across generations and genres, including LEO, SHOW-GO, Kohei Ueno, and Azumi Takahashi.
MAJ reveals the final 22 award winners—including Best Song, Best Album, Best Artist, and Top Global Hit From Japan—at today’s Grand Ceremony, which begins at 11:30am BST / 7:30pm JST / 6:30am EDT. The event airs live on NHK General TV and streams globally via YouTube (region permitting).
Full winner list available at musicawardsjapan.com.
