Behind the scenes of the 2026 Japan Music Awards—here is what went down



Inside the Glitz and Glamour of MUSIC AWARDS JAPAN 2026

If you weren’t at the TOYOTA ARENA TOKYO this past Saturday, June 13th, you missed out on what might just be the most important night in the J-music calendar. The second annual MUSIC AWARDS JAPAN (MAJ) went down, and honestly? The production value blew me away. For an event still in its early years, it felt like a massive, polished celebration of everything that makes Japanese music—and specifically, our favorite anime tracks—so incredibly special.

I was lucky enough to be on the red carpet as one of the few North American press members in the room. The energy was electric. Seeing crowds of fans lining up just to catch a glimpse of their favorite artists reminded me why we all love this scene so much. It’s vibrant, it’s passionate, and it is absolutely ready for the global stage.

A Night of Iconic Performances

The ceremony kicked off with an opening act that felt like a love letter to the power of music. It featured a story about a girl discovering an abandoned cassette tape, leading right into a blistering performance by Sakanaction. Watching these artists celebrate the raw, analog roots of music while surrounded by the high-tech, digital era we live in was a powerful reminder of why we keep listening.

The lineup was stacked. We’re talking about names like FRUITS ZIPPER, Fujii Kaze, MISAMO, and Mrs. GREEN APPLE. But the real show-stopper? The Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra. They took us on a whirlwind tour of anime history, smashing through classics like the Lupin III '78 theme before diving into high-octane collaborations with LiSA on Gurenge, TAKUMA of 10-FEET on Dai Zero Kan, and AiNA THE END on On the Way. The entire room was on their feet dancing for ten minutes straight—it was pure magic.

Kenshi Yonezu and the Rise of Anisong

Kenshi Yonezu absolutely dominated the international categories. His track “IRIS OUT” swept the Best Japanese Pop Song awards across Asia, North America, Europe, and Latin America. Watching him command the stage with his signature style proved once again that J-Pop is becoming a massive force worldwide.

Even the international stars showed some love. Sam Smith made a surprise appearance, performing their latest single “My Guy” and even admitting they’ve been "obsessed" with BABYMETAL lately. It was a cool moment that bridged the cultural gap, proving that this awards show has the legs to go international in the years to come.

The Night Belongs to Sakanaction

The true legends of the night were Sakanaction, who walked away with eight "Rubies," including the massive Song of the Year award. Their winning track, “Kaiju,” which served as the theme for the anime Orb: On the Movements of the Earth, clearly resonated with everyone in the building. When frontman Ichiro Yamaguchi took the stage, you could see how much it meant to him. He was teary-eyed as he shared that writing the song helped him push through a difficult battle with depression. It was a beautiful, human moment that underscored why we connect with these artists in the first place.

From the creative cover art by Martin Holtkamp—who is championing analog art in an AI-dominated world—to the sheer spectacle of the performances, MAJ 2026 proved that Japan is ready to take its music global. It isn't a question of *if* anymore, but *when* the rest of the world catches up to the massive demand for J-Pop and Anisong.

I left the arena feeling absolutely energized. While we wait for next year’s ceremony, you can check out the full list of winners at the official MUSIC AWARDS JAPAN website or catch clips of those incredible performances on their YouTube channel. Trust me, you don’t want to miss the Ska performance!

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