NHK announces lineup for 'Kohaku Uta Gassen' on New Year's Eve
Entertainment ( 18 )
TOKYO —
NHK on Monday announced the lineup for its popular New Year’s Eve program “Kohaku Uta Gassen” (Red and White Song Contest). The theme of this year’s contest is “Meeting Through Music.”
Making their debut for the Red (women’s) team are model-singer Kyary Pamyu Pamyu, AKB48 sister group SKE48, Momoiro Clover Z and Princess Princess. Other Red contestants include AKB48, Kumi Koda, Ayumi Hamasaki, Perfume, along with veterans Sayuri Ishikawa, appearing for the 35th time, and Akiko Wada, making her 36th appearance.
Debuting for the White (men’s) team are air band Golden Bomber, Noto Inti Raymi and 77-year-old Akihiro Miwa. Saburo Kitajima makes his 49th appearance, while Shinichi Mori appears for the 45th time and Hiroshi Itsuki for the 42nd time. Other White members include SMAP, EXILE, TOKIO, Masaharu Fukuyama and Arashi.
No Korean acts were invited this year.
See full line-up here.
Though it has lost some of its luster in the past 10 years, “Kohaku Uta Gassen” is still considered the most prestigious TV music program to be invited to appear on.
Actress Maki Horikita and all-male pop band Arashi will host the program.
Arashi will be hosting the gala show for the third consecutive year, while Horikita, 24, will be making her debut, taking over from Mao Inoue. She has been starring this year in NHK’s popular drama, “Ume-chan sensei.”
The White team has won 33 of the past 62 contests.
The program will air from 7:15 p.m. on NHK on Dec 31.
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18 Comments
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1
Clément Delestrade
No mention of Momoiro Clover Z ? That's the most anticipated debut ! I can't wait for their performance.
0
Stephen Knight
No flashy battle of the costumes this year, I guess--they've dropped both Kobayashi Sachiko and Mikawa Kenichi (though I see they've chosen to replace the latter with another cross-dressing gay man... what, NHK's promised the drag community their own permanent spot??)
0
papigiulio
So glad gaki no tsukai is on at the same time. Can not wait.
1
bilderberg_2015
I am sure it will be different from every other year....lol!
-3
BertieWooster
When I see articles like this I'm reminded of the excellent decision we made seven years ago.
To DUMP the TV.
We don't miss it. And one of the things we don't miss more than anything else is the NHK New Year's equivalent of the "Eurovision Song Contest 1962."
-1
jojo_in_japan
NO OPPA GANGMAN STYLE??? =(
1
Bartholomew Harte
This is shown in N.Y. as well so we tape it & watch at our leisure- I just Zap out the Tone Deaf shreikers & listen to the Enka Artists like Kitajima & Sayuri san ,which thankfully cuts the (ahem) festivities to 2 hrs.
-1
AKBfan
No Korean acts were invited this year.
That'll teach them to call our islands Dokdyo!!!!!!!!!!
Can't wait to see the AKB and SKEets. Bet they will something special. hopefully they will have written new and lovely songs especially for Kohaku.
-4
Psyops
Though it has lost some of its luster in the past 10 years, “Kohaku Uta Gassen” is still considered the most prestigious TV music program (in Japan for Japanese artists) to be invited to appear on.
Now it sounds correct :)
-2
Onniyama
I will be glued to the TV set.
2
papasmurfinjapan
I hate it with a passion, but if that's how the Japanese want to spend their New Years Eve, then all the best to them. I, on, the other hand, have better things to do, like pick the lint out of my belly button.
1
JDB829
Was fortunate enough to be able to attend this in person in '89 by way of a company president I did some tutoring for. I loved the experience! I am really going to miss the costume battle between Mikawa-san and Kobyashi Sachiko. I still listen to Sa-chan's music when I get a chance!
1
Serrano
I am definitely looking foward to Princess Princess!
"I will be glued to the TV set."
Hee hee!
4
Ivan Coughanoffalot
And NHK pushes back the boundaries of innovation once again. Thank God New Years Eve is a day when it is officially sanctioned to get rat-arsed drunk starting teatime.
-1
DudeDeuce
As much as I can't stand most of the artists and the show, I always end up watching it if I am in Japan and not in a hotel swimming pool belownthe equator.
-2
Geoff Gillespie
Really? What an exciting life you must lead....
-1
Peter Payne
@papasmurf, you may not care, but many of us love the show, and people all around the world watch it avidly. You won't be invited to our Kouhaku party.
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