Why do you think "best" awards are so popular in Japan's show business world?

Wednesday 03rd December, 07:45 AM JST

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BlackFlag at 12:02 PM JST - 3rd December

because back slapping, self congratulation and vertical hand clapping like a sealion are such fun
ninjaboy at 12:38 PM JST - 3rd December

It probably goes without saying that talent agencies are, in actual fact, advertising agencies, or at least, tied very closely to them. Award shows on Japanese TV are only serve to raise a 'talento-san's' celebrity profile, thereby simultaneously raising the profile of the products they become synonymous with too. I remember reading an article not so long ago (perhaps featured on Japan Today?) that the salaries of so-called 'TV talents' are actually one of the lowest in Japan, not much more than a convenience store clerk.
williamsmith at 01:38 PM JST - 3rd December

I think because "mediocre" awards are just not as interesting.
rurika at 03:55 PM JST - 3rd December

Because the Japanese entertainment industry is tightly controlled by a small number of agencies who have a huge amount of power over the media. They can threaten to withdraw popular acts from TV shows and magazines if you refuse to promote their latest vacuous "talent".

I doubt anyone cares who has the best nails etc... but a lot of people watch wideshows so these celebrities and their sponsors get exposure through these meaningless awards.
Loki520 at 04:58 PM JST - 3rd December

It's like modern film. IT ALL SUCKS.

So they stroke each other's egos to make it seem like they are providing some sort of valuable service and they give it a name. In Japan, they become the "~ist" or something like that. In Hollywood, they give you a bogus award for your "performance" and allow you to comment on world matters so that the rest of us can laugh at your pretentious butt.
onewrldoneppl at 05:12 PM JST - 3rd December

i'd like to see a best gravurist idol award. with full on swimsuit competition, topped off with oil wresting.
Loki520 at 05:37 PM JST - 3rd December

Why not just do away with the swimsuit requirement. Not the compitition... just the suit.
Triumvere at 06:15 PM JST - 3rd December

Cheap publicity?
meanmutha at 09:52 PM JST - 3rd December

its all rubbish.
elbudamexicano at 10:30 PM JST - 3rd December

Well, very easy answer to this question, SOMEBODY has to be the best, right?
ScottishThug at 02:51 AM JST - 4th December

It's advertising. It's because Dentsu runs things. It's cheap publicity. Most of these events are held in low-rent spaces, ie at the Dentsu headquarters.
techall at 10:13 AM JST - 4th December

So where's our "best" award for today? I'm sitting here with my morning coffee and a hundred one liners but no "best-ist" to use them on!!
soldave at 11:29 AM JST - 4th December

As Triumvere said, it's cheap publicity. And how else is Japan allowed to embarass itself on a big stage, other than with Aso's comments?
Loki520 at 04:36 PM JST - 4th December

So where's our "best" award for today? I'm sitting here with my morning coffee and a hundred one liners but no "best-ist" to use them on!!

You are hereby dubbed the best posterist.... The trophy's in the mail.
cwhite at 10:46 PM JST - 4th December

my favorite ones are cashier of the year, steel drum maneuvering of the year, elevator girl of the year, department store gift wrapping of the year, packing items neatly into convenience bag of the year, bowing and greeting customers of the year, and all the other wonderful ones to keep 0.1% of the weird employees happy.