The inaugural Music Awards Japan (MAJ)2025 kicked off on 21 May at Kyoto's ROHM Theatre, celebrating a diverse array of musical talents across 40 categories.Japan's answer to the GRAMMYS spotlighted both emerging and established artists, with standout performances and heartfelt acceptance speeches.
The most stunning news coming out of the evening was Creepy Nuts' historic sweep, winnng the final seven awards of the night in a row for their insanely viral Mashle: Magic and Muscles theme song 'Bling-Bang-Bang-Born'. Their accolades included: Best Japanese Song, Best Domestic Hip-Hop/Rap Song, Best Domestic Dance Pop Song, Best Viral Song, Top Japanese Song in Europe, Top Japanese Song in North America and Top Japanese Song in Latin America.
On stage, R-Shitei expressed gratitude, noting the song's widespread recognition. DJ Matsunaga added, "Winning seven awards—this is an extraordinary situation."
YOASOBI clinched Best Anime Song and Best Music Video for their Oshi No Ko-boosted hit 'Idol', further cementing their influence in the J-pop scene. Read our interview with YOASOBI here. Meanwhile, Mrs. GREEN APPLE was honoured as Best Japanese Song Artist, acknowledging their consistent chart-topping releases.
Hitsujibungaku received Best Domestic Alternative Artist and Best Domestic Alternative Song for their extremely popular Jujutsu Kaisen ending theme 'more than words'. Bassist Yurika Kasai described the track as "a challenge" reflecting the band's evolving identity. Read our interview with Hitsujibungaku here.
ATARASHII GAKKO! also claimed two trophies: Best Domestic Dance Pop Artist and Best Dance Performance for their breakthrough single 'OTONABLUE'. During her acceptance speech, 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.” Read our review of their electrifying concert in Singapore here.
Other standouts include WEDNESDAY CAMPANELLA who won Best Dance/Electronic Song for ‘Edison’, Fujii Kaze and A. G. Cook who won Best Cross-Border Collaboration Song for ‘Feelin’ Go(o)d', and Hikaru Utada who won Best Domestic R&B/Contemporary Song (for ‘Automatic’) and Artist. Read our interview with Hikaru Utada here.
On the international front, ROSÉ and Bruno Mars earned Best Overseas Pop Song for ‘APT.’, Kendrick Lamar took home Best Overseas Hip-Hop/Rap Song for ‘Not Like Us’, and Billie Eilish received Best Overseas Alternative Song for ‘BIRDS OF A FEATHER’.
Other notable winners included:
- WEST.– for Largest Live Audience Award
- 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
The Premiere Ceremony was also punctuated by breathtaking performances from Masayuki Nakano (BOOM BOOM SATELLITES) and Yusuke Kobayashi (THE NOVEMBERS) as THE SPELLBOUND, LEO, SHOW-GO, Kohei Ueno, and Azumi Takahashi.
MAJ 2025 concludes 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).