New Year’s Eve Music Showdown & Record Awards Results: Mrs. GREEN APPLE Secures Third Consecutive Win, HANA Wins Best New Artist

Countdown to the 2025 NHK Kohaku Uta Gassen — Hiromi Go Delivers an Emotional Final Performance

The 2025 NHK Kohaku Uta Gassen aired live on New Year’s Eve. Legendary singer Hiromi Go made his 38th appearance, performing “2 Billion Eyes - Exotic Japan -” with heartfelt emotion, tearing up as he expressed his gratitude. Fans were moved by his powerful stage presence after 16 years of consecutive appearances.[1][2][3]

Gen Hoshino appeared in a special Kohaku segment, singing remotely from the Nintendo Museum and striking his signature “Direct!” pose. Meanwhile, the boy band M!LK faced technical difficulties during their performance, with audio issues causing noise on stage, prompting fans to comment, “The mic is terrible.”[1][2]

Mrs. GREEN APPLE Achieves Historic Third Consecutive Record of Winning the Japan Record Award

Mrs. GREEN APPLE made history by winning the Japan Record Award for the third year in a row, becoming only the third artist to do so after Ayumi Hamasaki and EXILE. They’ve firmly established themselves as a true “national band” beloved across Japan.[1][2]

Recent photos of band leader Motoki Omori went viral on social media, with fans expressing concern and saying things like, “Hope he gets some good rest,” and “I almost cried watching him perform.”[4]

HANA Wins Best New Artist Award — YURI Breaks Down in Tears

HANA took home the Best New Artist award at the Record Awards. She’s also known as the older sister of TWICE’s Momo. During a surprise performance at the UNIS event in Odaiba, she debuted two new songs, including her latest hit, to her Japanese fans for the first time.[1][2]

Her agency’s YURI expressed heartfelt gratitude, saying, “We’ve been supported by everyone,” and became emotional, tearing up on stage. Rino Sashihara also received the Songwriting Award, thanking producer Akimoto for his support.[2]

Other Notable Entertainment News

• Voice actress Yoko Kikuchi announced her divorce, saying, “We’re each going our own way.”[1]
• Former RADWIMPS guitarist Akira Kuwahara refused to rejoin the band, stating, “I have no plans to apologize.”[1]
• Actress Mei Nagano apologized to fans via her blog, sharing, “There’s so much I want to talk about.”[1]
• Band TOBE is taking legal action against malicious behavior, with some cases already resolved.[1]
• SUZUKA from The School of the Living Leaders revealed her father’s profession as an apparel business owner during an interview.[1]

Behind-the-Scenes Stories from the Kohaku Hosts

This year’s first-time host, Miho Mita, shared, “I never realized how hectic things are backstage,” while Hiroiki Ariyoshi, hosting for the third year, revealed, “I spent all my time practicing kendama in the dressing room.”[2]

At the Tokyo Dome, Hey! Say! JUMP debuted a new song scheduled for release in February, captivating the audience. During the Momo Color Festival, a singer resembling Daigo performed, sparking buzz among fans.[1][2]

These stories highlight the lively entertainment scene at year’s end, with Kohaku and the Record Awards taking center stage. The official broadcast schedule is also available on NHK’s website.[3]