The 31st annual Japan Gold Disc Awards recently took place, celebrating some of the most successful artists in Japan. The awards are based off of music sales tracked by the Recording Industry Association of Japan (RIAJ). It is considered one of the major music awards of the Japanese industry.

Johnny’s group Arashi took home the prestigious domestic “Artist of the year” award for a 3rd time in a row, this puts them at a tie with AKB48 who originally made history by becoming the first acts to win artist of the year 3 times in a row. AKB48 didn’t go home empty handed, they manged to snag “Single of the year”, as well as dominate 4 spots in the “Best 5 singles” category. International artist of the year went to Ariana Grande, an award shared by many legendary musicians including Madonna, The Beatles, Celine Dion, Mariah Carey, and Lady Gaga. It was also a very triumphant ceremony for South Korean group BIG BANG, who received 5 awards including Best Asian Artist and Best Asian Album.

The full list of winners can be seen below!

Artist of the year

Arashi

Ariana Grande

Best Asian Artist

BIG BANG (South Korea)

Best Enka Artist

Kiyoshi Hikawa

New Artist of the Year

Keyakizaka46

Fifth Harmony

iKon

Best 5 New Artists (Japan)

AK-69

Keyakizaka46

Pico Taro

BOYS AND MEN

My Hair is bad

Best New Enka Artist

Mizuki Hayama

Best 3 New Artists (Asia)

iKon (South Korea)

N.Flying (South Korea)

Nana (Taiwan)

Best 3 New Artists (International)

Kygo (Norway)

Fifth Harmony (United States)

Rachel Platten (United States)

Album of the year

SMAP – SMAP 25 YEARS

Ariana Grande – Dangerous Woman

BIG BANG – MADE

Best 5 Albums

Arashi – Are you happy?

Hikaru Utada – Fantome

Sandaime J Soul Brothers – THE JSB LEGACY

SMAP – SMAP 25 YEARS

Back Number – Encore

Best 3 Albums (International)

Ariana Grande – Dangerous Woman (United States)

The Beatles – Live At The Hollywood Bowl (United Kingdom)

David Bowie – Black Star (United Kingdom)

Best 3 Albums (Asia)

2PM – GALAXY OF 2PM

BIG BANG – MADE

BTS – YOUTH

Classic Album of the year

Taro Hakase, Chisako Takashima, Iwao Furusawa – Best of three violinists

Jazz Album of the year

Norah Jones – Day Breaks

Instrumental Album of the year

Uehara Hiromi The Trio Project – Spark

Soundtrack Album of the year

RADWIMPS – Kimi no Na wa

Animation Album of the year

WALKURE – Walkure attack!

Traditional Japanese Music Album of the year

Various Artists – Ginei Heisei 28 Nendo (Dai 52 Kai) Columbia Zenkoku Ginei Concour Kadai Gin CD Kodemari

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