We’re back with another episode of the Arama! Japan Podcast! This episode covers September 2021! This month we covered a variety of topics, including my interview with King & Prince‘s for The Japan Times, the success of Snow Man‘s debut album, Japan’s and international fans of Japanese media’s reaction to “Squid Game”, and more.

I am joined this episode by my co-host Hannah. Check it out below!

This week’s guests were THE ORAL CIGARETTES, Hinatazaka46, Stray Kids, and Hachimitsu BLACK.

THE ORAL CIGARETTES – Kyouran Hey Kids!! / MACHINEGUN

Hinatazaka46 – Tteka

Stray Kids – Thunderous -Japanese ver.-

Hachimitsu BLACK – Wasurete wa Ikenai Sekai

This week’s guest was THE RAMPAGE.

THE RAMPAGE – LIVING IN THE DREAM / Fly Away (EXILE cover)

On October 27, a special two hour episode of “KanJam Kanzennen SHOW” aired. The guests were Mizuno Yoshiki (Ikimonogakari), Takahashi Shigeo (Savanna), Kawata Hiromi, Tsuchiya Tao, and Ren Meguro (Snow Man).

The main focus of the show was a set of rankings made by 56 music professionals. Instead of ranking the 30 best JPop songs of the past 20 years as they did before, they instead focused on a set of artists: Aimyon, Arashi, Utada Hikaru, Spitz, Official HIGE DANdism, DREAMS COME TRUE, B’z, Hoshino Gen, and Mr.Children. For each act, the panel of musicians created a top 10 songs list. Check out the lists below!

Hey, Arama Japan! It’s Friday, so it’s Open Post time! Feel free to chat with your fellow readers about whatever you like! Enjoy!

The winners of this year’s MTV Video Music Awards Japan have been announced! Hoshino Gen, Official HIGE DANdism, JO1, and Daichi Miura are among the winners, while YOASOBI, Yuuri, NiziU, and BE:FIRST are among the winners of the special awards.

On December 18, the big prize, the Best Video Award, will be handed out at “MTV VMAJ 2021 -THE LIVE-.” The Best Video Award will be voted on by viewers online from among the winners of the other regular categories.

Kito Akari and Ayugai Ken will host “MTV VMAJ 2021 -THE LIVE-.” The show will feature performances by BE:FIRST, Hinatazaka46, JO1, milet, Daichi, NiziU, Nogizaka46, THE RAMPAGE, Ryokuoushoku Shakai, Sakurazaka46, Yuuri, and Zutto Mayonaka de Ii no ni. The show will air from 7 PM JST – 10 PM JST on MTV Japan and Hulu.

See who won below!

Yomiuri TV and Nippon TV’s year end music show “Best Hits Kayousai 2021” will air on November 11 at 7 PM JST. The show returns after not being held last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This year’s show will be held at Osaka Festival Hall without an audience. It will be hosted by Miyane Seiji and Wentz Eiji.

Today, 23 acts were announced as performers on “Best Hits Kayousai 2021.” The lineup included the likes of Naniwa Danshi, NiziU, JO1, Kyary Pamyu Pamyu, BE:FIRST, and Macaroni Enpitsu. See the full lineup below!

The “72nd NHK Kohaku Uta Gassen” is nearing! The show will air on NHK on December 31 at 7:30 PM JST. There are some changes coming to the show this year though.

This year’s Kohaku will take place at Tokyo International Forum, since the usual venue, NHK Hall, is currently undergoing renovation. Renovations will be done in time for the “73rd NHK Kohaku Uta Gassen” in 2022.

There is a also a new logo for the show, which can be seen above. It’s a gradient image that goes from red to white.

There is also a change in how the show is hosted. No longer will there be separate hosts for the male White Team and the female Red Team. Instead, the two hosts that would have previously headed those teams will share duties with the general host, and encourage all the performers, regardless of their gender. All three hosts will now just be referred to as “hosts.”

That being said, this year’s hosts are Oizumi Yo, Kawaguchi Haruna, and Wakuda Mayuko. This is Yo’s second year in a row serving as host, while Haruna is making her debut on the show. This will be Mayuko’s fourth time hosting, have previously hosted the 68th, 69th, and 71st editions.