On December 31, the 69th Kohaku Uta Gassen will air. The show’s performers include the names such as Arashi, Shiina Ringo, Yonezu Kenshi, Southern All Stars, Seiko Matsuda, Daichi Miura, Hoshino Gen, and Suchmos. The song list for the show was recently released, and we now know the order they will perform in. Find out below!

Singer Mika Nakashima has announced a brand new best album, and the occasion is a bit unique.

Instead of a debut anniversary, or just having a large amount of singles released, the album is being released in commemoration of her hit single “Yuki No Hana” which turned 15 years old this year.

Nominations have been announced for the upcoming 2019 SPACE SHOWER MUSIC AWARDS. The nominees for the major awards include artists who have contributed musically to SPACE SHOWER TV, across a variety of genres.

This year has special people’s choice category awards where SPACE SHOWER users can submit votes for their favorite artist. The artists eligible must be nominated in one of the other categories. Voting begins on December 27th, and will conclude on February 11th, 2019.

Check out the nominees for the main categories below!

Actor Kento Yamazaki has been selected as the new image model for Yamazaki Pan’s famous “Lunch Pack” sandwiches.

Lunch Pack sandwiches are one of the many unique and delicious (allegedly) snacks found all across Japan’s famed convenience stores.

Veteran singer/songwriter Keisuke Kuwata will be starting 2019 off strong with a new single planned for release on New Year’s Day (January 1st).  This single, titled “Let’s Go Bowling”, will be released under the moniker ‘Keisuke Kuwata & The Pin Boys’ and is intended to be issued in three versions:  a regular CD-Only Edition, an Analog Edition, and a Deluxe Edition.  The latter two will be packaged with both a poster and a special decorative pin.

In advance of the single’s release, the music video for the title track has now been uploaded to Kuwata’s YouTube channel.  The clip sees the singer waxing lyrical about his love for bowling and its professional players, and even participating a bit himself.

You’ll find both this music video and the single’s cover below.

On December 26, VaVa will release his new EP “Universe.” The self-produced work features collaborations with tofubeats, BIM & in-d from THE OTOGIBANASHI’S, JUBEE, Yogee New Waves‘ Kakudate Kengo, and OMSB. VaVa recently released a music video for this collaboration with tofubeats, “Virtual Luv.” The clip revolves around a night out and features tofubeats rapping. Check it out below, along with more information on this release!

Pop singer/songwriter Noriyuki Makihara will be releasing a brand new album titled “Design & Reason” next year on February 13th.  This record comes just over two years after the release of his previous album, “Believer”, and was mastered by legendary American engineer Bob Ludwig.

“Design & Reason” will include ten songs in total, including a new version of the singer’s previously released track “Kioku” and “Doumo Arigatou”, which was written to celebrate the 20th anniversary of NHK’s Doumo-kun character.  The album’s release will be followed by an extensive Hall Tour which will run from March through July.

The cover and track list for “Design & Reason” can be found right after the cut, so please read on below.

On December 31, CDTV will air this year’s edition of its annual New Year’s Eve special, CDTV Special! Toshikoshi Premier Live 2018→2019. The show, which will be in its 20th edition, will start at 11:55 PM JST and end on January 1 at 5 AM JST. Nakai Masahiro will return as host of the show, his first time since 2012. The first set of performers was recently announced and the roster includes names such as Daichi Miura, AKB48, NEWS, DA PUMP, aiko, E-girls, Little Glee Monster, and King & Prince. See who else is performing below!