The Grand Ceremony for MUSIC AWARDS JAPAN 2026 — billed as Japan's largest international music awards event — is taking place on June 13, 2026, at TOYOTA ARENA TOKYO in Odaiba. The evening brings together twelve diverse acts for performances and awards, with broadcast and streaming options spanning NHK television, YouTube, and several digital platforms. If you've been trying to piece together who's performing, when it airs, and how to tune in, here's everything we know.
We've gathered the official lineup, broadcast times, and viewing options so you can plan your evening around what promises to be a significant night in Japanese music.
The Quick Version
- Date: June 13, 2026 (Saturday evening)
- Venue: TOYOTA ARENA TOKYO, Odaiba, Tokyo
- Performers: Twelve acts including Kenshi Yonezu, Fujii Kaze, Sam Smith, Sakanaction, MISAMO, Hitsujibungaku, Chanmina, HANA, and Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra with special guests LiSA, TAKUMA (10-FEET), and Aina the End
- Broadcast: NHK General TV and NHK BS Premium 4K starting at 7:30 PM JST; red carpet coverage begins at 6:00 PM on NHK BS
- Streaming: Available globally on YouTube (excluding certain regions), plus Lemino, ABEMA, and radiko in Japan
Who's Performing at the Grand Ceremony
The Grand Ceremony features twelve confirmed performers, representing a wide spectrum of contemporary Japanese music alongside international acts. According to official announcements, the roster includes some of the country's most prominent artists and a major global name.
Kenshi Yonezu is one of the headline acts. Known for chart-topping singles and his ability to blend alternative rock with pop sensibilities, Yonezu has become one of Japan's most-streamed artists. His presence alone typically draws significant viewership. Fujii Kaze, another major draw, brings his soulful vocals and piano-driven sound — his 2020 debut album gained him international attention, and his streaming numbers have continued to climb steadily. Together, these two represent the current generation of Japanese artists commanding both domestic and overseas audiences.
Sam Smith rounds out the top-billed performers as the ceremony's international guest. The Grammy-winning British artist's appearance marks one of the few times MAJ 2026 has featured a major Western pop act in its performance lineup, underscoring the event's ambition to position itself as a truly global music awards platform.
The full performance roster also includes Sakanaction, the veteran rock band whose experimental approach has influenced a generation of Japanese indie acts; MISAMO, the TWICE sub-unit making waves with their Japanese releases; Hitsujibungaku (羊文学), an indie rock trio whose melodic style has earned them critical acclaim; Chanmina, the bilingual rapper and singer known for her genre-blending tracks; and HANA, whose pop-rock sound bridges Japanese and international markets.
One of the evening's most anticipated collaborations will be Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra performing with special guests LiSA, TAKUMA from 10-FEET, and Aina the End. Tokyo Ska's brass-heavy sound paired with LiSA's powerhouse vocals (familiar to anime fans worldwide), TAKUMA's punk energy, and Aina's emotive delivery should create one of the ceremony's standout moments.
This mix of established veterans, rising stars, and genre diversity reflects MAJ's positioning as a ceremony that honors commercial success alongside artistic innovation. The lineup spans rock, pop, hip-hop, ska, and singer-songwriter traditions — a deliberate cross-section of what's shaping Japanese music in 2026.
When and Where to Watch
The Grand Ceremony begins its television broadcast at 7:30 PM Japan Standard Time on June 13, 2026. In Japan, viewers can watch on NHK General TV and NHK BS Premium 4K simultaneously. The main ceremony runs from 7:30 PM to 8:55 PM for its first part.
For those interested in the full experience, red carpet coverage starts earlier at 6:00 PM on NHK BS and NHK BS Premium 4K, running until 7:30 PM. This pre-show segment typically features artist arrivals, interviews, and fashion moments before the main awards and performances begin.
International and online viewers have several options. YouTube is serving as the global streaming partner, offering worldwide access to the ceremony (with some regional restrictions). This marks a significant expansion of MAJ's reach compared to previous years — anyone with internet access can tune in without a Japanese television subscription or VPN workarounds.
In Japan, additional streaming options include Lemino (NTT Docomo's video platform), ABEMA, and radiko for audio-only streaming. These platforms are likely to offer simultaneous broadcasts alongside the television feed, giving viewers flexibility in how they watch.
For viewers in North America and Europe, the 7:30 PM JST start time translates to mid-morning in most of the United States (approximately 6:30 AM Eastern, 3:30 AM Pacific) and early afternoon in the UK (around 11:30 AM BST). The YouTube stream means international fans won't need to wait for edited highlights — they can watch the performances as they happen.
What MAJ 2026 Actually Is
MUSIC AWARDS JAPAN 2026 is positioning itself as Japan's largest international music awards event. Unlike some awards ceremonies that focus narrowly on a single genre or market segment, MAJ aims to recognize achievements across multiple categories, combining both commercial metrics (streaming numbers, sales) and artistic recognition.
The event runs as a week-long celebration from June 5 through June 13, 2026, with the Grand Ceremony on June 13 serving as the culminating awards presentation and concert. Throughout the week, various supplementary events, showcases, and announcements have been scheduled, though the Grand Ceremony remains the centerpiece.
The awards themselves cover six major categories, with winners selected through a combination of data (streaming, sales, radio play) and committee evaluation. The Grand Ceremony will announce top honors in these categories alongside the twelve performance slots. This dual format — awards presentation interspersed with live performances — follows the template established by events like the Grammy Awards or MTV Video Music Awards, creating a televised music event rather than a straightforward awards handout.
TOYOTA ARENA TOKYO, the venue hosting the ceremony, is a relatively new multi-purpose arena in the Odaiba waterfront district. The facility can accommodate large-scale productions and has hosted major concerts and events since opening. Its location in Odaiba, Tokyo's entertainment district known for shopping, tech museums, and waterfront views, adds to the event's profile as a destination occasion.
The involvement of NHK as the broadcast partner is notable. As Japan's national public broadcaster, NHK lends institutional credibility and ensures broad accessibility across the country. The decision to stream simultaneously on YouTube suggests MAJ's organizers are serious about building an international profile, not just documenting a domestic event.
What People Are Saying
Music fans have been sharing their excitement and making plans to watch across social media platforms. The announcement of the final lineup generated considerable response, particularly around the three headliners and the special collaborations.
"The fact that Kenshi Yonezu and Fujii Kaze are both performing on the same night is kind of surreal — these are two artists who define what Japanese music sounds like right now, and they'll be in the same building. Add Sam Smith to that and it's genuinely a dream lineup."
"Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra with LiSA is not a collaboration I ever imagined, but now that it's happening I need to see it immediately. LiSA's voice over a ska brass section? That's going to be incredible."
"Really glad they're streaming this on YouTube. Previous years you had to either be in Japan or find dodgy streams hours later. Being able to watch it live from anywhere is a huge improvement, and hopefully this becomes the standard going forward."
"I'm curious how they'll balance the awards portion with twelve full performances. That's a lot of stage time — either some of these will be shorter sets or we're looking at a much longer broadcast than the listed runtime. Either way, I'm here for it."
The international accessibility has drawn particular praise from overseas fans who have previously struggled to watch Japanese music events live. For many, this represents a rare opportunity to see performances from artists they follow primarily through streaming services, without having to rely on edited clips appearing online days later.
Frequently Asked Questions
What time does the MAJ 2026 Grand Ceremony start?
The main ceremony begins at 7:30 PM Japan Standard Time on June 13, 2026, with red carpet coverage starting at 6:00 PM JST on NHK BS. For viewers outside Japan, this is approximately 6:30 AM Eastern Time, 3:30 AM Pacific Time, and 11:30 AM British Summer Time.
Can I watch MAJ 2026 outside of Japan?
Yes. The ceremony is streaming live on YouTube as part of a global broadcast, making it accessible to viewers worldwide with only some regional exceptions. You won't need a VPN or Japanese television subscription — the YouTube stream is designed for international audiences.
How long is the Grand Ceremony?
The first part of the ceremony is scheduled to run from 7:30 PM to 8:55 PM JST, roughly 85 minutes. Given that twelve artists are performing plus awards presentations, there may be additional segments or an extended runtime beyond this first part.
Will the performances be available to watch later if I miss the live broadcast?
While official details on archive availability haven't been confirmed, YouTube streams of this type are typically available for replay after the live broadcast ends. NHK broadcasts sometimes become available through their on-demand services as well, though regional restrictions may apply.
Are there other events happening during MAJ 2026 besides the Grand Ceremony?
Yes. MAJ 2026 runs as a week-long series of events from June 5 through June 13, 2026. The Grand Ceremony on June 13 is the main event, but various showcases, panels, and music industry gatherings are scheduled throughout the week. Specific details on these supplementary events haven't been as widely publicized.
An Evening That Brings Together Japanese Music's Variety
The MAJ 2026 Grand Ceremony on June 13, 2026, offers a rare snapshot of Japanese music's breadth — from indie darlings to chart-toppers, legacy acts to fresh voices, all sharing one stage. The combination of Kenshi Yonezu, Fujii Kaze, Sam Smith, and nine other diverse performers makes for an evening that should satisfy fans across multiple genres and generations.
With broadcast options spanning NHK television and multiple streaming platforms including YouTube's global feed, accessibility won't be a barrier this year. Whether you're tuning in for a specific artist or just curious about what Japanese music looks like at this moment, the ceremony provides an entry point that's both high-profile and genuinely representative.
Set your alarm if you're watching from overseas, bookmark the YouTube stream, and prepare for an evening that showcases why Japanese music continues to capture attention far beyond its borders. The performances begin at 7:30 PM JST, and for once, we can all watch together no matter where we are.
