B'z guitarist Tak Matsumoto is scheduled to appear on NHK's music program SONGS for the second time, with the episode set to air on Thursday, October 8, 2026, from 10:00 to 10:45 p.m. Japan time. The 45-minute episode will feature performances by Tak Matsumoto Group (TMG), a look back at Matsumoto's early days as a support musician for TM NETWORK at the NHK Kouhaku Uta Gassen 38 years earlier, and a special comment from Ado, who collaborated with him on "SAYONARA." We've gathered all the details about what to expect from this highly anticipated broadcast.
The Quick Version
- Air date: Thursday, October 8, 2026, 10:00–10:45 p.m. Japan time on NHK
- Performances: TMG will perform three songs, including a first-time rendition of The Beatles' "While My Guitar Gently Weeps"
- Special features: Archival footage of Matsumoto performing with TM NETWORK at Kouhaku, interviews with all three TM NETWORK members, and a message from Ado
- Host: Actor and presenter Yo Oizumi will interview Matsumoto about his career journey
- Matsumoto's second appearance: His first SONGS episode aired on July 25, 2024
TMG's Performance Lineup: Three Songs Including a Beatles Classic
The centerpiece of the October 8 episode will be three live performances by TMG, the international supergroup that brings together Matsumoto with top-tier Japanese and American musicians. The announced setlist promises both fresh interpretations and recent collaborations that have defined Matsumoto's work outside of B'z.
First up is "While My Guitar Gently Weeps," the George Harrison-penned Beatles masterpiece that has become one of rock's most beloved guitar showcases. This marks the first time Matsumoto will perform the song on SONGS, and it's easy to understand why he chose it—the track's contemplative melody and iconic guitar work align perfectly with his own expressive playing style. For fans who've followed Matsumoto's career, watching him tackle one of the most revered guitar parts in rock history is a rare treat.
The episode will also feature "SAYONARA (feat. Ado)," the collaboration that brought together two generations of Japanese music talent. Ado, one of the most talked-about vocalists to emerge in recent years, recorded the track with Matsumoto, and while she won't be performing live in the studio, her presence will be felt through a special comment she's recorded for the program. We'll explore what she has to say about working with the legendary guitarist.
Rounding out the performance set is "I DON'T SEE ME IN YOUR EYES," a ballad that showcases Matsumoto's gift for emotive, melody-driven playing. The song allows viewers to hear the more introspective side of his artistry, balancing the energy of the Beatles cover with something more personal and subdued.
A Window Into Matsumoto's Early Career: TM NETWORK and the 1988 Kouhaku
One of the most compelling segments of the upcoming episode will take us back nearly four decades, to a time when Matsumoto was still building his reputation as a session and support musician. The program will air archival footage from the NHK Kouhaku Uta Gassen—Japan's iconic year-end music special—showing a young Matsumoto performing as the support guitarist for TM NETWORK.
For those unfamiliar with the timeline, this appearance took place in 1988, years before B'z would become one of Japan's best-selling rock acts. At that point, Matsumoto was working behind the scenes, lending his skills to established artists while honing his own voice as a musician. TM NETWORK, the electronic rock trio known for hits that defined the late '80s Japanese pop sound, provided one of those formative experiences.
The episode will feature interviews with all three members of TM NETWORK, who will share their memories of working with Matsumoto during that period. According to program previews, Matsumoto himself will discuss how the experience with TM NETWORK helped crystallize a crucial realization: "I want to create my own music." That moment of clarity—recognizing that he wanted to move from support work to leading his own creative vision—set the stage for everything that followed, including the formation of B'z with vocalist Koshi Inaba in 1988.
We rarely get to see this era of Matsumoto's career documented on television, which makes the archival footage particularly valuable. It offers a glimpse of the artist before the stadiums and platinum records, when he was still learning what kind of musician he wanted to be.
Ado's Message: Bridging Generations Through "SAYONARA"
While Ado won't be performing live on the October 8 episode, the program will present a special comment from her about Matsumoto. The collaboration between the two artists on "SAYONARA" brought together Matsumoto's decades of guitar mastery with Ado's dynamic, genre-crossing vocal style—a pairing that resonated with fans across multiple generations.
Ado burst onto the scene with a sound that blends pop, rock, and elements of internet culture, capturing a younger audience that might not have grown up with B'z. Her work with Matsumoto represents a kind of musical bridge, introducing her fans to a legendary guitarist while allowing Matsumoto to reach listeners who came of age in a very different musical landscape. Her comment on the program will likely touch on what it meant to work with an artist of his stature, and perhaps offer insight into how the collaboration came together.
We'll have to wait for the broadcast to hear exactly what she says, but the fact that SONGS is devoting airtime to her perspective underscores how significant the partnership has been—not just for the artists themselves, but for the broader Japanese music community.
Talking Kouhaku: Matsumoto Reflects on B'z's 2024 Appearance
In conversation with host Yo Oizumi, Matsumoto is also scheduled to discuss B'z's appearance at the NHK Kouhaku Uta Gassen in late 2024—a milestone moment for the band. According to the episode preview, he'll talk about the decision to perform from NHK Hall, a choice that carried particular symbolic weight, as well as the confidential rehearsals that preceded the broadcast.
For a band as established as B'z, appearing on Kouhaku was both a return to a familiar stage and a chance to connect with the massive, multi-generational audience that tunes in every New Year's Eve. Matsumoto's behind-the-scenes stories from that appearance will give fans a window into how the performance came together, and what it meant to the band after decades in the industry.
This kind of career reflection is part of what makes SONGS such a valued program—it's not just about the music itself, but about the journey, the decisions, and the moments that shaped an artist's path.
What People Are Saying
"Can't wait to see the TM NETWORK footage. That era of Tak's career doesn't get talked about enough, and it's so cool that we'll finally get to see it on a major program like SONGS."
"TMG doing 'While My Guitar Gently Weeps' is going to be incredible. That song in Tak's hands? I'm already emotional just thinking about it."
"I love that Ado's involved, even if just with a comment. 'SAYONARA' was such a beautiful collaboration, and it's nice to see her perspective included in the episode."
"Yo Oizumi is the perfect host for this kind of show. He always brings out great stories from his guests, and I'm sure he'll get Tak to open up about some really interesting moments from his career."
"October 8 can't come fast enough. Between the performances, the archival stuff, and the interviews, this sounds like one of the best music specials of the year."
Frequently Asked Questions
When does Tak Matsumoto's SONGS episode air?
The episode is scheduled to air on Thursday, October 8, 2026, from 10:00 to 10:45 p.m. Japan time on NHK.
What songs will TMG perform on the show?
TMG will perform three songs: The Beatles' "While My Guitar Gently Weeps," "SAYONARA (feat. Ado)," and the ballad "I DON'T SEE ME IN YOUR EYES."
Will Ado perform live on the episode?
No, Ado will not be performing live in the studio. However, the program will feature a special comment from her about working with Matsumoto on "SAYONARA."
What is the TM NETWORK connection?
The episode will show archival footage of Matsumoto performing as a support guitarist for TM NETWORK at the NHK Kouhaku Uta Gassen in 1988, along with interviews from all three TM NETWORK members discussing that period.
Is this Matsumoto's first time on SONGS?
No, this is his second appearance. His first episode aired on July 25, 2024.
Why This Episode Matters for Matsumoto's Legacy
What makes the October 8 SONGS episode particularly meaningful is how it weaves together the different threads of Matsumoto's long career—from his days as a young support musician learning his craft, to his evolution as a leader of one of Japan's most successful rock bands, to his ongoing work with TMG and collaborators like Ado. The archival TM NETWORK footage offers a rare look at the formative years that shaped his musical vision, while the TMG performances demonstrate that his creativity and passion for the guitar remain as vibrant as ever.
For longtime fans, the episode promises to be both a celebration and a revelation, filling in chapters of Matsumoto's story that haven't received much television attention. For newer listeners discovering him through projects like "SAYONARA," it's a chance to understand the depth and breadth of his musical journey. The combination of live performance, personal reflection, and historical context makes this the kind of music programming that goes beyond entertainment—it becomes a document of an artist's life in music.
As we look ahead to October 8, we're reminded that great music isn't just about the notes themselves, but about the people who play them and the paths they've traveled to get there. Matsumoto's appearance on SONGS, with its blend of past and present, promises to honor both the legend he's become and the journey that made him.
