JASRAC Announces the 2026 JASRAC Awards, 'Lilac' Wins Gold Award

The Japanese Society for Rights of Authors, Composers and Publishers (Headquarters: Shibuya-ku, Tokyo; President: Kazumasa Izawa; hereinafter 'JASRAC') announced the 2026 JASRAC Awards on May 20. - Gold Award: 'Lilac' - Silver Award: 'Kawa no Nagare no You ni' - Bronze Award: 'Bling-Bang-Bang-Born' - International Award: 'NARUTO Shippuden BGM' - Foreign Work Award: 'BITTERSWEET SAMBA' Details of the works and comments from the winners are as follows: Gold Award: 'Lilac' Lyricist: Motoki Ohmori Composer: Motoki Ohmori Music Publisher: Universal Music Publishing LLC 'Lilac', written and composed by Motoki Ohmori of Mrs. GREEN APPLE, won the Gold Award. Released in April 2024 as the opening theme for the TV anime 'Oblivion Battery', its refreshing and speedy sound, evoking youth, quickly became a hot topic. It set a monumental record by spending a total of 36 weeks at number one on the Billboard JAPAN Streaming Song Chart—the most in history—and surpassed 900 million cumulative streams, tying for the fastest to do so. It swept the music scene, including winning the Japan Record Award. Ranking first in distribution from interactive streaming and second in karaoke distribution, it became a mega-hit utilized across a wide range of fields, earning the prestigious Gold Award. * Streaming play counts are based on information published by Billboard JAPAN. I am incredibly honored and proud to receive such an award, and at the same time, it makes me sit up straight. Thank you very much. I am truly happy that the power 'Lilac' possesses has been evaluated. I want to continue enjoying the creative process, even while struggling with loneliness, suffering, and endless worries. I would like to express my gratitude to everyone involved until this song was created, released to the world, and even after its release. I will continue to devote myself, not becoming rigid, but always striving with excitement as my standard. Motoki Ohmori Motoki Ohmori (Center of photo) 'Lilac' is an iconic song. We had the support of many people, including the artists and the record company. First of all, I would like to thank everyone. And above all, I believe the greatest power in creating hit songs is the fans. Those who picked up the CD, those who listened on the radio, those who sang at karaoke. Thank you for loving 'Lilac'. Universal Music Publishing LLC President: Johnny Thompson As Chairman and CEO of Universal Music Publishing (hereinafter UMP), I am deeply grateful and moved by the dual receipt of the Gold Award for Mrs. GREEN APPLE's 'Lilac' and the Foreign Work Award for 'BITTERSWEET SAMBA' at the 2026 JASRAC Awards. This is the first time in our 44-year history that UMP has won double awards for both a domestic work and a foreign work, and I thank JASRAC for their tireless efforts, dedication, and expert music management. I also want to thank Mrs. GREEN APPLE for giving us the opportunity to represent this iconic song 'Lilac', which is truly exceptional for UMP, and which will enjoy eternal popularity across eras and generations. I would also like to express my gratitude to the radio stations, sponsors, and advertising agencies who helped lead 'BITTERSWEET SAMBA' to the success of winning the Foreign Work Award for the second time in the last three years, further expanding its popularity among a new generation of listeners over the years. This award is a very special honor for UMP, and we are always grateful to the music we represent, the creators who produce it, and everyone who supports these wonderful achievements. Universal Music Publishing Group Chairman and CEO: Jody Gerson Silver Award: 'Kawa no Nagare no You ni' Lyricist: Yasushi Akimoto Composer: Akira Mitake Music Publisher: Skylark Music Publishing Inc. 'Kawa no Nagare no You ni' by Hibari Misora, with lyrics by Yasushi Akimoto and music by Akira Mitake, won the Silver Award. Released in January 1989, this was Hibari Misora's final single released during her lifetime. Its gentle, enveloping melody and deep lyrics comparing the journey of life to a river continue to be sung without fading, even as times change. Since its release, it has been covered by over 170 artists both domestically and internationally, and in 2025, it was performed across various regions for 264 days, remaining beloved by many even today. Furthermore, its continued use as the commercial song for Suntory's 'Suntory Nama Beer' significantly impacted its Silver Award win. © Nippon Columbia, Hibari Production 'Kawa no Nagare no You ni' is a single by Hibari Misora that I produced when I was 30 years old. Until then, I had only been throwing curveballs, but thanks to Hibari-san, it was the first straight song I ever threw. Even after 37 years, it has become a standard number sung by many artists, and feeling great joy and gratitude to be honored in this way. Thank you very much. Yasushi Akimoto Yasushi Akimoto Thank you very much for this great honor. 37 years have passed since 'Kawa no Nagare no You ni' was released, and I am very happy that it is still loved by so many people today. I would like to take this opportunity to express my sincere gratitude to everyone involved. Akira Mitake 'Kawa no Nagare no You ni' is the last single my mother sang 37 years ago. I still remember her saying when she encountered this song, 'I wonder if young people will listen to my song too'. Thanks to receiving such a wonderful song, I am deeply grateful that Hibari Misora, who ran through the Showa era, continues to be loved by many people across the Heisei and now the Reiwa eras. I would like to deeply thank the fans, all the related parties, and above all, Akimoto-sensei and Mitake-sensei, who created this song, in place of a formal greeting. Thank you very much. Skylark Music Publishing Inc. Representative Director: Kazuya Kato At the 2026 JASRAC Awards presentation ceremony held on May 20, Kiyoshi Hikawa made a surprise appearance and sang 'Kawa no Nagare no You ni'. He provided a comment regarding its Silver Award win. I am honored to participate in such a wonderful presentation ceremony. I believe many people have been encouraged and given the strength to live by 'Kawa no Nagare no You ni'.