'MUSIC AWARDS JAPAN 2026 Enka and Kayokyoku LIVE' Held: SHOW-WA & MATSURI's 'Bokura no Kuchibue' Wins Best Song

The 'MUSIC AWARDS JAPAN 2026 Enka and Kayokyoku LIVE [Best Enka/Kayokyoku Song Award Ceremony]', which honors the Enka and Kayokyoku category of the international music award 'MUSIC AWARDS JAPAN 2026' (hereafter MAJ), was held on Thursday, June 11, at Zepp DiverCity (TOKYO) in Koto-ku, Tokyo.

MAJ is one of the largest international music awards in Japan, organized by the Culture and Entertainment Industry Promotion Association (CEIPA), which was established by five major music industry groups (Recording Industry Association of Japan, Japan Association of Music Enterprises, Federation of Music Producers Japan, Music Publishers Association of Japan, and All Japan Concert & Live Entertainment Promoters Conference) transcending their boundaries. The concept is 'Connecting with the world and lighting the future of music.' Following the first edition held in Kyoto last year, this marks the second time.

The 'MUSIC AWARDS JAPAN 2026 Enka and Kayokyoku LIVE' took place during the MAJ week (June 5-13), prior to the main award ceremony for the six major categories on June 13. It intertwined live performances broadcasting Japan's 'soul music'—Enka and Kayokyoku, traditional Japanese culture—to the world, along with the award ceremony for the category. Performers included Saburo Kitajima, Takashi Hosokawa, Kaori Mizumori, Aya Shimazu, Yukino Ichikawa, Kim Yonja, Keisuke Yamauchi, Junretsu, SHOW-WA, MATSURI, Yuto Tatsumi, Naoki Sanada, Leon Niihama, Shin Aoyama, Soichi Futami, Aimi Tanaka, KaWang, and others (in no particular order). MCs were Win Morisaki, Yuki Matsumaru, and Keina. The presenter for the Best Enka/Kayokyoku Song Award was Masaaki Sakai.

[Live Report] Before the main event, artists nominated for the Best Song Award attended a press conference. Keisuke Yamauchi ('Kita no Dangai'), Yuto Tatsumi ('Unmei no Natsu'), Leon Niihama ('Fun! Fun! Fun!'), SHOW-WA ('Hazusenai Pinky Ring'), and SHOW-WA & MATSURI ('Bokura no Kuchibue') each expressed their enthusiasm. 'Although I won the grand prize last year, I couldn't attend the venue. I am delighted that a work that is 'true Enka' with 4-line lyrics representing the 'ultimate women's song' was nominated this time,' said Yamauchi. 'I am very honored to stand on this wonderful stage. I will continue to do my best to become a singer representing the Enka and Kayokyoku world,' said Tatsumi. 'I turned 30 in May and feel this is just the beginning. Today I stand on stage with the feeling of delivering Japanese Enka and Kayokyoku to the world,' said Niihama. 'Our fan name is 'Ruby'. This year we definitely want to take home the grand prize trophy 'THE RUBY',' said Shinjiro Terada of SHOW-WA. 'We, the 12 members of SHOW-WA and MATSURI, gathered through the 'Don't Give Up on Your Dreams! Audition'. We want to continue chasing our dreams and delivering sparkling moments and Showa Kayokyoku to the Reiwa era,' said Tsubasa Onodera of MATSURI.

At 5:00 PM, the event kicked off. The opening performance was a collaboration of Tsugaru shamisen, dance music, and traditional dance by the Yoshida Brothers, DAISHI DANCE, and Kamui, the star actor of the popular theater group 'Gekidan Nishiki'. Next, leading Enka artists Takashi Hosokawa sang 'Kita Sakaba' and Kaori Mizumori sang 'Sanriku Banka', receiving loud applause from the audience. Aya Shimazu then performed 'Kaerantayoka (2025Ver.)', expressing the 'Japanese heart' that cherishes hometown and family. Additionally, Keisuke Yamauchi and Yukino Ichikawa each performed with guitarist Marty Friedman. Yamauchi sang Aki Yashiro's 'Onna Minatomachi' and Ichikawa sang her own song 'Yukikoihana', showing the new possibilities of Enka and Kayokyoku. Naoki Sanada and Aimi Tanaka also passionately sang 'Sanya Blues', a masterpiece representing the feelings of Japanese workers.

In the segment covering Showa masterpieces, Junretsu sang 'Bulldog', Junretsu and Aimi Tanaka sang 'Hoshifuru Machikado', MATSURI performed 'Omatsuri Mambo', and SHOW-WA performed 'Southpaw'. The venue was further excited by Leon Niihama and Masaya (KaWang) singing 'Kimi wa Bara yori Utsukushii', and Naoki Sanada, Shin Aoyama, and KaWang singing 'Miagete goran Yoru no Hoshi o'. Then, Kim Yonja, serving as a bridge between Japan and Korea, took the stage, passionately singing 'Kita no Yukimushi' and then 'Kitaguni no Haru' with Soichi Futami. Luxurious collaborations continued, ending with a frenzied performance of 'Tsugaru Jongara Bushi' by Takashi Hosokawa and SOME≡LINEZ, a group fusing human beatbox and street dance. The present and future of Japan's world-class Enka and Kayokyoku were vividly highlighted.

As the live approached its end, the award ceremony began. The nominated works were announced again, and the artists performed their songs. Amid loud cheers and applause, presenter Masaaki Sakai announced the winner: 'Bokura no Kuchibue' by SHOW-WA & MATSURI. Representing the 12 members, Yuki Yanagida of MATSURI received the red shining trophy 'THE RUBY' from Sakai. Shinjiro Terada of SHOW-WA expressed his joy, saying, 'We are extremely honored to be chosen for the Best Enka/Kayokyoku Song Award among such wonderful artists.'

After the ceremony, female rakugo storyteller Tsuruko Hayashiya performed a piece titled 'Gratitude for the Encounter with Saburo Kitajima', looking back on the legend's journey accompanied by Aya Shimazu's 'Namidabune'. When Kitajima himself appeared, the audience erupted in applause. He was awarded the first Special Achievement Award at the 'MAJ Enka and Kayokyoku LIVE'. 'It's been almost 90 years since I started walking. But this path is a single, straight road. I am grateful for the support of so many people and for receiving such an award,' Kitajima said.

The event closed with all performers gathering on stage to sing Kitajima's signature song 'Matsuri', wrapping up the ceremony in a festive atmosphere.

The live and award ceremony are scheduled to be broadcast on TV Tokyo from 12:00 to 12:54 on Sunday, June 21, and on BS TV Tokyo from 19:00 to 21:00 on Tuesday, June 30.