The Culture and Entertainment Industry Promotion Association (CEIPA) has announced the establishment of the international music awards “MUSIC AWARDS JAPAN,” with the award ceremony set to take place on May 22, 2025, in Kyoto.
The award, themed “Connecting with the World and Illuminating the Future of Music,” is a collaborative effort among five organizations: the Recording Industry Association of Japan, the Japan Music Business Association, the Japan Music Producers Association, the Japan Music Publishers Association, and the Concert Promoters Association. It aims to foster connections with the global music industry amid the borderless nature of music activities driven by the expansion of streaming services. The goal is to promote Japanese and Asian music worldwide, particularly in the Asia-Pacific region, and to enhance Japan’s music culture on a global scale while encouraging international artists to enter the Japanese market.
The awards will honor works and artists that gained attention from February 2024 to January 2025, regardless of their release dates. The main categories include Best Song, Best Album, Best Artist, Best New Artist, Top Global Hit from Japan, and Best Asian Song, among over 60 categories in total. Entries will be automatically selected based on objective indicators in collaboration with major data sources such as Billboard Japan and Oricon. More than 5,000 domestic voting members, consisting of artists, creators, engineers, MV directors, concert promoters, and other music industry professionals, will choose five nominated works from the entries. The award-winning works will then be determined through votes from both domestic and international voting members. Additionally, a category inviting votes from general music listeners is planned to be introduced.
The award ceremony, to be held at the ROHM Theatre Kyoto, is expected to feature stage performances by various artists, with broadcasts on terrestrial television and streaming on YouTube. Additionally, during the award week from May 17 (Saturday) to May 23 (Friday), 2025, seminars and showcases involving music industry professionals from Japan and abroad are also planned.
MUSIC AWARDS JAPAN 2025 KYOTO
- Date and Time: May 22, 2025 (Thursday)
Event Week: May 17 (Saturday) – May 23 (Friday), 2025 - Venue: ROHM Theatre Kyoto
- Broadcast: Live airing scheduled on terrestrial television networks
- Streaming: Worldwide streaming planned on YouTube excluding some regions
- Cooperation: Agency for Cultural Affairs, Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (pending adjustments)
Please note that there will be no general ticket sales for this award ceremony. Further details regarding the ceremony and related events will be provided separately.
