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| NHK Kōhaku Uta Gassen 2025: New Theme, Familiar Faces, and the Return of Legends |
NHK’s year-end music show “Kōhaku Uta Gassen” is already stirring buzz after Media Director Hiroo Yamana shared fresh details about the 76th edition during a press conference on 16 October.
The broadcast, set to air on New Year’s Eve, promises to mix nostalgia, reunion moments, and a theme that feels extra meaningful this year: “Connect and Be Connected, New Year’s Eve.”
Yamana explained that performer selections are being made based on three key things — how active they’ve been this year, how much public support they’ve received, and how well they fit the overall concept.
He also mentioned that artists from STARTO Entertainment are part of the discussion if they match those criteria.
Still, he made it clear that not every artist NHK hopes to feature will automatically make the final list, keeping the line-up under tight wraps for now.
The hosting team has already been confirmed, with a nice balance of familiar and fresh faces:
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Haruka Ayase, returning for her fourth time (and first in six years)
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Hiroiki Ariyoshi, continuing his streak for the third year straight
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Mio Imada, making her long-awaited hosting debut
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Naoko Suzuki, the NHK announcer back for her second consecutive year
Together, they’ll lead Japan’s biggest TV event of the year, starting from 7:20 p.m. until just before midnight.
As for who might take the stage, fans have already started speculating — and for good reason.
The production team is reportedly eyeing Arashi, who officially resumed group activities in May after their 2020 hiatus.
If the five members do perform, it’ll mark their first group performance together in five years, a moment that would surely steal the spotlight.
Another group drawing attention is Perfume, who announced plans to pause group activities at the end of the year.
With an incredible record of 16 consecutive appearances since their 2008 debut, many fans are hoping to see them return to the Kōhaku stage one last time as a symbolic farewell.
For now, the full artist list remains under wraps — but one thing’s certain: Kōhaku 2025 is shaping up to be both emotional and iconic, connecting generations through music while wrapping up the year in true NHK style.