The 76th NHK Kohaku Uta Gassen Officially Announced for December 31, 2025

It has been officially announced that the nation's popular music program, "The 76th NHK Kohaku Uta Gassen," will be held on Tuesday, December 31, 2025. This annual spectacle, which brightens New Year's Eve, is confirmed to take place with a live audience at NHK Hall again this year.

The broadcast will run from 7:20 PM to 11:45 PM. It will be aired live on NHK General TV, BSP4K, BS8K, and Radio 1. Additionally, simultaneous and on-demand streaming will be available on the new NHK Plus service, "NHK ONE," ensuring diverse viewing options for audiences nationwide. The broadcast will be a marathon of 4 hours and 25 minutes, including a news break.

Of particular note is the public lottery for free admission to attend the show at NHK Hall. Applications for this free viewing opportunity will open online at 11:00 AM on Thursday, October 2, and close at 11:59 PM on Thursday, October 16. Given the consistently high competition for tickets each year, significant fan anticipation and a flood of applications are expected.

The "Kohaku Uta Gassen" is one of Japan's most representative and long-running programs, where male and female artists are divided into Red and White teams to perform songs and music, capping off the year's music scene. Following this year's broadcast announcement, various speculations regarding participating artists are already circulating on social media. There are hopes for Arashi's appearance, given their upcoming hiatus, as well as interest in continued appearances by rising young artists like Creepy Nuts, ME:I, and JO1, or even new debut acts. Furthermore, discussions are ongoing about who will perform the show's finale (Ōtori), with opinions ranging from established acts like Masaharu Fukuyama and MISIA to a desire for a fresh lineup featuring younger artists such as Mrs. GREEN APPLE and Aimyon.

As a staple of the year-end season, the "76th NHK Kohaku Uta Gassen" is sure to generate much discussion and provide moving moments again this year. Those wishing to attend should be careful not to miss the application period.

The context

The NHK Kohaku Uta Gassen, often translated as "Red and White Song Battle," is Japan's most prominent annual music television show, broadcast live on New Year's Eve by NHK. It is a cultural phenomenon that brings together many of the most popular Japanese musical artists of the year, divided into a Red Team (female artists) and a White Team (male artists). Artists perform their hit songs, and at the end of the show, a winning team is chosen based on votes from judges and the audience. The program is deeply ingrained in Japanese year-end traditions, often watched by families together, and an invitation to perform on Kohaku is considered a significant honor for any artist. The show also features elaborate stage productions and is known for creating memorable moments, sometimes including reunion performances or farewells. The identity of the performing artists, particularly the final performer (Ōtori), is a subject of intense public speculation and discussion leading up to the event.

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