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Interview: Red Carpet Moments with Number_i and Japan’s Global Music Icons the Japanese Grammy’s

From Exclusive Photos to On-Site Artist Comments — A Look into MUSIC AWARDS JAPAN’s World Debut

By: Jun. 05, 2025
Interview: Red Carpet Moments with Number_i and Japan’s Global Music Icons the Japanese Grammy’s Image
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MUSIC AWARDS JAPAN : The inaugural edition of MAJ hailed as the “Japanese Grammy Awards”—marked a groundbreaking moment in the nation’s music history. (Click here to read Review: Music Awards Japan, the Japanese Grammy's Launch with Unprecedented Scale and Spirit) Jointly launched by five major Japanese music industry organizations, the award aims to celebrate the diversity and future of music culture from Japan to the world, establishing itself as one of the largest international music awards in Asia.

The first-ever ceremony was held at the prestigious ROHM Theatre Kyoto, a venue steeped in history and tradition. On May 21, the Premiere Ceremony kicked off the two-day celebration, followed by the Grand Ceremony on May 22, where the winners of six major categories were announced. A dazzling red carpet event was also held, featuring nominated artists and high-profile guests from Japan and abroad.

Actor Masaki Suda served as a host for the Grand Ceremony, while top-tier artists such as Mrs. GREEN APPLE and Eikichi Yazawa delivered spectacular live performances. The official hashtag #MAJ2025 trended for hours across social media, fueling global buzz and excitement.

This article offers a photo-focused feature showcasing exclusive red carpet shots taken during the event, along with select artist comments gathered through on-site interviews.

[Want to see more exclusive photos from MAJ? Follow us on Instagram and X for behind-the-scenes content!]

Featured Artists

★...With Interview

1. FRUITS ZIPPER
2. YOASOBI
3. ATARASHII GAKKO!
4. ★Number_i
5. ★CUTIE STREET
6. Kocchi no Kento
7. Kento Nakajima
8. ★Shunichi Tokura, Commissioner of the Agency for Cultural Affairs
9. ★NiziU
10. CHANMINA
11. Nogizaka46
12. ★Fujii Kaze
13. ★AI
14. Masaki Suda
15. ★Mrs. GREEN APPLE

1. FRUITS ZIPPER

→ See FRUITS ZIPPER's award moments, and results here! [Review: Music Awards Japan, the Japanese Grammy's Launch with Unprecedented Scale and Spirit]

Interview: Red Carpet Moments with Number_i and Japan’s Global Music Icons the Japanese Grammy’s Image

Interview: Red Carpet Moments with Number_i and Japan’s Global Music Icons the Japanese Grammy’s Image

Interview: Red Carpet Moments with Number_i and Japan’s Global Music Icons the Japanese Grammy’s Image

. 

2. YOASOBI

→ See YOASOBI's performance, award moments, and results here! [Review: Music Awards Japan, the Japanese Grammy's Launch with Unprecedented Scale and Spirit]

Interview: Red Carpet Moments with Number_i and Japan’s Global Music Icons the Japanese Grammy’s Image

Interview: Red Carpet Moments with Number_i and Japan’s Global Music Icons the Japanese Grammy’s Image

Interview: Red Carpet Moments with Number_i and Japan’s Global Music Icons the Japanese Grammy’s Image

. 

3. ATARASHII GAKKO!

→ See ATARAHSHII GAKKO!'s award moments, and results here! [Review: Music Awards Japan, the Japanese Grammy's Launch with Unprecedented Scale and Spirit]

Interview: Red Carpet Moments with Number_i and Japan’s Global Music Icons the Japanese Grammy’s Image

Interview: Red Carpet Moments with Number_i and Japan’s Global Music Icons the Japanese Grammy’s Image

Interview: Red Carpet Moments with Number_i and Japan’s Global Music Icons the Japanese Grammy’s Image

Interview: Red Carpet Moments with Number_i and Japan’s Global Music Icons the Japanese Grammy’s Image

Interview: Red Carpet Moments with Number_i and Japan’s Global Music Icons the Japanese Grammy’s Image

Interview: Red Carpet Moments with Number_i and Japan’s Global Music Icons the Japanese Grammy’s Image

Interview: Red Carpet Moments with Number_i and Japan’s Global Music Icons the Japanese Grammy’s Image

Interview: Red Carpet Moments with Number_i and Japan’s Global Music Icons the Japanese Grammy’s Image

Interview: Red Carpet Moments with Number_i and Japan’s Global Music Icons the Japanese Grammy’s Image

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4. Number_i

Q. What do you think is the unique strength of Japanese music?

Sho Hirano: It might be presumptuous for me to say, but I think Japanese music incorporates a lot of cultural elements unique to Japan. There’s a special “和 wa (harmony)” aesthetic, and we try to reflect those traditions in our music too.

→ See Number_i's award moments, and results here! [Review: Music Awards Japan, the Japanese Grammy's Launch with Unprecedented Scale and Spirit]

Interview: Red Carpet Moments with Number_i and Japan’s Global Music Icons the Japanese Grammy’s Image

Interview: Red Carpet Moments with Number_i and Japan’s Global Music Icons the Japanese Grammy’s Image

Interview: Red Carpet Moments with Number_i and Japan’s Global Music Icons the Japanese Grammy’s Image

Interview: Red Carpet Moments with Number_i and Japan’s Global Music Icons the Japanese Grammy’s Image

Interview: Red Carpet Moments with Number_i and Japan’s Global Music Icons the Japanese Grammy’s Image

Interview: Red Carpet Moments with Number_i and Japan’s Global Music Icons the Japanese Grammy’s Image

Interview: Red Carpet Moments with Number_i and Japan’s Global Music Icons the Japanese Grammy’s Image

Interview: Red Carpet Moments with Number_i and Japan’s Global Music Icons the Japanese Grammy’s Image

. 

5. CUTIE STREET

Q. How do you think Japanese music will evolve globally through MAJ?

Emiru Kawamoto: At this first MAJ, we were surrounded by amazing artists and professionals in the music industry, and we’re really honored to be part of it. We’ll keep working hard so that we can share the essence of Japanese idols with the world.

Interview: Red Carpet Moments with Number_i and Japan’s Global Music Icons the Japanese Grammy’s Image

Interview: Red Carpet Moments with Number_i and Japan’s Global Music Icons the Japanese Grammy’s Image

Interview: Red Carpet Moments with Number_i and Japan’s Global Music Icons the Japanese Grammy’s Image

Interview: Red Carpet Moments with Number_i and Japan’s Global Music Icons the Japanese Grammy’s Image

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6. Kocchi no Kento

Interview: Red Carpet Moments with Number_i and Japan’s Global Music Icons the Japanese Grammy’s Image

Interview: Red Carpet Moments with Number_i and Japan’s Global Music Icons the Japanese Grammy’s Image

Interview: Red Carpet Moments with Number_i and Japan’s Global Music Icons the Japanese Grammy’s Image

. 

7. Kento Nakajima

Interview: Red Carpet Moments with Number_i and Japan’s Global Music Icons the Japanese Grammy’s Image

Interview: Red Carpet Moments with Number_i and Japan’s Global Music Icons the Japanese Grammy’s Image

Interview: Red Carpet Moments with Number_i and Japan’s Global Music Icons the Japanese Grammy’s Image

. 

8. Shunichi Tokura, Commissioner of the Agency for Cultural Affairs

*Conducted in English.

Q. How do you feel now?

This is the dawn of the gateway towards the world music market—not only for Japanese artists but from a global perspective—and we’d like all the Asian artists to be involved. Let’s hope for the best here!

9. NiziU

Q. How do you think Japanese music will evolve globally through MAJ?

NINA: We hope that we can more globalize Japanese music.
*Answered in English

Interview: Red Carpet Moments with Number_i and Japan’s Global Music Icons the Japanese Grammy’s Image

Interview: Red Carpet Moments with Number_i and Japan’s Global Music Icons the Japanese Grammy’s Image

Interview: Red Carpet Moments with Number_i and Japan’s Global Music Icons the Japanese Grammy’s Image

Interview: Red Carpet Moments with Number_i and Japan’s Global Music Icons the Japanese Grammy’s Image

Interview: Red Carpet Moments with Number_i and Japan’s Global Music Icons the Japanese Grammy’s Image

Interview: Red Carpet Moments with Number_i and Japan’s Global Music Icons the Japanese Grammy’s Image

Interview: Red Carpet Moments with Number_i and Japan’s Global Music Icons the Japanese Grammy’s Image

Interview: Red Carpet Moments with Number_i and Japan’s Global Music Icons the Japanese Grammy’s Image

Interview: Red Carpet Moments with Number_i and Japan’s Global Music Icons the Japanese Grammy’s Image

Interview: Red Carpet Moments with Number_i and Japan’s Global Music Icons the Japanese Grammy’s Image

Interview: Red Carpet Moments with Number_i and Japan’s Global Music Icons the Japanese Grammy’s Image

Interview: Red Carpet Moments with Number_i and Japan’s Global Music Icons the Japanese Grammy’s Image

Interview: Red Carpet Moments with Number_i and Japan’s Global Music Icons the Japanese Grammy’s Image

Interview: Red Carpet Moments with Number_i and Japan’s Global Music Icons the Japanese Grammy’s Image

Interview: Red Carpet Moments with Number_i and Japan’s Global Music Icons the Japanese Grammy’s Image

Interview: Red Carpet Moments with Number_i and Japan’s Global Music Icons the Japanese Grammy’s Image

. 

10. CHANMINA

→ See CHANMINA's performance review here! [Review: Music Awards Japan, the Japanese Grammy's Launch with Unprecedented Scale and Spirit]

Interview: Red Carpet Moments with Number_i and Japan’s Global Music Icons the Japanese Grammy’s Image

. 

11. Nogizaka46

Interview: Red Carpet Moments with Number_i and Japan’s Global Music Icons the Japanese Grammy’s Image

Interview: Red Carpet Moments with Number_i and Japan’s Global Music Icons the Japanese Grammy’s Image

. 

12. Fujii Kaze

Q. What do you think is the strength of Japanese music?

I think it’s the way we take the best of various influences and blend them freely. I love how people here can openly express what they love—there’s real freedom in that.

→ See Fujii Kaze's performance, award moments, and results here! [Review: Music Awards Japan, the Japanese Grammy's Launch with Unprecedented Scale and Spirit]

Interview: Red Carpet Moments with Number_i and Japan’s Global Music Icons the Japanese Grammy’s Image

Interview: Red Carpet Moments with Number_i and Japan’s Global Music Icons the Japanese Grammy’s Image

Interview: Red Carpet Moments with Number_i and Japan’s Global Music Icons the Japanese Grammy’s Image

Interview: Red Carpet Moments with Number_i and Japan’s Global Music Icons the Japanese Grammy’s Image

Interview: Red Carpet Moments with Number_i and Japan’s Global Music Icons the Japanese Grammy’s Image

Interview: Red Carpet Moments with Number_i and Japan’s Global Music Icons the Japanese Grammy’s Image

Interview: Red Carpet Moments with Number_i and Japan’s Global Music Icons the Japanese Grammy’s Image

Interview: Red Carpet Moments with Number_i and Japan’s Global Music Icons the Japanese Grammy’s Image

Interview: Red Carpet Moments with Number_i and Japan’s Global Music Icons the Japanese Grammy’s Image

Interview: Red Carpet Moments with Number_i and Japan’s Global Music Icons the Japanese Grammy’s Image

. 

13. AI

Q. What do you think is the strength of Japanese music?

“Our originality isn’t easily swayed by other countries. The melodic lines, and lyrics with words like ‘恋しい Koishii (missed)’ or ‘切ない Setsunai (sorrowful)’—those can’t be fully expressed in English. That’s something special about Japanese music.”

Q. How would you like to present MAJ to the world?

I want to send a message of peace through my performance today. I sincerely hope the world becomes a more peaceful place, and I want to share that hope from Japan.

→ See AI's performance review here! [Review: Music Awards Japan, the Japanese Grammy's Launch with Unprecedented Scale and Spirit]

Interview: Red Carpet Moments with Number_i and Japan’s Global Music Icons the Japanese Grammy’s Image

Interview: Red Carpet Moments with Number_i and Japan’s Global Music Icons the Japanese Grammy’s Image

Interview: Red Carpet Moments with Number_i and Japan’s Global Music Icons the Japanese Grammy’s Image

Interview: Red Carpet Moments with Number_i and Japan’s Global Music Icons the Japanese Grammy’s Image

Interview: Red Carpet Moments with Number_i and Japan’s Global Music Icons the Japanese Grammy’s Image

Interview: Red Carpet Moments with Number_i and Japan’s Global Music Icons the Japanese Grammy’s Image

. 

14. Masaki Suda

Interview: Red Carpet Moments with Number_i and Japan’s Global Music Icons the Japanese Grammy’s Image

Interview: Red Carpet Moments with Number_i and Japan’s Global Music Icons the Japanese Grammy’s Image

Interview: Red Carpet Moments with Number_i and Japan’s Global Music Icons the Japanese Grammy’s Image

Interview: Red Carpet Moments with Number_i and Japan’s Global Music Icons the Japanese Grammy’s Image

Interview: Red Carpet Moments with Number_i and Japan’s Global Music Icons the Japanese Grammy’s Image

. 

15. Mrs. GREEN APPLE

Q. What do you think is the strength of Japanese music?

Motoki Ohmori: The lyrics—there’s this beautiful sense of ‘Wabi-sabi’ and a sensitivity that I believe is uniquely Japanese.

Q. How do you think Japanese music will evolve globally through MAJ?

Motoki: “Hmm… I think it would be wonderful if each artist could be properly evaluated for who they are, and be able to sing and express themselves freely, true to their identity. That’s something we strive for as well.”

→ See Mrs. GREEN APPLE's performance, award moments, and results here! [Review: Music Awards Japan, the Japanese Grammy's Launch with Unprecedented Scale and Spirit]

Interview: Red Carpet Moments with Number_i and Japan’s Global Music Icons the Japanese Grammy’s Image

Interview: Red Carpet Moments with Number_i and Japan’s Global Music Icons the Japanese Grammy’s Image

Interview: Red Carpet Moments with Number_i and Japan’s Global Music Icons the Japanese Grammy’s Image

Interview: Red Carpet Moments with Number_i and Japan’s Global Music Icons the Japanese Grammy’s Image

Interview: Red Carpet Moments with Number_i and Japan’s Global Music Icons the Japanese Grammy’s Image

Interview: Red Carpet Moments with Number_i and Japan’s Global Music Icons the Japanese Grammy’s Image

Photo Credit : [Ayaka Ozaki]

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