The 75th NHK Kōhaku Uta Gassen kicked off on the eve of the New Year, December 31, 2024, with much anticipation swirling around the event. Historically, this annual music festival has been one of Japan's most celebrated cultural traditions, featuring prominent artists and iconic performances. This year, the show experienced its typical fanfare, but not without some challenges.
B'z, the legendary rock band, made their first appearance at the Kōhaku, bringing their significant following with them. Their surprise performance at the NHK Hall captured the attention of viewers. The band's powerful stage presence and timeless hits added excitement, illuminating the stage with energy. Despite viewer concerns leading up to the event, B'z delivered such impressive performances, highlighting their enduring popularity.
Other new faces included ME:I and Omoinotake, capturing the attention of younger audiences as they debuted their catchy tunes. The show featured various musical styles, reflecting the changing dynamics of Japan's music scene.
Yoshiyasu Yajima, head of NHK's content team, highlighted the performances' impact, stating, "It was as if the year was wrapped up with the liveliest music festival, truly wonderful live entertainment." His reflections foreshadow the show's future development and relevance to audiences.
On the ratings front, the Kōhaku experienced mixed results. The average ratings registered were 29.0% for the first half and 32.7% for the latter half, marking one of the lowest since the show adopted its two-part format back in 1989. Despite this, the second half did manage to perform slightly higher than the previous year, indicating the show retained some of its loyal audience fans.
Concerns about the event had been mounting before the New Year's Eve show, partially fueled by speculation about the lineup. Representative artists and entertainers had been predicted to appear, but some fan-favorite acts like Nakamori Akina did not take the stage, leaving viewers wanting. Nevertheless, the inclusion of popular artists initially helped stoke excitement.
Recent years have seen increased competition from rival programming. Streaming services and live performances have drawn away younger viewers, showcasing how rapidly entertainment consumption habits are changing. Even talented groups from the agency STARTO, like Snow Man, achieved record views during their NYE live streams, competing directly with the Kōhaku.
Given the talent line-up this year, considerable attention was focused on specific performances. Notably, MISIA and Fukuyama Masaharu led the closing acts on the red and white teams, respectively. Their vibrant performances were reflective of the festival's grand tradition.
The expectations of always delivering the “best live entertainment” challenged the Kōhaku's team, pushing them to return to core performance values. These included showcasing strong vocal talent over gimmicks. Music experts anticipate this as the renew strategy can restore lost fan connection and viewership.
Despite rating concerns, there was recognition of standout performances, such as the moving tribute to Nishida Toshiyuki by team members. Artists like Yamato Hiromi brought back memories with cherished songs dedicated to their late peers.
Meanwhile, the integration of youthful energy through collaborative performances between new acts like TOMORROW X TOGETHER and veterans is viewed as purposeful—efforts to draw younger viewers back. Special choreography created for the Kōhaku indicates how diverse acts appeal to various generations.
This year's event has ended successfully forward-thinking, not without its challenges but offering glimpses of the future. The fervor surrounding the evening remains palpable, demonstrating Kōhaku's importance to Japanese culture and the opportunity it has to evolve.
Moving forward, many question if the Kōhaku can retain its cherished spot as the nation's traditional New Year’s Eve performance. This year has sparked discussions about balancing nostalgia and modernity to cater to all of Japan's diverse viewer segments.
With all eyes on the Kōhaku Uta Gassen each New Year’s Eve, the challenge remains to inspire every citizen across generations with music—a task both monumental yet necessary for cultural continuity.