Overview

• NHK named Ayase Haruka, Imada Mio, Ariyoshi Hiroiki, and announcer Suzuki Naoko as hosts for this year’s Kouhaku Uta Gassen.
• Imada debuts as a Kouhaku host, Ayase returns for a fourth time after six years, Ariyoshi marks a third consecutive year, and Suzuki a second consecutive year.
• The live New Year’s Eve music special is scheduled to air on December 31 on NHK.
• The theme is “つなぐ、つながる、大みそか。” translated as “Connecting on New Year’s Eve,” aiming to bridge eras, generations, gender, language, and race.
• NHK is positioning the broadcast as a capstone to its 100th year of broadcasting, with the performer lineup and additional production details to be announced later.