The awards will honor songs and albums first released either digitally or physically between January 1 and December 31, 2025, with some category-specific exceptions. Winners are determined through votes cast by music industry professionals, alongside select categories that incorporate public participation.
This year’s edition introduces a broad slate of listener-driven and collaborative awards, developed in partnership with leading industry and technology companies including Spotify Japan, XING Inc., DAIICHIKOSHO Co., Ltd., MIXI, Inc., USEN Corporation, and LINE MUSIC. In total, seven public-participation categories will highlight songs that have resonated strongly with audiences across streaming platforms, karaoke services, and broadcast channels.
Among the headline categories are the “Best of Listeners’ Choice” awards for both domestic and international songs, powered by Spotify. These categories will allow users in Japan and around the world to vote for their favorite tracks, with multi-phase voting rounds scheduled between March and May.
Another key category, “Best Global Hit From Japan,” will spotlight domestically produced songs that have achieved significant international reach. Eligible tracks will be drawn from global consumption data, with final nominees determined through overseas listener voting.
The co-creation segment also places emphasis on fan engagement and real-world listening habits. Karaoke-based awards will recognize the most performed J-Pop and enka/kayōkyoku songs, while additional honors will spotlight artists with strong fan-driven support and high request volumes on music platforms.
New categories introduced this year reflect a broader push to include both emerging trends and younger creators. These include the Best Vocaloid Culture Song, open to public voting via dwango, and the Student Creator Encouragement Award under the STUDENT MUSIC CREATORS CHALLENGE, organized in collaboration with Kyoto University of the Arts.
Another addition, the Family Song award, will celebrate tracks that have become part of everyday family life, while a fandom-focused category will recognize artists backed by particularly dedicated fan communities.
Awards week is set to run from June 5 through June 13, culminating in the main ceremony in Tokyo. Organizers say the expanded category lineup underscores a commitment to recognizing not only industry excellence but also the listening habits and creative contributions of the wider public.