61st Japan Record Awards Winners and Nominations Announced
The Japan Composer’s Association announced the winners and nominations of this year’s 61st Japan Record Awards on 15 November 2019. The Japanese idol groups AKB48 Group, Nogizaka46, Keyakizaka46 and Hinatazaka46 as well as Little Glee Monster are nominated for the “Excellent Works Award”. Of particular importance to the committee in selecting this year’s nominations for the “Excellent Works Award” were the works of Foorins “Paprika”, Nogizaka46’s “Sing Out!”, Kiyoshi Hikawas “Daijoubu”, Daichi Miura’s “Katasumi” and Little Glees Monster’s “ECHO”. The Japanese TV station TBS (Tokyo Broadcasting System) will broadcast the award ceremony live on 30 December 2019.
Criteria for the Japan Records Awards
Comment by Committee Chairman Fumihiko Sasomori (Nikkan Sports Shimbun): The “Excellent Works Award” is to be given to a work that is not only a popular choice among the general public, but also possesses artistic excellence, originality, excellent planning and represents the year in which it was published. It is an award that should encompass more than the popularity of an artist or a particular song and also the question of how the song has reached people of different generations.
61st Japan Record Awards – Winners/Nominees
“Excellent Works Award” (Grand Prix) Nominations
- Little Glee Monster – ECHO
- Daichi Miura – Katasumi
- Keyakizaka46 – Kuroi Hitsuji
- AKB48 Group – Sustainable
- Junretsu – Junretsu no Happy Birthday
- Nogizaka46 – Sing Out!
- Kiyoshi Hikawa – Daijoubu
- Hinatazaka46 – Doremi solasido
- DA PUMP – P.A.R.T.Y. ~Universe Festival~
- Foorin – Paprika
Best New Artist Nominations
- Ryouta Kaizou
- Leon Niihama
- BEYOOOOONDS
- Ryuusei
Album of the Year
- THE YELLOW MONKEY – 9999
Album Excellence Award
- Eikichi Yazawa – Itsuka, Sono Hi ga Kuru Hi made…
- Aimyon – Shunkanteki Sixth Sense
- King Gnu – Sympa
- Rimi Natsukawa – Churasa Kanasa
Special Award
- Masaki Suda
- Mariya Takeuchi
- Kenshi Yonezu
Best Vocalist Award
- Yukino Ichikawa
Composition Award
- Takafumi Iwasaki (Kiyoshi Hikawa – “Genkai Toppa×Survivor”)
Verse (Lyrics) Award
- Shinichi Ishihara (Takeshi Matsubara – “Saihoku Cinema” / Yukino Ichikawa – “Yuki Renge”)
Arrangement Award
- Takuya Ohashi, Shintarou Tokita (Sukima Switch – “Seishun”)
Planning Award
- Hiroko Moriguchi – GUNDAM SONG COVERS
- Kaho Takada – Daikoukai 2020 ~Koi yori Suki ja, Dame desuka? ver.~
- Naomi Chiaki – Bigin
- Ran Itou – My Bouquet
- Jaejoong – Love Covers
- Golden Bomber – Reiwa
Japan Composer’s Association Award
- Midori Oka
Achievement Award
- Katsuko Kanai
- Mari Sono
- Munetaka Hakamada
- Billy BanBan
Lifetime Achievement Award
- Mieko Arima
- Yuuya Uchida
- Kazuya Senke
- Kenichi Hagiwara
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