Sakanaction's 'Kaiju' Song Wins Song of the Year at Music Awards Japan 2026
The Japan Culture and Entertainment Industry Promotion Association (CEIPA) announced the major award winners during the Grand Ceremony of its Music Awards Japan event on Saturday. The awards event launched last year.
The major award winners are:
- Artist of the Year: Mrs. Green Apple
- Song of the Year: "Kaiju" by sakanaction (from Orb: On the Movements of the Earth)
- New Artist of the Year: HANA
- Album of the Year: Prema by Kaze Fujii
- Best Global Hit from Japan: "HYPNOTIZE" by XG
- Best Song Asia: "Golden" by HUNTR/X (from KPop Demon Hunters)
Other notable award winners include:
- Best J-POP Song: "IRIS OUT" by Kenshi Yonezu (from Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc)
- Best J-POP Artist: Mrs. Green Apple
- Best Rock Song: "Kaiju" by sakanaction
- Best Rock Band/Solo Artist: sakanaction
- Best Hip Hop/Rap Song: "doppelgänger" by Creepy Nuts (from the live-action Under Ninja film)
- Best Hip Hop/Rap Artist: Creepy Nuts
- Best Anime Song: "Kaiju" by sakanaction
- Best Original Score for Animation: "Lazarus" soundtrack by Kamasi Washington, Bonobo, and Floating Points
- Best Vocaloid Culture Song Award: "A Spoonful of SPELL" by r-906
- Best Girls Idol Culture Artist: FRUITS ZIPPER
- Special Award: Fandom Best Fandom Artist powered by LINE MUSIC & Yahoo! Japan Search: Mrs. Green Apple
The Grand Ceremony featured performances by Mrs. Green Apple, M!LK, FRUITS ZIPPER, Fujii, sakanaction, LiSA, Yonezu, and more.
Yonezu's "IRIS OUT" also won Best Japanese Song in Asia, Best Japanese Song in Europe, Best Japanese Song in North America, and Best Japanese Song in Latin America.
Sakanaction's "Kaiju" also won Best Music Video. Ado won the award for Largest Live Audience (International).
Music Awards Japan also presented a special "MAJ Timeless Echo" award to Tatsuro Yamashita (Summer Wars, Mirai). The award was in recognition for the artist who has long contributed to and excelled in the Japanese music industry.
The full list of the more than 70 award winners is available on the Music Awards Japan's website.
