Actors Masato Sakai and Mana Ashida will host NHK’s year-end music spectacular, the Kohaku Uta Gassen, for the first time this New Year’s Eve, the public broadcaster confirmed on its official website on October 9. The pair will share hosting duties with actor Kazunari Ninomiya, who is returning to the Kohaku stage after a nine-year break.
The 77th edition of the show will air on NHK General TV starting at 7:20 p.m. on December 31. News of the lineup first surfaced on October 8 through Japanese entertainment outlets before NHK made the appointment official the following morning. For both Sakai and Ashida, this marks a debut turn as Kohaku emcees, while Ninomiya, a member of the group Arashi, previously hosted the program in past years before stepping away.
Details on how the three presenters will divide hosting responsibilities across the broadcast have not yet been released. NHK typically pairs its Kohaku hosts with additional sub-hosts who appear from backstage or satellite locations throughout the night, and further announcements about the full lineup, including performing artists, are expected in the weeks ahead.
Who is Masato Sakai?
Masato Sakai, 52, is one of Japan’s most recognizable television and film actors, known for his versatility across drama and comedy. He has led numerous hit NHK and commercial network dramas over his career and is a frequent presence in high-profile television specials, making him a natural fit for a broadcast as closely watched as Kohaku.
Who is Mana Ashida?
Mana Ashida, 22, began her acting career as a child star and has since grown into one of Japan’s most prominent young actresses, with a long list of film and television credits spanning more than a decade. Her rise from beloved child performer to established adult actress has made her a familiar and trusted face for Japanese audiences of all ages, a quality NHK has often sought in its Kohaku hosts.
What is the Kohaku Uta Gassen?
The Kohaku Uta Gassen, or “Red and White Song Battle,” is NHK’s annual New Year’s Eve music broadcast, pitting a team of female artists (red) against a team of male artists (white) in a friendly singing competition. Running since 1951, it remains one of the most-watched broadcasts of the year in Japan and a fixture of the country’s New Year’s Eve traditions, with hosting slots considered among the most prestigious assignments in Japanese television.
With the host lineup now set, attention will shift to which artists are invited to perform, with NHK’s full announcement expected to follow in the coming weeks.
Author’s Comment
Be still my heart, NHK finally understood what the people wanted: competence. Sakai and Ashida are the kind of hosts who can read an autocue, crack a gentle joke, and not make you want to throw the remote at the TV, which, historically, is more than Kohaku has delivered some years. Pairing them with Ninomiya, who’s clearly been forgiven for his nine-year sabbatical, feels like NHK playing it extremely safe after a few recent editions got dragged online for being chaotic or just plain awkward. Smart move, honestly. I’ll still be half-watching this with one eye on Twitter reactions, because that’s the real second screen experience of Kohaku night.
