Even in the years when there were no talents, Mr. Johnny was still doing it”… Looking back on the history of “Johnny’s” and “Kohaku”.

SMAP appeared on the stage… “Kohaku” with Arashi

The Heisei Era had come and gone, and in 1990, Ninja, and in 1991, SMAP, who had just made their debut, finally appeared on the stage. In 1997, when Masahiro Nakai hosted the show for the first time, it was his seventh appearance.

In his second year as host, he came in third from the back with “Yozora Nomukou” (Night Sky Nomukou) against Yoshimi Tendo in the 49th contest. In 2003, he performed “One and Only One Flower in the World” as the last performer. This was the first time that a group singer performed at the last round. This was the day he became the undisputed top singer in the Japanese music world.

Since 1994, there had been basically only two groups, SMAP and TOKIO, participating in the festival due to a conflict with Johnny’s annual countdown live performance, but the composition changed and Johnny’s presence increased dramatically in 2009 when Nakai became the host for the fifth time. However, the composition of the show changed and the presence of the Johnny’s grew dramatically from 2009, when Nakai’s hosting duties had already taken hold for the fifth time. Arashi, in their 10th year, made their first appearance, and the NYC boys joined them for a total of four groups. From this point on, “Kohaku” started with Arashi until their hiatus.

Since the 61st Kohaku (’10), his second appearance, Arashi has hosted the white team for five years in a row. In 2014, the year of the first Kohaku, the first time the audience was treated to a medley of “Kangetsu Kangeki Ame Arashi” and “GUTS!”, the group had already included Kanjani 8 for the third time ,Sexy Zone for the second time, and V6 for the first time. This was the largest number in the history of the festival at that time.

The following year, in 2003, V6 member Inohara Yoshihiko was selected as the host of NHK’s popular program “Asaichi,” based on his performance as the main anchor, and Kondo Masahiko made a comeback as the third host. From the following year, ’16, the members of Arashi were to host the show one by one. Last year, Sho Sakurai was the overall host. From this lineup, Matsumoto Jun, who had never hosted the white team alone, was considered a strong candidate to host this year’s event.

And “Kohaku,” which is all about Johnny’s

JUMP in ’17, King & Prince in ’18, and Kis-My-Ft2 in ’19. In ’20, when Arashi was suspended, the number of entries was the largest among Johnny’s siblings, with seven groups, including SixTONES andSnow Man (who withdrew that year due to a corona infection), who were scheduled to participate for the first time.

Last year, in addition to these groups, Naniwa Otoko made their first appearance, and Kinki-kids also returned to the stage, making the “Kohaku” show a Johnny’s-only affair for the past several years. Not only “Kohaku,” but they have been at the center of all media.

In any case, this year is a year of purification. Whether or not they participate in the festival, something will be said either way. I feel that not having all the members participate in this year’s festival would be more graceful and pleasant.

There was a five-year gap between Johnny’s and Forleaves. I would like to see the boys of SMILE-UP. in “Kohaku” again next year after taking a year off. Either way, it will be a new step forward for “Kohaku.