Kanna Hashimoto Hosting NHK Kōhaku Uta Gassen for the Third Year Hints at a Big-Name Artist’s Debut

The time has come, it’s Showtime!

On October 11, NHK announced that the hosts for the 75th NHK Kōhaku Uta Gassen on New Year’s Eve will be Hiroiki Ariyoshi (50), actress Kanna Hashimoto (25), Sairi Itō (30), and NHK announcer Nahoko Suzuki (42).

Hashimoto, who stars in the current NHK morning drama Omusubi, will team up with Itō, the lead in the 2024 first-half NHK morning drama Tora ni Tsubasa. This collaboration between two Asadora heroines is generating buzz.

Hashimoto shared her excitement about hosting on her social media platform X:

“Thank you for allowing me to host the Kōhaku Uta Gassen for the third consecutive year. No matter how many times I stand on this grand stage, I never get used to it. I’ll channel my nerves into energy and enjoy the experience while making sure everyone else enjoys it too! I look forward to it!”

Fans on social media expressed their joy over Hashimoto’s appearance:

“Hashimoto Kanna-chan and Itō Sairi-chan hosting Kōhaku…!! The heroines of Tora ni Tsubasa and Omusubi together, from the first and second half of the year’s Asadora, that’s awesome!”

“Hashimoto Kanna-chan hosting Kōhaku!! I love her so much, she’s the best in the world, number one!!”

“The Kōhaku hosts are Hashimoto Kanna and Itō Sairi, the Asadora heroines! Looks like we’ll have a bright New Year’s Eve.”

There’s also growing anticipation for something bigger:

“With Kanna Hashimoto hosting, does that mean there’s a chance for a first-time appearance? #KōhakuUtaGassen #Bz”

“Could B’z make an appearance since Kanna Hashimoto is hosting Kōhaku???”

“I’ll definitely watch if B’z performs, or if a cat crashes the show.”

NHK’s wish

The anticipation is building for a possible appearance by B’z, widely considered one of the last remaining big-name artists who have never performed at the Kōhaku Uta Gassen. If they were to appear, it would undoubtedly be a major headline.

“B’z is responsible for the theme song of the NHK morning drama Omusubi, starring Kanna Hashimoto. NHK would surely love to have them perform alongside her at Kōhaku,” said a director from a production company.

Despite once being considered a national program, Kōhaku’s viewership has steadily declined in recent years. The 74th Kōhaku Uta Gassen last year recorded its lowest ever household ratings in the Kanto region: 29.0% for the first part (22.0% individual rating) and 31.9% for the second part (23.5% individual rating). This year, major changes are expected, and there are even rumors of STARTO (formerly Johnny & Associates) artists being involved.

If B’z makes their debut appearance, it would surely attract significant attention.

NHK has already been laying the groundwork. On July 19, 2023, Close-up Gendai aired a special segment on B’z. Vocalist Koshi Inaba appeared on News Watch 9 on May 1, 2023, and guitarist Tak Matsumoto was featured solo on SONGS on July 25.

“B’z typically doesn’t schedule work during the year-end and New Year period, but during the 71st Kōhaku Uta Gassen, which took place during the COVID-19 pandemic, artists like Gen Hoshino and Mr. Children participated through pre-recorded performances. Given that precedent, B’z might consider performing via pre-recording,” a record company director suggested.

Should the upcoming Kōhaku record its lowest ratings again, the long-running program’s future may be in jeopardy. NHK is likely working hard to ensure its survival by boosting ratings, and there’s a strong possibility they are making a serious effort to secure B’z for the show.