Karaoke Giants DAM and JOYSOUND Collaborate Again for MUSIC AWARDS JAPAN 2026

Collaboration of Karaoke Leaders at MAJ2026

In an exciting development for music fans, two of Japan's leading karaoke companies, DAM (operated by 株式会社エクシング) and JOYSOUND (managed by 株式会社第一興商), are once again banding together for the MUSIC AWARDS JAPAN 2026 (MAJ2026). This partnership, organized by the Culture and Entertainment Industry Promotion Association (CEIPA), marks the continuation of their joint initiative to sponsor the prestigious "Karaoke Special Award," which was first introduced last year.

MUSIC AWARDS JAPAN is renowned as the nation's largest international music awards program, founded through the collaboration of five major industry organizations. These include the Recording Industry Association of Japan and the Concert Promoters Association. The second annual awards ceremony is set to take place on June 13, 2026, at both the TOYOTA ARENA TOKYO and the SGC Hall Ariake, making it a highly anticipated event for music enthusiasts.

For MAJ2026, the awards will feature a total of six main categories, including "Song of the Year" and "Artist of the Year," alongside over 70 additional categories that celebrate music diversity across various genres and themes. Among these categories, the "Co-creation Category" stands out, honoring collaborations among businesses and organizations within the music industry to promote a vibrant musical culture.

As prize partners, DAM and JOYSOUND will jointly present the "Karaoke of the Year powered by DAM & JOYSOUND" award within this exciting co-creation category. It will recognize the most popular karaoke songs in two divisions: the J-Pop category and the Enka/Kayokyoku category, celebrating the hits that resonate the most with audiences.

This year, the process for selecting the entry songs has been revamped to enhance transparency and engagement from music fans. The entries will consist of songs released in 2025, and during the period from December 2025 to January 2026, the top 30 songs based on performance metrics will be selected for each category. From March 19 to May 31, 2026, the songs that garner the most performances during this window will receive the coveted Karaoke Special Award in their respective divisions.

Notably, the timing of this award presentation falls during the year’s peak karaoke season, coinciding with the traditional year-end and New Year parties in Japan. This timing ensures that the award reflects current trends within the karaoke market, making it particularly relevant and engaging for fans and participants alike.

Additionally, in line with the "Karaoke of the Year powered by DAM & JOYSOUND," both companies will launch a joint campaign designed to promote awareness for the entry songs and encourage even more singing. Participants who sing any of the recognized songs can enter a draw for a chance to win tickets to attend MAJ2026. This initiative seeks to enhance the enjoyment of music through karaoke and to foster a deeper connection between the fans and the songs they love.

Both DAM and JOYSOUND are committed to supporting the evolution of Japanese music culture. They invite all music lovers to join them in celebrating and enhancing the musical landscape via the MAJ2026 awards, fostering a sense of community and shared enjoyment among fans.

Karaoke Special Award: "Karaoke of the Year powered by DAM & JOYSOUND"

- J-Pop Category: Recognizes the most performed J-Pop songs in karaoke.
- Enka/Kayokyoku Category: Acknowledges the most performed Enka and Kayokyoku songs in karaoke.

Selection Process

- Entry Songs:

- Period: December 1, 2025 – January 31, 2026.
- Eligible Songs: Songs released between January 1 and December 31, 2025.
- The top 30 songs will be determined based on karaoke performance data from both DAM and JOYSOUND.

- Karaoke Special Award:

- Evaluation Period: March 19 – May 31, 2026.
- Awards will honor the most performed songs within the identified entry songs on DAM and JOYSOUND.

Karaoke of the Year powered by DAM & JOYSOUND Singing Campaign Details

- Campaign Period: March 19, 2026 – May 20, 2026
- Locations: Participating venues equipped with DAM and JOYSOUND karaoke systems
- Prizes:

- Prize A: Pairs of tickets for 10 winners to attend the MAJ2026 ceremonies (20 total tickets).
- Prize B: Pairs of tickets for 15 winners for the MAJ2026 Grand Ceremony (30 total tickets).

For more information on the campaign, visit the official websites of both DAM and JOYSOUND.