Singapore – 10 of the most iconic names in Japanese pop music descended upon Studio Coast in Tokyo to perform at the 16th MTV Video Music Awards Japan (VMAJ), one of the biggest annual music awards shows in Japan, which honors the best 2000 fans joined the special celebration party “MTV VMAJ 2017 – THE LIVE” and enjoyed a spectacular night of live music, including a performance by one of the hottest K-pop girl groups, BLACKPINK.

Hoshino Gen won the ‘Best Video of the Year – Japan’ with “Family Song” and took home three awards. Bruno Mars, Ed Sheeran, Katy Perry, Shawn Mendes and The Chainsmokers each scored one VMAJ award. For the first time in VMAJ history, winners for each category were chosen by a Selection Committee consisting of MTV creative directors from Asia Pacific with a lens of ensuring each winner met a “global standard” for their music videos. Winners from each award category were announced in early September (full list at the bottom of the release). Additionally, over 3.1 million votes were cast by fans through vmaj.jp from September 4th to 17th to select the ‘Best Video of the Year – Japan’ and the winner was announced last night. “The caliber of music and videos this year’s VMAJ was incredible, especially from our Japanese entries – they really stood out both in terms of quality and content, alongside international winners Ed Sheeran, Katy Perry and Bruno Mars. A particular highlight for me was the gender-bending Family Song by Hoshino Gen and Pa by Kana Nishino,” said Simon Bates, Vice President and Head of MTV Asia Pacific. “Japanese musicians have always been highly creative and innovative with their music and videos and we are delighted the VMAJ allows us to put a spotlight on Japanese artists.”