‘MTV VMAJ 2017 – The Live’ heats up Tokyo with BLACKPINK as special guest!

-Hoshino Gen Wins the Best Video of the Year – Japan and Takes Home Three
-Bruno Mars, Ed Sheeran, Katy Perry, Shawn Mendes and The Chainsmokers Score One Each
-Idol Girl Groups Ruled the Night with Electrifying Performances by Momoiro Clover Z, Keyakizaka46, BiSH and hottest K-Pop Girl Group BLACKPINK

Singapore (September 28, 2017) – Last Wednesday, 10 of the most iconic names in Japanese pop music descended upon Studio Coast in Tokyo to perform at the 16^th MTV Video Music Awards Japan (VMAJ), one of the biggest annual music awards shows in Japan, which honors the best music videos by both international and Japanese artists.

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 and 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 4^th to 17^th 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.”

The biggest moments include:

• Japanese track-master MONDO GROSSO kicked off the night with “Labyrinth” which featured iconic J-pop singer Hikari Mitsushima. Hikari made a surprise appearance and delivered a mesmerizing performance.
• Daichi Miura took to the stage with his energetic performance including the song “(RE)PLAY”. He won Best R&B Video, making it his 4^th VMAJ award.
• Best Rock Video winner WANIMA rocked the crowd with its riveting performance of “CHARM” and “Hey Lady”
• KICK THE CAN CREW delivered a dynamic performance who recently released a highly-anticipated album after 14 years.
• Japanese idol group Momoiro Clover Z wowed the audience with its vivacious performance of “BLAST!”. Momoiro Clover Z has also just announced their performance at the next MTV Unplugged, locally produced in Japan, slated for November.
• BUCK-TICK was honored with the Inspiration Award Japan. The group celebrates their 30^th anniversary since their first debut and delivered a high-octane performance that demonstrated why they are one of the pioneers in Japanese music.
• THE RAMPAGE from EXILE TRIBE performed a fresh and energetic dance onstage
• This was followed by BiSH, an upcoming girls group which made their debut last year and left a huge impact on the audience.
• BLACKPINK, one of the hottest K-Pop girl groups, colored the stage with the perfect combination of their cute looks and stunning dance performance as they performed two of their hits “BOOMBAYAH” and “As If It’s your Last”
• Closing the show was KEYAKIZAKA46 who dazzled the audience with their performance of “Eccentric” “Hukyowaon”. The popular 20-member idol group took home the “Best Buzz Award” as their recent dance choreography for “Eccentric” went viral.

Full List of 2017 MTV VMAJ winners:

Best Video of the Year – Japan
Hoshino Gen – Family Song

Best Male Video – Japan
Hoshino Gen – Family Song

Best Male Video – International
Bruno Mars – That’s What I Like

Best Female Video – Japan
Kana Nishino – Pa

Best Female Video – International
Katy Perry – Bon Appétit feat. MIGOS

Best Group Video – Japan
Momoiro Clover Z – BLAST!

Best Group Video – International
The Chainsmokers – Closer feat. HALSEY

Best New Artist Video – Japan
THE RAMPAGE from EXILE TRIBE – Lightning

Best New Artist Video – International
Shawn Mendes – Treat You Better

Best Rock Video
WANIMA – CHARM

Best Metal Video
Metallica – Hardwired

Best Alternative Video
Rekishi – KATOKU

Best Pop Video
Ed Sheeran – Shape of You

Best R&B Video
Daichi Miura – (RE)PLAY

Best Hip Hop Video
KICK THE CAN CREW – 1000%

Best Dance Video
MONDO GROSSO – Labyrinth

Best Collaboration Video
Hikaru Utada – Boukyaku featuring KOHH

Best Choreography Video
Hoshino Gen – Koi

Inspiration Awards Japan
BUCK-TICK

Best Buzz Award
Keyakizaka46

On air schedule in Asia Pacific:

MTV Asia / MTV PH
Premiere: 25 Nov @ 9pm SGT
Repeats: 26 Nov @ 5pm | 28 Nov @ 11pm | 1 Dec @ 1pm

MTV China
Premiere: 10 Nov @ 6pm CST
Repeats: 11 Nov @ 10pm | 12 Nov @ 3.30pm

MTV Vietnam
Premiere: 28 Oct @ 7pm ICT
Repeats: 29 Oct @ 10.30pm | 30 Oct @ 9pm | 31 Oct @ 2pm | 4 Nov @ 4pm

SBS MTV Korea
Premiere: 28 Oct @ 11pm KST

MTV Australia / New Zealand
Premiere: 3 Dec @ 9pm AEST
Repeats: 5 Dec @ 10am

MTV VMAJ 2017 – THE LIVE

Date:          September 27^th, 2017

Live Act:     BUCK-TICK, Keyakizaka46, KICK THE CAN CREW, Daichi Miura, Momoiro Clover Z, MONDO GR（Vocal: Hikari Mitsushima), THE RAMPAGE from EXILE TRIBE, WANIMA

Guest Act:  BiSH, BLACKPINK

Venue:       STUDIO COAST

Website:    VMAJ.JP (http://www.mtvjapan.com/vmaj2017/)

Source: Viacom International Media Networks (VIMN)