Weekly Bunshun has reported allegations of wrongdoing surrounding the Japan Record Awards, bringing to light a series of issues, including tie-up sales by judging committee members amounting to ¥10 million per vote, an increase in the number of Newcomer Award slots and alleged slot manipulation by TBS.
Weekly Bunshun has reported various allegations surrounding the 2026 Japan Record Awards. The existence of tie-up sales amounting to ¥10 million per vote has been identified in connection with “proposal materials” allegedly involving judging committee members, casting doubt on the fairness of the judging process.
Including a reprint of its 2016 scoop, the magazine has published evidence suggesting the possibility that the Record Awards were “bought,” presenting it as the truth about the awards. Developments in which money is alleged to have been involved have come to light through the acquisition of invoices.
In addition, several inexplicable developments, including a sudden increase in the number of Newcomer Award slots and alleged slot manipulation by TBS, have been covered in the same series of reports, raising new questions about the management structure of the Japan Record Awards.
The article focuses on these points to question transparency and fairness in the operation and judging system of the Japan Record Awards.