For the 58th Annual NHK Kouhaku Uta Gassen (Crimson Red vs. White New Year’s Eve Special), the network went into different territory, hoping to bring in more viewers. But in three consecutive years, the ratings have continued to dip for the New Year’s Eve special as other stations have broadcasted their own specials against Kouhaku.

So, how did this year’s Kouhaku Uta Gassen fair?

Unfortunately, not much better. The second half of the four hour special only garnered 39.5% which is lower than last year’s 39.8% (lowest overall is 37.6%) in the Kanto region. The ratings rebounded in the Kansai region which previously was at 37.6%.

As for TBS “49th Nihon Record Taishou Awards” held on December 30th, the award show garnered only 16.8% which is a big jump from last year’s terrible 10%.

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All Japanese eyes were on NHK 58th Annual Kouhaku Uta Gassen (actually, news should be out soon to see how the viewing percentage was for New Year’s Eve 2007) but here are more clips from Kouhaku Uta Gassen that are on youtube.com.

Kouhaku Uta Gassen Opening

GACKT: Returner

Nakagawa Shoko - Sorairo Days

Hamasaki Ayumi - Together When…
http://youtube.com/watch?v=vLQFHO32olM

DISCLAIMER: youtube.com videos are courtesy of youtube.com and are not on J-ENT Servers.

ZARD’s Izumi Sakai (40) never really performed live on television that much and many fans wanted to see ZARD perform at Kouhaku Uta Gassen but with Sakai Izumi’s death in May 2007, her label and NHK decided to do a ZARD memorial at Kouhaku Uta Gassen which would feature a video of ZARD performing a medley of classic songs and the recently release of “Glorious Mind”.

While a video was playing on stage, her friends, well-known musicians took to the stage to perform and the ZARD fans finally got their wish to see Izumi Sakai perform on Kouhaku Uta Gassen.

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Image courtesy of Sankei Sports

DISCLAIMER: youtube.com video is courtesy of youtube.com and is not on J!-ENT servers

Eyes were on SMAP leader Nakai Masahiro (35) who was the captain of the red team at Kouhaku Uta Gassen.  Media have kept their eyes to see if there were any truth to the rumors that Nakai and pop diva Koda Kumi (25) are a couple.

After Kouhaku Uta Gassen, Nakai made his first comment to the media regarding the rumors and denied the rumor that he and Koda Kumi were a couple.

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The following music video pick of the day goes to the live performance by Morning Musume of their “Special Love Mix” from “Kouhaku Uta Gassen” (NHK’s New Year’s Crimson Red vs. White special). Not many clips posted so far on youtube at this time but these but nevertheless enjoy!

DISCLAIMER: youtube.com videos are courtesy of youtube and are not on J!-ENT servers

Leah Dizon (21) sung in a medley with female theater/pop group AKB48 and Nakagawa Shoko (22).

The singer wore a sexy costume and media reports that the trouble that Leah experienced at rehearsals (forgetting the lines for Saburo Kitajima’s lines and also choreography) was non-existent on the televised appearance.

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Image courtesy of Sankei Sports

Leah Dizon (21), the popular model from America turned J-Pop singer will be participating in her first Kouhaku Uta Gassen.  In one of the segments, she will be performing with others with the legendary Saburo Kitajima (71) but while on stage, Dizon looked as if she forgot the Japanese lyrics to the song.

While everyone on stage was singing along with Kitajima, Dizon had her face looking downward and started crying on stage.

According to reports, Dizon had a great position to sing in front behind Saburo but to help alleviate the pressure that she was experiencing during rehearsals, production had her moved to the rear left position.

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Image courtesy of Sankei Sports

Yoshida Miwa (42) hasn’t been in the public eye so much since the death of her husband Sueda Takeshi back in September but it was announced that DREAMS COME TRUE would perform at Kouhaku Uta Gassen on New Year’s Eve, a lot of people and fans have wondered how the singer has been doing.

Back in October, fellow bandmate showed concern posting on the official website that Yoshida puts on a brave face but is not ready to perform in front of people.

Sueda and Yoshida have announced their marriage back in May of 2004 but never entered the family register.

Sueda’s condition worsened around August but insisted that Yoshida Miwa continue her concert tour with DREAMS COME TRUE but after each concert, spent each time at her husband’s side.

Sueda Ken is a director and is known for his work for directing the music videos for Dreams Come True, EXILE, Hamasaki Ayumi and Byon Hon.

At Kouhaku Uta Gassen rehearsals, Wada Akiko (57) was seen consoling Yoshida Miwa (42) both in tears for nearly two minutes.

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Image courtesy of Sankei Sports

For the 58th Annual NHK Kouhaku Uta Gassen (Crimson Red vs. White New Year’s Eve Special), the network went into different territory, hoping to bring in more viewers. But in three consecutive years, the ratings have continued to dip for the New Year’s Eve special as other stations have broadcasted their own specials against Kouhaku.

So, how did this year’s Kouhaku Uta Gassen fair?

Unfortunately, not much better. The second half of the four hour special only garnered 39.5% which is lower than last year’s 39.8% (lowest overall is 37.6%) in the Kanto region. The ratings rebounded in the Kansai region which previously was at 37.6%.

As for TBS “49th Nihon Record Taishou Awards” held on December 30th, the award show garnered only 16.8% which is a big jump from last year’s terrible 10%.

More on this article