The Japan Record Awards:The Best Newcomer Award went to Kocchi no Kento and Masaki Suda's younger brother, who said, "I couldn't have received a better reward."

The final selection for the 66th The Japan Record Awards(sponsored by the Japan Composer's Association) was held on December 30th at the New National Theatre (Shibuya Ward, Tokyo), and out of the five groups that received the Newcomer Award, Kocchi no Kento was awarded the Best Newcomer Award. When asked how he felt about winning, he burst out with joy, saying, "I've worked hard this past year. I couldn't have received a better reward!"

Kocchi no Kento is a multi-creator who is active in a wide range of fields, including music production, video production, and design. His song "Hayorokonde," released this year, has been viewed 140 million times on YouTube and has been viewed over 15 billion times on social media (as of December 2024). He is also known as the younger brother of actor Masaki Suda. He will also be appearing in the "75th NHK Kohaku Uta Gassen" (general and other channels) on New Year's Eve.

When asked by the general Shinichiro Azumi, announcer Shinichiro Anju, for a message to his wife, he smiled and said, "Thank you, always... it's embarrassing!" After receiving the award, when asked if he was ready to perform "Haiyorokonde," he replied, "Haiyorokonde!"

This year's Record Awards will be broadcast live on TBS as usual, and the main hosts will be actress Haruna Kawaguchi and TBS announcer Shinichiro Azumi, as they did last year.

◇66th The Japan Record Awards New Artist Award winners (in alphabetical order, titles omitted)

ILLIT Kocchi no Kento and Yudai Koyama ME:I