What Is 2013 MTV Video Music Awards Japan

Overview

The 2013 MTV Video Music Awards Japan celebrated the most influential music videos and artists from Japan and across Asia during the eligibility period. Hosted on June 22, 2013, at the Makuhari Messe in Chiba, the ceremony marked the 12th annual edition of the Japanese version of the global MTV VMAs. The event highlighted both mainstream pop and underground talent, emphasizing regional creativity and international appeal.

Organized by MTV Japan, the show blended high-energy performances with award presentations across more than 15 categories. Unlike the U.S.-based VMAs, the Japanese version places a stronger emphasis on domestic artists while also recognizing pan-Asian contributions. The night featured live acts from top J-pop and rock acts, underscoring Japan’s vibrant music scene.

• Exile won Best Group Video for 'Exile Pride (Kiss the Sky)', a patriotic anthem released in April 2013 that topped the Oricon charts for three consecutive weeks.
• Namie Amuro was honored with the Legend Award, recognizing her two-decade-long influence on Japanese pop culture and fashion.
• The ceremony was held on June 22, 2013, making it the first time since 2010 that the event returned to a live, in-person format after several years of pre-recorded broadcasts.
• Kana Nishino took home the Best Female Video award for 'Always', a ballad that achieved over 500,000 digital downloads in Japan alone.
• One Ok Rock won Best Rock Video for 'The Beginning', a single used as the theme song for the film 'Rurouni Kenshin' and certified platinum by the RIAJ.

How It Works

The MTV Video Music Awards Japan operates through a combination of public voting, industry judging panels, and MTV’s internal criteria to determine winners across categories. While fan engagement plays a major role, especially in popularity-based awards, artistic merit and video innovation are also evaluated by music professionals.

• Best Male Video: Awarded to Ken Hirai for 'The End of the World', a melancholic ballad released in 2012 that resonated with audiences through its cinematic music video.
• Best New Artist: Won by Daichi Miura, whose dance-driven performance style and vocal precision helped him stand out among debut acts in 2012–2013.
• Best Pop Video:Arashi won for 'Endless Game', a track that sold over 750,000 copies in its first week, reflecting the group’s massive popularity.
• Best Collaboration: Awarded to Yui and Kreva for 'I'll Be', a genre-blending track combining pop and hip-hop elements.
• Best Video from Japan: Given to Babymetal for 'Gimme Chocolate!!', a viral hit that introduced kawaii metal to global audiences.
• Global Icon Award: Presented to Psy for 'Gangnam Style', which became the first YouTube video to surpass 1 billion views.

Comparison at a Glance

Below is a comparison of key categories and winners between the 2013 MTV VMAs Japan and the global MTV VMAs:

The differences in winners reflect distinct musical tastes and industry structures. While the global VMAs leaned toward Western pop and hip-hop, the Japanese edition highlighted J-pop, rock, and idol culture. This contrast underscores how MTV adapts its awards to regional markets while maintaining a shared focus on visual creativity and fan engagement.

Why It Matters

The 2013 MTV Video Music Awards Japan played a crucial role in promoting Japanese music both domestically and internationally. By honoring artists like Babymetal and Psy, the event spotlighted cross-cultural trends and the growing influence of Asian pop music on the global stage.

• The Legend Award to Namie Amuro reinforced her status as a fashion and music icon, influencing a generation of J-pop artists.
• Recognizing Babymetal helped legitimize fusion genres and opened doors for idol-metal hybrids in mainstream media.
• The inclusion of Psy highlighted MTV Japan’s openness to pan-Asian talent, strengthening regional music networks.
• Winning a VMA Japan award often leads to a 20–30% increase in digital sales and streaming for the featured video.
• The ceremony boosted tourism, with Makuhari Messe reporting higher visitor traffic during the event weekend.
• It provided emerging artists with international exposure, particularly through MTV’s global broadcast partnerships.

Overall, the 2013 event exemplified how localized award shows can celebrate cultural identity while contributing to a broader, interconnected music industry.