NHK’s annual New Year’s music program “Kohaku Uta Gassen” will have 55 artist appearing on this 62nd show, airing on December 31st at 7:15 pm JST.

This year’s theme is “Ashita wo Utaou” (Let’s Sing for Tomorrow), and it aims to spread positive thoughts to a country rocked by the aftermath of the Tohoku Earthquake and tsunami.

Additionally, actress Inoue Mao will serve as the presenter for the Tohoku Aid Project during this year’s broadcast, to reach out to family whose children were born on that day. The scenes were shot by photographer Kobayashi Kisei, hoping to give off the feeling that there is hope for the future. Inoue said:

When they overcame their grief and hardship, there were many hopes and smiles to be had. Life being born, living with all you’ve got within your complex thoughts, and deciding to protect [those things]… their family bonds deeply moved me with their great courage. I hope to connect you to the hope of the future known as ‘Tomorrow.’

Check out the performers and songs below.

**Red Team**
aiko – “Koi no Superball”
ayaka – “Minna Sora no Shita”
Angela Aki – “One Family”
Ikimono Gakari – “Aruite Ikou”
Ishikawa Sayuri – “Tsugaru Kaikyo Fuyugeshiki”
AKB48 – “Kohaku 2011 AKB48 Special MIX ~Ganbarou Nihon!~”
KARA – “KARA 2011 Special Medley”
Kawanaka Miyuki – “Nirinso”
Koda Kumi – “Ai wo Tomenaide”
Godai Natsuko – “Kinmokusei”
Kobayashi Sachiko – “Onna no Sakaba”
Sakamoto Fuyumi – “Yozakura Oshichi”
Shiina Ringo – “Carnation – Akagumi nara Dare Demo”
Shoujo Jidai – “GENIE”
Tendou Yoshimi – “Ai Sansan”
Nishino Kana – “Tatoe Donna ni”
Perfume – “Laser Beam”
Hamasaki Ayumi – “progress”
Hirahara Ayaka – “Ohisama ~Taisetsu na Anata e”
Fuji Ayako – “Ayako no Okuni Jiman dayo ~Ganbarona Tohoku!! Kohaku Special~”
Matsuda Seiko / Kanda Sayaka – “Ue wo Muite Arukou”
Matsutouya Yumi – “(Minna no) Haru yo, Koi”
Mizuki Nana – “POP MASTER”
Mizumori Kaori – “Shounai Heiya Kazeno Naka”
Wada Akiko – “Ano Kane wo Narasu no wa Anata”
Ashida Mana / Suzuki Fuku – “Maru Maru Mori Mori!”
Natsukawa Rimi / Akikawa Masafumi – “Asu to Iu Hi ga”

**White Team**
Arashi – “2011 Kohaku Special Medley”
Itsuki Hiroshi – “Furusato”
Inawashirokos – “I love you & I need you Fukushima”
EXILE – “Rising Sun”
NYC – “100% Yuuki NYC”
Kitajima Saburou – “Kaerokana”
Gou Hiromi – “Go Smile Japan”
SMAP – “SMAP AID Kohaku SP”
Sen Masao – “Kita Guni no Haru”
Tohoshinki – “Why? (Keep Your Head Down)”
TOKIO – “Miageta Ryusei”
Tokunaga Hideaki – “Jidai”
AAA – “CALL”
Nagabuchi Tsuyoshi – “Hitotsu”
Nishida Toshiyuki – “Ano Machi ni Umarete”
Hikawa Kiyoshi – “Jounetsu no Mariachi”
Hirai Ken – “Itoshiki Hibi yo”
FUNKY MONKEY BABYS – “Soredemo Shinjiteru”
Fukuyama Masaharu – “Kazoku ni Narou yo”
flumpool – “Akashi”
Hosokawa Takashi – “Nebuta”
Porno Graffitti – “One More Time”
Mori Shinichi – “Minato Machi Blues”
Yuzu – “Hey Wa”
L’Arc~en~Ciel – “CHASE”

Last year’s performance was pretty epic, so I’m looking forward to watching this one as well. Which team’s performances are you looking forwad to most? (White team for me!!)

Source: 1 + 2