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FRUITS ZIPPER added to MUSIC AWARDS JAPAN 2026 line-up following CHANMINA withdrawal

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FRUITS ZIPPER artist photo, 2026-06

FRUITS ZIPPER have been confirmed as performers for the MUSIC AWARDS JAPAN 2026 Grand Ceremony, taking place on June 13th at TOYOTA ARENA TOKYO. The addition follows CHANMINA’s withdrawal from the event on health grounds.

The Harajuku idol group join a line-up of distinguished artists already set to perform at the awards, organised around the concept of “connecting with the world and illuminating the future of music”. As with the rest of the bill, FRUITS ZIPPER will appear whether or not they pick up an award on the night.

CHANMINA announced on June 8th that she would withdraw from her scheduled performance after being diagnosed with throat problems associated with hypothyroidism. In a joint statement, her agency RAINBOW ENTERTAINMENT and label NO LABEL MUSIC said the condition came to light after she reported throat discomfort, and that her physician had advised a period of treatment and recuperation.

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FRUITS ZIPPER will appear alongside Fujii Kaze, HANA, MISAMO, Sam Smith, sakanaction, Hitsujibungaku, and Kenshi Yonezu, as well as Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra, who perform with special guests LiSA, TAKUMA of 10-FEET, and AiNA THE END.

The seven-piece are nominated four times across the 2026 ceremony, including Best Girls Idol Culture Artist and a double nomination for Best Girls Idol Culture Song for ‘Kagami’ and ‘Hacha Mecha Wacha Life!’. The latter, the first new theme song for Crayon Shin-chan in five years, is also up for Best Anime Song and Best of Listeners’ Choice: Japanese Song powered by Spotify.

2026 has been a big year from the group, who played their largest show to date in February with FRUITS ZIPPER SPECIAL LIVE 2026 “ENERGY” at Tokyo Dome, drawing roughly 50,000 fans, before launching their fourth anniversary arena tour “DREAM WITH IN” in April. In May they took home two prizes at the ASIA STAR ENTERTAINER AWARDS 2026.

The MUSIC AWARDS JAPAN 2026 Grand Ceremony will be broadcast live on NHK and streamed worldwide on YouTube, excluding certain regions, with further live streams on Lemino, ABEMA, and radiko.

About FRUITS ZIPPER 

FRUITS ZIPPER are a seven-member Japanese idol group formed through ASOBISYSTEM's KAWAII LAB. project. The line-up is Amane Tsukiashi, Suzuka Chinzei, Yui Sakurai, Luna Nakagawa, Mana Manaka, Karen Matsumoto, and Noel Hayase. Announced in February 2022, the group began activities that April with the digital single 'Kimi no Akarui Mirai o Oikakete'. Following KAWAII LAB.'s "From Harajuku to the World" concept, FRUITS ZIPPER have become closely associated with its "NEW KAWAII" approach, placing individuality and self-acceptance at the centre of contemporary kawaii culture. Their breakthrough came with second single 'Watashi no Ichiban Kawaiitokoro', released in April 2022. The song spread widely through TikTok and later passed 100 million streams in Japan, helping take the group from a 100-capacity debut show to major venues. FRUITS ZIPPER won Best New Artist at the 2023 Japan Record Awards, followed by Excellence Awards for 'NEW KAWAII' in 2024 and 'Kagami' in 2025. They also made their first appearance at NHK's Kōhaku Uta Gassen at the end of 2025. FRUITS ZIPPER held two Nippon Budokan concerts in May 2024, followed by a 15-date hall tour and increasingly large anniversary shows. Their two Saitama Super Arena stadium-mode concerts in August 2025 sold out, drawing a combined 50,000 people. On February 1st 2026, they headlined Tokyo Dome for the first time, performing 44 songs to approximately 50,000 attendees. The group also won Best Girls Idol Culture Artist at MUSIC AWARDS JAPAN 2026 and continue to release music through KAWAII LAB. while expanding their activities in Japan and overseas.

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