Japanese Music Show 'Song Thanksgiving' Features Ayumi Hamasaki and Snow Man

A Japanese television music special titled "Song Thanksgiving" (Uta no Kanshasai) has drawn attention online following performances from several notable artists, including singer Ayumi Hamasaki.

The program was hosted by Shota Watanabe and actress Manami Higa. During the broadcast, Hamasaki performed a song that had become a major chart-topping hit two decades ago.

According to reports, Hamasaki remarked that she had heard Watanabe was hosting the program, a comment that reportedly left him visibly moved.

Watanabe's emotional reaction, combined with Hamasaki's rare performance, generated significant buzz among viewers on social media.

Many online commenters described her song as a "god-tier track," a term commonly used in Japanese fan culture to praise an outstanding musical work.

Other fans expressed excitement simply at having the opportunity to see Hamasaki perform live, referring to her by her widely used nickname, "Ayu."

Ahead of the broadcast, producers released a detailed program lineup, outlining the order in which artists would perform throughout the special.

Per the released schedule, the idol group Snow Man was assigned to open the show, setting the tone for the rest of the program.

In addition to their opening performance, Snow Man performed a total of three songs during the broadcast, according to the released timetable.

While the available information centers primarily on Hamasaki's appearance and Snow Man's role as the opening act, it suggests that the special featured a broader roster of performers as part of its overall celebration of music.

The reaction to Hamasaki's appearance, in particular, appears to reflect continued public affection for her earlier work, even two decades after its original release.

Details about other performers or full program content beyond these highlights have not been specified in currently available reports.