CHEMISTRY Covers J-Pop Icons for 25th Anniversary Special
The vocal duo CHEMISTRY will perform on NHK's 'The Covers' program on June 7, celebrating their 25th debut anniversary by covering hits from Akina Nakamori, Yumi Matsutsuya, and Namie Amuro.

CHEMISTRY is marking a quarter-century milestone with a special appearance on NHK BS's music cover series "The Covers." Airing June 7 at 10:50 PM, the program will feature the beloved vocal duo performing three iconic tracks from legendary J-pop artists.
The setlist includes Akina Nakamori's "Mi Amore," Yumi Matsutsuya's "Hello, My Friend," and Namie Amuro's "Baby Don't Cry." Each cover gets its own distinct treatment: "Mi Amore" features CHEMISTRY's signature jazzy sound, "Hello, My Friend" strips things back with just organ and saxophone, and "Baby Don't Cry" showcases the duo's signature groove-oriented arrangement.
Beyond the performances, hosts Lily Frankie and Moe KamiShiraishi will sit down with CHEMISTRY members Yo Kawabata and Yoshikuni Douzin to discuss their musical origins and journey over the past 25 years. The conversation will trace their evolution from their 2001 debut through their various hiatuses and reunions.
CHEMISTRY's path to this milestone has been unconventional. The pair emerged from an "ASAYAN" audition in 2000 that drew roughly 20,000 applicants. Their debut single "Pieces of a Dream" became a phenomenon, spending 16 consecutive weeks in the Top 10 and achieving million-seller status. Their first album "The Way We Are" went triple platinum that same year, followed by a debut appearance on the NHK Red and White Song Festival in December 2001.
After focusing on solo careers from 2012 onward, the duo reunited for select performances starting in 2017 before officially reactivating their partnership. A 20th-anniversary best-of collection followed in 2022.
The program will air on NHK BS and BS Premium 4K on June 7, with narrator Koichi Domoto providing additional commentary.
