Japan's premier music television event is coming back bigger this summer. THE MUSIC DAY 2026 will air July 4 on Nippon Television with an expanded 9.5-hour live broadcast from the Makuhari Messe in Chiba.

Sho Sakurai of Arashi continues as primary host for the 14th consecutive year, joined by anchors Shinichi Hatori, Bakarism, Asami Mizuto, and Reina Ichiki. The extended airtime gives producers room to feature 60 or more artists, with full lineup details coming later.

This year's theme—"Stories of Music"—reflects a philosophy about connecting performers and audiences through shared musical memories. According to Sakurai, the concept recognizes that both artists and viewers carry personal narratives tied to songs. "Whether it's 'I was listening to this song when that happened' or other memories, each person has their own story," he explained. "I'd like this program to bridge the stories that artists deliver and the stories that viewers carry with them."

When asked about his own turning point song, Sakurai revealed a charming backstory. He chose "Sushi Kuinē!" by Shubugaki Tai—the track he danced to during his television debut. At the time, he hadn't informed his school about his entertainment career, so he asked producers if he could dance out of camera range. "I remember dancing in the far back right of the screen, trying not to stand out," he laughed. By the time the episode aired, he'd informed his school, but the song remains deeply meaningful.

Sakurai emphasized the program's accessibility for this year's extended runtime. "Whether you watch from the beginning or jump in whenever you want, it's designed to be enjoyable throughout," he said. "I hope viewers feel the live energy of everything happening at Makuhari right now."

The broadcast airs July 4, 1:30 PM to 10:54 PM JST on Nippon Television and affiliated networks.