The 23rd Japan Record Awards ceremony was held on 31 December 1981 at the Imperial Theatre, Tokyo, and was broadcast live in Japan through the TBS Television network.
The broadcast ran from 19:00 (JST) to 20:54 (JST).
Keizō Takahashi hosted the ceremony for the thirteenth time.
The 23rd Japan Record Award went to
Akira Terao
is a Japanese musician, singer and actor. As of 2012, he is the only male actor to have received both the Japan Record Award and the Japan Academy Award for Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role.
Early life
Terao was born in Yo ...
for "Ruby no Yubiwa"
( ja). "Ruby no Yubiwa" also won the Gold Award as well as the Lyricist, Composer, and Arranger Awards. Best Vocal Performance went to
Hiromi Iwasaki
is a Japanese female singer who debuted in 1975. Her younger sister Yoshimi Iwasaki is also a singer. In 1981 she was awarded the Silver Prize at the Tokyo Music Festival for her song "Koimachigusa".
Her representative songs are "" — "" ( ...
for "Sumire Iro no Namida"
( ja), and Best New Artist went to
Masahiko Kondō
, or Matchy, is a Japanese singer, lyricist, actor, racing car manager and former semi-professional racing driver. He was a member of the Tanokin Trio.
Kondō is also a semi-professional racing driver and a racing team owner. He founded the racin ...
for "Gin Gira Gin ni Sarigenaku"
( ja).
Presenters
; Main host
* Keizō Takahashi
; Progress hosts
* Kentaro Watanabe (TBS announcer)
*
Keiko Takeshita
Keiko Takeshita (竹下景子 ''Takeshita Keiko''; born on September 15, 1953, in Higashi-ku, Nagoya, Japan) is a Japanese actress. She starred in the Japanese version of '' From Up on Poppy Hill'' as Hana Matsuzaki.
Filmography Film
*'' Blue C ...
Nominees and winners
Japan Record Award
* "Ruby no Yubiwa"
( ja)
** Artist:
Akira Terao
is a Japanese musician, singer and actor. As of 2012, he is the only male actor to have received both the Japan Record Award and the Japan Academy Award for Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role.
Early life
Terao was born in Yo ...
** Lyricist:
Takashi Matsumoto
** Composer: Akira Terao
** Arranger:
Akira Inoue
Best Vocal Performance
*
Hiromi Iwasaki
is a Japanese female singer who debuted in 1975. Her younger sister Yoshimi Iwasaki is also a singer. In 1981 she was awarded the Silver Prize at the Tokyo Music Festival for her song "Koimachigusa".
Her representative songs are "" — "" ( ...
– "Sumire Iro no Namida"
( ja)
Best New Artist
*
Masahiko Kondō
, or Matchy, is a Japanese singer, lyricist, actor, racing car manager and former semi-professional racing driver. He was a member of the Tanokin Trio.
Kondō is also a semi-professional racing driver and a racing team owner. He founded the racin ...
– "Gin Gira Gin ni Sarigenaku"
( ja)
New Artist Award
Best New Artist Award nominations.
*
Masahiko Kondō
, or Matchy, is a Japanese singer, lyricist, actor, racing car manager and former semi-professional racing driver. He was a member of the Tanokin Trio.
Kondō is also a semi-professional racing driver and a racing team owner. He founded the racin ...
– "Gin Gira Gin ni Sarigenaku"
( ja)
* Takayuki Takemoto – "Terete Zin Zin"
* Yūko to Yayoi – "Otōsan"
* Yutaka Yamakawa – "Hakodate Honsen"
( ja)
* Hiroyuki Okita – "Hamidashi Champion"
Gold Award
Japan Record Award nominations.
*
Miyuki Kawanaka
is a Japanese enka singer. Her singing career spanned over four decades. She married Katsuo Yamada in 1991.
Early life
Kawanaka was born Kimiko Kawanaka in Yonago, Tottori. At a young age, she moved to Suita, Osaka where she grew up.
In 1973 ...
– "Anata Hitosuji"
*
Shinichi Mori
known professionally as is a Japanese male enka singer and composer, who also sings folk and pop music. He has sold more than 90 million records, making him one of the best selling Japanese musicians.
Mori has been married and divorced twic ...
– "Inochi Ataete"
*
Masako Mori – "Kanashimi Honsen Nihonkai"
( ja)
*
Hiroshi Itsuki
is a Japanese singer and composer. As of 1987, he had sold 20 million singles and 4 million LP albums.
Itsuki is usually regarded as an ''enka'' singer, but he has also released a cover version of Southern All Stars' J-pop song "Tsunami".
Care ...
– "Jinsei Kakurenbo"
( ja)
*
Kenji Sawada
is a Japanese singer, composer, lyricist and actor, best known for being the vocalist for the Japanese rock band The Tigers. Nicknamed because of his self-professed adoration of Julie Andrews, he was born in Tsunoi, Iwami (now part of Totto ...
– "Stripper"
( ja)
*
Hiromi Iwasaki
is a Japanese female singer who debuted in 1975. Her younger sister Yoshimi Iwasaki is also a singer. In 1981 she was awarded the Silver Prize at the Tokyo Music Festival for her song "Koimachigusa".
Her representative songs are "" — "" ( ...
– "Sumire Iro no Namida"
( ja)
*
Hideki Saijo
was a Japanese singer, composer, actor, drummer, voice actor, and television and radio show host. Due to his numerous pioneering achievements throughout Asia in the 1970s and 1980s, he is considered an icon amongst Shōwa era idols.
With on- ...
– "Sentimental Girl"
( ja)
*
Chanels – "Machikado Twilight"
( ja)
*
Toshiyuki Nishida
was a Japanese actor. He won two Japanese Academy Awards for best actor, for '' The Silk Road'' (1988) and '' Tsuribaka Nisshi 6'' (1993). He also won the Blue Ribbon Award for Best Actor for '' Get Up!'' and '' Tsuribaka Nisshi 14'' (2003). O ...
– "Moshimo Piano ga Hajiketa nara"
( ja)
*
Akira Terao
is a Japanese musician, singer and actor. As of 2012, he is the only male actor to have received both the Japan Record Award and the Japan Academy Award for Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role.
Early life
Terao was born in Yo ...
– "Ruby no Yubiwa"
( ja)
Golden Idol Award
*
Seiko Matsuda
, known professionally as , is a Japanese singer-songwriter, known for being one of the most popular Japanese idols of the 1980s. Since then, she has continued to release new singles and albums, go on annual summer concert tours, perform at wi ...
– "Kaze Tachinu"
( ja)
*
Tahara Toshihiko – "Good Luck Love"
( ja)
*
Naoko Kawai
(born 24 July 1963) is a Japanese former pop idol, singer-songwriter, and composer who was active in the 1980s.『別冊近代映画 河合奈保子特集号』（近代映画社刊 1981年） Kawai was from the same generation as Seiko Matsud ...
– "Smile For Me"
( ja)
*
Yoshie Kashiwabara
is a Japanese pop singer and actress currently signed under Freeload agency. In early 1980's, she gained her popularity as a teen idol and made singing debut with single ''No.1''.
She represented Japan at the 1986 ABU Popular Song Contest.
Hi ...
– "Hello Goodbye"
( ja)
Best Album Award
*
Off Course
Off Course was a Japanese folk rock band formed by Kazumasa Oda and Yasuhiro Suzuki. They broke up after a farewell performance at the Tokyo Dome on February 26, 1989.
Their most famous songs are "Sayonara" (さよなら), "YES-YES-YES", "Se ...
– ''We Are''
( ja)
*
Yumi Matsutoya
, nicknamed , is a Japanese singer, composer, lyricist and pianist. Generally the writer of both the lyrics and the music in her songs, she is renowned for her idiosyncratic voice and live performances, and is one of the most prominent figures ...
– ''Mizu no Naka no Asia e''
( ja)
*
Eiichi Ohtaki
was a Japanese musician, singer-songwriter and record producer. He first became known as a member of the rock band Happy End, but was better known for his solo work which began in 1972. In 2003, Ohtaki was ranked by HMV at number 9 on their l ...
– ''
A Long Vacation
''A Long Vacation'' is an album by Japanese musician Eiichi Ohtaki, released on March 21, 1981. It sold over a million copies and won Best Album at the 23rd Japan Record Awards. It has been called one of the greatest Japanese rock albums of ...
''
Best Ten Albums
*
Off Course
Off Course was a Japanese folk rock band formed by Kazumasa Oda and Yasuhiro Suzuki. They broke up after a farewell performance at the Tokyo Dome on February 26, 1989.
Their most famous songs are "Sayonara" (さよなら), "YES-YES-YES", "Se ...
– ''We Are''
( ja)
*
Tatsuro Yamashita
, occasionally referred to as Tatsu Yamashita or Tats Yamashita, is a Japanese singer-songwriter and record producer, who is known for pioneering the city pop style of music.
His most well-known song is "Christmas Eve", a best-selling song rel ...
– ''
On the Street Corner 1''
* Yasuko Agawa – ''Sunglow''
*
Southern All Stars
, also known by the abbreviations and SAS, are a Japanese rock band formed in Kanagawa in 1974.
The band is composed of Keisuke Kuwata (lead vocals and guitars), Yuko Hara (vocals and keyboards), Kazuyuki Sekiguchi (bass), (drums) and (pe ...
– ''Stereo Taiyō-zoku''
( ja)
*
Yumi Matsutoya
, nicknamed , is a Japanese singer, composer, lyricist and pianist. Generally the writer of both the lyrics and the music in her songs, she is renowned for her idiosyncratic voice and live performances, and is one of the most prominent figures ...
– ''Mizu no Naka no Asia e''
( ja)
* The Venus – ''Love Portion No.1''
*
Miyuki Nakajima
(born February 23, 1952, Sapporo, Hokkaidō, Japan) is a Japanese singer-songwriter and radio personality. She has released 44 studio albums, 48 Single (music), singles, 6 live albums and multiple compilations as of January 2020. Her sales have ...
– ''
Ringetsu''
*
Eiichi Ohtaki
was a Japanese musician, singer-songwriter and record producer. He first became known as a member of the rock band Happy End, but was better known for his solo work which began in 1972. In 2003, Ohtaki was ranked by HMV at number 9 on their l ...
– ''
A Long Vacation
''A Long Vacation'' is an album by Japanese musician Eiichi Ohtaki, released on March 21, 1981. It sold over a million copies and won Best Album at the 23rd Japan Record Awards. It has been called one of the greatest Japanese rock albums of ...
''
*
Creation
Creation or The Creation or Creations, may refer to:
Arts and entertainment Film
* ''Creation'' (1922 film), a British silent drama
* ''Creation'' (unfinished film), 1931
* ''Creation'' (2009 film), about Charles Darwin
Literature
* ''Creation ...
– ''Lonely Heart''
( ja)
Lyricist Award
*
Takashi Matsumoto – "Ruby no Yubiwa"
( ja) (singer:
Akira Terao
is a Japanese musician, singer and actor. As of 2012, he is the only male actor to have received both the Japan Record Award and the Japan Academy Award for Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role.
Early life
Terao was born in Yo ...
)
Composer Award
Also known as the
Shinpei Nakayama
was a Japanese songwriter famous for his many children's songs ('' warabe uta)'' and popular songs (''ryūkōka'') that have become deeply embedded in Japanese popular culture.
Early life
Nakayama was born in 1887 in Nakano City, Nagano Prefe ...
Award.
*
Akira Terao
is a Japanese musician, singer and actor. As of 2012, he is the only male actor to have received both the Japan Record Award and the Japan Academy Award for Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role.
Early life
Terao was born in Yo ...
– "Ruby no Yubiwa"
( ja) (singer:
Akira Terao
is a Japanese musician, singer and actor. As of 2012, he is the only male actor to have received both the Japan Record Award and the Japan Academy Award for Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role.
Early life
Terao was born in Yo ...
)
Arranger Award
*
Akira Inoue – "Ruby no Yubiwa"
( ja) (singer:
Akira Terao
is a Japanese musician, singer and actor. As of 2012, he is the only male actor to have received both the Japan Record Award and the Japan Academy Award for Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role.
Early life
Terao was born in Yo ...
)
Special Award
* Utako Matsushima
Planning Award
*
Masayoshi Takanaka
is a Japanese musician, producer and composer. Takanaka rose to fame and achieved commercial success during the 1970s and 1980s. He is known for his virtuosic guitar playing and skilled musicianship, composing and performing across various diff ...
,
Kitty Films
Kitty Films Co., Ltd. (キティフィルム ''Kabushiki-gaisha Kiti Firumu'') was a production company established in 1972 in Japan. They were a pioneer in releasing full anime television series in a single set. The sound recording work by Ken' ...
,
Polydor Records
Polydor Limited, also known as Polydor Records, is a British record label that operates as part of Universal Music Group. It has a close relationship with Universal's Interscope Geffen A&M Records label, which distributes Polydor's releases in ...
– ''Niji Densetsu''
*
King Records – ''Uta wa Ikiteiru''
*
Saori Yuki
is a Japanese singer and actress. She was born as Akiko Yasuda ( in Kiryū, Gunma, Japan and raised in Yokohama. She started her singing career with her older sister Sachiko (b. 1941) as a child singer. In 1965 she debuted with the single "Hit ...
,
Toshiba EMI
, formerly , was one of Japan's leading music companies. It became a wholly owned subsidiary of British music company EMI Group Ltd. on June 30, 2007, after Toshiba sold off its previous 45% stake. Its CEO and president was Kazuhiko Koike. When ...
– ''Shōwa Tsuyasho''
Long Seller Award
*
Yujiro Ishihara – "Brandy Glass"
( ja)
* George Yamamoto – "Michi no Kuhitori Tabi"
( ja)
* Tetsuya Ryu – "Okuhida Bojō"
( ja)
References
*"Japan Grand Record Prize Awarded to Akira Terao". Billboard. 23 January 1982
p 86
External links
*
{{Japan Record Awards
1981
Events January
* January 1
** Greece enters the European Economic Community, predecessor of the European Union.
** Palau becomes a self-governing territory.
* January 6 – A funeral service is held in West Germany for Nazi Grand Admiral ...
Japan Record Awards
is a major music awards show, held annually in Japan that recognizes outstanding achievements in the Japan Composer's Association. Established in 1959, the Japan Record Awards are one of the oldest and most prestigious music awards in the countr ...
Japan Record Awards
is a major music awards show, held annually in Japan that recognizes outstanding achievements in the Japan Composer's Association. Established in 1959, the Japan Record Awards are one of the oldest and most prestigious music awards in the countr ...
Japan Record Awards
is a major music awards show, held annually in Japan that recognizes outstanding achievements in the Japan Composer's Association. Established in 1959, the Japan Record Awards are one of the oldest and most prestigious music awards in the countr ...
Japan Record Awards
is a major music awards show, held annually in Japan that recognizes outstanding achievements in the Japan Composer's Association. Established in 1959, the Japan Record Awards are one of the oldest and most prestigious music awards in the countr ...