Award winners

• Japan Record Award:
  • Max Matsuura
    Max Matsuura
    , better known as Max Matsuura, is a record producer and president of one of the largest music labels in Japan, Avex Group. He is known mainly for discovering and developing new artists and converting them into big stars. Ayumi Hamasaki is the most famous example of Matsuura's work...
    
     (producer), CREA + D・A・I (composer) & Ayumi Hamasaki
    Ayumi Hamasaki
    is a Japanese singer-songwriter, record producer, model, lyricist, and actress. Also called "Ayu" by her fans, Hamasaki has been dubbed the "Empress of Pop" because of her popularity and widespread influence in Japan and throughout Asia. Born and raised in Fukuoka, she moved to Tokyo at fourteen to...
    
     (Songwriter, singer) for "Dearest
    Dearest
    "Dearest" is the 24th single released by Ayumi Hamasaki. It was released September 27, 2001. It is featured on the Best of InuYasha Soundtrack...
    
    "
• Best Vocalist:
  • Toshimi Tagawa
• Best New Artist:
  • w-inds.
    W-inds.
    W-inds is a Japanese pop boy band that is managed by Vision Factory and has been signed to the Pony Canyon label since 2000. The group consists of the three individuals Ryohei Chiba, Keita Tachibana, and Ryuichi Ogata. They made their formal debut in 2001 and, to date, have released 30 singles...