Collusion between TV and the music industry -- manipulated star system in the mid-1970s

Collusion between TV and the music industry -- manipulated star system in the mid-1970s

In 1975, Japanese music programming was closely tied to TV stations and the music industry, with "Kohaku Uta Gassen," "Best Ten," and "School Birth" serving as stages for the birth of stars. A "star system" led by some record companies and production companies had been established through the collaboration between TV stations, which emphasized viewership ratings, and the music industry, which aimed for commercial success.

For example, in the "Kohaku Uta Gassen," the selection of performers was influenced by the influence of production companies, and certain singers were given preferential treatment. The "Best Ten" ranking was also manipulated by the record companies and TV stations under the guise of viewers' votes. In programs such as "School Birth" that sought out newcomers, there was a tendency to give preferential treatment to candidates with ties to a particular agency or record company.

This resulted in a loss of musical diversity and the burying of new talent, a phenomenon that was viewed as problematic.