NHK World's Songs of Tokyo line-up

The line-up of artists that will be performing on the NHK World Japan Songs of Tokyo 2020 program have been announced. The program will be hosted by Murakami Shingo from Kanjani8 with Horan Chiaki as co-host. 

NHK World Japan announcement with full list of performers.

NHK World Japan is an app available in iTunes and Google App stores globally. So the artists that have been selected are those that are thought to have global appeal, which makes the number of anime related guests no surprise. The acts I am looking forward to are BABYMETAL, Hyde, NEWS, Perfume and SixTONES. 

Though out of all the acts listed the only one I am surprised to see on the list is NEWS. I love the group and all, but I am not sure if they would be considered one of the Johnny's groups with a strong international fanbase. Especially with the lack of international promotion. Though perhaps this is the start of Johnny's promoting them internationally, which I would love. 

Of course I cannot help but amuse the thought that this is happening for NEWS after Tegoshi Yuya leaving and complaining about how Johnny's not pushing for a more international exposure was one of the reasons he wanted to leave. I doubt Johnny's is being that petty and is more looking at it as NEWS is going to have another restart after a membership change so it would be good time to do something new with them to go with that.