Cup Of Joe Win Big At Music Awards Japan 2026
The Baguio-based hitmakers also earned a nomination at one of the six major categories of Japan’s largest international music award show.
Courtesy of Cup of Joe
Cup of Joe have represented Filipino music and the Philippines, taking home the Special Award for Philippine Popular Music at the Music Awards Japan 2026, held at the TOYOTA ARENA TOKYO.
Cup of Joe became the second Filipino artist or act to earn the special award at the ceremony. In its inaugural edition in 2025, the ceremony honored the seven-piece rock, funk, and pop band Lola Amour for their 2023 hit “Raining in Manila.”
Meanwhile,” the band’s chart-topping hit Multo” was nominated for the Best Song Asia Award. Fellow nominees in the category include “Tabola Bale” by Silet Open Up from Indonesia, “Dash” by PLAVE from South Korea, “Drowning” by WOODZ from South Korea, and “Golden” by HUNTR/X from South Korea. HUNTR/X eventually took home the award for “Golden.”
Before the ceremony, Cup of Joe performed the song during the Premiere Ceremony, which featured a lineup of acts across different regions and genres. The band became one of the first non-Japanese acts selected to perform, alongside Indonesian singer-songwriter Hindia.
Watch the live performance of “Multo” below:
The Music Awards Japan is organized by the Japan Culture and Entertainment Industry Promotion Association (CEIPA) in collaboration with the Japanese Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry (METI). The music awards show is based on the concept “Connecting with the world, illuminating the future of music” and recognizes and honors music talents from Japan, Asia, and the Western regions.
The voting process of the ceremony is conducted by over 5,000 voters across the music industry, from artists, concert promoters, record label staff, and international music award jurors, among others.
Frequently Asked Questions
Cup of Joe won the Special Award for Philippine Popular Music for their hit “Multo” at the Music Awards Japan 2026, held at TOYOTA ARENA TOKYO.
No. Cup of Joe became the second Filipino artist or act to win from the Music Awards Japan. In 2025, the inaugural edition honored Lola Amour with a special award — outside the six main categories.
The Music Awards Japan is organized by the Japan Culture and Entertainment Industry Promotion Association (CEIPA) in collaboration with Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry. It recognizes music talent from Japan, Asia, and Western regions under the concept of connecting global music.
Yes. Before the main ceremony, Cup of Joe performed “Multo” at the Premiere Ceremony, which featured acts across different regions and genres. They were among the first non-Japanese acts selected to perform, alongside Indonesian singer-songwriter Hindia.
In the inaugural 2025 edition, Filipino rock, funk, and pop band Lola Amour received the special Philippine Popular Music award for their 2023 hit “Raining in Manila.”
