The Artist Award winners for 'Billboard JAPAN Music Awards 2011' have been announced!

Billboard JAPAN established this awards festival back in 2009. They nominate artists who have topped the Billboard Charts throughout the year. �The winners are chosen by votes submitted through cell phones or the internet.

For 2011, the 'Artist of the Year' award went to none other than AKB48. The group also claimed the 'Top Pop Artist' award, the 'Hot 100 of the Year' award, and the 'Hot 100 Single Sales of the Year' award, making them the first artist to win 4 awards in one year.

Check out the full list of winners below!

===

<Artist of the Year>
- AKB48

<Top Pop Artist>
- Avril Lavigne
- AKB48
- JUJU
- T-ara
- Tohoshinki

<Jazz Artist of the Year>
- Uehara Hiromi

<Classic Artist of the Year>
- Miyamoto Emiri

<Animation Artist of the Year>
- Mizuki Nana

<Independent Artist of the Year>
- AK-69

<US Billboard Publisher's Awards>
- Yuki Saori

<K-POP New Artist of the Year>
- GUMMY

<Active Artist of the Year (Presented by Daiwa House)>
- BIGMAMA

<New Artist of the Year>
- Kaoru to Tomoki, Tama ni Mook

===

<AKB48>



<T-ARA>



Source: Billboard JAPAN Official Website
Image: Barks