The hosts and program theme for the '73rd NHK Kohaku Uta Gassen' to air on December 31 have been revealed. 

This year's hosts will be Oizumi Yo, Hashimoto Kanna, and NHK announcer Kuwako Maho. In addition, Sakurai Sho (Arashi) has been appointed as special navigator. 

The theme of the program will be 'LOVE & PEACE -Minna de Share!-.' With this theme, the program aims to deliver the "importance of peace" and "hopeful love" through song to close 2022, an unpredictable and anxious year caused by the ongoing pandemic, the war in Ukraine, and series of natural disasters. 

Sakurai commented, "I want Japan to be engulfed by 'love' and 'peace' during this time when music resounds. I feel very honored to assist with that in this new position as special navigator."