Kazunari Ninomiya has been announced as a host for NHK's new music special 'NHK Summer Music Festival: Uta de Aetara 2026,' that's scheduled to air on August 15.

Ninomiya will co-host the program alongside Motoki Ohmori (Mrs. GREEN APPLE), and Keiko Kitagawa.

The special will feature performances of beloved songs from the Showa, Heisei and Reiwa eras, selected based on viewers' requests and messages. 

Thirty-one artists have been confirmed at this time including, Aimyon, Atarashii Gakkou!, Erika Ikuta, Taiko Ichinomori, Aes! group, Yo Oizumi, Motoki Ohmori, ORANGE RANGE, Akira Kushida, Hiromi Go, Masashi Sada, Junretsu, Hideaki Tokunaga, Leo Ieiri, Humbert Humbert, Kiyoshi Hikawa, Masaharu Fukuyama, FRUITS ZIPPER, Keiko Masuda (Pink Lady), Mrs. GREEN APPLE, Kosetsu Minami, Yoko Minamino, Hiroji Miyamoto, M!LK, Monaki, Yoko Moriyama, Ikusaburo Yamazaki, Linda Yamamoto, LUNA SEA, and Misato Watanabe. More artists will be announced at a later date. 

Ninomiya commented, "Hosting alongside Ohmori-san and Kitagawa-san feels really refreshing, and I think it's going to be a combination you don't get to see very often. Somehow, I have a feeling the two of them will be relying on me lol."

Applications to attend the public recording, as well as song requests and viewer messages, will be accepted through NHK's official website beginning July 3. The recording is scheduled to take place at NHK Hall on August 9.