The year's theme was "Ashita o Utaou" ("Let's sing for tomorrow"), which aimed to spread positive thoughts to a country still rocked by the aftermath of the Tohoku earthquake and subsequent tsunami.
This is the first edition to broadcast in digital terrestrial televisions (except in Fukushima, Miyagi, and Iwate prefectures), as the Japan already switched over since July 24, 2011.
Kohaku aired a pre-recorded performance for the first time with Lady Gaga's "Born This Way".
[1] Mao Inoue, the host of the Red Team, is a Japanese actress best known for her roles in Hana Yori Dango (Boys Over Flowers), and Kids War and co-starring with Chizuru Ikewaki in Mitsui ReHouse commercial from 1997 to 1999.
Arashi, the hosts for the White Team, are a popular male J-Pop group who has not only sold millions, but appeared in dramas, hosted shows, and had countless endorsements.