Sound House and TuneCore Japan are hosting a music contest called “Otoya Grand Prix,” and entries are now being accepted! The grand prize is 500,000 S Points (equivalent to 500,000 yen) and other luxurious prizes. Various prizes to support musical activities are also available for the top winners.
And this time, we are pleased to announce that Kanata Okajima, a lyricist, composer, and music producer who has worked on numerous hit songs by famous artists, will be participating as a special judge! This is your chance to have your work heard by a world-renowned hit maker! We look forward to receiving your submissions!
Application period: Thursday, August 7, 2025, to Sunday, September 7, 2025
■ Kanata Okajima – Profile
Songwriter / Music Producer
Kanata Okajima has contributed to and produced over 500 songs for top artists such as BTS, TWICE, aespa, LE SSERAFIM, Ado, Da-iCE, NiziU, Snow Man, and KAF. Her work has reached No.1 on the Oricon charts more than 170 times.
She received the Japan Record Award for Excellence for Daichi Miura’s “EXCITE,” which she wrote and composed. BTS’s single “Crystal Snow,” also written and composed by her, reached No.1 in 17 countries.
In 2018, she participated as a vocal producer in the recording of 15 tracks on Namie Amuro’s final album “Finally,” which sold over 2 million copies. In 2019, she wrote and composed “DA DA DANCE feat. Tak Matsumoto” for BABYMETAL, included in the album that became the first by an Asian artist to top the U.S. Billboard Rock Chart.
In 2020, she wrote the lyrics for Snow Man’s single “Kissin’ My Lips.” In 2021, BTS’s best album, BTS, THE BEST, which includes “Crystal Snow,” was released. In 2022, Snow Man’s album Snow Mania S1, featuring “Kissin’ My Lips,” followed. Then in 2023, King & Prince’s album Mr.5, featuring “Naughty Girl,” surpassed one million in sales. These consecutive successes made her a million-selling songwriter for four years in a row.
Despite not finishing high school and being a mother of two, she remains a prominent figure in the industry, with her story featured in the media. She also published a motivational essay for teens titled There’s More Than One Way to Achieve Your Dreams (PHP Institute).
Recently, she’s been active globally, writing for artists across Sweden, the UK, the U.S., Colombia, India, and China.
Known for her skills in English interpretation, vocal direction, and narration, she’s also provided Japanese lyrics for Moulin Rouge! The Musical, and worked on theme songs for Dai-ichi Life’s urban projects and a Katsushika Hokusai installation in Shibuya.
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Eligible entries are songs distributed by TuneCore Japan!
For the latest updates and entry guidelines, visit the official contest page:
Otoya Grand Prix 2025 with TuneCore Japan